Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the application process for sports clubs and community groups for inclusion on rural social schemes, community employment schemes and the TÚS schemes in County Mayo; the criteria used in assessing such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16808/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Applications for support from Mayo based community organisations in respect of Tús and the rural social scheme are managed by South West Mayo Development Company Limited and Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company. Údarás na Gaeltachta manages these schemes in the Gaeltacht areas of Mayo. Each company operates its own applications process, details of which are available on the companies' respective websites or directly from the companies. Invitations to organisations to make applications to the companies were advertised in the local press earlier this year. The Department has set out the key requirements in respect of the applications and assessment process in its rules and conditions for the operation of both schemes.

With respect to community employment (CE), applications are made to the Department of Social Protection area office in Castlebar. Applications are assessed by department staff to determine if the work being proposed is eligible, that an organisation has the capacity to manage and deliver a scheme and that the expected outcomes are consistent with CE. Voluntary organisations and public bodies may sponsor projects which are for community and public benefit and facilitate the provision of development and training opportunities for participants. The organisation must be able to provide work and training opportunities for 15 or more participants and to be able to engage a full-time supervisor.