Media Release
Tuesday, 05 November 2024
Minister Joe O’Brien announces increased
funding for 400 community organisations
· Additional €3 million funding to support community services organisations from January 2025, under the Community Services Programme (CSP)
· Over 400 community organisations nationwide to benefit
Minister for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, has today (Tuesday, 05 November 2024) announced an increase in funding for the vast majority of Community Services Programme (CSP) supported organisations.
The CSP aims to provide employment opportunities and local services to disadvantaged communities.
The revised funding rates to be applied from 1st January 2025 will see:
· an increase of €1,850 in the annual contribution per full-time equivalent post to organisations categorised as having a high funding need; and
· a €1,755 increase in the annual contribution per full-time equivalent post for CSP organisations categorised as having a medium funding need.
No change is proposed for the small number of organisations in the low funding category, these are organisations identified as having the strongest earning potential and operating in less disadvantaged areas.
These increases will assist organisations to meet higher labour costs from 2025 onwards.
Speaking today, Minister Joe O’Brien said
“I am pleased to announce additional funding of €3 million to provide an increased contribution to both the medium and high Community Services Programme funding categories.
“I am very conscious of the increased costs being faced by organisations supported under the Community Services Programme and the increases being announced today will ensure the continued sustainability of the supported organisations.
“The increases provide higher levels of support to organisations with limited earning potential, operating in areas of disadvantage and employing individuals from the prescribed programme target groups.”
The Minister went on to say:
“This is the third successive annual increase in funding rates that has been approved since the introduction of a new funding model for the CSP Programme.
“I fully appreciate and have seen at first-hand, the invaluable work carried out by CSP-supported organisations around the country and I am pleased to be able to provide further financial support to existing organisations.”
