equality within the community

Transcription

1 equality within the community

2 Strategic Theme 6: Equality within the ommunity ny society that fails to address social disadvantage is likely to see a significant reduction in its quality of life. In other words, a community that tolerates social disadvantage is a community which is not sustainable. Ultimately all will feel the effects of not having equality of opportunity, regardless of economic or social standing. There is clear local and national recognition that, notwithstanding the progress of recent years, the gaps within our city have become more obvious. We need, as a community, to focus on and radically address this issue if we are to gain our vision. We see that we can achieve success if we: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) pply equal rights to opportunity across all communities. Embed the ethos of equality into all our public services. Focus on resolving issues of social disadvantage rather than an institutional passing on of responsibility. Ensure that the people of ork are aware of their service entitlements and responsibility. Ensure that parity of esteem is a given for all of our citizens. Ensure that one s address is not a barrier to life s opportunities and that every voice can be heard 73 equality within the community

3 GOL objective 76 There will be no barriers to any member of the community in terms of job opportunities wareness of equality legislation will be put into place through all public agencies There will be full implementation of the statutory approved 3% employment quota of persons with a disability in all public agencies Each agency to assess current situation by end of 2002 ork ity ouncil, ork ity Partnership, FÁS, VE, SF, Southern Health oard The board will lobby to have the 3% employment quota of persons with a disability extended to private organisations Prepare submission by mid 2003 ity evelopment oard Equality awareness training will be included as part of the induction process for new public sector employees (see objective 51) The induction process will be in place by end of 2005 ork ity ouncil, ork ity Partnership, FÁS, VE, SF, Southern Health oard, Garda Síochána Employer and business organisations will promote the economic benefits of adopting equality friendly policies in the workplace to their members Information will be provided on an ongoing basis through newsletters, training seminars, etc. hamber of ommerce IE objective 77 ction will be taken to overcome identified barriers to entering the jobs market The oard will lobby to extend the retention of secondary benefits for people on social welfare payments, in order to facilitate greater participation in the workplace Prepare submission by end of 2003 ity evelopment oard Training courses will be designed to ensure they are accessible to all groups, to promote the participation of all sections of society in every discipline FÁS courses will be delivered with flexible hours of attendance for those who otherwise could not avail of them FÁS Employers will be encouraged to adopt flexible work practices such as tele-working, part-time work etc., to facilitate access to the workplace Information will be made available and promoted through newsletters, seminars, reports, surveys etc. hamber of ommerce and IE More on the job training will be included in training courses Increase the number of firms attaining a quality requirement i.e. ISO 9002/Excellence in people status hamber of ommerce E The oard will lobby Government to have the current system, which sees work visas for economic migrants assigned to the employer rather than the employee, reversed Submission to be prepared by end of 2002 ity evelopment oard F The oard will lobby government to change policy in order to give refugees and asylum seekers the entitlement to work while they are awaiting decisions on asylum applications. Submission to be prepared by mid 2002 ity evelopment oard G Employers will be identified and supported, to improve Travellers access to apprenticeship programmes Identify how many Travellers would be interested in participating in apprenticeship programmes and promote the concept amongst the Travelling community and employers FÁS imagine our future 74

4 GOL objective 78 Public agencies will be unbiased in their dealings with all inhabitants of the ity Gardaí in ork, with the co-operation of local communities and the support of oard members, will ensure that a quality police service is delivered The need for information on safety and security issues to be collected on a city-wide basis will be formally identified Information needed will be identified ity evelopment oard and Garda Síochána structure will be put in place to collect and disseminate this information reporting structure put in place by end of 2003 Garda Síochána GOL objective 79 There will be equality of opportunity in relation to all public services and facilities. citizens charter will set this out Public agencies will strive to ensure that social and cultural services are available in equal measures to all public service users charter will be developed in consultation with the public service users forums (see also objective 49) The charter will be in place by end of 005 ork ity ouncil, ork ity Partnership, FÁS, VE, SF, Southern Health oard, Garda Síochána ll public agencies will nominate a senior officer locally with responsibility for equality issues Officers to be nominated by end of 2002 ork ity ouncil, ork ity Partnership, FÁS, VE, SF, Garda Síochána, Southern Health oard n access audit on all existing state owned buildings as well as community and voluntary facilities, which receive funding from state agencies will be conducted udit of buildings within OPW remit to be completed by end of 2003 ccess template to be made available to other agencies by end of 2003 Office of Public Works ll social, cultural and leisure/recreational outlets supported by public money will be fully accessible to people with disabilities evelop a strategy to address the deficiencies highlighted in the audit by end of 2005 ork ity ouncil, ork ity Partnership, FÁS, VE, SF, Garda Síochána, Southern Health oard E The oard will lobby for a greater number of television programmes to be made available to people with disabilities through subtitling and voiceovers Submission to be prepared by end of 2003 ity evelopment oard 75 equality within the community

5 objective 80 The oard will encourage and promote community participation The ork ity ommunity Forum will be supported by public agencies as the citywide representative body for community and voluntary organisations n annual programme of activities (e.g. training, information) will be devised and implemented to support the further development of the Forum ork ity Partnership Participation of communities in decisions that impact on their lives will be facilitated by the creation of a network of communities of interest both place-based and issue-based. Public agencies will identify a series of potential communities of interest by end of Public agencies will put mechanisms in place to show how their actions have been influenced by consultation with communities by end of ity evelopment oard Particular efforts will be made to develop the capacity of the most marginalised groups, to facilitate their participation apacity building, training and other supports to be provided ork ity Partnership The Probation and Welfare Service in ork will develop a customer service panel to ensure that service provision and development is responding to identified needs Establish panel in 2002 Probation and Welfare Service E New service premises will be designed to promote usage by like-minded community groups outside of service requirements Increased use of PWS premises by community groups Probation and Welfare Service F Probation and Welfare Service will engage local communities in the development of existing and new services in ork city The policy of engaging local communities in the management of PWS-funded projects will continue Probation and Welfare Service GOL Parity of esteem will be enshrined in the community objective 81 There will be a targeted approach to disadvantage The RPI programme will be implemented in full omplete implementation by ecember 2004 ork ity ouncil monitoring system to assess and meet needs of disadvantaged communities outside RPI areas will be established This system will be put in place by end of 2004 ity evelopment oard imagine our future 76

6 objective 82 The oard s own Strategy will be equality-proofed and all public agencies will have their operational strategies similarly addressed n equality group, with cross sectoral representation, will be established which will support agencies to build their internal capacity to equality proof strategies and programmes Group established by end of 2002 ity evelopment oard GOL We will recognise and meet the different needs of minority communities objective 83 The accommodation choice of the city s Traveller community will be addressed with the full participation of the community and in a manner that will avoid geographic concentration Implementation of the ork Travellers ccommodation plan This plan will be implemented by end of 2004 ork ity ouncil Research will be carried out regarding the numbers and pattern of Traveller movement into and out of the city and will identify the optimum number, size, location, standards and facilities for a transient halting site(s) omplete research by 2003 ork ity ouncil & ork ounty ouncil In light of the research findings a programme will be established to develop transient halting sites adjacent to ork city to accommodate the needs of ork city and county evelop programme by 2004 ork ity ouncil and ork ounty ouncil The development of transient halting sites by the private sector will be promoted and facilitated Promotional measures to be identified and initiated by 2004 ork ity ouncil, TVG and ork ounty ouncil E The ratio of local authority Housing Welfare Officers to Traveller families will be improved Make case to ept of Environment and Local Government to recruit additional Housing Welfare Officers ork ity ouncil F evelop further estate management in halting sites planned programme of meetings to develop an estate management project will be undertaken in and an appropriate training programme will be developed by early 2004 ork ity ouncil 77 equality within the community

7 objective 84 The needs of the Traveller community will be addressed with the full participation of the community Lobby government to introduce administrative changes which would enable secondary schools to apply in advance for resource teachers to support Traveller children. This would ensure that resource teachers are available in September when children enter secondary school. Prepare submission by end of 2002 Reduce the drop-out level from secondary schools ity evelopment oard Lobby ept of Education and Science to introduce pilot scheme which allows primary resource teachers to transfer with Traveller children to secondary school for the first ten weeks Prepare submission by end of 2002 ity evelopment oard Youth evelopment Worker will be employed to increase Traveller participation in mainstream youth activities Increased level of participation in youth activities ork ity VE Youth ommittee Lobby ept of griculture to develop an incentive scheme for farmers to encourage them to rent land to Traveller horse owners Prepare submission by end of 2002 ity evelopment oard objective 85 needs analysis of minority communities will be undertaken based on international best practice n integrated research partnership will be developed and undertaken work will include a community profile of immigrant groups in ork city, a needs and services analysis for these groups and examination of existing models of best practice in other EU States. omplete research by end of 2002 NS, U, ork ity ouncil, Southern Health oard, SF, FÁS, VE, Garda Síochána, ork ounty ouncil Establish a local representative organisation to examine and respond to the needs of asylum seekers in direct provision in ork Group will be established by end of 2002 ork ity Partnership, ork ity ouncil, Southern Health oard, VE, Garda Síochána and NS Support education initiatives in ork for immigrant students Link people to existing schemes and create education and training openings for immigrant students NS imagine our future 78

8 objective 86 The gay, lesbian and bisexual communities will be enabled to fully participate in the social, cultural and economic life of ork city working group will be established to identify major barriers to participation Working group set up end of 2002 ity evelopment oard GOL objective 87 The city will strive to make all buildings with a civic or public function accessible to all persons with a disability dequate provision shall be made to enable people with disabilities to safely and independently access and use new buildings While the statutory duties for compliance with Part M rests with the owners, designers and constructors of buildings, the building control authority will use its best endeavours, including taking legal proceedings where necessary, to ensure compliance with the building regulations Increase level of compliance with Part M uilding Regulations ork ity ouncil The will lobby government to include a requirement in the building regulations that a competent person (who must declare his level of competency) must confirm that the building is designed and constructed in compliance with the building regulations. This person shall also be required to advise the uilding ontrol uthority if he is dissatisfied with any aspect of the development in this regard. Prepare submission by end of 2002 ity evelopment oard 79 equality within the community

9 objective 88 ll modes of transport will be accessible to persons with a disability ll modes of public transport will be fully and safely accessible to people with disabilities, and there will be ongoing monitoring with regard to disabled access 90% of city and suburban bus fleet to be fully accessible by 2005, and 100% by 2010 ll new rail rolling stock to be fully accessible to wheelchair users ll old rail carriages which cannot accommodate wheelchair users to be phased out by 2004 us Eireann and Iarnród Eireann The current upgrading and development of the railway station and bus station will take account of the needs of people with disabilities and a full access audit on these facilities will be carried out oth new stations will be accessible to people with disabilities us Eireann and Iarnród Eireann The oard will lobby for extension of the mobility allowance to all people with disabilities and abolition of the means test for this payment Prepare submission by end of 2003 ity evelopment oard The oard will lobby for policy change at national level to have taxi travel vouchers or subsidised travel made available to people with disabilities Prepare submission by end of 2003 ity evelopment oard E isability awareness training will be an integral part of staff training for those working in the public transport system Training for us Eireann staff to take place in 2002 New training programme for Iarnród Eireann staff to start June 2002 us Eireann and Iarnród Eireann objective 89 The public realm (streets, roads, footpaths, public spaces, pedestrian crossings etc.) will meet international (best practice) standards ork ity ouncil s Public Realm Policy ocument will be updated and its standards met in both new schemes and the upgrading of existing areas, including small scale repairs ocument will be revised by mid 2003 ork ity ouncil ll footpaths at defined crossing areas will be dished 50% to be completed by 2010 and 100% within central island area by ork ity ouncil quality audit of footpaths, based on the needs of people with disabilities, bordering the city s 410 km of public roads will be carried out udit will be completed by end of 2002 ork ity ouncil planned programme to upgrade footpaths to ensure sufficient quality for ease of movement for people with disabilities to be developed Programme developed by end of 2002 ork ity ouncil imagine our future 80

10 objective 90 ll buildings with a civic or public function will be accessible to persons with a disability Lobby for the grant scheme for the refurbishment and adaptation of housing for people with disabilities to be increased Prepare submission by mid 2004 ity evelopment oard Government will be lobbied to introduce a grant scheme for people with disabilities who wish to buy their own home Prepare submission by mid 2004 ity evelopment oard GOL objective 91 Gender equality will be pursued by all public agencies and commitments fulfilled under existing and future policy plans The National Plan for Women will be supported and implemented by the public agencies when it is finalised Statistics will be compiled by the various agencies and feedback on progress sought in the context of the National Plan for Women ll agencies to give a gender breakdown of staff plus position within organisation in annual reports ork ity ouncil, ork ity Partnership, FÁS, VE, SF, Garda Síochána, Southern Health oard GOL objective 92 n integrated, multi-agency approach to pre-release support will be enhanced and a comprehensive post release support programme developed to support the re-establishment of ex-offenders Ensure immediate access to the relevant social or community welfare payments on release from prison Examine the possibility of putting mechanisms in place to ensure that PPS numbers are provided prior to release and that the transfer of social welfare records is initiated on notification of prisoner transfer from UK to ork Eliminate delays in accessing social welfare payments for those eligible on release ept of Social, ommunity and Family ffairs and ork Prison pplications for community welfare services will be available at Prison to enable completion prior to release and quicker access to services on release Ensure immediate access to community welfare payments Southern Health oard 81 equality within the community

11 objective 93 Service providers will work closely with ork Prison and Fort Mitchell to ensure the provision of integrated, prisoner-focused services Service providers will develop outreach services within ork Prison, with regular clinics where appropriate and provision of relevant and accessible information Ensure a more integrated and targeted approach to meeting the needs of prisoners ork ity ouncil, Southern Health oard, ept of Social, ommunity and Family ffairs, FÁS, Explore the development of access courses on an outreach basis Increase access to training for offenders FÁS, ity of ork VE and ork Prison, Probation and Welfare (Linkage Programme) Nominate a senior prison official to coordinate inter-agency working and develop a more integrated approach to the reintegration of offenders Official to be nominated by end of 2002 ork Prison evelop a network of community-based addiction counselling services appropriate to the needs of individual clients and provide a range of services in response to these prevailing needs Ensure immediate access to addiction assessment and counselling Southern Health oard imagine our future 82

12 objective 94 Ensure all prisoners have access to accommodation on release Set up procedures to ensure that Housing ept is notified when individuals on waiting lists are committed to prison No-one will fall off ouncil housing lists following committal to prison ork ity ouncil and ork Prison s part of an outreach service, applications for ouncil housing can be made and assessed/approved while applicants are in prison Reduce time on waiting lists ork ity ouncil evelop small sheltered accommodation unit, catering for 4 people, to meet the needs of those ex-offenders who are unable to move directly into private rented accommodation Increase accommodation opportunities for ex-offenders at risk of homelessness ork ity ouncil and Southern Health oard objective 95 evelop a person-centred post-release support programme for ex-offenders evelop a voluntary mentoring scheme to provide one-to-one post release support. Service would be overseen by a representative committee, involving service providers and end users Support offenders in re-entering everyday life, and reduce level of re-offending ork Prison, Fort Mitchell, Probation and Welfare Service (Linkage Programme) Seek funding to develop a resource centre to support recovery and confidence through personal development and groupwork, family relationships and peer support, literacy and numeracy, issues of adjustment; and to be a resource for other projects helping offenders To develop a one stop access to skills training and work, addiction counselling and accommodation for ex-offenders on a voluntary basis. ork lliance for Justice and Social are, ork ity Partnership, FÁS, SF dapt innovative special category (offender) ommunity Employment schemes to provide for higher ratio of staff to participants, mentoring and increased funding Increase support available to innovative special category (offender) E schemes FÁS 83 equality within the community

13 objective 96 Rehabilitation centres for first-time offenders will be established in the city evelop a network of offices throughout communities that experience significant levels of offending behaviour Make programmes for offenders available from community-based offices Probation and Welfare Service There will be ongoing monitoring of the adequacy of alcohol/addiction treatment provision in the city Regular review of provision dditional needs-based investment in alcohol/addiction treatment provision will occur as necessary Southern Health oard GOL objective 97 ork will be a city in which the full range of older people s needs, including their social, psychological and developmental needs, will be met ork will be a city in which older people feel safe ommunity Gardaí will visit older people s groups to discuss safety and security issues evelop programme for by end of 2002 Garda Síochána Fall prevention training and initiatives targeting older people in the community will be co-ordinated On an annual basis Southern Health oard Fire prevention training initiatives targeting older people in the community will be coordinated On an ongoing basis Southern Health oard scheme assisting older people with home security will be continued Information on schemes assisting with security will be made available to all older people s groups by end of 2003 ept of Social ommunity and Family ffairs imagine our future 84

14 objective 98 Public service providers will ensure that services are accessible by older people Improve availability of information on entitlements to older people, and provide assistance in the completion of forms when requested Raise awareness of entitlements through information sessions etc. and encourage more older people to avail of their entitlements ork ity ouncil, ork ity Partnership, FÁS, VE, SF, Southern Health oard, Garda Síochána wareness training on the needs of older people will be given to relevant people working in public agencies Training needs identified end of 2003 ork ity ouncil In preparing the new ity evelopment Plan appropriate policies and development control standards will be considered, which will promote all new developments to take account of the specific access requirements and needs of older people. raft ity evelopment Plan by end of 2002 Final ity evelopment Plan by end of 2003 ork ity ouncil Older people will be consulted in the design of services aimed at them onsultation with older people will inform the design and delivery of services ork ity ouncil, ork ity Partnership, FÁS, VE, SF, Southern Health oard, Garda Síochána objective 99 Older people will have access to a wide range of social, education and training opportunities There will be an audit on the needs of older people s groups udit to be completed by mid 2004 ork ity Partnership pilot programme will be developed using art forms to promote the creativity and selfesteem of older people Programme developed within two years Southern Health oard room will be made available in libraries that will act as a meeting place for older people. The redesign of the ity Library will incorporate this space ork ity ouncil Information technology training will be developed for older people Training to be developed within two years Southern Health oard, VE, FÁS E Older people will be encouraged to participate in education and training courses ourses for older people will be delivered on an outreach basis ity of ork VE, FÁS F ommunity buses will be made available to older people to enable them to participate in social activities evelop a pilot social economy project ork ity ouncil G Lobby ept of Education and Science to include visiting older people in their homes as part of transition year curriculum Submission prepared by end of 2003 ity evelopment oard 85 equality within the community

15 objective 100 Initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles among older people will be developed and implemented Smoking cessation programmes targeting older people will be provided Provide courses on an annual basis Southern Health oard Training courses on Nutrition for Older People will be provided for health professionals working within the community ourses to be provided before mid 2004 Southern Health oard Nutrition training will be provided for voluntary groups preparing community meals (meals on wheels), home helps and carers Training to be provided before end of 2002 Southern Health oard eing well courses will be delivered to older people s groups in the community Provide courses on an annual basis Southern Health oard E Lobby for the review of regulations concerning nursing homes and to take account of the social and psychological needs of older people Submission prepared end of 2004 ity evelopment oard F New streamlined procedures and structures for access to aids and appliances will be implemented Improve access to aids and appliances for older people Southern Health oard GOL objective 101 The people of ork will have access to a wide range of fully resourced and supported counselling services Funding agencies will recognise the intrinsic value of counselling The Health oard will develop a policy on the provision of counselling services Policy in place by autumn 2002 Southern Health oard imagine our future 86

16 GOL ll families will have equal access to high quality, affordable childcare objective 102 The ork ity hildcare ommittee s strategic programme will be implemented The five principal objectives of the childcare strategy will be achieved End of 2007 ity hildcare ommittee new childcare strategy will be developed and put in place on completion of the current programme Preparation of this strategy will commence in 2005 ity hildcare ommittee Planning regulations governing the inclusion of childcare facilities in new developments will be incorporated into the ity evelopment Plan and will be implemented and monitored raft ity evelopment Plan by end of 2002, and final ity evelopment Plan by end of 2003 ork ity ouncil n interim review of the childcare strategy will be presented to the ity evelopment oard The review will be presented by end of 2004 ity hildcare ommittee GOL objective 103 The full range of needs of people with mental health illnesses will be met The housing needs of people with mental health illnesses will be met Home-based care will be considered in light of the review of the mental health services Review complete by June 2002 Southern Health oard The housing department of ork ity ouncil will establish a referral system with relevant groups Plan in place by end of 2002 ork ity ouncil wareness training around mental health issues to meet the needs of community welfare officers will be developed review of needs will take place by end of 2003 Southern Health oard objective 104 positive image of people with mental health illnesses will be promoted Resources will be provided to facilitate the delivery of education programmes in schools senior Health Promotion Officer will be appointed in 2002 with responsibility for mental health promotion. Initiatives will be delivered in schools in the context of social, personal and health education. Southern Health oard 87 equality within the community

17 objective 105 People with mental health illnesses will have access to a full range of educational, employment and social opportunities The establishment of a drop-in centre will be considered in light of the review of the mental health services Review complete by June 2002 Southern Health oard Employment models which facilitate the needs of people with mental health illnesses will be examined to see if they can be applied locally review of existing models will be completed by end of 2004 FÁS The capacity of locally based mental health groups to identify and express the needs of this sector, both individually and through the development of a network will be supported, to facilitate structured consultation exercises with public agencies urrent supports being evaluated as part of review of mental health services to be completed by June 2002 Southern Health oard Local Employment Service staff will be designated to deal with people with mental health illnesses. Training needs identified by mid 2003 FÁS E The adequacy of community-based psychiatric supports will be reviewed Review complete by June 2002 Southern Health oard imagine our future 88

18 SWNS T THE NMR Swans glide on the Lee near the Electronics entre, their heads bowed like young engineers, or priests, over the sacred wafer of microchips. One breaks the surface with its beak, one adjusts the wayward printout of cygnets. Science flows between fax and surplice. Thomas Mcarthy