Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Some 400 organisations are supported under the CSP, with funding provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions. 

The organisation in question submitted a business plan to Pobal during 2016 as part of the normal CSP Re-Contracting Process. The organisation did not meet the criteria for continued funding and it was advised that funding support would cease in 2018.  In the meantime, and pending an appeal, funding was approved for a manager and two full-time equivalent staff for 18 months to June 2018. The organisation did not appeal the decision.   

Pobal has engaged with the organisation on the matter on a number of occasions since the decision was made and feedback has been provided on the unsuccessful business plan.