The mission of the IRD Duhallow Equality Working Group is to foster positive change for those experiencing inequality and create a wider awareness of equality issues whilst building a commitment to addressing and mainstreaming equality issues in practice.
Our core work focuses on gender, martial status, family status, age, disability and race. We promote equality to a fairer, tolerant and caring society where everyone can participate and have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Treating people as individuals and placing positive values on diversity in the community and in the workforce are our priorities.
IRD Duhallow has produced a Welcome Information Pack for newcomers to the Duhallow area:
| Duhallow Information Pack | English Version  |
Polish Version |
Lithuanian Version |
For further information please contact Kasia on 029-60633. Please keep an eye on our latest news and events section for upcoming events.
Several important initiatives were developed by the Equality Working Group for the Duhallow region as a mechanism to promote equality and inclusion:
Social Centre for Foreign Nationals
IRD Duhallow promotes Centres of Support for Foreign Nationals, where they can meet, chat, exchange experiences and avail of training supports and initiatives organised by IRD Duhallow. Meetings take place in the Union Hall in Kanturk and in Teach Iosagain in Rathmore. Through this practical resource for new communities it has been identified that migrant workers face many barriers. The Information Service at the Centres provide an excellent opportunity for migrant workers to receive and share information about their rights and entitlements, information on public services and local service activities.
Integration Activities
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In conjunction with our centres the Equality Working Group organised a a diverse range of intercultural social events including:
- Music Sessions in Bruach na Carraige, Rockchapel
- Guided tours of the Sliabh Luachra Area
- Participation in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
- Yearly Multi-Cultural Food Events
- Integration Fun Days
- Annual Multi-Cultural Community Days in Kanturk, Rathmore & Millstreet
- Connecting Communities through sport
Training Supports & Information Initiatives
The Equality Working Group acknowledges the needs and challenges of the Immigrant Community in Duhallow, such as, lack of access to essential information, the language barriers, and adjustment into the new culture. These issues can be addressed through the following actions:
- Business english classes
- Communication across language barriers
- Banking information evening
- Multicultural environmental awareness evening
- Workshop about Polish culture, history and language
- Interactive Polish classes
Disability Supports
IRD Duhallow enhances the capacity of people with disability who live in rural areas to participate fully in local development opportunities to counter social exclusion. This can be achieved through:
- Information Seminar for those with disabilities
- Disability Awareness Workshop
- Sign Language Classes
- Sign in Braille
