FINGAL LEADER PARTNERSHIP Annual Activity Report 2016 1 Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. Our People 4 3. Rural Dublin Leader 5 4. Tús Programme 19 5. Jobs Club 27 2 1. Introduction 2016 saw some developments of great significance in the development of Fingal Leader Partnership. Projects funded under the 2007-13 Rural Dublin Leader programme were completed and signed off on, while funding was secured to implement the next programme, to finish in 2020. Funding was also secured for another year of the Tús Programme and for the Jobs Club. Towards the end of 2016 Fingal LEADER Partnership decided to bring most of our team together under one roof. Our teams based in Balbriggan and Sutton moved along with our Swords Team to a new larger office base in Swords Business Park. Our Rural Development Team, Tús Team and Care & Repair are all now based in DSV House, Swords Business Park, Swords, Co Dublin and our Jobsclub are based in Burgundy House, Forster Way, Swords, Co Dublin. The consolidation of the company’s resources to Swords will spearhead the growth and expansion of Fingal LEADER Partnership throughout the Fingal area. 2016 also saw change at leadership level in the organisation. In October I took over from Jean Fay Brady as Chair of the Board. In January 2017, the Board of Fingal LEADER Partnership appointed a new Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chris O’Malley, following the departure of Mary McKenna who had been acting CEO during most of 2016. On behalf of the Board I wish to thank Jean and Mary for their commitment to the company and wish them well for the future. We at Fingal LEADER Partnership are committed to promoting an enhanced and sustainable quality of life for our communities. This is an exciting time for the Organisation and the Community of Fingal as new opportunities arise for growth and development within the community. Chris Harmon Chairperson, Fingal Leader Partnership Board 3 2. Our People The following is the list of Board Members and staff of the organisation as of December 2016. Board Members Chris Harmon (Chair) Pat McNamara (Vice Chair) Roger Cronin (Secretary) Eilish Burke Sean Corrigan Ken Duffy Tom Hahesy Chris Keogh Martin Tully Acting CEO Phil Moore Rural Dublin Leader team James Masterson James McLean Nellie Horvath Tús Team Sandy Forsyth Paul Fay Cathryn Collins John Daly Brian Lawless Orla McMahon Michelle Craig Ted Nugent Jennifer Lawlor Deirdre Tyrell Joe Killeen Jobs Club Team Kate Considine Maria Mitton 4 3. Rural Dublin LEADER 2016 was a landmark year for the Rural Dublin Leader Programme, in that it saw the concluding sign- off for the 2007-13 programe, and the signing of the contracts to launch implementation of the 2014-20 programme towards the end of the year. RDL 2007-13 Close-Off The 2007-13 programme had provided a total of nearly €6m in funding to nearly 240 projects across the rural Dublin region, approved by the end of 2013 for implementation. The funding was spent across three local authority areas, with Fingal County accounting for 64%, South County Dublin for 24%, and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown 12%, largely reflecting the relative sizes of the rural Dublin population in each area. The strategy of the programme was designed to address a number of objectives, notably to support: • the creation and development of businesses in rural areas • conserving and upgrading the rural heritage • development of tourism in rural areas • provision of training and information • village renewal and development, and • strengthening of basic service infrastructure. Examples of Projects Some examles of projects supported by the 2007-13 Leader Programme in Rural Dublin are outlined here. They are chosen in order to give some flavour for the range of projects supported. A. Ambles and Rambles The Promoter Adrian Nolan is a qualified walking group leader and mountain leader. The promoter also holds the relevant wilderness first aid qualifications. The promoter started ambles and rambles in July 2011 guiding people of all ages up and down the mountains. He is also a qualified mountain rescue operative. 5 The promoter set out to introduce the walk on programme to transition year students in the Dublin and Wicklow area with the aim of helping students to gain the president’s award. The students will be introduced to hill walking using a specially designed series of walks that will end up with them taking the Four Peaks Challange. Students will be thought safety on the hills; map and compass reading and the principals of leave no Trace. The promoter is sought assistance to buy a computer laptop and 20 pairs of jackets, fleeces, tee shirts, boots, over trousers, socks, compasses, rucksacks and other outdoor equipment. This will be rented at a nominal fee to students so everyone can avail of the walk on programme. The promoter were successful in his application, with funding of €21,800.95 approved he has purchased the equipment and has expanded his business further catering for events and parties. The promoter also hopes to reach as many people as possible and help them become healthier, slimmer, have more energy and generally feel good about themselves. Whilst showing them the natural beauty that is on their doorstep. B. Bridge Turf Lawns Bridge Turf Lawns is a family run business based in Courtlough in Balbriggan. The business was established in 2003 and has operated steadily since then. The business is located at the farm of Anthony Rooney and his family and it produces top quality lawn turf for landscaping, domestic lawns and sports grounds. Bridge Turf lawns offer a professional and expert service with excellent value for money. Bridge Turf Lawn grow their turf from seed specially selected from top varieties to ensure they maintain the highest standards from sowing to cultivation of fresh quality turf. This proposal was for the purchase of a Stone burier/Roller Packer for the production of high quality Lawn Turf. This equipment will ensure the lawn turf is free of stones and is of the highest quality thereby being more sought after and more valuable. The promoter had identified high value markets for this product and by acquiring the stone burier it will enable the company to supply to the high end market which they cannot currently access. Support was sought for capital equipment to improve the quality of the product produced, enable access to new markets and sustain current employment levels. The promoter successfully purchased the Rotadarion RD250S stone burier. The promoter will now use this equipment to move into different markets and help sustain his current business in the present and expand in the future. 6 C. Portmarnock Raceway Harness racing is a sport where a special breed of horses, called Standardbreds, race around a track while pulling a driver in a two wheeled cart called a “sulky.” The horses reach speeds of more than 30 mph. Portmarnock Raceway was owned and operated by private enterprise as a Harness Racing venue for in excess of 40 years from the early 1960’s to 2004 when it was sold for development purposes and closed. This left a major void in this geographical region for the Harness Racing enthusiasts who suddenly found themselves without a venue to race. In late 2007 Standardbred Horseracing Ireland was formed with a view to re establishing a Harness Racing venue in the greater Dublin region. A 30 acre site was purchased at auction in Collon Co. Louth, after a protracted Planning application permission was rejected by Louth Co. Council and the sale was not concluded. SHRI raised money through subscriptions from 300 members. There are over 100 breeders in Ireland that breed Standardbred horses. The sport currently has over 300 active competitors with over 650 horses. The sport has members and competitors from all 4 provinces all of which would travel to the Portmarnock facility. The proposal was to provide an essential service to the local and national harnessing racing equine industry through the provision of a fully integrated training and competition centre for harness racing sport horses. The organization has recently been affiliated to the Horse Sport Ireland which is the national representative body of sports horses in Ireland. The promoters were successful in their application, with funding of €110,675.29 approved. The promoters have built a new stand installed cameras and the photo Finish system. They have purchased and installed the cold room and office. The playground is also in situ and operational and has helped make the site more family friendly. The promoters have also five placements on the TUS scheme working varied positions from maintenance to administration of race days, promotion and marketing. Numbers attending race meetings are on the rise and the promoters are coming near the end of their most exciting season of racing yet. Thanks to the investment from the LEADER programme, the promoters can look forward to many more seasons as successful in the future D. Glencullen Community Centre The project delivered a high quality multi-function community facility in the isolated village of Glencullen in the heart of the Dublin Mountains. The centre was to be developed on the site of the Stars of Erin GAA Club grounds but was to be an all - inclusive facility to serve the entire community. 7 The community at large and the members of Stars of Erin had sought to develop a clubhouse for many years and this was the realisation of a long held dream for a home for Stars of Erin with the additional bonus of a first class community centre for all sectors of the community of the Dublin mountain village.