Anger over threat to community projects

Some of the most deprived communities in the State would lose "essential services" such as after-school projects, meals-on-wheels, créches and adult education if Community Development Projects (CDPs) were closed, a protest in Dublin was told today.

The closures could set the communities back over 20 years, causing "huge long-term damage - increased early-school leaving, increased domestic violence and social despair and alienation worse than that seen in the 1980s," said Cathleen O'Neill, manager of Kilbarrack CDP in north Dublin.

She was addressing a protest outside the GPO by staff and clients of CDPs in the east of the State, staged in advance of their participation in the larger Ictu protest against Government cuts.

It was part of an ongoing campaign against plans to close up to 60 of the 180 CDPs around the State.

Jean McCormack's four children - one of who is autistic - attend the Kilbarrack CDP after-school project. "I don't know where I'd be without the centre. It has helped me get back into work and there is literally nothing else for kids in the area if they take this away."

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, John Curran, confirmed today the CDP programme was under review. "I will shortly have a full report on the findings and recommendations," he said.

It was his intention not to wind-up CDPs but to ensure "a more focused programme with clear objectives, simplified and streamlined delivery structures and better integrated actions, leading to significant administrative savings and impact efficiencies". This would involve some closing, he said.

However, none of the CDPs have been given any indication as to their fate beyond next month.

Ms O'Neill said the board of management at Kilbarrack CDP will have to put its ten staff on protective notice next week. "We have no funding after the last week of December and we have no idea whether we will. It's not just us affected. Everyone's funding ends in December."

Maurice McConville of Dundalk Le Chéile CDP in Dundalk said the projects picked up the people "everyone else has given up on, people who are victims of prejudice - Travellers, immigrants, people with disabilities.

"I don't know what people think of their Republic these days but it seems to have become a much harsher crueller place to live."