Partnership launches new strategic plan

THE Dublin North West Area Partnership (DNWAP) is aiming to help build strong, connected communities in Finglas, Ballymun, Cabra and surrounding areas over the next three years.

In its strategic plan to 2022 the partnership also plans to play its part in empowering marginalised individual so that they can fulfil their potential.

The DNWAP implemented strategic planning processess between 2016 and 2018 and says that demographic analysis and information gathered during that period showed that it must prioritise service provision to those living in areas of disadvantage.

“DNWAP is committed to working in a collective way to support the most marginalised members of our community to engage in lifelong learning, to secure quality employment as a route out of poverty and to promote meaningful participation in their community,” said Chairperson Una Caulfield and Chief Executive, Michael Bowe in the forward to the DNWAP Strategic Plan Towards 2022, which was published recently.

According to DNWAP, areas of Ballymun, Finglas South and Finglas West have the highest concentration of small areas classified as ‘disadvantaged’.

Analysis of the demographics of Dublin North West shows evidence of inequality in terms of access to third level education.

There remains a significant disparity in third level participation rates between areas such as Botanic (62 percent) and some parts of Finglas South (7.1 percent) and Ballymun D (8.5 percent).

Priorities in the strategic plan include incentivising and supporting community groups and ensuring the sustainability of relevant community and voluntary infrastructure.

Prioritising pre-development and personal development approaches with those most distanced from education, enterprise and employment is another objective in the plan.

The plan was launched at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry by Minister for Finance and Dublin Central TD, Paschal Donohoe.