Call For Govt To Restore Funding For Social Services

Over 1,700 Irish charities have called on the Government to prioritise the restoration of funding for social services and supports above tax cuts and capital spending in Budget 2016.

The Wheel, Disability Federation of Ireland, Care Alliance Ireland, Irish Rural Link, Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups and the National Youth Council of Ireland said in a joint statement that while the economy has grown steadily over the past year, spending on services for people with disabilities, young people, carers and rural communities has remained static after years of cuts. Thee groups warned that crucial services are now at breaking point.

Ivan Cooper, Director of Advocacy at The Wheel, said: "We have heard a lot in recent months about the homeless crises, the lack of social housing, the lack of capacity in our health service, problems with the standard of care in some voluntary care homes and growing social problems in rural areas; these issues are not unrelated, Ireland's community and voluntary sector has been subjected to disproportionate funding cuts since 2008, and the cumulative impact of these cuts is now being felt in every community.

"The Minister of Finance Michael Noonan has indicated that there is a €1.5 billion available in Budget 2016, which Government intends to divide evenly between tax and expenditure measures.

"We call on Government to invest two-thirds of available funds to restore budgets for social services. We also note that the most recent Irish Times/ISPOS MRBI Poll shows that voters want Government to prioritise spending on services over tax cuts."

(CD/JP)