Written answers

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Community Development

5:00 pm

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he is safeguarding the future of marginalised and vulnerable communities in view of the number of persons employed in the community sector, delivering essential services, which has fallen from 53,098 in 2008 to 48,320 in 2011 and is set to fall to 41,948 in 2013 and 36,638 in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13099/12]

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has carried out an analysis of the effects on jobs, unemployment, services and poverty of the cuts experienced by the community sector since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13080/12]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 57 together.

We are facing challenging economic times in all areas, including in the community and voluntary sector. There has never been a greater need for us to do more with less. A key principle underlying my Department's activities is that of enabling communities themselves to identify and address social and economic needs and problems in their own areas. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat, and an adherence to the values of local participation. My Department is responsible for a range of programmes and initiatives to support communities including the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP), the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP), the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising.

The Local and Community Development Programme tackles poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities. LCDP is a key tool of Government in providing employment supports, training, personal development/capacity building and other supports for the harder to reach in the most disadvantaged areas in society. It is a locally accessible, frontline intervention, supporting disadvantaged communities. As part of the Programme's overall goals, LCDP supports individuals into employment and self-employment through education, training, work experience, job placement, enterprise and the social economy in both urban and rural areas.

The 2012 allocation for the LCDP is €54.884 million, which represents a reduction of some €8m on the funding available in 2011. However, every effort was made to protect the viability of smaller companies. This is reflected in the lower than average budget reduction of 10% that was applied to these groups. Despite this reduction, I am confident that the budget allocation 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 2012. The adjustment to the Programme has been structured to protect front-line services and supports at the expense of administration, overheads and ancillary costs. The annual planning process is currently underway in the Local Development Companies. I have not been made aware of any services that will cease as a result of the allocations.

The Government's commitment to enabling rural communities to become self sufficient has been reaffirmed this year through the increased funding provided to Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER Axes) of the Rural Development Programme (RDP). The RDP's allocation has increased by €34 million this year to a total allocation of €96 million. The LEADER approach ensures that communities are involved and have a say in their own development choices, thereby reinforcing the sustainability of the interventions funded using this approach. This increased financial allocation is also accompanied by a commitment to ensure that funding delivered through the RDP is efficient, effective and presents good value for money in the current economic climate. This Programme continues to offer significant financial resources to rural communities all over Ireland.

At a national level, in 2012 my Department commenced a two and half year scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector. This Scheme provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs, salary and related overheads, associated with the provision of services. Priority is given under this scheme to supporting national organisations which provide coalface services to disadvantaged target groups. In 2012 €4m has been allocated to 64 organisations.

Last year, I also re-convened the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising. The Forum's view is that the opportunity exists substantially to increase the level of private sector investment in the community and voluntary sector by creating a favourable environment for individual and corporate philanthropy in Ireland, and developing fundraising capacity. Increased investment in the sector will generate increased employment in local communities, build social capital and support the movement for national renewal.

The Forum has set out a target to increase philanthropic giving by ten percent year on year in Ireland from its current level of approximately €500m per annum to €800m by 2016. This increased investment in the sector can and should contribute to economic recovery as well as play a significant social role in the community.

My Department continues to provide funding and support to the community and voluntary sector and although, in some areas, we have had to reduce the level of funding provided I believe that these initiatives and programmes combined will continue to enable communities to identify and address their own social and economic needs, and allow them to work together to create vibrant and strong communities in Ireland.

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