The role of the local authority and Public Health

1. Pat Dowling, Deputy Chief Executive
Hospital Group Summit
September, 2015

2. The role of Local Authority and
Public Health

3. Local Authority Services
• Housing and Building
• Road Transport and Safety
• Water Services
• Development Management (Planning, Tourism)
• Environmental Services (Fire, Burial Grounds)
• Recreation and Community, Libraries, Arts
• Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare
Vet Service, Education Grants, School Meals
• Miscellaneous:
Machinery, Payroll, Commercial Rates

4. Typical Structure of Local
Government

5. Health
“A complete state of physical and mental
health and social well-being and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity”
(World Health Organisation)
“The science and art of preventing disease,
prolonging life and promoting health through
organised efforts and informed choices ”
(Acheson 1988)
Public Health

6. The Action Programme for Effective
Local Government –
“Putting People First”

7. Putting People First
• Local Government is being empowered to lead
economic, social and community development
locally
• Local Government will be the main vehicle of
governance and public service at local level, deliver
efficient and good value services, and represent
citizens and communities, as effectively and
accountably as possible
• Separate structures of public service will not
therefore be established outside of local
government unless clearly necessitated in
exceptional circumstances

8. New Structure of Local Government

10. Understand the Ask

11. Health and Social Wellbeing
“Our Collective Responsibility”
• Adequate and appropriate housing;
• Environment – safe, inclusive;
• Clean accessible water and
sanitation services;
• Physical – Sport, initiatives that
facilitate community activity.

12. Supporting Citizens Without Homes
• Currently high demand in respect of single males and
families
• Eight approved housing bodies providing homeless
services on our behalf
• Partnerships with voluntary organisations such as Focus
Ireland, SVP, Thomond House, Novas, Cuan Mhuire

13. Home and Community
• 5123 housing units in Limerick City & County
– Approved waiting list current year to date 5043
– Allocation current year to date 190
• In excess of 15 community resource centres
supported throughout the city and county.

14. Hyde Road – Void Refurbishment
Ongoing refurbishment work to ‘void’ houses
Original Void Refurbished

15. Colivet Court,
Southill
Cliona Park
Vizes Court
Cappamore

16. What Makes Us Healthy??
Source: Limerick Sports Partnership
• 10% - Access to Care –
Medicine
• 20% - Your Genetics
• 20% -
Environment
• 50% - Your
Lifestyle

17. “Sport for All”
The Irish Sports Council believe -
Local Sports Partnerships are the best mechanism
for delivering Recreational Sport to the greatest
amount of people, making real the philosophy
known as

18. Regeneration Programme
• 5 Regeneration Committees (independent Chair)
• Community Consultative Forum (workers & residents)
• Civic Engagement Programme under PIDF/SSIRL
• Annual Social Intervention Grants process
• Six Themes –
Education & Learning,
Health & Wellbeing,
Ageing Well,
Employability & Work,
Families and Youth at Risk,
Community Participation and Empowerment.

19. Education & Learning
• 33 Projects supported in 2015, including Afterschool Clubs,
Learning Hubs and Literacy Summer Camps
• Featured: ‘Coisceim’ – Early School Leaving Prevention
Programme
• Partners: OoR, LEDP, ETB ,Diocese, NEWB, National Behavioural
Support Service (NBSS), School Trustees, Access Campus,
Secondary Schools

20. Health and Wellbeing
• 27 projects supported in 2015 including
– Bluebox – Psychotherapy
– PALLS – Nutrition and Fitness
– Northside FRC – Counselling Service
• Featured: ‘Saoirse’ – Drug Addiction and Counselling Service
• Partners: OoR, HSE Mid-West Regional Drug Coordination Unit
• 12 Qualified Addiction Counsellors >500 Clients in 3 years.

21. Ageing Well
• 7 Programmes supported in 2015
• Other Programmes include:
– Connectedness of Older People (PAUL)
– Saint Mary’s Aid – Chiropody Service
– Care and Repair
• Featured: Care and Repair – North side FRC
– Maintenance and repair service for small jobs
that take two hours or less to complete.

22. Employability and
Work
• 10+ projects supported in 2015
• Complementarily with wider Economic Development programme
• Other projects include:
– Moyross Summer Work Programme
– FAI Development Programme
– CDP – Hairdressing and Training Programmes
• Featured: Hospitality and Skills Training (LEDP)
• Partners: (Industry Lead) Hospitality Industry, Vintners, OoR, ETB, DSP,
Solas/Faillte Ireland, PAUL, LEDP, LIT

23. Families and Youth at Risk
• 11 Programmes supported in 2015
• Other Projects include:
– Northstar Family Support Programme
– Le Cheila Restorative Justice
– Bedford Row Family Project
• Featured: Extern – Janus and Time Out
63 young people (65% -15-17yr olds) in
2014 majority referrals were children with
education related issues, being cared for
by parents with difficulties/parenting
skills deficit and children with
emotional/behavioural problems.

24. Community Participation &
Empowerment
Flood Emergency
support at Kings
Island Youth &
Community Centre
Limerick
Regeneration

26. Our Strategy
We aim to:
– Build a City and County Council that is recognised as ambitious for
the people of Limerick
– Grow our economy and create opportunity in Limerick
– Invest in Limerick’s infrastructure, protect its natural and built
environment and unique heritage mix
– Promote a socially integrated, healthy & safe Limerick
– Actively engage with our communities
– Work with our colleagues across the public sector and our partners
in the private sector to deliver on a shared commitment to Limerick
as set out in The Limerick Charter
– Be efficient, effective and committed to providing services that will
underpin an innovative Limerick

27. Limerick City and County Council’s
Role
• Broad Leadership role
• Institutional framework providing
services which underpin a healthy
population

28. Limerick is piloting its first customer
services external integration project
with the HSE

29. Thank you