Brennan to meet 30 voluntary groups before Budget

SOCIAL and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan will attempt to silence his critics today when he invites 30 voluntary and community groups to tell him what they want him to do in the upcoming Budget.

The former Transport Minister, who was accused of showing a less than enthusiastic attitude to his new portfolio following last week’s Cabinet reshuffle, will meet representatives of the organisations for four hours at an inner city community resource centre in Dublin.

The meeting, described as a Pre-Budget Forum, has become a regular event in the calendar of social welfare ministers but will represent Mr Brennan’s first major contact with groups most affected by his decisions of his department.

Among those invited to attend are St Vincent de Paul, Barnardos, Age Action, the Disability Federation, the Carers Association, Pavee Point, National Association of Widows in Ireland and the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed.

Barnardos chief executive Owen Keenan said the meetings provided an important opportunity for organisations to get their point across to the minister.

“It’s useful to be able to say what changes are needed in the Budget and what opportunities can be created if the right changes are made and the right initiatives are introduced,” Mr Keenan said.

Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Ireland is calling today for a €549m package of supports to be made available for the welfare of young people in December’s Budget.

The council warns of a “funding crisis” in youth services and says the ambitious National Youth Development Plan 2003-2007 is already woefully behind schedule.