Immediate release: 26 January 2011
Contact:
Gert Ackermann
The Wheel
Tel: 086 176 9287
gert@wheel.ie
ELECTION 2011: NEW GOVERNMENT MUST ACT TO
PROTECT THOSE LEFT VULNERABLE BY RECESSION
Dublin, 26 January - A meeting between representatives from all the major political parties and 82 community and voluntary groups today heard that, in order to protect those who have been left vulnerable by the recession, the new government must ensure that charities are funded appropriately, regulated sensitively and supported comprehensively.
The Wheel, a national umbrella body representing 890 community and voluntary organisations, called the meeting at the Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups to provide political parties with an opportunity to outline their social policies. Minister Pat Carey TD represented Fianna Fail, Frank Feighan TD spoke on behalf of Fine Gael, Senator Dan Boyle represented the Green Party, Jack Wall TD outlined the Labour Party’s position and Aengus O'Snodaigh TD spoke on behalf of Sinn Fein.
Deirdre Garvey, Chief Executive Officer of The Wheel, said that 73.2% of charities have experienced an increase in demand for their services since July 2010, whilst 54.5% have suspended or delayed projects due to financial considerations in last 6 months.
“Charities deliver essential services for children, older people, and people with intellectual and physical disabilities; they provide social housing, help the homeless and hungry, raise funds for development aid, assist people in deprived urban and rural communities, provide sports and recreation facilities and advocate with-and-for our most vulnerable people and groups. Without these services the state couldn’t meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our society,” said Ms Garvey.
“If we want to develop and support sustainable communities that underpin an equal and just Ireland, we must support voluntary activity in a comprehensive and coherent manner,” she added.
The Wheel called for the inclusion of the following in the manifestos of all political parties:
1. Prioritisation of continued development of social services for vulnerable people.
2. Appropriate support for the community and voluntary sector by:
a. Deepening the relationship with the community and voluntary sector through a new framework for partnership working.
b. Providing sensitive and supportive regulation.
c. Providing a comprehensive range of practical supports for staff and volunteers working in and governing charities.
d. Providing public funding sufficient for community and voluntary groups to deliver the social outcomes Irish society requires and in the most appropriate way (e.g. multi-annual funding to allow for advance planning).
3. Involvement of the community and voluntary sector in reforming public services.
Ms Garvey said there is a need for “a culture of effective partnership-working between voluntary organisations and state bodies when they work together to design and deliver essential services”.
“Charities deliver flexible, value-for-money, person-centred services. We ask all political parties to commit to involving community/voluntary organisations in reforming our public services to ensure the service-user is at the heart of our public services and to get the maximum value for money from scarce public funds,” she said.
Note to Editors:
Deirdre Garvey, Chief Executive Officer of The Wheel is available for interview. Please contact Gert Ackermann on Tel: 086 176 9287 or email gert@wheel.ie.
The Wheel is a national support and representative body for community, voluntary and charitable organisations. They provide a wide range of information and support services, advice and training to individuals and organisations involved in community and voluntary activity. They are also a representative organisation promoting both their 890 members’ and the wider sector’s interests.
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