Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands to meet tomorrow for Pre-Budget Submission considerations

The meeting will take place live on Oireachtas TV at 9.30am from Committee Room 3.  

Community Gardens Ireland has been in existence since 2011, comprised of over 100 community gardens and allotment groups and associations throughout the island of Ireland. The Wheel is Ireland’s national association of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises. 

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach, Denis Naughten TD, said: “The Committee is working through a process to submit proposals to Government for consideration as part of the Budget 2022 process, last week with had two witness organisations appear with Budget 2022 in mind. In addition to spending, we are looking at the roll-out of services to benefit our citizens, and again this week witnesses will be central to our advice going forward.

Cathaoirleach Naughten added: “It was hugely uplifting to see the inventiveness of community gardeners, for sharing resources and exchanging ideas across social media platforms throughout the pandemic. The benefits to people, physically and mentally, are huge as are the environment advantages too associated with allotments.  

“As the climate change report by the Local Government Management Agency published in January 2020 outlined, there are over 2,400 local authority allotments and 97 community gardens throughout Ireland. The insight of Community Gardens Ireland about how this community is growing, and how to best support it will be useful.  

“Similarly, The Wheel are well placed to assess collaborative learnings, and no doubt there were plenty, throughout the pandemic as state agencies inter-linked with members of the Wheel to deliver hugely beneficial services to citizens. The insight of the Wheel as to how Budget 2022 will take shape will be invaluable in our considerations.”

For more information about the work of the Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands see the Committee webpage