You are right to point out that organisations that ‘rock the boat’ will ultimately pay the price, while the orgs that play it safe, never criticise etc., will be left alone. However it goes further than that. The orgs that actually had the powers to HELP people have been hit hardest (Equality Authority, HRC). While, the ‘token’ orgs have been left unchanged. Compare the budget of the similarly sized Equality Authority to the National Disability Authority, and compare the difference in the budget cuts.

The NCCRI, Eq Auth, HRC have been under heavy attack by Dept Justice for several years now. Every method possible has been used to undermine and intimidate them. Review after review. Transferring staff. Board changes. The list is endless.

Be under no illusion, the slashing of budgets are to silence these organisations once and for all. Once an org’s budget is cut, it never really goes back up again. There will be no cost savings in reality, but it will be easy enough to fool most people into thinking that there are. For example, the Equality Authority now only has enough funding to cover staff wages – there will be no money for advice, outreach, sponsorship, representation, etc. Heck, they probably can’t pay for the electricity to turn on their PCs – not joking.

It has essentially been neutralised. The Dept will continue to bully the EA in particular to continue with their move to Roscrea. Down to an old house, in a big field in the middle of nowhere – it is not actually in Roscrea btw. And that will be the final nail in the coffin for that org.

Sean Aylward’s grubby fingerprints are all over these cuts. Ahern may be the minister for the Dept, but Aylward decides which org’s budget gets cut, and which does not.

Also – I trying to work out – was ERAs original remit very specific or would it have a role going forward

The ERA is meeting next week and I know that NCCRI is an issue of concern to many member organisations and Combat Poverty has been discussed on agendas of meetings.

Other than facebook I don’t know of anyway that individuals can support/join ERA but I know they are collecting money to defray their costs?

Not sure if you can answer these but I have a few questions about ERA

1: Given that this organisation was set up to oppose a merger of 5 organisations – does it have any other remit? Is it going to respond to issues regarding the NCCRI, the Centre for Early Childhood Development & Education, combat poverty agency, womens health council etc etc….?
2: Can individuals join or support ERA?