DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR IRISH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES

Local community tourism must be protected and supported for the sustainability of tourism and the sustainability of their rural communities and regions. The Local Development Companies are the only channels of support that they receive. This support must continue.

Why change something that works good already for people

I am familiar with some of the work done under the present structure, particularly St. Munchin's Community Enterprise Centre in Limerick. I am aware of many very positive outcomes. The people who currently deliver the various programmes have built up a store of knowledge and work extremely well with the local people, with whom they have built up relationships. Why start all over again? If it ain't broke don't fix it!

As a member of the Ballyhoura Bears walking club I appreciate the great work done by this group and would hate to see it replaced

CMRD have done a great job, and understand the needs of our border counties very well. I dont understand why its planned to replace them and other groups. I have heard no convincing argument as to any benefit such action will bring.

Having benefited from support from our local Cavan Monagahan Leader company we cannot see how a new body will in any way deliver a better service to the community in which it is based. As they say - if it aint broke, dont fix it. There are plenty of other things which do need fixing, but not this.

Changing the way community services are delivered, from a community-based, not for profit model to a commercial-based privatised version is committing a cardinal sin. The entire ethos of the Community and Voluntary sector is ‘not-for-profit’. How can community organisations trust these companies if their core value is to profiteer? It is an insult to the community and voluntary sector, to the good work of the development companies to date, to the community organisations that rely on them and to the people in our communities that benefit. As a community organisation, we have invested years building good relationships with our local development company, North and East Kerry Development. They know our service, they know our history, they know what we are trying to achieve, they listen to us and they support us. Are we prepared to throw that all away? To start again from scratch with a faceless, nameless, blameless company that only serves their bottom line? I for one am not willing to let go of one of the few rays of hope in these otherwise dark times. NEKD are a beacon of light. When i see the good work they do in our communities, it gives me the strength to strive for better and to hope there is light at the end of the tunnel in an otherwise solitary struggle, fighting against the rising tide of depression in our communities. By supporting your local development company, you are protecting community services like ours. I urge you to stand up and fight for what is right, to stand tall and be heard, to stand together and be strong.

Proud to support our local IDP

Our local IDP has been so supportive to our group, it must be kept in place

FAS for Farmers - a fearful vision!

Rural needs are vast and very varied. A local knowledge, with community consultation, and experience of what does/does not work is crucial. To subsume into county council, i think, will lead to a loss of local contact, knowledge, experience, motivation, volunteerism and good will. By amalgamating services into too large an organisation, a top-down approach is unavoidable and a backward step, likely to loose community goodwill, flexibility of staff and many more benefits which currently exist.

Leave things as they are..

Rural Ireland progressed more successfully in the past by small organisations spearheaded by people (locals) who knew the people and their needs. Ballyhoura Development has been typical of such a spirit of localness it has given in its 25 years and immence help to the people of its region in so many ways. Most especially employment. This is so important to stem the drain of unemployment from rural ireland. I feel that if a watering down of funding/local person investment occurs under the proposed local government reforms it will be a huge mistake. If we go down the road of this reform at the cost of rural north cork/south east limerick and loose Ballyhoura Development we are doomed.

Avondhu Blackwater Partnership is a marvellous service to the rural community & as a senior citizen I have found the range of services available invaluable. I fully support the continuation of these services.

Keep local decisions local.

Hogan, Fine Gael, Labour, just see when it comes to election time.

Down with this sort of thing

good luck with the petition. thats a dusgrace that its going to tender profit before people!!

I support irish local non profit development companies

Very help to me and friends