MINISTER PLEDGES GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR OMAGH
Minister pledges government support for Omagh at New Deal launch
MINISTER for Education and Training, Mr John McFall, gave an assurance of the Government's support for Omagh New Deal Consortium, when he visited the district council offices on Monday.
And council chairman, Mr Sean Clarke, told guests in the chamber that the council unanimously welcomed the initiative.
Mr Clarke said he believed the council had the financial and human resources to take on the lead role in the consortium which would deliver the New Deal.
Addressing Mr McFall, he said "Minister, you are well aware of our troubles here in Omagh at this time, and I make a special appeal to Government, seeking their support and endorsement for the creation of new job opportunities at this critical time."
Mr John McKinney, chief executive, then explained that the council-led consortium had acquired a contract to deliver three New Deal options the full time education and training option the environmental task force option and the voluntary option.
He said the consortium members were drawn from the training and education, environmental, voluntary and community sectors working in partnership to provide a variety of New Deal options for the unemployed.
"As Omagh gets back on its business feet our thoughts turn to the economy and attempting to tackle the perennial problem of long term unemployment," he said.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the members of the consortium in coming together in partnership with Omagh District Council to co-ordinate and deliver this new suite of programmes.
Endorsed
"Partnership is an approach that this council has long endorsed as a way of achieving results, and involving all the relevant players in the process," he said.
Mr McKinney said the Omagh New Deal Consortium is also in the process of submitting a bid to deliver the programme for people with disabilities, in conjunction with the Social Education Centre.
And he extended special thanks to Patricia Grimes, the New Deal co-ordinator for getting the scheme up and running.
Mr McFall then told guests that the New Deal provides a unique opportunity to help Omagh's young people, its employers and in turn the whole community, as together they face the difficult task of building the economic future of the town.
"Just a few days ago the President of the United States and the Prime Minster visited the town to offer support to the local community following the horrific bomb attack on the heart of the town last month," said Mr McFall.
"Helping the community get back to some degree of normality is where Government can help, and the New Deal is just one example of that support".
Mr McFall said the Omagh consortium was fortunate to have so many high quality organizations which would help deliver a first class programme.
New Deal is different. It is a national programme and it focuses on the individual. It offers high quality training and is designed to get people off benefits and into work giving people hope for the future where perhaps there was none," he said.
Mr McFall continued "We must continue to make New Deal a success in Northern Ireland, and to make good use of the additional funding allocated through the Chancellor's Initiative aimed at getting the over 25s back to work.
Co-operation
Mr McFall said there was co-operation with the New Deal right across Northern Ireland, and this support would contribute towards its success.
"Today's Launch, set against Omagh's uphill journey ahead, is a small step on the road to your new future, but I promise you Government's support everywhere possible", he concluded.
Omagh Job Centre manager, Mary O'Kane said "New Deal can play a part in the renewal of community bringing people together to work towards a better future. New Deal has given our unemployed a massive opportunity."
Omagh New Deal consortium members are Enterprise Ulster, Irish World, Jobtrack, Omagh ACE Network, Omagh Area Training, Omagh College, Omagh Training Services, Princes Trust, Sperrin Lakeland Trust, Tyrone Training Services, Jobtrack and Young Help Trust.
MINISTER for Education and Training, Mr John McFall, gave an assurance of the Government's support for Omagh New Deal Consortium, when he visited the district council offices on Monday.
And council chairman, Mr Sean Clarke, told guests in the chamber that the council unanimously welcomed the initiative.
Mr Clarke said he believed the council had the financial and human resources to take on the lead role in the consortium which would deliver the New Deal.
Addressing Mr McFall, he said "Minister, you are well aware of our troubles here in Omagh at this time, and I make a special appeal to Government, seeking their support and endorsement for the creation of new job opportunities at this critical time."
Mr John McKinney, chief executive, then explained that the council-led consortium had acquired a contract to deliver three New Deal options the full time education and training option the environmental task force option and the voluntary option.
He said the consortium members were drawn from the training and education, environmental, voluntary and community sectors working in partnership to provide a variety of New Deal options for the unemployed.
"As Omagh gets back on its business feet our thoughts turn to the economy and attempting to tackle the perennial problem of long term unemployment," he said.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the members of the consortium in coming together in partnership with Omagh District Council to co-ordinate and deliver this new suite of programmes.
Endorsed
"Partnership is an approach that this council has long endorsed as a way of achieving results, and involving all the relevant players in the process," he said.
Mr McKinney said the Omagh New Deal Consortium is also in the process of submitting a bid to deliver the programme for people with disabilities, in conjunction with the Social Education Centre.
And he extended special thanks to Patricia Grimes, the New Deal co-ordinator for getting the scheme up and running.
Mr McFall then told guests that the New Deal provides a unique opportunity to help Omagh's young people, its employers and in turn the whole community, as together they face the difficult task of building the economic future of the town.
"Just a few days ago the President of the United States and the Prime Minster visited the town to offer support to the local community following the horrific bomb attack on the heart of the town last month," said Mr McFall.
"Helping the community get back to some degree of normality is where Government can help, and the New Deal is just one example of that support".
Mr McFall said the Omagh consortium was fortunate to have so many high quality organizations which would help deliver a first class programme.
New Deal is different. It is a national programme and it focuses on the individual. It offers high quality training and is designed to get people off benefits and into work giving people hope for the future where perhaps there was none," he said.
Mr McFall continued "We must continue to make New Deal a success in Northern Ireland, and to make good use of the additional funding allocated through the Chancellor's Initiative aimed at getting the over 25s back to work.
Co-operation
Mr McFall said there was co-operation with the New Deal right across Northern Ireland, and this support would contribute towards its success.
"Today's Launch, set against Omagh's uphill journey ahead, is a small step on the road to your new future, but I promise you Government's support everywhere possible", he concluded.
Omagh Job Centre manager, Mary O'Kane said "New Deal can play a part in the renewal of community bringing people together to work towards a better future. New Deal has given our unemployed a massive opportunity."
Omagh New Deal consortium members are Enterprise Ulster, Irish World, Jobtrack, Omagh ACE Network, Omagh Area Training, Omagh College, Omagh Training Services, Princes Trust, Sperrin Lakeland Trust, Tyrone Training Services, Jobtrack and Young Help Trust.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1171
Published Date: 10-Sep-98
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