Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on recent media reports on the possible consequences of finishing or changing the various community development projects here; his further views on the sentiment expressed in the reports that changes to the CDP would have consequences for the communities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41635/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that there are a number of initiatives in hand which have direct import for the Community Development Programme. Programme Redesign and Structural reform For some time now my Department has seen the need to redesign its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the Local Development Social Inclusion and Community Development Programmes, drawing on best international practice, and to support the ongoing evaluation of the programmes. The LDSIP and the CDP are the Department's two main social inclusion/community development programmes. Both have a community development element and both are currently delivered through separate local delivery structures.

In 2008, my Department engaged the services of the Centre for Effective Services to prepare proposals for a redesigned programme. The Centre has very recently presented a new Programme outline to the Department which I propose to accept. The aim of the new programme is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and people in disadvantaged communities. This will be underpinned by four high level goals: · To promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community services.

· To increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural development activities and resources.

· To increase peoples' work readiness and employment prospects.

· To promote engagement with policy, practice and decision making processes on matters affecting local communities.

The new Programme will preserve elements of good practice from the existing CDP/LDSIP programmes and will enhance monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Further work by the Centre, on more detailed aspects of the Programme, is ongoing in the light of consultations and feedback with various community sector groups. As previously signalled, it is my intention that CDPs and partnership/Integrated company structures should align so as to minimise structures and provide a single integrated delivery structure for all areas. An implementation strategy, involving the stakeholders, is underway in preparation for programme roll-out in 2010. This will be discussed with groups at a seminar to be held on Wednesday 25th November. Review

Earlier this year the Department commenced a review of the performance of Community Development Projects funded under the Community Development Programme. This work is nearing completion. The objective of the review is to identify those projects that produce tangible appropriate benefits for the communities that they serve. Initial indications are that the vast majority of projects fall into this category and funding will be available – subject to budgetary constraints - through the new programme in 2010. For those projects that do not come into this category, continued funding from the Department will not be available. However, an appeals mechanism will be put in place. Conclusion

I acknowledge that the past while has been a time of uncertainty for CDPs. It is my wish that over the next few weeks CDPs will have clarity on the shape of the new programme, the outcome of the Departmental review and funding arrangements for 2010.