IRISH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT NETWORK APPOINT JONATHAN HOARE AS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) has announced the appointment of Jonathan Hoare as its Director of Communications & Public Affairs. A former Government Special Adviser, Hoare has strong experience in the areas of government, public affairs, media relations and local development.
The Irish Local Development Network CLG (ILDN) is the representative body of Ireland’s 49 Local Development Companies (LDCs). With over 2,000 employees and almost 8,000 Tús & Rural Social Scheme workers on the ground supporting 15,000 community groups and 170,000 people each year through €300 million of state-funded programmes, Local Development Companies make up the largest Community Development/Anti-Poverty Network in the state.
Welcoming the appointment, ILDN Chairman Jim Finn said; “This is an exciting time for ILDN and its members. Local Development Companies (LDCs) have been at the forefront of the Community Response to COVID-19 and will play the central role in assisting disadvantaged groups, communities and individuals to adapt to the new operating environment. LDCs will be working to ensure an inclusive recovery through all their programmes and channels and we have appointed a dynamic, experienced practitioner to help us communicate this mission with maximum impact.”
ILDN Manager, Joe Saunders stated; “Our members’ work, especially the transformative impacts of their social inclusion and community work programmes, is having a real impact on individuals and communities as we address the challenges of COVID-19. Effective communication with multiple audiences – service users, the wider public, funders, civic society, government and the political system generally – is required to ensure that an inclusive recovery is kept at the top of policy and funding priorities. I am confident that Jonathan’s appointment will assist ILDN in achieving all of these goals into the future.”
Commenting on his appointment, Jonathan Hoare concluded; “I am humbled to be offered the opportunity to work with Ireland’s 49 Local Development Companies through the ILDN, to help shine a light on the immense contribution they make in Communities across the Country. I am particularly excited about the prospect of emphasising the work ILDN members are doing in the area of social inclusion through the delivery of the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP). LDC’s offer critical services to over 170,000 individuals annually, making a deep impact on people’s lives in local Communities nationwide – a contribution which requires greater recognition and support. This is a very exciting opportunity and I relish the challenge of moving the ILDN forward for its LDC members and ultimately for the communities and families who benefit from and depend upon them.”
Jonathan Hoare will take up his role immediately having received formal consent from the Standards in Public Office Commission.
Jonathan Hoare Bio:
Career history:
2016-2020 – Special Adviser Department of Agriculture Food & Marine
2007-2016 – Parliamentary Assistant
Education:
Bachelor of Commerce, University College Cork
Diploma in Food Science & Technology, University College Cork
Secondary level education – Coláiste Ghobnatan, Baile Mhuirne, Co. Chorcaí.
