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 local services through a social enterprise model. CSP currently provides an annual co-funding contribution of €19,033 for each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, €32,000 towards the cost of employing a manager.

The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts. The contribution must be co-funded by other sources, for example, from income received from the public for use of their facilities and services.

My department have been working on the restructuring of the CSP, since the publication of the report on the independent review of the CSP in 2020 by Indecon International Economic Consultants. The redesigned programme will be introduced from January 2023 with a new funding rate allocation model, to replace the existing flat rate model.

Pending the transition to the new restructured programme, the scheme is closed to new applications through the Expression of Interest process. However, it is anticipated that the programme will open calls to address identified gaps in service delivery in late 2022, for new entrant Expressions of Interest applications to be submitted. Any additional entrants will be considered in light of available budgets.

In the interim, as open calls under the CSP can be a lengthy process, if an organisation currently requires immediate supports they should consider contacting their Local Development Company or Local Authority Local Community Development Committee, who may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time.

If an organisation wishes to be contacted should a targeted call open later in 2022, please provide relevant contact details to csp@drcd.gov.ie and we will keep them on file and notify them at the appropriate time.