Forum - Connemara Journal

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FORUM Connemara - Local Decisions made locally, local projects delivered locally

The future of FORUM Connemara Ltd and the other 50 local development partnership companies throughout the country is under threat because of a government policy that proposes handing over their function to local authorities.

Minister Hogan’s “Putting People First” 2012 report, which has been legislated for and is currently being implemented, sees the overhaul of Ireland’s local government system including the establishment of Local Community Development Committees (LCDC’s) under each local authority for the purpose of oversight and decision-making in relation to LEADER and LCDP programmes. This will remove the decision-making powers from all local boards, including FORUM. Twenty five years ago FORUM was established as an initiative by Individuals, Community Groups and Voluntary Organisations to address a range of social and economic issues in North and West Connemara; new issues and opportunities continue to be identified and responded to by the people of North West Connemara and FORUM. FORUM’s programmes of action have all been specifically designed to address these issues.

Since its establishment, FORUM has successfully implemented the European Poverty Programme, the PESCA (Fisheries) Programme, the National Community Development Programme (CDP), the Local Community Development Programme (LCDP) and the LEADER Pro-

“If we lose these two programmes (LCDP & LEADER) we may not be able to survive” gramme. During this time, more than 500 people from across North West Connemara have given freely of their time to input into the development of FORUM’s work programme and to the management of FORUM at Board, Sub-Committee and Working Group levels.Income from the Local Community Development Programme and LEADER provides core funding to support the infrastructure to deliver the following programmes– Rural Social Scheme, Community Employment

Connemara Pony Breeders Society has been supported for the upgrading of the arena & associated equipment and for the promotion of the Connemara Pony nationally & internationally

Scheme, Jobs Initiative, Adolescent Support Programme, Social Care, Youth, TÚS, Rural Recreation Scheme and others. Through both LEADER and LCDP, FORUM is able to provide a progressive programme of development and social support driven by both the needs and convictions of local people.

The proposed reforms will not save money as staff costs in FORUM are lower than those for comparable positions in local authorities. Independent evaluations commissioned by Government and the European Union have consistently shown FORUM’s effectiveness and efficiency.

Strict financial procedures are in place,

The funding approved for the LEADER Programme over the last 5 years has been c.€5.8 million with funding for over 310 projects with audit results available for public scrutiny. In comparison to many public Agencies the ratio between income spent on administration and that on activities is very low with LEADER’s administration projected to come in at 20% and LCDP at 21% in 2013. The current LEADER Programme and the Local Community Development Programme reflect the needs and beliefs of the local population of North and West Connemara.

The effects of the proposed changes will undoubtedly have negative impacts for Connemara which cannot be over-stated.

If we lose these two programmes, we may not be able to survive – and that poses a threat to the future of the Rural Recreation Programme, TUS, RSS and Community Employment workers who provide valuable services into the community.

We want your support to ensure that this does not happen.

FORUM Connemara - Local Decisions made locally, local projects delivered locally Advertising Feature

FORUM operates a wide range of programmes to support older people, carers, young people, people with a disabililty, families, community groups, unemployed, farmers, business, enterprise and environmental projects, a flavor of which is illustrated below.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME - LEADER

This programme is aimed at improving the quality of life in rural areas and diversifying the rural economy. It uses a number of mechanisms to meet these aims including significant funding for community and private project promoters. One of the keystones of the programme is the use of local knowledge in discerning the suitability of projects. Over the last five years approximately €5.8 million in funding has been granted with over 310 projects assisted.

Berthing Pontoon at Clifden Beach promoters - Connemara Chamber of Commerce Above- Connemara Mussel Festival

Right - Connemara Carpets - funded the

by LEADER programme

RURAL RECREATIONAL SCHEME This programme works with community groups, state agencies, local/regional authorities and individuals to promote and Tom Nee of Killary Sheep Farm encourage the development, dewho received LEADER funding livery and improvement of Marconi Half Marathon funded by recently received a SCCUL LEADER recreational activities on land Special Merit Award 2013 and water. The Rural Recreation LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME LCDP Officer is involved in the proThis programme supports communities to tackle poverty, social posed Connemara Green Way, exclusion and isolation by empowering groups and individuals. the Western Way and the Blue Over 2,000 people took part in workshops, formal and non formal Way pilot project (canoeing and education and training courses, support for sports activities, counsnorkling trails in Galway and selling services, health matters.

Mayo) and a number of community looped walks.

LCDP funded sewing classes in Oughterard

LCDP - Services to the unemployed FORUM provides support to the unemployed and underemployed by providing a range of support courses, information distribution and one to one meetings, Employment Mediation, Back to Work Enterprise, Sheep production Course, Support and mentoring to farm households, help with accessing training and education. Over 500 people availed of this service in 2013.

Walkers on the Western Way

LCDP Budget for 2013 was €473,973

Agricultural Cert FETAC level 5 & 6 (Green cert) 23 participants from NW Connemara

FORUM Connemara - Local Decisions made locally, local projects delivered locally Advertising Feature

ADOLESCENT SUPPORT AND YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAMMES The Adolescent Support Programme is run in partnership with the HSE West, GalwayRoscommon Education Training Board and Foroige. The aim of the project is to put in place a youth service provision for categories of young people between the ages of ten and eighteen years in North West Connemara. Last year over 500 young people in the community took part in the programmes, projects and training delivered. Over 30 volunteers/professionals took part in training to support the delivery of on-going youth programmes.

The Youth in Action programme (run under a Community Em- Adolescent Support Programme - 13+ Kilary Camp 2014 ployment Scheme) is committed to improving opportunities for FORUM has a weekly Radio young people in North West Connemara. It provides services to Programme on Connemara 15 national schools, play schools, runs summer camps and fun Community Radio on runs outside of school terms. Over 1,500 children in North West Wednesday mornings at 11am Connemara benefit from this programme.

TUS & RSS SCHEMES FORUM operates the TUS & Rural Social Schemes with 74 participants carrying out work on community halls, schools, crèches, walking trails, graveyards,beaches and sports pitches. This work is essential in the maintenance of community reAdolescent Support Programme - Archery sources and protecting our natural ameniat St. Paul’s Secondary School, Oughterard ties. The TUS & RSS particpants have been vital in restoring the beautiful beaches and coastal areas since the extensive damage of the winter storms. MainteMaintenance Works - Derrylea N59 Walk/Cycle Route nance works have also commenced on the N59 walk/cycle route at Derrylea, Clifden.

Left - St. Mary’s Church & Graveyard Restoration Works funded by LEADER & maintained

by TUS & RSS participants.

Trout stripping - Oughterard Anglers and Boatman Assocation

Clean Beaches - over 1300 bags of rubbish were collected from our beaches since January 2014

SOCIAL CARE PROGRAMME The FORUM Social Care Programme aims to assist older people to remain in their homes and communities by providing a flexible range of services to meet their needs. An important part of this work is tackling the problems of loneliness and isolation.

Over 1,000 older people in NW Connemara benefitted from the service last year. The programme also provides essential housing repairs for the elderly, with over 80 people benefiting from this service last year.

Essential Housing Repairs

Meals on Wheels Service

Social Care Programme - outings

FORUM Connemara - Local Decisions made locally, local projects delivered locally Advertising Feature

What can you do to help retain these services for you and your community?

Raise these issues with your MEP’s and Local Council candidates - YOUR VOTE COUNTS Contact and discuss these issues with your local Public Representatives T.D.’s/Senators Log onto www.ildn.ie to become aware of the national position Sign the national petition on http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-local-development-companies Clifden Tidy Follow the twitter campaign using #saveldcs “The support of LEADER has raised enourmously the profile of the Clifden Arts Festival enabling it to become one of the top community festivals in Ireland.”

Brendan Flynn

Tows Biodiversity Project Bat Walk (over 300 people were involved)

FORUM “Gave us the opportunity for real inclusion for Education and leisure/personal pursuits...Seen as individuals first and not as disabled persons” Mary Foyle (Ability West)

Participants receiving their certs - Blacksmith’s Course, Inverin

Staff no’s: 20 project staff 74 TUS/RSS 64 CE/JI (83 FTE)

“It is time that the decision makers look at the wider implications of their actions and it is also time that peripheral regions like Connemara are given the assistance to develop small scale enLEADER supported the Raptor Surveying © terprise, create jobs and become independent from state supports. Rather than close Forum, it Shay Connolly would be more appropriate to expand its remit to help create a vibrant sustainable example of rural self sufficiency.” Chris Shanahan (Connemara Chamber of Commerce) Left- Therapeutic Riding Coaching Training Programme Family Fun Day April 2014. Project promoters are the Connemara Pony Breeders Society in association with Paving the Way- funded by the LCDP & LEADER programmes.

Right - LEADER funded feasability Derroura Mountain Trail

“This project has the potential to provide an innovative and life-enhancing programme to people with disabilities of all ages in Northwest Connemara promoting the Connemara pony as an ideal breed for this therapy” Jean Mullan

“One of our most effective community projects has been the Astroturf Pitch - catering for the young and the not so young” Michael O’Neil (Connemara West)

FORUM Connemara Ltd, Letterfrack, Co. Galway.

“At the Connemara Smokehouse, we have See our website - www.forumconnemara.ie found Forum Connemara to be an absolutely Phone - 095-41116 invaluable resource. They are always on hand Fax - 095-41198 to explain and to help guide us through the various steps that need to be taken if and when we look for assistance in any way.”

Graham Roberts (Connemara Smokehouse)

FORUM Connemara appreciates your support