Community Group Slams Budget 2012

A group that promotes and supports community work to fight poverty, social exclusion and inequality, the Community Workers Cooperative has strongly criticised Budget 2012.

They said it is amounting to a financial attack on the most vulnerable in society.

"The cumulatively negative impact on low income homes and disadvantaged communities resulting from Budget 2012 will require decades of investment to reverse," said Community Workers Cooperative Chairperson, Helen Lowry.

"In the past week the ESRI/SILC data on incomes was published which showed that deprivation levels and income equality has risen.

"This government has targeted those very groups in society already suffering the most - children, lone parents, people with disabilities, the welfare dependent. This budget will only increase inequality in our society."

She added: "The government had an opportunity to make sure those with the most would pay the most.

"Instead it is now clear that those who had no hand or part in creating the crisis are being made pay an unjust price. Health will suffer, children will not receive the education they need, communities will be less safe, and poverty will increase.

"We know more equal communities and societies do better but clearly this is not the government's goal."

Also commenting, David Lynch a Clondalkin-based community worker, said: "The essential glue that holds communities together, especially in stressful times, is wearing very thin.

"We have experienced a tidal wave of cuts in the past few years and have lost many of the essential supports people rely on.

"At the same time the demands on community organisations is increasing as families and communities come under increased pressure.

"After school clubs, youth projects, supports for older people, disability organisations, social economy initiatives have all been cut. This budget sees another cut of €8 million being cut from the Local and Community Development Programme. We have reached the end of the rope."

He added: "There is supposed to be a focus on greater efficiency in the public sector.

"One of the valuable roles community organisations play is supporting people to engage with local services.

"Services rely on community and youth workers all the time to reach groups who are difficult to reach.

"Without these types of community supports in place the state will have a harder job doing its work."

(BMcC)