Abbeyleix Parish Employment Committee

Abbeyleix Parish employment Committee (A.P.E.C.) was founded in 1982 by a group of local people who were concerned at the level of unemployment in the town and catchments area of Abbeyleix. The committee acts as a catalyst in the community to provide links to the community from external groups and agencies and across the community itself.  

View Larger MapIts aims are both social and economic.  Social in the alleviation of stresses caused by unemployment, economic in the provision of training and a work environment which assist in the take up of employment opportunities either self employed or as employees.

A.P.E.C has a long history in terms of Social Employment Schemes funded by FAS

• Teamwork -1986

• Community Youth training Programme 1992/’93

• Social Employment Scheme-1982/94

• Community Employment.194-to the present.

Through these schemes the committee has renovated two local buildings which were in a very derelict state prior to renovation. One of buildings has been converted into an Enterprise Unit while the other Knocknamoe House has been developed as a community building housing A.P.E.C office, a citizen’s information centre.  A park has been developed next to Knocknamoe for all the community to enjoy.

Our current Community Employment Project has 18 participants and the key points of the project are

• Providing Staff for Crèche in Abbeyleix.

• Organising Citizen’s Information in Knocknamoe House.

• Publishing weekly newsletter (Update)

• Maintenance of Parish Hall

• Working with Tidy towns committee to improve appearance of the town.

• Working with all local community groups when assistance is needed.

The management committee under the chairman ship of Cormac Lally has a wide range of skills and the objectives of the committee are

• To provide suitable employment for our participants.

• To provide opportunities for personal development of participants and offer training in skill of their choice.

• To improve amenities in the community

• To enhance the social and economic life of the area.

None of this work would be possible without funding from FAS for which the committee is very grateful