Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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1178. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if Pobal will be requested to provide an update on CSP funding for a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24554/18]

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. Around 400 organisations are supported under the CSP, with funding provided as a contribution towards 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 business plan did not satisfy the criteria for continued funding under the programme and the organisation was notified that it would exit the programme in June 2018. The decision was not appealed. Pobal has engaged with the organisation on several occasions since and has provided detailed feedback on the unsuccessful business plan.

I have asked Pobal to request the organisation to submit a revised business plan by August 2018. Should the business plan satisfy CSP criteria, it will be considered for funding later in the year subject to funds being available. In the meantime, the existing funding arrangements will be extended to end-March 2019 to facilitate business continuity.