COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
MOTION NO. 2
MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy
Cathaoirleach's Business
"That this Committee compliments the County Librarian and the staff of Lucan Library on the many initiatives implemented to provide innovative serrvices in and by the Library, and requests an updated report on current projects/programmes provided by residents seeking employment, including a list of such projects/programmes and the numbers of participants."
REPORT:
The staff of Lucan Library are currently planning and delivering a range of support programmes for people seeking employment, coping with the stresses of unemployment and considering a new career or entrepreneurial activity. An annual survey of computer usage in Lucan Library indicated that the most significant single user group was unemployed people aged 36-50 years who were using the online services to carry out research across a broad spectrum of information sources. Lucan Library supports these citizens with information services, online resources, free internet access, online newspapers, workshops, seminars and exhibitions. Usage of computers in Lucan Library has increased by 25% in 2012.
The Future Options program delivered by CPLN Area Local Employment Service in Lucan Library earlier this year on a pilot basis is to become a formal programme to be delivered from the library on an ongoing basis beginning in January 2013. The dates and detail of the programme are currently being negotiated and will be available to the elected members very soon. The Local Employment Service in Lucan and Clondalkin works in partnership with both Fas and the Department of Social Protection to provide adult careers guidance to those who have been made redundant and also those who are long term unemployed. Traditionally these services are offered on a one to one basis but have on behalf of CPLN LES (Clondalkin, Palmerston, Lucan and Newcastle) a group programme has been devised, the main objective being to provide an opportunity for socialisation and interaction with peers for those who can commonly become isolated from their communities simply because they are unemployed. The modules will include Skills Exploration; Career Goal Setting; Prioritising Career Goals; Career Action Plans; Interest and psychometric assessments; Self Marketing to employers; Creating Personal Networks; Interview Preparation; Designing a C.V.
It is also planned to liaise with a range of other agencies across Lucan in February 2013 when the library service will deliver our Business Month programme of business support. This will include partners such as the Enterprise Board, CPLN, MABS, FAS (Solas Ireland) and the Innovation Enterprise Network. Activities currently being planned will include Start Up business information sessions, financial information workshops, and digital training.
Ongoing support for people seeking employment includes a monthly meeting of the Innovation Enterprise Network (19th October Lucan Library 10am)
This meeting welcomes all high-skilled / professionals who are currently without work and who would like to participate in and benefit from the mutual support of an active and tailored network of like-minded peers. The session outlines support in the areas of:
- Mutual Peer Support
- Legal and Finance Enterprise Clinics
- Dedicated Access to Enterprise Board Mentoring
- Weekly Professional Networking Sessions
- Calendar of Events, Workshops, Presentations and Seminars
- Hotdesk Office in Tallaght Available FREE to all Members
- Online News Desk, Events Calendar and Members Forum
- Access to Targeted Existing State and Local Enterprise and Training
- Member-only Social Networking Events
On Tuesday 13th November at 7pm a workshop entitled Co-operative Organisations will be given by Seamus O'Donoghue of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society. This society (ICOS) is a co-operative umbrella organisation serving and promoting commercial co-operative businesses and enterprise, across multiple sections of the Irish economy.
On Tuesday 20th November 7pm a four week programme on Life Coaching will begin with Claire Byrne. The programme helps individuals currently in difficulty for many reasons including unemployment to explore their personal goals and decide on a way forward that works for them.