Community groups face further cuts
'They set cutbacks, we say fight back!'. That's the message coming from the staff and service users of Community Development Programmes (CDPs) across Co Leitrim this week.
Fears have been raised for the future of the country's CDPs, including three which service the Leitrim area. With the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs already cutting vital funding for CDPs many are concerned that the future of such programmes will be put at risk if the recommendations of the McCarthy Report are implemented.
Last week representatives of CDPs working in Co Leitrim area including those from the North Leitrim Women's Centre (Manorhamilton), Community Connections CDP (Blacklion) and Lough Allen CDP, attended a protest in Dublin to highlight their concerns. Joining over 1200 voices at the SIPTU protest they vowed 'they say cutbacks, we say fight back!'.
According to representatives of the CDPs since January 2009 CDP funding has been cut by approximately 12%, following a similar cut in 2008. "This has made the project's work more difficult and they have struggled to make ends meet. At a time when many public and community services are been pulled out of rural areas, it is time to fight back said workers," said the Co Leitrim groups in a joint press statement.
"The proposed cuts would basically close the programme – people who are using CDP services will have no other source of engagement and, it would seem, are not being considered in the long term plans being made by this government."
Community Connections spokesperson, Development and Information Worker, Hayley Fox-Roberts said that CDPs play a vital role in rural communities and in areas such as these, which are already, relatively speaking, poorer areas, problems such as isolation, a lack of access and a lack of support will be further exacerbated if CDPs are forced to close.
"The reality is that such closures, especially in this economic climate with rising unemployment and greater financial pressures, would result in a rise in negative mental health, a rise in social disadvantage and a rise in things like suicide and depression. CDPs play a vital role in communities and their loss would ultimately cost the Government more in the long run," she said.
For the past few years local CDPs have only been provided with core funding - funding for wages, electricity, rent etc and they have been forced to seek additional funding to run their programmes from other sources.
"The reality is that the proposed cuts would be so substantial that we just wouldn't be able to operate and unlike other urban areas, there are no alternatives here that people can avail of if a programme closes."
At the moment Co Leitrim is served by a number of CDPs, Lough Allen Community Development Project, based in Drumkeerin runs a wide range of courses and activities for the whole community, such as Day Services for Older People, Youth Projects and VEC Back to Education courses. They also offer support to new and existing community groups in the area and a secretarial service.
Community Connections CDP also run and support a wide range of programmes in North Leitrim, West Cavan & West Fermanagh, all rural areas, including work with the North Leitrim and West Cavan Carers Group, intergenerational projects between Active Age groups and local schools, and anti-racism and cultural diversity awareness programme for young people where groups link with multicultural organisations and use art & sport as tools for change; community gardening, cookery courses for men and youth advocacy skills training. All their work is geared towards developing the local community, empowering people with new skills, knowledge and confidence and attempting to adhere to the needs of local people.
The North Leitrim Women's Centre in Manorhamilton runs a range of training and development courses for women, along with a drop-in centre, computer training and access, the Well Woman clinic and a domestic violence awareness programme. All these projects are well-used sources for information, advice and skill-sharing.
"What we need now is for people to come out and support us. To bring pressure to bear on the Government and secure the future of Community Development Programmes throughout the country," said Hayley.
A second demonstration protesting against proposed cuts across the community sector will take place in Dublin on September 30th, assembling at 1pm in Parnell Square. All are welcome to attend.
People are also being urged to write to their local TD's in support of your local CDP and the Community Development Programme across the country.
"This isn't written in stone, we can change things if we all act now," urged Hayley. "The Government needs to know that this is one area that cannot be cut."
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
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