Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has considered a proposal put forward by the national community development forum regarding an alternative proposal for the structure of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28697/10]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the proposed new programme for community development programmes; if a national agreement has been reached within any group of community groups; if so, if such agreements have been provided to other groups seeking such an agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28755/10]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the national community development forum proposed alternative model of engagement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28937/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 40 and 196 together.

As the Deputies are aware, the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme and the Community Development Programme were my Department's two main social inclusion/community development programmes. These came to an end on 31 December last and have been superseded by a new integrated programme, the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).

All community development projects (CDPs) and local development companies (LDCs) that are currently in receipt of funding through the LCDP have signed up - to implement the new programme in the context of my Department's integration strategy; and - to meet specified deadline dates (submission of workplan by 26 March 2010 and of integration plan by 30 June 2010).

The position is that, unless a project has received provisional approval from my Department for an alternative LCDP integration model, groups were still required to submit their plans for full integration by 30 June. There are no plans to effect any general extension to that deadline.

My Department has set out a national model involving full integration of CDPs with LDCs, but has made it clear that other options can be considered and that it is not a question of 'one size fits all'. Alternative models will, however, be required to meet a range of criteria, including a reduction in the number of structures, promoting the potential for integrated delivery of services to the public, supporting efficiencies and reducing the burden of company law compliance for CDPs. The only option not acceptable is one that seeks to preserve the status quo: some models proposed by CDPs and other parties in the period since the launch of the LCDP have had to be rejected on that basis.

In recent weeks, I have been able to respond positively to possible alternative models put forward by the Paul Partnership and Limerick City CDPs, and by HSE South and a number of CDPs in the Cork/Kerry area. While agreement has not yet been fully finalised in these cases, I am confident that the real possibility for agreement exists.

Additional proposals from other CDPs and LDCs, including Northside Partnership, the National Community Development Forum and others, have also been under consideration. However, a model that does not entail significant change is unlikely to meet the specified criteria. It is anticipated that any alternative models of the nature proposed, if agreed, could be for use in a small number of specific areas only. However, I can assure the Deputies that my Department will continue to respond positively to all constructive proposals that it receives, based on the specified criteria, and that my officials will continue to be available to meet with the boards of projects.

It is important to note that, despite what is stated by some commentators, full integration does not mean closure of a CDP or the cessation of CDP activities in any given area. As has been stated previously, any worthwhile community development activity or service delivered under a CDP can continue to be delivered under the proposed new LCDP structure and by the same staff who currently do this work. Of course, CDPs may opt out of the LCDP integration process and decide to go it alone. In such cases, my Department will be supportive in relation to the retention of any assets acquired with programme funding and may also be in a position to provide for some limited funding for a transition period, subject to certain conditions.

A number of CDPs have raised concerns about the treatment of assets (particularly buildings) in a full integration situation, where all assets and net liabilities would usually transfer by agreement. However, I want to emphasise that other arrangements are possible - for example, the ownership of buildings need not transfer to an LDC. This was also made clear in the context of the information event for CDPs and LDCs, held by Pobal on my Department's behalf, on 10 June last.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the assistance available to rural communities to provide a playground within their community in view of the fact that they have appropriate land for same. [28768/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 has funding of €425m available to be allocated to qualifying projects up to the end of 2013. One of the objectives of the RDP is to identify and provide appropriate cultural and leisure facilities to local communities not otherwise available to them and, in principle, it is possible that playgrounds could be eligible under the RDP. There are 36 Local Action Groups contracted, on my Department's behalf, to deliver the RDP throughout the country and these Groups are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the individual Group's local development strategy and in line with my Department's operating rules and EU regulations.

Under the Primary School Outdoor Play Facilities Enhancement Scheme, which operates under the CLÁR Programme, assistance may be available, subject to resources, towards improving outdoor play facilities in small rural primary schools in CLÁR areas. The type of projects funded include the grassing/tarmacadam of play areas, the supply of goal posts, nets, basketball hoops, etc. and other recreational facilities for these outdoor play areas. CLÁR may fund 75% of the cost, up to a maximum of €7,500, with the balance provided from local sources. The total funding approved under this Scheme since 2002 is over €5.7m, with 867 schools benefiting.