Service to the Unemployed

Employment Resource Centre

C.V. Service

Assistance with Job Applications

Career Advice and Mentoring

Business Plan Service

Advice on Business Start- up

Interview Techniques

Recruitment Drives

Employer Awareness

Personal Development Courses

Personal and Career Counselling

Training of Trainers Course

Planning for Farm Families

Traveller Enterprise Development

Access to Job Initiative (transport)

Pre-employment Programmes

Women Return to Work Programmes

FAS, VEC, DSCFA and MHB Outreach Facility

For further Information just click on the link below:

CV Preparation
Pre Employment Programme
Back to Education Initiative
Male Traveller Initiative
Starting your own Business
Outreach Services
Access to Education


MDA Information Centre

MDASI have set up a comprehensive resource drop in centre which is open to the general public. It contains information from Midland Health Board, Aegis, Fas, ENFO, and Laois County Council and other relevant agencies. The community notice board contains information on social welfare entitlements, health entitlements, citizen’s information and information for people with disabilities, for those interested in environmental issues and for travellers. Information is also provided for people looking for jobs. We will provide information over the telephone for house bound and older people unable to come to the centre. We are planning to run workshops of interest in the centre in conjunction with participating agencies. At present Fas, and VEC run outreach services from MDA and this will continue. Notice Boards advertising local jobs are displayed and internet access for job seekers is available.

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CV Preparation

This service is available to members of the public to assist them to access jobs and training

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Access to Education

MDASI has received grant aid for 2002/2003 from the National Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantaged to assist students with the financial costs of attending third level education and PLC courses and are currently processing this years application forms. Last year we assisted 27 students and it is hoped that this will be equalled in 2002/2003

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Pre Employment Programme

The Mountmellick Pre Employment Programme (PEP) is a joint initiative between MDASI, FAS, VEC and DSFA and is aimed at the long-term unemployed in Mountmellick.
The programme is designed to prepare long term unemployed people who left mainstream education at an early age for reintroduction into subsequent training for the workplace.

This Programme started as a twelve-week pilot programme in 1999 and was a great success. Since then it has went from strength to strength.

Pre-Employment Programmes particularly cater for the needs of lone parents and the unemployed and prepare participants for further training and to rejoin the workforce.
The present course runs over 40 weeks.

Subjects include English, Maths (Junior Certificate & FETAC), Preparation for Work (FETAC) Computers(Equal Skills), Personal Development, First Aid, Jobs Club, Sign Language, Arts & Crafts, Food & Health, Interculturalism, Home Management, Active Citizenship, Dental Hygiene, M.A.B.S., Fire Safety, Health & Safety, and many more modules.

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Back to Education Initiative

MDASI have recently received funding from the Dept of Education and Science and European Social Funds under the National Development Plan to assist early school leavers who wish to return to learning. The course covers subjects including English, computers and maths and is open to all age groups from 15 to 90.

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Starting your own Business

Thinking of starting your own business needs more help? MDASI will help you with advise and guidance and will put you in touch with the agencies who can help.

If you have any queries on education, employment or enterprise issues, contact Enterprise & Employment Officer as she is keen to meet as many people as possible in Mountmellick who wish to access education training or employment.

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Outreach services
Outreach services available at MDASI include Citizens Information Centre, FAS, AEGIS, VEC and County Laois Enterprise Board.

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Access to Education
Funding is available annually from the National Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantaged to assist students with the financial costs of attending Third Level Education. Applications for 2004 –2005 have just been processed and payment will shortly be made to 37 students. To qualify for grant aid, students must live in the parish of Mountmellick, be in receipt of a maintenance grant and be in a recognised third level/PLC course.

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