Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to invest through the community employment scheme, the job initiative scheme, the rural social scheme and the community services programme in providing top class community services on islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28664/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 195 of 14 Bealtine 2008.

In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, my Department has made considerable progress in relation to the development of community services on our islands through the Community Services Programme (CSP) and the Rural Social Scheme (RSS).

The CSP currently supports six community enterprises located on five islands — Árann Mhór, Inis Oírr, Inis Mór, Inishboffin and Achill — in Donegal, Galway and Mayo. Support provided is in the form of a contribution towards the wages of five managers and twenty-four full-time equivalent workers. An allocation is also provided for non-wage expenses. The community enterprises supported under the CSP in turn provide support for various services, including support for tourism initiatives, transportation, recycling, literacy, social care and youth support services, and also the maintenance of community halls and facilities.

With regard to the RSS, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann implements the programme on the islands on behalf of my Department and has a quota of twenty participant places. In 2007, eleven projects were undertaken under the RSS.

In relation to the Community Employment Scheme and the Jobs Initiative, these do not fall within the remit of my Department and are matters for my colleague, Ms Mary Coughlan, T.D., Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.