SIPTU Protest for Community Development Programmes

national | worker & community struggles and protests | event notice Friday August 28, 2009 12:03 by SIPTU - SIPTU Community

Protest meeting and march for Community Development Programmes 8th September 1pm SIPTU Liberty Hall.

Community Development Programmes Protest

The Department of Community, Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs (DCGRA) has cut funding for Community Development Programmes by 15% this year and, if the recommendations of the McCarthy Report are implemented, there will be wide spread closures.

The 180 Community Development Programmes (CDPs) are a key component of Ireland’s Community Sector. They are at the core of community development and support a wide range of local groups in every area of disadvantage. Each year they;

- Facilitate 21,950 days of volunteer work
- Provide support and services to 257,704 people
- Educate and train 30,697 people
- Employ 1,400 workers in addition to a core staff of 300

CDPs are involved in a range of programmes including childcare, meals on wheels, after schools projects, youth groups, literacy and drug rehabilitation to name a few. They support the most vulnerable people in the most vulnerable communities; including children, lone parents, the elderly, young people, recovering drug addicts and the disabled.

Since DCRGA cut funding by 15%, CDPs have been living on a knife edge; reducing staff, cutting hours and services. If McCarthy’s recommendation that funding for CDPs and Local Partnerships be cut by €44 million is implemented, schemes across the country will be forced to close.

The implications of closures are stark. Disadvantaged communities will be further undermined and there will be consequences for crime, employment, training, education, and anti social behaviour.

To highlight the crisis facing CDPs there will be a meeting and march on 8th September, SIPTU, Liberty Hall, Eden Quay, Dublin 1, starting at 1pm.

Please also be aware that on the 30th of September SIPTU is organising a protest for the wider community sector in relation to cutbacks.

For Further information please contact SIPTU Organising 01 8586367 or organising@siptu.ie

CDP Protest Poster 0.25 Mb