Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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106. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the processing of the applications for the new restructured Community Services Programme funding model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53857/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide employment opportunities and local services through a social enterprise model.

Following an independent review of the CSP, a needs-based funding rate allocation model was designed for the programme, based on three weighted criteria, as an alternative to the current flat rate payment model. CSP organisations that are operating in areas of high disadvantage, employing individuals from the prescribed programme target groups and having limited earning potential will benefit from the high funding rate category.

It is anticipated that all existing organisations will transition to the new programme in January 2023 following the online application process which closed on the 14th October. The applications are currently being appraised by Pobal who administer the programme on behalf of my Department and organisations will be notified of their funding allocations in December.

I announced the revised funding rates to apply from January 2023 under the restructured programme on 20th October. A total increase of €4,000 for both full time positions and managers is being provided for those organisations in the high funding category, with €2,000 per full-time position and manager being provided to those in the medium funding category. No change is proposed for the small number of organisations in the low funding category - these are organisations identified with the strongest earning potential and operating in less disadvantaged areas.