Minister Regina Doherty visits Community Employment Schemes in Delvin and Castlepollard

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, T.D. today joined her colleague Damien English T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government with special responsibility for Housing and Urban Development, as they visited two Community Employment schemes in County Westmeath (Delvin and Castlepollard) where she met with people who are participating in the schemes and saw first-hand the benefits of their work for their local communities.

Speaking today, Minister Doherty said:

“I was delighted to visit Delvin and Castlepollard this morning and meet with everyone involved in the Community Employment schemes in both places. The work that is being done through these schemes is of immense value for many local communities. Your achievement is due to a dedicated team, commitment and full co-operation by all involved. I wish you continued success with your work and future plans.”

The Minister was joined by Minister English and local Cllr Frank McDermott. Minister English said:

“We were delighted to welcome Minister Regina Doherty to the area particularly to showcase the life changing work of the Community Employment scheme in retraining, coaching and supporting people to get back to employment.

“I want to thank Minister Doherty for her time meeting with volunteers and pillars in our communities of Delvin, Collinstown and Castlepollard.”

There are currently 21 Community Employment Programmes in the Westmeath area, employing 557 participants and 35 supervisors. Scheme types comprise two dedicated to Health & Social Care, one to Drug Rehabilitation, another to Childcare and 17 mainstream Community Employment schemes. These employment programmes are sponsored mainly by local voluntary and community organisations and some public bodies involved in not-for-profit activity providing valuable services to local communities whilst also providing work experience and training/ educational opportunities for jobseekers.

ENDS