Blog commenting CLOSED - the process is moving!

This blog is now closed for further comments. Further information on the new 'Local and Community Development Programme' was released by the Department on November 25th and there are some minor changes to the plan outlined by the Minister. Communities are campaigning on this issue and the process has slowed down, so some dates mentioned in the Minister's original comments are now obsolete.
Keep up to date on our blog, on the Community Worker's Co-op website and on the Department's website (where speeches and press releases are often posted).
Thanks to everyone who contributed - there were 80 comments in all.

Q 1. Why are you cutting the support provided to communities by the CDPs?

This is not what will happen. The Department will continue to support the provision of tangible resources and supports to communities within the context of a single focussed programme and simplified and more efficient delivery mechanisms.
- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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Q 2. Why are you doing this?

To provide services to communities in a more effective streamlined way.

- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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Q 3. What is the rationale for the Programme redesign?

For some time now the Department has seen the need to redesign its community development/social inclusion programmes, particularly the Local Development      Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) and Community Development Programme (CDP), drawing on best international practice to provide evidence of what works in this field and to establish and support ongoing evaluation of the programmes leading to greater efficiencies and better impacts for communities and individuals.

- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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Q 4. Is this not an attack on volunteering in communities?

No. We acknowledge and affirm the work of volunteer boards over the years. Those who wish to continue to volunteer on behalf of their communities will be encouraged under the new programme without the bureaucratic burden of ensuring compliance with company law.

- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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Q 5. When will the new Programme be announced and launched?

The new Programme will be announced and launched in early December for roll-out in early 2010.

- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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Q 6. Will the merger of the two Programmes provide for CDP representation on the boards of Urban Partnerships/Integrated Companies?

Nomination to the boards Integrated Local Development Companies and Urban based Partnerships will remain unchanged. Information in relation to board membership and nomination is available on the Department’s website at www.pobail.ie, ‘Guidelines on the Governance of Integrated Local Development Companies and Urban based Partnerships’

There will be no automatic membership for CDPs on the boards of the companies     arising from the merger, however, the community and voluntary sector is    represented on the boards, nomination from that sector and others is subject to    compliance with a number of guiding principles and requirements. 

- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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Q 7. What about providing funding in future to CDPs?

Funding to projects generally will, subject to 2010 Estimates decisions, be channelled through Partnerships. Some CDPs are not dependant solely on funding provided by the Department and may decide to continue in separate existence, outside of the new integrated programme.

- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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Q 8. Will CDP budgets not simply be absorbed by the partnerships?

No. We will take steps to prevent that happening in the short term. Over time local priorities will be set locally within the context of the overall redesigned programme.  The upcoming Budget will determine all available programme funding. In the case of viable CDPs it is anticipated that funding for core CDP staff will be ringfenced for 2010. 

- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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Q 9. Will all Partnership and CDP employees be accommodated in the new programme?

No. There may be instances where continued support for the services supplied by Partnerships and CDPs will no longer be feasible, for example where the tangible frontline services are not being provided or where benefits to a community are not evident. Please note that in the context of future support for CDPs there is a separate review of all Community Development Projects underway which will be completed shortly.

- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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Q 10. What is the 2009 Budget for the CDP and the LDSIP?

The revised budgets for CDPs and the LDSIP, arising from the Supplementary Budget in April last, are: €20.9m and €51m respectively.

- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.

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