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NWCI joins SIPTU in calling for the future of Ballymun’s Young Women’s Project to be secured

Published: Thursday, August 27, 2015

Working with young women is central to NWCI’s work and the advancement of women’s equality in Ireland. Local projects, such as the Ballymun Young Women’s Project,  that involve the direct participation of young women, is vital for the empowerment of women. NWCI wants to see this work continued and supports the actions of SIPTU in ensuring the continuation of the work of the Ballymun Young Women’s Project.

For more information, see also SIPTU’s press release:

26th August
SIPTU calls for future of Ballymun Young Women’s Project to be secured

SIPTU has called on the City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB) to reverse a commit to the continued funding to the Ballymun Young Women’s Project in north Dublin.

SIPTU Organiser, Karen Smollen, said:
“The Ballymun Young Women’s Project has been in place for 13 years and has given invaluable assistance to young women in the local community who are at risk due to problems associated with social deprivation.

“The Project was originally part of the Ballymun Women’s Resource Centre which closed in August last year. Following this the Project was transferred to the Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership. However earlier this year, the Partnership failed to secure funding from the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme resulting in its closure.”

She added: “As the Young Women’s Project is funded through the CDYSB, there was no immediate concern for its future despite the changes in organisations managing it. Following the closure of the Partnership a transfer of undertakings was due to take place with Ballymun Regional Youth Resource (BRYR) taking over the management of the Project.

“Six weeks into this process, which would normally take four to complete, the manager of the BRYR advised that they would not be taking on the programme due to fears over its continued funding. A number of other bodies have expressed an interest in managing the Project but the CDYSB has refused to enter negotiations with them.

“The SIPTU members employed to deliver the Ballymun Young Women’s Project have been treated in an appalling manner throughout this process. Our members intend to fight for the maintenance of the Project in order to secure their jobs and this vital service to the community in Ballymun.”

For further information contact:
SIPTU Organiser, Karen Smollen: