Social inclusion strategy launched

COUNTY Clare’s first social inclusion strategy was launched by the Clare County Development Board this week.
Councillor Joe Arkins, chair of the CDB, said that social inclusion has always and will continue to be a priority of the Clare CDB.
“The board acknowledges that in times of economic difficulty that more people in our communities are experiencing poverty and isolation. It is important that we are aware of this and take appropriate action to address these issues,” he commented.
The social inclusion strategy for the next two years was developed jointly by Clare County Council and Clare Local Development Company, Doirin Graham, CEO of the local development company said that the strategy is not designed to attempt to address all social inequalities, but it does attempt to bring agencies together to pool resources to address the needs of particularly vulnerable target groups.
“The objective of the strategy was to develop a set of evidence based actions which would impact directly and quickly on people experiencing social exclusion in Clare,” the CEO said.
The strategy has initially focussed on the six target groups – carers, ex-prisoners/offenders, lesbian and gay, bisexual and transgender people, lone parents, low income farm households and people with disabilities.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy, chair of social inclusion measures group, commented that it is their intention to develop appropriate actions for the remaining target groups over the next year.
“We will also review progress and closely monitor the impact of the actions identified in the action plan over the coming months. It is important that we are able to respond appropriately to the changing needs of those who are excluded from full participation in our communities and society in general,” she said.
Copies of the strategy can be downloaded from www.clarecoco, or are available directly from the community and enterprise directorate of Clare County Council.