Reply - Q 23

"To ask the Chief Executive for an update in response to my motion at the September meeting relating to plastering of walls at Foxborough, including a report on the request for an up-to-date costing of the works involved; and a response to the request for an examination of the options to provide grant funding to residents to carry-out the works?"

The cost of plastering a wall ranges from €16.07 per square metre to €45 per square metre for a natural coloured floating render finish. The cost of a natural coloured wet dash finish ranges from €13.40 per square metre to €60 per square metre.

The nature of the works involved at this location does not come within the scope of any SDCC funding schemes such as the Tidy Towns Grants or Community Grants. However, there may be support available for this work through Tús, which is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people since 2011.

Responsibility for the operation of Tús rests with the Department of Social Protection. Pobal operates a payroll function on behalf of the Department and it is managed at a local level, on the Department’s behalf, by Local Integrated Development Companies, as well as Údarás na Gaeltachta in the Gaeltacht and Dublin Employment Pact. The programme provides twelve month work placement opportunities in local community settings.

Participants gain the many benefits from being in work, and community and voluntary organisations benefit from the skills and experience that the participants can bring. Tús has both an urban and rural focus and builds on the model of the Rural Social Scheme.

This scheme is currently open for applications, and Community & Voluntary Organisations with a potential work placement opportunity should register this with the Local Development Company. The Community/ Volutary Group will then be required to submit a detailed work proposal outlining the work to be undertaken, number of Participants requested etc. for consideration by the Local Development Company/Údarás na Gaeltachta. Following assessment, the Local Development Company/Údarás na Gaeltachta will contact the Community & Voluntary Organisations advising them of their decision.