Launch of the North East Inner City Initiative’s 2024 Progress Report and Strategic Plan 2024-2027

This afternoon, Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined Jim Gavin, Independent Chairperson of the North East Inner City (NEIC) Programme Implementation Board, and Minister Paschal Donohoe, to launch the North East Inner City Initiative’s 2024 Progress Report and Strategic Plan 2024-2027. 

Since 2016, the Government has committed over €53 million in funding to support the NEIC Initiative which has been working to improve the lives of residents and community members in Dublin’s North East Inner City. 

This is the eighth Progress Report on the NEIC Initiative, and it outlines the extensive body of work undertaken by the Programme Implementation Board in 2024. The Programme Implementation Board works closely with a range of stakeholders including An Garda Síochána, the Local Community Safety Partnership, relevant Government Departments, State Agencies, local businesses and local community representatives to create a vibrant and safe environment in the North East Inner City.

Building on the Mulvey Report, the North East Inner City Initiative has developed and launched their second Strategic Plan which covers the period 2024 - 2027.  The Plan realigns the Initiative’s strategic priorities for the next three years and reflects inputs from an extensive community engagement process.

Speaking today at Saint Laurence O’Toole Recreation Centre on Sheriff Street, the Taoiseach remarked: 

“I am delighted to officially launch the North East Inner City Initiative’s Annual Report for 2024 and new Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027.  This report highlights some of the key impacts that NEIC-driven projects are having in the area and wider, particularly in the area of education. City Connects is a prime example of how a successful pilot programme launched in the North East Inner City can influence national policy. Education is the great leveller and this important programme is helping to ensure that students receive the services and resources they need to thrive and reach their potential. Significant progress was also achieved in the P-TECH Programme introduced into NEIC schools in 2019. In April, we saw the first cohort of graduates receive their special purpose awards and in September we saw the roll out of the P-TECH education progression option, which provides students with a stepped pathway into higher education."

The Taoiseach also remarked on the new Strategic Plan for the North East Inner City:

"All of the progress made to date has built a strong foundation for the newly developed Strategic Plan for the North East Inner City Initiative for the next three years.  I know Jim and the Board will continue to work collaboratively with the community and its representatives, local businesses, Government Departments and Agencies to achieve the goals set out in the Strategic Plan." 

Speaking at today’s launch, Jim Gavin, Independent Chairperson of the NEIC Initiative stated: 

"I am delighted the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister Paschal Donohoe could be with us here today to launch the NEIC Initiative’s 2024 Progress Report.   I believe the Report showcases the Programme Implementation Board’s continued efforts to drive change in the North East Inner City across areas including safety, education, employment, supporting families, community wellbeing, and health.      

We have also officially launched our Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027 which sets ambitious targets to help resolve the challenges that remain for the area.  It clearly demonstrates the Board’s commitment to work with all stakeholders to drive and deliver projects with clear direction and purpose to create a brighter future for all.  

The board continues to work to empower the community and local businesses to achieve our shared vision for the area. In developing the strategy, their voice, opinions, and suggestions helped to create and shape this new strategy and demonstrates the strong community spirit that exist here in the North East Inner City."

Speaking at today's launch, Minister Donohoe noted: 

"It’s great to be here in St. Laurence O’Toole’s Recreation Centre with the Taoiseach, Independent Chair of the NEIC Initiative Jim Gavin and the community this afternoon as we showcase the achievements of last year and look to the future with the Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027.

The development of the 0-5 Multi-Disciplinary Team was a standout achievement for me. This is vital work which supports children and their parents, from pregnancy to age 5. The continued support of major community events such as the Big Scream Festival, Swellfest and the inaugural Christmas at Diamond Park also really showcase how the whole community comes together and celebrates together."

Some highlights from the 2024 Progress Report include:

• Almost 200 children from the NEIC participated in the national St Patrick’s Day parade in March 2024
• In collaboration with the Department of the Taoiseach and Maynooth University, the NEIC Initiative hosted a Roundtable on Addressing On-Street Drug Dealing and Drug Use in the NEIC
• Building on the NEIC pilot City Connects Programme, in May 2024, the Minister for Education launched the National Centre for City Connects Ireland (NCCCI)
• The NEIC Kickstart Entrepreneurship Programme offered the opportunity for young people aged between 18 -30 years to develop their business idea while also preparing themselves for a career in self-employment
• In November 2024, a recruitment, apprenticeship and training fair was held in the National College of Ireland campus. Over 20 employers and service providers including the Construction Industry Federation, the Defence Forces, RSA Insurance, DAA, CDETB, Public Appointments Service, NCI, the Ambulance Service, and St Andrew’s pre-apprenticeship training were present on the day
• 70 P-TECH sixth year students received their P-TECH Special Purpose Award in a graduation ceremony at the Convention Centre. These students were the first to participate in the P-TECH Programme when it was introduced in 2019 
• In September 2024, the new Level 8 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Digital and Business Skills (DABS) course was offered through the National College of Ireland and City of Dublin ETB. The DABS course is a vital next step to build on the success of the P-TECH project and is designed to equip students with a broad range of employability competencies, preparing them for a successful career in the ever-changing business and digital world
• The NEIC Restorative Project was selected by the European Forum for Restorative Justice as one of the 12 organisations across Europe, America, Canada and Australia to become a member of the 'Restorative Cities' working group
• Funding provided for dedicated sports and wellbeing, arts and cultural events and programmes
• A total of 45 applications for Community Grants were approved for funding totalling €104,000 

The newly launched Plan outlines the strategic objectives which will be progressed over the next three years and was developed through the collaborative effort of stakeholders and, most importantly, the community. 

The Strategic Plan will focus on priority areas reflected across five Subgroups:

• Enhanced Policing
• Maximising Educational, Training and Employment Opportunities
• Supporting Children, Young People and Family Wellbeing 
• Enhancing Community Wellbeing and the Physical Environment
• Improving Community Health, Wellbeing and Recovery

ENDS 

Note for Editors: 

The North East Inner City Initiative was launched by the Government in July 2016, to oversee the long-term social and economic regeneration of Dublin North East Inner City. To support the work of the Ministerial Taskforce, Mr Kieran Mulvey was appointed to engage with local community groups, representatives and other stakeholders, and to report back with specific recommendations. 

The Mulvey Report ‘Creating a Brighter Future’ in Dublin’s North East Inner City, was published in February 2017 with recommendations across several priority areas, as well as a system of implementation structures to support the process. The report led to the establishment of the North East Inner City Programme Implementation Board chaired by an Independent Chairperson. The Mulvey Report was further supplemented by the NEIC Strategic Plan 2020-2023. 

The new Strategic Plan 2024-2027 realigns the Initiative’s strategic priorities for the next three years whilst building on the ambitions of the Mulvey Report and Strategic Plan 2020-2023.  An extensive engagement process was undertaken with the community and local services users as part of the development of the Strategic Plan.  

Membership of the Programme Implementation Board is comprised of departments and agencies responsible for delivering programmes and services in the area alongside local community and business representatives. 

In May 2023, Mr. Jim Gavin was appointed as the Independent Chairperson of the Programme Implementation Board and has taken up the role on a pro-bono basis.