Sir, – There is a great opportunity to utilise the assets at the disposal of Nama to allocate permanent homes for various voluntary bodies that operate from shared or rented premises. Many of the premises being disposed of by Nama are being sold for prices that are not even giving proper value to the taxpayer. The benefit or profit is going to a new breed of speculator, many of whom are from outside the country. It was speculation and speculators who got us into this predicament in the first place.
The largest part of the capital cost of any building is the site, the building structure and the building envelope (exterior covering). Fitting out of premises to suit the needs of any particular group is a minor cost in relative terms.
Organisations such as Jigsaw, working to better support young people’s mental health and wellbeing, would benefit greatly from having permanent bases in the community. Removing the worry of rents or leases from the management of such groups would free them to apply their time and skills where they are more appropriately utilised.
Consider the sports and social clubs that do not have permanent bases, such as boxing clubs, martial arts clubs, drama societies and many others, that depend on the generosity of others and the availability of already oversubscribed community halls to provide incredibly important social outlets.
We already have much of the human infrastructure in place in the form of organisations such as Foróige, the Scouts, Autism Ireland, active retirement groups, Care for the Aged, Mental Health Ireland, Aware and “men’s shed” groups, to name but a few, that could operate the premises and take the responsibility for the upkeep and security of the buildings.
The appointment of one person at a national level and the assignment of liaison responsibility to a person within Nama, to investigate community needs and match needs with the physical resources available, could achieve long-term benefits.– Yours, etc,
ROBERT CANAVAN,
Tonagurraun,
Corrandulla,
Co Galway.