Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I have a brief statement to make and then three questions for the Minister. Like many, I am outraged at the killing of George Floyd and the treatment of Black Lives Matter protesters in the US. As public representatives, it is important we respond to these events and listen to and amplify the voices of those affected. We cannot ignore this; that is how racism thrives. We also need, however, to reflect on racism in Ireland. This includes the inhumane direct provision system, attitudes towards Travellers, and everyday racism suffered by black people and other people of colour.

Covid-19 has revealed and heightened inequalities. It has disproportionately impacted the vulnerable. Poorer and disadvantaged communities have vastly higher contraction and death rates. We can see this in our nursing homes, direct provision centres and meat processing plants. The elderly, people with disabilities, migrants and low-paid workers are too easily overlooked. The pandemic has highlighted these neglected areas; it did not create them. As public representatives, we must rise to these circumstances and meet racism with equality, disadvantage with justice, and fear with hope. This crisis is an opportunity for deep reflection. It has forced us to rethink what really matters. Our society needs to change to reflect the hard-learned lessons of this pandemic. We need a new social contract. The State needs to fulfil its responsibility. Neither the voluntary sector nor the market is there to relieve that responsibility.

At the beginning of this emergency, three things we were told could not happen were achieved: a single-tier health service, rent freezes and a reduction in emissions. In the midst of a global tragedy, we put people first. This needs to continue. As restrictions lift we need to be cognisant of the dangers of going back to "business as usual". "Business as usual" was thousands on hospital trolleys, rapidly rising homelessness, hours spent in traffic and a crumbling ecosystem. If we have not learned that we need to prioritise people, families and communities now, when will we? A rights-based approach is essential for progression: the right to a home, healthcare and equality and, with that, no regression of our existing hard-earned rights. For example, next year we will review our termination of pregnancy law, and we need only look at last night's debate on abortion legislation in Stormont to realise we cannot be complacent. We all want to live in a more just society. The community and rural development sector is crucial to helping bring about a better, fairer and more just Ireland.

I have three questions. Community and voluntary organisations have been severely impacted by the pandemic. At the same time, these groups have done incredible work in supporting vulnerable people. While the Covid-19 stability fund provided support for charities and social enterprises, it also highlighted their precarious position. An effective community sector should not be relying on fundraising to provide essential services. There is an abdication of responsibility to properly fund disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups. The State outsources the provision of services to overstretched organisations, dedicated volunteers and people's generosity. Despite the coronavirus, there has been incredible creativity in fundraising, but mental health charities, people with disabilities and older people should not have to rely on sponsored runs, coffee mornings and Instagram challenges for funding. Will the Minister ensure that his Department will move towards a properly resourced community sector with multi-annual funding, enabling these groups to operate with greater security? Furthermore, many smaller local groups did not have the capacity to demonstrate how they met the requirements of the Covid-19 stability fund. Groups such as parenting support programmes, family resource centres and youth clubs will have to incur substantial additional costs if they are to reopen following the Government guidelines. These costs are not provided for by the stability fund.

Will the Minister expand the scope of the fund, widen the definition relating to it to include costs associated with Covid-19 reopening and provide a more suitable process to facilitate smaller groups in applying?

As rural Deputies, we know there is a desperate need to invest in our communities as we emerge from Covid-19. While I welcome the rural development investment programme, I am keen to see more ambitious funding. The funding of €30 million will not cover the amount required to ensure social infrastructure in all towns and villages. Covid-19 has shown that in Ireland community comes first. Government needs to respond appropriately. We need a new community-led initiative to create inclusive social infrastructure and public spaces. We need projects that will foster community well-being while helping local businesses and encouraging tourism. Biodiverse parks can create opportunities, educate children and provide space for exercise and socialising. Inclusive design of streets will enable older people and people with disabilities to feel safer and more welcome. We need to move away from the matched funding model. The Department needs to invest and put trust in communities, who know what is best for their areas. Participative decision-making and subsidiarity will enhance active communities and local democracy. Will the Minister expand current rural and community funding streams, with a focus on inclusive public spaces? Will the Department take a more participative approach in the context of operating these programmes?

See this speech in context