news Jobsseek challenge Island projects somebeing met, says independence Network There are over 120 companies and projects funded through the Local and Community Development Programme and helping people through the jobs famine is a priority for every one of them. ALAN JACQUES reports on what 52 Local Development Companies nglish-speaking islands are the moving an unique and innovative inter- funded closer to an agreement on aby the Programme departmental local authority areand doing: management structure for crucial approach the rationalisation and Ireland’s 52 Local to Development Companies projects funded through the Local and integration of CDPs, farm schemes, are working to tackle the “unemployment Community Development Programme. primary school education crisis” in afire-fighting, “difficult environment” by ensuring Negotiations are continuing with and healthcare. optimum use of existing resources, according the Department of Environment, MCGINLEY GIVES COMMITTMENT to the latest report published by the Irish Community and Local Government Padraic was speaking at the island Local Development Network. on how best to manage the staff and agmLocal whichDevelopment new Gaeltacht The paperfederation’s states that work of five Community Development Minister Dinny McGinley attended to Companies (LDCs) havegenerally significantly Projects. assure islanders they had the The five projects concerned are increasedGovernment’s the range and extent support. of supports on Clare Island and Inishturk inoffered Co. through both their enterprise and He said infrastructural and access Mayo, Inishbofin in Co. Galwayemployment and divisions and the 23 Local issues had been largely addressed, Bere and Sherkin islands in Co.Employment Cork Services costing €100mnationwide. over ten years, and the which also provide support to the now the on creating Launchedfocus last was month, paper enterprise provides an smaller Dursey, Whiddy, Long and andthe employment andplay making island-life overview of role LDCs in supporting Heir islands. sustainable. people to re-enter the labour market. Brief “We wanted to stay independent if Minister McGinley said offshore case-studies illustrate the nature and scale we could, but that wasn’t a runner,” islands are “a vital cog” in the of the work they perform in relation to said Bere Island CDP co-ordinator Government’s ambitions for the employment and sector enterprise John Walsh. tourism and hesupport. promised that The proposal being currentlyThe looked LDCs services are working supporthealthcare people to such astochildcare, at by the Department, said John, enter or progress the would labourbemarket in and wastetowards management would see two companies manage four key areas including employment supports, continued. the island projects, one dealingenterprise with The Federation represents supports, work- which placement with Cork, the other with Mayoprogrammes and 33 offshore islands with a total and education and training Galway. population of 2,944 - held its agm on programmes. The chairperson of the Federation Figures forClare the Island. Local Employment Service of Irish Islands, Padraic O’Malley, More info:Employment www.oileain.ieAction Plan Network’s National stressed in June that islands needed (NEAP) in 2010 show that 16,752 people progressed towards employment via training, work placement programmes, education, self-employment and referrals to other State Agencies. The ‘non-NEAP caseload for 2010’ shows progressions of 17,016 in the same areas. The report also states that progressions to employment are about 50% of those to training indicating the need to prioritise training and re-training.
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“I want to align the Local and Community Development Programme more with local government, I do not want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. There’s a lot of good work being done.”
- Minister Phil Hogan in an interview with ‘Changing Ireland’ in July. Full interview on pages 12-13.
Recession? Eurostat says Irish incomes 3rd highest in EU in 2010. 16.3% of Irish children now live in poverty - OECD
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