Irish group in the money
Friday July 16, 2010
Former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, visiting the Irish Cultural Centre.
L-R: Jim O'Hara (Chair, Irish Cultural Centre), Dermot Murphy (Chair, ISAS), Mary Robinson, Mayor Cllr Adronie Alford, H&F Council Leader Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, Bobby McDonagh (Ambassador of Ireland)
An organisation that provides advice and support to people of Irish descent has received a council grant of over £38,000.
The Irish Support and Advice Service (ISAS) organise social meetings and excursions for pensioners and provide advice on welfare, legal and health matters.
After learning that ISAS had scooped £38,000 from the council’s £4.4 million pot for voluntary and community groups, Director Mike McGing reacted with delight and said: “We can now provide an outreach service to the most vulnerable elderly Irish, addressing the needs around health and isolation . The grant will allow our clients to access joined up services through a "one stop shop" and ensure that the Irish community plays its full role in Hammersmith life. Economic times are difficult, and our service is at risk with the threat to close the Irish Cultural Centre, but we are hopeful a successful outcome can be obtained as the Irish Centre is a vital resource for the whole community.”
The group is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary and was recently visited by former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.
ISAS is currently based at the Irish Cultural Centre on Blacks Road – a building that the council has recently put up for sale as part of its plans to cut its £133 million debt mountain.
Cllr Joe Carlebach, cabinet member for community services, said: “Hammersmith & Fulham is very proud of its rich Irish heritage and the significant contribution that the Irish have made to borough. That is why we have awarded the Irish Support and Advice Service a grant of £38,000. We have always said that we will put people before buildings as we strive to protect front line services in these very difficult times and this grant is an excellent example of that commitment.
"However, the council has a historic debt of £133m which means that we spend £5 million a year in interest alone, and the council has a government target to reduce spending by around £55 million over the next three years. This means that we can simply no longer afford to pick up an annual bill of £161,000 to subsidise this building.
"The council is speaking with the wider Irish community to discuss options for future funding arrangements for the Irish Centre but we are severely restricted because of the national squeeze. We are obviously keen to do everything we can to keep the group in the borough - this is why we are giving them as much notice as possible, are meeting with them and will be holding a public consultation. The future of the building will be subject to a separate report later in the year.”
Jim O’Hara, Chairman of the Irish Cultural Centre Board, said: "The proposed sale of the building is unexpected and has come as a shock. Raising sufficient funds to purchase the building will be a major challenge for us.
"However, it does offer an opportunity to acquire a wonderful facility which would be held in perpetuity for the Irish community and ensure continued provision of high-quality cultural and educational programmes for future generations."
