Funding to projects generally will, subject to 2010 Estimates decisions, be channelled through Partnerships. Some CDPs are not dependant solely on funding provided by the Department and may decide to continue in separate existence, outside of the new integrated programme.
- Reply issued on behalf of Minister of State for Community Affairs, John Curran.
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CDP's have choices, we are not powerless - we can stay out of this takeover and continue to respond as local communities to local needs - it would be on a reduced basis, often with reduced staff or even no staff but it is an option - many cdps own their own premises have a plethora of volunteers, have CSP and other workers, have other fundign streams to cover rent, equipment which now belongs to us etc.
ReplyDeleteA future where we are short of cash but still run by local people for local people is surely prefferable than a sham existence in partnerships with no basic democratic say in the managment and direction of the work.
We are independant community groups with volunteers and links in our areas, partnerships are often artificial entities with few links to ordinary people in our towns - look up who is on their boards - what do they know of issues in your area? the very fact they would even consider taking us over with no representation shows they have no belief on principles of particiaption, equality, democracy even - do you want to be part of that?
Yes many CDPs are involved in a variety of initiatives which are funded by other funding streams outside the CDP Programme. These other initiatves (Childcare facilities and C.E. Schemes not to mention supporting local groups trying to manage their small grant )were been set up and developed through the CDP programme staff. They continue to be supported by the CDP Programme core staff (Project Coordinator and Administrator) as the PC has a large management role in these initiatives with the Administrator contributing financial and administrative expertise. We will see the crumbling of all structures built up over the last 17 years leading to the demise of these other initiatives also.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of confused Fianna Fail thinking. Cdps will have to ditch their legal structure to join the new programme and thereby jeopardise their funding streams and contracts with other agencies (E.g. will the HSE or other agencies want to fund partnerships?)If we don't join the programme then the administrative and co-ordinating functions are lost - in the long term jeopardising the delivery of services locally anyway. It's a lose - lose situation! Fianna Fail obviously do not realise how many statutory bodies and government departments depend on local projects to deliver essestial services. And they question value for money in the community sector?? What a joke.
ReplyDeleteExpect towns with more than one project such as waterford and wexford to see projects shut - sorry "merged" and staff laid off with remaining staff left to take on more work - eg thrre playschools to supervise rather than one - time to start seeing whos the longest in the job in your town as first in last out is a phrase we are all going to learn
ReplyDeletethe 12 month job safety is only for those admitted to the new scheme.
and notice the 'subject to 2010 estimates decisions". Can we believe any of this anyway? There is no consistency, no clarity in this announcement or these questions. For sure the uncertainty created for huge numbers of people will impact on support services (both State and CDP) as well as health services before very long.
ReplyDeleteWhen the funding is gone from the local communities it will be gone. Other funding is almost non existant at the moment especially for staffing. Of course the government would like us all to work for nothing but some of us do not have the luxury of doing this. The volunteers I know worked with us because they could see the work we were doing in the communities and the impact it had. Will they continue after the funding is taken away, I wonder.
ReplyDeleteAre CDPs who used Dept funding as leverage for other investment in their communities be penalised in their allocations in 2010?
ReplyDelete