Written answers

Tuesday, 6 December 2016

Department of Social Protection

Community Services Programme

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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239. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to set down the number of first-time applications submitted seeking funding from the community services programme in County Tipperary 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. [38693/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo 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 and to utilise the potential of community assets and resources that are already in place to support of delivery of services and to improve community well-being. Funding is provided to support the employment of staff to deliver the service.

There are currently 10 service providers receiving funding from the CSP for 31.5 full-time positions in County Tipperary.

Pobal is contracted by the Department to undertake the financial and contract management for the CSP. To date in 2016, Pobal has been requested to work with 10 new social enterprises to undertake an in-depth business planning process to determine the overall suitability and the resource requirements of their proposal in line with CSP criteria. One of these organisations is based in County Tipperary.

Following the announcement of an additional €1 m for the CSP budget, funding of €46 m 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 available in early 2017.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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