4.2.2 - Community SCDOs

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objectives

SCDO No. C1

Education & learning

Make education and learning accessible to all over their life course, and to people from all backgrounds, keep young people in education to get a Leaving Cert or equivalent and support people that have low education to get back into learning

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

1 No poverty; 3 Good health & well-being; 10 Reduce inequalities

Rationale

Why is this important?

This objective is addressed to education and learning for all especially supporting those with low education or at risk of low education into a process of learning. While low education is a characteristic of people living in urban areas that are socially deprived, this objective is addressed to people wherever they live. The Integrated Objective related to disadvantaged city neighbourhoods is addressed to an area-based approach to deprivation which includes responding to educational disadvantaged in that setting.

In line with the national trend, the level of education in the population in Limerick has been increasing. In 2016, 30% of adults in Limerick have a third level educational qualification – and while increasing, this is lower than the national average (33.4%). In certain parts of Limerick – such as the suburbs of the city - some 44% of adults have third level education. At the other end of spectrum, Limerick has a problem of low education – where 13.5% of the adult population have at most primary education or no formal education and this is higher than the national average at 11.6% (2016).  At an area-based level, the problem of low education is concentrated in Limerick City, in disadvantaged communities. In 2016, there were nine Electoral Divisions where 30% and upwards of the adult population had Primary Education only or no formal education and eight of these small areas were in the city.  

In relation to the young population, the retention of young people in school to complete Leaving Cert has improved significantly in Limerick. Limerick City and County as a whole (93.6% retained to Leaving Cert) performs above the state average (91.5%).  Limerick City schools are performing within 1% of the national average (from a gap of 4% not going on to sit the Leaving Cert in Limerick City 10 years ago). Certain groups are at higher risk of leaving school early – Travellers, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds especially males and young people with mental health difficulties. The vast majority of young people on leaving school progress to third level education (80-84% from all Limerick schools in recent years). A larger percentage of students from schools serving disadvantaged areas (DEIS Schools) now progress to third level education (60%-66% from DEIS schools in recent years). However, the gap in progression rates to third level education between non-DEIS and DEIS schools remains significant – a gap of 24% in the case of Limerick City schools in 2021.

As low education is associated with poorer outcomes for people – such as unemployment, precarious work, low incomes, poorer health, poorer child well-being – access to education and learning for those will lowest education is important in the interest equality and social justice. With the pace of change and faced with major social challenges such as climate change and increased digitalisation, lifelong education is increasingly important.

There is a developed education infrastructure in Limerick – schools, further education and training, adult and community education, third level colleges – and opportunities for adults to continue their education over their lifecourse. A Lifelong Learning Strategy for Limerick has been agreed by key stakeholders including the local authority, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and the third level educational institutions in Limerick. Under the new EU Under the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan 2030, Member States have committed to three headline social targets. One of these targets to be achieved by 2030 is that at least 60% of all adults should participate in training every year. Ireland has set its target on this indicator at 64.2%. Ireland’s National Further Education and Training Strategy 2020-2024 (FET) aims to transform learning in communities with the approach based around three strategic pillars: (1) building skills; (2) fostering inclusion and (3) facilitating pathways, and putting a strong focus on digital skills development.

Action Areas

• Adult education and learning programmes
• In school / out of school projects to support pupils that are at risk of under-achievement or leaving school without qualifications
• Facilities in community settings in urban and rural areas for education and learning
• Education and learning initiatives in specific areas – e.g., digital skills, climate change, English language training for migrants
• Initiatives to support progression of disadvantaged groups in their education – through school, into college, in adult learning

Questions

• What are the priority actions to address low education in our adult population?
• What are the priority actions to support young people at risk of early school leaving? And underachievement in education?

• What actions are needed to get adults to engage in lifelong learning?
• What could be the key focus areas for lifelong learning?

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objectives

SCDO No. C2

Children, young people and families

Improve the social infrastructure, amenities, safe recreation space and services for families, children and young people in Limerick so they can reach their potential and enjoy a good quality of life. Involve young people in community life, designing amenities and services for them and in decision-making

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

1 No poverty; 3 Good health & well-being; 4 Quality Education; 10 Reduce inequalities; 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

Rationale

Why is this important?

This objective in the LECP is addressed to children and young people, wherever they live in Limerick. Other objectives address engagement with and support for children, youth and families in area-based settings and in relation to thematic issues such as arts and culture and climate action.

Limerick City and County has a large population of young people with one-quarter of the population aged under 18 years and one-third of the population under 25 years. Certain parts of the city and county – the inner and outer suburbs, some county towns and villages and outer areas of towns and villages – are dominated by family-based households with young and school-going children. We have a developed infrastructure of childcare facilities and primary and secondary schools across Limerick City and County. With changing population bases / demographic shifts, there has been a need to expand the social infrastructure (childcare facilities, schools), amenities, facilities and services to meet needs and improve our infrastructure and services for families with children. Further population growth, as projected for Limerick, will require expansion of infrastructures and amenities and enhanced services. While child outcomes (their well-being across various indicators) in general in Limerick City and County are mostly in line with the national average, outcomes are worse for certain groups of children and families. This is especially the case for children living in deprived areas of the city and towns and villages and living in households with low work intensity and low incomes. Children living in one-parent families dependent on social welfare as the main source of income and where the mother has a low level of education, Traveller children and children in homeless emergency accommodation are amongst the groups at risk of poorest well-being and more likely to experience difficulties in their childhood and adult lives. Children with disabilities, child carers and youth with non-binary identity also face additional difficulties and are amongst vulnerable groups of children / youth. Children referred into and/or in the care of Tusla, children at risk of offending and referred to Garda Youth Diversion projects (dominated by males) and minors in the criminal justice system are also most at risk.

Limerick in recent years and particularly in the last 12 months has more children and families from migrant backgrounds, especially concentrated in Limerick City centre, but also in county towns and villages. A sub-group of these are asylum seekers / in the state under international protection and have experienced significant trauma.

A recent study which examined needs of young people in rural Limerick identified a number of issues presenting as challenges for youth. Young people would like more opportunities to be involved in designing services and amenities for them and a voice in civic life. The mainstream government programme to promote well-being of children and youth 0-24 years in Ireland is Better Outcomes: Brighter Futures. This is structured around five national outcomes for children and youth: (1) active and healthy with physical and mental health; (2) achieving full potential in all areas of learning and development; (3) safe and protected from harm; (4) having economic security and opportunity and (5) connected, respected and contributing to their world.

The Limerick Children and Young Persons’ Services Committee (CYPSC) is a local inter-agency structure, led by Tusla, to promote coordination of services so that they can achieve the national outcomes set out by government for children and youth.

Action Areas

• School and childcare provision in areas across city and county
• Amenities for children and youth
• Programmes to support children most at risk – Travellers, children / young people at risk of offending, migrant children
• Programmes to support families with complex problems
• Youth work projects
• Youth in civic life and volunteering
• Keeping safe, health & well-being for children and youth

Questions

• What social infrastructure for children and families needs to be developed or expanded? And in what locations?
• What actions are needed to support children at risk – Traveller children, migrants, children living in social deprivation, children with disabilities, child carers?
• What actions are need to keep children and youth safe from harm?
• How can we involve young people in decision-making and volunteering?

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objective

SCDO No. C3

Health & well-being

Improve health and well-being for all taking into account all of the factors that can affect people’s health. Put the infrastructure, amenities and services in place so that people can have healthy lifestyles

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

3 Good health & well-being; 10 Reduce inequalities; 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities; 1 No poverty

Rationale

Why is this important?

Health and well-being is increasingly important to us as a society and goes hand-in-hand with economic progress. Health is about more than the absence of disease but encompasses achieving each individual’s potential to enjoy good physical and mental health and well-being throughout all stages of life. Well-being is connected to quality of life and is about focusing on those aspects of daily living that allow the individual to thrive. A social determinants approach to health takes into account all of the factors that impact on health and well-being. These include education, employment, income, quality housing, amenities and recreation facilities, health-related behaviours including nutrition, physical activity, smoking, clear air and water quality and access to health services.

Limerick City and County area has a health profile generally in line with the national average with 86% of the population rating their health as good or very good (2016) and 10.6% rating their health as fair, bad or very bad (2016). In the more deprived areas of the city and parts of county towns, especially Rathkeale with a large population of Travellers, a larger proportion rate their health as fair, bad to very bad (20% and over). Health inequalities in these areas are connected to factors of social deprivation (low education, low incomes, unemployment etc.). Poorer mental health is also more prevalent in socially disadvantaged populations. High rates of deliberate self-harm and suicides – where very high rates are recorded in Limerick City for females and males – are an indicator of poor mental health in the population. In the interest of equality, social justice and fairness, it is important to address such health inequalities.

Groups in the population that tend to have poorer health include Travellers, older people and people with disabilities. Lifestyle factors in the general population (poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, lack of physical activity) and lack of social connection are also associated with poorer health status and higher incidence of chronic disease including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancers.

The Healthy Ireland Programme and Sláinte Care Healthy Communities programme are specific national programmes in place to promote positive public health in local communities - good nutrition, physical activity, quit smoking, social connectedness etc. Under Healthy Ireland, local authorities have a key role in implementation of annual programmes of health promotion, local health initiatives and distribution of small grants to community projects that support positive health and health behaviours in local communities. Sláinte Care Healthy Communities is specifically addressed to promoting healthy lifestyles – e.g., quit smoking, social prescribing – in the most disadvantaged areas of Limerick City. This programme is addressed to reducing health inequalities.

Action Areas

• Health promotion and services to support people in healthy lifestyles - nutrition, stop smoking, address drugs misuse, participation in physical activity and in community
• Recreation space and amenities
• Access to health services – physical and mental health services
• Community-based physical and mental health  programmes and services

Questions

• What are the priority areas for action?
• What is needed and in what locations?
• What is needed to support groups that have poorest health – Travellers, older persons, people living in disadvantaged areas, migrants?

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objective

SCDO No. C4

Ageing well & age-friendly Limerick

Put in place the infrastructure and services so that people can age well in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and involve older people in community life and decision-making

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

1 No poverty; 3 Good health & well-being; 7 Affordable and clean energy; 10 Reduce inequalities; 17 Partnership for the Goals

Rationale

Why is this important?

The population of Ireland is ageing. In Limerick and County, over one-fifth (14.1%) of the population is aged 65 years and over. Limerick City and County has an old age dependency ratio of 21.4 (slightly higher than the state average, 20.4) and this has been increasing. There is variation in demographics of ageing across the local authority area, with parts of the city, for instance, having a higher proportion of older residents and the suburbs having large young populations. Some towns and villages have older populations, especially living in the core of towns. However, there are also elderly people living in rural areas, some in rural isolation. The general trend has been in favour of longer life expectancy and an increase in the proportion of oldest old – people aged 80 years+. An increase in life expectancy is a positive achievement but also brings challenges.

It requires adaptions to infrastructure (housing, pathways, amenities, community facilities, transportation) and services (education, social and health care) to meet changing needs of an ageing population and to support older people to live independently and adapt to changes such as digitalisation.

Limerick City and County Council was one of the early leaders in developing an age-friendly strategy and initiatives to plan for, and introduce adaptations, to meet needs of an ageing population. As part of the Age-friendly Limerick Strategy, an inter-agency structure is in place to support this. An older person’s council, to give a voice to older residents in strategy and action, is also in place. People in older age groups are important in the civic life of urban and rural communities, with many volunteers being in older age groups. Within the broad group of older people, those on low incomes are at higher risk of poverty, poorer housing, energy poverty and poor health.  

Action Areas

• Age-friendly principles applied in planning and design of neighbourhoods / housing, local facilities, amenities / recreation areas, buildings, transport
• Housing adaptations & supports for independent living
• Education, social and cultural activities
• Health and social care
• Digital inclusion initiatives
• Actions to address needs of vulnerable and isolated elderly

Questions

• What are the priority areas for action in planning for an age-friendly Limerick?
• What are the priority actions to support well-being of older people generally?
• What are the priority action to support older people to live independently for as long as possible?
• What is needed to support vulnerable elderly people?

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objective

SCDO No. C5

Social inclusion & personal empowerment

Work to build social inclusion in society, reduce poverty and support people and households who are socially and economically disadvantaged, wherever they live, to improve their life chances and well-being

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

1 No poverty; 2 Zero Hunger; 3 Good health & well-being; 10 Reduce inequalities; 17 Partnership for the Goals

Rationale

Why is this important?

This objective is addressed to people living in or at risk of poverty wherever they live. We know that certain areas, especially parts of urban areas / social housing estates / former estates and parts of our larger towns have clusters of people living in deprivation. However, more people who are poor or at risk of poverty live outside of those areas. Because they aren’t clustered into specific areas, they tend to be more difficult to reach and to target for support.

While living standards of people in Ireland have improved significantly, in 2021, 11.6% of households were at risk of poverty, meaning that their income was at or below the poverty threshold of 60% of median disposable income; 13.8% of households experienced enforced deprivation where they are unable to afford two or more basic items considered the norm for society and 4% of households experience consistent poverty meaning they are both under the threshold of 60% median income and living in enforced deprivation.

Households that are most at risk of poverty and deprivation include those headed by: people unable to work due to illness or disability which have the highest poverty rates under all measures, unemployed people, people with lowest education, adults living alone and in one parent households with young children and people in rented housing (particularly local authority-rented and on rent-support schemes). Travellers and persons coming out of or in Direct Provision / International Protection system are also at highest risk of poverty and deprivation.

Rural areas have higher rates of at risk of poverty (based on 60% or less median disposable income) but lower rates of enforced deprivation and consistent poverty compared with urban areas. Isolation, lack of transport, unemployment /under-employment and poor access to services are characteristics of rural deprivation.

Local data for Limerick shows that we have relatively large numbers, particularly in the city, that are not in work (due to unemployment, long-term illness / disability or otherwise inactive) and with the characteristics of poorest households. In 2016, 15% of the population of Limerick City and County have a disability; some 17,000 adults across the city and county had primary only or no formal education in 2016 and just over 15% of all households in Limerick City and County were lone parent households with at least one child under 15 years (2016). In 2022, between local authority housing stock and rent subsidy scheme for households in housing need on low means, there were some 9,200 households in social housing provision.

The concept of social inclusion incorporates having sufficient means or income but also access to services and participation in society (Ireland’s Roadmap to Social Inclusion).

At EU / national policy level, under the European Pillar on Social Rights Action Plan, Member States have agreed a poverty reduction target. The target set by Ireland is to reduce the number in poverty by 90,000 by 2030. Under national policy, the Road Map to Social Inclusion, the ambition is to reduce the consistent poverty rate to 2% or less by 2025 and for Ireland to be one of the most inclusive states in the EU.

There are many policies and programmes in place to reduce poverty – income support, education, active employment measures, family support, health interventions – and promote social inclusion. The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is the mainstream programme delivered in local urban and rural Limerick to support inclusion. This programme is delivered in urban and rural Limerick by the Local Development Companies – PAUL Partnership in the city, West Limerick Resources in west Limerick and Ballyhoura Development in east Limerick. Attitudes in society so that they are supportive of social justice and social inclusion and anti-discrimination require on-going attention.

Action Areas

• Information and advice services for individuals in or experiencing exclusion to access services they need
• Support to get into the workforce and earn income from employment
• Group-based programmes and activities to build social inclusion and get people to participate in society
• Support to groups at highest risks – e.g., Travellers, migrants, homeless people, people with mental health issues, young people not in education training or employment

Questions

• Which are the highest priority groups in Limerick?
• What are the priority actions to support people in social exclusion and at highest risk of poverty?
• What types of actions are needed in different types of areas – urban, rural, towns, villages – and locations?
• What is needed to support inclusion of specific groups – Travellers, migrants, people with disabilities etc.

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objective

SCDO No. C6

Sport, recreation & community buildings

Put in place sport and recreation facilities and multi-purpose community buildings in areas where such facilities are lacking and there is a community need, improve existing facilities to meet changing community needs, upgrade them to modern standards and to be more energy efficient

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

3 Good health & well-being; 10 Reduce inequalities; 11 Sustainable cities and communities

Rationale

Why is this important?

Sport and recreation facilities and community buildings as meeting places are important to quality of life for local communities.

In relation to sports, there is large number of playing pitches – especially soccer and GAA  – across the city and county. There are varying needs for pitch extension and improvements such as lighting, all weather surfaces, dressing rooms, club house and other facilities. There is provision for other sports – golf, hockey, tennis. With the completion of the Regional Athletics Hub in Newcastle West, a new state-of the art outdoor athletics track is now based in west Limerick.  There is a number of swimming pools in urban and rural Limerick including two public swimming pools owned / part owned by the local authority and many in hotels and leisure centres available for public use via membership. There is generally good provision of large and a number of small parks and open spaces. There are significant areas of unused or passive green space that could be developed as recreation space, natural play areas, nature areas and bio-diversity corridors. 

Limerick has the 40km Limerick Greenway traversing west Limerick and now expanding to join with the north Kerry greenway. The 1.3km Castletroy Urban Greenway connecting shops, residential areas, schools and amenities was opened in 2021 and provides a model for other suburban areas. A number of additional routes are at different stages of feasibility assessment and planning. There are also outdoor recreation routes in both urban and rural areas that give access to nature. 

While playgrounds are distributed across Limerick, there may be deficits in provision as population bases have changes / with population shifts. As with other recreation infrastructure, there is a need for improvement / upgrading works to many existing playgrounds. There is a small number of MUGAs / skate parks in built up residential areas. As the population grows and with the focus on compact growth – to create living city and living towns and villages - there will be a need to expand and enhance the amenity and recreation infrastructure in local residential areas.

Library Services / Library branch offices across the city and county provide for cultural, educational, social and information uses offering services in the physical settings and online services. They also offer meeting places for community use as well as space for cultural activities, exhibitions and other events. 

In relation to community buildings, there is generally good provision especially in disadvantaged areas of Limerick City and throughout rural Limerick. However, community facilities are lacking in some areas - especially in sub-urban areas where community organisation may be less advanced and in parts of the city. Generally, many community buildings require upgrading, re-design to modernise them and to meet changing needs (new activities, disability access, assistive technologies and other aids for people with impairments) as well as works to improve energy efficiency. Other buildings may be able to expand their use to a wider public and social and cultural groupings.

There are public funding streams in place such as the Sports Capital programme, the Community Centres Fund, the LEADER programme to support new and improved facilities and CLÁR in rural areas suffering depopulation. The Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme supports walkways, cycles and access to nature in countryside areas. Within larger-developments and urban / town regeneration projects, amenity and multi-use community facilities could be part of an overall scheme of development projects. 

Action Areas

• Parks, playgrounds, natural play areas
• Outdoor and indoor sports facilities, especially multi-use facilities
• Outdoor recreation infrastructure in rural areas, providing access to nature, rivers / waterways
• Physical improvement works to community buildings
• New multi-purpose community centres

Questions

• What are the priority actions needed to expand and improve recreation, amenity and community buildings?
• For what groups?
• What locations?

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objective

SCDO No. C7

Societal / community awareness climate action

Deliver awareness-raising and education events for people across all age groups, backgrounds and communities on climate change and environmental sustainability so that we have a better understanding of how we need to change our behaviour and take action to protect our environment for our own and future generations 

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

3 Good Health and Well-being; 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities; 12 Responsible Consumption and Production; 13 Climate Action; 17 Partnership for the Goals

Rationale

Why is this important?

We are faced with the global crisis of climate change where urgent action is needed to change behaviour, to mitigate effects of climate change and make adaptations linked to changes that have already occurred. Action is needed at all levels – in public bodies and institutions, businesses, communities, households and individuals. The agenda for action is wide-ranging – transport and travel, energy consumption, the food we eat and where we source it from, our buildings, consumer products and waste, nature, natural resources and biodiversity. It needs the buy-in of society as a whole.

Ireland is legally bound to achieve set climate action targets – to achieve a target of a 51% reduction in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, from a baseline in 2018, and net zero by 2050. Ireland has also signed up to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  While people are generally aware of the need for climate action, depth of understanding of the urgency of the crisis, what needs to be done and what individuals, households and communities can do are lacking. There may also be insufficient awareness of the new opportunities presenting with climate change (e.g., green energy, circular economy, local supply chains, new skills areas, jobs and businesses in the green economy).

Under the UN SDGs, Ireland’s second implementation plan identifies as strategic priorities: the expansion of public awareness of the SDGs and their relevance, stakeholder participation in implementation and follow-up and support to local communities and their organisations to make their own contribution to achieving the goals.  Government has put in place a Climate Action Fund (2022) to invest in community climate action projects and initiatives and education and capacity building. The programme aims to support and empower communities to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way. Local projects that draw on creativity and the arts to build awareness around climate change and empower citizens to make meaningful behavioural change are being supported in a new Creative Climate Action II: Agents of Change programme (2022). This is a joint initiative of Creative Ireland and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. 

Action Areas

• Education and awareness programmes on climate change, the “green” transition / environmental sustainability  
• Capacity building of community and voluntary organisations in planning for sustainable living
• Climate action awareness and initiatives for businesses / commercial operations
• Local plans, initiatives and campaigns in climate action areas such as waste, circular economy, local food projects, community buildings and facilities
• Local arts & creative projects addressed to climate change

Questions

• What action can be taken to advance this objective?
• What groups could be targeted?
• How can communities be supported to advance climate action plans and initiatives?

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objective

SCDO No. C8

Civic life & social capital

Develop volunteering by people across all age groups and social and cultural backgrounds, build up skills and capacity of voluntary and community organisations and support them to get involved in all aspects of community life

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

3 Good Health and Well-being; 5 Gender equality; 10 Reduced inequalities; 16 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions; 17 Partnership for the Goals

Rationale

Why is this important?

Across Limerick City and County, there is a large number of active local community and voluntary groups. They play an essential role in their communities. They bring people together within local community associations, build civic spirit and pride of place, get together to do things for themselves, provide support to vulnerable groups in communities, work to empower vulnerable groups and represent local communities and the community voice in wider civic and representative structures such as Council committees. Local community and voluntary groups are organised into the Public Participation Network (PPN) – the representative body of the sector - with the Network Secretariat supported by a Resource Worker based within the Council.  Established local and community groups provide important services to their local communities – ranging from social activities, adult education and training, health and well-being activities, childcare and out of school care, local environmental projects, tidy towns, local tourism projects, cultural and heritage activities and development and management of recreation space.  Some groups in both urban and rural areas run community enterprises bringing services to local communities that can’t be provided by the market. These enterprise bring economic benefits including platforms to sell local products and services and create local employment. Many state services could not be delivered into local disadvantaged communities without the involvement of the community and voluntary sector.

Local community and voluntary groups across the city and county played a very important role during the COVID-19 pandemic supporting those who were most vulnerable. However, the pandemic in particular showed challenges faced by the sector including ageing of the volunteer base, working towards inclusiveness in a more diversified society and financial sustainability. Local community and voluntary organisations need on-going support to help them address such challenges. Community and voluntary groups can also play an important role in addressing current challenges including climate change, population ageing and migrant / refugee integration.

Government recognises the important contribution played by the community and voluntary sector in general, as presented in the policy document, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland 2019-2024. The strategy sets out the long-term ambitions for community and local development and underlines the role of the sector in creating vibrant and civic community and democracy, with particular attention to their role in marginalized communities. The Road Map to Social Inclusion identifies the role of the sector in building inclusive communities and in supporting social inclusion. The role of the sector is identified in other areas of policy including creativity and the arts (Creative Ireland), social enterprise and climate action (Climate Action Fund).

Action Areas

• Capacity building to set up and run local community and voluntary organisations
• Local area-based planning and community projects
• Volunteering initiatives
• Develop the membership base of the PPN and support its operation and mission to represent the sector
• Support existing groups to develop and become sustainable

Questions

• What priority actions to support volunteering and community and voluntary sector organisations in Limerick?
• What is needed in specific areas / locations – urban, rural, suburban Limerick?
• What groups could be targeted to get involved in civic life and volunteering?

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objective

SCDO No. C9

Integration of migrants & non-mainstream cultural communities

Support people from different cultural backgrounds including migrants to settle in Limerick, to access the services they need and get involved in all aspects of social, economic and community life

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

3 Good Health and Well-being; 5 Gender equality; 10 Reduced inequalities; 16 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions; 17 Partnership for the Goals

Rationale

Why is this important?

Limerick, like Ireland in general, is more culturally diverse than it has been in the past. In 2016, 15% of residents were from non-Irish backgrounds. Since that time, the cultural diversity of the population has increased linked to on-going migration as part of Ireland’s response to arrival of refugees, asylum seekers / people entering under international protection due to wars, human rights abuses and famines in other parts of the world. Within Limerick inner city, there is now a relative large non-Irish population including families with young children. Rural towns / villages are also the location of buildings / sites to accommodate refugee populations. Under the coordination of the local authority and working with voluntary organisations and public services, refugees / asylum seekers are being supported to adapt to their new circumstances including re-settlement in Limerick.

Increased cultural diversity brings many positives (enrichment from exposure to new cultures, knowledge, skills, business and workforce).  It also brings challenges to respond to needs particularly in areas where there are already pressures – housing, health, education. A migrant integration strategy, Belonging to Limerick – Limerick City and County Integration Plan 2019-2023, and an Integration Working Group are in place in Limerick. There is also a specific forum to coordinate services for Ukrainian refugees in Limerick under international protection.

In addition to people not born in Ireland or non-Irish nationals, there are other cultural communities or non-mainstream communities that face particular disadvantages. Access to services can be impeded by discrimination and other forms of exclusion. Travellers are a most disadvantaged group. While only some 1% of the population of the city and county identified as White Irish Traveller in 2016, the actual size of the population is greater than this. There are also some parts of Limerick (within urban Limerick, towns) where there are relatively large Traveller populations. Specific interventions are needed to support Traveller engagement, organisation and access to services.

Other non-mainstream cultural communities experience or are at risk of exclusion and may be affected by discrimination including LGBTQI+ groups.   

Action Areas

• Cultural, social, recreational & other initiatives to promote integration of different cultural communities (migrants, Travellers)
• Inter-cultural awareness initiatives
• Anti-racism campaigns
• Support to migrants / Travellers to access local services
• Access to employment / enterprise by non-mainstream cultural communities
• Networks / representative structures

Questions

• What are the priority actions to support well-being and integration of migrants / non-mainstream cultural groups?
• For what groups?
• Are there specific locations that need to be targeted?

Policy Framework

Sustainable Community Development Objective

SCDO No. C10

Community safety & crime prevention

Work in cooperation with public agencies including An Garda Síochána and voluntary and community organisations to set up local initiatives to prevent crime and create safe and civic communities in urban and rural Limerick

LECP HLGs

UN SDGs

3 Good Health and Well-being; 5 Gender equality; 10 Reduced inequalities; 16 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions; 17 Partnership for the Goals

Rationale

Why is this important?

Sense of personal safety in day-to-day life and community safety are extremely important factors in quality of life and mental health and well-being. Safety from harm, tolerance and low crime are also factors under-pinning a successful local economy where businesses can operate effectively and skilled people are attracted to live and work in Limerick. Building community trust in policing is an important part of building civic communities. As well as community policing, use of technology has been applied to enhance community safety and prevent crime.

Limerick City has had a negative reputation in relation to serious and organised crime. This situation was brought under control with additional policing resources, new responses from the criminal justice system and working in cooperation with local communities. Crime, however, remains an issue that impacts on local communities. There are differences in urban compared with rural crime and in policing and community responses.

Crime statistics show that certain types of offences consistently account for the largest number of reported offences across Limerick Garda Division - thefts, public order offences, damage to property and environment, attempts / threats to assaults, harassment and controlled drugs offences. Drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour particularly affect quality of community life. Certain types of crime are increasing or increasingly reported including gender-based violence / domestic violence. Cyber crime and staying safe online are also increasing in their incidence. Cyber crime can affect all but older people lacking digital skills may be especially vulnerable. Staying safe online particularly affects children and young people.

Certain groups in society are more at risk of being drawn into criminal activity – and / or  are vulnerable as victims of crime – people living in deprivation, people with low education, young early school leavers, people suffering from addiction and migrants.  The Joint Policing Committee of Limerick City and County Council (with representation of An Garda Síochána, elected members and officials of the Council, members of the Oireachtas and community and voluntary sector) provide a forum and a plan to address community safety and policing issues in Limerick. Other inter-agency structures include representation of An Garda Síochána  / the justice system (e.g., the Limerick Children’s and Young Person’s Services Committee, Healthy Ireland, Ukrainian Response Forum, Emergency Response to Adverse Weather and other events). These structures also promote community safety and respond to challenges as part of community policing.

Action Areas

• Inter-agency initiatives to deal with specific issues – e.g., anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, racially-motivated crime
• Local community safety and crime prevention plans
• Campaigns, awareness-raising, education – e.g., road safety, cyber crime, staying safe online

Questions

• What are the priority actions to prevent crime in local communities and create safe communities?
• What groups or communities need attention as at higher risk of experiencing crime or being victims of crime?
• Are there specific locations that require more attention?