A.D.M.  Area Development Management

July 2001

Social Economy Programme Social Inclusion      
Local Development Programme News One parent Families Young Services 2001- International Year of the Volunteer Training for a Return to Work A Cert Return to Work Course

childcare Have you an interest in starting up a childcare service?

 A FAS Office and Computer Skills Course New Day Care Centre New Day Care Centre, Castleisland  
Projects Supported & Ongoing Young Peoples Healthy lifestyle Project Brosna Community Survey Social Economy Project Rural Transport Initiative Group/Kerry Flyer

 
Social Economy

The social Economy Programme aims to support the development of social economy enterprises that will benefit the economy and social regeneration of the community. Social economy enterprises tend to have the following characteristics:

Presently in the Sliabh Luachra area two projects have received full operational approval (leading to 12 full-time jobs) and a number of other projects have been approved for Business Plan financial support.

If your community could benefit from a FAS Social Economy Programme further information is available at the Sliabh Luachra ADM office.
owned by Local Groups
Respond to the needs in the area
Focus on the economic and social development of the community
Benefit both the community and individual members
Provide sustainable employment opportunities

Community & Voluntary Groups!!!

If your local group would like to know more about the work of Sliabh Luachra ADM, we would be happy to attend one of your meetings (e.g. AGM) to outline our role and approach, and answer questions you may have.

Local Development Social Inclusion Programme

The European Experience

Supported by Tuatha Chiarrai and Sliabh Luachra ADM

The aim of this Programme is to improve the possibilities of young people getting meaningful work through learning a language and adding European dimension to their skills, and aspirations.
If you or someone you know would benefit from such a programme please contact Barbara O'Connor, Sliabh Luachra ADM, or Mary Leen, Tuatha Chiarrai.

 
Staff News:

Welcome to Tom Farrelly who is working with us in partnership with the Kerry Network of People with Disabilities as a development worker in the Sliabh Luachra area. If there are issues that you would like to highlight to him, or if you would like to know more about what he's doing, feel free to call or drop in.

Damien Tobin is currently researching the issue of early school leaving in this area, and has got great insight into the issue by talking to many local people, while also examining other existing projects around the country. We hope to have a joint project with the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service up and running by September, which will develop responses to Damien's research. We are currently in the process of recruiting a full time worker who will be employed by the KDYS and be based in Castleisland.

 

A.D.M.

Enterprise creation and development actions.
Developing business ideas and plans,
Financial assistance in the form of: low interest loans, Grants (max 65%) Area Enterprise Allowance.
Mentoring Service,
Referral to other enterprise services.

Our Enterprise Officer will guide and assist you on a one-to-one basis on Business Plan preparation and information on the different enterprise available. Margaret, will also facilitate small holders on the development of new ideas. Contact: Margaret Daly.

Environmental and Infrastructual works.

To improve the physical environment and to upgrade local infrastructure and services and including Transport Services.

Education and training.

Initiatives which are aimed at preventing underachievement, encouraging participation in formal education and complementary education and training.

Services to the unemployed.

To improve the potential of the unemployed and specially the long term unemployed and socially excluded communities to gain  employment generally and specifically in their own area.
To provide a structured programme of advice and support in career planning.

Community Development.

Actions to enhance the capacity of local communities, particularly in areas of economic marginalisation and depopulation to participate fully in local development and to counter social exclusion. 

For further information contact: Eamonn O'Reilly, Manager, Margaret Daly, Employment Development and Enterprise Co-ordinator and Carmel Walsh, Community Development Co-ordinator,  Damien Tobin, Youth Development Officer. Barbara O'Connor, Employment Development officer, Patricia O'Sullivan, Data Management Officer Mary Hickey, Childcare Development Officer and Joan O'Reilly, Training and Development Officer, Hazel O'Malley, Administration

The Island Centre, Castleisland. Tel;(066)714257 Fax(066)7142676

e-mail sliabhluachra@tinet.ie 

 

Sliabh Luachra ADM  Local Development Programme News

 

One parent Families

A one parent family is defined as a non cohabiting parent living with at least one child of any age.  One parent families in Ireland have a 65% risk of poverty the highest in the E.U.

Nationality the 1996 census  showed that there were 128,000 Lone Parent families in the population, of which more than 4 in 5 were women.  A widowed person headed over 45% of these families, in a further 28% lone parents were separated, while single parents accounted for 15.3%.  In Ireland 25% of  lone parents have three children or more, which is substantially higher than the EU average of 11%.

Locally

The make up of families in the Sliabh Luachra area is changing significantly, as there are a growing number of one parent families. The most recent statistics are from 1996 when there were 451 single parent households with at least one child under the age of 15 living in the area.

At 9.8% it was on par with the national average of 10.1%, and in one area this group accounted for 18.3% of all households. It is likely that the number of single parents is far greater than that reflected in the 1996 census since many single parents cannot afford to live in separate households. The social welfare data would present short comings also since many single parents do not claim social welfare payments.

Action

Sliabh Luachra ADM has supported educational bursaries and training for a number of people parenting alone in the area.  The parent and toddler groups in communities also suffer support to one parent families. However from our consultation meetings it is clear that additional supports are required to meet then needs of One Parent Families in the area.

Issues identified locally

Affordable and adequate childcare as barriers to participation in  employment and education.

Lack of marriage breakdown or bereavement services.

Programme need to be developed to support you girls who are pregnant so that they are integrated back into the school system and complete  their education and indeed this should be available to all one parent families.

Training and  education opportunities to address inadequate income.

Rural transport to combat isolation.

Housing availability and affordability

         Proactive programme regarding lifestyle choices and their implications 

     

New local support group for one parent families: contact- Carmel Walsh, Community Development Coordinator, Sliabh Luachra ADM, Tel: 066 7142576

For info on your entitlements as a One parent Family, contact- the Citizens Information centre,     Tel:o66 7142211

Rural Transport News Working with the Kerry County Network of people with disabilities, the Sliabh Luachra Rural Transport Working group is actively developing a transport plan for the area. It is hoped that a pilot bus service will be up and running by February 2001- it will be fully accessible and aim at people who are not being served by existing providers-public and private.

 

 

Congratulations to Margaret Daly, who has been appointed Employment And Enterprize Co-Ordinator.

Barbara o 'Connor, who is now the Employment Officer, and Carmel Walsh, who has been promoted to Community Development Co-Ordinator.

Welcome to Mary Hickey, who joined us as Childcare Worker.

 
Childcare Mary Hickey, Childcare Development Officer.

Have you an interest in starting up a childcare service? It can be a private or community based venture. Grant-aid is available from a number of agencies, so if you have an interest, please contact Mary Hickey, Childcare Development Officer. Already a number of groups in the area have applied for funding.

Meanwhile a new Kerry County Childcare Committee (KCCC) has been formed to assist in improving childcare provisions throughout the county. Agencies involved include the Southern Health Board and FAS, as well as parents and providers. A local women, Maria Culloty from Kilcummin, represents parents interest on the Board.

Mary Hickey, Childcare Development Officer.

 New Day Care Centre

The Castleisland Day Care Centre, (located beside the mart) has been started. A fund-raising campaign has begun, please support this very worthwhile initiative generously!

 
2001- International Year of the Volunteer

Have you an idea on how the people of Sliabh Luachra could celebrate the International Year of the Volunteer in 2001? If so please forward your ideas to Carmel Walsh, Community Development Co-ordinator

 Training for a Return to Work

Twenty four people have just completed an eighteen week FAS/ Sliabh Luachra ADM Return to Work Course, which ran from 11th September 2000 to 19th January 2001. The participants- twenty three women and one man- learned numerous new skills in assertiveness, interviews and C.V. preparation. They also successfully completed the ECDL computer course and undertook four weeks work placement. Many have gained employment due to the new skills they have learned and more have gone onto further training.
A Cert Return to Work Course

has commenced in the Cultural and Heritage Centre, Scartaglen. This is a ten week course, two days a week from 10am. to 3pm. The course started on the 5th February 2001 and will run until Easter. The participants will learn hospitality skills, bar skills, hygiene, personal effectiveness, and the twenty two participants will receive a certificate on completion of the course.

 A FAS Office and Computer Skills Course

commenced on the 12th February 2001, and twenty people have undertaken this six months full course. Some participants are availing of this opportunity to continue their training, which began on the very successful Return to Work course. All aspects of Office Procedures will be covered and successful participants will receive the City and Guilds Certificate.

Barbara O'Connor, Employment Development Officer
Self-Employment / Enterprise

Margaret Daly,  Enterprise Officer
Sliabh Luachra ADM has worked with many people to turn their dream of self-employment into reality. The assistance offered comes in different forms and is tailored to meet the clients needs. For example, people are offered support while planning a new business venture, which may involve the preparation of business plans, applications for the Enterprise Allowance and mentoring.

Funding is very important for a business, particularly at the initial start up period. However, for many people the usual channels of funding- e.g. Banks-may not be an option. 

Here Sliabh Luachra ADM may be of assistance. If a project is well planned and the person meets with certain criteria ( e.g. long-term unemployed, lone parent or small holder) an application for funding may be submitted. The application will go before the Enterprise Sub-committee. If the criteria are met then, based on the business plan and the projections of its future viability, the entrepreneur may be offered up to 65% funding in the form of a grant or interest free loan. When projects do not meet all of the criteria or if the amount of funding required is large, a referral may be arranged to other agencies e.g. County Enterprise Board, LEADER.

Since the programme was set up, a wide range of projects have been assisted. These include Arts & Crafts, Rural Transport, Retail Services, Catering and Horticulture.

 

Community Development: Carmel Walsh, Community development Officer
The community Development Unit of Sliabh Luachra ADM works to support community initiative and to bring about positive change. In the past year the unit has assisted the development of a number of issue-based networks and communities in the area, such    as The Castleisland Traveller Team; The Women's Resource Group; Sliabh Luachra Rural Transport Initiative.                                                                                            A Community Forum meeting was held in Farranfore Airport in 1999, which was a great success. The Community Development Unit meets, facilitates and works closely with communities in addressing issues, which affect them. Sliabh Luachra ADM has provided financial support for community infrastructure and environment projects, which benefit the community and enhance the physical environment and facilitates of the area.          

In the area of childcare a Working Group has been formed with membership drawn from the local community, as well as the Southern Health Board and the Irish Pre-school Playgroup Association. Ongoing support has been given for the four Parent and Toddler Groups in the area and a parent and Toddler Network has been established.                The unit supported the establishment of a community based facility in Firies.                 A number of very successful courses have also been provided and a survey on needs    of children, from their parents perspective is currently being carried out.

 

Young Services
Damien Tobin Youth Project Worker
Sliabh Luachra ADM actively support Youth Development activity in the area. To date we have assisted schools initiatives, summer project, and youth clubs.
One of pilot projects we are currently supporting is the young Castleisland Travelers.      This work began in January 1999, and a number of organisations have supported the initiative. Sliabh Luachra ADM contracts Marie O'Shea: Cathy O'Sullivan and Thomas Coffey are from the Kerry Travelers Development Project; and Damien Tobin is on work experience from ITT. The young Travelers meet with the workers one evening per week at St. Bridgid's Hall. This girls group consist of both early school leavers and girls who are still attending school. The teenage boys are mostly school leavers, and are interested in information about apprenticeships and early school leaving programme. The younger boys group enjoys playing cards, arts and crafts, and music.

The Local communities have identified to us the need to plan a broad range of initiatives to assist the development of young people in the area. Such actions may cover education, social, and recreational activities and we are committed to ensuring our young people are given every opportunity in their local community.
Young Peoples Healthy lifestyle Project

Damien Tobin is working with a group of young people in a Healthy Lifestyle Project. During eight afternoons the group engages in physical activity (horse-riding, swimming, etc) as well as discussing particular aspects of their lives such as diet and daily exercise. If successful it is hoped that other groups in the area can use the ideas.

 Brosna Community Survey

The recently completed Brosna Community Survey was presented to a meeting in the local hall, and the ideas were very warmly welcomed. A follow-up meeting is due in early March, at which an umbrella development group will be formed. There were many other positive ideas in the survey, showing a genuine interest by local people in improving their area.
Social Economy Project

Sliabh Luachra ADM has been assisting groups in applying for Social Economy Project funding from FAS. If you have a project that has a social focus and requires full-time workers, but the project only generates some of the required funding, this may interest you. The project must be community based.

 Rural Transport Initiative Group/Kerry Flyer

Are working on having a transport initiative operating in the area in the near future.
Training

Other Courses Supported include: Youth Work, Pr and Media and Running Meetings.
 

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Sliabh Luachra ADM are seeking your input for plans towards developing the area.    We need constructive ideas on how people can improve their quality of life in the future,  especially those groups and individuals that have not been given opportunity, or indeed who have not availed of the chances they have been given.

 

For further information contact: Eamonn O'Reilly, Manager, Margaret Daly, Employment Development and Enterprise Co-ordinator and Carmel Walsh, Community Development Co-ordinator,  Damien Tobin, Youth Development Officer. Barbara O'Connor, Employment Development officer, Patricia O'Sullivan, Data Management Officer Mary Hickey, Childcare Development Officer and Joan O'Reilly, Training and Development Officer, Hazel O'Malley, Administration.

The Island Centre, Castleisland. Tel;(066)714257 Fax(066)7142676

e-mail sliabhluachra@tinet.ie 

 
 

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