Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to accept new proposals to the community services programme; the criteria that would be used to select new proposals; if he has a preference for particular types of programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18798/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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. It provides valuable resourcing for service delivery undertaken by not-for-profit companies and co-operatives in communities around the country. Service providers must operate community or social enterprises that deliver tangible services and are capable of generating non-public revenues from their operations by way of charging fees, sales and/or fundraising. The programme is not intended to represent full funding for any operation.

At the end of 2015, 398 companies were directly supported by the CSP and received a contribution towards the wage costs of just over 1,700 employees. Funding of over €45m has been provided for the programme in 2016 which will maintain the current level of activity. Given the level of resources available and the number of companies currently supported, the Department has been unable to make an open call for new proposals to the programme for a number of years. However, from time to time and as resources allow, the Department does process new applications received from organisations that have expressed an interest in and are considered eligible under the programme. Any not-for-profit company wishing to be considered for the programme can send an expression of interest to the Department by email tocspinfo@welfare.ie .