ISSUE NO. 41SUMMER 2014

NEWSLETTERFREE

Work on the Wild Atlantic Way viewing point at the White Strand Beach Renvyle

During

FORUM Rural Recreation Programme

'Blueway launchedand rolled out over

the summer'

Minister Michael Ringlaunched the Bluewayinitiative last month atone of the five Bluewaysites, Oldhead,Louisburg. MinisterRing said: "Bluewaysoffer an entirely newperspective on Irelands’magnificent wildAtlantic coastline. TheBlueway initiativeprovides visitors with asafe haven to immersethemselves in some ofthe most gloriouscoastal watersanywhere in the world."

Before

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The Rural Development Programme (LEADER)The Rural Development Programme for Ireland 2007-2013 morecommonly known as LEADER is now in the last stages of itsimplementation nationwide. In the FORUM operational area therehave been approximately 330 projects allocated funding duringthe 5 year period to a total allocation of approximately €5.9million. Overleaf you will see an example of some of the individualprojects that have been paid out or partly paid out to date with atotal drawdown of €2.8 million. There is a lot of project activitydue to complete in the next couple of months and groups thathave not yet submitted a claim are urged to do so as quickly asthey can to ensure a speedy and efficient drawdown period.Promoters are reminded that there will be a high level of activityin the next couple of months as the drawdown intensifies.

From the list which starts at page 11, it is clear that there havebeen a diverse range of projects funded during the programmingperiod. It is the hope of the Board and the staff of FORUM that allof these projects and other support services provided by theorganisation will result in an improvement in the quality of lifeand economic development of the operational area.

While the future of both the major programmes, LEADER andSICAP (formerly the LCDP) currently implemented by FORUM areunder sever threat by Government realignment processes. TheBoard and staff of FORUM are confident that we are well placedto ensure the efficient and effective delivery of these programmeswhere most needed into the future. FORUM has an initial tendersubmission made for SICAP and will if necessary be tendering forthe roll out of the new LEADER programme. We appreciate thecommunities support to date and into the future.

Oughterard Angling Centre

Gig rig - Connemara Bog Week

Connemara MusselFestival

Still image from a Kestrel nestcamera with female broodingyoung at nest in Connemara

Connemara Pony ShowConnemara Carpets

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While the programme has been quite difficultnationally it is great to see that those thatpersevered and put the necessary requirementsin place are now reaping the rewards. This isparticularly evident with two of the biggerprojects that have recently got under way, thatbeing the refurbishment of the Courthouse inOughterard and the conservation andupgrading works to the Connemara West mainbuilding in Letterfrack. Both of these projectsare significant in terms of scale and scope. Theyhave been in development since the beginningof the programme and it is only in the lastcouple of weeks that physical works havebegun. Both community groups are to becommended on their patience andperseverance in ensuring the protection andcontinued use of these buildings into thefuture.

Oughterard Court house

restoration project

Connemara West roof and window

restoration project

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The Local & Community Development Programme (LCDP) in the Connemara Gaeltacht

The Local & CommunityDevelopment Programme (LCDP)is managed by POBAL on behalfof the Department ofCommunity, Environment andLocal Government. It forms partof the National DevelopmentPlan 2007 – 2013. FORUM administers LCDP in nonGaeltacht Connemara and wasasked by POBAL to manage LCDPin Gaeltacht Connemara June

2012 to December 2014.The groups targeted by FORUM,under LCDP are as follows: olderpeople, young people andfamilies, community groups,people with disability, under andunemployed, lone parents. Two additional workers wereemployed by FORUM toadminister LCDP in GaeltachtConnemara from July 2012 toDecember 2014.

A range of actions have beencarried out with groups andindividuals in the ConnemaraGaeltacht. A news sheet has beenproduced in Irish outlining theseactions. For a copy pleasecontact Gearoid DeFaoite – 0876921211 or Mairead UíDhomhnaill – 087 7952747

Good quality childcare is provided in a safe, healthyenvironment and supports the physical, emotional,social, moral and intellectual development ofchildren. A key element to ensuring this quality is astrong level of commitment to ongoing professionaldevelopment by staff. To this end the ChildcareNetwork spent several months identifying relevanttopics and sourcing speakers for their Spring seminar. In May childcare workers from nine services came together for an informative evening in FORUM. Theprogramme included an overview of developments in the childcare sector with Memie Ui ChualainGalway City and County Childcare, this was followed by an Introduction to FETAC/QQI Level 6 EarlyChildhood Care and Education Sorcha O’Toole/Annie Graham Galway Roscommon Education TrainingBoard (GRETB) Further Education Centre, Letterfrack. The Networks guest speakers for the eveningwere Mary Wyndham Community Nurse who works with under 3’s as preschool liaison officer and hercolleague Eilish Horgan psychologist both from the HSE’s Early Intervention Services Preschool SupportServices in Galway. Bridget McGloin tutor of ‘Jymka’ also gave a demonstration of the programmewhich promotes physical activities for children 4 – 10 years in Tigh Na Nog Crèche.

Connemara Childcare Network Seminar

Getting Crafty The Wednesday Ladies Group (WLG) are a newlyformed women’s group who have been meetingweekly on Wednesdays (hence their name) in theFurther Education Centre Clifden. Following theirparticipation in a 10-week Basic Sewing programmewhich was supported by FORUM the group expressedan interest in learning crochet. Fortunately the grouphad two experts to hand; Laura Acton and Tina King,agreed to tutor fellow members. The group producedmany high quality items including making 20 babiesblankets for Féileacáin, the Stillbirth and NeonatalAssociation of Ireland who offer memory boxes tobereaved parents. The closing event for the summer was an outing to Kylemore Abbey, with tea, jam cream and deliciousscones to start!! This was followed by expert guides leading a tour of the Abbey and Gardens. The grouphave identified a number of exciting activities for the autumn when they resume and FORUM will beassisting them in planning some of these over the summer.

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Connemara Women’s Network - International Women’s Day

International Women's Day (IWD), is marked on the8th March every year in many countries throughoutthe the world. Some using this day to highlighttopics which expose the plight of women living withviolence, in hunger, in inadequate living conditionsetc. whilst others organise events which celebrate

the economic, political, social achievements andcontribution to families, communities and societythat women make. In North Connemara the TownHall in Clifden was the venue for an informativeand fun programme of speakers anddemonstrations put together by FORUM.

Bridget Gavin - First ever Female Chief Engineer ofUlysses Ferry talked about her life at sea.Nutritional Advice was given by Rose Greene fromRenew with Nóirín Clancy from the LongfordWomen’s Link talking about the Women’sManifesto Project which encourages women to getinvolved in politics. She also spoke with DeputyMayor, Councillor Eileen Mannion on herexperience in politics. A Health & Fitness input wasgiven by David Carney Station House Leisure Centreand Siobhan Conneely owner of Ciuin, with her

assistant Isabel Hardiman giving a makeupdemonstration. Dr. Sophie Faherty addressed anumber of key Women’s Health topics and finallyPersonal Stylist, Delilah, with the assistance of localmodels, gave advice on dressing for your shape,season trends and selecting key wardrobe pieces.The feedback from the day was excellent withmembers from eight women/ community groupsattending as well as other interested individuals.

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We continue to be busy in Clifden CIC, and have dealt with more than 500 queries so far during 2014. Asa result of the most recent Budget there have been changes to many of the main social welfare supportsthat are available, and it's a good idea for everyone to make sure and keep themselves informed about allthe changes. Some of the main changes that have occurred so far this year are as follows:- The means test for the Medical Card for Over-70s has changed – The gross income limit for the

over-70s medical card is now €500 per week for a single person and €900 per week for couples. (These limits were reduced from the previous limits, of €600 and €1,200 per week, from 1 January2014.)

- Changes to the One Parent Family Payment continue: the upper age limit of the youngest child for new claimants is 7 (from July 2014) and the amount of money you can earn from employment before your One Parent Family Payment is affected has been reduced to €90 per week (from January).

- Jobseeker's Benefit is now payable for a maximum of nine months (234 days) - The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is once again open to applicants from June

1st to September 30th. Don't forget that, in addition to social welfare, we also have access to information on employment rightsand legislation, and this information is relevant to employers and employees alike. So whatever information you need with regard to social welfare or employment, consumer affairs,education or housing, please feel free to contact us in Clifden Citizens Information Centre. We have manyfree booklets & brochures in stock, including 'Information for school leavers,' 'Entitlements for the OverSixties' and 'Information for the Self-employed.' For free, confidential and impartial information on all your rights and entitlements, contact ClifdenCitizens Information Service. Tel: 0761 077 580 & 087 1301100 / Email: clifden@citinfo.ieOPEN: Thursday 7pm to 8pm, Friday 1030am to 330pm 2nd Floor, Cashel/Connemara Credit Union,Clifden. Information is also available online at www.citizensinformation.ie and from the CitizensInformation Phone Service, 0761 07 4000 - Declan Weir information Officer

Clifden Citizens Information Centre

Sensory Garden Social Mhuire Clifden OUR SCHOOL GARDEN by Aoife Mannion 4th Class In our school, we have a ‘sensory garden’ in courtyard number 1. Sobasically, there are five sections: taste, scent, and touch, hear and sight. Inthe taste section there are edible plants. There are leaves that taste sourand flowers that taste like peaches to me! Then you can follow your noseto the scent section where there are plants and flowers that haveextraordinary scents. There’s even a flower that smells like chocolate! Ifyou enter the touch section, you’ll see a variety of different plants you cantouch. Some feel smooth, some feel spiky and some are even fluffy! In thehearing section, there are some noisy herbs that rustle in the wind. Thensome beautiful flowers will catch your eye in the sight section. With plantsfrom small, blue flowers to big, pink flowers. The sensory garden is greatfun to take a visit to but remember to go there with an adult or you endup trying to eat a leaf from the sight section! (That won’t taste verynice.)In the very centre of this sensory garden is an apple tree which is stillblooming at the moment. Even though the garden is specially designed forthe children in the special needs unit all kids are welcome to check out thegarden and enjoy trying out all the plants.

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THERAPEUTIC RIDING FAMILY FUN DAYThe look of contentment and joy on Jack’s face as he petted the pony’s neck said it all. Jack is 7 years oldand has autism. This was the first time he had been astride a Connemara pony and it’s an experiencehe’ll never forget.

The gathering of families and friends at Errislannan Riding Centre on the beautiful, sunny afternoon ofGood Friday provided an excellent opportunity to experience at first-hand what therapeutic riding (TR) isall about. The group of trainee TR coaches from in and around Connemara, currently coming to the endof a year-long training course, explained how TR works. It is essentially a form of therapy which resultsfrom the response of the rider to the unique rhythmic movement of the pony under the guidance of atherapeutic coach assisted by someone who leads the pony and a side walker who watches the rider. TRhas been shown to be effective in improving balance, co-ordination, emotional control, self-confidenceand self-esteem. It has been used to assist people of all ages with a range of disabilities such as cerebralpalsy, multiple sclerosis, learning disabilities, autism, Down’s syndrome, mental health problems andsensory impairments.This event was organised by a working committee drawn from the Connemara Ponies Breeders Society,Paving the Way – a support group for people with disabilities and their families in Northwest Connemara– and Forum, our local development company. The project, funded by the Leader Programme, is apowerful example of an initiative which enhances social inclusion in an innovative way while promotingthe world-famous Connemara Pony with its docile, responsive nature as a suitable equine for therapeuticriding.

The trainee coaches then demonstrated theirskills in the arena first with the assistance oftwo enthusiastic volunteer riders, Laragh Grayand Roisin Walsh, both transition year studentsat the Clifden Community School. Soon therewas a queue of children and young peopleeager to try this unique experience, includingmany ‘first-timers’. Grace who is 11 years oldand has Down’s syndrome thoroughly enjoyedher walk on horseback round the arenaaccording to her mother, Sheila Herbert.

Parents praised the caring attitude andprofessionalism shown by the trainee coaches in ensuring that the children felt comfortable and relaxedat all times. Instead of the usual saddle, reins and stirrups the rider sits on a roller pad holding on to twohandles with feet dangling free and easy. This allows the rider to have much closer contact with themovement of the pony.Another feature which was a great success was the sensory trail which had been specially designed andset up for the day. The beautiful paths and trees and banks of bluebells at Errislannan provided theperfect setting for the trail where the pony stops at stations along the way to allow the rider to feelvarious textures, hear different sounds or play a little game. The sensory stimulation and integrationprovided by the trail is a fun and relaxing experience which is beneficial for balance, posture andcoordination.

The Connemara ponies were not the only animal attractions at Errislannan. The stable yard was turnedinto a mini petting zoo with miniature goats, pet lambs, bunny rabbits, a tortoise of character and acouple of very exotic alpacas. There were oohs and aahs and squeals of delight all round as children andparents enjoyed getting up close to these lovable pets.Over tea and cakes, made by the Paving the Way parents, it was agreed that this experience had been anoutstanding success and an indication of things to come in the future for therapeutic riding in Connemara. Jean Mullan Paving the Way

Adolescent Support Programme/Youth in Action

Since the last edition of the FORUM newsletter, the project has delivered six eight week After SchoolActivity clubs to Ballyconneely, Kingstown, Aillebrack, Lettergesh, and Scoil Mhuire Clifden NationalSchools. The main emphasis of these programmes is to enhance the participants self esteem throughpositive group work and to offer alternative experiences and develop new skills around outdooreducation. Activities include group games which are very important at the start of each session. Theseare designed to help to develop many desirable characteristics in people of all ages. The games that areplayed by the children help increase concentration, observation, awareness, quick thinking, alertness,strategy, teamwork, trust, laughter, group cohesion, confidence, self-awareness, co-operation and mostimportantly fun. The projects and other activities within these After School Clubs included such projectsas stain glass painting, woodwork project, textile design, card making and orienteering. At the end of theprogrammes the children went on an outing to the Killary Adventure Centre to engage in Combat LaserQuesting and the Killary Challenge. In total 57 young people took part in these programmes.

National Schools After Schools Activity Programmes

Junior Arts Schools ProgrammesIn addition to the After Schools Activity clubs four eight week one hour junior arts programmes havebeen delivered to thirty six children during school time in Kingstown, Ballyconneely, Cashel andAillebrack National Schools. The request for this type of initiative has come from teachers.

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First Year Thursday Club During the past school year sixteen first year students have taken part in the FORUM Adolescent SupportProject ‘Thursday Club’ programme. This programme is similar to the After Schools Activity Programmesthat are run in the local national schools, however the content is focused more intensively on personaldevelopment activities using arts, team challenges, problem solving exercises and sport. The programmeended with a team challenging day in the Killary Adventure Centre, activities included Combat Laser andHigh Ropes Challenge. This programme was also supported by the North West School CompletionProgramme.

CalendarWe wll be compiling the Youth in Action calendar again this year in August. We arerequsting the help of the people of North West Connemara in supplying photographs ofinteresting events, such as school photographs, sport and social gatherings, historicalevents, or old scenic photographs. If you can help please forward your photographs assoon as possible to Kathleen deCourecy at FORUM Connemara Ltd., Ellis Hall, Letterfrack

or k.decourcey@forumconnemara.ie

Comhairle Event 2014

On the 3rd of April, 37 young people from Clifden Community School attended a local event of ClifdenCounty Comhairle na nÓg which took place in the Station House hotel and was organised by FORUMAdolescent Support Project. Comhairle na nÓg is designed to enable young people to have a voice on theservices, policies and issues that affect them in their local area. Due to the size of the county, work isbeing done at local level and based around the electoral areas such as Clifden, Oranmore, Loughrea,Ballinasloe and Tuam. All issues are then forwarded to County level to another group called Dail na nOgand they bring these issues to the Government policy makers for discussion at a national level. The event in Clifden commenced with the young people being given a background to the work that isdone by Comhairle na nÓg and who their youth representatives are. The young people at the meetingwere asked if there were any issues in North West Connemara that they were aware of and would like theComhairlre na nÓg group to take further. Some of the issues raised included the difficulty with transportliving in this rural area, due to the fact that their friends live 10-15 miles away it is hard to visit oneanother and it is expensive to hire a taxi. The participants discussed the lack of football fields in the localareas including Ballyconneely, Roundstone and Cleggan/Claddaghduff. They expressed their concerns atthe damage done to the Clifden Playground as a result of the storm. Female participants voiced theirannoyance at the lack of sports offered to them particularly basketball, soccer and handball. The subjectof skateboarding arose during the day and the problem that there is nowhere suitable and safe for youngpeople to go skateboarding. It was also proposed that the local Comhairle group would work on trying togain access to the local Station House Hotel swimming pool at a reduced rate for students of ClifdenCommunity School. This work is currently underway by the young people under the guidance of theFORUM Adolescent Support Project. This one day conference was supported by the Department forChildren and Youth Affairs as the workshop forms part of the curriculum for Civic Social and PoliticalEducation (CSPE) course.

Over the last number of years there has been a major increase in the number of young people who aretaking on the Gaisce Award. From Donegal to Galway this part of the country has the highestparticipation rate with over 3,500 young people take part in the programme. Most of the young peoplefrom this area have joined up with the Award in Youthreach Letterfrack and Clifden Community Schoolover the past ten years. Gaisce is the National Challenge Award and is a non competitive programmewhere the young person sets the challenge for themselves in four areas; working for the community,learning something new, getting fit and going on an adventure.Gaisce is now combining with FORUM to integrate and improve access to the Gaisce programme for allpeople between the ages of 15 and 25. In doing this, FORUM is also looking forward to having a wholenew range of opportunities in community volunteering, lifelong learning and sporting and adventurechallenges. Gaisce was established by the Government in 1986 as the National Challenge Programme forYoung People. In 2013 over 20,000 participants took part in the programme. Internationally Gaisce is nowrecognized as one of the leading programmes of its type in the world. The community element isparticularly strong in the West and our young people are creating a role for themselves within thecommunity, for example, by training junior football teams, working with older people and working withother young people with disabilities (see the Gaisce websitewww.Gaisce.ie and follow us onFacebook.com/GaisceAward). Young people themselves often identify issues in the community that theywant to do something about and take this on as their challenge. At Gold Level volunteers often take partin projects around the world. As well as working with people who are already doing the award, FORUMwill be able to support people who are no longer in the school or other educational settings but want dothe award and this they can do at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

Gaisce: The President’s Award

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CoderDojo Club Starting again in September CoderDojo is an open source, volunteer led movementorientated around running free, not-for-profit coding clubs andregular sessions for young people. Since CoderDojo startedglobally there are over 200 clubs in 23 countries. At the clubsyoung people between 7 and 17 learn how to code, developwebsites, apps, programs, games and more. In addition tolearning to code, members meet like minded people; show offwhat they’ve been working on and so on. CoderDojo makesdevelopment and learning to code a fun, sociable, experience.CoderDojo also puts a strong emphasis on open source andfree software, and has a strong network of members and volunteers globally. The FORUM Adolescent Support Project assisted in establishing a CoderDojo Club in Clifden, with twolocal business women, Ellen McDonagh and Suzanne Schley, who are the two CoderDojo leaders. Theexisting laptops of the Youth Cafe were updated and with the assistance of Gerry Prior Foroige and EndaBroderick Lighthouse Broadband satellite service, the project has now free broadband for use by youngpeople in the Town Hall for the club and any other educational programmes. A meeting was held withARC, the Town Hall committee to obtain permission to progress with the idea. Currently 35 young peopleare attending the national school group and 15 are attending from Clifden Community Secondary School.This particular club activity is progressive, as the young people are graded and are award USB key belts atdifferent levels of achievement, similar to Judo. To find out information regarding new classes inSeptember you can contact by email coderdojoconnemara@gmail.com or Facebook page cdconnemaraor contact Ellen McDonagh directly at 087 2909351

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LEADER Beneficiaries

Code NameAmount

Paid to date LocationNWN000003 Oughterard Heritage and Cultural Committee €3,303.00OughterardNWN000006 HEDZ Salon AcademyA&D €3,656.00ClifdenNWN000007 HEDZ Salon Academy Capital works ph 1 €22,717.48ClifdenNWN000010 Railway Lodge B&B Carmel Geoghegan €1,475.00OughterardNWN000012 Clifden Chamber of Commerce Floating Pontoon €41,566.12ClifdenNWN000015 Leenane Food Festival €3,076.07LeenaneNWN000016 Baboro International Children's Festival €5,553.00Connemara SchoolsNWN000017 Clifden Community Arts Week €3,529.00ClifdenNWN000018 FORUm Connemara Ltd -Renewable Energy €4,950.00Connemara NWN000019 Maumturks Walking Group -Guide Training €5,820.00LeenaneNWN000024 Clifden 2012 Committee €4,970.00ClifdenNWN000028 Ardbun Construction - Colm Conneely €2,031.00RenvyleNWN000035 Purple Spade Ltd - Catherine and Marty Nee €53,202.00RenvyleNWN000036 Connemara West Education A&D €9,841.50LetterfrackNWN000037 Golden Mile 2009 €2,500.00ConnemaraNWN000039 Roscahill ICA- Mountmellick Embroidery training and materials €6,010.73Roscahill /KillanninNWN000040 Renvyle Comhaltas- Masterclasses Year 1 €13,521.35RenvyleNWN000042 Connemara Pony Showgrounds €18,557.44ClifdenNWN000043 Roscahill Community Pavement €2,958.45Roscahill /KillanninNWN000044 Connemara Fine Foods - James McGeogh Equipment €14,800.75OughterardNWN000046 Killanin Community Centre €1,770.00KillanninNWN000048 Derroura Mountain Bike Trail Feasibility €8,487.00OughterardNWN000051 Oughterard Courthouse Feasibility €7,108.74OughterardNWN000053 Michael Faherty - Artificial Fishing Pond €28,339.88OughterardNWN000054 Cleggan Community Council CPC Training €1,485.50ClegganNWN000055 Spruce Your Pooch Materials €1,821.36RenvyleNWN000056 Spruce Your Pooch Training €600.00RenvyleNWN000058 Terri Conroy -Connemara Retreats Website €490.00ClifdenNWN000060 FORUM - Tourism Scoping Study €4,000.00ConnemaraNWN000062 Thomas King - Micro-brewery Training €705.89RoundstoneNWN000063 FORUM - Train the Trainer €12,085.20ConnemaraNWN000064 Clifden Comhaltas - Trad Fest €2,988.11ClifdenNWN000065 Leenane Walking Festival €4,945.31LeenaneNWN000066 Pauline Mortimer -Renvyle Beach Caravan €26,721.94RenvyleNWN000067 Ougtherard Culture and Heritage Website €3,738.75OughterardNWN000068 Clann Resource Centre Car Park Upgrade €4,696.18OughterardNWN000069 Connemara Mussel Festival €2,440.77RenvyleNWN000070 Bridgets Garden €18,936.03Roscahill /KillanninNWN000071 ARC Limited - Clifden Town Hall €2,997.90ClifdenNWN000073 Foscadh Community Development €113,496.96LetterfrackNWN000074 Bunowen Queen - T.Stuffle €89,507.25BallyconneelyNWN000076 Forum - Connemara - Golden Mile 2010 €2,765.40Connemara

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Code NameAmount

Paid to date LocationNWN000079 James Linnane - Firewood Processing Equipment €19,950.00RoundstoneNWN000081 Roundstone Summerfest €4,491.75RoundstoneNWN000083 Leenane Dev. Assosiation _ Food Festival €6,032.03LeenaneNWN000084 Clifden Community Arts Week €7,831.72ClifdenNWN000086 Roundstone Connemara Pony Show €1,687.95RoundstoneNWN000087 Forum - Train the Trainer Part 2 €10,062.80ConnemaraNWN000089 Maumturks Walking Group Safety Equipment €1,755.00LeenaneNWN000090 Terri Conroy -Connemara Retreats Training €2,740.00ClifdenNWN000091 Brigit's Garden €3,637.50Roscahill /KillanninNWN000092 HEDZ Salon Academy Training Room Equipment €8,817.21ClifdenNWN000093 FORUM - Training-Tourism €3,750.00ConnemaraNWN000094 Clifden 2012 Committee €4,537.50ClifdenNWN000095 Tomas Doyle - Connemara Bees Ltd €8,572.66OughterardNWN000097 Clann Resource Centre Community Garden Training €2,400.00OughterardNWN000098 Connemara Chamber of Commerce Marketing Training €3,750.00ClifdenNWN000100 Ballyconneely Parish Hall Association -Playground €34,377.75BallyconneelyNWN000101 Clifden 2012 Development Plan €4,387.05ClifdenNWN000104 Connemara Carpets Ltd €30,000.00LetterfrackNWN000105 Oughterard Leisure Centre Equipment €9,476.87OughterardNWN000107 Ballinakill Active Age - Meals on Wheels Kitchen Equipment €3,957.54LetterfrackNWN000109 Cleggan Claddaughduff CPC Training 2 €562.00ClegganNWN000110 Oughterard Leisure Centre €966.80OughterardNWN000111 Gary Mortimer €1,495.00RenvyleNWN000112 Kilcummin Parish Golden Jubilee €7,093.22OughterardNWN000113 Clifden Heritage Society - Marconi Site A&D €29,163.13Clifden and surroundsNWN000114/149 Connemara Envir Ed & Cultural Ctr - Mol an Oige CD €4,199.55LetterfrackNWN000115 Renvyle Comhaltas - Masterclasses 2 €11,031.15RenvyleNWN000116 Renvyle Comhaltas- Sound Equipment €3,567.70RenvyleNWN000118 DVR Ltd Training €3,326.00OughterardNWN000120 Connemara Mussel Festival Book €17,538.75RenvyleNWN000121 Clifden Pastoral Council - St Mary's Graveyard €41,440.62ClifdenNWN000122 Clifden Tidy Towns €14,695.66ClifdenNWN000123 Maamturks Walking Group training €8,480.00LeenaneNWN000124 Maamturks Walking Group equip €2,140.38LeenaneNWN000125 DVR Ltd Equipment €838.67OughterardNWN000131 Connemara Mussel Festival €3,929.17RenvyleNWN000132 Leenane Dev Association Walking Festival €6,000.00LeenaneNWN000133 Clifden Comhaltas - Traditional Music Festival €3,924.37ClifdenNWN000135 Connemara Adventure - James Kane €4,264.46LetterfrackNWN000136 James Kane Training €145.00LetterfrackNWN000137 RCDC Engineers Fees €6,143.77RoundstoneNWN000138 Run Connemara €6,720.00Letterfrack

1312

Code NameAmount

Paid to date LocationNWN000141 CPBS - Fontainbleu Display €2,412.03ClifdenNWN000142 ARC Ltd - ClifdenTown Hall €236,487.47ClifdenNWN000143 Clifden Boat Club Event €6,000.00ClifdenNWN000146 Roscahill Killannin Pavements Capital €197,041.55Roscahill /KillanninNWN000147 Clifden Boat Club Pontoon €9,751.70ClifdenNWN000150 Leenane Dev Association/Autumn Fair €4,951.68LeenaneNWN000151 Leenane Dev Association/Hall refurbishment €5,949.00LeenaneNWN000152 Oughterard Tourism/ Courthouse €5,308.88OughterardNWN000153 Forum _ Golden Mile /Training €510.00ConnemaraNWN000155 FORUM - Events Consultant €17,499.96ConnemaraNWN000157 Connemara West Mobile Work Unit €14,115.00LetterfrackNWN000158 Diamond Hill Housing Business Plan €2,025.00LetterfrackNWN000159 Forum Business & Ent Capacity Building €1,365.00ConnemaraNWN000160 Diamond Hill Housing Arch Fees €9,075.00LetterfrackNWN000161 Graham Roberts,Connemara Smokehouse €27,922.04BallyconneelyNWN000162 Roundstone Comm. Dev Council - Car and Amenity Park €139,152.45RoundstoneNWN000163 Clifden Community Arts Week €5,051.40ClifdenNWN000164 Renvyle Sports& Social - Marian Hall Procurement €2,625.00RenvyleNWN000165 Renvyle Sports & Social Club - Marian Hall Capital €136,197.02RenvyleNWN000167 Brigits Garden Capital €175,676.47Roscahill /KillanninNWN000168 Connemara English Language School Equipment €1,184.90LetterfrackNWN000169 Connemara English Language School Training €1,600.00LetterfrackNWN000171 Ballyconneely Parish Hall- Audio Website €3,724.22BallyconneelyNWN000172 Kathleen Giggs €2,200.00OughterardNWN000173 Gate Dental Services - Development of new product €22,750.00OughterardNWN000175 Clifden & District Community Council Ball Alley €4,095.60ClifdenNWN000176 Kathleen Giggs website €400.00OughterardNWN000178 Diamond Hill Housing Association Astro Turf Pitch €177,016.50LetterfrackNWN000179 Clifden 2012 Booklet and Marketing €6,807.00ClifdenNWN000180 Renvyle Comhaltas - Masterclasses 3 €16,373.00RenvyleNWN000182 Corribdale Grounds A&D €5,178.60OughterardNWN000183 Oughterard Leisure Centre €4,647.00OughterardNWN000184 Clifden Pastoral Council - St Mary's Architect €765.00ClifdenNWN000185 Clifden Pastoral Council - St Mary's A&D €975.00ClifdenNWN000186 Oughterard Leisure Centre Equipment €1,575.00OughterardNWN000187 Clifden 2012 Promo Material €1,200.82ClifdenNWN000188 Leo Mansfield - Business mentoring €750.00ClifdenNWN000190 Connemara West PLC - Short Courses Feasibility €6,390.00LetterfrackNWN000191 Corribdale Grounds Tree Surgery €3,175.16OughterardNWN000193 Clann Resource Centre Community Garden €1,799.69OughterardNWN000194 Forum - Procurement specialist €4,797.00ConnemaraNWN000196 Oughtertard Show Committee - Anniversary Year €12,592.56Oughterard

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Code NameAmount

Paid to date LocationNWN000200 Clifden 2012 - May Week Festival €27,732.08ClifdenNWN000201 Connemara Env Ed - Bog Week €5,753.25LetterfrackNWN000202 Connemara Mussel Festival €5,983.19RenvyleNWN000203 Tom Nee - Killary Sheep Farm visitors centre €17,706.73LeenaneNWN000204 Leenane Dev Association- walking Festival €6,000.00LeenaneNWN000206 James Kane - specialty trailer for transporting bikes €1,652.47LetterfrackNWN000207 Tom Kiely- Connemara Journal €4,036.81ClifdenNWN000208 Forum Festivals & events consultant €30,833.00ConnemaraNWN000210 Connemara Rugy Football Club - Marquee Hire €2,100.00ClifdenNWN000211 Clare Wheatley - Adventure Tourism Product €4,775.69LetterfrackNWN000213 Forum Display Board €559.24ConnemaraNWN000214 Leenane Autumnal Fair - sound system €607.50LeenaneNWN000217 Bridget Mc Callion - Equipment €1,721.25BallyconneelyNWN000218 Leenane Developmetn Assoc. A&D €5,326.29LeenaneNWN000220 Michelle Casey - Tourism Camping Equipment €9,167.59LetterfrackNWN000221 Clifden 2012 Autumnal Fair €7,582.75ClifdenNWN000222 Thomas King - Marconi Half Marathon €7,695.33RoundstoneNWN000223 BRB Senior Citizens - Graveyard mapping €6,250.00BallinafadNWN000224 Connemara Bee Keepers €4,266.56ConnemaraNWN000225 Clifden Community Arts week €13,420.23ClifdenNWN000226 Michelle Casey - Remote Emergency First Aid training €4,100.00MoyardNWN000227 BRB Senior Citizens- Equipment and supports for graveyard mapping €2,388.00BallinafadNWN000228 Leenane Autumnal Fair €5,394.73LeenaneNWN000230 Conamara Sea week €9,637.42LetterfrackNWN000234 CPBS - Olympia Event €3,962.07ClifdenNWN000235 Leenane Dev association - Kayak Club €12,017.13LeenaneNWN000236 Leenane Development A&D Amenity Park €4,356.00LeenaneNWN000237 Thatched Cottages A&D Prof Fees €12,112.50RenvyleNWN000239 Connemara West _ Song writing workshop €881.00LetterfrackNWN000240 Cleggan/Claddaghduff Community Kitchen €26,822.85ClegganNWN000241 Cluid Housing Association - St Josephs car park and amenity area €40,439.05ClifdenNWN000246 Christ Church A&D €8,745.30ClifdenNWN000249 CPBS - Therapeutic Riding Training €8,566.66ClifdenNWN000262 Milly the Pony(Melanie Migneaux) €3,406.01RoundstoneNWN000264 Yvonne Flaherty - development of website €7,500.00ClifdenNWN000268 James Kane- Connemara Adventure Road Bikes €7,492.50LetterfrackNWN000269 Yvonne Flaherty - digital marketing training €1,300.00ClifdenNWN000270 Connemara Golf Club- youth academy equipment and signs/advertising €7,393.50BallyconneelyNWN000271 S W Mayo Dev Co - Blueway Animator €1,968.00ConnemaraNWN000272 Connemara Mussel Festival €11,227.19RenvyleNWN000273 Babaro International Children's Festival €5,486.00ConnemaraNWN000275 CEEC - Conamara Bog Week €6,975.02Letterfrack

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Code NameAmount

Paid to date LocationNWN000277 All things Connemara(Jonathan & Amanda Powell) €23,816.16ClifdenNWN000280 Clifden Tidy Towns - Biodiversity training €2,890.00ClifdenNWN000282 Leenane Dev Ass Autumn Fair €6,000.00LeenaneNWN000284 Roundstone Comm Dev Regatta €5,475.00RoundstoneNWN000286 Forum- Admailer €1,633.04ConnemaraNWN000287 Leenane Dev Ass Calendar €928.91LeenaneNWN000289 CPBS Jumps and Marketing €18,792.29ClifdenNWN000291 Oughterard Leisure Centre €3,570.00OughterardNWN000292 Artisan House - Mary Ruddy €22,404.68LetterfrackNWN000293 Artisan House - Mary Ruddy €1,495.00LetterfrackNWN000295 Connemara Rugby - Prurchase of Marquee €2,100.00ClifdenNWN000296 Clifden Tidy Towns - Biodiversity Materials €3,075.97ClifdenNWN000298 Oughterard Leisure Centre Equipment €5,646.32Oughterard

NWN000300Connemara Caravan Park - treatment plant and indoor childrensplay area €58,438.27Renvyle

NWN000301 Clifden Community Arts Week €14,226.28ClifdenNWN000302 DVR Ltd €2,580.00OughterardNWN000303 Luigi Van Nieuwenburg - Connemara Judo Club €1,687.50LetterfrackNWN000304 Dympna Heanue - Photos to Paintings website and equipment €3,906.10LetterfrackNWN000306 Connemara Equestrain Escapes Training - Catriona Goaley €1,408.00OughterardNWN000310 Connemara Sea week €9,729.62LetterfrackNWN000320 Eithne O Halloran - Honeyfoot Equipment €2,967.81LetterfrackNWN000322 Barry Ryan - Film Studio Equipment €21,006.42ClifdenNWN000326 Eileen Kane - equipment and demo cd €4,012.25LetterfrackNWN000337 Patricia O Toole - Product and sample development €12,915.67LetterfrackNWN000340 Connemara Community Radio - West Wind Blows CD €6,052.50LetterfrackNWN000338 Michael Faherty - Artificial Fishing Pond Enhancement €16,519.81OughterardNWN000352 Pauline Mortimer -Renvyle Beach Caravan resurfacing €19,626.42Renvyle

Total Paid to June 25, 2014 €2,821,406.40

FORUM Youth in Action Community Fun Runs

The annual Fun Runs took place this year in Cleggan/Claddaghduffand Letterfrack on the 25th of May and in Roundstone on the 1stof June, with over 500 people taking part. The day was roundedoff with light refreshments, prize giving, an open air disco,bouncing castles, face painting, sports events, fun and games forall the family. The project would once again like to thank all thosewho took part, the young people who collected sponsorship, thevolunteers who helped on the day and the sponsors of thesponsors of the events.

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Roundstone

Cleggan/Claddaghduff

Letterfrack

Social Care ProgrammeBealach (Rural Transport Initiative)Ballinakill Active Age Club mini bus and oneprivate operator continue to deliver the BealachTransport Service four days per week in NWConnemara. The service is for people withreduced mobility and passengers who do nothave a suitable public transport service. Theservice bringing clients to Clifden Day Care, lunchclubs and shopping etc. More information can beobtained on this service by calling 095 41064.

Disability SupportDisability Support continues to be availablethrough the Social Care Programme. The service isbased in the Letterfrack office and offers bothinformation and a form filling service to clientswith a disability. For more information on this service contact 09541064 or 087 9633970.

SecurityThe Socially Monitored Alarms Systems continueto be installed in the NW Connemara region.However, as a result of increased demand onfunding the Department of Environment,Community and Local Government will onlyprovide funding for the purchase and insulationof socially monitored alarms. No other securityobjects will be funded at present. Clientsinterested in receiving a service should contact087 9633970

Traditional Craft ClubThe FORUM Social Care Programme, inconjunction with Ballinakill Active Age Club, hostan ‘Open House Traditional Craft’ event everyWednesday in Ellis Hall, Letterfrack. The purposeof this club is to have a space for like-mindedpeople to meet, learn or pass on skills to others.The group hope to continue hosting the CraftClub right through the summer months. Formore information contact Martina Gavin 0879633970 or Jean Wallace 086 3087619.

Ballinakill Community Catering/ FORUMMeals on WheelsThis service provides a nutritious meal to olderpeople living independently in North WestConnemara. The Ballinakill Community CateringMeals are prepared in Ellis Hall and delivered bythe CE Scheme workers to the client’s door. Atpresent meals are delivered to Clifden, Cleggan,Claddaghduff, Moyard, Renvyle and Kylemorearea. Ballyconneely, Roundstone and Recessmeals are delivered through the CE Schemeworkers and local catering businesses, LeenaneMeals are delivered from Leenane CommunityCentre by community a voluntary workers. Forfurther information on this service please contact095 41064 / 087 9633970.

Carer Companion Service Up to 50 older people continue to avail of thisservice in Non Gaeltacht Connemara. Social Careworkers visit people in their homes and providetransport for shopping, doctors’ visits etc. Thisservice targets in particular vulnerable individualswho are experiencing loneliness, it encouragesindependence and increases participation incommunity. Laundry Service This service is currently in operation in two areasfour days per week. The main users are theelderly, carers, lone parents and students. Fundsgathered from the service help to providevaluable funding for the Meals on WheelsService.

Clifden Day Hospital The FORUM Social Care Programme continues tosupport the work carried out by the Clifden DayCare in the provision of Elderly Day Care Services.The workers assist with the transport service andactivities at the centre. The role of the Day Careis to facilitate and prolong independent living andis attached to Clifden Hospital and run by theHealth Service Executive.

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The Carers groups continue to meet weekly as asocial outlet and obtain and share informationand support. In order to celebrate ‘Carers Week’,members of the Oughterard and Moycullen Carersgroups enjoyed a Spa Day in the Pillo Hotel inGalway and the Clifden Carers Group had a SpaDay in Delphi Mountain Resort. Members ofClifden, Oughterard and Moycullen took part in aHealing Therapy day in the Skcull Holistic Centrein Kilcolgan. Twenty carers are at present takingpart in a Palliative Care Course FETAC level 6. Thiscourse will continue for nine weeks and issupported by HSE, FORUM and the CarersAssociation. The carers support groups are open to all carers, ifyou need further information please contactGeraldine Kelly 087 9633253.

Clifden, Oughterard and Moycullen CarersGroup

Resource Groups Eleven resource groups continue to meet atCoffee Mornings and Lunch Clubs around NorthWest Connemara. All groups were successful insecuring funding from the HSE under the Section39 funding application. The groups enjoy weeklyactivities at their clubs, which can include keep fit,arts, crafts, music, cards and bingo. BallinakillActive Age group attended a community party on6th January and to celebrate St Patricks Daymembers of Ballinakill Active Age Club had anouting to Maol Reidh Hotel Tullycross.Roundstone group attended their Parade andBallyconneely celebrated the day in Clifden. TheRoundstone and Ballinakill groups took part inouting to the Museum of Country Life and hadlunch in Horkans Garden Centre in TurloughCastlebar. In June, the annual trip to Knock wasenjoyed by the Leenane Group. Billy Gilmore alsogave an informative talk on the honey bee to thisgroup. In Spring, the BRB Recess group held a 12week Art Course with Cathal O'Malley in theNational School. Ballinakill Active Age Groupraised €250 at their annual Alzheimer’s Tea Dayon the 4th April.Representatives from all the resource groupsattended the St Joseph’s Court, ‘Ten Year BirthdayBash’ in the Station House Hotel in Clifden on28th May.To celebrate Bog Week’s 30th anniversary, inconjunction with CEEC, FORUM Connemara Ltd.and Ballinakill Active Age Club organised for over70 elderly from the Ballinakill Parish to attendedRosleague Manor Hotel for lunch and concert withDon Stiffe and Marcus Hernon.

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Rural Social Scheme/Tús Community Work Placement Initiative

The Wild Atlantic Way is set to beIreland's first long-distance touringroute, stretching along the Atlanticcoast from Donegal to West Cork.The overall aim of the project is todevelop a long-distance touring routethat will achieve greater visibility for theWest Coast of Ireland in overseas touristmarkets and set to be one of FáilteIreland's signature projects torejuvenate Irish tourism. The project has commenced in twoareas in this region, Renvyle WhiteStrand Car Park and Killary FjordViewing Point. FORUM is working withGalway County Council and FailteIreland to develop these sites byproviding RSS and Tús workers to assistwith reconstruction works.

The Wild Atlantic Way

Beach Scheme workers collect rubbishand debris on a weekly basis frombeaches in Roundstone, Ballyconneelyand Renvyle and have carried out a blitzon all beaches and piers after the stormsin January 2014. To date the RSS and Tústeams have collected 2,000 bags ofrubbish and plastic from local beaches.

Before and after picture’s of Horn Graveyard in DolanRoundstone which was badly damaged by the storms inJanuary 2014. Tús workers repaired the wall for GalwayCounty Council.

Work on theDerrylea Walk and

Cycleway

Clean up of the pier at Lough Corrib

FORUM RSS and Tús Scheme workers havestarted weekly maintenance on the 4 KmWalk & Cycleway in Derrylea, outsideClifden, in conjunction with Galway CountyCouncil. Other scheme workers continue tomaintain sports fields , church grounds andgraveyards in Clifden, Renvyle,Ballyconneely, Oughterard and Recess. InOughterard/Killannin weekly workcontinues with RSS and Tús workers withplacements with Clann Resourse Centre –the youth café and charity shop, the Rugbyand Football Clubs, on sports fields in NewVillage, Corribdale Park, KillanninCommunity Pitch, Killannin andCallownamuck church, school and local pier,and with Oughterard Tidy Towns and theAnglers Association.

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Up-grading of boundary wall at Callownamuck National School

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Rural Recreation and Walks Scheme'Blueway launched and rolled out over the summer'Minister Michael Ring launched the Blueway initiative last monthat one of the five Blueway sites, Oldhead, Louisburg. MinisterRing said: "Blueways offer an entirely new perspective on Irelands’magnificent wild Atlantic coastline. The Blueway initiative providesvisitors with a safe haven to immerse themselves in some of themost glorious coastal waters anywhere in the world."The five coastal Blueway sites in counties Galway and Mayo are -Bofin Harbour on Inishbofin; Glassillaun, Killary Fjord; The CoralStrand, Mannin Bay, Ballyconneely; Keem on Achill Island andOld Head in Louisburgh.A Blueway Steering Committee was established to progress the pilot programme which includedrepresentatives from Canoeing Ireland; the Underwater Council of Ireland; the three Local Developmentcompanies - FORUM Connemara Ltd, South West Mayo and Comhair na nOileáin; Galway and Mayo Countycouncil and Leave No Trace Ireland.A number of Taster Days will be rolled out over the summer providing activities at a reduced rate by localproviders. It's a great way to test the water! Check out our next date and location.http://www.discoverireland.ie/Things-To-Do/Ideas-for-activities/On-the-water/Ireland-s-Blueway

This is the Western Way logo. The purple flower in the forefront is St. Dabeoc's Heath only found inConnemara and South Mayo in Ireland and in Scotland and France in Europe. It signifies theWestern Way, bringing together Galway and Mayo and the terrain of the Western Way. Eighteenmonths ago funding was secured for new signage for the entire Western Way, from Oughterard to Bunnyconnellan atthe Mayo/Sligo border. The maps, text and the logo are being developed and very soon these map boards will be inplace. They are at the final stages of development and will be in place by the end of the summer. The project will bere-launched the Western Way once the map boards are in place. This has been a collaborative project consistingGalway and Mayo Rural Recreation Officers, Mark Conroy GIS and Galway County Council.

A peep at what’s to come along the Western Way:

Other News:A number of trails in Roundstone, Carna, Gorumna, Leitir Mór and Letterfrack will be ready for inspection bythe end of the summer. Thank you to all the community/walking groups that have come forward to developa trail in the local area.

Contact: The Rural Recreation Officer would be delighted to hear from Community Groups, businesses andindividuals in relation to projects in their area. If you have an idea or plans to develop a recreation project,please feel free to contact Rosaleen for advice and information. Projects need to have full support of theCommunity to ensure success.

Rosaleen Ní Shúilleabháin, Rural Recreation Officer, FORUM Connemara Ltd., Old Boys School, Clifden. Co.Galway. Email: r.nishuilleabhain@forumconnemara.ie Tel: 087 737-5599

Under and unemployedEmployment Mediation ServiceThe Employment Mediation service is available fromthe FORUM Connemara Ltd. offices in Letterfrack aswell as one day a week (Thursday) in the FurtherEducation Centre, Oughterard. Anyone who has

queries about employment opportunities , Back toWork Enterprise Allowance or farming issues cancontact Brendan O’Malley at the FORUM Letterfrackoffice 095 41116 or 087 9633366 or emailb.omalley@forumconnemara.ie

FORUM, in co-operation with Galway RoscommonEducation Training Board (formally the VEC) andEQUAL Ireland, has embarked on an exciting andinnovative project for the communities of Connemara.The above partnership is embarking on a HigherCertificate in Workplace and Community Studies. Thecompletion of this Certificate will form a progressionroute to the BA Degree in Business, Enterprise andCommunity Development. The Higher Certificatecourse is accredited by Athlone Institute of Technology.

BA in Business, Enterprise and Community

Back to Work Enterprise AllowanceFORUM, in conjunction with the Department of SocialProtection, run the Back to Work Enterprise AllowanceScheme. The scheme allows participants whoare on a Department of Social Protectionpayment to keep that payment for two yearsand also work at their own enterprise. Workplans are completed and participants mustregister with Revenue. To date in 2014FORUM has dealt with 30 applications forBTWEA.

Agriculture Certificate Fetac Level 5 & 6 (Green Cert)In co-operation with Teagasc and Galway Roscommon EducationTraining Board is running a Level 5&6 Agriculture Certificationcourse (Green Cert) in Letterfrack. The Green Cert will run fortwo years and gives farmers formal training and certification intheir chosen field. Twenty three young men have embarked onthe Green Cert journey and have just completed the first year,with the course continuing in the Autumn.

Safe Pass This year FORUM has organised two Safe Pass coursescatering for 40 people. The Safe Pass Certificate is amust for those who are working in the constructiontrade part or full-time.

FORUM organised a Chainsaw Course for sixparticipants who expressed an interest in thistraining. The course was delivered by Coillte andwas carried out in a local Coillte forest.

Chainsaw Course

FORUM, with the Galway County and CityEnterprise Board, ran a business enterprise trainingcourse to help those who have a business idea orhave already set up in business in Letterfrack,which included talks, lectures, discussions andexercises to encourage participants to discuss theirbusiness ideas, plan start-ups, and deal with fearsand problems they may have. The course isdesigned to stimulate entrepreneurial activity andplan a participants route back to work. Followingon from the Business Enterprise course participantscan avail of one to one mentoring which is alsooffered as part of a start up package to helpbudding entrepreneurs.

Business Enterprise Training

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Essential Housing RepairFORUM Essential Housing Repair Scheme continues to provide the labour and expertise to improve theliving conditions and safety of the elderly, people with disabilities and other vulnerable people living intheir own homes and in the community. Through this scheme the householders pay for the materialsand the work is carried out by part time Community Employment Scheme workers. So far this year thescheme has carried out repairs and various works for 17 householders. Since May 2012, when FORUMstarted this scheme, 56 householders have been assisted. The type of work carried out includes takingout baths and replacing with a shower or a wet room, constructing ramps and handrails, improvingpathways, essential painting, laying floor covering, tiling, plumbing, door repairs and a variety of otheressential work. To qualify for this work under this scheme, the householder must be the owner and livein the house that the work is being carried out on. We also assist in the installation of smoke alarms.

As part of the training element of this CE Scheme, participants have undertaken training in Safe Pass,Workplace Safety, First Aid, Autocad Training, Driving Lessons, Basic Computers and Train the Trainer.The 18 part time workers also carried out painting, general repairs and maintenance on the local HealthCentres with the materials funded by the HSE, work on local community halls and community buildings,administration, caretaking and environmental work. For information and application form please contact Martin Davis at FORUM on 095 41064 or

0879635144 or m.davis@forumconnemara.ie

FORUM Page

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FORUM Management

Terry Keenan, ChairpersonChris Curtin, EvaluatorDan Quaid, Health Services ExecutiveKevin Heanue, TeagascJim Cullen, Galway County CouncilEithne Nic Dhonnchadha, Galway andRoscomon Education & Training BoardAnne Donald Joyce, Community RepresentativeJenny Conboy, Community RepresentativeMary Kirby, Community RepresentativeMartin Conneely, Community RepresentativeCllr. Thomas Welby, Galway County CouncilCllr. Seamus Walsh, Galway County CouncilCllr. Seosamh O’Laoi, Galway County CouncilCllr. Eileen Mannion, Galway County CouncilEmmet McGloin, IFANoreen Parker, SIPTUHugh Musgrave, IFAJosephine Lally, Community RepresentativeMary Gannon, Community RepresentativeBreda Fox, County Enterprise BoardLeo Hallissey, Environmental RepresentativeCarmel Geoghegan, Youth

FORUM Staff - Full Time

John Coyne, CEOYvonne Keane, Assistant CEO

Kathleen Kane, Team Leader/AdministrationCathy Keane, Team Leader/Community Groups

Anna Marie Mortimer, Secretary/AdministrationKathleen deCourcey, CE Supervisor Youth in Action

Martina Gavin, CE Supervisor Social CareMartin Davis, CE Supervisor

Essential Housing Repairs SchemeMarie Feeney, Adolescent Support Coordinator

Brendan O’Malley, Employment Mediation Service

Geraldine Kelly, Rural Social Scheme SupervisorBrian Conneely, Tús Supervisor

Joe Ribbon, Tús SupervisorKaren Mannion, Leader Project Officer

Joe Conaty, Leader Project OfficerMelissa Wallace, Administration Officer

Rosaleen Ní Shuilleabháin, Rural Recreation Officer

Mairead Uí Dhomhnaill, Employment MediationService, Gaeltacht Connemara

Gearóid deFaoite, Community Development Worker,Gaeltacht Connemara

Part TimeBrid Staunton, Accounts

Tina Jack, Youth Support WorkerSandra Shattock, Administration

FORUM continues to disseminate information through the medium of two newsletters a year and througha weekly broadcast on Connemara Community Radio, which highlights the activities of the FORUM Project.

FORUM Website: http://www.forumconnemara.ieEmail: info@forumconnemara.ie

Printed by Berry’s Printers

The FORUM Project has beenfunded under the EU LeaderProgramme and by the Irish

Government under the NationalDevelopment Plan 2007 - 2013

and a number of State Agencies