Community groups 'fed up trying to get money'

Mayo County Council needs to employ a Community Development Officer to improve its Community Futures programmes, according to a local councillor.

The council's Head of Community Deirdre Finnerty told last week’s meeting of the Community, Integration and Recreation Strategic Policy Committee that Community Futures has been running for 20 years in Mayo and led to the establishment of 42 Community Futures plans. As part of the 20th anniversary, the council was reviewing how it can maximise the programme’s benefits and improve the process overall.

Cllr Gerry Coyle said communities needed help to apply for programmes and grants and suggested a Community Development Officer be taken on for this.

“We need a Community Development Officer to help community groups,” he said. “To help with forms, with insurance and different things. A lot of people who are involved in their community groups are farmers or fishermen, busy people who don’t have the time. Without a development officer, we’re going nowhere.” 

Cllr Patsy O’Brien said there is a lack of direct state investment in Community Futures itself.

“A lot falls onto councillors and their General Municipal Allocation, which is sometimes the only outlet for this. Community Futures is absolutely brilliant but it can bring false hope to communities on what it can deliver.” 

Cllr Michael Loftus said many community groups fall apart while waiting to get funding.

“Funding should come from the government departments. Community groups get fed up trying to get money and they die,” he said.

Ms Finnerty said a wide range of projects is generally included in a Community Futures plan and funding can come from different government initiatives, depending on the need that is there.

Director of Services Tom Gilligan said more Community Futures initiatives should be encouraged.

“These plans have been highly successful. Availability of funding has been a key challenge and it is important to manage expectations. The partnership between communities and the council keeps communities at the heart of planning and development and I want to see that engagement continue.” 

However, Cllr Loftus said Mr Gilligan’s comments do not reflect the reality in terms of staffing Community Futures, adding:

“There are two people working in that office and to expect them to do all this work is rubbish."

Ms Finnerty said they would look into funding and staffing of the programme during the review.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.