Social inclusion is the buzz word used by all Ministers and the Minister for Finance was no exception as he read the Budget Statement yesterday. I raise the issue of Charleville Community Care and Garden Services. This organisation's request for funding which would facilitate social inclusion has been refused and their project is in danger of lapsing because of the failure of the Department to provide the necessary funding.
Charleville Community Care and Garden Services Ltd. is a limited company with charitable status whose main objective is family support for persons requiring rehabilitiation with ongoing counselling and personal development. The people in question are recovering from alcoholism, from various addictions, from social and psychological insecurities and other disabilities. To ensure a safe environment for them the Charleville community care committee with some support from FÁS built workshops, tunnels and a marketing area so that the work they are involved in would be socially meaningful and productive for them and their families. They employ two section managers to run the business and they, in turn, must generate their own salaries from sales.
The company fundraises significantly locally, which because of its good work it does very successfully. Current outgoings are approximately £50,000 and the company receives sigificant funding from the local credit union. They urgently need funding to pay the necessary bills arising from the establishment of the workshops, the purchase of essential equipment and ongoing counselling which is provided for those suffering from alcoholism, other addictions and various psychological problems.
I fail to comprehend how any Government would answer such a needy cause with a negative response. It is scandalous that an affluent economy would disregard the weakest – the socially and mentally frail. These people cannot cope with open pressurised work systems. Charleville care services labours night and day to keep the service afloat and rejection has been the response from Government. This is not just treatment when the Exchequer is awash with money. These people employed by the company have gifts, needs and talents and deserve social inclusion and the right to participate in meaningful sheltered work rather than be subjected to the public house, betting offices or pawn shops.
This is a real test of the Government's commitment to social inclusion. Neither the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, the health board nor any other arm of the State could carry out the sort of voluntary work which is being done throughout the country by organisations similar to Charleville Community Care. For the little money the organisation requests we would get a return which is multiplied in value many times. No State authority could either carry out or buy such service.
The request for funding and the uncertainty which follows its refusal has been going on far too long. The lack of recognition by the Department of the work being done is very disheartening for the people involved and is a serious threat to the service they provide to the weakest section of our society. The amount of money required is about £35,000. This is very little and I hope the Minister will announce funding for this project this evening.
