580. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cumulative funding provided under the Community Services Programme, in each county from 2020 to date in 2024, in tabular form. [37913/24]

My Departments 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.

Following an independent review of the programme, the CSP was restructured with a needs-based, differentiated funding allocation model introduced for the CSP from January 2023, as an alternative to the previous flat rate payment model. This new model was designed to support those organisations most in need, providing a higher rate of funding to supported organisations that are identified as operating in areas of high disadvantage, employing individuals from the prescribed programme target groups and with evidence of limited earning potential.

In March 2023, funding of €1m was made available for a Call for Proposals in respect of specific CSP services which resulted in 14 new applicants being approved entry to the CSP on 13th December last, supporting thirteen manager positions and twenty three full time equivalent positions, valued at circa €1m.

An application window for funding for additional staff posts to existing CSP funded organisations was opened on September 1st 2023 with a closing date of 29th September 2023. The successful applications were announced on 18th June, approving €1 million in funding to support a further seven manager positions and thirty five FTE positions in thirty two CSP supported organisations.

Following the announcement of an increase of €1.40 to the minimum wage as part of Budget 2024, on 13th December last, I announced that the CSP contributions would increase for organisations at the higher level and at the medium level for both FTEs and for managers.

The County by County allocations below are reflective of funding provided including these measures.

County by County Allocations for Community Services Programme 2020 to date 2024.