Review of state funded community groups in Gaeltacht ordered

Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív has ordered a full review of all state-funding community groups in the gaeltacht areas.
Minister O’Cuiv says the review will provide for necessary realignment and restructuring while gaeltacht communities may see this as a precursor to more cuts.
Mnister O’Cuiv says all Gaeltacht areas will be covered by a community body, and this change is needed to ensure suitable community structures in line with the requirements of the 20-year strategy for the Irish language.
He says the realignment of community groups will cover bodies funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta, Gaeltacht-based CDPs (Community Development Projects), Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta and Comhar na nOileán.
Consultation with the existing state-funded groups will take place early in the New Year, prior to any change being implemented.
This will worry a number of groups, particularly as 29 CDPs have already had their funding cut by Minister O’Cuiv’s department this week, with “duplication” given as the rationale.
However, Minister O’Cuiv says he believes that realigning organisations will provide coherent community structures in the Gaeltacht, and ensure that all areas are properly covered.