13/11/2008
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
PR Unit
Press Release issued 13th November 2008
Social Inclusion Awareness Week
Monday 24th November 2008 Wednesday 3rd December
Mayor Marie Corr in the presence of Mr. John Moloney, TD., Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health will officially launch South Dublin County Social Inclusion Awareness Week on Monday 24th November at 12.00 pm in County Hall, Tallaght.
The aim of this week is to highlight the positive work carried out by South Dublin County Council and other agencies to reduce social exclusion and poverty, and to promote an understanding of social inclusion and diversity in the County.
Social Inclusion is the process which ensures that those at risk of poverty and social exclusion gain the opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life and to enjoy a standard of living and well-being that is considered normal in the society in which they live (Joint Report by the Commission and the Council on Social Inclusion, Office for Official Publications of the European Union). South Dublin County Council plays a key role in the direct delivery of social inclusion actions, programmes and supports to the communities.
Social Inclusion Awareness Week 2008 will have a particular focus on Disability, because we wish to have a county where people with disabilities have, to the greatest extent possible, the opportunity to live a full life with their families as part of their local community and to be free from discrimination. Disability is a priority issue for South Dublin County Council, as set out in their Disability Act Implementation Plan 2008. The aim of this plan is to provide disabled people with equality of opportunity to access, and the opportunity to participate in the social, economic, environmental and cultural life of South Dublin County.
During the week there will be a varied programme of events, including the opening of a Garden for All Seasons in Sean Walsh Park in Tallaght by Mayor Marie Corr. South Dublin County Council Parks Department and The Social Inclusion Unit have been working in partnership with Menni Services in Tallaght (connected to St. Johns of Gods) in the creation of a sensory garden where the clients (Children & Adults with Disabilities) of Menni Services will have an outdoor garden for horticultural therapy and instruction), the staging of Michael Collins play Mobile in the Civic Theatre Tallaght, The launch of the cookery book, Flavours of Home by Mayor Marie Corr in the Council Chamber, a Tea Dance for older people in the Red Cow Inn Clondalkin, art classes for young people in the new County Library in Tallaght, a Disability Awareness Day for Council and HSE staff, and much more.
A detailed schedule for the Week has been developed and is available on our website: http://socialinclusion.southdublin.ie
Contact Persons: Maria Finn, Social Inclusion Officer and Sandra Hickey, Staff Officer
Tele: 4149270 086 3803060
Ends