Women angry as gender cash spent elsewhere

THE Government has been accused of failing to respect women after it emerged €9 million in Budget 2008 for tackling gender issues was spent elsewhere.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) said the €9m was to have been a mainstay of the National Women’s Strategy and was pinpointed for support packages aimed at boosting women’s employment prospects and access to education and training.

However, the money was instead used on Garda overtime, covert surveillance operations and other activities, the NWCI said.

The news emerged at a meeting of the monitoring committee of the National Women’s Strategy last week, chaired by Minister of State John Moloney.

At the meeting the Minister said “no firm decision” had been taken as to the future of the plan, but added he will meet again with the NWCI to discuss the matter next month.

NWCI director Susan McKay said the situation was further evidence of Irish women being let down by Government.

“The manner in which this money was transferred displays a shocking and intolerable lack of transparency, accountability and respect for the hundreds of women around the country who spent long hours, days and weeks, designing employment projects and putting together funding proposals,” she said.

“The work the women’s groups proposed to do is vital if the NWS is to be effective. We are appalled at the complete lack of commitment shown to the promotion of women’s equality and the sidelining of the reality of women’s poverty, unemployment and social exclusion at a time when positive action is needed most.”

Strand One of the Equality for Women Measure (Access to Employment) was launched in May last year, aimed at helping disadvantaged women receive training and find jobs.

In July 2008 some 155 organisations responded to the Government’s request for applications for three year funding under this strand, but to date the organisations have not received a response.

Elaine D’Alton of the Clare Women’s Network said: “Women’s groups at grass roots level are seeing all kinds of funding being clawed back. Their role and very existence is increasingly coming under threat from a Government which is clearly not setting women’s advancement as a priority.”