A further education college is part of a £500,000 project to open in Jobstown, Tallaght, by the end of next year. Plans for the centre have been drawn up by an adult education group, The Shanty, which has provided courses, including FAS training courses, for 2,000 people in west Tallaght during the past 10 years. AS training courses. South Dublin County Council has allocated land for the centre, to be known as An Cosan (The Path).
The project will also include a natural crafts enterprise and a childcare centre business, the latter offering accredited training as well as childcare facilities.
The Shanty, which started in 1986 in a house of the same name situated between Tallaght and Brittas, is run by a committee of women from west Tallaght. Ms Phil O'Hehir, its manager, says its philosophy is that education is central to eradicating poverty.
About a third of its funding comes from Government Departments and State agencies, another third from big corporations and the remainder from local companies and fund-raising.
A craft business, Weaving Dreams, set up recently, won this year's FAS Community Initiative Award for the Dublin West and Kildare area.
The Cosan project will be launched later this month and speakers at a reception will include the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, the Assistant Garda Commissioner, Mr Tom King, and Telecom chairman, Mr Ron Bolger.
Even though the project has been pledged land by the South Dublin County Council, it must raise the £500,000 capital cost itself. Ms O'Hehir said talks are taking place with the Department of Social Welfare and local companies regarding funding.
The project will be located beside a new Eastern Health Board health centre.