Maureen O’Sullivan
Last October, Pobal published on its website details of the funding that was available in different lots under the social inclusion and community activation programmes. It seemed that the level of cuts being proposed was 10% in rural areas, 20% in urban areas and 38% in areas of inner-city Dublin. This 38% cut will affect communities of extreme deprivation, which have rates of unemployment much higher than the national average, high numbers of lone families and issues presented by the new communities. I am talking about areas of greater disadvantage than other parts of the country. Even though progress is being made with educational attainment, progression to third level in these areas is much lower than in the rest of the country. These areas have lost the public private partnerships and the regeneration it was hoped would result from such partnerships. This 38% cut will affect community organisations that are offering community training and education, working with lone-parent families, providing affordable child care and working with people in addiction. I will give an example of the new realities with which these organisations are dealing. A cheap synthetic drug known as ice that came on the market recently has led to a number of deaths. The community organisations are responding to those issues as they arise.
For some reason, the Government has decided to go ahead with private procurement of the social inclusion programmes. This could have devastating effects because of the loss of expertise and experience. The 38% cut I have mentioned will be also devastating. I would like to mention a particular statistic that has been highlighted by these groups. They have said that more than 2,500 people – long-term unemployed adults, vulnerable adults, lone parents and those in recovery – could be affected by service changes in the areas of adult education and training and pre-employment support. The Minister, Deputy Kelly, has committed to the retention of community services through the social inclusion community activation programme with a loss of €1.7 million. When it is added up, it seems to be nearer to €9 million. The groups were promised that they would see the rationale allocation model. I ask the Taoiseach to ensure that will happen. How can these community organisations proceed and make progress if they are to face cuts of 38%?
Enda Kenny
The Minister, Deputy Kelly, is aware of the issue the Deputy has raised. He has undertaken to examine the funding of community organisations and entities like those mentioned by the Deputy. It is often necessary to draw funding from various State agencies for these kinds of communities or organisations. As the Deputy knows, a Private Members’ motion on the question of social inclusion has been tabled today. I think the Department of Social Protection has worked very hard at that over the years. I refer to the different facilities, contributions and opportunities it has put together.
I would point out to the Deputy as well that the new board of SOLAS, in giving its remuneration to replace FÁS, has a remit to have a link between education and job opportunities.
I agree with Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan that the participation in third level institutions from areas of deprivation or areas that are certainly socially challenged has been very low. We have tried to encourage third level institutions to make a particular effort so that young people would have the opportunity to go to third level, though the difficulties that they have encountered have been exceptional at second level. It is an issue that I expect that the Minister, Deputy Kelly, will probably address in the course of the Private Members’ discussions this evening and tomorrow. I will bring the Deputy’s personal observations to his attention myself.
Maureen O’Sullivan
I am struck by a couple of ironies. One is that the social inclusion programme is targeting those in society with whom these community organisations are working. When I was in the GPO for the launch of the 1916 commemoration programme, I was also struck by how it was not a stone’s throw from some of the really disadvantaged communities. If the Rising was about anything, it was about equality.
However, this is not equality. It is also not an issue that is confined to Dublin. Last week, I attended a meeting for the non-Gaeltacht island communities. Their community development programme is facing what will almost be a complete axing, undermining their front-line services. Deputy Halligan has just told me about a child care centre in a RAPID area in Waterford that provides low-cost child care for more than 100 children. Fourteen of its employees are on protective notice. Seemingly, there is a similar case in Sligo. While I am particularly concerned with Dublin, this issue arises elsewhere. It is causing the organisations in question a great deal of stress and distress.
The Minister, Deputy Kelly, is holding a number of meetings. For example, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe, will meet him and the Lord Mayor of Dublin has stated that he will be meeting him. However, it is more important that the Minister meet the community organisations that are on the front line of these cuts.
Will the Taoiseach stress upon the Minister the importance of such meetings?
Enda Kenny
I actually spoke to the Lord Mayor myself recently about some matters relating to this. No more than the Deputy’s good self, he is well acquainted with the difficulties in a number of communities here in Dublin in particular. Obviously, island communities have had a particular priority over the years. There is a €2.2 billion fund for rural development between 2014 and 2020 that covers a lot of the areas and the different organisations out there.
Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Not any more.
Enda Kenny
Deputy Halligan has raised with Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan the question of the child care centre in Waterford. For instance, non-commercial or community-run centres, obviously, were derated recently by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to lessen the charge there.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Like the Irish Water buildings.
Enda Kenny
It is actually more important that the Minister look at what the overall result might be here. I cannot speak for his diary, but I know that he is aware of this and has already undertaken to look at it.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
These are RAPID areas to which the Government committed its support. The Government is abandoning them all over the country.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
Perhaps if Deputy Halligan wants to give me the details of the centre in Waterford, which I am not acquainted with,—–
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
The Government has no interest in them.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
The same is happening everywhere in the country.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Deputies, please.
A Deputy:
There is no Fine Gael vote in it.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
We are not talking about giving away huge amounts of money.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
—–I would be happy to have a response provided for the Deputy.
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
The Government is decimating the community.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
Seven or eight jobs will go and children will be abandoned in a RAPID area.
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
The Taoiseach should ask his backbenchers.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Would the Deputies ever stay quiet, please, until the Taoiseach has answered the question?
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
I would be happy—–
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
It is a RAPID area that the Government claimed it would support. This is outrageous.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
I am sorry, Deputy Halligan, but this is Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan’s question.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
He was waffling on again.
Enda Kenny (Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach; Mayo, Fine Gael)
I would be happy to have a response provided for Deputy Halligan and Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan, if they wish.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
The health committee was very quiet on the last question.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
We now move on to Questions to the Taoiseach.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
“Democratic revolution.”
Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
We brought about the change, Finian.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Will Deputies stop shouting across the Chamber, please?
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
I do not think the Government understands what a RAPID area is. It has given up on the less well-off in society. That is what has happened. There is no point in passing smart remarks across the floor.
Seán Barrett (Ceann Comhairle; Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Will the Deputy please stay quiet? Thank you.
John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
People are losing their jobs all over the country in other RAPID areas that the Government is supposed to be supporting.
