South Dublin County Council Integration Strategy 2019 - 2023 Launched

01/05/2019

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Mayor Ward Launches South Dublin County Council Integration Strategy 2019 – 2023 'A More Inclusive County'

The Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr. Mark Ward, officially launched South Dublin County Council’s Integration Strategy 2019 – 2023 'A More Inclusive County' on Monday 29 April 2019 at 5.30 pm in County Hall, Tallaght.

In his speech Mayor Ward acknowledged the “positive contribution to South Dublin” that the migrant communities “have already made and will continue to make”. The Mayor went on to say that “the foundation of any strategy must be the lived experience of those it is intended to serve” and that “this is not just a strategy for South Dublin County Council alone, it is for the County” that “the onus is on us all as partner organisations and individual citizens, to ensure the actions identified in ‘A More Inclusive County’ are realised”.

Councillor Deirdre O’Donovan, Chairperson of the Social and Community Strategic Policy Committee spoke about ‘A More Inclusive County’ and how the each of the “56 actions listed under the five strategic themes of: (1) Inclusive Communities (2) Lifelong Learning (3) Enterprise and Employment (4) Health and Wellbeing and (5) Inclusive Service Delivery have clearly identified ‘success indicators’ so that we can ensure these actions are progressed and targets set are achieved”. Councillor O’Donovan described the strategy “as not a stand-alone document. It must underpin our approach to service delivery and inform our plans and policies across the Council to ensure there are equal and fair opportunities for members of migrant communities.” She also acknowledged “the role of my colleagues on the Social and Community Strategic Policy Committee have played in developing this Policy. As a committee of the Council, our role is to advise and assist the Council in the formulation, development and review of policy.  The Committee has completed its task diligently in this regard.”

Finally, Daniela Jurj, a volunteer with the Romanian Community of Ireland and member of the South Dublin Migrant Integration Forum spoke about the importance of the strategy for new communities in South Dublin and also her experience living and integrating into Ireland since moving here 18 years ago.  She commended South Dublin County Council’s Social Inclusion Unit and the work of the South Dublin Migrant Integration Forum. She added she is looking forward to South Dublin County Council’s annual Flavours Food Festival, Health and Wellbeing Week and Social Inclusion Week and the opportunities for members of migrant communities to take part.

The evening was a great success with entertainment from a local choir from MacUillaim Estate known as the “Soulworks Singers” and a special performance from Nia Thekkumthala, a talented young dancer from India, who performed a traditional Indian dance.

ENDS

For more information, contact South Dublin County Council’s Communications Unit at communications@sdublincoco.ie

IMAGE 1 – Mayor Mark Ward

IMAGE 2 – Soulworks Singers

IMAGE 3 – Nia Thekkumthala

IMAGE 4 – Cllr Deirdre O’Donovan

IMAGE 5 – Daniela Jurj

IMAGE 6 – Mayor Mark Ward

IMAGE 7 - Nia Thekkumthala

IMAGE 8 - Nia Thekkumthala

About South Dublin County Council

South Dublin County is one of four local authority areas in the Dublin region.

South Dublin County Council provides and funds a broad range of services including housing, roads, walking and cycling routes, parks and playgrounds, libraries, sports facilities, litter control, arts centres, enterprise units, fire services, community infrastructure and financial supports. It also serves as a platform for local democracy with 40 councillors spread across six electoral areas.

Bounded by the River Liffey to the North and the Dublin Mountains to the South, the County lies 16 kilometres south-west of Dublin city centre and has an administrative footprint of 223sq. kilometres. The County has nine main villages Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Rathfarnham, Tallaght, Templeogue, Saggart, Rathcoole and Newcastle and is bounded by adjoining counties of Wicklow, Kildare, Dublin City, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire.

Images

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  IMAGE 1 - Mayor Mark Ward
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  IMAGE 2 - Soulworks Singers
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  IMAGE 3 - Nia Thekkumthala
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  IMAGE 4 - Cllr Deirdre O'Donovan
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  IMAGE 5 - Daniela Jurj
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  IMAGE 6 - Mayor Mark Ward
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  IMAGE 7 - Nia Thekkumthala
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  IMAGE 8 - Nia Thekkumthala