Written answers

Thursday, 15 July 2021

Department of Rural and Community Development

Community Development Projects

Photo of Violet-Anne WynneViolet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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90. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the activity of community group projects across the country; and her views on whether funding is distributed evenly across the country. [38666/21]

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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A range of my Department’s programmes provide funding to community group projects across the entire country. Each programme has a different focus and rationale which informs the allocation of funding. I will mention just a few examples here.

TheCommunity Enhancement Programmeprovides grants to enhance facilities in disadvantaged areas and is administered by Local Community Development Committees in each Local Authority area. The funding is allocated to each Local Authority area using a methodology that takes population and deprivation levels into account.

TheCommunity Services Programme (CSP) promotes social enterprise as an approach to alleviating disadvantage and addressing local social, economic and environmental needs which are not being met through public or private funding or other resources. It creates sustainable jobs for those most distant from the labour market, in particular for those who are long term unemployed and from specific target groups.420 community organisations are currently supported nationwide under this programme.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP)provides supports to community groups, both in the form of grants and also providing non-monetary supports such as training courses and assistance with completing grant applications for funding. A total of 4,292 Local Community Groups (LCGs) have been supported by SICAP to date.

I am satisfied that community groups nationwide are benefiting positively from funding provided by my Department and I encourage them to continue to apply. Eligible groups can apply for all schemes subject to timeframes set out for each programme at gov.ie.

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