Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1098. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide the necessary resources such as communications and an index for the Crowe report issued in December 2020 which the new board of Waterford Area Partnership is expected to respond to but which will require assistance in doing so. [11717/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I remain concerned about the challenges currently facing Waterford Area Partnership. The Partnership delivers many programmes and schemes locally on behalf of Government, including SICAP, Tús, Jobs Initiative and Local Employment Services. These services are very important and provide assistance to people in the Waterford City and County area who are experiencing disadvantage and to the wider community and voluntary sector. The continuation of these services remains my priority.

The Partnership is an independent company - I have no direct role or contact with the Board. Once again, I would encourage the Partnership to continue to engage with the LCDC and the Local Authority to gain any clarity needed and to work to address the issues raised in the recent report prepared by Crowe Ireland.

I know that Waterford City and County Council, along with both of my Departments, are monitoring the situation closely and continue to support the company, while remaining conscious of its independent status. The overall objective for all concerned is to try and ensure that vital services continue to be delivered to the people of Waterford.