Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
393. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the community services programme scheme is opening in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10661/26]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports 445 services nationally via 426 community organisations to provide local social, economic, and environmental services through a social enterprise model with an allocation of €59.4m in 2026.
The CSP Programme provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager. The CSP contribution is not aligned with the minimum wage and is not intended to meet the full salary cost of supported posts. The contribution must be co-funded by other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services.
The CSP Programme currently provides funding towards 1,720 FTEs and 351 manager positions.
As you may be aware on 17 December last, Minister Calleary and I announced our intention to hold an open call for new organisations to join the CSP Programme in early 2026, in line with a Programme for Government commitment. The design of this open call is underway and details, including eligible community services and organisations, will be announced in the coming weeks.
In the interim, any organisation that wishes to be contacted when the Programme opens for new applicants, can provide contact details of a nominated point of contact to the email address csp@drcdg.gov.ie.
