13/12/2005

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 The information below may be out of date.

“ A milestone in the story of Jobstown; a pioneering project that could be copied with good effect by other areas”  were some of the comments made at the official launch by the Mayor of South Dublin Co. Co., Councillor Therese Ridge of the new Community Employment Security Project at the Pastoral Centre, Jobstown, last Wednesday 7th December 2005.

Mr Seamus Massey, Principal of St. Thomas Junior School, and a sponsor of the scheme, spoke of the great debt we owed to FAS, the Tallaght Partnership and our local leaders for a scheme which provides much needed security in the Parish campus including the All Weather Facility, the Church, Schools, Pastoral Centre, and Family Centres.  He compared the last two summers in the school alone, 2004 came with a vandalism bill for €30,000; in 2005 he had to make no claims for vandalism.  This is now being reflected in the high morale among the teachers and a chance to get on with the job. 

Harry Toher, FAS, praised the work of the Sponsor Board, the supervisors, Patricia Nugent, Mary Kenny and Evelyn Connaughton and the participants.  He said the project was like a light in the darkness for Jobstown.

In attendance were Councilors Cathal King, John Hannon, Marie Corr, Karen Warren, and Senator Brian Hayes , our local community leaders and the participants on the Community Employment Project.  Fr Val Martin, Chairperson of the Sponsor Group, Fr John Ennis, Sr. Maura Fanning and the Parish Staff put together a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and made everybody feel welcome.