Irish SVDP Protests Yet Supports Government Plan

VINCENT DE PAUL TO STAY IN “PARTNERSHIP” FOR NEXT 18 MONTHS

Ireland?s largest voluntary organisation of social concern and action with over 9,000 members says:
 –  ?We must see significant, tangible progress in five key areas or we?re out?
–   SVP stays in only to protect position to represent views of those with no other voice
–   Not one enthusiastic voice in SVP for Government plan
–   Members angry at sham negotiations?After an agonising and protracted countrywide consultation process, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has very reluctantly decided to stay in the social partnership process for the next 18 months? says John Monaghan (Vice-President, Social Policy, SVP). ?We?re staying in to protect the interests of those who rely on us for help? he added.

?By no stretch of the imagination should anyone see this as an endorsement of  the Government?s plan? he continued.  ?Rather we?re seriously concerned and very fearful that the position of those we assist could actually disimprove even further in the months immediately ahead, especially if we were outside of social partnership.  Budget 2003 has already hit them hard and we want to work to ensure that things don?t get even worse for them? he added.
SUSTAINING PROGRESS: a roll-back on previous agreement

?The Government and the other social partners need to clearly understand that we do not like this so-called partnership agreement one little bit? John Monaghan says.  In the critical areas of social inclusion, ?Sustaining Progress? contains no real commitments, no targets, no timetables and no new resources.

For full story visit http://www.vincentians.ie/vincent_de_paul_partnership.htm