Other Structures of the CDB

Laois Rural Regeneration Partnership

This Task group promotes the viability of rural areas.

Social Inclusion Measures Working Group

The role of the Social Inclusion Measures Working Group is to promote more efficient delivery of services targeted at those who experience social exclusion by integrating the work of the agencies, both voluntary and statutory and make sure that are no gaps or overlaps in service delivery in the county. Currently, the Group  involved in the development of a Local Anti Poverty Strategy for the county. It is also involved in the development of the Inter Agency strategy for Travellers in Laois.

Social Inclusion Measures Working group

Update on Current Work:
The SIM Group has overseen the LAPS process and the development of an Interagency Strategy for Travellers (see below). It has also set up a childcare subgroup in response to a request from Portllaoise Town Council that the possibility of establishing an childcare facility in Portlaoise which is affordable by low income families be considered. The subcommittee will be examining options in this regard over coming weeks.

In preparation for the Disability Conference being organised next month, a list of services available in Laois to persons with a disability is being updated, and members of the group will assist in facilitating workshops at that event. The group will also meet with a representative of the Children and Young Persons Task Group to look at the integration and coordinator of services for young people, which is an issue raised by that group.

The group is revisiting the Integrated and Targeted Plan for Ethnic Minorities prepared two years ago so that this may be updated and implemented in  tandem with the LAPS strategy.

The Substance Abuse Task Group , which was established by SIM, has also met to prepare an application for funding from the Regional Drugs Task Group. This funding was received and will be used to conduct an assessment of the existing services for substance abusers in the county. In addition members of the County Community Forum were encouraged to apply for funding and to date funding has been received in Laois by twelve groups. These group are being brought together by the Substance Abuse Task Group over coming weeks in  order that they may network, and support each other in the implementation of their projects.

The SIM group is developing a workplan  for the new year which will be available to members at the next meeting.

Membership of the Group:

 
Ms. Julie Nevin/ Maria Carnicer
Laois Traveller Action Group
Parochial House
Portlaoise.
 
Ms. Lena Ging,
Straboe,
Portlaoise,
Co. Laois.
 
Ms. Teresa McEvoy,
Laois V.E.C.,
Ridge Road,
Portlaoise,
 
Ms. Sharon Deering,
P.C.A.P.,
Railway Street,
Portlaoise.
 
Ms. Elizabeth Quinn,
17 Roselawn,
Harpurs Lane, 
Portlaoise.
 
Mr. Tony Mahon,
Laois Education Centre,
Dublin Road,
Portlaoise.
 
Ms. Kathleen Gorman,
Laois Federation I.C.A.
Ballypickas,
Abbeyleix,
 
Ms. Ann McLoughlin,
Administrative Officer (Housing),
Laois County Council,
Aras an Chontae,
 
Ms. Ann Marie Delaney,
Director of Sevices,
Laois County Council,
Áras an Chontae,
 
Ms. Julie Whelan,
FAS Office,
James Fintan Lalor Avenue,
Portlaoise,
 
Mr. Billy Kavanagh
Senior Probation Officer,
Probation & Welfare Services,
Abbeyleix Road,
 
Ms. Mary Dolan,
Manager,
Mountmellick Development Association,
Irishtown,
 
Ms. Eileen Connolly,
D.S.F.A.
Clonminch Industrial Estate
Tullamore
 
Insp. Liam Delaney
Garda Station,
Portlaoise,
Co. Laois.
 
Ms. Muriel Dempsey,
County Childcare Committee,
6 Lismard Court,
Portlaoise.
 
Mr. Padraig Lyons,
National Learning Network,
Dublin Road,
Portlaoise.
 
Ms. Celia Devrall,
County Forum,
Beechwood House,
Kilmullen
 
Ms. Mairead Reynolds
Dept. Education & Science,
Friar's Mill Road,
Mullingar,
 
Mr. Pat Osborne,
Childcare Manager,
Health Executive Authority
Arden Road,
 
Mr. Declan Byrne
Director of Services
Laois County Council,
Aras an Chontae
 
Ms. Sarah Shakespeare,
Cul le Cheile,
Oriel House
Main St.,
 
Ms. Anne Goodwin
Laois LEADER,
Peppers Court,
Portlaoise
 
Ms. Pamela Bergin,
Knockmay Resource Centre,
Knockmay,
Portlaoise
 
Mr.Jim Gorman
FÁS,
George’s Street,
Droichead Nua,