Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

145. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the review of the community services programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23021/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Community Services Programme, or CSP, supports around 400 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Funding is provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. More than €46 million is available under the programme in 2019.

My Department recently commenced a review of the CSP. A review was considered opportune as the programme had not been formally reviewed since 2006, during which time the external environment had changed significantly.

The review will consider how the programme fits with overall Government priorities, as well as with my Department’s other community programmes and policy objectives, and will help inform decisions on the future shape and structure of the programme.

The review is being carried out by an independent review body, Indecon Consultants. They have commenced engagement with key stakeholders including all CSP supported organisations. The review will take six months to complete, with a final report expected in early Autumn 2019.