Equine centre future in doubt

uncertainty still remains with regards to the future of the Cherry Orchard Equine Centre, despite the announcement this Monday of the new SICAP (Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme) funding. The Equine Centre and the Ballyfermot-Chapelizod Partnership face cuts of €83,500 and €80,000 respectively under SICAP.
SICAP replaces the LCDP (local and community development programme) and is being rolled out on April 1.
Along with the Canals Communities Local Drugs Task Force in Inchicore, the groups were forced to tender under punitive requirements in the Private Public Partnership SICAP scheme.
This placed enormous financial pressures on groups, who have suffered cumulative cuts and job redundancies over the last six years.

For the full story see page 5 of this week’s Echo.