IRD DUHALLOW | PROGRESS REPORT
2020 - 2021
IRD Duhallow Rural Social Scheme Scheme in 2020 to assess the role and resourcing of Rural Recreation Officers (RRO) in their contribution to the delivery of the Walk Scheme and the development of the outdoor recreation sector generally. IRD Duhallow is currently managing the Walks Scheme without the resource of an RRO. Currently there is one RRO covering the entire County of Cork. A dedicated RRO is necessary to explore and harness the full potential of the natural resources and associated culture and heritage which is unique to Duhallow. COVID-19 Response
Donal Moynihan providing caretaking duties in Aubane ensuring that once restrictions are lifted, the centre will be ready to welcome everyone back.
IRD Duhallow was designated an essential service and joined a multiagency response to contribute to the community-wide efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. This ensured a coordinated response in the delivery of much needed services to vulnerable citizens across the Counties Cork and Kerry. With the support of RSS participants and their supervisors, IRD Duhallow’s essential services in the community were not only maintained but expanded to meet the new demand in our region. RSS participants all rose to the challenge of supporting the efforts of the increased demands placed on Duhallow Community Food Services, Duhallow Warmer Homes Scheme, Duhallow Care and Repair, Duhallow REVAMP and Duhallow Community
Nora Shine keeping on top of all the weeds in Rockchapel.
Community Welfare Officer. Work usually involves general clean up, painting and necessary adaptations or repairs. Referrals to the Warmer Homes Scheme have been made and the Furniture REVAMP project has been able to assist in providing furniture and other household items.
Laundry. The services and support mechanisms including door to door collections and deliveries helped people to remain well at home while cocooning. A rota system of teams including RSS participants was put in place to ensure continuity of service.
Participants fencing the Pond Field in Banteer, which was a popular walk during COVID restrictions.
Niall Burke getting his delivery ready for Duhallow Furniture Revamp.
Community Care The Community Care Committee aim to support Don Horgan grass cutting in Banteer GAA which older and more vulnerable he along with other participants throughout adults to maintain successful Duhallow maintained during the pandemic independent living reduce the ensuring once restrictions were lifted the clubs level of admissions to were ready to open to their members. hospital/residential care and increase the social reconnection of these people in their own communities. If patients are discharged to unsafe, cold, unsuitable homes,
they are more likely to return to hospital. By request of the local Public Health Nurses, housing assessments have been conducted by the RSS Supervisors. In some instances, the homes fail to meet basic standards of warmth and safety and therefore clean ups and alterations need to be made. Following the sensitive assessment of a home, recommendations are sent to the HSE and
Retirements During the past year we said a fond farewell to a number of participants who finished their time on the RSS including: Tim Enright, Gerald Duggan, Paddy Lucey, Eileen Moynihan, Dermot Murphy, Joan Murphy and Liz Walsh, all of whom worked exceptionally hard in their respective placements. We also said goodbye to Supervisor Sheila O’Keeffe who reached retirement age last year after sixteen years of service.
Before Sheila O’Keeffe retired her years of service were acknowledged by Board members Anne Maria Bourke and Mary Wallace.
In Remembrance - Morty Cashman RIP RSS participant Morty Cashman sadly passed away in January 2021. Morty joined the RSS in 2019 and was a great worker partaking in a variety of community projects during that time. He is greatly missed by his colleagues in IRD Duhallow. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Supervisor Marie Fleming going through work schedules with Gerard O’Sullivan and Denis Murphy.
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