Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if she plans to modify the funding mechanism for the community and voluntary sector in order to rectify the unacceptable situation in which voluntary organisations must survive on bank overdrafts despite having funding approved. [7973/11]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will reverse the cuts in funding to the community and voluntary sector and move towards a multi-annual minimum funding. [7972/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 25 together.

The Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector commenced in 2008 with the aim of providing multi-annual funding to national organisations which provide coalface services to disadvantaged target groups. The three-year contracts came to an end on 31 December 2010. On 16 December 2010, applications were invited publicly under a new round of funding, which will provide multi-annual funding (subject to availability of funding) to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. The closing date for applications was 24 January 2011.

On 2 December 2010, organisations funded under the previous scheme were offered an extension to their contract until 31 March 2011. However, in light of the changes currently underway in relation to Departmental functions, I have decided to roll-over the current interim funding for a further month to allow sufficient time for decisions on the allocations under the new scheme to be made by the end-April 2011. The relevant organisations were informed of this revised timescale on 25 March 2011 and payment has issued where appropriate. All applicants will be contacted once the decision-making process for the new round of funding is finalised.

In regard to my Department's Local and Community Development Programme, which provides multi-annual funding to local development companies, urban-based partnerships and other community groups, the Deputy should note that the 2011 funding allocations to companies has been maintained at close to 2010 levels. The actual reduction in most cases is of the order of 3%. I am confident that this will allow for the continuation of important supports for people in disadvantaged communities and will allow for the key, essential, front-line services delivered through the programme to be maintained for 2011.