Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to re-opening the community service programme, in view of its positive impact; the other options that are available for groups providing an essential service, who cannot access community employment scheme places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17549/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, 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 with some 2,800 workers being supported in these organisations.

Funding of €46m has been provided for the programme in 2015. This will maintain the current level of activity but does not allow the Department to make 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.