A seminar highlighting mental health, debt, rural isolation and integration issues in the Mid-West will take place in Co Limerick on Monday 18th October next to mark the start of Social Inclusion Week.
Limerick City and County Councils are running a number of events during this week, which runs from 17th to 23rd October, to create awareness and develop a greater understanding of social inclusion issues.
Next Monday’s ‘Living with Dignity’ Seminar at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare aims to recognise the right of Limerick people experiencing poverty and social inclusion to live in dignity and to play a full part in society.
Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Maria Byrne, said the aim of the seminar is to explore responses to social inclusion issues facing communities throughout Limerick city and county.
“The challenge for local politicians and policymakers and all service providers, community and voluntary groups is to identify needs and implement policies and actions that will ensure that all who live and reside in Limerick can do so with dignity,” she said.
Mayor Byrne added: “During Social Inclusion Week all residents of Limerick will have the chance to learn and experience the great work being undertaken by many organisations and individuals in Limerick City and County and I would encourage participation from all sectors of the community as we strive to combat poverty and social exclusion.”
Cllr. Richard Butler, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council commented: “I wish to acknowledge the valuable work being undertaken by a large number of local groups and agencies across Limerick to address poverty and promote social inclusion.”
“Ireland is currently experiencing challenging times. The challenge can only be met by working together as one community, one in which social inclusion and a united front is developed to help us strengthen our community and our economy. That is why social inclusion is so important and holds the key to Ireland’s future prosperity”, added the Cathaoirleach.
Featured speakers at the upcoming seminar include Josephine Cotter-Coughlan, Director of Service, Limerick County Council; Pat Dowling, Director of Service, Limerick City Council; Dr Patrick Ryan, Director of Clinical Psychology in UL; John Lawless from the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and Professor Denis Ryan, The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Institute of Ireland.
There also will be sessions on ‘Integrating Policies as well as People’. Speakers will include Eugene Quinn, Limerick Integration Working Group; Mary Kennedy, Limerick County Traveller Interagency Steering Committee and Brendan Kenny from Limerick Regeneration.
According to Eugene Quinn, Joint Chair of the Limerick Integration Working Group: “The country is facing not only an economic and fiscal crisis but a deeper crisis of confidence, of leadership and of values. People living at the margins of Irish society are most vulnerable to policy and service changes as the country faces into a 'hair-shirt' budget.”
He continued: “Mental health, debt, rural isolation and integration are real issues for Irish society and people who live here. Social inclusion measures cannot be just an optional add-on when times are good rather it is a long term commitment by Irish society to ensure all who live and reside on this island can do so with dignity.”
2010 has been designated EU year for combating poverty and social exclusion. Both Limerick City and County Councils aim through this week’s series of events to highlight social inclusion initiatives, to encourage participation from all sectors of the community and to raise awareness of local social inclusion initiatives.
Other events that are taking place throughout Social Inclusion Week include:
Thursday, October 20th:
- Older Persons Bingo and Afternoon Tea Event - City Hall, Limerick
- Tea for Two - CDP Office, Abbeyfeale
- Family Fun Day - Desmond Complex, Newcastle West
Friday, October 21st
- Information Sessions for Members of the Travelling Community- Childers Road
- Promoting positive values through Music and Song - Galvone National School
- Comhairle na nÓg- City Hall
Saturday, October 22nd
- Photo Exhibition “The Poverty Project 2010- Building an Inclusive Society”- The Butter Market Gallery, Upper William Street, Limerick.
Social Inclusion Week is part of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, which aims to raise awareness about poverty and social exclusion in Europe.
Some events in Social Inclusion Week are subject to change of date and venue. For further information, please contact Valerie Thompson, Limerick County Council, 061-496368 or Deirdre Crowe, Limerick City Council, 061-407309.
Limerick City and County Councils are running a number of events during this week, which runs from 17th to 23rd October, to create awareness and develop a greater understanding of social inclusion issues.
Next Monday’s ‘Living with Dignity’ Seminar at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare aims to recognise the right of Limerick people experiencing poverty and social inclusion to live in dignity and to play a full part in society.
Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Maria Byrne, said the aim of the seminar is to explore responses to social inclusion issues facing communities throughout Limerick city and county.
“The challenge for local politicians and policymakers and all service providers, community and voluntary groups is to identify needs and implement policies and actions that will ensure that all who live and reside in Limerick can do so with dignity,” she said.
Mayor Byrne added: “During Social Inclusion Week all residents of Limerick will have the chance to learn and experience the great work being undertaken by many organisations and individuals in Limerick City and County and I would encourage participation from all sectors of the community as we strive to combat poverty and social exclusion.”
Cllr. Richard Butler, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council commented: “I wish to acknowledge the valuable work being undertaken by a large number of local groups and agencies across Limerick to address poverty and promote social inclusion.”
“Ireland is currently experiencing challenging times. The challenge can only be met by working together as one community, one in which social inclusion and a united front is developed to help us strengthen our community and our economy. That is why social inclusion is so important and holds the key to Ireland’s future prosperity”, added the Cathaoirleach.
Featured speakers at the upcoming seminar include Josephine Cotter-Coughlan, Director of Service, Limerick County Council; Pat Dowling, Director of Service, Limerick City Council; Dr Patrick Ryan, Director of Clinical Psychology in UL; John Lawless from the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and Professor Denis Ryan, The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Institute of Ireland.
There also will be sessions on ‘Integrating Policies as well as People’. Speakers will include Eugene Quinn, Limerick Integration Working Group; Mary Kennedy, Limerick County Traveller Interagency Steering Committee and Brendan Kenny from Limerick Regeneration.
According to Eugene Quinn, Joint Chair of the Limerick Integration Working Group: “The country is facing not only an economic and fiscal crisis but a deeper crisis of confidence, of leadership and of values. People living at the margins of Irish society are most vulnerable to policy and service changes as the country faces into a 'hair-shirt' budget.”
He continued: “Mental health, debt, rural isolation and integration are real issues for Irish society and people who live here. Social inclusion measures cannot be just an optional add-on when times are good rather it is a long term commitment by Irish society to ensure all who live and reside on this island can do so with dignity.”
2010 has been designated EU year for combating poverty and social exclusion. Both Limerick City and County Councils aim through this week’s series of events to highlight social inclusion initiatives, to encourage participation from all sectors of the community and to raise awareness of local social inclusion initiatives.
Other events that are taking place throughout Social Inclusion Week include:
Thursday, October 20th:
- Older Persons Bingo and Afternoon Tea Event - City Hall, Limerick
- Tea for Two - CDP Office, Abbeyfeale
- Family Fun Day - Desmond Complex, Newcastle West
Friday, October 21st
- Information Sessions for Members of the Travelling Community- Childers Road
- Promoting positive values through Music and Song - Galvone National School
- Comhairle na nÓg- City Hall
Saturday, October 22nd
- Photo Exhibition “The Poverty Project 2010- Building an Inclusive Society”- The Butter Market Gallery, Upper William Street, Limerick.
Social Inclusion Week is part of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, which aims to raise awareness about poverty and social exclusion in Europe.
Some events in Social Inclusion Week are subject to change of date and venue. For further information, please contact Valerie Thompson, Limerick County Council, 061-496368 or Deirdre Crowe, Limerick City Council, 061-407309.
