COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 11, 2019

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor Emma Hendrick

That the elected members of this council call on South Dublin County Council to engage with stakeholders in the Travelling Community and Immigrant Community and come up with supports for these communities during social inclusion week, the theme of which includes anti racism, and organise a public event where stigma busting surrounding these communities is addressed

REPORT:

The Council’s Social Inclusion Unit (SIU) has an extensive work programme to ensure that those at risk of poverty and social exclusion have opportunities to participate economically, socially and culturally in their day-to-day living environment. The Unit works closely with groups that have been identified as being at greater risk of social exclusion such as: older people; ethnic minorities; disabled people; women; children and young people; Travellers and LGBTQ+.

The following sample of programmes demonstrate the range of current programmes for Travellers and migrants in the County:

• The SIU delivers a Traveller Culture Schools Project promoting positive relationships between Travellers and school children in local schools along with developing the skills and confidence of local Travellers to facilitate conversations on Travellers’ way of life and culture;
• The SIU also supports the Yellow Flag Programme in primary schools in the county - this programme was developed and pioneered by the Irish Traveller Movement to promote greater understanding and valuing of cultural diversity within school communities. It has been further developed to become more inclusive of all cultures and ethnicities, celebrate diversity and challenge racism and discrimination of all cultures and ethnicities, celebrate diversity and challenge racism and discrimination;
• The SIU runs children and adult competitions to raise awareness of racism during European Week Against Racism; and the unit works closely with the Council’s Sports & Recreation Office in delivering the Show Racism the Red Card initiative that is delivered the same week.
• Events during Social Inclusion Week and particularly the flagship event of the week, "Celebration: Social Inclusion Through the Performing Arts", are dedicated to engaging with stakeholders from all the groups identified as being at risk of social exclusion underpinning ongoing engagement with these groups by the SIU  throughout the year;
• Flavours of South Dublin is a food festival supported by the Council and aims to promote the integration of migrant communities living in South Dublin County;
• The South Dublin Migrant Integration Forum which is made up of representatives of migrant groups living in the County liaises with the SIU on a regular basis;
• The Council’s second Migrant Integration Strategy is being prepared. During the development of this strategy there was a consultation process which included distribution of an online a questionnaire to key stakeholders; and input from the South Dublin Migrant Integration Forum. A draft of the strategy will be presented to the Social and Community SPC meeting in February for consideration.

Appropriate additional supports and events such as those as suggested in the Motion will be explored in developing this year's Social Inclusion Week.