COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMME
Background to the Community Services Programme (CSP)
The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community businesses to deliver local services to their
communities and to create employment opportunities for people from disadvantaged groups.
The programme is funded by the Department of Social Protection. It currently provides funding support for
approximately 425 community companies and co-operatives.
The Programme focuses on communities where public and private sector services are lacking, either through
geographical or social isolation or because of demand deficits.
A core requirement of the Community Services Programme is that contract holders generate non-public revenue from their operations e.g. by charging fees for services delivered or fundraising. The grant is used for Salary Costs.
Companies in contract with the programme must be not-for-profit, social enterprise or community business in nature.
The Department of Social Protection is responsible for setting the overall policy environment with respect to the programme as well as procuring the required annual resources.
The Department sets the application and eligibility criteria and acts on recommendations received from Pobal in respect of contract approvals, renewals and variations.
Following recommendations from Pobal and the Department, decisions in respect of all contracts rest with the Minister.
Truagh Development Association CSP aims are:
To support local community activity
To reduce disadvantage for those most excluded or at risk of exclusion within our community ·
Improve the physical, mental and emotional health of our community ·
Improve the skills base of our community ·
Promote social and economic development within the community ·
Provide employment for those most distant from the labour market ·
Promote Peace, Reconciliation and progress in this border micro region and beyond·
Promote Sales and Marketing
The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community businesses to deliver local services to their
communities and to create employment opportunities for people from disadvantaged groups.
The programme is funded by the Department of Social Protection. It currently provides funding support for
approximately 425 community companies and co-operatives.
The Programme focuses on communities where public and private sector services are lacking, either through
geographical or social isolation or because of demand deficits.
A core requirement of the Community Services Programme is that contract holders generate non-public revenue from their operations e.g. by charging fees for services delivered or fundraising. The grant is used for Salary Costs.
Companies in contract with the programme must be not-for-profit, social enterprise or community business in nature.
The Department of Social Protection is responsible for setting the overall policy environment with respect to the programme as well as procuring the required annual resources.
The Department sets the application and eligibility criteria and acts on recommendations received from Pobal in respect of contract approvals, renewals and variations.
Following recommendations from Pobal and the Department, decisions in respect of all contracts rest with the Minister.
Truagh Development Association CSP aims are:
To support local community activity
To reduce disadvantage for those most excluded or at risk of exclusion within our community ·
Improve the physical, mental and emotional health of our community ·
Improve the skills base of our community ·
Promote social and economic development within the community ·
Provide employment for those most distant from the labour market ·
Promote Peace, Reconciliation and progress in this border micro region and beyond·
Promote Sales and Marketing
Services Offered Under the Community Services Programme
Our Community Services Programme is a service provider for the people living in the Clara, Carrickroe, Ballyoisin and
Mullan area.
Within the programme we currently provide a wide range of services including:
1. Weekly Meal and Rural Transport Services, Take Home Meals: we continually encourage seniors locally and from
the neighbouring communities and cross border to join in this very enjoyable social event. We also provide a Rural Transport Service for people who are interested in coming to our Monday meal and social dance. Our freshly prepared meals are also available to take home at €5.00.
2. Hot School Meal Service – Knockconan NS & Clara NS
3. Home Visitation, Support and Referral Services - identified senior who are isolated, lonely, dependence: our ‘Community Support Trained Staff’ will undertake home visitation to those who are feeling lonely, isolated and/or experienced recent bereavement or sickness, support the senior in sign posting for other service needs e.g. home maintenance.
4. Sign-posting Service
5. Co-ordination of Truagh Community Alert: completion of application and co-ordinating the installation of personal panic alarms
6. Catering Services to Clara / Carrickroe and private households
7. Caretaking Service – Blackwater Valley Learning Centre / Clara / Carrickroe / Errigal / Errigal Truagh Special Needs
8. Project Support to Stepping Stones Group, Co-operation Ireland Peace Programme
9. Organising and Co-ordinating course delivery
10. Free Library Service
We continually aim to develop and expand our services in meeting community needs. If you, a relative or a friend is interested
in hearing more or availing of our services, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our staff on 047 87049 for further information.
Mullan area.
Within the programme we currently provide a wide range of services including:
1. Weekly Meal and Rural Transport Services, Take Home Meals: we continually encourage seniors locally and from
the neighbouring communities and cross border to join in this very enjoyable social event. We also provide a Rural Transport Service for people who are interested in coming to our Monday meal and social dance. Our freshly prepared meals are also available to take home at €5.00.
2. Hot School Meal Service – Knockconan NS & Clara NS
3. Home Visitation, Support and Referral Services - identified senior who are isolated, lonely, dependence: our ‘Community Support Trained Staff’ will undertake home visitation to those who are feeling lonely, isolated and/or experienced recent bereavement or sickness, support the senior in sign posting for other service needs e.g. home maintenance.
4. Sign-posting Service
5. Co-ordination of Truagh Community Alert: completion of application and co-ordinating the installation of personal panic alarms
6. Catering Services to Clara / Carrickroe and private households
7. Caretaking Service – Blackwater Valley Learning Centre / Clara / Carrickroe / Errigal / Errigal Truagh Special Needs
8. Project Support to Stepping Stones Group, Co-operation Ireland Peace Programme
9. Organising and Co-ordinating course delivery
10. Free Library Service
We continually aim to develop and expand our services in meeting community needs. If you, a relative or a friend is interested
in hearing more or availing of our services, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our staff on 047 87049 for further information.
Mae McKenna being presented with her prize by Mark Clifford, O'Hanrahan's Travel, at the Senior Meal in March 2013.
Jim and Sheila Murphy using the free library service, February 2013
Community Services Programme Staff
Mary McCrystal & Fiona McCaffrey Jones Manager of the CSP at the Blackwater Valley Learning, ICT, Peace and Life Long Learning Centre
Ann McKenna, Finance
Claire McGuigan, Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Angela Kelly, Community Community Support Worker
Roberte Greco, Assistant Chef
Majella Treanor, Catering Assistant
Christina Kavanagh, Catering Assistant
Michelle McKenna, Catering Assistant
Marie McQuillan, Baker/Catering Assistant
Brian Treanor, Caretaker and Community Support Worker
What exactly is a Community Support Worker? The role of TDA's Community Support Workers involves:
Working closely with seniors within the community providing a listening ear, support and advice through
providing weekly visitations and good morning call service to seniors in the Truagh parish including Clara,
Carrickroe, Ballyoisin and Mullan.
Recording weekly visitation and good morning calls in a professional, confidential and timely manner.
Providing referral support on issues relating to clients to other agencies where appropriate.
Providing Support and advocacy for elderly people in relation to issues affecting them.
Promoting independent living of elderly people in the community.
Promoting and encouraging social contact through linking elderly people with existing services and active
retirement programmes without compromising confidentiality.
Working as part of a team in delivering the Monday meal service to the seniors.
Identifying, supporting and advising new seniors on Truagh Development Association services, for example,
weekly meals for seniors.
To assist Community Services Staff on the delivery of the Monday meal service to the seniors including
preparation of meals, setting up of main hall, general appearance of the building.
Building effective relationships with key personnel and customers.
CSP Staff Training
A core value of Truagh Development Association is staff capacity and confidence building. CSP staff have received
the following training:
Child Protection & Awareness Training
Garda Crime Ambassador Training
Volunteer Management Training
HACCOP Food Hygiene Training
Telecare Training
First Aid Training
SAGE Commercial Training
the following training:
Child Protection & Awareness Training
Garda Crime Ambassador Training
Volunteer Management Training
HACCOP Food Hygiene Training
Telecare Training
First Aid Training
SAGE Commercial Training
Upcoming Staff Training
Artisan Food Business Training Programme with Monaghan County Enterprise Board
Elderly Abuse Training and Working With Vulnerable Adults
Manual Handling Training
Fire Safety Training
Elderly Abuse Training and Working With Vulnerable Adults
Manual Handling Training
Fire Safety Training
