Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

It is not enough to pay lip-service to the community and voluntary sector which, when it comes to cuts, is the first to be hit. There is no certainty in this sector in which 50,000 people are working. There appears to be no strategy in terms of retaining what is essential. Many of these services are essential.

We are all aware of the appalling state of our finances. However, we need to spend money in the most effective way possible. I am all in favour of reform but I see no vision or blueprint for this particular sector, which is diverse and fragmented. The reason for this is that it has developed in response to local need. Often work carried out in developed countries by state agencies is done by the community and voluntary sector here. For example, much of the work around drugs has been developed in response to drug dependency in particular communities. Ironically, it was during previous recessions in the 1970s and early 1980s that the drug epidemic commenced. Programmes were devised as a response to this but are now facing cuts. With Garda numbers being cut and treatment services coming under increased pressure, we are only storing up problems for the future. The diversity and fragmented nature of community and voluntary services are their great strength.

If the Government wants value for money, flexibility and multitasking from publicly funded groups, this sector will provide it. While it is difficult to imagine its disappearance, there is an expectation on the Government's part to have this work done on a voluntary basis which is simply unsustainable. On the doorsteps during the general election, people told us they want their tax moneys spent effectively with waste cut out and on the projects that need to be done. No blueprint has been drawn up for the community and voluntary sector, however. One must be drawn up if we want to retain some of the most vital services provided by the sector.

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