Fears for future of Obair

FEARS over the future of Obair in Newmarket-on-Fergus were expressed as it opened a new extension to its family centre.

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Eamon Ó Cuív was in the village for the official opening last week and while he said he wasn’t overly worried about the An Bord Snip recommendation that his department close, Obair chairman Louis Creaven said it could have severe local repercussions.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that services provided by Obair may have to shut down if the Government implements a recommendation of An Bord Snip Nua to abolish the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
“In our view, the department brings focus and co-ordination to community development. Obair’s key objective is to retain and expand frontline services but cannot comprehend how this can be done effectively if the department’s work is farmed out to various ministries.”
He claimed that the State gets a very good return for its spending in the voluntary field.
“We would argue that in few sectors of the economy does the Government get such good value for money as in the community and voluntary organisations.
“The cutbacks proposed in the An Bord Snip Nua report pose a serious threat to Ireland’s community and voluntary life.”
He acknowledged that there are difficult circumstances.
“We know the economy is in dire straits and we appreciate the problems facing Government. The economy must be positioned so that it can grow once again. We know that.
“We also know that Ireland is a society of citizens whose complex network of interactions sustains the nation and gives it its unique and historic character.
“Ireland’s community and voluntary sector is a pillar of that society. To destroy or damage it would have the gravest consequences for us all.”
He had words of praise for Minister Ó Cuív, saying his own “personal commitment is not in doubt”.
The minister said that regardless of the possible abolition of his department, supports for the voluntary sector wouldn’t cease.
“It’s not a matter that weighs hugely on me because at the end of the day, some department is going to look after the various sectors that we need looked after.”
Delivery of services is much more important than how things are administered, he added.
“What really counts is the services you deliver. You need a board and that but what really counts is that the dinners get out, have people the wherewithal to clean the streets and do environmental work, is the childcare open in the morning, is the afterschool open?
“In other words, it’s the services that count. You could have the greatest committee with the greatest books on what they’re going to do, but what really counts is what actually gets done.”
The extension to the centre cost €720,000 and took around one year to build. A new playground, baby room and two afterschool rooms have been provided.
A new community café was also added but there isn’t funding for staff at the moment.
Obair receives €528,938 per annum from the Community Services Programme and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.