PRESS RELEASE
Immediate release: 30 January 2020, 9am
ELECTION 2020: RURAL IRELAND IS BEING HELD TOGETHER BY COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY GROUPS, PARTIES HEAR
Communities in rural areas are increasingly reliant on the support of community and voluntary groups, according to The Wheel, the national association of charities. The organisation, which represents 1,700 charities across Ireland, today called on the next government to retain the Department Rural and Community Affairs and a senior minister in this vital portfolio.
Speaking today at a for the community and voluntary sector in Dublin, Ivan of Public Policy at The Wheel said: “Recovery from the economic crisis has been delayed in much of rural Ireland, where and voluntary based organisations continue to maintain much of the social and economic fabric of their communities. These organisations, large and small, provide services that the state either does not, or is not in a position to deliver. They do so with often very limited resources and . The continued presence of a senior Cabinet Minister and Department Rural and Community Affairs are needed in the next government.”
Mr. Cooper added, “It is vital that candidates and political parties are listening to the real lives behind the big issues. It is easy to discuss policy in the there are people in every constituency in Ireland depending on localised community services in order to survive, and live full lives. However, the community and voluntary organisations delivering these services and supports are struggling to meet an increase in demand for services combined with increasingly precarious funding arrangements and demanding compliance requirements. To truly support the big issues facing communities in Ireland, all parties must commit to implementing changes that will benefit those who are firefighting on this crisis such as the introduction of multi annual funding models of three to five years and streamlined compliance systems combined with provision for the cost of compliance (and Good Governance) in funding arrangements.”
Representatives from all the major political parties attended the hustings event, at the Carmelite Community Centre in Dublin.
The Wheel is calling on all candidates to show their support for charities, community and voluntary organisations, and social enterprises, which operates in every constituency in Ireland, by signing the Stronger Communities Stronger Ireland manifesto at www.wheel.ie/election
Interviews available. Contact Gert Ackermann on 086 176 9287 or Sarah Monaghan 087 672 1154.
The Wheel is Ireland’s national association of charities, community and voluntary organisation and social enterprises and charitable organisations. With over 1,700 members, it is the largest representative body for the charity, community, voluntary and social enterprise sector. Visit www.wheel.ie for more information. Follow us on Twitter.
