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The success
of the "Integra Programme" also led to the development
of the stand-alone enterprise,"Shuttle-Knit Limited,"
involving Travellers and Settled people as partners. The new
business was launched in County Buildings, Wicklow in April 2000. |
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| Wicklow
Travellers Group (WTG) was founded in 1992 to respond to the
accomodation needs of Travellers on the roadside in County
Wicklow. The groups core activities related to supporting a group
of 17 Traveller families in securing accomodation. |
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Since 2001
Shuttle-Knit has been housed in the Wicklow Traveller Group
building at the top of Crinion Park in Wicklow Town. There are
four people employed full-time in the enterprise and with the
assistance of their manager and ongoing support, both financial
and training, from the FAS "Social Economy" Programme it
is taking on contract work for some of Ireland's top designers. |
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Shuttle-Knit
produces and markets a line of woven accessories including rugs,
throws, scarves and tablemats in the weaving department. It also
produces capes and jumpers for women and children in the knitwear
section |
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| Parallel
with this work, a group of Traveller women began to meet regularly
in a house in Wicklow Town. This group identified the need for
training and development opportunities for Traveller women in the
area. The plan was to eventually have their own building and
business. A part-time training programme was organised. This was
further developed into a full-time two-year trining programme
under the EU Employment Integra Programme |
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Although
not exporting their own work, it has contact with and frequent
visits from groups of people from the European Union and South
Africa. Shuttle-Knit also works closely with and encourages
communications with all the local schools and other Social Economy
Projects.
The Future
As other trainees come into the
scheme it is hoped to increase production, have a permanent retail
outlet and move to larger premises.
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