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2009

Protest against cuts in Community Development Projects

Date Released: 04 Sep 2009

Workers and management committees in the country’s Community Development projects are holding a meeting and protest on Tuesday next (September 8) in Liberty Hall in Dublin followed by a march to the Department of Finance.

This year the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA) has cut funding for Community Development Projects by 15% and, if the recommendations of the McCarthy Report are implemented, there will be widespread closures and job losses.

The 180 Community Development Projects (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 for cuts of €44 million in funding for CDPs and Local Partnerships is implemented schemes across the country will be forced to close,” said SIPTU Organiser, Darragh O’Connor.

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

To highlight the crisis facing CDPs there will be a meeting at 1.00pm on September 8, SIPTU, Liberty Hall, Eden Quay, Dublin 1 followed by a march to the Department of Finance on Merrion Street.





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