Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Community Development

9:00 pm

Photo of Paul GogartyPaul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 703: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the rationale that has been used in making cuts to community development partnerships; if an analysis of outcomes and cost benefit analysis has been carried out before implementing such cuts; the recourse that groups such as north Clondalkin CDP have in making appeals within the process; if calls for consultation with stakeholders will be listened to along with a postponement of cuts pending same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1271/10]

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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As I outlined previously to the House, my Department has seen the need to redesign its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the Local Development Social Inclusion (LDSIP) and Community Development Programmes (CDP), drawing on good international practice and to support the ongoing evaluation of the programmes. Both programmes have a community development element and were delivered through separate local delivery structures. These programmes came to an end on 31 December 2009 and have been superseded by a new programme, the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).

In advance of proceeding to establish a single programme across CDPs and Partnerships, my Department undertook an evaluation of individual community development projects. Many of these projects span across two decades, with quite diverse activities. The objective of the review was to identify those projects that produce tangible, appropriate benefits for the communities they serve. The vast majority of projects fall into this category and have been offered funding under the new programme in 2010. Where projects were not recommended for continued funding, an appropriate appeals mechanism has been provided. I understand the project referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal and that officials from my Department have been in touch with them in this regard. It is intended that the appeals process would be completed before end-January 2010 and during that period temporary funding has been provided in respect of the basic running costs of projects under appeal, i.e., grant towards salaries and appropriate overheads.

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 704: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding being made available to community development projects (details supplied) in Cork for 2010; the way these CDP's will be structured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1292/10]

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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As I outlined previously to the House, my Department has seen the need to redesign its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the Local Development Social Inclusion (LDSIP) and Community Development Programmes (CDP), drawing on good international practice and to support the ongoing evaluation of the programmes. Both programmes have a community development element and were delivered through separate local delivery structures. These programmes came to an end on 31 December 2009 and have been superseded by a new programme, the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).

The new integrated programme requires the development at local level of integrated service delivery mechanisms and structures. The Department has set out a model for this which would result in the full integration of local development companies (e.g. Partnership companies) with the relevant CDPs in the area by end-2010 under a single Board structure. However, the Department has also made it clear that, if proposals emerge at local level for better integration models, the Department will respond constructively.

With the support of my Department and Pobal, the local development companies and the CDPs are now starting the process of programme implementation, including consideration of structural issues.

I am pleased to have been able, in the context of the new programme, to ring-fence funding for community development projects for 2010 and to maintain it at 2009 levels. In few other areas of public spending has it been possible to do this. The indicative allocation for 2010 for the projects referred to by the Deputy is of the order of €263,000.

I am committed to the new programme and to implementing it in the best possible way. My Department will engage positively with all stakeholders who are prepared to engage constructively in that process.

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