Date: Tue, 06 Oct 1998 14:46:30 +0100 GMT From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Call for social economy funding in Ireland Call for social economy funding in Ireland Ireland's Combat Poverty Agency has called for specific funding for the social economy in the country's next National Development Plan, as part of "poverty-proofing" the way EU funding is spent. The social economy, it says, is made up of community-owned enterprises which set out to benefit the community. Such an economy has substantial potential to improve the quality of life of those living in poverty by providing jobs and services in areas where the free market has failed to do so. "For this potential to be realised, it is important that the development of the social economy be seen as a policy function in its own right and not be tagged on to existing policies or programmes." Promoting social inclusion should be a key priority in all sections of the Nation al Development Plan, but specific funding should also be given to community and voluntary organisations which aim to promote social inclusion through such measures as pre-school care and working with the long-term unemployed or with people with disabilities. "The next National Development Plan will probably be the last major injection of EU structural funds that Ireland will receive," it concludes. "Previous EU funds have been of vital importance in laying the groundwork for the current economic boom. The next plan must invest in addressing Ireland's major outstanding problem which is constraining economic development and leading to a divided or dual society, that is, continuing, extensive and deep-seated poverty." Source: Padraig O'Morain, Irish Times, 30/09/98
