In January 2006, the Government transferred responsibility for the Social Economy Programme from FÁS to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the name of the Programme was changed to the Community Services Programme. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is responsible for overall management of the Programme. It is administered, however, on a day- to -day basis by POBAL on his behalf.
The CSP provides funding to groups that supply services to their local communities. The Programme aims to support local community activity which addresses disadvantage, while at the same time providing employment opportunities for people from the following target groups: people with disabilities, the long-term unemployed, travellers, stabilised and recovering drug misusers and ex-prisoners.
The activities of the projects funded under the CSP are very varied and include, services for the elderly, services for people with disabilities, rural transport for isolated rural communities, managing community halls and facilities, rural tourism, community radio, recycling & environmental projects.
A list of CSP funded projects is available here.