Minister Joe O’Brien launches the new NTDC Strategic Plan in Roscrea and Borrisokane

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O’Brien, visted Roscrea and Borrisokane on Monday to officially launch the North Tipperary Development Company’s (NTDC) Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

The strategy’s vision is to provide financial, social, organisational and personal support to communities, enterprises and individuals in rural and urban North Tipperary. This will assist them in maximising their sustainable potential and enhance the quality of life of all who live and work in the area.

Speaking at the launch Minister O’Brien said: “I am delighted to visit North Tipperary and to launch your Strategic Plan, which lays out what will no doubt be excellent work by NTDC in future years.

“I am confident that you will achieve the goals set out in this plan and build on the work that you are already doing in communities in North Tipperary and the surrounding areas.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those working with NTDC for all the extra work and effort during the pandemic, and the current response to the arrival of those from Ukraine.

“You are making a real difference to the lives of many people,” the Minister said.

Minister O'Brien visited the NTDC office in Roscrea and also saw the strong links between International Protection Applicants and the local community at the Corville House Direct Provision Centre

The focus of the new NTDC Strategic Plan is on four areas - Community, Inclusion, Sustainability and Impact.
Chairperson of NTDC Jim Finn expanded on this:

“It’s about how we nurture our community, how we ensure that all are included, how we not only develop but sustain our service in the face of new challenges and how we will make an impact, especially in areas of work that are new to us.”

Paying tribute to support of the funding Departments and partner agencies, he added:

“Our journey is interdependent with and intertwined with our funders and partners – Department of Rural and Community Development, Department of Social Protection and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Tipperary County Council, Tipperary ETB, Teagasc, Tusla, HSE, Tipperary Energy Agency and An Garda Síochána.”

The Minister then visited Roscrea’s Direct Provision Centre, Corville House, where he was introduced to some of the residents who shared their experiences.

The next stop in the Minister’s itinerary was to participate in a run with a group of Sanctuary Runners in the Town Park, Borrisokane. This group bring communities together, extending invitations to run, walk or jog regardless of nationality, legal status, gender or religion.

Minister O’Brien finished his day at Borrisokane’s Independent Living Centre for Asylum Seekers where he met with the residents of the centre and representatives from the local community.

Before departing Borrisokane and County Tipperary, the Minister was given a tour of an apartment in the Borrisokane Independent Living Centre.

Minister O'Brien also met local Councillor Shane Lee at the launch of the new Strategic Plan