100. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken by his Department to alleviate the burden of community services programme funding recipients being required to provide fully audited accounts on an annual basis. [38218/26]

Sentiment score: -0.15

Before I ask my question, I welcome to the Gallery pupils from St. Joseph's National School in Fermoy in my constituency and their teachers, Mr. Barry and Mr. Flynn.

Sentiment score: 0.46

What measures is the Department taking to alleviate the burden of community services programme funding recipients being required to provide fully audited accounts on an annual basis? I ask the Minister to make a statement on the matter.

Sentiment score: -0.21

I thank the Minister of State for his response. The reason I tabled a question in the first instance is that it was recently brought to my attention by members of a local community group that has long received CSP funding that a significant portion of this funding is taken up with providing the fully audited accounts. There is a requirement on this group to provide fully audited accounts on an annual basis. This is a local community group with, to my knowledge, no financial issues or irregularities, yet it is being requested to spend thousands each year on ensuring its financial accounts are fully audited. In the particular case I am familiar with, the costs are between €6,000 and €7,000 out of a funding allocation of €27,000. This is excessive and runs counter to the spirit of the community services programme and the important work local community groups do for communities up and down the country. I ask the Minister of State if such a requirement exists and whether it applies to all successful CSP funding applicants. Listening to his statement, I agree that we should find something else to help this group, rather than them having to face an annual burden of spending between €6,000 and €7,000 of its allocation on this.

Sentiment score: 0.23

I thank the Minister of State for his very positive response. I understand the reasons for audited accounts but if he could speak to the Department, I am sure we could find a system which would not place a burden on community groups that do great work. If it costs them €6,000 or €7,000 out of €27,000 of a grant to do this, the Minister of State will see that they are under financial pressure. I welcome the positive response. I thank the Minister and Minister of State for their co-operation and help and I look forward to a positive reply on the matter.

Sentiment score: 0.67