PAUL Partnership is delighted to announce the appointment of our new Independent Chair, Professor Gary O’Brien. Gary takes over the role from our outgoing Chair, Mr. Ger Crowley.
Gary brings a wealth of experience to the role. Gary is Vice President of Governance and Strategy in Mary Immaculate College, and has a long association with the Partnership, having previously been both a Board member and a staff member.
Gary takes on the role of Chair with a commitment to support the organisation to achieve its objectives as outlined in our Strategic Plan 2018-2022, stating,
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Board and staff of PAUL Partnership. I look forward to taking the baton from PAUL’s excellent outgoing Chairperson, Ger Crowley, by engaging with my colleagues and our partners across all communities and all sectors to ensure that social inclusion is a priority in the continued development of Limerick City. Only by committing to working inclusively and collaboratively will we help turn the tide against poverty and social exclusion and create a Limerick where every person is able to enjoy the best quality of life that rejuvenation of our city will offer”
Our recently released 2018 Annual Report shows our progress so far in achieving our objectives, particularly in the area of employment supports. PAUL Partnership manages a Local Employment Service, a Jobs Club, two Community Employment Schemes, and a Tús Labour Market Activation Programme. In 2018, 756 people were supported by these programmes into either full or part-time employment.
The Partnership also manages or supports a range of other programmes in the areas of education and lifelong learning, early years supports, health and wellbeing, and community development. A priority area for the Partnership over the coming years will be the strengthening of community organisations and community leadership in order to develop strong, sustainable communities in Limerick City.
For more information about PAUL Partnership and to download a copy of our Annual Report, click here.