Community CDPs march to Dept of Finance- photostory

national | worker & community struggles and protests | news report

Wednesday September 09, 2009 23:55

by Paula Geraghty

mspgeraghty at yahoo dot ie

0876101340

Positive outcomes to Community Development organising in Trade Union Sector

Positive story of communities organising and defending what they have.

Over 1200 took part in Siptu's march to protest against cuts in Community Development Projects on Tuesday. A makeshift coffin marking the proposed death of the community sector if an Bord Snip Nua It's part of an ongoing campaign which will culminate in a larger community sector march on September 30th. Groups came from all over Ireland to defend the jobs and services in the community service.

Kathleen O'Neill from Kilbarrack CDP was scathing of the methods used by McCarthy to assess the methodology of the McCarthy report saying anyone using a similar systaem in the community sector would be sacked for using such a flawed method of measuring outcomes. What irked many was the McCarthy statement about positive outcomes. O'Neill said she and everyone present was a positive outcome.

Martin Collins from the Pavee Point Travellers’ Centre in Dublin spoke of the devastating impact that the withdrawal of funding from Traveller CDPs will have. 300 people work in CDPs and three times that number took part in the protest indicating the next protest will be very significant.

What are CDPs?

CDPs are involved in a range of programmes including childcare, meals on wheels, after-schools projects, youth groups, literacy and drug rehabilitation to name a few. They support the most vulnerable people in the most vulnerable communities including children, lone parents, the elderly, young people, recovering drug addicts and the disabled.

“Since DCRGA cut funding by 15%, CDPs have been living on a knife edge, reducing staff, cutting hours and services. If McCarthy’s recommendation for cuts of €44 million in funding for CDPs and Local Partnerships is implemented schemes across the country will be forced to close,” said SIPTU Organiser, Darragh O’Connor.

“The implications of such closures are stark. Disadvantaged communities will be further undermined and there will be consequences for crime, employment, training, education, and anti-social behaviour,” he said.

http://www.siptu.ie/PressRoom/NewsReleases/2009/Name,11....html

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Comments (5 of 5)

Brill pics Paula

by Charles Drake

Mon Sep 14, 2009 13:53

I have to agree with Stephen Lewis from Siptu (pers cap). Paula Geraghty’s series of photos was indeed first rate . This is photography at its best ,cleverly telling the story of what Paula aptly described as the “ positive outcomes to Community Development organising in Trade Union Sector” with all the characteristic passion and wit we have come to associate with Ms Geraghty's work . Taking photographs of this quality isn’t just a matter of clicking a button . There is a significant artistic component in the composition of such memorable photos.

Nice one Paula - CDPs are no soft touch! Here's our video from the day...

by Allen Meagher - 'Changing Ireland'

Mon Sep 14, 2009 02:13

editor at changingireland dot ie

c/o Community Enterprise Centre, Moyross, Limerick

061-458011

Check out our 'Changing Ireland' video of the SIPTU CDP march on Sept 8th at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwrJ7chaga8

Also, TV3 gave prominent news and current affairs coverage to the cuts to Community Development Projects and the community sector in general. It gave almost an hour of its Morning Show to the issue: http://www.tv3.ie/shows.php?request=themorningshow&tv3_...13578

More info re Sept 30th, check:
http:/www.siptu.ie/community

More Community Development and Sector news:
http:/www.changingireland.ie

Caption: Video Id: dwrJ7chaga8 Type: Youtube Video
Community Development Projects are no soft touch -

Video of June 3rd Community rally and march

Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:05

http://www.youtube.com/user/TradeUnionTVIreland#play/al...dSrs8
http://www.youtube.com/user/TradeUnionTVIreland

Great Images

by Stephen Lewis - SIPTU (pers. cap.)

Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:58

A fantastic selection of pictures Paula. You really captured the atmopshere ,determination, and colour of the day(as you do always).

Just to remind people to mobilise for the Community Against Cuts Protest March which will be held on the 30th of September at 1pm leaving from the Garden of Rememberance (Parnell Square) to Government Buildings.

See: http://www.siptu.ie/community/

Photostory continues

Thu Sep 10, 2009 00:03

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