REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BALLYBEG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CRECHE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BALLYBEG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CRECHE 4th SEPTEMBER 2000
Is cúis mhór áthais dom bheith anseo libh inniu ag an ocaid specialta seo. Tá me buíoch díbh as an chuireadh agus an fáilte fíorchaoin a chur sibh romham
I am delighted to join you today in Ballybeg to see at first hand the tremendous work of the Ballybeg Community Development Project and to officially open the new community crèche. I would like to thank Breige Dowling and all associated with the Project for the kind invitation.
The little ones who are looked after in this lovely new crèche are fortunate to have been born into the community of Ballybeg. This is a community which knows only too well the scourge of unemployment and the cycle of disadvantage, the lack of opportunity it brings. But this is also a community of people who are big of heart and generous of spirit. By coming together, pooling your resources, your talents, your enthusiasm and your determination you have made decisions which will undoubtedly change the course of the lives of many residents in Ballybeg and which will have lasting benefit for all of your community.
One of the great success stories in Ireland over the past decade has been the emergence of a vibrant community sector. In almost every parish, every village all over this country local people are involved in pioneering new initiatives, whether they are back-to-school projects, work experience programmes or retraining courses. These initiatives enable people to look at their lives afresh and to improve the quality of the lives for themselves and their families. 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 their contribution will make a difference.
There are always obstacles to overcome when any of us decide to make changes in our lives. Many young parents have found that it is a bit of a high wire balancing act trying to cope with their responsibilities to their children while at the same time trying to avail of services of the local Development Project. This crèche is an absolutely essential resource for them. It is most reassuring to know that their children will be looked after in a safe and happy environment while they are able to take up training, educational or work opportunities.
I am sure the parents are as impressed as I am with the warm and caring environment here and with the excellent facilities that the children enjoy.
Great thanks is due to Carmel Staunton and all the staff at the crèche who take such wonderful care of the children. It has been an absolute pleasure for me to meet the children and to see them so well and happy. I would especially like to thank Devin Cooley who presented me with a lovely bouquet of flowers on my arrival. You made me feel most welcome.
I would like to congratulate all of you who are involved with the Community Development Project and indeed all involved with the various local activities in Ballybeg. Your tremendous contribution to the community of Ballybeg can only enrich the lives of each and every member of this community. You have shown that it takes more than bricks and mortar to make a community. You need a spirit of belonging, a community spirit that unites what is otherwise a random collection of houses, a chance collection of people. This community is fortunate because it has at its centre a group of people such as yourselves, who share a dream of a better life for everyone in the community and who are willing to do the work to make the dream real.
I would like to thank you all for your warm welcome today and it gives me enormous pleasure to unveil the plaque to officially open the Ballybeg Community Crèche.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go leir.