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Background

In 1995 three local agencies, Wicklow Enterprise Park, Wicklow VEC and Wicklow Community Services, worked together to submit a proposal to Area Development Management for funding for local development in Wicklow town and its environs. This application was successful and resulted in the establishment of Wicklow Working Together as a company limited by guarantee in 1997 with responsibility for implementing the Local Urban & Rural Development Programme (LURD) 1996 – 1999.
The main achievements of the organisation over the period 1997– 1999 were as follows:

• Support to Wicklow Travellers Group in the establishment of its own centre, CEART (Centre for Education and Resourcing of Travellers)
• Support to Wicklow Travellers Group in the establishment of a community enterprise, Shuttleknit Limited
• Support to Wicklow IT Centre
• Support to Wicklow Community Services in the building of a social housing project, Suaimhneas
• The delivery of a vibrant youth arts programme
• The delivery of pre-employment training
• A pilot programme in home school links which led to the establishment of a home school liaison service in Wicklow town and Rathnew schools
• A programme to ease transition for pupils leaving primary education and beginning secondary school
• The delivery of second chance education and counselling programmes

During the Transition Programme (2000) prior to the launch of the current Local Development Social Inclusion Programme, Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme funding was secured and Wicklow Working Together undertook a research project into the provision of childcare in Wicklow Town, including the issue of childminders in the home.

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Last Updated: 08/10/2007