Hundreds of people from
across Galway City and County joined together in a united call for the
restoration of funding for vital community services last Monday 25th
June. An Open Day to highlight the crucial work undertaken by Community
Employment (CE) schemes throughout the County was held at St Joseph’s Community
Centre, Shantalla and attracted unprecedented support from over 30 separate
community organisations.
The event took place
amid increasing concern for the future of CE as budget cutbacks have wiped out
both materials and training grants for projects across the county. Current Cuts
to the Community Employment (CE) schemes could result in the loss of essential community
support services and up to 1600 jobs.
According to SIPTU Organiser, Diane Jackson “Hundreds
of jobs providing essential services in areas of mental health, meals on
wheels, childcare, disability, youth and environmental work are on the line
unless there is a change in government policies in relation to CE funding,”
Organisations in
attendance included the Galway Peoples Resource Centre, Galway Simon, MS
Ireland, Youthreach, Mountbellew District Development, the Tuam and District
Mental Health Association, Citizens Information Centres, Galway Rural
Development and the Ballinasloe Community Resource Centre.
A wide range of local
councillors, TD’s and Senators from across the political spectrum also
attended.Current Minister of State for Training and Skills Ciaran Cannon was left in no doubt about the concerns of all
present regarding the future of CE funding and the failure of the government to
date to respond to this issue. Workers from all schemes pointed out to public representatives that any plans
to curtail participation on CE to just one year would be detrimental to the
workers and projects alike and simply unworkable. They also called for the
immediate lifting of the current suspension of training for CE workers as this also
impacts on the quality of services.
Marie Woolley of the
Tuam and District Health Association was anxious to point out that the impact
of cuts are hitting some of the most vulnerable people in our society. “Our
goal is to help people who need support to live independent lives within their
own communities. Our workers assist them with regard to housework, transport,
gardening and general maintenance, but now that work is under threat.”
Martina Gavin from
Forum Connemara Ltd explained how her organisation had carried out over 185
essential House Repairs for elderly members of the Gaeltacht Connemara
community, as just one example of the wide range of community services provided
through CE. Explaining why she was attending the Open Day Martina said “We’re
very worried about the future. The cuts to the materials grant has hurt us
badly and we need those funds restored urgently.”
Marion Scully works as
a Supervisor with Claregalway Annaghdown. Her own scheme currently employs 27
workers and 2 supervisors across 21 different projects encompassing a wide
range of care, environmental and community projects. She summed up the feelings
of all present when she said “We are worried about the impact of these cuts on
our jobs, our services and most of all our communities”
Peter Connolly, who is
a CE Worker employed by the Shantalla Development Company explained “There are
70 CE schemes across Galway City, County and Connemara employing 1600 workers
and 80 supervisors. All of these jobs are now at risk. So are the
essential services they provide”
“We are holding this
open day because our communities cannot afford to lose these vital services or
jobs. We are calling on all of our public representatives to give their full
support for the restoration of funding and protection of services. If we don’t
act now it will be too late for many of the schemes in our County”
