Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her good wishes.

With regard to the concerns about ongoing changes in community development, I agree with her that community development, whether in urban or rural areas, is tremendously important to every community in Ireland, and valuable services are provided. Two years ago, after I became Minister, FÁS, which dealt with community development, was taken into my Department and there was a great deal of fear, with many people suggesting this could be the end of public funding of community centres, the end of community employment and so on. I gave an undertaking in the House at the time that not only would it not be under threat but it was my intention, as resources permitted, to expand community development because of the significant role it plays, including in allowing people to return to education and training who may for a variety of reasons have not been employed for a time. Some time after that, we had a debate during which concern was particularly expressed by the Opposition. More than €1 billion is spent by the Department of Social Protection on initiatives such as community employment and the roll-out of new community programmes such as Tús, which have been successful. I understand there has been a great deal of concern about funding for the past seven years among all the organisations involved since the time of the financial collapse of the country. During the seven years prior to that, a great deal of additional funding was available because of the boom, but following the review of the various elements, including the educational elements, and the development of SOLAS, I am convinced that what will emerge is a community education personal development pattern which will focus on people getting involved and, as the Deputy, who has great experience in this area, said, attaining serous qualifications such as FETAC levels 4 and 5 which will enable them to approach employers, whether in the pubic, community or private sectors. Rather than simply saying they have been on a course, they can show they have acquired a qualification that will assist them in securing well-paid employment or progressing further to second or third level education. I understand the concerns of the Deputy, and the Government is committed to emphasising and prioritising community investment, which is so important to communities right around the country.

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