COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 11, 2016

QUESTION NO.8

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to detail actions being taken by the Council to promote Integration in our County.

REPLY:

The Community Development/Sports/Social Inclusion/Arts Teams work with many voluntary and community groups, agencies and statutory bodies on various initiatives to support integration in all aspects of community life including integration through sports, arts and community development programmes. The teams will continue to work with individuals and development groups in the county on issues facing Travellers, Migrants, people with a disability etc.

The South Dublin County 6 year Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) has been developed following a year of consultation and collaboration involving stakeholders from the community and economic development sectors in the County and provides a series of actions aimed to improve the quality of life and opportunities for all residents of the County. While actions are not specifically designed with integration in mind, the actions support all residents to take an active role in the community and economic life of the County.

An Inclusive County, South Dublin County Integration Strategy 2013-2017 was developed to enable all communities to fully participate in society by promoting an inclusive and dynamic environment in South Dublin County where residents are valued, regardless of their nationality, religion or ethnic background.  Work on implementing this strategy continues.  South Dublin County Council supports a Migrant Forum which provides a forum for representatives of the New Communities in South Dublin to collaborate, network and be a common voice of the communities towards achieving social inclusion, integration and participation in the decision making process.

The Councils Anti Social Strategy recognises that integration is one of the challenges faced by South Dublin County Council and work is ongoing between the Housing Department, local communities and relevant agencies to promote integration.