The Green Party in
Donegal has welcomed the granting of a Social
Inclusion Unit to Donegal.
The aim of the unit is to promote social inclusion
in the day-to-day activities of Donegal County
Council to help people most in need. A new social
inclusion officer will now be appointed to the local
authority.
Cllr. Neil Clarke, the Greens' only elected
representative in Donegal, welcomed the extension of
the programme by his party colleague, Local
Government Minister, John Gormley.
"The announcement fulfils a commitment in the
partnership agreement Towards 2016, ahead of target,
to extend the social inclusion unit programme to
half of all local authorities by the end of 2008,"
said Cllr. Clarke.
"There is eight such units already in place and the
latest announcement
brings the total number of units in the country to
seventeen.
The Department will provide half of the salary costs
of each of nine new units.
Cllr. Clarke added: "The establishment of these new
social inclusion units not only meets a commitment
in Towards 2016, but also reflects an objective of
the local government modernisation programme to
broaden its involvement in social inclusion and
community development.
"This is only the beginning of the local government
reforms which are urgently needed. We must look at
heating and other services offered to Council
tenants and hopefully bring Council housing into the
21st Century." |
