DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR IRISH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES

The LEADER Partnerships around the country have spent many years building relationships with communities and individuals in their areas over the last 20 plus years. Staff working in these organisations on the social inclusion programme are committee community workers who believe in the process of community development and supporting communities where their needs are. As highlighted in the mid-term review of the Local and Community Development Programme "the LCDP has exceeded its targets in areas that continue to be a high priority for Government, including education, training and employment" Why break up what is obviously working well?

Why we should keep the Local Development Companies - Extract from the Mi-term Review of the Performance of LDCs by the Centre of Effective Services: the LCDP has exceeded its targets in areas that continue to be a high priority for Government, including education, training and employment. In 2011, the target for the Local Development Companies’ caseload (i.e. clients) was just over 30,000 individuals, but the actual number was 40,292. In 2012 the corresponding figures were 36,464 and 47,792 . In 2011 the number of ‘Other Ad ults’ engaged with the programme was 265,868, whereas the result for 2012 w as 409,203, an increase of 53 %. With respect to Goal 1, Local Development Companies are making increasing numbers of referrals to other services. There was almost a doubling in LD C referrals of individual caseload clients to specified services from 5 , 811 in 2011 to 10,472 in 2012. They are also leveraging significant additional monies . In 2011 the total funds leveraged from statutory, philanthropic and private sources by t he LDCs, was €104m . In 2012 , the leveraged figure of €99m is more than double the budget for LDCs . T he LDCs have been internationally recognised for their work in promoting collaborations at local level to address poverty issues. Concerning Goal 2, t here was a n increase in the numbers of individuals benefitting from unaccredited education from 4,178 in 2011 to 7,868 in 2012. This rise sh ould be seen alongside the increase in th ose benefitting from accredited education, from 2,210 in 2011 to 3,373 in 2012. With re spect to Goal 3, o f the 47,792 on the caseload of Local Development Companies in 2012 , 31,310 (65%) were unemployed, and within this 23,172 (74%) were long term unemployed . There was a modest increase of those supported into employment from 1,121 in 2011 t o 1,370 in 2012, and a slightly greater increase of those supported into self - employment from 5,042 to 2011 to 5,684 in 2012. Concerning Goal 4, the number of community grou

This work is important for the local communities, particularly those who are most disadvantaged. The experience of the partnerships is important in continuing this work.

Yet another fumbling foray into mismanagement. There is little else holding the fabric of local communities together in these estranged times, but never let a good idea get in the way of poltics.

Local Development Companis have provided an unquestionably efficent service for the last 20 years. They have the experience. Why change something that is the envy of Europe?

The model of local community development has served Ireland well for two decades. Why change something that has worked effectively? The proposed changes are misguided.

"They told me dragons did not exist then they led me to their lairs" - Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

I have used the supports of my Local Development Company and find then excellent. I dont know much about the Reform of Local Government but I see no logic in changing what is obviously working well. Do people really think that a committee set up by a local authority with very limited community involvement will be in a position to secure the support of the local community groups and volunteers which are required to get the level of community projects coming forward that are needed to have successful local development strategies.

The people I know in Bray partnership are dedicated., very hard working and close to the people they help and support. They know the area and are dedicated professionals who are doing a good job. Please consider carefully - is this change going to support the local people or just end up spending money on efforts that won't achieve even half the results? Please, think again!!

Local Development companies are the life blood of all communities large or small. They have an intimate knowledge of the people and the needs within there communities. It is not always the large milestone projects that create the community spirit or employment but the smaller more essential ones that make people connect with there locality and as a result keep jobs and initiatives community based . Its this local knowledge that L.D.C's have built up over years of working within the communities that will be lost be. Please support you Local Development Company as they have supported you.

It is imperative that the work of the Local development Companies in empowering and encouraging their communities to look at the best ways to developed with the interest of the wider community at hearth. This can only be achieved with the trust established with the bottom up approach that has served rural Ireland well for the past 20 years. This must be protected as now more that ever there are more and more communities who feel left behind and forgotten about, only for the work of Local Dev and the many programs they deliver which works to achieve social inclusion for all.

Without the LEADER Grant Kitchen Incubators Kerry would not have its doors open now! We are the first privately owned and operated Kitchen Incubator in Ireland and we are located in Kerry! It is vital that LEADER is funded to allow new startups to grow and foster innovative businesses that will employ local people.

In this critical time of economic transition and weakening social cohesion, we believe that job creation and the protection of employment,developing innovative practices to support entrepreneurship, small local business and innovative joint ventures, engaging positively with people without meaningful employment, and developing the capacity of our communities to work inclusively, are essential factors in the seeking to achieve a sustainable, dynamic, caring future.

if the local development companys go the all local communities will suffer

Local Development companies are a critical delivery mechanism at county level for social inclusion and rural development. They facilitate strong community voice and input and participative democracy. These programmes are community based and should stay with these independent companies and the funding should not go to County Councils .

Protect local communities and local jobs, support your local development company!

I support community led local development, local development companies have played a crucial role in supporting local communities, promoting social inclusion, creating local jobs and supporting the development of local economies. Please support your local development company.

Local Development Companies (LDCs) have been quietly supporting the economic and social development of communities for decades. Unlike government agencies, LDCs are governed by local community groups and activists and staffed by people who are professionals in a variety of fields such as Heritage, Environment, Tourism, Community and Rural Development, Economic and Enterprise Development to name but a few. LDCs support those who are unemployed, under-employed, minority groups including ethnic groups, small and micro enterprises, estate groups, provide targeted training programmes where the need has been identified in local areas, local tourism projects, ...............the list is too long to keep going. Because of their experience and structure, LDCs continue to be the best positioned organisations to administer government and EU funding in the most efficient way. However, recent changes proposed by government, threatens to change this and LDCs may become fragmented with much of the funding they used to provide being diverted to local government and elsewhere. Please sign the petition to support your Local Development Company and help prevent these proposed changes from being implemented.

Local Develoment Companies and in our area Inishowen Partnership Comapny are vital to the future of local community groups for funding and various other supports that are not avaluable to voluntary community groups. Without them not just the necessary funding but the ongoing support from staff provides training & direction that makes communities more empoered to make major differenes in their area. Without the Local Development Companies local communities will not be able to survive & all teh great work that has been achieved to date will be lost. Do not attack local communities any more than has already happened!! Save our local development companies & local communities!!!

I want to declare my support for the lcdp and leader Programme, let them stay with the partnerships as the community support these organization and have trust in them