IRD Duhallow Progress Jun 21/22.qxp_Layout 1 21/07/2022 12:55 Page 53
IRD DUHALLOW | PROGRESS REPORT
2020 - 2021
Duhallow Community Laundry Duhallow Community Laundry has been operating since 2014. Set up to meet the needs as identified by our Saoi and Carers Networks, we have an established client base which is increasing all the time.
Pat O’Neill utilises our delivery service every week, and enjoys the humour Anita brings with her to the role. For many service users, meeting people is just as important as the service itself.
audit fees specifically for 2021. This was most welcome as funding towards operational costs had been discontinued by the government since 2009. Last year our application for National Lottery Funding of €5,000 was successful, this money was used to purchase two professional Ironing Boards, with stream generator, Active Supervisor Anita Castle, ensures the high Ironing board with suction and standard of the service is maintained. As inflation function. These will be a part of her duties, she carries out regular great addition to the service, and we quality control checks across all our processes. would like to express our gratitude to the HSE for this funding and to the CSP for their support.
The target of the service includes the Elderly, Lone Parents, Carers, recipients of Family Income Supplement, the Unemployed, recipients of Disability, recipients of Farm Assist, and participants from our schemes such as Tús, Rural Social Scheme and Community Employment.
It continues to be our mission to provide a top-quality affordable service. The Social Economy model, which provides affordable services to people in necessitate circumstances, has never been more needed than it is today, with the cost of living soaring. With an influx of Ukrainian refugees to Duhallow, our service has been working with the centres in Banteer and Millstreet as well as individuals staying in private accommodation. Governance The Social Economy Working Group under the guidance of the Chair Mary Wallace oversee the objectives of this social enterprise and were a great support in ensuring we stayed operational during COVID-19 whilst also keeping in constant contact with our clients and assisting them with any needs such as delivering prescriptions and groceries. The working group are now prioritising the huge community response to the
The fantastic Duhallow Community Laundry Team who consist of Joan, Anita, Christine and Margaret who are all committed to delivering a top-class laundry service with great customer care.
Staffing Anita Castle leads our team in Duhallow Community Laundry with Margaret Murphy, Joan Sheehan and Christine Sheehan ensuring the service provided is second to none. Without the support of the Community Services Programme, Rural Social Scheme, Tus, and CE activation schemes who all support the staffing of this service, it would be unsustainable. Any staff that join from schemes gain excellent on the job skills whilst working in Duhallow Community Laundry such as scheduling, cash reconciliation, stock taking and customer care to name but a few. Duhallow community laundry falls under the umbrella of IRD Duhallow, and thus can avail of plenty additional supports when required. This ensures community enterprises like ours can avail of advice, mentoring and guidance when needed.
Mary Wallace Chairperson of the Social Economy Working Group has been guiding the laundry as well as our other social enterprises throughout COVID 19 pandemic.
Ukrainian crisis in any way we can. The working group are very cognisant of the fact that investment and upgrading of equipment is necessary and with the substantial increase in overheads and materials the price list was reviewed, and it was deemed necessary to increase price points to safeguard the enterprise.
Dan Sheahan calls to our accessible laundry premises in the James O Keeffe weekly. Our staff are always on hand to meet people at their cars or provide a delivery to their homes.
Testimony – Maura O’Connor The ladies in Duhallow Community Laundry look after me so well collecting my laundry every week, it’s a good feeling to know I have clean clothes in the wardrobe at all times and also to open the hot press and smell the fresh smell of the crisp sheets, the ironed pillow cases and the soft towels. Thank you IRD Duhallow, well done.
Funding POBAL, on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Community Services Programme (CSP) provides funding towards staffing of one manager and two full time equivalents. The CSP aims to tackle disadvantage by providing a co-funding contribution towards the cost of employment. We welcomed the good news last year when Mr. Joe O Brien TD, Minister of State, announced that Community Services Programmes would receive operational funding towards costs for light & heat, insurance and
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