SOUTHSIDE TD Aengus Ã? Snodaigh (SF) has said he is confident that two community sports halls located in Inchicore and Crumlin will remain open despite threats to funding.
Deputy Ã? Snodaigh, who has been in contact with
“relevant officials
? and the Junior Minister for Social Protection, believes that the required funding will be found.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with users of the sports halls, deputy Ã? Snodaigh assured them they would remain open.
“I have spoken with officials in the Education and Training Board and the Department of Social Protection over the last month, and with the Junior Minister for Social Protection last week, and I have been assured that all steps will be taken to keep these
vital community and sports halls open and fully functioning,
? he said.
“The halls were built over 10 years ago in recognition of the social needs of these severely disadvantaged areas. This disadvantage still exists and in fact has been exacerbated since the current economic crisis.
“It is vital that the halls remain open and are fully funded,
? he added.
“I urge all those involved in the decisions regarding funding to overcome the bureaucratic hurdles and to confirm the three year funding pledge for these vital community resources.
?
The Inchicore and the Clogher Road Sports and Community Halls were due to run out of funding later this year.
This caused consternation among the users of the centres, senior citizens groups, local sports groups, community groups and local dance groups that rely on the halls.
As reported recently in Southside People, appeals had been made to reverse the decision that would mean the closure of the popular Southside community centres.
According to Brid Smith of People Before Profit, who condemned the decision, both are very modern and well equipped facilities that are intended for use by the local community.
“Pobal had funded the centres to run after-school hours to facilitate local sports and youth groups,
? Cllr Smith explained.
“Dublin City Council has been staffing both centres.
“Dozens of youth and community sports clubs make use of these centres to their full capacity.
“There are 32 or 33 sports clubs and groups that use the Clogher Road facility alone.
“These clubs have hundreds and hundreds of members between them participating in activities every evening from basketball and football to dance and Salsa classes.
“On almost every single day there are some activities going on in the centre, it is always busy.
In a statement issued to Southside People, a spokesperson for Pobal stated:
“Pobal manages a number of programmes on behalf of several government departments and other bodies.
“Where we provide funding to an organisation, this is regulated through a formal contract and it is not our policy to discuss details of individual organisations with third parties.
?