Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister of State. I ask him to make a statement about future funding under the social intervention fund for Limerick city and the implications for vital community projects.

The economic and social intervention fund for Limerick city was set up under the Limerick regeneration framework implementation plan, which set out a programme of physical, social and economic interventions over a ten-year period and is due to end on 31 December. The fund has financially supported 180 social, economic and community development projects across Limerick.

The areas that will be impacted by the loss of this funding include regeneration areas of Ballinacurra Weston, Moyross, Southill and St. Mary’s Park. Projects affected include the Bedford Row Family Project, Limerick Youth Service and Limerick Island Community Partners, serving the King's Island area. The fund also supports Our Lady of Lourdes community centre, the Southill Hub and Moyross groups like Extern and the Moyross Community Enterprise Centre. It has also benefited St. Munchin’s Community Centre. These services are the foundation of the communities they support. Their work is far too important and Limerick cannot afford to lose any of them through a lack of funding.

My party leader, Mary Lou McDonald, my colleague, Maurice Quinlivan, and the Sinn Féin team in Limerick visited St. Mary’s Park, among others, on Friday. People there told us that they had been advised that no further funding was available, they had up to 1,200 individuals dependent on their services and the projects they ran were essential for the local area and individuals, leading to increased confidence and employment of those who would otherwise be left behind. They told us that Limerick City and County Council had acknowledged that the services were too important to lose but had been unable to confirm any funding stream as yet. The council had advised the centre that it should put the staff on notice and that their jobs were now at risk. This affects 12 individuals in full- and part-time work whose positions are dependent on this scheme. If funding is not sourced by February, it is likely that the centre will have to close down. It will no longer be able to support interventions in one of the most deprived areas of the State.Numerous parliamentary questions have been raised with the Minister by Deputy Quinlivan seeking assurances around the continuation of funding for the various community centres, projects, groups and clubs that currently depend on this funding. Responses from the Minister stating that the Department is awaiting a response from Limerick City and County Council on seeking alternative funding sources are concerning.

We are six weeks away from the funding cliff edge. Staff are worried they will have no jobs in the new year and it is causing so much stress waiting for clarity on their future. The staff are not just worried about their own jobs. They are genuinely worried about the loss of services to the community they care so passionately about. These are the concerns of just one of the groups we spoke to. There are so many more that will be affected.

This date for the end of funding was set ten years ago. Why has it taken so long for anyone to come up with a plan for alternative sources of funding? I would hate to think that any of these groups or community services will be lost as a result of sheer incompetence or neglect to ensure the stability and funding of community services across Limerick. The regeneration funding might be ending but it must be said the regeneration project is far from being complete. Does the Minister of State have some clarity on the possible sources of funding going forward? Will he give any reassurance to those workers who, even as we speak, have been put under protective notice even and to the communities affected?

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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My Department currently supports a programme of large-scale regeneration projects in Limerick, Dublin and Cork and smaller projects in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk. These regeneration projects target the country's most disadvantaged communities and seek to address the causes of disadvantage in these communities through an holistic programme of physical, social and economic regeneration.

As the Senator is keenly aware, the Limerick regeneration framework implementation plan, LRFIP, was adopted by the then Limerick City Council in February 2014. This plan set out a programme of physical, social and economic interventions over a ten-year period from 2014 to 2023. The plan is now in its final year. A key element of the LRFIP to date has been the economic and social intervention fund, ESIF, and approximately €4 million per annum over the past ten years has been made available from my Department. This fund supports a range of social and economic initiatives to strengthen the local communities in the target areas of Moyross, Ballinacurra Weston, St. Mary's Park and Southill. This fund is an integral part of the overall approach to regeneration and helps to leverage additional mainstream funding for the benefit of the areas.

Limerick City and County Council is responsible for the operation of the programme. Projects proposed for funding are selected through an open process reviewed by an independent assessment committee whose recommendations are sent to my Department for confirmation of funding. The council also operates an appeals process for unsuccessful applicants. A review completed in 2016 of the LRFIP showed that the social interventions in the Limerick regeneration areas had a positive effect on the communities. I think the Senator pointed this out in his opening remarks. Investment in this area has focused on school services, community centres, family support, youth work, improving the health and well-being and quality of life of residents, improving the social environment and safety on the estates, and access to further education, training and work.

As the Limerick agreed programme concludes in 2023, my Department has asked Limerick City and County Council to develop a strategy for the future funding of these important initiatives. This is to ensure the benefits of regeneration can be built upon and carried on into the years ahead. My Department has agreed to continue funding of the ESIF for 2024 and has requested Limerick City and County Council to submit proposals for review. The Senator can rest assured my Department remains committed to working with the council to sustain the benefits being achieved through the implementation of projects under the regeneration programme. This offers a positive way forward for Limerick City and County Council. It is important the proposals it will bring forward for 2024 are submitted to our Department for review. It is critically important for the continuum of these programmes and projects. The Senator spoke about staff members being at risk. It is critically important the local authority is proactive and brings forward proposals for review by my Department.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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I was pleased to see a key line in the Minister of State's response, which frankly has not been confirmed to any of these groups to date, which is that the Department has agreed to continue funding for ESIF for 2024. This is a very welcome announcement.What I cannot understand, and perhaps we may be at one on this, is why those working on these key projects are being told by the council to give protective notice to their employees. I need to understand better what has happened here. As I pointed out earlier, we have had ten years to prepare for this end of funding and to put new funding in place.

My request of the Minister of State is for more information as to when he put in this request to the council for the strategic plans to be submitted and how long he has been waiting for a response. He might also say something about funding beyond 2024. I would hate to think we were in a situation where, every 12 months, we are going to go through this real concern about the future funding of projects and the future of the staff and communities involved.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Those are questions we can come back to the Senator on. Certainly, all parties were aware of the end date of 2023. It was critical for future planning that Limerick City and County Council would begin the process of engagement and consultation around the continuum of support for the very valuable initiatives the Senator has spoken about, notwithstanding the fact there are staff affected by this. Our Department has allocated €50 million from the 2024 Vote to fund the national regeneration programme, which includes the economic and social intervention fund. The fund is there, and it is very important that Limerick City and County Council brings forward these plans. We are reaching the end of 2023. It is important that the council submits its plans to the Department. If there is any additional support or information that the Senator requires, we can pass that on to him through the Department in the context of what is required. However, it is critical that the local authority brings forward those proposals as soon as possible.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his time this afternoon. I know how busy he is. I commend Senator Gavan on putting down this matter. As I am from a neighbouring county, I know the great work that has already been done on regeneration in Limerick. The people involved are outstanding. That clarity is welcome and, hopefully, this matter can be resolved.