Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 434: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will consider extending the areas covered by the current rural social scheme to include urban areas and increase the remit and funding of community services programmes in view of the success of the scheme and the rising unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30871/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government has agreed to transfer responsibility for the Rural Social Scheme and the Community Services Programme from my Department to the renamed Department of Social Protection. Arrangements to enable the transfer of these programmes are currently being progressed as part of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010. The Deputy will appreciate that, in this context, any proposals to extend these programmes would fall to be considered by my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to change the local community development programme; if he will endorse and agree to the service level agreement model put forward by the national community development forum; his views on whether the NCDF model is more preferable to the merger model in view of the fact that it allows for strong direct links with the local community to be maintained and for integrated programme delivery, it reduces the number of structures that the Department has to deal with directly, it involves monitoring and evidence based reporting which will enhance delivery, it will ensure close collaboration and more coordination between CDP's and LDC's, it includes a service led agreement with a legally binding contract and works within a participatory governance approach to ensure the inclusion of those most marginalised. [30874/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is 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 These came to an end on 31 December last and have been superseded by a new integrated programme, the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).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.

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 a 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. The model proposed by the Forum, while having the potential for integrated service delivery, does not meet the objective of reduced structures, and, in fact, would constitute maintenance of the status quo with regard to those structures. In addition, it does not appear to have the potential to reduce the administrative and legal burdens currently required of CDP board members. However, I can assure the Forum 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. May I take this opportunity to reassure all concerned that my focus remains firmly on ensuring that scarce resources are targeted at the most vulnerable communities through optimising our efforts and resources at the front-line.