McAleer praises work of community

Declan McAleer said: “Throughout the length and breadth of Ireland voluntary groups such as the GAA, Young Farmers’ Clubs, community associations, sports clubs and many more are leading the fight against COVID-19.

“In many areas, organisations have pooled resources to form COVID-19 response groups and their members check in daily by telephone with isolated people to ensure they are OK, that they have access to food or have any other pressing needs. Many communities also offer a dedicated helpline staffed by local volunteer call handlers.

“To date, DAERA has been part of the Department of Communities led approach to tackling COVID-19 and this has seen initiatives such as the 10,000 food parcels being delivered weekly to those most in need.

“I welcome the fact that the Minister has made a bid for £1 million from the Department of Finance to enhance the Assisted Rural Travel Scheme, to support the work of the Rural Support Charity and to provide community grants for organisations supporting the over 50’s during this crisis.

“However, at the AERA committee on Thursday I made the case that the department should prepare for the possibility of this pandemic deepening and creating more challenges for our community. I believe that the department should be bidding for more funding for their rural networks to support the local COVID community response teams.

“For example, this could take the form of an enhanced DAERA micro grant model which incorporates both capital and resource funding for the work of the COVID response teams with a particular target of reducing poverty, isolation and enhancing communication at this difficult time.

“The application process must cut out as much red tape as possible in order to get financial support out into the communities that need it.

“Given the crisis that we are currently engulfed in, it is vital that the department does everything possible to support community efforts to rid ourselves of this virus,” concluded Mr McAleer.