Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of projects that have been assisted under the community service project scheme; the funding drawn down since its inception; if the budget is to be reduced; the effect this will have on the projects that are in receipt of funding or are to receive funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8957/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department commenced operating the Community Services Programme (CSP) on 1st January 2006. The Programme supports a range of community business and social enterprises to deliver a diverse range of local services and employment opportunities. The Programme has a particular focus on employing people who are currently without work or have limited employment opportunities, and delivering services through community and voluntary organisations where gaps exist.

During 2008, 359 individual projects received funds totalling €44.32m to support the delivery of services and employment. This compares with:

314 projects in receipt of funding in 2007 totalling €41.02m; and

273 projects in receipt of funding of €37.45m in 2006.

Total funding to projects over the three years, therefore, amounted to €122.8m. The proposed level of funding available to projects for 2009 is €48.47m and my Department estimates that the Programme will be supporting between 445 and 450 projects by the end of this year.

At the end of 2008, the Programme supported 1,940 manager and staffing positions. This is expected to grow to at least 2,200 positions by the end of 2009.