Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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61. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the achievements of the Community Services Programme last year; the outlook for next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68147/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. In 2024, the Programme supported the delivery of 451 local services via 431 organisations, with a total allocation of almost €52.4m. Some 3,302 individuals were employed in a mix of management and full-time equivalent (FTE) roles during 2024.

Following an Open Call process for organisations to join the Programme, 14 new organisations were successful, with 13 manager positions and 23 FTE positions being supported from January 2024.

In June 2024, following an applications process open to existing CSP-supported organisations to apply for additional resources, 42 new CSP-supported roles were announced across 32 organisations.

Furthermore, following the increase of €1.40 per hour to the minimum wage level from 1st of January 2024, my Department reviewed the likely impact to CSP organisations and responded accordingly, increasing contributions to the high and medium rates of funding for both manager and FTE posts supported under the CSP Programme.

Last week, I officially launched the CSP Programme 2024 Annual Report, which highlights the significant achievements and progress made during 2024, highlighting its impact on communities across the country. The report is available on my Department’s website.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to hold an open call for organisations to join the CSP Programme. Following the budget process, a provision of €59.4m has been allocated to the CSP Programme in 2026. The scope to hold an open call is currently being reviewed by my department, in the context of relevant considerations such as the funding needs of existing CSP-supported organisations, organisations waitlisted from the previous call and those who wish to join the Programme. The outcome of these considerations is anticipated in the coming weeks.