NEW CUTS TO WOMEN’S ORGANISATIONS MUST BE REVERSED, SAYS NATIONAL WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF IRELAND

Published: Tuesday, June 21, 2011

NEW CUTS TO WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS MUST BE REVERSED, SAYS NATIONAL WOMEN'S COUNCIL OF IRELAND

"A cut of 50% to a key grant scheme for women's and lone parents groups providing vital supports to women, families and communities will have a disastrous impact on their work and should be reversed, as should even more draconian cuts recently announced for organisations working on the issue of violence against women," said Susan McKay, CEO of the National Women's Council. She was speaking on the eve of the NWCI' annual general meeting tomorrow [Thursday].

Under its National Organisations Grant Scheme, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has just announced it is to cut funding for national women's and lone parent organisations by €434,000, This represents a 50% cut since its last funding announcement in 2007. The NWCI has lost all of its funding under this scheme, although it continues to receive state support through the Department of Justice. Of particular concern is the HSE decision to cease funding for the Rape Crisis Network and SAFE Ireland, the network for Women's Refuges and Support Services which will result in these crucial services shutting down this summer.

"The process of allocating these funds began during the dying days of the last government and should be reviewed by the new government, which has given commitments to respect the importance of women's equality during the current recession," said Mc Kay. "The work of these organisations is needed now more than ever while women are experiencing the brunt of cuts in public services, increasing levels of violence against women, growing poverty rates and the ongoing absence of women from all levels of decision making".

"Investing in women and protecting their rights is about investing in families, communities and society as a whole" she said. It is widely acknowledged at EU and international level investing in women and promoting gender equality policies are vital to economic growth, prosperity and competitiveness" she added.