ISLANDS GET ASSURANCES; CWC GETS FUNDING CUT

Communities on Ireland's offshore islands got a boost in recent days with the new Gaeltacht Minister Dinny McGinley assuring islanders the Government would continue to support their development.

He was speaking at the Cómdháil Oileáin na hÉireann (Federation of Irish Islands) agm, held on Clare Island. The Irish Times reported: "Noting that access and infrastructural issues had been addressed, he said the next focus for sustainable development was the creation of enterprise and employment."

Photo by A Meagher: Clare Island as seen from the Newport-Mulranny side.

"He conceded that while islands had benefited from the fruits of the Celtic Tiger, there was no longer funding available for major expansion. However, the maintenance of such services as childcare, healthcare and waste management would be continued."

Read the full Irish Times news report here.

Approx. 2,944 islanders live on our offshore islands.

CWC FUNDING

Meanwhile, the Community Workers Co-op has suffered a blow with news that funding it receives under the Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community & Voluntary Sector will not be continued.

The CWC can appeal the decision and met last Friday to consider options.

QUESTION! Is Community Development better understood in Ireland today compared to 10 years ago?

INVITATION!

Click on this link and vote on our question. ANSWER by clicking on one of the options (or add your own option for people to vote for).

• No, because the term covers such a wide spectrum of activity
• No, because Community Development work has declined because of Government cuts.
• It's complicated! It's both up and down.
• Yes, there is a better understanding of equality and collective action nowadays.

Update in relation to former CDPs and the LCDP

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government this afternoon released figures to ‘Changing Ireland’ that show the number of projects funded under the Local and Community Development Programme.

The Department’s statement reads:

"The latest phase of cohesion involves the integration of Community Development Projects (CDPs) with the 52 LDCs and the establishment of the approved alternative structures. At one stage there was a total of 185 CDPs/groups being funded under the [LCDP] programme, however this is now 153.