PAUL Partnership 1989-2011
1989 EU Poverty 3 Programme is approved for Limerick. People Action Against Unemployment Ltd is formed with 12 partners agencies and a 17 person board. Its work is limited to 4 areas in the city – Moyross, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Mary’s, and Southill.
1991As part of the Programme for Economic and Social Prosperity (PESP), PAUL Partnership is selected as a pilot site for an area-based response to long-term unemployment. The organisation becomes a Partnership company and expands to include a fifth communiy – St. Munchin’s. It now also includes the Social Partners.
1992 The Money Advice Programme and the Limerick Adult Guidance Service are established and the European Global Grant for Local Development commences.
1993 The EU Horizon Programme for Lone Parents and the FÁS Community Employment Development Programme commence.
1994 PAUL Partnership is included in the 1994 – 1999 National Development Plan.
1995 PAUL Partnership sets up Community Development Projects in 5 areas, and the EU New Opportunities for Women Programme commences. Estate Management Projects are established across the city. The Limerick Local Employment Service opens in the city centre and in 6 community locations.
1997 The PAUL Partnership Enterprise Support Centre and Service open. The EU Territorial Employment Pact is approved for Limerick City. PAUL Partnership is also one of 7 partner organisations responsible for establishing the Limerick Enterprise Development Park on the site of the former Krupps factory.
1998 A Student Bursary Scheme is established. The first group of students graduate from the University of Limerick’s Diploma in Money Advice programme.
1999 PAUL Partnership celebrates 10 years working for Limerick with an Awards Scheme for community organisations. The only EU Local Social Capital Programme in Ireland is approved for delivery by PAUL Partnership, West Limerick Resources, and Ballyhoura Development. ‘Life on Low Income’ – a study on the needs of women on low incomes – is launched by the President of Ireland. A School Meals Pilot Initiative is set up.
2000 PAUL Partnership becomes a member of the newly established City Development Board. The PAUL Partnership Strategic Plan 2000-2006 is published and the new Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) commences.
2001 The Millennium Fund for Third Level Access is administered by PAUL Partnership for the first time
2002 The Community Application of Information Technology Programme is set up. PAUL Partnership becomes a partner in the EU EQUAL Sonas Programme for Asylum Seekers. A Quality of Life Study in local communities is completed.
2004 The Limerick Food Partnership is established.
2005 The Northside Learning Hub opens. The Equality for Women Measure Tipping the Scales and the EU EQUAL Point2Enterprise Programmes begin.
2006 Where Credit is Due – a Limerick City Volunteering Initiative is established, and the Signing Information Mid-West Project commences. The first group of students begin the College Certificate on the Social Inclusion of Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants in Mary Immaculate College.
2007 A baseline study of the ICT needs of communities in Limerick is completed. The Limerick Anti-Poverty Strategy (LAPS) Project and the Incredible Years Programme commence, both of which are co-ordinated by PAUL Partnership.
2008 The Board of Management and sub-structures are restructured. The Southill Area Centre opens. Research into the needs of young, single fathers is launched.
2009 The Limerick BenefIT Project and the Community Participation in Primary Care Project are implemented. The new Local and Community Development Programme is announced. PAUL Partnership now has a Board of Members representing 18 partner organisations from the community and voluntary sector, the social partners, the statutory sector, and the local authority.
