Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

745. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the reduction of approximately 50% in social inclusion and community activation programme funds, and of 40%, an increase of 70% in some areas, in the number of jobs in local area government services that will be lost; the provision that has been made for this cost; the source of this money; the Department that will be responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13964/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Departments Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) concluded on 31 March 2015 and the new Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) was rolled out across communities on 1 April 2015. Overall funding reductions to the LCDP over the five year period of its operation amounted to some 29%. However, it should be noted that this was commensurate with the need to reduce Government spending across a range of public funded schemes during those years.

In accordance with the Public Spending Code, legal advice, good practice internationally and in order to ensure the optimum delivery of services to clients, SICAP was subject to a public procurement process. Tenderers have now been informed of the outcome of their tender and Local and Community Development Committees (LCDCs) have finalised contracts with the winning tenderers.

Within the constraints of the prevailing budgetary situation, I have been particularly conscious of the need to prioritise community programme funding and to make the maximum contribution to tackling disadvantage, job creation and economic recovery. As a tool to assist with this, a Resource Allocation Model, or RAM, has been developed which allows relative disadvantage to be measured across all census areas. In order to achieve the objective of moving towards allocating resources according to this model, my Department has in recent years worked to ensure that funding is protected for those areas which the RAM shows have greatest needs. This principle was used in deciding on funding allocations for SICAP and I am satisfied that the funding allocated is a fair allocation of resources for all the areas concerned.

I am aware that a small number of Local Development Companies (LDCs) that delivered the LCDP did not secure SICAP contracts. My Department has no role in the internal operations of LDCs and, therefore, does not have a role in relation to staff or employment matters, which are solely for the Board of each company, as the employer, to manage. Each funding Department is responsible for its own funding and contractual arrangements with the LDCs.

My Department is, however, providing practical financial support to LDCs to facilitate an orderly closure of the LCDP and the move to the new arrangements. This includes financial assistance to companies to deal with statutory redundancy payments and such other supports as are considered appropriate in the context of the closure of the LCDP. It should be noted that Pobal are currently liaising with LDCs on these issues.