Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Community Services Programme, or CSP, supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model.  CSP funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution towards the cost of an agreed number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions including a manager where appropriate.  Some €46m is available to support community organisations under the programme in 2019.

CSP funding and other relevant supports, for new organisations are considered in light of qualification criteria and available budgets.

In that context, I can confirm that the organisation in question submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) seeking support under the CSP on 11 March 2019.  The EOI was reviewed for suitability and fit with the CSP and the organisation was approved for further Pobal engagement and support.  The organisation has recently submitted a business plan for appraisal to Pobal, who manage the programme on behalf of my Department, and I expect that my Department will be in a position to make a decision on the application in the coming weeks.