Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

All of those measures are welcome and the funding that is coming through is absolutely welcome. However, the Minister of State acknowledges that significant pressures in relation to international protection and also Ukrainians is causing enormous pressure, particularly in working class communities. I will give an example. Many years ago in my community, when I moved out and started getting involved in community work in Dublin 15, we had six community development workers in six of the local community centres. That was the work on the ground in the community centres, with people working away. I do not see that any more. I am not taking away in any shape or form from the brilliant work that is being done in terms of community development. I will give an example of something that really struck me recently. A substantial amount of funding has been put forward. I am not saying there is a disconnect but I am going to say this. Public Wi-Fi in community centres has been funded at a cost of €120,000 and installation of digital information boards at €42,000. This funding is from the community recognition fund that covers, for example, the installation of a lift in a community centre and installation of digital information boards. The list goes on; these are all brilliant and worthy projects but I am struggling to see the connection between working class communities and the funding from that community recognition fund.

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