The hugely effective work done through the National Collective of Community based Women’s Networks (NCCWN) which includes Roscommon Women’s Network, is being threatened by new structures and regulations being imposed by a change in government policy.

This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin following a meeting with Roscommon Women’s Network on Monday, June 3rd.

She said “There are many issues arising from the new government alignment process which is supposed to deliver better local services to communities but there is no way in which any new service will compete on a cost benefit analysis with that being currently delivered by Roscommon Women’s Network. This arises from the huge voluntary involvement in Roscommon and other Women’s Networks.  This is why in 2014 such a huge volume of services could be provided in Co. Roscommon with a budget of a mere €66,250 providing advice and information to 2440 women.  These women were contacted and provided with assistance and information with over 70 completing programmes, 61 longterm unemployed entering education and training and 33 assisted into paid employment.   19 families were supported in conjunction with social work teams and 25 were assisted with recovery from addiction.

“This programme is totally dependent on the voluntary input of dedicated people as evidenced by its very small budget.  But even this low level of financing is threatened by the cutbacks in the new Social Inclusion budget and the fact that the funding for the work of Women’s Networks has not been ring-fenced.

“This situation is further compounded by the fact that the National Collective of Community Based Women’s Networks will no longer be permitted to bid for the contract to deliver the services they have in Roscommon and in 16 other centres and done so successfully and economically up to now.

“I will be writing to the Ministers concerned requesting a continuation of funding to Women’s Networks, like Roscommon, and pointing out that there cannot be any programme replacement that could match in quality and cost effectiveness that being delivered by organisations like Roscommon Women’s Network with the huge voluntary effort involved” Independent MEP Marian Harkin concluded.