Written answers

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

Department of Social Protection

Community Development Initiatives

Photo of Brendan  RyanBrendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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88. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has been involved in stakeholder consultations in regard to the proposed merger between Fingal Leader Partnership Company and Blanchardstown Area Partnership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18160/14]

Photo of Brendan  RyanBrendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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89. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her Department is considering any changes to existing local employment service or other external service contracts as part of a proposed new country-wide structure for Department of Social Protection services in Fingal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18161/14]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.

This Department is aware of the proposals being advanced by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for the future delivery of local and community initiatives in Fingal. My understanding is that Blanchardstown Area Partnership and Fingal Leader Partnership plan to merge their operations and that Fingal County Council are facilitating this process and chairs an oversight committee comprising a number of stakeholders and interested parties. The Department of Social Protection is part of this process.

The two companies concerned deliver a broad range of services to - and on behalf of - this Department, including supports for jobseekers, the operation of local employment services and in the provision of work placements under Tús and community employment. The Department supported a similar and successful merger of local development companies in South Dublin County Council during 2012 without any negative impact to the delivery of the various schemes implemented previously by the pre-merger companies. The Department is committed to working with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Fingal County Council and the two companies in supporting the successful conclusion of the merger process which is designed to provide enhanced capacity for the future delivery of a range of programmes across a number of policy areas.

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