Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1995. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason Pobal has taken the decision to withdraw funding support via the community services programme which was previously provided to a company (details supplied) in County Donegal; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that members of the client company have expressed dissatisfaction with this decision and did not voluntarily withdraw from the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26871/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The organisation referred to by the Deputy is a not-for-profit co-operative society working to promote tourism and arts and crafts in the Inishowen peninsula in county Donegal. The company operates from two offices based in Buncrana and Carndonagh, which open five days per week. The company manages the website , develops packages and marketing material, prints brochures, collates visitors data and works with tourist trade operators to promote and package Inishowen as a 'must see' holiday destination. The company receives Community Services Programme (CSP) funding of €117,645.50 per annum, which supports the employment of a manager and 4.5 staff delivering the service.

Following concerns raised regarding the company in early 2016, Pobal, on behalf of my Department, commissioned an independent review of its governance arrangements. The report, completed in December 2016, identified a number of serious governance issues and made 22 recommendations to address these. The company was issued with the report on 22ndDecember 2016 and was given a deadline of 30th April 2017 to make progress on the recommendations of the report.

Unfortunately, the company has failed to make sufficient progress in implementing the report’s recommendations and, in the circumstances, they were informed that CSP funding for the service could not continue through them beyond 30th June 2017. This decision was accepted by them at a meeting with members of their board on 9th May 2017.

I want to make clear to the Deputy that I do not wish to withdraw funding for the service being provided. However, in light of the governance issues identified, my Department cannot continue to fund the service through the company in question.

Officials from my Department and Pobal are now exploring other options as to how funding for the service can be maintained going forward. It is important to note that the funding will remain in the Inishowen region.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.