Young people from Bishopstown, Cobh and Knocknaheeny participate in cross-border project

Co-operation Ireland today launched its Cork/Belfast Youth Leadership Programme in the headquarters of Gas Networks Ireland in Cork, the programme’s main sponsor.

25 young people from Terence MacSwiney College in Knocknaheeny,  Carrignafoy  Community College in Cobh and Bishopstown Foróige Group will take part in youth leadership projects focussing on sports leadership and on social action. Now in its sixth year, previous projects have included addressing bullying in schools, how to deal with body shaming and working with the Samaritans.

Participants, aged between 14 and 17, will meet and work with peers from different backgrounds, locally and cross-border, to develop positive relationships and deepen their respect and understanding for cultural diversity. With links between youth groups in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The cross-border partnership involves reciprocal exchanges, with the young people visiting each other’s communities, learning from and about each other, with the opportunity to share learning in relation to their leadership courses.

Speaking at the launch event, Jim O’Donovan Co-operation Ireland Cork Committee said, “Over the years we have seen the skills participants learn and the positive impact participating in this programme has made. We are very grateful to Gas Networks Ireland for their continued support of our programme. Along with funding support, Gas Networks Ireland’s employees also get involved in the project teams and act as mentors. It was great to hear Cork Senior Footballer and Gas Networks Ireland employee, Matty Taylor, speak at the launch today helping to inspire the young people taking part.”

Ian O’Flynn, Head of Commercial and Corporate, Gas Networks Ireland, added: “A key pillar of our substantiality commitment, as guardians of Ireland’s natural gas infrastructure, is to support the social development of the communities in which we operate. We are delighted to support Co-Operation Ireland for the sixth year and be involved in a project that develops positive relations among Irish young people and communities on a cross-community and cross-border basis.”

Gas Networks Ireland recently published its first sustainability report. “Sustainability in Action” highlights Gas Networks Ireland’s progress in implementing the principles of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals across the business. “Sustainability in Action” has three pillars of sustainability – Environmental impact, Social impact and Economic impact. The full report, “Sustainability in Action”, can be found at: https://www.gasnetworks.ie/corporate/company/our-commitment/sustainability-report/

ENDS
Media queries:
Marie Sheehan | PR Manager
Gas Networks Ireland
087 754 8968
marie.sheehan@gasnetworks.ie

Notes to Editor:

Photos:
Leadershop group 2: Representatives from Gas Networks Ireland and Co-operation Ireland with teachers and young people from Terence MacSwiney College in Knocknaheeny, Carrignafoy Community College in Cobh and Bishopstown Foróige Group photographed at launch of the Co-operation Ireland Cork/Belfast Youth Leadership Programme in the headquarters of Gas Networks Ireland in Cork, the programme’s main sponsor.

Press 6: Tanisha Meaney from Carrignafoy Community College, Cobh, takes a selfie with Cork Senior Footballer and Field Operations Engineer at Gas Networks Ireland Matty Taylor, Michael Normoyle from Terence MacSwiney College in Knocknaheeny, hurling legend and local Cork committee of Co-operation Ireland representative Dónal O'Grady and Dylan Conroy from the Bishopstown Foróige Group.

Students 2: Young people from Terence MacSwiney College in Knocknaheeny, Carrignafoy Community College in Cobh and Bishopstown Foróige Group photographed at launch of the Co-operation Ireland Cork/Belfast Youth Leadership Programme in the headquarters of Gas Networks Ireland in Cork, the programme’s main sponsor.

About Gas Networks Ireland:
Gas Networks Ireland is the business division of Ervia that owns, builds and maintains the natural gas network in Ireland and connects all customers to the gas network. Gas Networks Ireland operates one of the most modern and safe gas networks in the world and ensures that over 700,000 homes and businesses receive a safe, efficient and secure supply of natural gas, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Ervia is a commercial semi-state multi-utility company with responsibility for the delivery of gas and water infrastructure and services in Ireland.


Gas Networks Ireland 2018 Sustainability Highlights

  • First sustainability report published
  • 94 % recycling rate
  • 42% improvement in energy performance from 2006 baseline exceeding Public Service Energy Monitoring and Reporting Target
  • Signed up to the Low Carbon Pledge
  • 1 in 3 employees volunteer on our community programmes
  • 68 community initiatives supported
  • Business Supporter of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and implementation of the Biodiversity Enhancement Programme
  • Establishment of Energy Environmental Working Group to support an integrated and strategic approach across Gas Networks Ireland
  • Roll out of Compressed Natural Gas vehicles and infrastructure
  • Secured funding for GRAZE Gas renewable gas test site and advanced deployment of Renewable Gas for 2019 delivery
  • Continuous awareness and training initiatives
  • Launch of new primary school STEM education programme Energize
  • Retained Business Working Responsibly Mark - in line with ISO26000
  • ISO14001 – Environmental Management System
  • ISO45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management System
  • ISO9001 – Quality Management System
  • ISO55001 – Asset Management – Management System
  • ISO50001 – Energy Management System

Gas Networks Ireland’s  sustainability report, “Sustainability in Action” also serves to comply with the European Union (Disclosure of Non- Financial and Diversity Information by certain larger undertakings and groups) Regulations 2017 as amended by the European Union (Disclosure of Non- Financial and Diversity Information by certain larger undertakings and groups) (Amendment) Regulations 2018.

About Co-operation Ireland
Co-operation Ireland is an all island peace building charity that works to promote and encourage interaction, dialogue, and practical collaboration between the peoples of Northern Ireland and between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Youth Leadership Programme was set up in 2013 as a youth led initiative which aims to encourage young people to actively engage in their communities, developing their confidence and leadership skills while building positive relations among the young people locally and on a cross border basis.

Co-operation Ireland in partnership with local youth organisations delivers a cross border youth leadership project aimed at encouraging marginalised young people to actively engage in their communities through a programme linked to exploring the role of sport in developing good relations and leadership skills.

The Project brings young people and communities together from designated disadvantaged areas across Cork, Dublin and Belfast with little or no opportunities to work together. The young people engage in a cross border exchange programme exploring the role of sport in bringing people together to build positive relationships and the influence sport can have on our sense of identity and belonging.