Long-term unemployment in Dublin's Northside Partnership area has fallen by 51 per cent since 1991. This is twice the rate at which unemployment has fallen nationally, but there are still 7,000 households in the area affected by the problem.
The partnership yesterday launched its business plan for the next three years, entitled New Frontiers. Speaking at the launch, the partnership's chairman and former IDA chief executive, Mr Padraig White, said: "The Northside Partnership has helped transform the area it operates in over the last 10 years.
"Through the collaborative efforts of the different community groups, local agencies and State agencies, an area of significant social disadvantage at the start of the 1990s faces into the new millennium with a much brighter future." The area covers much of north-east Dublin, running from Killester and Clontarf out to Sutton and Baldoyle, and then across to Artane, Coolock and Darndale. The partnership area contains a population of 100,000 and 500 firms. Although long-term unemployment in the area has fallen to low levels, Mr White said the partnership "confronts its toughest challenge" yet with plans to assist "the disabled, former drug users, released prisoners and Travellers into jobs". He stressed that many changes in public policy and employment practices would be needed if progress was to be made with these groups.
As well as helping more than 7,000 long-term unemployed find jobs, the partnership has assisted more than 500 local school-leavers with access to third-level education. The new programme was drawn up in consultation with local businesses and community groups.