Westmeath Community Development

On 6th September 2010, Pat Carey T.D., Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs launched a number of publications designed to assist unemployed people, produced by the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU).

The INOU was formed in 1987, at a time when there was high unemployment and mass emigration from the country.   The organisation has developed over the last 21 years and now has 192 member groups including community based resource centres, Citizens Information Services, Money Advice and Budgetary Services, national NGOs, trade unions and branches of unemployed people.   The INOU produce a range of leaflets specifically designed for unemployed people.  These include: “Know Your Welfare Rights”, “Looking for Work”, “Education Options for Unemployed People”, “Training Options for Unemployed People” and “Self Employed – what you need to know if you become unemployed”.

Speaking today, Minister Carey said:

“The INOU carries out important work at community and national levels on issues affecting unemployed people and I am delighted that my Department has provided core funding for these publications.  This Government continues to place special emphasis on the development of disadvantaged communities by continuing to work with these communities, other agencies and key players in trying to tackle issues such as long-term unemployment and social exclusion.”

He continued: “The changed circumstances in which we live today require a sharpening of focus for us all in terms of addressing the nature of the problems which now present themselves.  In response to the changing context in which disadvantage is being experienced, my Department is reaffirming the concentration of the focus of its resources on communities where disadvantage and isolation still prevails. Effective support at local and community level is the constant that we seek in a rapidly changing society.”

The leaflets available are:

· Employer Incentives to recruit unemployed people

· Looking for work

· Education options for unemployed people

· Training options for unemployed people

· Know your welfare rights

· Start you own business

· Self employed - What you need to know if you become unemployed