Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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328. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the funding that is available for the provision of information technology access and training for older persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24233/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Community Services Programme (CSP) provides financial support to community companies and social enterprises that deliver revenue generating services of a socially inclusive nature. The provision of local social, economic and environmental services is the core aim of the CSP.

I recently announced a call for proposals under strand 3 of CSP, which focuses on social enterprises that employ those people who are most distant from the labour market. Given the information provided by the Deputy, it would appear that the service in question would not fall into this category. However, from time to time and as resources allow, my Department does process new applications received from organisations that have expressed an interest in and are considered eligible under the Programme.

It should also be noted that IT and training services are not considered to be the best fit for the CSP as they may qualify for more suitable funding from other government sources. Full details on the criteria for CSP funding can be found on the Pobal website at . Any not-for-profit company wishing to be considered for the programme can request an expression of interest form from my Department by email at cspinfo@welfare.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.