FIANNA Fáil TD Willie O’Dea raised the issue of proposed cuts to Limerick City Community Development Project (CDC) directly with the Taoiseach in the Dáil.
Limerick City CDC, Deputy O’Dea pointed out, facilitates the improvement of the quality of life of Limerick communities experiencing the greatest levels of socio-economic disadvantage and social exclusion.
“Each year the social inclusion fund provides money to areas of significant urban disadvantage. Several areas in my own city benefit from that funding: St Mary’s Parish, Southill, Moyross, Ballinacurra Weston,” he told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Limerick City CDC’s funding, he continued, will be cut by 59 per cent next year as a result of a decision by the Department of Social Protection.
“The purpose of the fund is to promote social cohesion and prevent young people from those areas in particular from drifting into a life of crime. Looking at what happened in Dublin last week, I am sure the Taoiseach will agree that this is a very wrong-headed decision at this time.
“Will the Government reverse this decision?’ the Limerick politician asked.
In response, An Taoiseach said he was not aware of that decision having been made and will look into it.
“It sounds quite concerning. Maybe there is a reason for it, I do not know, but I would be quite concerned about any cuts of that nature for community funding. The Minister of State, Deputy O’Brien, is responsible for that area and I will get my office to contact him today and ask him to speak to the Deputy directly,” he concluded.
