24/09/2015

€3.2m Announced For Community Centres

The government has announced contracts worth €3.2 million per year for the operation of community centres and facilities to be offered to 91 not-for-profit companies across Ireland.

The contracts represent the renewal of 91 existing contracts, for periods of up to three years, from January 2016.

Announcing the award of contracts, Minister of State at Department of Social Protection, Kevin Humphreys said: "Nationally, we have an extensive infrastructure of community centres and facilities. These have been built with significant financial contributions from their communities, local authorities and State supports over the years.

"In the week of the National Ploughing Championships, it should be noted that these contracts support community services across rural Ireland and play a critical role in fostering social enterprise countrywide."

The Community Services Programme supports the provision of employment opportunities for people from disadvantaged groups by working with community organisations that operate on a community business or social enterprise basis. Employment is targeted at people with disabilities, long-term unemployed people, travellers, lone parents and rehabilitated drug users. The programme directly supports approximately 2,700 people in employment and a further 500 employees indirectly.

(MH/CD)

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