10,700 unemployed people set up their own jobs

And in turn created work for 700 more...

Every working day, an average of 23.4 new jobs are being created through the Government’s main community-level, social inclusion programme.

This is one of the unrivalled achievements of the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) as highlighted in a new report by Pobal.

The 108-page ‘Supporting Inclusion Through Self-Employment’ shows that the LCDP offers virtually nationwide, start-to-finish support for unemployed people with good business ideas.

As a result, over the past two years, close to 12,000 new jobs were created in Ireland by unemployed people with small enterprise ideas:

- 10,726 were created by people who set up small businesses;

- a further 717 jobs were created in turn by them for others.

Remarkably, two-thirds of the enterprises have got past the difficult first two years, the research demonstrates. Approximately 8,000 of the jobs remain in existence at the present time, many of the businesses are flourishing and new hopefuls are entering the marketplace every day.

Mounttown’s late-night soccer heroes

Oasis Project 5-a-side team - Winners of Dublin's Late Night Soccer League

Boys known for getting up to far more than mere mischief on the streets of south Dublin are heroes in their communities now, having switched from the streets to become aces on the football field, taking home the champion’s cup. Romy Carroll from Southside Partnership reports:

“We’ve done the community proud” said Oasis player Zach Doolin.

“The players gave 110% in training each night” said Dave Hennessy, project worker with the Oasis Project.

A strong and supportive crowd turned out to cheer on the Mounttown Oasis Project’s Five-A-Side Football Team in Irishtown on the day they were crowned winners of Dublin’s Late Night Soccer League, organised by FAI and An Garda Síochána.

“My experience of the late night soccer league was really positive” said Zach, “because it got a bunch of groups to come together every Friday night instead of being in trouble on the streets causing problems. It’s been a great event and it’s given me an urge to get back playing football.”

Workers’ concerns to be addressed “shortly” - Minister

Follow-up sought after first union-dept meeting 

Darragh O'Connor of SIPTU

SIPTU and Department representatives met on September 24 to discuss issues arising for workers from the rolling out of proposals in ‘Putting People First’ particularly “alignment” (closer ties between local authorities and local communities as part of the broad programme for reforming local government).

SIPTU official Darragh O’Connor said afterwards, “We asked, ‘Who will deliver the LCDP and RDP programmes?’ ‘What role will the Local Authorities have?’ ‘Will there be redundancies?’”

However, one meeting for the delegation, led by SIPTU Vice President Patricia King, was not sufficient: “Workers need a place to have their issues around alignment addressed... not just a one-off meeting. We are locked out as big decisions are made by the Department and employers,” said Mr O’Connor.

Minister Phil Hogan

While the Government is introducing major changes nationally to the structures through which Local Development Companies operate, the companies themselves are legally the employers.

The companies are currently negotiating with Department officials via a working group on alignment.

Minister Phil Hogan told the Dail on October 3^rd: “In a couple of weeks time, we will know the structures and we will have further discussions with unions.”

He said the working group was about to complete its work and he would report back to the Dail then “on the next stage of the process, to assure workers we will continue to have a very strong community and local government partnership approach to the delivery of services to the people.”

He emphasised, “My Department has no role in the internal operations of the companies and, accordingly, does not have a role in staff or employment matters.”

However, Dail deputies Eric Byrne and Joan Collins pointed out the companies were community-led and objected to the “delay” in opening talks with SIPTU.

Fewer college drop-outs due to CDP

- Project impact on city outlined

Jennifer McMahon of UL officially launched Limerick City CDP's report

Limerick City Community Development Project (LCCDP) launched its annual report for 2012 in June and the report’s statistics underpin positive changes in people’s lives.

For instance, the project dispersed 166 bursaries* to third level students from Moyross, Southill, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Mary’s and St. Munchin’s.

“We know first hand, that due to delays with the (third level) grant system, the provision of funding by the CDP for registration, books and materials was vital for students to take up their places in third level,” said manager Juan Carlos Azzopardi.

The report was launched by the project’s new independent chairperson, Jennifer McMahon from UL.

Publication of Mid-Term Review imminent

It has been confirmed that a much-anticipated report on the Local and Community Development Programme will be published shortly.

Clodagh McDonnell, Principal Officer with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, stated:

“The Mid-Term Review of the Local and Community Development Programme has been finalised and its recommendations will be taken on board in shaping the new successor programme to the LCDP, subject to funding provision in the upcoming budget, and, mindful, as is usual, of the continuing need for budgetary restraint and discipline.

“The Mid-Term Review is currently in limited circulation among chief stakeholders, including those in the Community and Voluntary Sector. The intention is to publish it post-budget, after October 15^th,” she said.

A whirlwind tour of Waterford with ‘Good man Jack’

By Robert McNamara

The sun gleamed pink on the new River Suir Bridge as ‘Changing Ireland’ scuttled along on our journey toward the Ireland’s oldest city.

Not even a debate with the toll lady about her aversion to accepting coppers as legal tender could sully that sight.

Jack Walsh of Waterford

On arrival, I found that the Waterford Area Partnership (WAP) was ingrained in my guide Jack Walsh’s fibre and, everywhere we went, people knew him and greeted him fondly.

“Hi Jack”, “Well Jack”, “Good man Jack”.

How Cooleen’s Close forged a new community pride

By Hilary Dilworth and Phil Shanahan

Residents of Cooleen’s Close in Clonmel town, Co. Tipperary, have banded together and forged a new community pride in the area by retaking waste ground, entering organic gardening and opening the door to outside support.
  Upon getting organised, the residents realised there were many more agencies and supports available to them than they had been aware of.  

Ex-prisoners turning their lives around in Ferrybank

Kenny Colfer displays one of U-Casadh's awards

By Robert McNamara

The place is bustling as ‘Changing Ireland’ comes through the door unannounced and seeking a story. We immediately get the impression that there are plenty here.

The warm vibe is instantly striking and we are greeted heartily by everyone who notices our arrival - a constant theme of our recent visits to LDC supported projects.

There’s an air of confidence about the place and while everyone is busy, there’s a distinct lack of stress and a steely concentration about the men carrying out the painting, woodwork and other jobs around the place.

Hormone therapy for transgender people

'Transgender Healthcare’ was the focus of the Transgender South-East Conference 2013. Held in February, it aimed to de-mystify the healthcare needs of transgender people and their families.
Participants heard that 32% of health and social care workers had provided treatment to a transgender person, but only 10 per cent of them had any training in the issues involved.*

REPORT BY ROBERT McNAMARA.

Speed dating for community groups

L-R: Susan Power, Waterford City Childcare Committee; Eilishe O’Keeffe, Brothers of Charity; John McDonald, Waterford Disability Network; Fiona Lewis, South East Simon; Paul Murphy, Waterford Warmer Homes.

Might a replacement have been found for C&V sector “open days” held at local level where every organisation has a stall in a hall? 
ROBERT McNAMARA REPORTS:

Kerryman’s ‘Penrelief’ idea

Ger Collins, founder of penrelief.com

A new ‘get-it-off-your-chest’ website set up in March has got people from Ireland and around the world writing about their mental health challenges, REPORTS ALLEN MEAGHER.

It’s attracted the attention of two major suicide prevention agencies which are in discussions with the founder, while a cancer support group are going to take the idea and adapt it for their own use.

Digital Changing Ireland: now with greater interactive features

You can now enjoy the digital edition of Changing Ireland with greater interaction and ease of access.

 We have upgraded our issuu.com account to include every issue of Changing Ireland and readers can now preview each edition's content before clicking to read. Readers can now also share and read individual stories by clicking 'articles' underneath each edition.

Website links in our articles have also been updated and can be accessed with one click. Plus, we have tagged each edition with relevant words related to the stories contained within. Enjoy!

Issue 41 of Changing Ireland available online now

Just click on the magazine cover to read 


It's now easier to get Changing Ireland then ever before. Here is a quick 'how to' guide on accessing the magazine using various technology.

 1. On your computer - Just click the link below and you can scroll around and turn pages just as you would the print edition.

2. On your iPhone - Select your browser. Log onto www.issuu.com and search 'changingireland'. This will give you access to our library where you can select issue 40. Alternatively go to www.changingireland.ie and click the link on our homepage.

3. On your Android phone - Go to www.changingireland.ie and select the link on our homepage.

Should you experience any problems, please give Robert a call at 061-458090. Print copies will be with readers soon.

How to get the digital edition of Changing Ireland

It's now easier to get Changing Ireland then ever before. Here is a quick 'how to' guide on accessing the magazine using various technology.

 1. On your computer - Just click the link below and you can scroll around and turn pages just as you would the print edition.

Open publication - Free publishing - More civil society

2. On your iPhone - Select your browser. Log onto www.issuu.com and search 'changingireland'. This will give you access to our library where you can select issue 40. Alternatively go to www.changingireland.ie and click the link on our homepage.

3. On your Android phone - Go to www.changingireland.ie and select the link on our homepage.

Should you experience any problems, please give Robert a call at 061-458090. Print copies will be with readers soon.

Track down LCDP projects around the country

Did you know Changing Ireland has the most comprehensive database of LCDP projects in the country? We can tell you where they are, how to contact them and you can even virtually stand outside their front door using our map. Above is our 'how to' guide to using the map.

Do it yourself! Cavan-Monaghan LEADER paves the way for local festivals

Casteblayney goes green in their successful attempt to break the Guinness world record for the most Hulks in one place. Photo: Glenn Murphy who is a voluntary member of the festivals committee in Castleblayney.

Cavan-Monaghan LEADER have helped to find a solution to a lack of sponsorship and sustain festivals and events in the two counties for years to come, by assisting in the purchase of equipment that would normally have to be hired at at a high cost.

Ryan Howard of East Cork says - Think positive!

PROFILE INTERVIEW 

Who’s your hero?

Nelson Mandela. And my late father was a great man, a hard worker.

Nationally, what do we need more of?

We need to move away from the negative and begin focussing in on the positives. There’s not enough good news being reported and it has a subliminal effect on us all.

A dozen useful websites - find out more about Community Development in Ireland

There are a number of useful websites worth recommending to anyone interested in the Community and Voluntary Sector in Ireland and in Community Development.

476 new businesses sprout in Donegal - with a survival rate of 60% after three years

AIB’s Jim McLaughlin, DLDC chair Jim Slevin and winner Michael Conway.  

Ann Styles reports

Entrepreneurs in Donegal have access to a wealth of information and support from their Local Development Company (LDC).

From Start Your Own Business (SYOB) courses to mentoring and workshops, the company provides a comprehensive support system for people, many of who have been long-term unemployed, with a desire to set up their own business. The LDC has two full time project officers who co-ordinate the service which has supported over 1900 people to date.

Worklink: another volunteer-led support for job-seekers

An expanding network of volunteers is providing help to job-seekers in Dublin, Limerick, Sligo, Athlone, Cork, Galway, and Waterford.

The Worklink project employs two paid staff in Dublin with most of the work being done by the volunteers.

Unemployed people are offered mentoring and work experience opportunities (eg through Jobbridge) as a step towards full-time employment.

The project has the backing of the INOU and this year Worklink won €50,000 and backroom support from Diageo through the Arthur Guinness Fund.

If you live in any of the areas listed and are interested, either in volunteering or in getting support to find suitable work experience, the project is worth approaching as it has direct links with a number of companies that appreciate its aims.

T: 01-2916603.

W: www.worklink.ie