Minister Joe O’Brien visits community initiatives in Louth
- Published on: 9 November 2021
- Last updated on: 9 November 2021
- Two-day visit – an opportunity to engage with groups and organisations who are delivering community initiatives in Louth
- Announces funding for a new Community Development Approach to be piloted in Drogheda from February 2022
Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development & Department of Social Protection visited projects and community initiatives supported by his Departments in Co. Louth on Monday (8 November) and Tuesday (9 November).
Before the visit the minister said he was looking forward to visiting Louth as he was aware of the wealth of community initiatives, both rural and urban, in operation across the County.
The Minister’s visit started in Dundalk in the Redeemer Family Resource Centre, a newly refurbished building using funding from a number of funds administered by Minister O’Brien’s Departments. The Minister was met by the Director of Housing and Community Services of Louth LCDC and Colin Roche, Manager of the resource centre.
Moving on to Louth LEADER Partnership, the Minister heard from the Chief Executive about the range of programmes delivered on behalf of the government. The Minister availed of the opportunity to engage with a group of young people from the Travelling Community currently undertaking the Traveller Social Enterprise Training course.
The Minister then went on to visit Dee Hub and Dunleer Sustainable Energy Community where again, the impressive work being undertaken on the ground was evidenced.
The following day (Tuesday) the Minister visited the Connect Family Resource Centre in Drogheda. The Connect FRC specifically engages with the communities in North Drogheda to provide family support and community regeneration assistance. From there the Minister went on to Louth Volunteer Centre where he was met by Gráinne Berrill and her team.
At the Boomerang Project, the Minister was given a tour of the building by Catrina Culligan the driving force behind the youth café. The Boomerang Project also hosted a number of projects for the Minister’s visit these included Drogheda Homeless Aid, Drogheda District and Support 4 Older People, Hands 4 Unity, Culture Connect and disABILITY Louth.
While here the minister formally announced funding for a new Community Development Approach to be piloted in Drogheda from February 2022.
Speaking about this announcement, Minister O’Brien said:
“This funding is a clear signal from government that we understand the specific and unique needs of Drogheda. The pilot programme will allow those on the ground the opportunity to identify both problems & solutions and to work collaboratively to implement those solutions locally.”
The Minister then went on to visit the Red Door Drug Addiction Services and finally onto the new site for the Treadagh Alzheimer’s Day Care Centre that is due to be completed at the end of 2021.
At the end of the visit to Louth, Minister O’Brien said:
“The past two days have confirmed what I already knew; that Louth is a vibrant hub of community activity with dedicated community workers and volunteers determined to improve their local communities and the lives of those living in those communities. I love undertaking these visits because there is no replacement for meeting the people on the ground, hearing and seeing first-hand how the funding provided by my Departments is being used to benefit communities.”
ENDS
Notes to editor
CE and TUS
Community Employment and Tús schemes are employment support measures for long-term unemployed people and other people in receipt of long-term payments from the Department of Social Protection.
The schemes employ participants to deliver a range of services to local communities throughout the country. These include local amenities management, environmental projects, arts and culture, sports, childcare, Tidy Towns, health-related services, meals on wheels and drug rehabilitation schemes.
SICAP
SICAP assists both individuals and groups through a two-pronged approach; supporting communities and supporting individuals. SICAP target groups include; children and families living in disadvantaged areas, lone parents, new communities (including refugees/asylum seekers), people living in disadvantaged communities, people with disabilities, Roma, the unemployed (including those not on the Live Register), travellers, and young unemployed people living in disadvantaged areas.
Louth LEADER Partnership
LLP is a local development company, delivering a range of programme on behalf of Government, Local Authority and Agencies. Operating as an integrated Local Development Company since 2011 we deliver SICAP, LEADER, Tús, LES, Walks, RSS, ABC, HI, programmes which provide an integrated services delivery model for communities in Co. Louth.