Press release
Minister Joe O’Brien visits community development initiatives in Sligo
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
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 Sligo on Tuesday (26th) of October.
The Minister’s visit started in Sligo Men’s Shed Forum where he met representatives from the eight sheds in Sligo, he then went on to Ballymote Day Centre where he met with staff and visitors.
Speaking after meeting the Men’s Shed Forum the Minister said:
“It is great to re-launch the Sligo Men’s Sheds Forum. Men’s Sheds play a vital role in social inclusion and organisations will show their value even more as we continue to open up society.
“The support available through the Social Inclusion Programme (SICAP) has resulted in the forming of friendships and in the case of Men’s Sheds of giving back to the community.
“I am delighted that Sligo Men’s Sheds have availed of funding under the Community Enhancement Programme which has provided much needed equipment to improve the facilities for the members.”
Minister O’Brien also took the opportunity to visit a suckler farm and the visit coincided with the publication of the Climate Budgets.
During his farm visit he said:
“On all my county visits I’ve been making a point to visit farms to hear directly from farmers who are looking at doing things with a climate focus. Today, with the news of the Climate Budgets, I spoke with a suckler farmer to hear some of the issues directly. I come from a small dairy farm myself and am keenly aware of the challenges and how we must support farmers and their families to embrace the changes required. We can and will provide supports to ensure that farming remains a viable career.”
The next stop in the Minister’s itinerary was in Sligo town where he opened the new Sligo LEADER Partnership Office at Doorly Park.
Sligo LEADER Partnership provides an integrated range of programmes covering employment and community supports, enterprise grants, social inclusion, training, wellbeing and environmental supports.
The Minister had further engagements at:
He also visited Sligo Rovers Showgrounds to get a tour of the outdoor museum which celebrates the club’s diversity and the important role the club plays with the local community.
Speaking about his visit to Sligo, Minister O’Brien said:
“It has been great to visit Sligo and see first-hand the great work that communities are carrying out with the support of the Departments of Rural and Community Development and Social Protection and with broader Government support.”
“I have been impressed by the range of diverse projects and the innovative way communities embrace what is unique and develop from within. Whether it is regeneration or community involvement through sport, communities thrive when they work together.”
“One job of Government is to support communities so that they can develop to become vibrant and inclusive. The projects I visited are indicative of the resourcefulness of local communities in identifying an issue and developing a plan to address it and enhance all aspects of the community.”
Sligo LEADER Partnership is one of 49 Local Development Companies in Ireland. It is a multi sectoral partnership that delivers a range of programmes on behalf of local and national government, focused on enhancing the quality of life for disadvantaged individuals and communities.
It provides an integrated range of programmes covering employment and community supports, enterprise grants, social inclusion, training, wellbeing and environmental supports through the delivery of SICAP, LEADER, Tus, RSS, CE, Rural Recreation, Digital Skills and Older Persons programmes, in partnership with Sligo LCDC, Sligo County Council, DEASP and HSE.
Sheds invited include: Sligo Men Shed; Tubbercurry/ Banada; CLASP men shed; Dromore West men Shed; Enniscrone Men Shed; Ballisodare Men Shed; Abbeyquater men group Cranmore; and newly formed Cliffoney Men Shed.
This centre offers a range of supports through SICAP, Digital Kills, Tus and RSS.
Cranmore Community Garden
Cranmore Community Garden was established by Cranmore Community Co-op The Community Garden has received support from CEP grants, Covid Emergency Fund and SICAP.
Sligo Northside – “Partner Showcase”
Sligo’s Global Kitchen (SGK) began life in 2014 as a cooking venture that opens its doors to everyone in the community especially those living in direct provision to meet, cook and eat and share music culture and of course food.
Sligo’s Global Kitchen hosted many events at The Model, Sligo where everyone from the community is welcome to try food from different countries, in addition they have also hosted Christmas Dinner with a global menu and gone on tour to events such as Cairde’s Parkfest. In March, 2018 the group won the community award from the Irish Food Writers Guild.
An example of community engagement through sport. The outdoor museum celebrates the clubs diversity funded by Peace, SLPC have been working with Sligo Rovers on designing a health and wellbeing programmes targeting young marginalised people, to be delivered in 2022.
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 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
Community Enhancement Programme
Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities. It provides small grants to community groups in a manner consistent with each areas Local Economic and Community Plan.