Taoiseach welcomes €750,000 funding from Google.org for nonprofits supporting local employment opportunities in Dublin

An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD was at Google’s Bolands Mills campus to address a group of graduates from the Ringsend, Irishtown, and Pearse Street areas. An Taoiseach presented the 14 graduates with certificates for qualifications across a diverse range of disciplines including nautical skills, training and development, and teacher training education. These programmes were delivered as part of the This City Works strategic plan, a local employment task force established by Google.

Taoiseach Simon Harris TD was joined by Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland, at the ceremony to announce further funding of €750,000 by Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google. The grant will enable training opportunities in the domains of digital support, AI prospects, nautical skills, teacher training education, enterprise development, career guidance, and personal growth. This is part of a strategic plan developed by This City Works and their local partners St Andrews Resource Centre, the Irish Nautical Trust and the Fair Play Anchorage Project.

Speaking at the event Taoiseach Simon Harris TD said:

“I am delighted to be here to see the continued impact that is being made by This City Works with Google and their local community partners. I have had the pleasure of visiting St Andrews Resource Centre [one of the partners we are recognising]  a number of times in the past and it is heartening to see the results that these initiatives are having here in the local area. Programmes like these embody the essence of what a community is,  being delivered and led by those in the community for those who live here. I want to thank Google for its further commitment to this important work.”

Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland said:

“I am proud that Google has been a part of the Ringsend and Pearse Street community for over 20 years now, and we remain committed to helping create meaningful, sustainable and long-term employment opportunities for people that live here. The inspiring stories of these graduates are testament to the positive impact of these initiatives. The community skills projects that this Google.org grant will enable are specifically targeted to address development areas identified by local experts and  we are honoured to continue the incredible work being delivered by the This City Works programme.” 

The grant by Google.org will enable over 600 people in the local community to receive training  including school leavers, the long term unemployed and asylum seekers.

Jim Hargis, Manager St Andrews Resource Centre and Representative to This City Works, said, 

“This City Works is an important initiative, one that brings together people, businesses and community groups to provide support like mentoring and skills training to local unemployed people. I am delighted to be here to see fourteen new graduates receive their commendations, and to welcome the additional €750,000 in funding by Google.org. This grant will help us to reach those in our local community who need it most, providing them with the opportunity to gain qualifications, sustainable employment and oftentimes, a much needed boost to their self worth.”

This City Works is a  group made up of Google representatives, community based training employment and education services, local businesses, Dublin City Council and the Department of Social Protection which aims to find sustainable employment solutions for long-term unemployed people. The goal of This City Works is to empower vulnerable and at-risk school leavers and unemployed people in the local community of Ringsend and Pearse Street  by providing training and skill enhancement opportunities, complemented by support services, with the aim of increasing their employability and promoting social inclusion.

Attendees at the event had the opportunity to hear from community representatives and participants in the current programmes. For more information visit This City Works .

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