Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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271. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a programme provider (details supplied) in County Donegal has been informed by Pobal that its previous funding levels, which had provided for 39 hours towards the cost of salaries for members of staff, will no longer be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6838/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The community services programme (CSP) provides financial support to community companies that provide revenue generating services of a social inclusion nature. The CSP works on a social-enterprise model. This means that it does not fully fund contract holders but requires that they generate revenue by charging fees or raising funds. All CSP recipients are obliged to meet these criteria. These social enterprises also remain responsible for their own budgets and financial liabilities. Pobal manage the programme on behalf of my Department and as part of this process undertake on-going reviews of service providers in the programme.

The service referred to by the Deputy has been in receipt of funding towards a manager and 6 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. As part of the review of the 2017-2019 business plan, it was considered that the organisation did not adequately provide a robust business case for one of the positions. The duties involved in this position had changed significantly and, therefore, did not meet the rationale for support and satisfy the value for money requirement. As a result, it was decided to reduce funding from a manager and 6 FTEs to a manager and 5 FTEs.

The service provider appealed the decision to Pobal and an independent review was conducted. The original decision was upheld. This outcome was communicated to the organisation in January 2017 and will come into effect from the end of June 2017. The service will continue to be funded under the programme for a manager and 5 FTEs for the period from July 2017 onwards.

I hope this clarifies the matter of the Deputy.