It doesn't make sense to change the system as it appears to work well
G
Gerry Mangan
12 years ago
As a former Director of the Office for Social Inclusion I can testify to the excellent, innovative services provided by these development companies and the major contribution they are making to social inclusion
P
paul vogel
12 years ago
They already do a good job.
R
Ronan Kenny
12 years ago
It would be idiotic to risk the loss of so many years of experience and broad expertise.
C
Cllr Jack Walsh
12 years ago
Communities need to be empowered if we are to be successful. Remember Local Development companies are helping create jobs in areas where IDA or Enterprise Ireland will never be able to operate.
B
Brendan O´Keeffe
12 years ago
Local development companies are essential for Ireland´s economic recovery and are key to ensuring that we pursue a model of economic development that is more balanced, fairer and more sustainable. Local Development Companies are engines of volunteerism, and have enabled communities to make real and positive changes, thereby improving quality of life, generating new economic activities, providing new services and protecting the environment. The lessons from the demise of the celtic tiger teach us that economic prosperity and social progress do not derive from an unregulated free market or reigniting the property market, but need to be driven and directed from the bottom-up, and local development companies are essentail in this respect. Moreover, local development companies are the bedrock of participative democracy in Ireland, and serve to engage people in local decision-making in ways that the state apparatus cannot do. Therefore, the present model must be retained, but furthermore, it needs to be strengthened so that LAGs / Partnerships have greater flexibility, can be more innovative and can respond more readily to local needs and potential, rather than centralised dictats. Their excellent value for money and the track record of LAGs in creating jobs, fostering enterprise, supporting communities, enabling people and promoting social inclusion is unrivaled. Moreover, their openess and transparency offer models that others ought to replicate.
B
Bernadette Moore
12 years ago
As the Principal of Rathmines College we support the Rathmines Pembroke Partnership in that they working with people and groups in our communities to create a positive change in people's lives. This is a community-led, bottom-up approach that has been recognised as a best practice approach in Europe. Together with the other 49 Local Development Companies across the country they deliver the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) among other programmes. It is vital to our community in Rathmines.
S
sarah jane hennelly
12 years ago
Just cause. Disgraceful initiative by an increasingly capitalistic corporatist government. Hope this works
M
mickmurtagh
12 years ago
Protect this fund for communities
M
Mike Ryan
12 years ago
Local Development Companies are best placed to deliver the services required for rural and community development. They have the experience, the contacts, the local knowledge, the networks, the people on the ground to repond to local needs. These ASSETS are non transferable, and will be lost forever if central government pushes through these changes. The Local Authorities are doing their best to maintain the services they already provide on a substantially reduced workforce. These changes would ensure that they have an increased workload, without the knowledge base to carry out the job in question. The people of Ireland would lose on all counts. Let the Local Authorites do their job, and let the Local Development companies do what they have excelled at for over 20 years.
K
ken wheeler
12 years ago
ballyhoura development as it is has been and hopefully will continue to be a hugely positive facility to the people it serves. Especially its needed now more than ever whether through funding or the the very important ce schemes.
M
Mary O'Grady
12 years ago
Our local development company Ballyhoura has made a huge difference to communities all over South East Limerick and North Cork. They work with communities to develop them proactively, supporting the community activists on the ground. County councils do not have the capacity or knowledge to provide this service. It's vital that the LDC model of community support continues.
J
James Connery
12 years ago
Ballyhoura Developmet has been at the heart or rural County Limerick and North Cork, their eapertise and committment to Community life and development is shown in the various individual, group and community success stories. Ballyhoura Development was a life line for many during the economic difficulties experienced in the 80' and 90's and now when they are needed most, it is unthinkable to deprive local communities of the support which is not provided regioanlly or nationally. It is organisations like Ballyhoura that have filled the gaps left by statutory agencies over the years and being based ion local communities gives a greater voice to communities.
F
Finian Toomey
12 years ago
Ballyhoura Dev Ass are a fantastic asset
S
Shay Riordan
12 years ago
Stronger Local Government does not have to be to the cost of Local Development. As is the case in many European Countries a strong Local Development sector can exist alongside Local Government where the strengths of both can complement each other. Unfortunately, the alignment process looks likely to dismantle Local Development Companies while trying to establish replica structures within Local Government. This process needs to be thought through if 20 years of bottom up development capacity is not to be lost.
R
Rose Conway-Walsh
12 years ago
As someone who has 15 years experience working in the Community and Voluntary Sector and five years working as a County Councillor I am of the firm opinion that giving the contracts for Rural Development Programmes and the Local Community Development Programmes to Local Authorities is a retrograde step. Certainly, there are issues that need to be addressed within a small number of Local Development Companies but this is not the way to progress. The Community and Voluntary Sector is about empowerment of individuals and communities. In contrast the Political System is most often disempowering. If we want to continue building capacity in communities contracts must be given to Indeptendent Local Development Companies. There is a role for Local Authorities but I see that as encouraging inter-county and international collaboration and exchanging innovation. Local Development Companies have done wonderful work to address social exclusion over the past couple of decades this work needs to continue now more than ever. I dont think most people yet fully understand the implications of centralisation and privatisation of community and rural development on our most vulnerable citizens particularly those experience poverty and isolation in rural communities. Most Irish Local Development Companies have worked - why are we fixing what is not broken?
A
Anthony Harpur
12 years ago
I've had opportunities to use some of the services supplied by SECAD and I believe that it helps to fill a gap that will only get wider when local town councils are abolished. The need for organisational support for local communities and local enterprise is critical and bodies like IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland may prove either too big or unsuitable for the purpose. In essence Local Development companies like SECAD can fill a role not covered by either central goverernment agencies or by the local authorities. The key word here is LOCAL.
[email protected]
Keep Paul partnership open
keep paul partnership open
It doesn't make sense to change the system as it appears to work well
As a former Director of the Office for Social Inclusion I can testify to the excellent, innovative services provided by these development companies and the major contribution they are making to social inclusion
They already do a good job.
It would be idiotic to risk the loss of so many years of experience and broad expertise.
Communities need to be empowered if we are to be successful. Remember Local Development companies are helping create jobs in areas where IDA or Enterprise Ireland will never be able to operate.
Local development companies are essential for Ireland´s economic recovery and are key to ensuring that we pursue a model of economic development that is more balanced, fairer and more sustainable. Local Development Companies are engines of volunteerism, and have enabled communities to make real and positive changes, thereby improving quality of life, generating new economic activities, providing new services and protecting the environment. The lessons from the demise of the celtic tiger teach us that economic prosperity and social progress do not derive from an unregulated free market or reigniting the property market, but need to be driven and directed from the bottom-up, and local development companies are essentail in this respect. Moreover, local development companies are the bedrock of participative democracy in Ireland, and serve to engage people in local decision-making in ways that the state apparatus cannot do. Therefore, the present model must be retained, but furthermore, it needs to be strengthened so that LAGs / Partnerships have greater flexibility, can be more innovative and can respond more readily to local needs and potential, rather than centralised dictats. Their excellent value for money and the track record of LAGs in creating jobs, fostering enterprise, supporting communities, enabling people and promoting social inclusion is unrivaled. Moreover, their openess and transparency offer models that others ought to replicate.
As the Principal of Rathmines College we support the Rathmines Pembroke Partnership in that they working with people and groups in our communities to create a positive change in people's lives. This is a community-led, bottom-up approach that has been recognised as a best practice approach in Europe. Together with the other 49 Local Development Companies across the country they deliver the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) among other programmes. It is vital to our community in Rathmines.
Just cause. Disgraceful initiative by an increasingly capitalistic corporatist government. Hope this works
Protect this fund for communities
Local Development Companies are best placed to deliver the services required for rural and community development. They have the experience, the contacts, the local knowledge, the networks, the people on the ground to repond to local needs. These ASSETS are non transferable, and will be lost forever if central government pushes through these changes. The Local Authorities are doing their best to maintain the services they already provide on a substantially reduced workforce. These changes would ensure that they have an increased workload, without the knowledge base to carry out the job in question. The people of Ireland would lose on all counts. Let the Local Authorites do their job, and let the Local Development companies do what they have excelled at for over 20 years.
ballyhoura development as it is has been and hopefully will continue to be a hugely positive facility to the people it serves. Especially its needed now more than ever whether through funding or the the very important ce schemes.
Our local development company Ballyhoura has made a huge difference to communities all over South East Limerick and North Cork. They work with communities to develop them proactively, supporting the community activists on the ground. County councils do not have the capacity or knowledge to provide this service. It's vital that the LDC model of community support continues.
Ballyhoura Developmet has been at the heart or rural County Limerick and North Cork, their eapertise and committment to Community life and development is shown in the various individual, group and community success stories. Ballyhoura Development was a life line for many during the economic difficulties experienced in the 80' and 90's and now when they are needed most, it is unthinkable to deprive local communities of the support which is not provided regioanlly or nationally. It is organisations like Ballyhoura that have filled the gaps left by statutory agencies over the years and being based ion local communities gives a greater voice to communities.
Ballyhoura Dev Ass are a fantastic asset
Stronger Local Government does not have to be to the cost of Local Development. As is the case in many European Countries a strong Local Development sector can exist alongside Local Government where the strengths of both can complement each other. Unfortunately, the alignment process looks likely to dismantle Local Development Companies while trying to establish replica structures within Local Government. This process needs to be thought through if 20 years of bottom up development capacity is not to be lost.
As someone who has 15 years experience working in the Community and Voluntary Sector and five years working as a County Councillor I am of the firm opinion that giving the contracts for Rural Development Programmes and the Local Community Development Programmes to Local Authorities is a retrograde step. Certainly, there are issues that need to be addressed within a small number of Local Development Companies but this is not the way to progress. The Community and Voluntary Sector is about empowerment of individuals and communities. In contrast the Political System is most often disempowering. If we want to continue building capacity in communities contracts must be given to Indeptendent Local Development Companies. There is a role for Local Authorities but I see that as encouraging inter-county and international collaboration and exchanging innovation. Local Development Companies have done wonderful work to address social exclusion over the past couple of decades this work needs to continue now more than ever. I dont think most people yet fully understand the implications of centralisation and privatisation of community and rural development on our most vulnerable citizens particularly those experience poverty and isolation in rural communities. Most Irish Local Development Companies have worked - why are we fixing what is not broken?
I've had opportunities to use some of the services supplied by SECAD and I believe that it helps to fill a gap that will only get wider when local town councils are abolished. The need for organisational support for local communities and local enterprise is critical and bodies like IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland may prove either too big or unsuitable for the purpose. In essence Local Development companies like SECAD can fill a role not covered by either central goverernment agencies or by the local authorities. The key word here is LOCAL.