The Government has been accused of "politically vetting" voluntary and community groups before approving funding.
The Community Workers' Co-operative (CWC), which has been an outspoken advocate for anti-poverty organisations since 1981, has had its funding stopped by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív. The halt in funding became effective at the weekend.
The CWC has advised local groups on national policy and on how to communicate their experiences into local and national government strategies. Among the more than 150 groups it advised are the Galway Refugee Support Group, the Disability Federation of Ireland, Rialto Community Drug Scheme and Waterford Women's Centre. Last year it received €150,000.
National co-ordinator of CWC Sean Regan said yesterday the CWC had been critical of the Government record on addressing poverty, but "dissent and criticism of Government is increasingly unacceptable".
News of the closure of CWC was greeted by groups it has advised as "disastrous". The director of the Government-appointed Combat Poverty Agency, Helen Johnston, said the CWC had been "to the forefront in supporting the development of an independent voice for people who are excluded".
A department spokeswoman said while it was halting funding to the CWC, it continued to fund anti-poverty networks by €1,351,000 this year.
When asked about accusations that the department had halted funding as the CWC was "too critical of Government policy", the spokeswoman said "there was nothing new to add to previous statements".
