Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she intends extending the number of groups and participants taking part in the Community Services Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40283/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model, with an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.

My Department is acutely aware of the financial pressures on the organisations supported under the Community Services Programme and continues to consider any further supports required subject to available budgets.

On 4th October I announced the ‘Achieve Together’ Social Innovation Coaching and Mentoring Programme , aimed at enhancing the performance of organisations supported under the Community Services Programme. The overall objective of the Achieve Together programme, which is co-funded under Ireland's ESF+ Operational Programme, is to provide bespoke mentors and coaches to existing CSP supported organisations for a 12-month period. This will assist CSP-supported organisations to grow sustainably, provide better services and enhance their employment opportunities, particularly for under-represented groups.

My Department provided €1m to support an Additional Staff Funding Call in 2023, for existing CSP funded organisations. This process resulted in a further seven manager positions and 35 Full-time Equivalent positions being supported in 32 organisations this year.

In addition, in March 2023, funding of €1m was made available for a Call for Proposals in respect of specific CSP services, resulting in 14 new applicants approved entry to the CSP in December 2023, supporting 13 manager positions and 23 full time equivalent positions. There are a number of organisations in the pipeline for support, however, any further entries to the programme are subject to available resources.

While there are no further calls for proposals anticipated at this time, my Department can hold contact details on file should the programme open for new applicants in the future. Contact details for a nominated person can be provided to the email address csp@drcd.gov.ie. It should be noted that any additional new entrants will be considered in the context of available budgets.

Any organisation that currently requires immediate support may wish to consider contacting their Local Development Company, Local Authority or Local Community Development Committee, who may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time.

In addition, the Local Intreo Office may be able to assist with the possibility of further additional staff resources for activation programmes such as Community Employment or Tús.