Ballymun Job Centre - Course Information

I have been referring people for individual appointments with the Ballymun Job Centre in recent times. As well a meetings with individual advisors, the Job Centre runs a number of programmes to help people get the skills they need to get back to employment. 

I have included a summary of the programmes here:

Job Club Programme

The Job Club programme brings together unemployed people of all ages who are looking for work. The programme provides training and support in developing job seeking skills.  The programme provides guidance on developing a curriculum vitae, targeting and sourcing jobs, applying for jobs, preparation for interviews, interview techniques, mock interviews, telephone interviews, and career planning.

 

Skills Development Programme

The Skills Development is aimed at people who would like to improve their reading, writing, computer and maths skills The programme provides FETAC level 3 modules in Communications, Computer Literacy, Personal Effectiveness and Mathematics.

On completion of this programme participants would have basic skills and confidence to progress into higher-level education courses.

Prepare for education Programme

This programme is aimed at participants who would like to gain a FETAC Level 4 qualification in preparation to returning to further education.  The programme includes modules on communications, information technology, STEPS (personal development programme), training/education supports, career planning, study skills and field trips to further education providers.

Ballyrunner’s Programme

The Ballyrunner’s programme is an Equal Youth inter-agency programme which helps young people to prepare for and complete the Bronze Gaisce Award.  The preparation utilises a positive thinking, healthy living, team development, civic responsibility, career guidance and identification/transfer of skills approach to motivate the participants towards further training and employment. The course includes basic computer skills, physical fitness training, healthy living, drug awareness, civic responsibility, career guidance, motivation & personal development and completion of charity based Fun Run.

LEC Training Facilities

The Ballymun Job Centre has two modern training rooms equipped with Personal Computers. In addition to delivering our own training, many local community organisations utilise the facilities to deliver Information Technology and other courses. Community organisations include: The Woman’s Resource Centre, Ballymun Adult Read and Write Scheme, City of Dublin VEC, Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership, Ballymun Men’s Centre and The Jesuit University Support Training organisation.  The training rooms can accommodate up to 20 trainees.  Many of these are run in the evening. 

For further information on any of the above and other supports please contact Gordon Muego, phone 01 8667000 or e-mail: muegoga@bmunjob.ie

Otherwise if you have any questions on employment options, please give me a call on 01 618 3280 or email john.lyons@oir.ie and I will help in any way I can. 

New Choice Based Letting House - February 2012

New Choice Based Letting Unit, Fairlawn Road

As many of you are aware, Choice Based Letting is a pilot scheme for the Finglas area that anyone on the housing list can apply for. 

In the next few months, several houses will be made available by Dublin City Council under this scheme. The first of these houses came on stream before Christmas.

This morning, a new Choice Based Letting Unit became available in Finglas South on Fairlawn Road. 

Applications can be made to the Finglas Area Office directly up until 5pm on 7th March 2012. For more information on how to apply, or more information on the Choice Based Letting scheme please visit the Dublin City Council website here.

If you have any other questions on the scheme, or your housing situation in general, please contact me on 01 618 3280 or john.lyons@oir.ie

John speaking on the Finance Bill 2012

Working with Business

I have received a number of inquiries about what supports are available to assist start-up businesses or enterprises wanting to expand and take on new recruits. See below a summary which may be of use for those looking into these options.


Starting up your own business:

• County Enterprise Board

Their role is to provide a source of support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. They offer certain grants, training and mentoring.Contact details for each CEB can be obtained through their national website address at www.enterpriseboards.ie/

• High Potential Start Up (EI)

Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) team provides intense support, seed and venture capital to entrepreneurs and early stage companies that are considered to have an innovative product, service or technology, and have the potential to achieve exports sales and create employment. For Early Stage Start-Up enquiries should phone 01 7272885. See http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Start-a-Business-in-Ireland/ for more information.

• Competitive start up fund (EI)

The Competitive Start Fund awards €50,000 to innovative start-ups, which have the capability to succeed in global markets. You are eligible to apply if you are an existing or potential client of Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU programme. For more information on the Competitive Start up Fund e-mail: csf@enterprise-ireland.com or phone 01 7272202

• Micro Finance fund

The Government is finalising a Micro finance fund targeted at start-up, newly established, or growing micro enterprises across all sectors, employing not more than 10 people.  It will provide loans of up to €25,000 for commercially viable proposals that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial banks. It should be up and running by April 2012.

• Seed capital scheme

If you start up and work full-time in your own company, you can claim back the income tax you paid in the previous six years to invest equity into a company (subscribed as shares) engaged in a qualifying trade. The amount of relief is restricted to the amount of the investment. For full information see: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it15-seed-capital-scheme.pdf

Taking on new workers:

• Revenue Job Assist

Revenue Job Assist offers both employers and workers an incentive where people who have been 12 months on the live register (or disability allowance) are taken on.

Further information for employers is available here:

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it59.html

Further information for employees is available here: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it58.pdf

• JobBridge

JobBridge is a new National Internship Scheme that will provide an initial 5,000 places for 6-9 months in the private, public or community and voluntary sectors. To qualify you must be signing on as available for work and getting a payment or credits for three months. Participants will receive an additional €50 on top of their welfare entitlement. For further information see www.jobsbridge.ie

Video Blog on the Action Plan on Jobs

This is my video blog on today's launch of the Action Plan for Jobs, a plan to create 100,000 new jobs by 2016. This is an ambitious strategy to tackle unemployment through the development of key sectors with high potential for growth.

This is not just another report to gather dust. There are 270 pro-job measures in this plan that will be regularly reviewed to ensure they are promoting job creation.

Unemployment is our biggest challenge and number one priority. This plan is an important step in tackling it and I will be working to ensure this plan delivers.

Confirmation of Further Exemptions for the Household Charge

I have been in constant contact with Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and the Department of the Environment following the release of the list of unfinished estates exempt from paying the Household Charge. There has been confusion since the list of exemptions was posted online and I think many aspects of the process could have been clearer and handled better.

I was unwilling to give full confirmation to residents until I had clarified the exact areas exempt from the local authorities and the Department.

I received full confirmation last week that Hampton Wood was exempt from paying the charge for this year; however, residents do have to register as exempt from the charge with Dublin City Council. 

Yesterday evening, I received full confirmation that Creston, Hampton Wood and the apartments above Charlestown Shopping Centre are also exempt. Again, residents still have to register as exempt with Fingal County Council.

Please see the maps below from Fingal Co Co confirming exempt estates:

Other Exemptions include:

 - Tenants in Council houses and housing association homes

 - Residents in shared ownership schemes with local authorities

 - Residents receiving supplementary welfare allowance rent supplement

 - Those receiving mortgage interest supplement

You can get more information on any exemptions or other questions through the enquiry line at 1890-357357 or by e-mail at support@householdcharge.ie . 

The list of exempted unfinished estates will be updated at the start of each year so all estates will be assessed again next year to see if it meets the Department’s classification of an unfinished estate. I will keep you informed of any developments in this regard. 

If any residents in the area need further information or clarification on these points, please contact me directly on 01 618 3280 or john.lyons@oir.ie

Support the Ballymun Lions Girls Basketball Team!

The SAI Ballymun Lions girls basketball team are heading to the USA from March 10-18 and need your support to help fund their trip.

You can give your support in the following ways:

• Donate old mobile phones(no SIM, memory cards or accessories)
• Donate unwanted clothes/toys
• Donate unwanted DVDs, CDs, or video games
• Provide a financial donation - no amount is too small

For more information or collection, contact Tra on 085 120 4249 or Dan on 086 381 4226

Series of lunch time lectures for 2012

There is a series of lectures taking place this year on mental health and young people.


These lectures have been organised by the extended working group which emerged from the seminar "Promoting Mental Wellness for Young People in Finglas" last October


The lectures will be held on Wednesdays in the Civic Centre, Mellowes Road, Finglas. Click here for the list of dates and lecture topics.


For more information, email isis.lyle@tap.ie (Tel o1 850 4121) or larry.dooley@dublincity.ie (tel 01 222 5404). If you plan on attending any of the lectures, please email before the date.