The McCarthy report, if implemented in full, would result in the disappearance of Ireland’s community and voluntary life, a body representing voluntary groups has claimed.
The Irish National Community and Voluntary Forum (INCVF), a representative body for 22,000 community and voluntary organisations throughout Ireland, was responding to the McCarthy report, which recommends wide-ranging cuts of some €5.3 billion in public expenditure.
It said the Government “must decide what type of society it wants Ireland’s future generations to inherit”.
“There are a huge number of programmes set for closure or severe cuts in the ‘An Bord Snip Nua’ report,” said chairman of the INCVF Tom McGettrick.
“These include community development projects, community employment schemes, family resource centres, Rapid and Clár programmes.
“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 the Government had “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 added: “If implemented in full, the McCarthy report would result in the disappearance of Ireland’s community and voluntary life.”
“From Cork to Donegal, 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.”
“People feel that we must make savings and undergo cuts to correct the public finances. This is understandable. However, we believe that many of the recommendations would ultimately cost the Irish taxpayer money because we would be paying in the long term for the breakdown in our community and voluntary life.”
Mr McGettrick said his organisation had written to a number of politicians to point out its concerns, and was seeking to meet them to discuss “how the Government can change its approach to solving the country’s financial problems”.