Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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566. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will meet with management of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will provide this much needed resource. [37803/24]

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, with funding of circa €50 million allocated every year.

The aim of the CSP is to create sustainable jobs for those most distant from the labour market, in particular for those who are long term unemployed and from specific target groups.

In relation to the specific organisation referred to by the Deputy, my Department recognises the invaluable services provided and has allocated funding under the CSP, in 2024, to support one manager and six Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions.

An application window for funding for additional staff posts to existing CSP funded organisations was opened on 1^st of September, 2023, with a closing date on 29th of September, 2023. This organisation was one of 137 organisations that applied for additional FTE positions. The successful applications were announced on 18^th of June, 2024, with approvals amounting to an additional €1 million in annual funding to support a further seven manager positions and 35 FTE positions in 32 CSP supported organisations. Unfortunately, the organisation's application was unsuccessful on that occasion.

As is standard practice, the organisation's application remains on file and will be considered again, subject to available budgets. I would encourage the organisation in question to 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. They may also be able to provide information on the Department of Social Protection's TUS and Community Employment (CE) schemes.