David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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61. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 71 of 14 January 2015 and 15 of 5 February 2015, if she envisages being in a position to open a new call for proposals for the community services programme in the coming year, in view of the benefits to participants and communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17341/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The community services programme (CSP) is designed to address gaps in the delivery of key local services, to tackle disadvantage and to ensure that community facilities are utilised. Approximately 400 not-for-profit companies and co-operatives are being supported under the CSP in the provision of services with some 2,800 workers being supported in these organisations. Funding of €46m has been provided for the programme in 2015 which will maintain the current level of activity but does not allow for the Department to manage an open call for new applications. However, the Department will accept expressions of interest from any organisation that wishes to be considered for the programme, as resources allow. To be eligible, service providers must operate on the basis of a community business or social enterprise, deliver tangible services not otherwise provided and have a record or capacity of generating non-public revenues from their operations.

The Deputy should note that the programme does not provide full funding for any operation and, therefore, is not suitable for all community activity.

Any not-for-profit company wishing to express an interest to be considered for the programme can send an expression of interest and its proposals to the Department by email to cspinfo@welfare.ie.