Corporate Social Responsibility
We invest in the community
Dublin Port has been part of the City it serves for generations. Over the years we have built strong associations with communities around the port area. By reaching out and working with them, Dublin Port Company has achieved significant successes in improving the surrounding communities through a range of sporting, educational and social initiatives.
We invest in the community

We are proud of the work we do and we are delighted that the contribution we have made locally has been independently recognised by winning Chambers Ireland CSR “Good Neighbour Award” for a third consecutive year.

 

HOW WE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY
The outreach, understanding and contact with the community which Dublin Port Company achieves is due to the tireless efforts of the Dublin Port Company Community Liaison Committee. This group ensures a meaningful programme is activated each year. Comprising of representatives from the community and Dublin Port Company, the Committee plays a vital role in ensuring that the local communities have a voice, can share their views and are supported by Dublin Port Company.

 

ARTS AND EDUCATION
On the arts and education front, 2008 saw continued support of the “100 Flowers to Bloom” project and the eighth year of our scholarship scheme.

 

The culmination of a year’s hard work by the students of St. Joseph’s Primary School of East Wall, artist David Jacques and Dublin Port Company was the publication of an illustrated book along with a public display of the children’s artwork, “100 Flowers to Bloom”. This exhibition and the book mapped the extensive study of non-native plant life in Dublin Port, by 97 children from the area.

 

In April of this year the book, along with large reprints of the children’s artwork, were exhibited to the public. The project allowed Dublin Port Company to engage in a meaningful way with the surrounding local communities along with having a visual impact on the largely industrial landscape. The project was also recognised with a Business2Arts award this year, winning the Corporate Social Responsibility Award.


Since 2001 we have awarded an annual educational bursary to applicants through the Company’s scholarship programme. In those eight years we have awarded 365 scholarships to members of the Port’s local communities, including Ringsend, Irishtown, Pearse Street, East Wall and Sheriff Street.

 

The annual educational bursary has provided a means for many local people to realise their true potential through education while it also creates greater opportunities for employment in the area.

 

SPORTING AND SOCIAL INCLUSION SUPPORT
Our commitment to local sports continued through our sponsorship of Clontarf Rugby Club and Clann na nGael Fontenoy GAA Club.

 

On the social inclusion front our involvement with the community based drug response project, Ringsend District Response to Drugs (RDRD), continued. Since its formation 12 years ago we have given support to a range of important initiatives they undertake annually. These include the Family Support Group, Weekends Away and an Annual Graduation ceremony.


OPENING THE PORT TO THE COMMUNITY
Dublin Port Company once again opened its doors to the public with its hugely popular Open Day and had a record attendance. The Open Day allows the local community to see first-hand how Dublin Port plays such an important role in their everyday lives. Dancers, clowns and various festivities entertained from early morning until evening set in. As part of the festivities visitors were brought on a guided tour of Ireland’s busiest port and were able to explore its history.

 

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
This year we held a major two-week United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The UN event which we supported in association with Irish Aid was attended by delegates from over 20 countries from Asia and Africa including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Benin, Maldives, Namibia, India and Cambodia. The delegates were participating in the UNCTAD TrainForTrade Port Training Programme, which is focused on the port sector of developing countries to help strengthen their training capacities and develop human resources.

 

The conference is expected to launch an international training and cooperation network of English-speaking port communities in developing countries. To deliver the training, to help build human resources, knowledge and skills, Dublin Port Company has been named the UN’s English-speaking partner in delivering training to ports in developing countries.