Dublin Inner City Partnership Progress Report 2004

Submitted February 2005

Contents

• 1 INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1 Contextual changes and overall achievement of objectives
  • 1.2 Sectoral Challenges to Partnership
  • 1.3 Measures taken to support participation
  • 1.4 Outreach strategy regarding target groups
  • 1.5 Attainment of the Programme objectives
• 2 EXECUTIVE REPORT
  • 2.1 Key milestones
    • 2.1.1 Co-operation, Collaboration, Linkages
  • 2.2 LEVERAGE OF FUNDING
    • 2.2.1 Direct Funding
    • 2.2.2 Indirect funding
  • 2.3 ORGANISATIONAL CHART
    • 2.3.1 Executive Committee
    • 2.3.2 Social Economy Monitoring Committee
    • 2.3.3 Employment & Enterprise Monitoring Committee
  • 2.4 Rotation policy
  • 2.5 Vacancies
  • 2.6 Number of meetings held
  • 2.7 Progress / challenges facing organisational structure
• 3 STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS 2004
  • 3.1 Measure A Services for the Unemployed
    • 3.1.1 Strategy 1 Training, Mediation & Guidance for Employment Actions
    • 3.1.2 Strategy 2 Social Economic Development
    • 3.1.3 Strategy 3 Enterprise Support
    • 3.1.4 Additional Measure A Outcomes
  • 3.2 Measure B Community Development
    • 3.2.1 Strategy 1 Promoting Social Integration
    • 3.2.2 Strategy 2 Co-ordination of a community-based social inclusion infrastructure
    • 3.2.3 Strategy 3 Capacity development, technical assistance and training
    • 3.2.4 Strategy 4 Research & policy development to support sustainable regeneration
  • 3.3 Measure C Community Based Youth Initiatives
    • 3.3.1 Strategy 1 Integration and Developing Local Educational Services
    • 3.3.2 Strategy 2 Preventing Early School Leaving / Promoting Educational Development
    • 3.3.3 Strategy 3 Promoting Developmental Youth Work
    • 3.3.4 Strategy 4 Promoting Equality and Rights-based Approaches to Education
  • 3.4 Local Employment Service Network
  • 3.5 ICTU / Centres for the Unemployed
• 4 FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTS
  • 4.1 FÁS Framework Agreement / JI and CE
  • 4.2 Local Employment Service Framework for Operation Agreement
  • 4.3 Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
  • 4.4 National Employment Action Plan
• 5 Co-operation with Northern Ireland
  • 5.1 Participation and Practice of Rights Project
  • 5.2 Equal at Work
  • 5.3 ICES Cross-Border Co-operation
  • 5.4 Belfast GEMS
  • 5.5 Digital Communities Project
• 6 HORIZONTAL ISSUES
  • 6.1 Gender Equality
    • 6.1.1 Gender equality policy
    • 6.1.2 Mechanisms to ensure gender balance
    • 6.1.3 Positive actions have been developed to ensure equality
  • 6.2 Equality for People with Disabilities
  • 6.3 Poverty Proofing
  • 6.4 Other target groups
    • 6.4.1 Travellers
    • 6.4.2 Disability
    • 6.4.3 Refugees / Asylum Seekers
    • 6.4.4 Older people
    • 6.4.5 Other equality measures
• 7 Future Issues
  • 7.1 Issues to bring to the Regional Assemblies, Government Departments / EU
  • 7.2 Barriers to the implementation of the Strategic Plan
• 8 Information / Research
  • 8.1 APPENDIX A Target Groups - Codes
• 9 Appendix I
  • 9.1 Staff

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Contextual changes and overall achievement of objectives

During 2004, the Partnership completed a three-year review process and launched a new three year implementation plan for the 2004-2006 period. In June, the DICP Director and some Board members met with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr. Eamon O’Cuiv TD to present him with a copy of the new implementation plan and three year progress report.

The new implementation plan was informed by a statistical analysis of the local area, drawing on Census data and other figures. This main findings of this analysis showed that there has been a twenty per cent growth in population of the inner city area between 1996 and 2002. Educational levels and employment rates within the inner city as a whole are improving. However third level access by local authority residents is still extremely low and unemployment rates in the inner city remain much higher than the national average. Lone parent households account for thirteen per cent of all households and one fifth of the population the inner city are of foreign nationality.

Problematic drug use continues to affect poor areas, and there has been a recent dramatic rise in cocaine use. There are nineteen thousand Local Authority tenants. This population would tend to have higher rates of social welfare dependency and lone parenthood. Almost ten per cent of the inner city population are recorded in the Census as having a disability.

There are eleven thousand people aged 65 and over living in the inner city, comprising about ten percent of the total population, and almost four thousand people aged 65+ living alone.

Other contextual changes impacting on the local development environment include policy changes such as the introduction of the School Completion Programme in primary and secondary schools, the establishment of the Education Welfare Board, the appointment of two Community Education Facilitators in the CDVEC and increases in provision for children with special needs. The Millennium Partnership Fund is supporting local low-income individuals to access and remain in third level education. Changes affecting employment include the roll-out of the National Employment Action Plan which is impacting on the client group now presenting to the Inner City Employment Service. Regeneration plans in many areas of the inner city focusing on public-private partnerships will have dramatic impacts on local communities.

In June 2004, the Community and Voluntary site of the Equal at Work Project invited community and voluntary organisations together with the main trade unions to a seminar in Croke Park to discuss barriers and opportunities of working with the sector.

The Childcare Network continued to support community based childcare providers with information provision, mentoring, and a range of training that included Paediatric First Aid, Child Protection, Childminders Training, Fit Tots, and health awareness workshops.

DICP gave support and leadership on the Jobs Initiative issue and welcomed the announcement by the Minister that JI workers will remain in their jobs.

1.2 Sectoral Challenges to Partnership

One of the main challenges to the community sector in continuing involvement with the partnership process is the increasing demand on people's time caused by the expansion of initiatives and structures. Likewise with statutory representatives, the range of other State structures such as RAPID has put increased demands on their time. It has proved more difficult to maintain consistent participation from the private sector.

As can be seen from the organisational chart in 2.3 below, there is sustained commitment to the Dublin Inner City Partnership from all sectors.

1.3 Measures taken to support participation

On two occasions during the year the Partnership convened large scale community development meetings, which took place in the National College of Ireland. The purpose of these fora was to bring a range of local development interests together to look at common themes, prevent duplication, and give direction and focus to the Partnership strategy. These meetings were attended by community, statutory, trade union and employer representatives.

The Partnership supports four community networks (social inclusion coordinators), one in each quadrant of the inner city. This is considered an appropriate mechanism to link in with the relevant local groups tackling poverty. Specific effort is made to ensure that local residents are involved in all of the activities at a community level.

The Partnership operates a communication strategy, including newsletter and website, progress reports and publications, seminars and conferences, etc in order to promote greater participation and inform as wide an audience as possible of actions.

Towards the end of 2004, the Partnership undertook a review of databases to ensure that all mailing lists are up to date and inclusive of newer structures or developing community groups.

1.4 Outreach strategy regarding target groups

During 2004, specific actions were taken to outreach the Partnership strategy to key target groups that were identified in the socio-economic profiling analysis.

Disability equality training was organised for Partnership board members, staff and the wider community infrastructure. Partnership staff have also become involved with a range of disability focused organisations, including the Centres for Independent Living, Disability Federation of Ireland (National Leader Forum), and a local disability working group in the north west inner city.

Work targeting the inclusion of ethnic minority groups continues, mainly through participation in working groups attached to area networks in each quadrant of the inner city.

A new group has been established in the north east inner city to look at the needs of young foreign nationals living in the area and unaccompanied minors. The group operates under the auspices of the ICON Young People at Risk Initiative and Partnership staff have been involved in the initial meetings. A seminar will take place on 26 January to bring together different interests (educators, youth programmes, etc.).

During 2004, the Partnership worked with the Dublin City Childcare Committee to outreach to childminders living in the central area in an effort to meet the training needs of this hidden group.

Greater attention will be paid during 2005 to the re-integration needs of ex-prisoners.

1.5 Attainment of the Programme objectives

Overall attainment of objectives has been positive, given the challenges posed by funding cutbacks in early 2004.

Quantitative results for the Local Employment Service are strong, and statistical indicators (Scope) are satisfactory.

Qualitative work and supporting initiatives in non-financial ways has also formed a major part of the workload during 2004.

2 EXECUTIVE REPORT

2.1 Key milestones

A Services for the Unemployed

• Pre Employment Training Programme for Women - Targets for Gateway Project met during 2004
• Information Technology Training for Local Residents - Digital Communities Project operational and meeting training targets
• Inner City Employment Service - Continued attainment of placement targets.
• Employment & Environment Programme St. Teresa's Gardens - Ongoing delivery of services: youth, computers, training, recycling.
• New Enterprise Support - DICP withdrew from funding ICE during 2004 due to changes in the client cohort.

B Community Development

• Tenant Worker NWIC - Tenant Worker employed in O'Devaney Gardens flat complex
• Social Inclusion Projects Co-ordination NEIC - New Coordinator appointed in 2004
• Social Inclusion Projects Coordinator SWIC - Continued co-ordination of youth services, tenant programme, drug education.
• Social Inclusion Projects Co-ordination NWIC - New Coordinator appointed in 2004
• Planning & Environment Officer CTA - Continuation of planning service
• Policy & Research Analyst SWICN - Service discontinued during 2004 due to staff resignation
• Rights Programme NEIC - Part-time rights worker employed in NEIC
• Tenant Worker SWIC - Tenant worker employed to support participation and capacity building.
• Development of Community Network SEAN - No progress during 2004
• Small Scale Support for Networks - Various small scale initiatives supported

C Community Based Youth Initiatives

• Inner City Childcare Network - Continuation of training events and expansion to target childminders
• Second Level Retention Programme - Action plan agreed.
• Skills Enhancement Through Information Technology - DISC Computers in Schools Project targeting 44 schools
• Youth Integration Programme - Training for young asylum seekers has commenced.
• Equality & Rights Based Approaches to Education - Networking to support local progression to third level.

2.1.1 Co-operation, Collaboration, Linkages

This section provides information on co-operation, collaborative approaches and linkages at local, county, regional and national level. The purpose is to provide a summary of the key agencies/programmes involved; the linkage to the Partnership/Community Group structure and achievements, progress, issues and challenges during the year.

2.1.1.1 Collaborations

• FÁS - DICP Board and sub-committees - Employment & Enterprise Coordinator links with the NEAP, LES and Social Economy Programme in FÁS
• DSFA - NEAP Protocols and Monitoring
• VEC
  • DICP Education Coordinator has regular meetings with the CDVEC Community Education Facilitators.
  • She liaises with the AEO on issues of adult education and with the ALO in Parnell Adult Learning Centre.
  • Links with the CDVEC Separated Children's Programme (through various working groups)
  • Principals from two VEC schools are involved in the Second Level Schools Network which is supported by DICP.
  • Other links with the VEC through the Millennium Fund and contacts with further education colleges.
  • DICP Employment & Enterprise Coordinator is involved with adult guidance services in the inner city and with FIT in Ringsend.
• HEALTH BOARD - Working groups of the area networks
• PEACE II
• Teagasc
• Coillte
• LEADER
• National Rural Development Programme
• LEADER Plus
• RAPID - 4 RAPID AITs in the inner city area
• CLAR
• Local Authority - DICP Board
• County Development Board - Partnership represented by Director on DCDB
• County SIMS Committee
• Enterprise Board
• County Childcare Committee - Staff are involved on various sub-committees (e.g. Funding and Mentoring Sub-committee). Joint research project undertaken in 2004-05.
• Other European Programmes - EQUAL - Dublin Employment Pact / Community Technical Aid
• Other NGOs
• Any further Depts
  • Dept. of Education and Science.
  • Social Inclusion Unit of the Dept. of Educ & Sci
  • DICP Employment & Enterprise Coordinator is involved with the National Monitoring of the Adult Guidance Services

2.2 LEVERAGE OF FUNDING

Leverage of funding refers to funding committed from other organisations to the area and to the implementation of the strategic plan.

2.2.1 Direct Funding

Direct funding passes through the company bank accounts. Funding secured during the year as income to the Partnership/ Community Group from other organisations and which impacts on the implementation of the LDSIP plan.

SOURCE OF FUNDING

• FÁS CE
• FÁS LES
• FÁS Social Economy
• FÁS Other
• DSFA
• VEC
• HEALTH BOARD
• EOCP
• PEACE II
• Dormant Accounts
• Dept of Education
• Millennium Access
• Teagasc
• Coillte
• LEADER
• National Rural Development
• LEADER Plus
• Rural Transport
• RAPID
• CLAR
• Local Authority
• County Development Board
• County SIMS Committee
• Enterprise Board
• County Childcare Committee - EURO 3,000 for salary scales research
• Other European Programmes
• Other NGOs
• Any further Departments

2.2.2 Indirect funding

Funding sourced for LDSIP activity but not directly expended by the Company, i.e. support from another source as part of a strategy commenced by you or a jointly funded action. This funding does not pass through the company bank accounts.

SOURCE OF FUNDING

• FÁS CE
• FÁS LES
• FÁS Social Economy
• FÁS Other
• DSFA
• VEC
• HEALTH BOARD
• EOCP
• PEACE II
• Dormant Accounts
• Dept of Education
• Millennium Access
• Teagasc
• Coillte
• LEADER
• National Rural Development Programme
• LEADER Plus
• Rural Transport
• RAPID
• CLAR
• Local Authority
• County Development Board
• County SIMS Committee
• Enterprise Board
• County Childcare Committee
• Other European Programmes
• Other NGOs
• Any further Depts
• EQUAL (CTA), EURO 2,000, ICON Tenant Development, Personal Enrichment Course

2.3 ORGANISATIONAL CHART

This section gives an overview of the structure of the organisation at Board and sub board level. It is also an opportunity to include the policy of the company in terms of nominations, rotations and the number of meetings per year. Details of executive and staff should be given as an appendix.

• Chair, Joyce O'Connor, Female, 4 years
• Director, Des Bonass, Male, Trade Unions, 5 years
• Director, James Boylan, Male, Community, 2 years
• Director, Carmel Brien, Female, Community, 4 years
• Director, Peter Coyne, Male, Statutory, 3 years
• Director, Marie Dooley, Female, Statutory, 4 years
• Director, Evelyn Fitzpatrick, Female, Employer Business Sector, 3 years
• Director, Pauline Kane, Female, Community, 5 years
• Director, Seanie Lambe, Male, Community, 6 years
• Director, Fergus McCabe, Male, Statutory, 6 years
• Director, Paul Maloney, Male, Statutory, 2 years
• Director, Cllr Andrew O'Connell, Male, Public Reps, 3 months
• Director, Cllr Aodhan O'Riordain, Male, Public Reps, 3 months
• Director, Danny Pender, Male, Community, 1 year
• Director, Tom Ryan, Male, Trade Unions, 6 months
• Director, Cllr Tom Stafford, Male, Public Reps, 3 months
• Director, Maria Tyrrell, Female, Trade Unions, 5 years
• Director, Nessan Vaughan, Male, Statutory, (Resigned)
• Director, Gabrielle Weafer, Female, Community,1 year

2.3.1 Executive Committee

• Member Des Bonass Male Trade Union 5 years
• Member Maria Tyrrell Female Trade Union 5 years
• Member Pauline Kane Female Community 5 years
• Member Seanie Lambe Male Community 5 years
• Member James Boylan Male Community 2 years
• Member Carmel Brien Female Community 4 years
• Member Evelyn Fitzpatrick Female Employer Business sector 3 years
• Member Paul Maloney Male Statutory 2 years
• Member Marie Dooley Female Statutory 4 years

2.3.2 Social Economy Monitoring Committee

• Member Des Bonass Male Trade Unions 5 years
• Member Maria Tyrrell Female Trade Unions 5 years
• Member Fergus McCabe Male Farming Org 5 years
• Member Paul Moloney Male Farming Org 2 years
• Member Fionnuala Anderson Female Farming Org

2.3.3 Employment & Enterprise Monitoring Committee

• Member Des Bonass Male Trade Unions 5 years
• Member Evelyn Fitzpatrick Female Employer Business sector 3 years
• Member Peter Coyne Male Statutory 3 years
• Member Pauline Kane Female Community 5 years

2.4 Rotation policy

Community directors are elected annually by the area networks at their AGMs.

Statutory representatives are appointed and replaced by their agencies.

Elected representatives are rotated based on elections every four years, or replaced by the Council if necessary.

2.5 Vacancies

There were no vacancies on the DICP Board at end of 2004.

2.6 Number of meetings held

The Board meets on a quarterly basis.

2.7 Progress / challenges facing organisational structure

Areas of progress during 2004 include expanding the range of local development organisations; commencement of the 2004-06 Implementation Plan; and ongoing professional development through staff training.

Challenges to the organisation include increased demands on a small core Partnership staff of seven people; lack of proper and consistent practice in relation to wages and conditions in comparison to the statutory sector; insecurity in relation to sustaining the type of work at a local level; and increased bureaucratic demands from the State system due to new legislation / regulations.

3 STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS 2004

This section should provide information on each strategy and key actions within each strategy. Information on the description, purpose, objectives, implementation and output of the strategies should be described.

3.1 Measure A Services for the Unemployed

3.1.1 Strategy 1 Training, Mediation & Guidance for Employment Actions

3.1.1.1 The Gateway Project

During 2004 Gateway negotiated with FÁS to increase their participant numbers from 20 to 28. Participants of Gateway are women living in the Dublin 7 area of the inner city who are experiencing a range of socio-economic, health and personal difficulties.

The Gateway 2004 End of Year Report details that there was 49 work experience placements during the year. Furthermore 3 of the participants progressed to employment. Gateway participants collectively completed 170 academic modules in a range of subjects that were accredited by FETAC. There were 49 modules taken by local CE participants who joined the Gateway participants in completing the FETAC Childcare Certificate delivered by Gateway.

Seven participants received honours in their Junior Cert. Additionally Gateway facilitated training in Health Issues, Family Planning and Information Technology.

Gateway has had a year of learning, achievements, challenges, advocacy and progression. This is the 5th year of Gateway and its overall aim is to continue to provide a curriculum that has breath, balance, continuity and progression opportunities.

Gateway staff and participants took part in a wide range of networking meetings, educational visits and seminars during the first half of 2004. Gateway's Board of Management and staff held a number of meetings during 2004 to plan its future strategic activities and its sustainability. It also hosted a Planning Day to explore the possibility of developing a Gateway Men's Programme.

3.1.1.2 Digital Communities Initiative

2004 was the second year of the Digital Communities Project. While the first year focused on the installation of computer resource rooms in inner city flat complexes, during the second year the emphasis was on training of local residents. The Microsoft IT Academy was selected as the accrediting body and local residents commenced training with the IC3 qualification. IC3 differs from ECDL in that it has three modules instead of the seven in ECDL. The Microsoft qualification was also adopted because it has higher currency with employers.

The Dublin Institute of Technology's Teaching and Learning Centre developed an introductory teacher training course in collaboration with the project. Students who complete one module of IC3 are then offered a place on the teacher training course, which runs for ten weeks with a two-hour session per week. On completion of the three IC3 modules and the Teacher Course, students receive their certification plus five ECTS credits. This gives participants the opportunity to look at other third level courses and map out their own educational path under the auspices of the Digital Communities Project.

All training commenced in February 2004. Nine students have completed all three IC3 exams. Seven have completed two modules and fifteen have completed one module. Forty additional residents are study IC3 with a view to sitting the exam in 2005.

Currently there are thirteen students on the Teacher Training course and it is hoped they will graduate in March 2005.

Two people who completed IC3 training are now working as part-time paid tutors within the project.

The project also encourages residents to participate in a range of other courses including FETAC. In November 2004, eighteen students completed FETAC Foundation Level and eleven completed FETAC Level I. Residents who complete Level II FETAC will be eligible to attend degree courses in DIT.

Between February and June 2004, the project ran sixty courses across eleven centres training over 650 people. In addition, about 175 children attend homework clubs on a Dáily basis in the computer resource rooms.

The computer room in Dominick Street flats was officially opened on 28 May 2004 by President Mary McAleese.

The initiative is led by the Dublin Institute of Technology. Partners include DICP, Eircom, Hewlett Packard, the National Centre for Technology in Education, Dublin City Council and the Digital Hub.

Participating flat complexes are Bridgefoot Street, Charlemont Street, Dominick Street, Michal Mallin House, Whitefriar Street, St. Teresa's Gardens, O'Devaney Gardens, Fatima Mansions, Hardwicke Street, Dolphin House, and Iveagh Trust.

3.1.1.3 Inner City Employment Service

See below: Local Employment Service.

3.1.2 Strategy 2 Social Economic Development

Employment & Environment Programme St. Teresa's Gardens

DICP supports an environmental and employment programme in St. Teresa's Gardens flat complex in the south west inner city. The project participates in the Digital Communities initiative and was involved in the provision of computer training to local residents during the year. Training and examination facilities are provided on-site in the complex and this is considered a huge advantage as residents do not have to travel. Twelve people are participating in the IC3 level training. One local resident and one volunteer have passed their exams. Ten people participated in introduction to computers training and ten in the digital media course.

One hundred children participated in the community festival and thirty young people participated in a football tournament.

The project provided support to the newly elected residents association and anti-social group.

Objectives for the 2005 include the development of the computer resource room into a training and exam centre, and provision of further courses in computers and digital media. The project will provide support for the public consultation process for the regeneration plan. Training will be introduced targeting residents in preparation for participation in the consultation process. It is also proposed to develop a can recycling programme with local schools and the Garda Siochana JLO division.

3.1.3 Strategy 3 Enterprise Support

Inner City Enterprise

The quantitative details reported by ICE during the first half of 2004 indicated that there was a small reduction in demand for ICE services when compared with the same period in 2003. The quantitative details for the half-year are:

• Sixty one (61) people formed the New Inquiries client caseload.
• ICE also had a carryover client caseload from 2003 of sixty nine (69).
• 75% of the New Inquiries was aged 40 or less
• 66% were unemployed, with 18 clients LTU and 15 clients STU
• 48% were resident in the DICP geographical area
• The gender breakdown illustrate that 44% were female
• 97% were at a Business Pre-start Up stage
• 52% of the new clients were referred from ICES, FÁS, DSFA or Citizen Information Centres. The Larkin Centre referred 2 clients. No clients were referred from the Fountain Resource Group. There were no client referrals from any inner city Social Economy Programme.
• ICE provided their client caseload with 2,275 hours of advisory support or mentoring

Following consultation with ICE between January and June, the DICP Board withdrew from funding in light of changes in the client cohort.

3.1.4 Additional Measure A Outcomes

In addition to the above actions, the DICP Employment & Enterprise Coordinator recorded the following 2004 outcomes linked to Measure A, Services for the Unemployed.

Inner City Adult Education Guidance Service

Working in collaboration with CDVEC and DALC:

• Additional CDVEC-funded guidance staff in 2004 lead to an expansion of the service provision to eleven inner city community-based locations
• Commenced working with Access Officers from: UCD, TCD, DCU, NUI Maynooth and DIT to address the issue of progression from community-based education in to Third Level
• An internal review of the service was completed during the last quarter

WIDE - Equal 1 Initiative

• Working in collaboration with CTA, FÁS and DCC:
• Secured funding for ICES 2004 Staff Training Programme
• Secured funding to support individual ICES client's progression options
• Designed Local Labour Clause protocol
• Active member of the Equal Development Partnership
• Participated in Transnational Conference
• Instigated collaboration between CTA and Belfast GEMS

Local Labour Clause with GAA (Croke Park) and Local Residents Associations

Instigated a pilot LLC that incorporated ICES, GAA (Croke Park) Employer's Group and representatives of the local community

National Centre for Guidance in Education

Quarterly Meetings attended where this advisory committee to the Minister for Education & Science monitored the provision of Adult Guidance Services for disadvantaged people in Ireland

National LES Coordinator's Network

• Attended bi-monthly meetings of the Network
• Member of the Network's Operations Sub-Group
• Participate in the National 2004 LES Staff Training Day

3.2 Measure B Community Development

3.2.1 Strategy 1 Promoting Social Integration

Development Worker, North West Inner City

DICP invests in the North West Inner City Network to employ a development worker. Recruitment for this position took place in 2004. The worker's role is to support the development of the network's working groups, to facilitate the NWIC Community Forum, to promote an understanding of the network in the area and to encourage participation. The network's working groups are currently undertaking reviews and drawing up clear areas of work. A new working group focusing on disability issues was established during the year. Another group has been established to focus on the proposed DIT development at Grangegorman.

Tenant Worker, North East Inner City

The ICON Tenant Worker has been active during 2004 in various local authority complexes. In Avondale House she has been supporting tenants to conduct a survey to document housing maintenance issues. This has involved door to door contact with tenants. Dublin City Council has started to address individual units.

She developed participatory methods of enabling local tenants to define and address their local development issues in Avondale House, Summerhill Place and Clarence Street flats.

She facilitated five meetings with tenants in a number of flat complexes and training needs have been identified. As a result, local tenants are more willing to participate in meetings and discuss options for their flats.

She has provided support to tenants in Liberty House who were unhappy with proposed regeneration plans for the complex. With her support, tenants met with Dublin City Council and expressed their concerns. The local authority will present a revised plan to the tenants in early 2005.

Tenants in Kilarney Court, which is managed by Cluaid Housing, were supported to raise issues about security in the complex. A meeting was held with DCC and the housing association, and greater monitoring of security in the complex was agreed.

Tenants in Poplar Row flats were given support around early school leaving issues. Twenty local tenants, who were early school leavers themselves, participated in training for eight weeks so that they would be able to give support to their own children to remain in school. They undertook a personal enrichment course and secured extra funding from Community Technical Aid to help with childcare costs.

The Tenant Development Empowerment initiative continues to provide a collaborative approach for local authority tenants across the city to understand the roles of agencies and to respond when necessary.

The tenant worker represents the DICP on the AIT of the North East Inner City RAPID programme and on the ICON RAPID support group. She also sits on a steering group for a training initiative targeting tenants in north west inner city and north east inner city.

Objectives for the next monitoring period include further support for tenants groups to be effective in dealing with agencies, ongoing support for Liberty House regarding regeneration of the complex, and linking with the community planning service delivered through Community Technical Aid for technical support during the regeneration of Dominick Street flats.

Tenant Worker, South West Inner City

In March 2004, the DICP Board approved funding for the employment of a Tenant Development Worker in the south west inner city. The objective is to maximise the participation of tenants and build the capacity of community groups in order for them to engage with local development issues. The range of work undertaken included sourcing funding for community facilities, promoting the interests of tenants groups, supporting the development of new tenants groups, enhancing linkages with the local authority and developing pilot initiatives.

In particular, she worked with Chamber Court / Weaver Court to produce a formal response to the Local Authority re-development plan. Insurance cover and improvements to the premises were organised for Chamber Court/Weaver Court Youth Development Group. Facilitation and administrative support was provided to the SWIC Community Policing Forum. Support was also provided for St. Teresa's Gardens Community Forum and the Tenants First Initiative.

3.2.1.1 SARI

DICP provided small scale support for the annual multicultural soccer tournament held in September 2004. The tournament aims to raise awareness of racism and address interculturalism through the medium of sport.

3.2.2 Strategy 2 Co-ordination of a community-based social inclusion infrastructure

Social Inclusion Projects Co-ordination, North East Inner City

A temporary Development Worker was employed in ICON between February and August 2004. He was involved in the Action Group for the Elderly, which raised funds for social opportunities for older people. Thirty-eight older people participated on a day excursion and forty-two participated in the Christmas party. He coordinated a local task force to progress the findings of the needs analysis carried out in Hardwicke Street/Dominick Street. Support was provided to the ICON Youth at Risk initiative and the ICON multicultural working group.

He also worked on a half-time basis with the Participation and Practice of Rights Project which secured funding from February to December 2004 to examine how a rights based approach can assist social inclusion. A seminar on the rights project was held in St. Agatha's Hall in Dublin 1 in October.

From August 2004, the temporary ICON development worker became employed as a full-time rights worker for all of the north inner city area.

The new ICON coordinator commenced employment in September 2004. Since then she has been pursuing the internal development of the network including preparation of staff contracts, drafting policies and procedures for the organisation, and developing an archive system in the office to improve information accessibility. An ICON newsletter has been developed and is disseminated to relevant groups. Other ICON events this year included the annual lighting of the Christmas tree lights, and lily memorial event to mark International Day Against Violence Against Women.

A number of working groups operate within the ICON network, including a multicultural working group and a Violence Against Women working group. Targets for the next year include he establishment of an elderly working group and re-establishment of the education working group; and progression of governance issues within the network.

Social Inclusion Projects Coordinator, South West Inner City

The SWICN Coordinator has specific responsibility for a number of social inclusion initiatives. SWICN Youth Services works with over a hundred young people aged between 12 and 21 who live in flat complexes in the locality.

The SWICN Computer Clubhouse uses technology as a tool to engage with young people. As the clubhouse is now in its last year of part-funding from Intel, the management has been seeking resources to secure its sustainability. The project has applied to the Dormant Accounts fund. A further issue is the closure of Media Lab, which shares the site with the clubhouse.

In 2004, the Tenant Training and Capacity Building Programme focused mainly on St. Teresa's Gardens and Chamber/Weaver Court. The project aims to give tenants the ability to manage their own estates in conjunction with Dublin City Council. Sixty-one tenants are participating in the programme at the moment. The project also facilitates the South West Inner City Community Policing Forum.

Sixty-three people are currently employed on the Jobs Initiative in the south west inner city area. The number allocated to SWICN at the start of the programme was 75, but the network is currently not allowed to replace participants. The Jobs Initiative has had a positive impact on the community from the perspective of local people delivering services. It has also given the participants from disadvantaged areas the opportunity to access education and enhances their ability to access employment in the open labour market.

SWICN also operates a pilot drugs education and prevention project targeting adult and youth organisation in the entire south inner city area. The project is funded through the SIC Drugs Task Force and delivered by SWICN in conjunction with South East Network. There is one worker employed at present. Due to the success of the project is has received interim funding and is currently awaiting mainstreaming.

Social Inclusion Projects Co-ordination North West Inner City

A new coordinator was recruited in 2004 for the North West Inner City Area Network. The area has undergone major changes in recent times, especially property and infrastructure development. Some of this has been beneficial to the community, but in some cases it has had a negative effect, for instance, rising house prices, increased traffic and reduced social cohesion. The network plays a coordinating role for social inclusion activity and acts as a resource for local community groups. During 2004, the coordinator has supported the development of an area based response to the Grangegorman development, the issue of premises for the voluntary sector, and the disability issue. Three new working groups have been established in relation to these issues made up of relevant stakeholders. Efforts were made to improve the network's communication to the community sector, including email bulletins and the development of a communication strategy. The coordinator represents the network on wider forums to ensure the network is informed of macro developments. Over forty organisations attended the AGM.

3.2.3 Strategy 3 Capacity development, technical assistance and training

Planning & Environment Officer CTA

DICP contracts Community Technical Aid (Urban Resource Unit) to deliver a community planning service with the objective of enabling local communities to understand and participate in the change their local areas are experiencing. During 2004, the service provided a range of technical supports including the following:

• Liberty House - work with tenants regarding proposed new developments
• Markets area - objections and appeals process
• O'Devaney Gardens - technical support to blocks committees
• Cork Street and Maryland - improved input to planning process
• MARDAG - input of community objectives into Markets plan

An accredited training course in planning was provided for ten residents and community workers from the north west inner city. A submission was prepared for the City Plan which combined views from seven different communities. Support was provided to a study on housing in the north west inner city and to the Tenants First initiative.

3.2.4 Strategy 4 Research & policy development to support sustainable regeneration

No activity this period due to staff turnover. The research and policy development actions delivered through SWICN have been discontinued.

In addition to initiatives that received direct financial support, the Community Regeneration Officer provided support and technical assistance to the following groups during 2004.

3.3 Measure C Community Based Youth Initiatives

3.3.1 Strategy 1 Integration and Developing Local Educational Services

The objective of this strategy is to tackle educational disadvantage by supporting retention in the formal school system and early education opportunities.

3.3.1.1 Inner City Childcare Network

During 2004 the Childcare Network continued to meet on a regular basis and was involved in policy development, training, mentoring and information sharing. The following training was delivered through the network.

In addition to this training the network undertook a consultation on the framework for early learning. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment attended a network meeting and listened to feedback from network members on the proposed early childhood curriculum. Seventeen people participated in the session that was held on 30 June 2004. A written submission was made to the Council informed by community childcare providers and support organisations from the inner city area. As a result of the consultation, childcare providers have a greater awareness of the development of the framework and will be familiar with the curriculum requirements.

Two issues of the Network's childcare newsletter, Rattle Mag, were produced (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter). This newsletter is distributed to over a hundred childcare organisations in the catchment area. It provides information on local training opportunities, activities for children, policy issues, research findings, profiles of local facilities, information on support organisations and new services, etc.

Mentoring support was provided to a small number of groups, for example, a group that is seeking EOCP funding for a multicultural childcare centre in the Parnell Street area.

The Partnership Development Worker also links with the Dublin City Childcare Committee EOCP funding and mentoring group and research sub-groups, the PLANET Childcare Sub-group, the Dublin Partnership Childcare Coordinators, and Community Playgroups Together.

3.3.2 Strategy 2 Preventing Early School Leaving / Promoting Educational Development

3.3.2.1 Second Level Retention Programme

The Second Level Schools Network was supported during the year to draw up a plan for the network. Meetings were held with the Minister for Education & Science to develop actions around the plan. The Partnership Education Coordinator gave support for the convening of meetings, development of position papers on policy issues and production of an SSN newsletter. The SSN is now accepted by the Department as a valid interlocutory on inner city school issues. In-service training for inner city teachers is planned.

3.3.2.2 Skills Enhancement Through Information Technology

The Dublin Inner City Schools Computerisation (DISC) Project is a highly successful DIT led initiative that aims to bring local primary and second level schools to high specification multi media capacity. Computer hardware, software and training are provided to the schools through DISC. DICP is a partner in this initiative.

Two new schools have been brought on board the project: St. Mary's NS, Fairview, Dublin 3. and St. Laurence O'Tooles Junior Boys School, Seville Place, Dublin 1.

The ICT Projects Initiative has been very successful within the project. The main setback has been in trying to source long term funding with two large applications taking place - The Dormant Accounts and The Information Society Fund in the hopes of securing the project over three to five years to include all inner-city disadvantaged schools.

During 2004 the project provided a range of training courses for teachers:

The project was able to 7 digital cameras, 2 digital video cameras, 2 iBooks , external hard drives and CD Re-Writers that are loaned out to schools who require such equipment to work on projects with their students.

The DISC coordinator's position was secured from the NCTE. Remaining funding to run the projects for the year ahead has come from The Ireland Funds, The AIB Better Ireland Programme and The Civil Service Charities Fund.

The project is working closely with The Digital Hub and Microsoft and hopes to introduce the Microsoft IT Academy to the post-primary schools within DISC in the next few months.

3.3.3 Strategy 3 Promoting Developmental Youth Work

3.3.3.1 Youth Integration Programme

An advanced computer course began in November for over-18 asylum seekers in Dublin Inner City who do not have the right to attend third level colleges. The course consists of four hours per week and will continue until Easter. Fourteen students signed up for the course and ten of them are regular attenders.

3.3.3.2 One World Diversity Initiative

One World is an initiative designed and spearheaded by the Community Policing Unit in Pearse Street Garda Station. The DICP has supported this innovative anti-racism initiative on a number of occasions since it commenced in 1999.

The initiative is a modular programme that rotates around inner city primary schools in the Garda B District. In each school, the project links with different partner organisations. In autumn 2004, One World was delivered for the third time in St. Enda's National School, with DICP providing financial and staff support for activities. The programme brought together foreign students from the nearby Dublin Business School and local primary school students in St. Enda's NS Together they undertook a programme of activities that encompasses classroom exercises on diversity and equality, excursions, and workshops along different themes. By participating in these modules, the local pupils learn about people from different cultural backgrounds. Collaboration with the foreign national students helps to dispel any preconceived notions about "race" and cultural stereotypes. The enjoyable aspects of the modules mean that an intercultural message is presented in a very non-threatening way. Approximately thirty primary school pupils participated. Partners in this initiative include: Garda Siochana, St. Enda's NS, Dublin Business School, WAYS (Whitefriar Area Youth Services) and DICP.

3.3.4 Strategy 4 Promoting Equality and Rights-based Approaches to Education

3.3.4.1 Equality & Rights Based Approaches to Education

The DICP Education Coordinator is involved in a working group that has been set up under the North West Inner City Network with the aim of supporting community input into the proposed Dublin Institute of Technology development at Grangegorman in Dublin 7. During 2004, the working group sought information about projects similar to Grangegorman in Ireland and other places. It is hoped that there will be community representation on Grangegorman Development Agency executive and consultative group and that local consultation will take place along best practice lines.

The Education Coordinator is involved in a group convened by the RAPID Coordinator in Dublin 8 which is looking at supports for residents of that area who progress to Further or Third level Education. At present the group is carrying out an audit of the supports already available and a study of the education profile of the area with a view to drawing up a strategy early in the 2005.

SERVICES FOR THE UNEMPLOYED - additional Information

3.4 Local Employment Service Network

This is an opportunity to highlight the linkages and integrated approach operated by the Partnership between the Services for the Unemployed measure and the LESN.

• Please provide a description of the 10% contribution by the LDSIP to the services provided the LESN and summary data on the level of activities and the number of beneficiaries in terms of full-time /part-time job placements etc.
• Please show the gender split and percentage that were previously long term unemployed.
• Also state indirect contributions such as administration etc.

During 2004, the Inner City Employment Service placed 260 inner city residents in full-time jobs, and 284 were placed in training (These quantitative outcomes are not comprehensive due to ongoing difficulties during 2004 in the IT connections to FÁS). The 2004 figures available represent a small decrease on the 2003 comparative rates. This is due to a continuing change in the client profile of ICES and the fact that in the majority, inner city disadvantaged residents using ICES services are not immediately ready for either jobs or mainstream training placement.

Comparative data from Local Employment Services in other urban areas show that, as of October 2004, the Inner City Employment Service had the highest rate of job placements, and third highest rate of overall client placements.

At the November DICP review meeting of the ICES service, David Connolly, Director of DICP complemented the employment service on its effective and efficient operations in support of DICP beneficiaries and remarked on its continuing professional development as it tackles a range of current local and national issues that were not anticipated when ICES was first established in 1996.

During 2005, Peter Nolan in collaboration with the ICES strategic management team will be involved in a root and branch review of ICES in order to address a number of uncertainties that employment services nationally are experiencing.

The following lists summarise 2004 outcomes from the Inner City Employment Service.

Job Placements

• Full-time jobs 260
• Assisted placements 41
• Job Start 3
• Self-employed Referral 2
• Workplace 2

Training Placements

• FÁS Training Centre Training 61
• Special Needs Training 23
• Contract Training 100
• Community Training 77

Labour Market Programmes

• Cumulative Community Employment 690
• Cumulative Jobs Initiative 132

National Employment Action Plan

• Client referrals directly from the Dept. of Social and Family Affairs into ICES 624

ICES Local Outreach

All four ICES Centres report that during 2004 the local outreach policy to community organisations was maintained. Collectively ICES use 30 inner city locations to host outreach clinics during 2004. This resulted in approx. 592 initial enquiries leading to a little of 240 client referrals in to ICES mediation or guidance services.

ICES Networking & Inter-Agency Activity

During 2004 ICES Centres continued to focus on networking and inter-agency activities to develop best practice protocols and better collaboration with state, community and voluntary agencies. Working directly with DSFA and FÁS as part of the National Employment Action Plan client referral procedures resulted in ICES working with approx. 389 NEAP clients during the year. ICES staff worked with FÁS IT personnel and DICP staff to finalise the introduction of the new FÁS Client Services IT System expected to be available throughout ICES in late January 2005.

ICES Linking with Employers: Each of the ICES Centres worked in co-operation with the Employer Liaison Officer on specific employer related issues. The urban myth held by some employers that the current cohort of long-term unemployed people have little or no job skills had to be addressed by the Employer Liaison Officer by visits to workplace locations and advocating on behalf of ICES job ready clients. However low education achievements, domestic, social and/or health issues, and literacy problems remain client blocks that need to be overcome for ICES job placements to be maximised.

3.5 ICTU / Centres for the Unemployed

ICTU is represented on the Partnership board but we do not provide LDSIP funding for actions delivered by Centres for the Unemployed.

4 FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTS

This is an opportunity to highlight the progress made during the year in relation to national, and local framework agreements

• Please report on supports provided under the various Framework (and similar) Agreements. For example: CE/JI, BTWEA, LESN, Teagasc
• Please also outline success of progress in implementing similar local agreements/protocols.

4.1 FÁS Framework Agreement / JI and CE

The FÁS Framework Agreement / JI and CE is operated successfully with a strong working relationship with FÁS community services and involving a wide range of local community interests through the Partnership structure. The Partnership board approved a new agreement based on the needs of the DICP action plan linked to the two programmes. There was a successful outcome in relation to sustaining JI positions during 2004 for the future.

4.2 Local Employment Service Framework for Operation Agreement

Throughout 2004, the Inner City Employment Service in co-operation with inner city offices of FÁS and with the FÁS National Employment Policy Unit, worked to enhance the inner city service provision for people who are long term unemployed, within the area of specific target groups which includes ex-prisoners, lone parents, immigrant communities and women returning to the workforce.

4.3 Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

As a consequence of DSFA eligibility criteria changes, the uptake of Back to Work Enterprise Allowance by inner city long-term unemployed residents is poor. An indication of this is that during the first half of 2004, only thirteen residents availed of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance. However, the number of general enquiries for information regarding self-employment has increased. In order to support self employment in the inner city, the Partnership allocated limited resources in November 2004 to support leverage of additional funding for this activity. The DICP service providers (Larkin Unemployed Centre and Fountain Resource Group) will continue to work with this cohort, who may not be able to avail of the BTWEA due to the three year eligibility criteria.

4.4 National Employment Action Plan

The Inner City Employment Service was up to recently the only LES that took direct referrals from the Dept. of SFA under the terms of the roll-out in the Dublin area of the National Employment Action Plan. Twelve clients from the DSFA are passed to ICES on a weekly basis. Placement outcomes remain very small from this client cohort, and this is due anecdotally to the socio-economic issues preventing the individuals from progressing into the workforce. To inform this anecdotal information, during 2005 ICES in collaboration with DICP and CTA, will conduct area-specific research into the NEAP client cohort and their progression difficulties.

Local protocols that are monitored by the DICP guarantee that NEAP clients reside within one of the four quadrant areas of the DICP geographical boundary. Furthermore, consultation between local DSFA staff and ICES personnel takes place prior to any DSFA making decisions regarding welfare payments for the individual concerned. Currently the annual referral figure into ICES from the DSFA is standing at 624.

5 Co-operation with Northern Ireland

DICP was involved in a number of cross-border initiatives during the year.

5.1 Participation and Practice of Rights Project

The Rights Project is a cross-border initiative that aims to secure social and economic rights for disadvantaged communities in North Dublin and North Belfast. The underlying concept is to support local residents to address social exclusion by making use of relevant national, EU and international agreements. The project was initiated by Inez McCormack, former President of ICTU. The sponsoring body is a collaborative group which includes the Combat Poverty Agency, Community Foundation Northern Ireland, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Committee for the Administration of Justice in Northern Ireland. During the development phase of the initiative, a number of conferences were held in Dundalk and follow-up meetings in Belfast, Derry, Galway and Dublin, to which community and human rights activists were invited. Following that process, a joint proposal was developed. During 2004, community workers from north inner city Dublin travelled to Northern Ireland for training. A seminar was held in October St. Agatha's Hall, Dublin 1, in October 2004 at which presentations were made by Inez McCormack, Lord Mayor Michael Conaghan and community activists involved in the project.

5.2 Equal at Work

Some cross border work was carried out under Equal at Work, the Dublin Employment Pact led EQUAL funded initiative the focuses on adaptability of the work environment to create more equal opportunities for target groups. The project featured a cross-border working group that produced summary documents on equality legislation in Northern Ireland and in the Republic.

The evaluation report of Equal at Work, called 'New HR Strategies to Promote Equality in Organisations: An Evaluation of the Dublin Employment Pact Equal at Work Project,' was launched on 30 September 2004. The report evaluation was carried out by completed by Hibernian Consulting.

5.3 ICES Cross-Border Co-operation

During 2004 the DICP facilitated a series of collaborative meetings between ICES, CTA and Belfast GEMS staff. The purpose of these meetings was primarily to develop client skills analyses protocols designed especially to support staff now working with clients who are directly referred into employment services by State agencies. This work is ongoing.

5.4 Belfast GEMS

The DICP Employment and Enterprise Coordinator is a member of the Advisory/Management Group for Belfast GEMS (Gasworks Area Employment Matching Service) that meets quarterly. During 2004 he provided peer supervision to GEMS Director. GEMS personnel held a joint meeting with ICES staff to develop best practice related to employment support services for clients with acute social and education levels of disadvantage.

5.5 Digital Communities Project

The Digital Communities Project now features a cross-border element, as the project is being used as a model for a similar initiative in Northern Ireland. The Belfast Digital Communities will work with four communities, in Republican and Loyalist areas of the city. A Manager has been appointed for the Belfast sites. In addition, the Dublin Project Coordinator and DIT Community Links Director have visited the project in the north to share information on the model. The Belfast sites will visit the Dublin sites on 18 January 2005.

Northern Ireland Cross Border Collaboration and funding, Participation and Practice of Rights Project, EURO 15,000

6 HORIZONTAL ISSUES

Equality Proofing Mechanisms

The Partnership agreed a set of operating principles which were developed in support of equality proofing. They give a clear outline of the Partnership's overarching objectives and modus operandi, and help ensure that Partnership activity is correctly targeted, operates to an equality agenda at all times, and results in sustainable benefits to the inner city community.

• Any investment or programme supported by the Partnership must have direct benefit for those residents of the inner city who are without work, experiencing poverty or in low income households.
• Our resources and efforts will be targeted at those of greatest need within the inner city and will aim to ensure sustainable benefit to local residents.
• The underlying value of the Partnership approach is to achieve equality of treatment, access and opportunity for inner city residents who have experienced exclusion from social and economic local development.
• The Partnership will encourage participation by residents in local programmes, organisational structures and activity and will oppose discrimination and compulsion.
• The Partnership will provide the means for transparency in local decision-making by ensuring accountability in the allocation, use and deployment of resources and funding and by identifying the intended beneficiaries.

6.1 Gender Equality

6.1.1 Gender equality policy

The Partnership is committed to achieving gender equality as part of wider equality objectives. This commitment is outlined in the Partnership's operating principles.

6.1.2 Mechanisms to ensure gender balance

The Partnership gives consideration to issues of gender balance at board, sub-committee and working group levels. To date there has been a good balance of women to men on all Partnership structures. Research carried out through the Equal at Work project during 2004 showed that three quarters of the employees in the community and voluntary sector are female and this supports a greater gender balance in local structures.

Monitoring reports from contracted organisations are required to present disaggregated data for gender.

Partnership staff have expertise in equality issues and this informs the local operation of initiatives and provision of services.

6.1.3 Positive actions have been developed to ensure equality

A number of actions are supported to specifically address equality of access, participation and outcome for women and men across LDSIP measures. These include the Gateway Project which offers pre-employment training for women, and the Inner City Childcare Network which supports the development of quality community childcare partly as an equality measure.

Although no longer providing LDSIP funding to the NWIC Women's Network, the Partnership continues to support the network through staff participation in the management committee and working group structure. The Women's Network underwent an external review during the year to assist with a refocusing of activities and to help it to meet the changing needs of the locality. The management committee was expanded during the year and a new work plan was developed and submitted to the Department. Temporary staff on work experience from The Gateway Project were given the task of organising office systems in the new premises on Manor Street. The network members met regularly to discuss planning and to finalise two pieces of research.

6.2 Equality for People with Disabilities

People with disabilities and their representative organisations are invited to Partnership meetings and included in mailing lists for the dissemination of information. Meetings are held in accessible venues.

The Partnership conducted statistical analysis during 2004 that showed that ten per cent of the inner city population has a disability. The percentage of people with disability increases with age, so that older people are more likely to have disabilities. Two fifths of people aged 65+ have a disability.

The Partnership has recently become involved in work that will more directly target people with disabilities. The first step in this work was to organise training during 2004 for DICP board and staff members, and community-based organisations. DICP is also participating on local groups dedicated to disability and providing support for disability focused organisations, including the Dublin-based Centres for Independent Living. These structures will enable people with disability to have more direct access to Partnership processes.

Partnership staff participated in a Disability Information morning held in MACRO in May 2004. The event was organised by MACRO in collaboration with DESSA. On foot of this, meetings were convened by MACRO with a view to establishing a Disability Working Group for the area. This was formally established as a working group of the area network. The Partnership is represented on the working group and will continue to support the development of the group in 2005.

The DICP Education Coordinator and Partnership Development Worker have given particular support to a consultation process around a National Leader Forum and IWA policy document.

Work on this theme will continue in 2005 and will be informed by the ADM guidelines.

6.3 Poverty Proofing

Poverty proofing is defined as: 'the process by which government departments, local authorities and state agencies assess policies and programmes at design and review stages in relation to the likely impact that they will have or have had on poverty and on inequalities which are likely to lead to poverty, with a view to poverty reduction.'

The Partnership's poverty proofing strategy is again enshrined in the operating principles, which highlight the commitment to targeting resources at those most in need. In particular, the first principle states that:

Any investment or programme supported by the Partnership must have direct benefit for those residents of the inner city who are without work, experiencing poverty or in low income households.

All activities supported by the Partnership are assessed by staff members and the Board as to their impact in terms of poverty. Each LDSIP supported initiative is assessed in relation to its impact in the following areas:

• Prevention of poverty
• Reduction of the numbers living in poverty
• Addressing the effects of poverty
• Address inequalities that might lead to poverty
• Reaching target groups living in poverty

Initiatives must also relate to the equality principles which underpin the NAPS, including:

• encouraging equal access and participation for all;
• guaranteeing the rights of minorities especially through anti-discrimination measures; and,
• reducing inequalities and, in particular, addressing the gender dimension of poverty.

6.4 Other target groups

6.4.1 Travellers

All Partnership activities take into account the accessibility and cultural appropriateness of its interventions to members of the Travelling Community. However, owing to the very small population of Travellers living in the inner city area, DICP has not directly targeted this group to date with specific initiatives. DICP worked closely during 2004 with Exchange House Travellers Service on the Equal at Work project.

6.4.2 Disability

Disability Proofing is a way of ensuring an equality outcome for people with disabilities. It is a means to support their inclusion in the development of policies and to ensure equal access to services and initiatives.

At an organisational level, DICP has endorsed an equality policy. Representative organisations of people with disabilities are invited to Partnership consultation sessions and community meetings, which are held in accessible venues.

Information is provided in a range of formats (web, direct communication, letter, newsletter, presentations).

Efforts are made to ensure that information provided by the Partnership is presented in accessible language.

6.4.3 Refugees / Asylum Seekers

The Partnership continues to be involved in intercultural working groups of local area networks. It gave financial and staff support to a multi-agency diversity programme in a local national school during 2004 (One World).

DICP staff participate on the NWIC Intercultural Working Group and the ICON Multicultural Working Group.

The NWICAN group undertook an extensive programme of activities during 2004 which included anti-racism training, an excursion to Carlingford Adventure Centre for young asylum seekers, and cultural awareness visits (e.g. to the Islamic Cultural Centre) designed to raise awareness of different religions, cultures and traditions. A final report on these activities was submitted to funders Know Racism at the year end.

The ICON group held a number of planning meetings during the year and has been working with the management of the new Dublin Multicultural Resource Centre to access funding to make the centre available as a resource to immigrant support groups in the inner city.

6.4.4 Older people

Staff support during 2004 for the North West Inner City Council of Services to Older People.

6.4.5 Other equality measures

The Partnership is a main player in a rights-based initiative that has a broad equality focus. A conference was held, called 'Dialogue on Rights' on 5 October 2004 in St. Agatha's Hall in Dublin 1. The conference was hosted by the two area networks operating in the north inner city, NWICAN and ICON.

DICP is represented on the management committee of Equal at Work, an EU EQUAL funded project that is led by the Dublin Employment Pact. The project involves over 40 organisations from different sectors and focuses on changing human resource systems to improve accessibility and equality in the workforce. A full day conference was held for Equal at Work on 22 April 2004 in Croke Park. Research findings from the community and voluntary site were launched in March. In May 2004 the Community and Voluntary working group of Equal at Work met with representatives of the Community and Voluntary sector on the White Paper Implementation Unit. In April, transnational partners came to Dublin on a learning exchange and visited some of the local sites and projects attached to the initiative. Round One of the project concluded during 2004 and an evaluation report was launched on 30 September 2004 in the Temple Bar Hotel. The project has recently been approved for Round 2 funding.

6.5 Equality measures within the organisation

The Partnership monitors gender participation on the Board and sub-group structures and is conscious of equality of access when organising events such as training. Staff have undertaken training in equality related areas (e.g. anti-racism, disability equality, employment equality legislation).

7 Future Issues

7.1 Issues to bring to the Regional Assemblies, Government Departments / EU

As highlighted at the DICP meeting in National College of Ireland in October 2004, there is a major issue around the accurate measurement of poverty in the inner city. Ongoing development and 'gentrification' of the city centre area is resulting in the masking of real poverty at very local level. The smallest area for which Census data is available is at DED level. Government funding decisions are based on deprivation indices that are compiled from DED level data. This data does not show the extent of disadvantage and marginalisation, for example, in a local authority flat complex, when new large scale private developments are situated in the same ward. To give an example, approximately thirty per cent of the entire inner city population has a third level education. On a more local level, probably only one to two per cent of Local Authority tenants in certain flat complexes are accessing third level education. This issue has been highlighted to Minister O Cuiv, Trutz Haase and to a range of community, voluntary and statutory organisations. The Partnership is concerned about the possible resource implications this will have for inner city marginalised communities.

Recently, the change in the dispersal of funding to individual projects (e.g. individual funding through the Dormant Accounts) has undermined the concept of strategic and integrated work at a local level. The Partnership has tried to counter this by seeking to ensure that the targeting of all resources obtained is within a strategic plan context.

Mainstreaming remains one of the most difficult objectives to achieve, particularly in relation to the more innovative approaches.

7.2 Barriers to the implementation of the Strategic Plan

Constraints on funding present a problem in terms of expanding or maintaining current levels of activity. In effect, the Partnership budget has significantly reduced over the last number of years, taking into account wage inflation and budget reductions.

Restrictions on resources frustrate attempts to reach out to 'hidden' populations (e.g. people with disability/ex-prisoners) who are not currently participating in community or other local structures.

The range of new structures, particularly in the local authority, has weakened the strategic and targeted approach to poverty.

Uncertainty in relation to the future of the Partnership approach also reduces commitment from the statutory sector.

8 Information / Research

Research

During 2004 the Partnership was involved in a number of research studies

• DICP staff participated in and/or gave support to the following:
• An external review of the North West Inner City Women's Network with a view to supporting its future development.
• The development of a childcare training guide for Dublin city area (Dublin City Childcare Committee)
• Finalisation of research on the needs of African women (NWIC Women's Network)
• Research on violence against women from disadvantaged communities (NWIC Women's Network)
• Support for a mapping exercise for the ICON Young People at Risk Initiative
• Production of a statistical profile of the inner city to support the 2004-06 implementation plan.
• Support for development of St Vincent's Trust Nursery strategic plan

Publications and Reports

• DICP Implementation Plan 2004-2006
• Social Cohesion Document 2004
• Partnership Agenda (DICP newsletter)
• Rattle Mag (childcare newsletter)
• SSN Newsletter (Second Level Schools Network newsletter)
• Six month progress report, Jan-Jun 2004
• Reports on review days, NCI, February and October 2004
• Report on staff review meeting, December 2004 (Stephen Rourke)

Events / Seminars

• Local Development Meeting, National College of Ireland, 24 February 2004
• Local Development Meeting, National College of Ireland, 28 October 2004
• Equal at Work meeting of Trade Unions and Community & Voluntary Sector, Croke Park, June 2004
• Dialogue on Rights Conference, St. Agatha's Hall, October 2004
• Consultation sessions (2) with disabled people regarding IWA policy document, June 2004
• Consultation session with disabled people regarding National Leader Forum, 8 Dec 2004
• Launch of Digital Communities Resource room in Dominick Street Flat complex, 28 May 2004
• Consultation for Childcare Resource Centre, National College of Ireland, 23 Nov 2004
• Closing ceremony of One World Diversity Programme in St. Enda's NS, 19 November 2004
• Meeting of partners in Equal at Work 23 January 2004 in Grand Hotel Malahide
• DICP Staff 'Creativity' Meeting 2 February 2004
• ICON Young People at Risk Seminar, 20 May 200r

8.1 APPENDIX A Target Groups - Codes

• T1, LTU > 1 year
• T2, Disadvantaged Woman/Women
• T3, Disabled Person, Disabled People, Disabled Young People
• T4, Disadvantaged Young People
• T5, Lone Parent(s), Lone Teenage Parents
• T6, Short Term Unemployed (< 1 year)
• T7, Low Income Smallholder,Low Income Farm Households
• T8, Underemployed / seasonal worker
• T9, Traveller(s), Young Travellers
• T10, Older Person (> 55 years), Older People (> 55 years)
• T11, Homeless Person, Homeless People,Young Homeless People
• T12, Asylum Seeker/Refugee(s), Young Asylum Seekers/Refugees
• T13, Ex Prisoner(s)
• T14, Substance Mis-User(s), Young Substance Mis-Users
• T15, Person from low income family unit, People with Inadequate incomes
• T16, Disadvantaged Communities
• T17, Parents/guardians/carers of young people at risk
• T18, Young Offenders
• T19, Early School Leavers
• T20, Potential Early School Leavers/Young People at risk of underachieving
• T21, Young People with behaviour/learning difficulties (ie children whose difficulties are the result of social factors rather than an impairment)

9 Appendix I

9.1 Staff

• David Connolly, Director
• Peter Nolan, Employment & Enterprise Coordinator
• Molly O'Duffy, Education Coordinator
• Emer Coveney, Partnership Development Worker
• Bernadette Berry, Administrator
• Patrick Gates, Community Regeneration Worker
• Cecilia McMullan Receptionist

[1] National Action Plan Against Poverty And Social Exclusion 2001 - 2003

http://www.welfare.ie/publications/naps/nactplan/index.html

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