Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Social Protection

Departmental Funding

Photo of John HalliganJohn Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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89. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is considering reversing the significant funding cuts that occurred in recent years, to support the vital work that is conducted in communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7770/16]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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This Department is the main provider of funding for social need in Ireland. In 2016, it is expected that expenditure on income support schemes to support the unemployed, lone parents, people with a disability and older people will be €19.6 billion, despite the requirements for fiscal consolidation measures. The Department is not a direct funder of social programmes delivered by the charitable, community and voluntary sector and, therefore, has not reduced its funding for these organisations.

The Department does, however, support community initiatives through funding community work placement programmes such as community employment, Tús, rural social scheme, gateway and the community services programme. These programmes are delivered locally through sponsor organisations or local development/partnership companies. During the economic crisis, the Department examined all aspects of its expenditure which resulted in a reduction to some of the funding paid to the sponsor organisations and local development/partnership companies e.g. training grants. To minimise the effects of these reductions, the Department examined the income and expenditure of schemes that were experiencing difficulties in absorbing the changes made to the grants.

As the Deputy is aware, the recovery has allowed some leeway to increase spending in targeted areas. Any decision to increase grant payments would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations.

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