PROPOSED PUBLIC spending cuts will threaten the fabric of Ireland’s community and voluntary life, the Government has been warned.
The Irish National Community and Voluntary Forum, the representative body for 22,000 community and voluntary groups, said yesterday that cuts outlined in the McCarthy report would bring a halt to vital community work right across the State.
Chairman of the forum Tom McGettrick said: “If implemented in full, the McCarthy report would result in the disappearance of Ireland’s community and voluntary life.”
He said community and voluntary organisations provide a hugely valuable service through the organisation of activities in schools, parish halls, community centres and other venues at the heart of Irish society.
“Our member groups work with people with disabilities, our older citizens, youth groups, the homeless, poorer members of the community and the unemployed. The McCarthy report totally fails to put a value on these activities,” Mr McGettrick said.
The report recommends closing down the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and redistributing its functions across various departments.
It also suggests slashing about €150 million through reducing allocations for community and voluntary organisation, as well as other measures.
This would result in either the closure or curtailment of community development projects, community employment schemes, family resource centres, Rapid and Clár programmes. Rapid and Clár initiatives target poverty in the poorest rural and urban areas
Mr McGettrick said the Government had a responsibility to analyse the impact of implementing the McCarthy recommendations. Instead of saving money, he said cuts could cost the State more in the long term as a consequence of breakdown in community and voluntary life.
“These cuts, coupled with the closure, for example, of a primary school or Garda station in a community, would take away a much-needed lifeline – particularly for those suffering from isolation,” he said.
“Without the services provided by these programmes – and by the voluntary organisations that we represent such as residents’ associations, youth clubs and active retirement groups – social problems will increase in communities throughout Ireland.”
The forum has urged the Government to decide whether it wants future generations to accept a society based on a purely economic model, or one which values the contribution of volunteers and community leaders.
“Over the last number of years, the Government has made a lot of noise about ‘active citizenship’ and the need for people to give back to their communities. If the recommendations of the “An Bord Snip Nua” report are implemented, the structures needed to support volunteerism and community activity will be removed,” Mr McGettrick said.
The forum is planning to lobby politicians in an attempt to help change the Government’s approach to dealing the country’s financial problems.
“We will be asking our politicians to change their whole approach towards correcting the public finances,” Mr McGettrick said.
“The very worst outcome for Ireland would be to adopt short-term solutions now that only lead to greater pressure on the exchequer in future years. The Government must decide whether it will protect the vulnerable from severe cuts.”