Immediate Release: 12 October 2021, 5pm
Issued by The Wheel
the national association of charities
BUDGET 2022: THE WHEEL WELCOMES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SUPPORTS AND SERVICES
The Wheel, the national association of charities and voluntary organisations, today welcomed the addition €35m allocated to the Department of Rural and Community Development in Budget 2022 to fund community and voluntary services and supports.
Commenting on the announcement of Budget 2022, Ivan Cooper, Director of Public Policy at The Wheel, said, “Budget 2022 includes a range of welcome measures to bolster community and voluntary supports and services. The charities and voluntary organisations delivering these services will play a key role in ensuring a fair and inclusive recovery by supporting people and communities with innovative services, responding flexibly to emerging needs and focusing on vulnerable people and marginalised communities.
Mr Cooper said the announcement of €105 million for disability services and €35 for mental health services is a much-needed shot in the arm for services that have seen a surge in demand over the past 18 months. Voluntary service providers currently provide two-thirds of services to people with disabilities and a quarter of acute hospital services, which includes mental health services.
Welcoming the announcement that the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (WESS) will be extended to April 2022, Ivan Cooper said “The extension of the WESS will greatly assist charities hit by income collapse during the crisis that relied on the scheme and enable such organisations to continue providing essential services and protect the most vulnerable in society.”
The Wheel also welcomed €60m in rates relief for arts, sports and certain other organisations. “We are seeking clarification to secure inclusion of charities and social enterprises in this scheme,” said Ivan Cooper.
Mr Cooper also said the €78m provided in core funding for childcare providers, will place these services on a more secure footing and will help employers to retain staff.
An additional €5m was allocated for the upgrade of community centres. “These centres are the hub for community life and this investment will help secure the future of many such facilities,” said Ivan Cooper.
“Charities and community organisations played a key part in sustaining communities during the crisis, restructured their services to deliver remotely, cut costs, redirected resources to priority areas and designed new services targeted at meeting new needs. The Government must now prioritise a fair economic recovery that acknowledges and resources voluntary and community-based activity for the benefit of all,” said Ivan Cooper.
Ivan Cooper, Director of Public Policy at The Wheel is available for interview. Contact Gert Ackermann on 086 176 9287 or email gert@wheel.ie to arrange.
The Wheel is Ireland’s national association of charities. Our membership includes 2,000 charities, community groups and social enterprises. We are a representative voice and a supportive resource that offers advice, training, influence and advocacy for the sector. To learn more about The Wheel’s work, visit www.wheel.ie.
