A committee of Fermanagh District Council is to examine the need for a revised study of the community sector in the county, along the lines of one carried out ten years ago which, since then, has become a handbook for various agencies.

Sinn Féin Councillor, Domhnall Ó Cobhthaigh, who raised the matter at this week's monthly meeting, said it was 10 years since the Council commissioned the ground-breaking study on Community Infrastructure in the County, 'The Way It is' from Peter Quinn of Peter Quinn Consultancy. "That study was repeatedly quoted by a variety of agencies and Departments in making decisions which were to the benefit of this county", he said.

"Ten years on, it is time we conducted a follow-up study, building on 'The Way it is' as a historic benchmark."

He feared that the results would not be all positive as it is his belief that the community sector was in some considerable difficulty in the county.

"Many groups appear to have lost focus. It is more imperative than ever that we conduct a study which identifies what actions are needed to reverse this and to reinvigorate our community sector." Mr Ó Cobhthaigh then proposed that the Council consider funding a study, 'The Way it is – Ten years on' which would build on the results of the last and identify priority areas for the Council in the future.

His proposal was referred to Environmental Services Committee for further consideration.