First resource centre for unemployed opens

June 1990

THE first resource centre for the unemployed and unwaged in Dundalk is officially opened.

Peter Cassells, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) acts as master of ceremonies.

Located at 30 Clanbrassil Street, the centre, funded by FÁS, aims to give advice on social welfare, educational needs, emigration, and information on sports and leisure activities, and is the thirteenth such centre in the country.

Initially, six people on social employment schemes will be working there – Marie McSorley, Sharon Begley, Mary Murphy, Anne Brady, Niall O’Connell and Kieran Pepper - though that number may increase to as many as twenty.

The idea came about a year ago when the ICTU approached Brendan Hodgers, district secretary ATGWU and Philip Toal of the Trades’ Council to research how other centres were progressing.

‘We wanted to provide unemployed and unwaged people in the town with a platform from which they could get information about services available to them,’ Mr Hodgers explains.

The Trades’ Council realised that not only was there a need for an information centre but also a place where educational facilities would be made available.

‘Adult education classes will be set up according to the needs of the unemployed, during the day or in the evening.’

There are also plans to provide a creche for mothers attending these classes.

Facilities for people who may have special knowledge of use to the unemployed will be made available.

Particular emphasis is being placed on re-educating teenagers who have dropped out of school and want to complete their Leaving Certificate.

Meanwhile, two of Dundalk’s biggest firms, Carroll’s and Ecco send over workers to help get the offices ready for opening.