The Inishowen Social Enterprise Network (ISEN) is urging election candidates to consider the serious issue of defective concrete blocks in community buildings.
There are calls for a separate scheme to cover the costs of addressing essential repair works in community centres, which are not currently included in any scheme.
In the last 30-40 years, community buildings have been developed, extended and/or renovated to meet community needs with funding from central government, the European Union and International Fund for Ireland.
ISEN members say they are concerned that vital community assets are under threat without any prospect of remediation works in the near future.
Facilities in Inishowen have a combined annual footfall of approximately 500,000 people, they said, across childcare, adult education, tourism, community employment, elderly day services and respite care, youth services, sports facilities, disability services, social spaces, wellbeing & cultural spaces.
“ISEN calls on all prospective TDs and political parties to pledge their commitment in upcoming elections to prioritise this issue of defective concrete blocks affecting community buildings and introduce a bespoke scheme to cover the costs of addressing essential repair works,” they said.
In a statement, they invited prospective TDs and political parties to make a response to this issue in writing to Ali Farren, manager@malinheadcommunity.ie
