Written answers

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Department of Rural and Community Development

Community Development Projects

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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688. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when her Department expects to conclude work on restructuring the Community Services Programme in line with the recommendations from the 2020 report carried out for her Department by a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55676/21]

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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689. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the expression of interest process for the Community Services Programme is expected to reopen. [55677/21]

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 689 together.

My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 420 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model.

In 2020, an independent review of the Community Services Programmewas undertakenby IndeconInternational Economic Consultants, on behalf of my Department. The final report was published on 30 September 2020 and was accompanied by a High Level Action Plan outlining the timeline for the phased implementation for the restructuring of the programme.

My Department and Pobal, who administer the programme on behalf of my Department, are currently working on the restructuring of the programme in conjunction with a Consultative Group, whose membership is secured from key sectoral stakeholders including CSP supported organisations, national organisations, community representatives and social enterprise representatives.

It was initially anticipated that the work on the restructuring of the programme would have completed by the end of 2021/early 2022. However, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, my Department was required to refocus its priorities in order to develop a number of support schemes for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises, including the CSPSupport Fund and the Stability Fund, to help organisations who required additional assistance during the crisis period.

However, work is continuing on the restructuring of the new programme since the roll out of these schemes, with the next meeting of the Consultative Group scheduled for 23rd November. In addition, CSP supported organisations are being granted an extension up to 31 December 2022, to allow for the restructuring of the programme to be completed during next year.

Pending the transition to the new restructured programme, the scheme is closed to new applications through the expression of interest process. However, there are a number of organisations with plans currently under consideration, and if approved, they will be supported under the programme from January to April 2022 onwards. In addition, it is anticipated that the Programme will open calls to address identified gaps in service delivery in 2022.

Photo of Gerald NashGerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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690. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the new community development approach to be piloted by her Department in Drogheda, County Louth from February 2022 (details supplied); if she will publish the framework governing the pilot initiative; the amount of money her Department will allocate to the initiative in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55729/21]

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department is piloting a new community development project in two areas, including Drogheda, in 2022. This 'place-based approach' is aimed at helping to develop leaders in the community, so that local organisations can improve how they work together in the area.

Total funding of €188,650 is being provided by the Department to cover the 18 month programme in both areas. The programme will be championed by local development companies in the areas who, under the oversight of the relevant local authorities, will lead on the delivery of the programme.

Further information on the programme will become available as the projects progress.

An evaluation and a review of the impact of the programme on participants, their organisations and collaborative engagement will be conducted during and at the end of the 18 month programme.

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