Voluntary groups hit by website termination

Voluntary groups hit by website termination


Anton McNulty

COMMUNITY Groups have been advised to find another website host for their website after funding was pulled for a free portal service.
The ‘Mobhaile’ project was launched in 2004 by the Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB), as a free service to allow community based organisations to publish their websites. The project was Government funded and Mayo County Council is one of only seven local authorities to actively use the service, with nearly 100 groups in the county availing of the use of its portal.
However, the LGCSB decided to cease the Mobhaile service due to cost factors and the websites were terminated last month. Community groups cannot now use the existing Mobhaile website and have been advised to use another service.
A spokesperson for Mayo County Council told The Mayo News that it was ‘a shame’ the service was being cut but there were a number of other options available. However, a number of voluntary groups believe it will not be viable for small groups to move to another service.
“This was a great service for small voluntary groups for giving information because it was free and easy to manage. We were delighted with it but now they are basically cutting off a lifeline for getting information to the people. We have been told to get a new website but the cost involved will put a lot of people off. Transferring from Mobhaile to another is not a simple process and dealing with someone in Castlebar will not be the same as dealing with someone in England,” explained one community group leader who will be affected.
A list of possible alternative services were given to community groups by Mayo County Council with social networking sites like Facebook and Bebo also recommended. A spokesperson for the Council said other service providers had been in contact with them and they would help groups move their sites to a third party.