President visits Coolock 

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins visited Coolock on May Day to officially open a new facility that will help people seeking information on employment rights and social welfare entitlements. 

The Community Information & Employment Action Hub at Northside Shopping Centre will also provide training and practical supports such as free computer training and access to local business directory information for those seeking employment and those wishing to upskill; training on CV preparation, interview techniques and confidence building; and opportunities for local employers to interview potential employees enrolled in the hub.

The new facility will complement the Northside Centre for the Unemployed’s (NCU) existing services delivered at the Glin Centre, also in Coolock.

The venture came about following generous support from the owners and management of Northside Shopping Centre and funding from the Department of Social Protection.

The NCU, which has been in existence for over 30 years, would like to commend the ‘Working Together Committee’ for their assistance in acquiring the facility. 

The committee comprises community organisations, local schools, Dublin City Council and management of Northside Shopping Centre. 

Deirdre Smyth of NCU said: “The location of the new service is ideal as the annual footfall at Northside Shopping Centre is 3.8 million. This will give us the opportunity to engage with people who visit the centre.

“It is very close to the Department of Social Protection’s offices on Bunratty Road which will now be able to easily refer clients to us from their offices.”

Ms Smyth added: “Moreover, we very much hope and expect that the second and third-level students of nearby Colaiste Dhulaigh will increasingly avail of our services over time.”

Madeliene Ebbs, from Dublin City Council, who was involved in bringing the project to fruition, said: “This all happened as a result of the ‘Working Together Committee’ we set up last year in Northside Shopping Centre.  

“We had initially got together to see how business and community could work better. The committee has representatives from Northside Shopping Centre, Dublin City Council, NCU, Parnell’s GAA Club, gardai, FAI, and Colaiste Dhulaigh 2nd and 3rd Level.

“We are working away on a number of projects for the area. We share our extensive knowledge, experience and information with each other to make sure we reach as many people as we can and hopefully introduce new and innovative programmes into the community.”

Last year Ms Ebbs was involved in another project which saw Glin Boxing Club moving to a new facility at the former Tile Market premises, adjacent to Northside Shopping Centre, on a temporary lease. 

“The Glin Boxing Club (move) was our first project which has proved to be a fantastic success,” she said.

“We then came up with the idea of using a vacant shop unit, to bring more services (at the hub) closer into the community. 

“This will prove to be a great asset to the area now, given our close links with the adjacent schools.”

Ms Ebbs added: “Obviously we were delighted that the President has also seen the value in the work being done by us as a group.”