Who are the Partners

Department of Social Protection (DSP) is the Government Department in Ireland responsible for social protection and social inclusion policies. It designs, develops and delivers income supports, activation and employment services. The Department supports the Cross Border Partnership Employment Services through the provision of policy advice and direction and the services of 2 CBPES advisers and are members of the Cross Border Partnership Employment Services Committee.

Department for Communities, (DfC) is the Government Department in Northern Ireland responsible for learning and skills to prepare people for work and to support the economy. It helps individuals to acquire jobs, including self- employment, and improves the linkages between employment programmes and skills development. The Department supports the Cross Border Partnership Employment Services through the provision of policy advice and direction, the services of a CBPES  advisers and are members of the Cross Border Partnership Employment Services Committee.

CBI Northern Ireland represents around one third of the private sector workforce and over 60% of the largest employers in Northern Ireland. CBI support and promote the activities of CBPES in the Border region as an Associate Organisation and is a member of the Cross Border Partnership Employment Services Committee.

Dundalk Chamber of Commerce is the representative forum for businesses in the North east region.  They deliver a regular programme of training and events to enhance business performance, represent business views at a political level, and provide networking opportunities and CBPES services to the cross border business community.  A CBPES Adviser is embedded in the organisation and provides advice and support services to businesses, organises CBPES events and networks with employers and is a member of the Cross Border Partnership Employment Services Committee.

IBEC represents the interests of business in Ireland and provides a wide range of direct services to its 7,500 member companies. They aim to drive the business agenda in Europe. IBEC supports and promotes the activities of CBPES in the Border region as an Associate Association. They are a member of the Cross Border Partnership Employment Services Committee and advise on actions and events which will benefit businesses in the Border region and promote these events and CBPES services among its members.

ICTU is part of the largest civil society organisation in Ireland, representing and campaigning on behalf of 832,000 working people. There are currently 55 unions affiliated to Congress, north and south of the border.  A CBPES Adviser is embedded in the Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre and provides pre employability language and placement programmes, advice on living and working conditions and redundancy. ICTU Northern Ireland is a member of the CBPES Steering Committee.

Congress is the largest civil society organisation in Ireland, representing and campaigning on behalf of some 832,000 working people. There are currently 55 unions affiliated to Congress, north and south of the border. ICTU in Ireland is represented on the CBPES Steering Committee and advices on events and actions and promotes these events and CBPES services among its members.

Londonderry Chamber of Commerce is the representative forum for businesses in the North West region. They encourage businesses to participate in CBPES actions and disseminate CBPES news, activities and literature. A CBPES Adviser is embedded in the organisation and provides advice and support services to businesses, organises CBPES events and networks with employers and are a member of the CBPES Steering Committee.