Annual Activity Report 2017

FINGAL LEADER PARTNERSHIP

Contents

1. Introduction 3

2. Rural Dublin LEADER (DRL) 4

3. Tús Programme 13

4. Jobs Club 21

5. Organisation Development 23

6. Board of Directors 26

7. Staff 28

1. Introduction 2017 has been another very successful year for Fingal Leader Partnership. The Dublin Rural LEADR programme got off to a very strong start with project targets being met and, in some cases, exceeded. The Tús Programe has seen the successful placement of over 200 participants with over 130 participating non-profit organisations, assisting them to deliver much needed services for our local communities. The Care and Repair and the new Computer Home Support services operated under the Tús programme continues to go from strength to strength. The Jobs Club ensured that over half of all clients during the year either successfully regained employment or went on to further education. 2017 also saw the very successful move to our new offices and the integration of services into our new premises at DSV House in Swords Business Park. In February 2017 we appointed our new CEO, Dr. Chris O’Malley who, over the past year, has been successfully planning, formulating and managing the change process within the company. On behalf of the board I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his guidance, direction, hard work and commitment to the company since his appointment. I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our Deputy CEO, Phil Moore, for her hard work and dedication to the company over the past number of years. Her knowledge and experience of the various programmes undertaken by the company during that time has been invaluable. Thanks also to the various teams that deliver the programmes and make it all happen on a day to day basis. Finally, I want to acknowledge the great work being done at board level and to thank my fellow directors for their contribution and commitment during the year. We look forward to continuing the great work that has been achieved to date and look forward to continuing to build a stronger and more dynamic company in 2018 and beyond.

Chris Harmon Chairperson

1. Rural Dublin LEADER (DRL)

The LEADER Programme in Dublin provides funding support for community-led local development projects outside the larger urban areas (see map). The 2014- 2020 Programme has funding of €6.4m and got underway from September 2016 with a schedule of events, meetings consultations. In the course of 2017, the first tranche of projects came successfully through the application and approval process.

The programme is based on the Local Development Strategy, adopted by the Local Action Group (LAG) whose membership represents the operational area of Fingal, South Dublin County and Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, and was approved by the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The programme budget allocation is structured according to the priorities of the Local Development Strategy, under the following Themes and Sub- Themes:

Themes % of Budget Sub-Themes 1. Economic Development, 50 % 1.1 Rural Tourism Enterprise Development & Job 1.2 Enterprise Development Creation 1.3 Revitalising Rural Towns 2. Social Inclusion 25 % 2.1 Basic Services for “hard to reach” 2.2 Rural youth

3. Rural Environment 25 % 3.1 Protection and sustainable use of water resources 3.2 Protection & Improvement of local biodiversity 3.3 Development of renewable energy

Project promoters are required to go through a 15-stage approval process in order to have their projects approved by the LAG. While Fingal County Council, as Financial Partner of the programme services the LAG, the role of the FLP Rural Development Officers in Fingal Leader Partnership is to advise and support the applicants through the complex process involved, and ensure that the maximum number of eligible projects are able to receive support. Also key to the process has been the Independent Evaluation Committee composed of voluntary external experts. The Committee began its deliberations in 2017 and was critical to the projects that were approved.

EOIs received in 2017 - Status and County split: Total EOI's Received Rolling Targeted County Split 61 35 26 F SD DLR Breakdown 40 15 6

LEADER Projects Contracts issued Rural Tourism Millbank Theatre Marketing Plan Harry Clarke A Window into the Peninsula Dunsoghly Castle Feasibility Feasibility Study at Ardgillan Castle Fingal Food Experiences Fingal Food Provenance Programme Fingal Food Trail Redevelopment of Paws at Ardgillan Dog friendly cafe Enterprise Development Colin Harris Business Development Marketing / Leaflet drop of bus timetable in North Fingal Rural Area Upgrade of IT equipment pcs laptops and firewall Hedgestown Boarding Kennels Staropolska Business Expansion Project Social Inclusion/ Basic services Glenasmole Community Centre Men’s shed Donabate Portrane Donabate Portrane Community Stage Remember Us Upgrade Ringcommons Sports Centre Facilities Rosanna Hall Renovation Social Inclusion/Rural Youth Samhain Festival Rural Environment Ballyboughal Environmental Workshops Series

The Dublin Rural LEADER team continued to promote and raise awareness of the LEADER Programme throughout 2017 with additional information events across the operational area. The team also utilised Digital Marketing platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and the DRL website to increase the level of interest and encourage applications for support through the programme. A series of video interviews with programme clients, who successfully completed their projects and received funding support through the LEADER Programme was published on the DRL website. In line with the ethos of Community Led Local Development (CLLD) and the LEADER programme we forged links with other agencies/organisations providing supports for communities, enterprises, rural youth, and others.

Projects Approved in 2017 by Theme:

• Ardgillan Castle- PAWS Dog Cafe • Fingal Tourism - Fingal Food Trail • Bleeding Pig Festival Rural Tourism

• Antoinette Carroll - Dog Kennels • Staropolska Bakery • Colin Harris - Craft Furnture Rural Enterprise

• Roseanna Community Hall • Remember Us - Special Needs facility • Ringcommons Community Centre Social Inclusion • Glanasmole Community Centre

• Ballyboughal Hedgerow Society Environment

Testimonials:

“We applied to Dublin Rural LEADER for a grant and in 2017 we were successful. That has made such a huge, huge difference for us. It has meant that we can complete our fit out fully.”

Nora Roban- Remember Us

“Without the guidance of Dublin Rural LEADER, we’d still be in existence, I am sure, but we would not have the direction going forward. I would so strongly recommend any community group to just don’t be afraid and lift the phone, even if you don’t know what you want.

It’s a sin that so many communities are not availing of this, maybe not because they don’t want to, but maybe they are not fully aware of this.”

Michael Maher- Retired Active Men Social

“I feel that this LEADER investment in the business has made a significant step change in both the sales and marketing and the efficiency of

production which were identified as key elements to improve in order to make the business sustainable. I am delighted to be now working full time in the business and I am very excited about the possibilities for growth in

the future.

I would sincerely like to thank Dublin Rural LEADER for all of their help and support without which I could not have achieved this significant development in my business.” Colin Harris Development Business

“Definitely it will help other businesses to go for the grant. I definitely

recommend it. I would say do your “homework”, don’t take shortcuts with the paperwork, make sure everything is all right and it will run smoothly.” Anthony Byrne- Calliaghstown Equestrian Centre

“Our committee are very pleased with the project. The parking facilities within the grounds make the community hall a much safer place for people attending clubs and functions and the improved lighting and

security cameras give people ease of mind and has encouraged more people to attend community events. The new rockeries with the lovely stone work are a beautiful feature and the new spotlights highlight the

beautiful oak tree and the new shrubs. We are looking forward to seeing the full benefit of the improvements.”

Bernie Farrelly - Rosanna Hall

Project Case Studies:

(1) Upgrade of Ring Commons Sports Centre Facilities

The Ring Commons Sports Centre is located on the Bog of the Ring Road of the old Balbriggan Road. As the name suggests the Ring Commons Sports Centre caters sports groups but it is also the only community facility in the area. The Ring Commons sport centre was set up in 1977 and developed from 10 acres of reclaimed wetland and consists of GAA, cricket, soccer and rugby ground and pitch and putt. The FAS Community Employment office for the area is also located on the site and Community participants have undertaken training programmes in areas such as horticulture, green- keeping, pitch marking, health and safety, first aid and computer skills. There are 25 community groups in total using the site and 17 sporting clubs using the facilities. The promoters have completed the tarmac of the area in front of the centre to enable greater access to the centre replacing the gravel surface. They further intend to erect security fencing closing off a bog river running parallel to the centre.

(2) Feasibility Study for the Development of Dunsoghly Castle in St Margarets

This project is about the preparation of a Development Study for Dunsoghly Castle in St Margarets, County Dublin. Dunsoghly Castle is situated on the Lyons family farm and they are keen to commission this study to investigate the tourism potential of developing the site into a rural tourism attraction. The Tower House and Chapel are part of the National Monument in the ownership of the State and the reminder of the National Monument Area is in the ownership of Lyons Family. There is no public

8 right of way to the monument and public access is allowed subject to agreement with Lyons family. The land surrounding the National Monument is part of a working farm. The objectives of this Development Study are to assist in drawing up proposals for the development, conservation and presentation of the entire monument and for the appropriate development facilities in a sustainable manner. The project involves fully scoping through the study the potential of creating a significant heritage attraction which will be complemented by the restoration of the castle by OPW. The main parts of the study will be the type of potential attraction to be established, how they should be delivered, a comprehensive financial plan including the identification of funding streams, sustainable project management, implementing a partnership approach.

(3) Roseanna Hall External Upgrade

The hall has been managed, maintained and run by a committee of local volunteers since it opened. The current committee are all established members of the community living in the area. They and their families have a long-standing involvement and commitment to the community and the activities and the events organised there. They have a wide range of interests and skills which they put to best use in the interest of the committee and hall.

Their local objective is to build the capacity and social capital among the most marginalised communities, through improved access to social, recreational, educational and economical supports and opportunities.

The entire community will benefit from upgrade of this focal centre in Bohernabreena. To date the hall has not been user friendly for people with disabilities or for the elderly in the winter months. This programme of work will see the realisation of a long-term plan to modernise the hall and make it safer and more attractive to all members of the community and lessen rural isolation.

(4) Feasibility Study at Ardgillan Castle

Ardgillan Castle Ltd is a not for profit company formed by Fingal County Council in 2010 to control activities within the public amenity of Ardgillan Castle. The board of directors is comprised of members of local; community in the Balbriggan, Skerries and surrounding area and it is in this “community” context that the board has been assembled. The project is to carry out a feasibility study on the currently inaccessible areas of the castle to determine what would be the best use for these spaces as tourism and community ventures. The spaces include two large courtyards, and the west wing of the house which has two floors, these latter spaces will be referred to as the Servants’ Quarters and the Laundry. The feasibility study would need to outline the best use for these spaces which will sympathise with the current business objectives and operations.

The aim would be to utilise the currently inaccessible areas of the property to allow for increased access to the castle and development of our tourism offering whilst also creating further engagement with the community through utilisation and animation of these spaces. The areas include spaces that could be for community, retail and tourism related activities. An auditorium/event space and performance space desired outcomes from the study.

Opportunities for income generation and funding are key factors for the study to consider so that developments needing capital works are feasible.

Ardgillan Castle have also received support to upgrade and extend their outdoor café space (PAWS) to allow for visitors to bring their dogs to the cafe with them.

(5) Remember Us

Remember Us, a registered charity, was established in 1998 by Nora Roban, to provide an outlet for special needs children and their families, both of whom often experience severe social isolation and lack of available supports. Since then over 250 families participate in the activities offered by Remember Us, who often describe it as a “lifeline”. The charity offers groups of children and adults in four age groups and also various camps and longer programmes as well as breaks for the families. The costs of all the clubs and activities are subsidised by Remember Us by 50 %. Professional tutors are

10 hired by the charity which also organises transport. Remember Us has a voluntary board. It only has a full time paid staff position, relying heavily on volunteers and people on work placements. The staff member looks after administration and support to the families. Remember Us is heavily involved in fundraising to be able to continue offering the services to its members. For the oversight of this project they have set up a steering committee and design team including an architect, a project manager, a quantity surveyor and engineer.

The promoters are seeking to extend the mezzanine of their freshly purchased building and retrofit the ground floor also to make it fit for purpose. Furthermore, they wish to establish an office room, a sport hall, a kitchen, a recreation and gaming room, a number of activity rooms, a sensory room, a meeting room, a family room, a storage space and toilets, fit to be used by members with limited mobility.

Members of Key LEADER Decision-Making Bodies (December 2017) Local Action Group

Institute of Technology Blanchardstown Dr. Pat O’Connor (Chair) Fingal County Council Cllr. Tony Murphy Fingal County Council Ed Hearne Fingal Local Enterprise Office Oisin Geoghegan South Dublin County Council Cllr. Paula Donovan South Dublin County Council Billy Coman Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Cllr. Peter O’Brien Fingal LCDC Social Inclusion Alice Davis Fingal LCDC Environmental Maire O’Brien Fingal LCDC Agriculture Lawrence Ward South Dublin LCDC Environmental Justin Byrne South Dublin LCDC Community & Voluntary Prof. Mary Corcoran Dun Laoghaire LCDC Local Development Cormac Shaw South Dublin LCDC Environmental Tom Kivlehan Fingal LCDC Local Development Adeline O’Brien South Dublin LCDC Local Development Larry O’Neill Fingal Leader Partnership Dr. Chris O’Malley

Independent Evaluation Committee

Michael Maher Social Inclusion Gillian Blackburn Social Inclusion Jim Colgan Social Inclusion Des English Economic Development Billy Linehan Economic Development Charlie Cullen Economic Development Elaine O’ Sullivan Economic Development Nicola Fitzgerald Economic Development Seamus McGrath Environment George Mongey Environment Dr Rosaleen Dwyer Environment /Heritage

3. Tús Programme

In 2017 we placed 217 Tús workers from the live unemployment register on 12-month placements with 136 non-profit organisations across County Fingal. In addition to providing supervised placements, participants were also offered training in areas such as manual handling, job searching, interview skills, digital skills, CV preparation as well as skills directly relevant to their placements.

Links were further strengthened in delivering this programme with organisations such as Blanchardstown Area Partnership (now Empower), Age Action, the Education & Training Board and the North Dublin Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force. Care & Repair & Computer Home Support Service

The Care and Repair service, launched in 2016 and delivered by workers on the Tús Programme, grew from strength to strength. A total of 1,306 visits to clients over the age of 65 was carried out around Fingal, providing a range of services from garden maintenance to DIY tasks in the house. Feedback both from clients and their family members has been overwhelmingly positive on the benefit of this service.

In November 2017 Fingal Leader Partnership launched an allied service at the request of Age Action, to provide support to people over the age of 55 in using computers in their home. Age Action had

Computer Home Support Team with training certificates in service provision.

Reported that there was a significant demand for such support from its membership. Given the importance of tackling the digital divide in promoting a more inclusive society, FLP was happy to respond. Three of its workers, who already had expertise in computer technology, were provided with training in the disciplines of service provision and communicating on the technology with beginners.

19 visits to clients were undertaken by the end of the year, and a further 53 were undertaken in the first quarter of 2018.

Case Studies

Epilepsy Care Foundation Case Study

The Epilepsy Care Foundation has worked with Tús over the past five years, particularly in its’ Allotment Project based in Malahide.

The project consists of 320 allotments which provides respite for individuals who suffer from epilepsy and related conditions. It is a community-based project with 75 of the plots used by epilepsy sufferers and the remainder rented to the community in general. The project is the largest community respite programme in Ireland and is self-funding i.e. all staff work on voluntary basis. This testimonial is provided by Brian Geraghty, Trustee of the Foundation:

“During the past five years we have worked closely with Tús whereby their participants are provided with work experience in a community environment. Tús participants work mainly in the areas of maintenance and assisting plot holders in the design and building of their plots.

“We have worked closely with Tús and in particular, with their representative Joe Killeen, in providing work experience within the participants skill sets. It is important that in a community based project and in particular one which caters for the disabled that participants are suited to the job and that they have excellent interpersonal skills as part of a team, the general public and in particular the disabled. In this regard Tús have always taken our needs into consideration.

“As a voluntary organisation we appreciate any assistance we can get and our relationship with Tús has in no small way led to the success of the project. We have provided work experience for twelve Tús employees and we are delighted that the majority of these have gone on to fulltime employment. We are that we have now been able to provide part-time employment to one of the participants, hopefully we will be able to increase that number in the coming years.

“I would have no hesitation in recommending to any other organisation, either voluntary or professional that they form a similar partnership as are ourselves. Tús have been a great asset to us in our service to the community any we hope to continue working with them in the coming years and that we can assist them in their aim of providing fulltime employment for their participants.”

One of our participants who worked with the Malahide Allotments provided the following statement on finishing in July 2017:

“I joined the Tús program in July 2016. I had been unemployed for a long period of time and had lost confidence and hope of getting a job.

My background is in Landscape Gardening and Horticulture and I was delighted when Fingal LEADER Partnership found a suitable job for me on the Tús Programme working at the Malahide Allotments. Working at the Malahide Allotments restored my confidence and leadership skills.

Following on from my year’s work experience with Tus, I was happy to accept the offer of employment by the Malahide Allotments where I continue to gain great work experience.”

Sports Club Participant

The following is a Tus participant testimonial after a work placement in a local sports club:

After being out of work for an extended period following the closure of my own business during the downturn in the economy I was presented with the opportunity to return to work part time with the Tús community work placement initiative managed in my local area by Fingal Leader Partnership.

The scheme gives you the opportunity to work 19.5 hours per week while retaining your social welfare payments with a small increase to cover lunches and travelling expenses, approx. €20.00.

Following a review of my CV with the very helpful and informative Tús supervisor Deirdre a part time position in a local sports club was identified as matching my skills set and following an interview with the club I was offered a position. The Tús scheme lasts for 12 months and I can honestly say that the year flew by and was extremely enjoyable. It was great to be back in the work place and making a contribution to the local community. I was offered a fulltime position at the end of my 12 months placement with the club I was working with which I was delighted to accept.

I could not recommend the scheme highly enough and must add that Deidre my Tús supervisor was extremely helpful throughout the year with regular visits on site and always available on the phone to answer any queries.

Skerries TidyTowns

Skerries TidyTowns has been working for the community since 1959 which is just one year after the instigation of the National Tidy Towns Competition. Over the years the town’s marks in the competition have steadily increased.

During this time Skerries won many awards in the competition which included the County Award, the Regional Award and many special awards e.g. for heritage, water conservation etc.

Skerries Tide Town took Tús workers on board as it sought to win the overall TidyTowns Award. The town that wins this accolade, must not only be clean, but must have high standards in nine specific

15 areas which include, biodiversity, landscaping, sustainability, built environment, tidiness and litter control and the residential areas in the town must be well presented.

Committee member Maeve McCann says: “The Tús workers have helped us in all aspects of our work and so it was in 2016 that Skerries with their support, achieved their long sought-after goal of winning the overall award and thus achieved the status of Ireland Tidiest Town. Over the past number of years Skerries TidyTowns has benefitted from the work of the Tús workers who have joined us in our quest to achieve the highest possible standards for the town.”

A further significant contribution to this achievement was the development of Floraville Park in the town, with the support of funding from the LEADER programme.

Swords Tidy Towns

Swords Tidy Towns has been a Tús host organisation since 2014. Ken Duffy, Chair of the organisation, has provided the following testimonial on engagement with the Programme:

“The involvement of members in the local community is very important to Swords Tidy Towns and we are delighted to provide Tus workers an opportunity to use their skills and gain valuable work experience.

Tus participants have played a very valuable part from start to finish in many of our environmental projects around the Swords area. Our Tus workers have contributed greatly to the recent success of Swords Tidy Towns in both the 2017 Tidy Towns Competition where we

won a Silver Medal and the 42nd Fingal Community Awards 2017 in which we were the overall winner.

We are very much looking forward to our continued association with Fingal LEADER Partnership and the Tús Work Placement Scheme in the years ahead.”

Tus Host Organisations

The following is the list of organisations which have been supported by Tús workers throughout 2017.

98th Scout Group, Skerries Aer Lingus Social and Athletic Association Allotments Skerries Alzheimer Society of Ireland Anchor Childcare Centre Applewood Community Centre Ardgillan Castle Ltd Athletic Union League Balbriggan & District Chamber Balbriggan Allotment Association Balbriggan Cancer Support Balbriggan Community Childcare Group Balbriggan Community College Balbriggan Cricket Club Balbriggan Enterprise & Training Centre (BEAT) Balbriggan Football Club Balbriggan Meals Ltd Balbriggan Men’s Shed Balbriggan Rugby Football Club Baldoyle Badminton Baldoyle Boxing Club Baldoyle Forum Ltd Baldoyle United Football Club Baldoyle Youth Club Ballyboughal Tidy Towns Balscadden District Community Council Beann Eadair CLG Bereavement Counselling Bracken Boxing Club Bracken Educate Together N.S Brackenstown Adult Scene of Education Cairde Casa Charity Shop Castlelands Community Centre Church of Ireland Clann Mhuire CLG

Coláiste GHLÓR Na Mara Corduff National School Donabate Community College Donabate Portrane Community Centre Epilepsy Care Foundation Fingal Citizens Information Service - Skerries Fingal Citizens Information Service - Swords Fingal Citizens Information Service - Balbriggan Fingal County Childcare Committee Fingal Tourism Fingal Travellers Organisation Fingallians GAA Club Flemington Community Centre Flexibus Focus Ireland Foróige Balbriggan Youth Services Friends of ADHD Gaelscoil Ros Eo Garristown GAA Club Garristown National School Garristown Parish Church Glebe North Football Glebe North A.F.C Gormanstown& District Anglers Club Guide Dogs for the Blind Holmpatrick School Holywell Community Centre Howth Celtic FC Irish Cancer Society - Shop Kinsealy Football Club Local Enterprise Office Fingal Loughshinny Community Association Lusk Community Council Lusk National School Lusk Scouts Lusk united Football Club Malahide Castle & Gardens Ltd Malahide Cricket Club Malahide Parish Centre Malahide Rugby Club Malahide Yacht Club Man o war GAA Club Mid-Sutton Community Centre Mill Bank Theatre Motorcycling Ireland Mourne Celtic FC

Mourne Estate Residents & Management Naomh Barróg GAA Club National Council For the Blind - Shop NCBI Charity shop North County Cricket Club North Dublin Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force North Fingal Rural Community Transport Nurture Post-Natal Depression Support O Dwyers GAA Club Old Town Community Hall Portmarnock Athlectic Football Club Portrane Football Club Prosper Fingal Remember Us Rolestown Community Centre Rush Athletic Football Club Rush Community Centre Rush Cricket club Rush National School Rush Sailing Club Rush Tidy Towns Scouting Ireland Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre Skerries Community Centre Skerries Harps GAA Club Skerries Mills Skerries Rugby Club Skerries Tidy Towns Society of St vincent De Paul Sofia Housing Sportslink ST Benedict's Conference (Society of SVdP) St Colmcilles Church St Colmcilles GAA Club St Finians GAA Club St Ita's Football Club St Joseph's School St Margaret National School St Maurs GAA Club St Pats GAA St Peter & Pauls JNS Standardbred Horse Racing Ireland Swords Celtic Football Club Swords Manor Swords Tidy Towns The Emmaus Centre

The Hills Cricket club The Riasc Centre Trackside Lawn Tennis Club Trinity Gaels GAA Club Wild Geese GAA Youth Reach Balbriggan

4. Jobs Club

Swords Jobs Club provides training and support to people who have become unemployed, providing them with skills to help them to employment in this very competitive recruitment market. In 2017 more than 350 clients received support. Over 55% of participants who attended Swords Jobs Club 2017 progressed to employment or took part in further education and training programmes. A number of participants successfully secured positions within Community Employment Programmes throughout the year also. The staff at the Jobs Club strive to ensure they remain current and focused on delivering training and support in tandem with the ever ever-accelerating changes taking place in the HR recruitment industry. Artificial Intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, sentiment analytics, visual recognition and natural language interfaces have now taken over candidate assessment and selection and are here to stay. In order for participants to maximise their potential, the Jobs Club curriculum concentrates its efforts to ensure that all participants are fully briefed on how to deal with automation of the recruitment process. Digital start-ups, SMEs & large multinational companies are all looking to grow their marketing presence to gain competitive advantage. More traditional sectors such as FMCG, financial services and pharmaceuticals are also seeking out skilled candidates. The tech sector is thriving in Ireland as a result of an increase of companies choosing Ireland as their EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) headquarters. There is a huge requirement in Dublin for specialist tech expertise and customer

21 support services across both contract and permanent roles which doesn’t see any sign of declining in 2018. The need for online support for a broad range of customers is increasing. In turn, the need for both EU and APAC language speakers are in demand. Finance continues to be an industry to be involved in with Foreign Direct Investment and Home Investment still growing. While ensuring participants have industry standard CVs and cover letters and time is spent matching participant skills with employment opportunities through professional coaching and mentoring, the need for support and information on how to cope with the psychological and psychosocial challenges associated with a drawn-out jobs search process is paramount to a person’s overall productivity. • 278 attended the two-week programme. • Of these 100 found employment immediately afterwards. • 72 clients were given support in preparing CVs on a drop-in basis. • 48 attended weekly 1-1 workshops.

5. Organisational Development

Significant work was carried out through 2017 to ensure that the organisation’s capacity and management of Fingal Leader Partnership is strengthened.

Office & Infrastructure The company had moved to a new office, DSV House in Swords Business Park during December 2016. This move brought together the teams previously operating separately in Swords, Balbriggan and Baldoyle, and provided the opportunity to promote greater cohesion across the team as a whole. The Jobs Club is in a separate premises in Burgundy House in Swords Village, but the two sites are located within easy access of each other. The company’s IT infrastructure was updated to enable all teams to fully share data with each other through Sharepoint. A new website was developed and launched for the company (www.fingalleader partnership.ie), together with a dedicated website for the LEADER programme (www.dublin ruralleader.ie)

Board & Governance Membership of the Board was broadened after the departure of some previous members, both in order to bring greater sectoral and gender balance, and to strengthen key partnerships. Joanne Lynch from DCU Business School and Marianna Prontera from Cáirde, which hosts the Balbriggan Integration Forum, joined the Board. The old Memorandum and Articles of the Company have been replaced by a new Constitution, to reflect changes in company law, changes in the requirements of Government for the governance of local development companies, and to ensure that the Company can be agile in responding to the challenges ahead. A Health & Safety audit was carried out and a new Health & Safety policy adopted.

Staff The staff complement of Rural Development Officers was increased by two, with the return of Nellie Horvath and addition of Angela Manoli, in order to ensure that the company has adequate capacity to support the delivery of the LEADER programme. James McLean was appointed as Financial Officer to bring a coherent focus to the administrative management of the company as a whole. A further appointment was new Clerical Officer, Ligia Daroi. A skills development plan was put into place.

Strategic Plan Following consultation with stakeholders at five meetings across Fingal, the company adopted a Strategic Plan for the years 2017-20. The plan was launched in the Atrium of County Hall in Swords by Regina Doherty TD, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

New Funding Initiatives Following the priorities adopted by the plan in pursuing opportunities for new activities, work was initiated or completed on submitting funding bids for a total of €1.3m for projects in the following areas (results of bids currently awaited): o Strengthening voluntary organisation amongst migrant communities; o Supporting people with disabilities towards employability; o Providing pathways to employment in the food industry for non-EU nationals.

6. Board of Directors (December 2017) Members of the Board

Chris Harmon (Chair) Pat McNamara (Vice Chair) Roger Cronin (Secretary) Sean Corrigan Ken Duffy Tom Hahesy Chris Keogh Martin Tully Eilish Burke (retired April 2017) Joanne Lynch (co-opted April 2017) Marianna Prontera (co-opted June 2017)

Attendance at Board Meetings

February 2017

Present: Chris Harmon (Chair), Pat Mc Namara, Roger Cronin, Martin Tully, Tom Hahesy, Ken Duffy, Chris Keogh,

Apologies: Sean Corrigan, Eilish Burke

In attendance: Dr Chris O’Malley (CEO) Phil Moore (Deputy CEO)

March 2017

Present: Chris Harmon (Chair), Roger Cronin, Martin Tully, Tom Hahesy, Ken Duffy, Chris Keogh, Sean Corrigan,

Apologies: Eilish Burke, Pat McNamara

In attendance: Dr Chris O’Malley (CEO) Phil Moore (Deputy CEO)

April 2017

Present: Chris Harmon (Chair), Roger Cronin, Tom Hahesy, Ken Duffy, Chris Keogh,

Proxy Votes allocated to Chris Harmon from the following Directors: Pat McNamara, Martin Tully, Sean Corrigan.

In attendance: Dr Chris O’Malley (CEO) Phil Moore (Deputy CEO

May 2017

Present: Chris Harmon (Chair), Roger Cronin, Martin Tully, Tom Hahesy, Chris Keogh,

Pat McNamara, Joanne Lynch

Apologies: Sean Corrigan, Ken Duffy

In attendance: Dr Chris O’Malley (CEO) Phil Moore (Deputy CEO)

June 2017

Present: Pat McNamara, (Vice -Chair) Roger Cronin, Martin Tully, Tom Hahesy,

Joanne Lynch, Ken Duffy

Apologies: Chris Harmon (Chair), Sean Corrigan,

In attendance: Dr Chris O’Malley (CEO) Phil Moore (Deputy CEO)

July 2017

Present: Chris Harmon (Chair), Roger Cronin, Martin Tully, Tom Hahesy, Joanne Lynch, Sean Corrigan, Marianna Prontera,

Apologies: Pat McNamara, Ken Duffy, Chris Keogh

In attendance: Dr Chris O’Malley (CEO) Phil Moore (Deputy CEO)

September 2017

Present: Chris Harmon (Chair), Roger Cronin, Martin Tully, Tom Hahesy, Joanne Lynch, Marianna Prontera, Pat McNamara, Ken Duffy, Chris Keogh

Apologies: Sean Corrigan,

In attendance: Dr Chris O’Malley (CEO) Phil Moore (Deputy CEO)

November 2017 (AGM)

Present: Chris Harmon (Chair), Roger Cronin, Martin Tully, Tom Hahesy, Joanne Lynch, Marianna Prontera, Ken Duffy, Sean Corrigan,

Apologies: Chris Keogh, Pat McNamara,

In attendance: Dr Chris O’Malley (CEO) Phil Moore (Deputy CEO)

7. Staff (December 2017)

CEO Chris O’Malley

Deputy CEO Phil Moore

Finance Officer James McLean

Clerical Officer Ligia Daroi

Jobs Club Team Kate Considine Maria Mitton

LEADER Rural Development Officers James Masterson Nellie Horvath Angela Manoli

Tús Team Sandy Forsyth (Coordinator) Paul Fay Cathryn Collins John Daly Brian Lawless Orla McMahon Michelle Craig Ted Nugent Jennifer Lawlor Deirdre Tyrell Joe Killeen