2044. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current annual funding to the community services programme and to clarify if community development projects and social enterprises can apply for funding under the programme, in tabular form. [35090/24]

My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations, with a budget of €52.4m in 2024, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.

The Community Services Programme addresses the issue of equality through the promotion of social enterprise as an approach to alleviating disadvantage, addressing local needs and creating sustainable jobs for those most distant from the labour market and from specific target groups. Eligible organisations under the programme must have a registered office based in the Republic of Ireland, be a community and voluntary sector organisation i.e. operating on a “not-for-profit” basis for the benefit of the community they serve, be incorporated e.g. be a company limited by guarantee or co-operative which is registered with the Companies Registration Office and the Registrar of Friendly Societies (for co-operatives), have a governing body such as a board or committee and a governing document that has been formally adopted by the organisation and be tax compliant i.e. be registered with Revenue and obtained a tax clearance certificate. I can confirm that community development projects and social enterprises can apply for funding under this programme, provided they meet these requirements.

Funding of €1m was made available for a Call for Proposals in respect of specific CSP services which issued in March 2023, which resulted in the approval of 14 organisations to enter the CSP programme on 13th December last.   Some other applications that were not approved to enter the programme arising from this call may be considered at a later date, subject to the availability of funding.

While no further calls for proposals are anticipated at this time, my Department can hold contact details on file should the programme open for new applicants in the near 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 light of available budgets.