Intercultural centres funding
Deputy Paul Murphy warned that the Tallaght and Clondalkin intercultural centres faced closure because Justice funding was not renewed. The Minister of State said the funding had been competitively tendered, the centre had not succeeded, and officials would discuss other options.
In 2017, the Tallaght intercultural centre provided a point of contact and a route into education, work and inclusion for 197 people of 39 different nationalities. The Clondalkin intercultural centre did something similar. Unfortunately both now face closure due to a lack of €80,000 in funding from the Department of Justice and Equality. How does that tally with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, for example, under Culture 2025, on the need to break down barriers in areas of social inclusion and disadvantage and how culture is enriched by greater cultural diversity? Will this cut be reversed so these services can be maintained?
Comment on this
I will take the question. There was a competitive tender for this funding. Unfortunately, that centre did not actually succeed in that tender. However, we have invited it to meet with officials in the Department to discuss other funding mechanisms. I am also responding to a parliamentary question later this afternoon.
Comment on this
The wonders of the market.