Sign up to the CIL newsletter

Contact Us

Carmichael House,
North Brunswick St.,
Dublin 7,
Ireland.
Tel. 01 8730455
01 8730986
Fax: 01 8730998
Email:
info@dublincil.org

National CIL Council Meeting - Saturday, February 18, 2006

Montague Hotel, Portlaoise

Click here for meetings presentation

Agenda

Introductions

The meeting began with attendees introducing themselves and the introduction of the three elected Council Officers - Nicola Meacle, Pat Hallinan and Sean Rickard. These Council officers will facilitate and chair future network meetings.

Back to top

Review of notes from last meeting

Agenda items from the last Network meeting in Dublin were reviewed, the main business of which had been pushing forward the election of CIL Officers and signing off on the CIL representatives to the NAG - Pat Raftery (East), Michael McCabe (Dublin), Jim Casey (South), Anne Marie Flanagan (West) and Eileen Daly (Leader forum). Minutes from the last meeting were signed off.

Back to top

Progress Report

Back to top

Evolution of CILs
Martin informed the group regarding the evolution of CILs, showing 3 key areas of work – Network Council, NAG and the National Leader Forum. CILs are classified into 5 group and support has begun with 2 meetings held in Nov & Jan for two of these groups. CIL Carmichale House provide secretarial/general support to the three areas.

CIL Council Workplan 2006
 Key Activities as agreed by attendees at the Network Council Meeting:

Back to top

Blanchardstown Special Initiative
 Michael McCabe introduced CIL Blanchardstowns new video project to the group. The project involved developing an accessible, professional piece of information for distribution to customers, with a comprehensive list of agencies to approach for assistance and a sense of shared information among CILs. Blanchardstown successfully applied for funding for the project, receiving €55,000 - €33,000 from Pobal, €15,000 from Comhairle, €3,500 from FADE CIL and €3,500 from Ireland Funds. In all aspects of the production and administration of the DVD, people with disabilities will be used. Michael pointed out that the “ buddy “ aspect of the project is very important and the need for people from the CIL's already living independently to support new people coming into CIL's. The information pack and DVD will be ready in May or June and the DVD is between 15-20 minutes long. Michael asked for suggestions from the CILs as soon as possible so that information packs will be as comprehensive as possible. The DVD and Info Pack will be presented at Rehabilitation Hospitals and Centres to show people with Acquired Injuries that there is another way to live.

CIL Network Model
 Caroline gave a summary on the two development meetings held for Model Groups 1 & 2 respectively, which took place in the Montague Hotel in Nov and Jan. Full reports of both available on request.
Much discussion took place around the Model, with Martin reminding the meeting that these 5 model sections were agreed at the Network meeting in Leitrim last year with each section having their own brief. Every CIL got a chance to put themselves forward and the remaining CILs who did not attend the first 2 meetings now have an opportunity to put their names forward ensuring they in the right group. Are they : 1) Service providers through core funding & CE schemes, 2) Service providers with a focus on supporting people with disabilities through mainstreaming, 3) Pre-development group?

Back to top

Sectoral Plans
 The National Disability Strategy 2004 was finally enacted in July 2005. Part of National Disability Strategy is the emphasis of mainstreaming and social inclusion through Sectoral Plans. The Sectoral plans outline the functions of six Goverment Departments and how they support people with disabilities at present, with a programme for future development ( Department's omitted are: Dept. of Education, Dept. of Rural, Community & Gaeltacht Affairs, Dept. of Arts, Sport & Tourism.). The First Draft of Sectoral Plans has been developed with overall responsibility suggested to be with the Dept. of An Taoiseach.
What Can We Do? In many cases, Consultation takes place without much notice , Sectoral Plans have to finalised by June '06, use DFI or service users to lobby your issues. Any input should be forthcoming within the next 4-6 weeks.

EU 'Training as Vehicle to Employment' Project & UN Convention
The two year 'Training as a Vehicle to Employment' project sees organisations across Europe that espouse the IL philosophy, work toward focsing National Government agencies traineeships in order to develop, test and promote a set of measures which, hopefully, would make them inclusive regarding persons with disabilities. 37% of people with a disability are in employment v 63.8% for the total population in the same age category – statistics need to be researched and compared to other countries in the project. As there will be a difficulty getting answers there will be a Network set up with key agency staff involved to obtain correct information.
Cathy McGrath and Owen Collumb represented CIL Dubin at a recent 3 day workshop in Stockholm, Sweden, where project partners discussed and finalised project methodology as well as each partners functions and roles.

The International Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities took place in New York last week. Set up in 1991 to develop better opportunities for people with disabilities and ensure policy is changed, they will hold their next meeting in August 2006. Documentation available on request.

Brief overview of 2006 CIL Carmichael House workplan

AOB & Close
Martin informed the meeting about Donegal CILs very successful 'PA of the Year' award. It was suggested that other CILs might hold regional PA awards, or even look at the idea of a National Award Scheme. The group agreed that this could be a good way of promoting PA services nationally.

The O2 Awards that took place last week was discussed. It was noted that the organisers of the event will be contacted to explain to the Council the various awards on the night.

The group was thanked for their attendance and the meeting brought to a close.

Back to top

 

Return to top of page