Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason she is withdrawing support for a community services programme (details supplied). [18532/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The community services programme (CSP) is designed to address gaps in service delivery and disadvantage and to ensure that community facilities are utilised. The programme is funded by my Department with day-to-day management of contracts undertaken by Pobal.

Over 400 not-for-profit companies and co-operatives shared annual funding of €46m from the programme in 2013 and similar levels of support are being provided in 2014. Contract holders must deliver tangible services that are capable of generating non-public revenues from their operations by way of charging fees, sales and/or fundraising and other public funds. The programme is not intended to represent full-funding for any operation.

Each contract holder is responsible for their own budgets, income, financial and other liabilities. Contracts are generally offered on a three-year cycle based on a business plan or similar submitted by the company. Continued funding is subject to satisfactory compliance with the programme’s operational requirements, financial position of the company, continued eligibility of the company and service, progress on delivery of the stated objectives in the business plan, and an assessment of a business plan for the following three year contact cycle.

A regular review process is undertaken to ensure compliance with contract obligations, audit issues, continuing capacity of the organisation to manage public funds, the need for and quality of service delivery, sustainability and value for money.

A re-contracting process for the period 2014-16 for organisations operating under the Community Services Strand of the programme was undertaken in 2013. This involved the submission of business plans by contracted organisations. The plans and past performance were reviewed by Pobal and the conclusions submitted to this Department for consideration and decision. Based on the business plan submitted by the company in question, the Department concluded that the manner in which the services were organised was inconsistent with the programme requirements, as set out in the rules and guidelines.

The company has an opportunity to seek a review of the decision and/or to submit an amended business plan which rectifies the issues identified. Alternative proposals consistent the programme requirements may also be made to the Department.