Minister Killeen Launches IdeasBank

A unique web-based resource for all HR personnel and mangers in the public and private sector, as well as labour market policy makers, was launched by Mr. Tony Killeen TD, Minister for Labour Affairs, today, (Thursday, 4^th May 2006), to assist them address fundamental forms of discrimination in terms of accessing employment and progressing careers.

IdeasBank is a web space that holds a collection of innovative advice, training and resources on equality and diversity, migrant workers, entrepreneurship, work/life balance and life-long learning.

It contains over 60 practical tools, guides and research work completed by projects involved in the EQUAL Community Initiative to help employers l earn, challenge and change .

Minister Killeen said that IdeasBank was essential for those in the public and private sector and provided excellent value for money for the Irish Exchequer and the European Union.

“This innovative and important resource has been developed and tested through the research and practical experience gained by over 20 EU-funded EQUAL projects. It includes practical help and advice that is based on tried and tested projects researched, developed and implemented throughout Ireland. But what is very important is that this is a resource that will grow as the experiences of more and more projects are included,” he said.

The Minister said that those using the IdeasBank have access to the knowledge and experience of over 250 different organisations.

“These organisations have developed new and innovative solutions to tackling inequality and discrimination in the labour market. They have tackled issues that are of current concern, like facilitating the employment of migrant workers or promoting the ability of people with disabilities. They include; ICTU; IBEC; Community and voluntary organizations; area based partnerships; universities and; other third level institutions to name but a few,” he said.

 

Ms Ciara Monaghan, EQUAL Support Structure, says that those involved in employment policy and management now have easy access to the advice and assistance by simply clicking on to www.ideasbank-equal.info, the website that is an evolving “virtual innovation centre” that hosts the research, innovative tools and practices that are developed by EQUAL projects.

“The Ideasbank is a valuable resource that adds to the ongoing debate about the future of our workplaces, the delivery of services and the accommodation of diversity in all aspects of life in modern Ireland.

“Ireland has seen massive change in terms of culture, social inclusion and equality. IdeasBank is designed to make the advice and assistance available immediately to those managing people and services anywhere in the country. We have made sure that the information is easy to understand and we urge you to take some time to click onto the website site,” Ciara said.

EQUAL projects are promoted by Development Partnerships comprised of organisations including IBEC, ICTU, Trinity College, Dublin Employment Pact, Age Action and others.

The EQUAL Community initiative is an EU programme co-funded through the European Social Fund (ESF). The programme has been running in Ireland since 2001 and forty three projects are being funded. It will continue until end-2007. The total ESF funding available is €34 million. When national co-funding is added, the total spend on the programme will exceed €50 million.

ENDS

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