REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF TALLAGHT LONE PARENTS CENTRE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF TALLAGHT LONE PARENTS CENTRE ON WEDNESDAY 1 JULY, 1998
I would like to thank Patricia McCarthy – the Chairperson of Tallaght Lone Parents – and Patricia Quinn – the Project Manager - for her words of welcome. I have to say that I am delighted to be back in Tallaght - to see this new Centre - and to have the honour and privilege of performing the official opening.
- The Lone Parents Centre is yet another example of how the community in Tallaght are responding to a need that they have identified – and which they are prepared to address themselves. I know that this latest addition to community resources was made possible by the inclusion of Tallaght Lone Parent Centre in the Community Development Programme – and that South Dublin County Council very kindly agreed to let the house at a nominal rent. I want to pay tribute to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs – who operate the Programme – and to the County Council for demonstrating their care and concern for the people of Tallaght in this gesture.
- Of course, in order to be included in the Community Development Programme – a considerable amount of local involvement was required – and it is to the great credit of quite a number of individuals in the area - and to Parents Alone Tallaght – which I believe is the longest established support group in the area – that they could work together and drive this project to meet the needs of lone parents in the Tallaght area.
- A feature of modern urban life – where family structures are less cohesive – where there is a growing tendency and an expectation for people to live far more independent lives – is that it is surprisingly easy for people to become isolated – as they become focused on their own individual lives and those of their immediate families. It seems almost paradoxical that people can live within a community and yet not be part of it. But it can so easily happen – as it becomes increasingly difficult to break out of the enclosed isolation that can cut people off from their neighbours – and from the world of employment and social participation.
- The focus of this centre – working with lone parents and their children – offering support and friendship – and acting as a voice for lone parents – will encourage greater participation in the community - and give them a voice as a group who have needs to be addressed. With the provision of services such as the creche facility – a comprehensive information service – personal development and parenting courses – and by working for greater access to education, training and work experience – you are creating opportunities for many people to reach out to new horizons that will let them participate in society – achieving greater financial independence through employment.
- As we approach the end of this century and look towards a new millennium, we see a society in Ireland that is rapidly changing. The tremendous economic progress over the last number of years – coupled with a declining birthrate and the much increased participation of women in paid employment – means that this is now a far different society to what is was twenty years ago. But even if there are many people who are far better off – with more choice over where they live – where their children will be educated – and the life-style that they lead – there is still a challenge facing society to confront the problem of poverty and lack of access - that can deprive people of a chance to be a part of this prosperity. What you are doing in Tallaght with the Lone Parents Centre is confronting that challenge – and giving lone parents the chance to participate fully in society.
- This is my third visit to Tallaght in recent months and is another occasion when I have been witness to the power and commitment of people in their own communities who are working together – and with statutory and voluntary bodies – to make theirs a better place to live and work. In any of the communities that I have visited since my inauguration last November – and I have visited many towns, villages and cities since then – I find that as soon as people start to realise how potent a resource that they have within their own community – the energy, talent and ability that just needs to be harnessed – they start to embark on a course from which there is no return. What may start out as a small centre to address one need – rapidly spawns many others – as more and more people focus on developing and re-kindling the spirit of community that does not exist in bricks and mortar – but in the people themselves.
- Tallaght is a new town – and with its almost sudden development over the last twenty years or so – is has suffered from all of the problems that you would expect – with limited facilities and access to services. But that situation is being successfully addressed – as communities assert their own strengths – and use their own energies and resources to work in constructive partnerships with others. The Lone Parents Centre is part of that drive.
- In declaring the Centre open – I want again to commend the effort and energy that has gone into bring this to fruition – and to pay tribute to all those in the area and in the statutory agencies and bodies that have facilitated its development. It is a fine resource – and a much need addition to the social infrastructure of Tallaght. I know that for many it will represent a door to new opportunity – and I wish them well in their work to grasp that opportunity.