REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT KNOCKANRAWLEY RESOURCE CENTRE TIPPERARY TOWN
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT KNOCKANRAWLEY RESOURCE CENTRE TIPPERARY TOWN THURSDAY, 24TH FEBRUARY 2000
Tá mé thar a bheith sásta bheith anseo libh inniu. Go raibh míle maith agaibh as an chuireadh a thug sibh dom teacht anseo agus as fáilte fíorGhaelach a chur romham.
It is a great pleasure for me to join you here today in Knockanrawley Resource Centre. Many thanks to Sr Joan Madden for her kind invitation and to all of you for the warm welcome.
One of the great success stories in Ireland over the past decade has been the emergence of such a vibrant community sector. In almost every parish, every village, in the country, local people have got together, looked at the needs of their area and set about doing something to solve those problems. And those efforts have paid off a hundred-fold, not just in the improvement in services and facilities, but in the way that local communities view themselves and what they are capable of achieving. Community development has given back to people a sense of control over their own lives, a sense of independence and empowerment, and the satisfaction of knowing that their contribution does make a difference.
So often, at the centre of all that activity, are a few individuals who make things happen, who make sure that all that energy and enthusiasm doesn’t just disappear into the ether, or trail off after the first few months. I think there is no doubt that in Sr Joan Madden, Director of this Resource Centre, we have one such person, a fact acknowledged in the Civic Reception which was held in her honour last year. Together with the other Management Committee members, Sr Joan has done a wonderful job in making Knockanrawley Resource Centre a place of support and help, a place where there is always someone to turn to, a place which gives meaning to the word ‘community’.
Since its establishment in 1991, there has been a constant expansion in the Resource Centre’s services. The Daisy Chain Childcare Centre, which provides creche, preschool and afterschool care, deserves special mention. Investing in high quality, affordable childcare is one of the best investments that communities can make in their own future. It enables parents to take up training and employment opportunities, giving them back the dignity of independence and the prospect of an improved quality of life. This centre has enabled many parents to do just that, while knowing that their children are receiving an exceptionally high level of care. You all know the Irish saying ‘Tús maith leath na hoibre’ – a good start is half the work. That is particularly true of young children. If their early experiences equip them with self-confidence, if they find that learning is to be enjoyed and not feared, then the chances are that they will thrive at school, socially and academically. It is a great tribute to all of the staff at this centre, that so many children here in Knockanrawley are getting that good start.
I would also like to make special mention of the Tipperary Rural Traveller’s Project which is run from the Centre. If community development is to mean anything, it must mean that all members of the community are included, without “ifs, ands or buts”. It is only through bringing people together, allowing everyone to have a say in their common future, creating space for trust and respect to grow, that barriers of suspicion and misunderstanding can be broken down. The good working relationship that has been built up between Tipperary UDC and this Traveller’s Project is an excellent example of this, and I warmly commend everyone concerned.
I am deeply impressed by the extensive range of services that the Centre provides – from counselling, to back-to-work training, adult education and much more. All of this has been made possible by the strong partnerships which the Resource Centre has built up with so many organisations, from Government Departments, to the local authorities, the South Eastern Health Board and, of course, FAS – without whose wonderful support the entire community sector would probably grind to a halt. I congratulate all of them for their support and assistance. But it is the individuals we see here today, including the very dedicated staff of the Centre, who deserve most thanks for the exceptional level of commitment, energy and care which they have shown down through the years.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the local community who have supported the Centre so loyally down through the years. I wish all of you continued success in the future.
Guím gach rath agus séan ar bhur gcuid oibre sa todhchaí. Go raibh maith agaibh.