Representation

RAPID - Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development

RAPID involves the targeting and dispersal of National Development Plan Funds. It has two seperate strands; one for deprived urban areas and one for provincial towns.

The urban areas strand of RAPID involves the targeting of the 25 most disadvantaged urban areas in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Bray, Drogheda and Dundalk. The areas were chosen on the basis of unemployment, income levels, family and social structure, educational disadvantage and high levels of rented local authority. The target areas are to get priority for investment and development in relation to health, education, housing, childcare and community facilities including sports facilities, youth development, employment, drug misuse and policing.

Each area has an Area Implementation Team involving the State agencies, the local Patrnership company, local residents and Local Drugs Task Forces where they exist. There is an area co-ordinator who works with the local community to identify needs and draw up plans.

Young People at Risk Initiative

The issue of social exclusion is particularly evident in relation to young people in the North East Inner City. ICON has recognised that the need to integrate services generally is the way forward particularly in relation to young people at risk.

Since the early 90's through various initiatives including the Integrated Services Initiaitve (ISI) and the Integrated Services Process (ISP), ICON has driven the integration agenda. The year 2000 saw the beginning of the Young People at Risk Process. It brought together a group which comprised of members of voluntary, statutory and community organisations working directly or indirectly with children and young people at risk. The aim of the group was to promote high quality, effective and co-ordinated services to children at risk, through the integration of services.

In June 2003, it was agreed to operate the YPAR project through the structures of the Local Child Protection Committee (CPC) under the local Health Service Executive. Other partners in YPAR included the Probation and Welfare, the Northern Area Health Board, the Local Drug Task Force, City of Dublin Youth Services Board and the Education Welfare Board. A steering committee was established to manage YPAR with ICON as the lead agency and with funding from the Irish Youth Foundation and the Mott Foundation.

Mission of YPAR is to work with children and young people at risk to:

  • Establish an integrated, interagency structure.
  • Improve the quality and delivery of services.
  • Establish appropriate mechanisms to co-ordinate and integrate services.
  • Support them in accessing services, education, training and employment.
  • Ensure anti-discriminatory and accessible policies and practices in services.
  • Provide support to develop the skills and capacities needed to become active members of the community.
  • Ensure that the voices and views of young people are heard.
  • Evaluate the intervention from the very beginning, in order to monitor progress and to learn what works and what doesn't work.

 

Other Groups with ICON Representation

Group/ Organisation/ StructureAims
Dublin Inner City PartnershipInvolved in a range of structures with the aim of promoting community regeneration, tackling educational disadvantage and supporting access to employment and enterprise.
Dublin CityWide Drugs Crisis CampaignTo promote and support a community development approach to the drugs problem- this means involving the people who are most affected - drugs users, their families and the wider community.
The Employment NetworkThe Employment Network (TEN) is an umbrella body of inner city community and social service organisations. It was set up at the end of 1996 as a Managing Agent for the Whole-time Job Initiative in the North East Inner City of Dublin.
Dublin Docklands Development AuthorityRepresentation on the Docklands Council to ensure the views of the community are heard.
Inter-sectoral Crack Cocaine GroupA group established to address the rise in the use of crack cocaine
Taca Clann Community ProjectAn interagency committee working in partnership to address the needs of the Dorset St, Dominick St. and Hardwicke St. areas od Dublin.
IMPACT Joe Lucey Small Grants FundSupports local initiatives in education and intercultural development
Health Promotion FundTo facilitate the production of culturally relevant and sustainable resources and materials regarding problems related to drug use.
Ballybough Youth ProjectYouth Project for the Ballybough Area
Integrated Area Process (IAP)Represented on the Monitoring Committee to oversee the implementation of the Integtrated Area Plan. This committee no longer operates.
Tenants FirstAn independent forum of tenants and community workers who work together to provide a strong collective voice for tenants on issues related to their living and dwelling conditions.
Dublin Multicultural Resource CentreA community based organisation committed to promoting and celebrating the development of a multicultural society through the integration of established and new communities living in Ireland.
Community Participation ProjectThe project works on the basis that the people in the North Inner City have the right to participate in all key decisions that will affect their lives. This will be achieved by providing information and support to become involved in policy, process and training.