DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR IRISH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES

South West Mayo Development Company played a vital role in the establishment of my business and I feel I could not have achieved it without their support

Ballyhoura has had a hugely positive influence on many major developments in our area. E.g Doneraile Park, Canon Sheehan Commemoration, Furniture Restoration Course,Discover Science,Tour Guides Course, Oral History Course

South West Mayo Development Company have done excellent work at so many levels in this part of the world over the years. They are very approachable and they have invested in all sorts of facilities and developments in the smallest - and, consequently, the neediest - of local communities. I hope they get to continue with their work.

The support of Ballyhoura Development was crucial to the success of many projects in our area which simply would not have happened without the support that was given. This work and other work that Ballyhoura Development supports has a benefit that is difficult to calculate but which lasts for far longer than the period of funding itself. Over the last 30+ years, Ballyhoura has surpassed all expectations in reaching their targets on Community Development, Social Planning and Capacity Building. Their encouragement of local initiative and decision making while emphasizing participation, initiative and self help by local communities linked to people development and economic performance has created a blueprint for all development organisations and will not be capable of being successfully replicated at local government level. Community work is based on working with and supporting groups of people. Community work is about the empowerment of individuals and communities. Ballyhoura have the people with knowledge and skills to do this. They have a track record of promoting the redistribution of wealth and resources in a just and equitable manner within their area. They present alternative ways of working, are dynamic, innovative and creative as well as being open and responsive to innovation from communities. They have my total support now.

Our office in Newport is run in an efficient and friendly way; local groups know that the staff are always willing to listen to their needs. If the office were to close it would be sorely missed by the local community.

i set up my business with the help of the Donegal Local Development Company. The advice and support I got was invaluable and helped me create a successful business model that has allowed me to go on and win contracts across the country. I was delighted to work with Monaghan Interated Development and support their work to help unemployed youngsters develop work place skills. These oganisations are abslutely vital in the current economic situation to help people create their own employment

Irish local development do great work and have help to develop many rural areas.

SUPPORT FOR IRISH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

The Wexford Local Development have been a huge support to our organisation Gorey Youth Needs Group. Without them we could not possibly provide some of the services we have to our service users. They are very appraochable and it is a pleasure to work with them on a friendly face to face basis.

Local Development companies provide an invaluable, incomparable assistance to local enterprise, job creation and growth, rural area development and confidence. They should be supported in their work.

Put simply, our business would not be creating the current levels of employment were it not for the support of Wexford Local Development.

I support your efforts in retaining the LDC's to deliver the invaluable work/projects in socially excluded communities. You are clearly the most experienced and best equipped organisations to deliver the results and efficiencies necessary in today's harsh world. Common sense needs to be seen and strong action is necessary to change this ill-thought out strategy and to give weak communities a voice.

The local development companies have shown over the years that they have the knowledge, capability, empathy and structure required to deliver targeted initiatives that result in developmental progression within their target groups. Under the proposed changes, these companies should be left intact to continue delivering change to so many people in need. To do otherwise, will un-doubtably result in deterioration in service-delivery and in further marginalisation of those most in need of empathetic support. The record of recent initiatives, targeted at the LDC target groups, but delivered through other organisations has shown the folly and likely outcome of removing/replacing the current LDC”s, for example; Actions being delivered that are not relevant to the target groups being engaged. Poor quality delivery of actions. Reinforcement of negative attitude and lack of meaningful change by those targeted (due to unprofessional and poor quality delivery). Absence of an understanding support system for the affected client base, Low cost focus resulting in emphasis on ‘processing’ as opposed to ‘progressing’ people All resulting in a very poor return on investment.

Screen Development Committee has just completed the renovation of the village hall which would not have been possible but for the Wexford Local Development body.

I have found Wexford Local Development a crucial support to my business development and as my company grows I hope to have that assistance from a local office that understand the requirements for a SME at these critical times in our development and would strongly support any petition to make sure we have this ongoing support.

really important that these bodies continue - a vital support to local communities

I find that as the Local Developments Agencies ie Leader are run by ordinary people living and working for the underprivilaged in rural communities, that they reckonise with their own, and help with all aid needed without the robot touch that local authorities have, also local authorities and govnt., are not to be trusted due to their experience in working the system (red tape, if honest) for themselves so to distract communities from getting their share of grant aid.

Local Development Companies act as a catalyst for action in rural areas, very often bringing together the community, local authority and state agency partners required to get things happening. Many of these partners would never sit around the table together and initiatives would never happen without the likes of SECAD and other LDC's around the country. In the absence of these local bodies or them not being resourced sufficiently with their extremely professional staff, we can forget about anything creative happening in rural Ireland for the foreseeable future.

I have had the following motion passed at a full Cork Council Meeting on 24 March:2014: “that Cork County Council call on the Minister for the Environment, Mr. Phil Hogan TD to retain the Leader Partnership Structure which presently exists and has proven to be the most cost effective and democratic way to deliver a range of valuable supports to Citizens, communities and enterprises”

As someone actively involved in community development work on a voluntray basis I have seen the positive effect of LEADER funding as provided by LDCs in encouraging and enabling rural communities to undertake a range of local improvement projects. As well as the economic support provided there is also a positive social impact in the form of increased local awareness, participation and co-operation.