COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, June 14, 2010
MOTION NO 5.
MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy
That this Council values the work done by Community Development Projects in the County over recent years in addressing issues of disadvantage, social exclusion and inequality, including work and projects done in collaboration with the Council, disagrees with the funding cuts imposed by the Government in the last year, and shares many of the concerns of those involved as workers and volunteers in Community Development Projects about the new arrangements which are being put in place under the new Local Development Programme, and their concerns that a consequence of the new arrangements and reduced funding may be to pull resources from the most needy communities in the County. Accordingly we request the Manager to convene, at an early date, a suitable Meeting/Seminar which will enable a dialogue to take place between Council Management/Staff and Councillors and representatives of Community Development Projects in the County and representatives of the CPLN and Dodder Valley Partnerships, and other relevant organisations, with an objective of the meeting being to assist the Council in updating its own approach to Community Development in the County and making appropriate representations to the new Government Minister with responsibility for the sector.
REPORT:
A comprehensive national cohesion process took place in the County over the past number of years and this has now resulted in two Area Partnerships operating in South Dublin County
- Dodder Valley
- C.P.L.N
Following a review by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the Department will not continue funding the following CDP projects in this County
- Equal Access CDP, Tallaght
- West Tallaght Resource Centre
- North Clondalkin CDP
These projects were allowed appeal this decision with guidance from the Department. However the original decision to cease funding these projects was upheld. Following representation by the Area Partnership funding for West Tallaght Resource Centre has been considered which will allow some services operate from the Centre until the end of 2010. It is not funded under the new LDCP Programme.
The following projects will continue to receive funding in 2010 under the new LDCP programme and are merging with the Area Partnerships.
· Jobstown CDP, Tallaght
· Women Together Tallaght
· Dolcain CDP
· Rowlagh CDP
· Ronanstown CDP
· Bawnogue Women's Development Group
· Clondalkin Women's Network
Clondalkin Travellers CDP and Tallaght Travellers CDP are Traveller Specific CDP's and are still in negotitions with both the Area Partnerships and the Government regarding their future governance. An Cosan/The Shanty, Tallaght is not now considered part of this programme.
The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme and the Community Development Programme were the Department’s two main social inclusion/community development programmes. Both had a community development element and were delivered through separate local delivery structures. These Programmes came to an end on 31 December 2009 and have been superseded by a new Programme, the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP). This will incorporate the remaining CDP’s and the Local Area Partnerships.
The aim of the new Programme is to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between Government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities. This will be underpinned by four high level goals:
· To promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community services.
· To increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural development activities and resources.
· To increase peoples’ work readiness and employment prospects.
· To promote engagement with policy, practice and decision making processes on matters affecting local communities.
It is intended that the new Programme will preserve elements of good practice from the CDP/LDSIP Programmes and will enable groups to objectively demonstrate the positive impacts they are securing for local communities. An implementation strategy, involving the stakeholders, is underway in preparation for Programme roll-out over the course of 2010. This has been difficult as concerns regarding automony, governance, programme, independence and staff have to be addressed. The Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has been able to ring-fence funding for the Community Development Projects for 2010 and to maintain funding for these at 2009 levels. There is concern locally regarding funding post 2010. Many of the Community Development Projects also incorporated/housed, in different forms, other projects with a variety of funding streams. Work is ongoing at present to ensure these projects can continue where funding is secure and be incorporated/housed where appropriate in the Area Partnership structures or alternatively with other community projects. South Dublin County Council is represented on many of the projects and involved in much of the negotiations taking place to ensure services are maintained.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs have maintained funding without reduction to the many Family Resource Centres throughout the County. However throughout the County, Community Development, Youth, Education and Community Addiction Treatment Projects are experiencing changes in their budgets and are working to ensure the least disruption to services to those most in need and also to ensure the best value for money. South Dublin County Council Community Services Department is working closely with many of these projects and the South Dublin County Development Board/Social Inclusion Measures Group is at all times aware and informed of developments.
South Dublin County Council has a dedicated team of Community Development Officers who work in partnership with the local community in providing support and assistance to individuals and community and voluntary groups. This service is reviewed and updated as the needs change and new needs emerge. The Council has ensured throughout the last number of years that all opportunities, funding streams, proposals and programmes were pursued and if in the best interest of the County and its citizens were followed and implemented. The RAPID, Sports Partnership Programme, Social Inclusion and Dormant Account Funding are examples where South Dublin County benefited. South Dublin County Council has a long history of working closely with the various community organisations, voluntary bodies and state agencies to alleviate disadvantage and provide a more intensive service to those areas considered 'disadvantaged'
Any reduction in funding and community projects is regretted, however every effort is being made by everyone concerned to minimise the effects on the community. This Council will, through the elected members, management and various departmental staff, continue to work closely with the new Local and Community Development Programme and all other new and existing structures throughout the County and which have a beneficial effect on the Community.
The matter continues on the agenda of the County Social Inclusion Measures Group and was debated by the South Dublin County Development Board at its April 2010 meeting and will continue on the agenda for further meetings.