Call for festival funding to be used on community care services

COUNCILLOR Diarmuid Devereux is calling on Wexford County Council to establish a community fund with money that would have been spent on this year’s cancelled festivals and open-air events.

Speaking to this newspaper, he said that he will put a motion forward at the next meeting on Tuesday, June 16, and is looking for support from fellow councillors.

‘The Covid-19 pandemic has had a disastrous impact on local community care service providers’ ability to raise money. While businesses have also been massively impacted, there are a number of state supports available to them. Unfortunately, the supports available to voluntary organisations are not sufficient and they rely heavily on donations and fundraising to survive,’ he said.

Speaking about services such as cancer care, hospice care, suicide prevention and services to the elderly and those with disabilities, he said that they should be prioritised first.

‘From a social perspective the benefits of this plan are obvious. If we do not intervene now, these essential services could be damaged for years to come.

‘From an economic perspective, there would be a significant benefit to local businesses, as the vast majority of this money would be spent on goods and services in the North Wexford area,’ he said.

Councillor Devereux is hopeful that others across all party lines to show their support for the local voluntary sector and hopes to see this money ringfenced to assist community care service providers in North Wexford.