ICT AS A TOOL OF SOCIAL INCLUSION PROJECT WORKERS REPORT

MONTH: September 2006                                                                                                                                                                               Date: 20 Sept 2006

Since my return on 4^th September 2006 the following activity has occurred:

Proposal Submission to ASC Initiative - Department of An Taoiseach:

In response to the ASC (Access, Skills and Content) Initiative call for proposals, I have written and submitted a project proposal on behalf of the Drogheda Partnership representing The Disability Interest Irish Wheelchair Association, The Elderly Interest Group, Southside Community Development Project and Pearse Park\Yellowbatter & Greenbatter Community Project. In the proposal I stated the company's intention to work with the Louth County Development Board and the Louth Library Services in the roll out of our programme. This ASC initiative was established to support the participation of late adopters of technology in an inclusive Information Society. The Government has allocated €1.5 million which will include a particular focus on initiatives targeted at older people and people with disabilities. The application form was extensive in detail and required training schedules and plans. The total cost of our proposal is €92,559 and we are seeking €68,439. The balance comprises of shared support costs covering co-ordination and room rental. I anticipate notification of an outcome by mid-October 2006. The proposal submission is available for review if desired.

FETAC ACCREDITATIONS

The Further Education and Training Awards Council 'Estimates of Awards' for November assessment must be registered on their computerised system before 30^th September 2006. At the time of writing, I anticipate that we will have approximately 50 entries. 2 groups from Moneymore and 2 from Southside Community Development will also be registered. The accreditations will be Computer Literacy, Computer Applications and Personal and Interpersonal Skills.

From our May 2006 assessment, 92 FETAC certificates have arrived to the Drogheda Partnership. The breakdown of certificates is as follows:

A presentation will be organised to distribute same.

OUT-REACH PROGRAMMES

Since the 4^th September 2006 the following out-reach programmes have been initiated:

6 of the 7 programmes hold recognised accreditation.

HARDWARE DONATION

Since my return I have liased with CTI computers in Dundalk and have secured 8 workstations for use on the Build Your Own Computer programme, which commenced in Southside Community Development on Monday 25^th September 2006. The monetary value of this hardware is approximately 7,000 euro. I have assured CTI computers that we will mention their contribution in our media coverage.

MEETING WITH LIBRARY SERVICES

Before my departure on 29^th June 2006, I wrote to Ms Ann Ward from Louth County Library Services in regard to meeting to discuss incorporating our eInclusion work into their library Strategy. This meeting occurred on Thursday 21^st September 2006 in Drogheda Library. As a result of the meeting the following outcomes prevailed:

· Agreement on Drogheda Partnership to erect an Information Stand in library (dates to be agreed)

· Agreement on running ICT programmes as part of the eInclusion Strategy using the 10 workstations in the Library.

· Agreement that programmes will be of 2 hour duration. Majority will be Morning. One evening option (Tuesday & Thursday 6.00pm - 8.00pm)

· Agreement to use literature pack from Information Society Fund as part of the curriculum

· Agreement on Drogheda Partnership designing curriculum.

· Agreement that Drogheda Library would erect signage on the initiative and run a joint advertisement in local papers with Drogheda Partnership.

· Agreement on possibility of running a Parent and Toddler group.

· Agreement to work on the possibility of working together on a Traveller Children initiative.

· Agreement to pilot an ICT initiative during the Book Festival commencing 4/10/06 - Craft & Story Telling.

DR. TONY HUMPREY'S - BUILDING SELF ESTEEM & CONFIDENCE IN YOUR CHILD PROGRAMME

I will be delivering this programme in conjunction with Louise Mahony one evening per week commencing in October 2006 to the parents of children attending Scoil Aonghusa.

CASE CONFERENCING

The last meeting took place on 19^th June 2006. Scheduled meeting for 11^th September 2006 cancelled until 9^th October 2006.

PILOT DEGREE PROGRAMME IN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOMATRIC TESTING