Written answers

Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Community Development

8:00 pm

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the reason he removed the funding under the scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector to the Community Workers Co-operative. [17013/11]

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the work of the community workers cooperative and in particular the supporting role it plays for community based organisations and workers across the country who are working to tackle disadvantage and in recognition of this if he will immediately reverse the decision to cut CWC's funding and restore it at a level that allows CWC to remain viable and continue its vital work. [17454/11]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 345 together.

The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs entered into a contract to fund the Community Workers Co-operative (CWC) for three years from 2008-2010 under the Scheme toSupport National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. This funding contract was fully honoured by Government, and extended until the end of June 2011. Organisations participating in the scheme were aware that funding beyond the contractually agreed timeframe could not be guaranteed and that the scheme was subject to review.

A comprehensive review of the scheme was carried out in 2010 and a new scheme, with amended criteria, was advertised in December 2010. 149 applications were received and 63 organisations were approved for funding, of which 46 had been funded under the previous 2008-2010 scheme.

Funding under the new 2011-2013 scheme has been allocated following an objective and merit-based competitive process. The application from the CWC did not meet the qualifying mark for funding on this occasion. The CWC has appealed the funding decision and the appeals process is ongoing.

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