COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to confirm actions being taken to implement the Council's Social Inclusion Policy; will he detail initiatives in that regard and make a statement.

REPLY:

The Council's Social Inclusion Unit deliver an annual programme of events, activities, competitions, initiatives and projects to encourage participation by everyone in the community and to promote inclusion and access for all.  This programme is in line with our obligations and responsibilities under the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Actions taken by the Council to promote social inclusion include:

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme

In 2020, €2.1 million has been allocated the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), which represents a 3% increase on the 2019 allocation. SICAP provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. The programme is managed at a local level by the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) with support from the Council.  Actions are delivered by South Dublin County Partnership as the Programme Implementer with key performance indicators measuring the taregtting of local community groups and individuals under the programme achieved in 2019.  Actions to support the Homeless and Roma Homeless are being considered as part of the 2020 SICAP work plan that is due to be considered by the LCDC at its meting on 12th February 2020.

Migrant Integration Strategy

The Council's Social Inclusion Strategy 2019-2023 "A More Inclusive County", is centred on five themes underpinned by specific targeted actions. The themes of the strategy are:

For each of the 55 identified actions under the above themes there are lead department/agency with clearly defined target outcomes.

An internal monitoring group at a senior level across the Council has been established to oversee implementation of the Strategy and progress reports will be presented to the SPC.

Social Inclusion Festival and Celebrations

Our Social Inclusion Festival provides a platform to highlight social inclusion initiatives and promote active citizenship.  In 2019, over 60 events were attended by more than 3,100 people.  A review of the 2019 Social Inclusion Festival together recommendations on ensuring the 2020 Festival is more targeted and delivers on our social inclusion objectives will be brought to the Social, Community and Equality SPC.

Traveller Culture Schools Project

This project seeks to promote positive relationships between Travellers and school children in local schools and to develop the skills and confidence of local Travellers to facilitate conversations on Travellers’ way of life and culture.  The project is funded by the Department of Justice and Equality and has been delivered to over 7,000 children living in South Dublin County.

The Social Inclusion Unit are examining how to extend this programme to include other ethnic groups in the County in 2020.

Bealtaine Festival

Every year the Council organises a number of events during the month of May to celebrate the Bealtaine festival producing an associated brochure of the programme of events aimed at older persons.  In 2019, some 94 events were held around the County and over 2,300 attended.  Expressions of interest and proposals for 2020 are now being sought from relevant groups.

Flavours of South Dublin

This free family festival, which attracts up to 8,000 people annually, showcases the wide variety of ethnic and cultural groups living and working within South Dublin County Council area through food, entertainment and a craft village. Planning for the 2020 event (14th June) is already underway with the Migrant Forum and colleagues in other Council Departments.

European Action Week Against Racism:

To highlight European Week Against Racism, the Social Inclusion Unit holds a Schools art competition which aims to combat racism, celebrate diversity and promote the social inclusion of people living in Ireland today. It is intended for 2020, to also run an online video campaign to highlight the impact of Racism and promote a cultural awareness and understanding.

Africa Day

In 2919, expression of interest were sought from community groups around the County to get involved in Africa Day, resulting in six community groups being selected to organise and host Africa Day celebrations in May.  Proposals are now being organised for Africa Day 2020.