Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1820. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to accept applications for new projects under the community service programme in 2017; when she plans to put out a call for new projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37466/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Community Services Programme (CSP) is designed to support community companies in providing local social, economic and environmental services through the application of a social enterprise model of delivery. Funding is provided to support the employment of staff to deliver these services.

Earlier this year, my Department 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. Successful applicants from this call have now been invited to begin business planning with Pobal, who operate the scheme on behalf of my Department.

In addition, as resources allow, my Department may consider new applications received from organisations that have expressed an interest in and are considered eligible under the programme.

Any not-for-profit company wishing to be considered for the programme can request an Expression of Interest form from my Department at cspinfo@welfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.