DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR IRISH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES

These orgainastions provide a great services for individuals seek employment and training they need more support not less.

Our local development team do a really good job, and I would like to give them my support. Con Holmes

Why would anyone want to change something that is working very well. The Local Development Companies are supporting individuals and communities to address disadvantage through education, training, unemployment supports, mental health initiatives, community planning, rural isolation initiatives, creating and maintaining employment opportunities and essential services/facilities in rural Ireland. There was never a more important time to strengthen and highlight the work of Local Development Companies and this is not the time to dismantle or weaken their connection with local communities and excellent track record of facilitating change where it is needed most.

CLDC provide a brilliant service. I support the continuation of this invalualbe service, all in the one place. Do m

communities both urban and rural are served well by these companies.

Local - means local. Unity is strength. Division is weakness. Majority = decision. Democracy gets done - by those who turn up.

Communities both urban add rural are very well served by these companies who have a proven track record in providing very effecient and effective programmes to communities on behalf of the goverment ,Giving excellent value to the tax payer.Why change whats not broke?

Leave our local development associations alone. Local means local!

No need to change something that is working very well

I would appreciate if nothing was changed

Without the LOCAL development companies great work being carried out on the ground with disadvantaged communities the relationships that have been built over decades in rural and urban Ireland will be lost and or damaged.

Please dont change what is working very well in Ireland.

The LDCs have delivered an exceptional range of long term/ slow burn supports to the community and SME enterprise sectors across Ireland. I am very concerned at the centralisation of this function to local authorities who very often do not focus on 'slow burn' long term rural development.

Local Community groups doing essential work need our continued support

I wish to support the Waterford Leader Partnership as they have done fantastic wiork supporting local communities and small businesses in Co waterford through very tough times.

We need to keep the expertise and commitment of the Local Development Companies. They are an essential part of community development and a lifeline to many in the community. We cannot lose their experience and we know that this approach works.

This is a regressive move and may prevent leverage of additional funds for community services through the Local Authorities involvement.

This is not a time to lose the experience and knowledge of existing staff who strive to maintain local community standards through Local Development Companies.

Please save Local Development Companies as they are vital to keeping our communities together and a safe place to live in.

Make every effort to avail of knowledge and on the ground experience of workers for future community development in new Municipal structures