Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason he has taken the decision to abolish the overheads grant to a company (details supplied); if he will reverse this cut in view of the fact that it has the potential to result in the closure of information and communication technology centres in the area and the loss of more than 100 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10924/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Community Service Programme (CSP), the organisation referred to by the Deputy receives some €185,000 in funding towards the cost of employing a manager and eight full-time equivalents posts. The organisation has recently had its contract with the CSP extended to the end of 2010.

Given the current economic difficulties, my priority has been to protect the jobs of the estimated 2,700 people employed in the 450 community-based organisations approved for support under the CSP. In order to do this, it has been necessary to reduce the level of non-wage grants paid, as well as cutting technical assistance and administrative costs. The Deputy should note that some 90 additional organisations, employing an estimated 300 people, were approved for funding under the CSP in 2009 and these are currently operational.

Organisations providing services under the CSP are required and encouraged to develop additional non-public sources of income which will further enhance and sustain the long-term viability of their projects. Where an organisation is facing difficulties in managing the reduction in grant support, a review process has been provided to allow for an immediate examination of the impacts. The organisation referred to by the Deputy had requested such a review and the outcome will be notified to it in the coming weeks.