Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of first-time applications submitted seeking funding from the community services programme in the past 12 months; if there are plans to increase the number of community services programme funded projects; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37820/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Community Services Programme (CSP) is designed to address locally identified gaps in the provision of services to communities. Funding is provided to support the employment of staff to deliver these services.

Pobal is contracted by my Department to undertake the financial and contract management for the CSP. To date, in 2016, 10 new social enterprise proposals were selected for further engagement. These 10 organisations have now progressed to working with Pobal to undertake an in-depth business planning process to determine the overall suitability and the resource requirements of their proposals, in line with CSP criteria.

Following the announcement of an additional €1m for the CSP as part of the social welfare budget package for 2017, funding of €46m will be provided for the programme in 2017. The increased funding will allow for a small number of new companies to be supported. Further information on the criteria for these new projects will be finalised over the coming weeks.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.