COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 13, 2012

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

That this Council, being extremely concerned for the future of community based and voluntary activity in the County so vital to the well being of our residents, fully supports the current campaigns against the cuts in the Community Employment Scheme and Community Safety Forums and calls on the Government to restore the funding for these important initiatives so critical to the quality of life to so many communities.  Furthermore, this Council requests that the Government publish a White Paper on the Community and Voluntary Sector so that a debate can take place on how this sector can be supported and funded in the context of the rationalization that is taking place across the disbursement and allocation of public funds. That this motion if approved be copied to all other local authorities.

REPORT:

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government advised the Council that as part of the Government’s Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and the 2012 Estimates process, difficult decisions have had to be taken in relation to prioritising funding for core services in all programme areas.  The funding being provided to support this Department’s mainstreamed drugs projects under the Housing programme in 2012 has been reduced by 75%, i.e. from €400,000 to €100,000 (€496,000 in 2008). In respect of the four projects within South Dublin County Council the 2011 allocation was €210,000.  The Department  provided pro rata funding of €52,500 for the first quarter of 2012 only as a final housing budget contribution to these projects.

The funding for the four projects – Fettercairn and Killinarden Estate Management Group and North Clondalkin Safety Forum and South West Clondalkin Safety Forum – was channelled through the Council from the Department to the groups and mainly provided for wages of the four workers plus miscellaneous funding for small projects and/or administration. The four workers operate to a governance structure to a management Committee – SDCC has a representative on the Committees as do a number of other relevant state agencies and groups.

 In a letter dated 3rd February 2012 the Department has advised the Council that :-

"As you know, following the Government’s Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and the 2012 Estimates process, the funding to support the Department’s mainstreamed drugs projects in 2012 has been reduced by 75%, i.e. from €400,000 to €100,000.  In that context, it is not possible to continue to fund the mainstreamed drugs projects within that allocation.  You are also aware that the Department had agreed to facilitate a consultation process, in conjunction with the Council, the relevant local drugs task forces, Department of Health, HSE and other key funders, with a view to identifying alternative streams of funding to support the projects for 2012 and beyond.  Furthermore, while this consultation process is taking place, the Department also agreed to provide pro rata funding to support the projects for the first quarter of 2012 only.

 I now wish to advise you that, in order to ensure that projects have sufficient time to identify alternative streams of funding and/or to undertake a reconfiguration of project tasks and priorities, the Department will provide additional pro rata funding to support the projects for the second quarter of 2012, i.e. to 30 June 2012. "

 Please note that this funding is being provided strictly on a once off basis and on the clear understanding that it represents an extension of the transitional arrangement only, thereby providing projects with sufficient time to undertake a fully comprehensive consultation to identify future alternative funding mechanisms.  This payment represents the final housing budget contribution to the projects and no further mainstreamed funding will be provided by the Department.  As previously, outlined, it will be a matter for other public funding bodies to identify the resources to deliver on the overall objectives of the reconfigured projects beyond end June 2012."

The Council will continue to work with the Department and all other stakeholders on this issue.

Regarding Community Employment Schemes there have been changes to the level of payments in repect of training and materials for participants which will have an impact on promoting groups and also for participants in terms of some welfare payments.

If the motion is passed, a letter will be issued to the appropriate government departments.