Mayo County Council wins overall 2007 O2 Award for the Public Sector.
Aura Sports & Leisure and Mayo County Council
Take Top Honours at O2 Ability Awards 2007
McDonald’s Franchise at Shannon Takes Best Small Company Award
Ireland, Dublin: Aura Sports & Leisure Management Ltd, which operates family oriented leisure centres around the country, and Mayo County Council were tonight named as the overall private and public sector winners at the O2 Ability Awards which were held in Dublin Castle. The McDonald’s Drive Thru franchise at Shannon, received the Best Small Company award.
The Awards, now in their third year, acknowledge organisations that recognise the contribution that people with disabilities make to business. The number of organisations to enter the O2 Ability Awards in 2007 increased by 10%. There was also a marked increase in the level of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) applying to the awards programme in 2007 – up 12% on 2006 application levels. 65% of all entries are from the private sector with 35% from the non-private sector.
Entrant organisations to the O2 Ability Awards underwent a four month in-depth assessment conducted by disability management consultants, Access Ability and three days of judging by experts in the fields of business and corporate affairs, disability management, equality management and people with disabilities, before the final winners were selected.
According to the judges, Aura Sports & Leisure Management was outstanding not just for its ability to match the standards set but to articulate even larger ambitions: “Its approach is organic and embedded and fully integrated into its business strategy, its customer relations, its recruitment policies and its corporate ethic. Its training focuses on skills not just awareness.”
On Mayo County Council, the judges said: “the organisation embraces disability and demonstrates this in a very tangible way and is evidenced by the fact that 6% of its workforce has disabilities with an even higher percentage in individual public facing departments. “
The Judges described Best Small Company winner, McDonald’s Drive Thru at Shannon, which is operated by franchisees Kieran and Niamh McDermott, as “excellent with an all round commitment to people with disabilities as employers and as providers of service to the wider public including people with disabilities.”
The category award winners included Microsoft in the Leadership category and Galway’s EYE Cinema in the Customer Service and Environmental Accessibility categories. Kernan’s Centra in Donegal was named as the Recruitment & Selection category winner with Irish Life & Permanent taking top honours in the Learning, Development & Progression category. Eircom was named the winner of the Retention & Well Being category.
The Awards were presented by President McAleese, Chief Executive of O2 Ireland, Danuta Gray and businessmen Denis O’Brien, Dermot Desmond and Eddie Jordan. The six category awards were presented by rugby player, Brian O'Driscoll, Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, the first ever Big Brother winner, Craig Phillips, Big Brother runner up and RTÉ presenter, Anna Nolan, broadcaster, Claire Byrne and The Panel presenter and former Rose of Tralee, Aoibhinn Ní Shuilleabhain.
The awards show, which was hosted by broadcaster, Ryan Tubridy and Caroline Casey, will be broadcast on RTÉ One on Thursday 14 June at 10.45pm.
The first of its kind in the world, the O2 Ability Awards was first established in 2005 and since then over 100 organisations have been recognised for embracing diversity in terms of employing people with disabilities or targeting them as customers. Overall winners in the past include Superquinn, Bank of Ireland and Kerry Local Authorities.
Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin TD said: “I wish to congratulate the overall winners and category winners of this year’s O2 Ability Awards. These awards play an important role in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities, and are testament to what can be achieved with the right combination of determination and effort. It is heartening to see an increasing number of organisations from all sectors getting involved and applying for these awards, and particularly so to see an organsiation from the public sector now featuring among the list of overall winners”.
Caroline Casey, CEO of the Aisling Foundation and founder of the O2 Ability Awards said; “When people are recognised for what they can offer or contribute they are valued and respected. The O2 ability awards are about highlighting the disability business case and harnessing the influence of business leadership to drive societal change.To move forward, we need role models and leaders to step up and be counted. The O2 ability awards winners are the kind of role models we need, organisations and people who believe that everyone has something valuable to offer. When society understands this value, exclusion will no longer make sense.”
“O2 is extremely proud to be sponsoring the Ability Awards for the third year. Research undertaken has shown that four in five respondents (80%) stated that the O2 Ability Awards have raised awareness within their organisation about disability in the workplace. Amongst these respondents, 74% stated that they have positively changed policy when it comes to people with disabilities. It is also heartening to see the wide spread of companies that are winning the awards. I would like to congratulate each and every one of them. These are the organisations that are leading the field in promoting leadership and encouraging best practice in the employment of people with disabilities,” said Danuta Gray, CEO, O2 Ireland.
About the O2 Ability Awards
The O2 Ability Awards were created and designed by The Aisling Foundation in strategic partnership with Access Ability, disability management consultants with title sponsorship from O2 Ireland and government sponsorship from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS. Other organisations supporting the awards are The Irish Times, NewsTalk 106-108FM and RTÉ.
About the Overall Winners and Category Winners
Overall Winner in the Private Sector
Aura Sports and Leisure Management Limited (www.auraleisurecentres.com)
Aura Sport and Leisure operate Ireland's largest chain of family oriented leisure centres and employs 220 people. Aura has centres in Navan, Dundalk, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tuam, Drogheda, Youghal, Cobh with centres in Killarney and Tullamore due to open this year. Aura offers 'Fun, Fitness and Health for EVERY BODY, without having to be a member!
Overall Winner in the Non-Private Sector
Mayo County Council (www.mayococo.ie)
A Local authority with responsibility for the third largest county in the country, Mayo County Council has 1,400 employees and an annual budget of Euro250 million. Mayo County Council provides public services to local communities in an inclusive manner throughout the county, and operates out of 10 local offices and 17 public libraries. The County Council is responsible for providing a number of services to the county, including protecting the environment, fire protection, agricultural services, planning, road maintenance, enhancing the cultural and artistic life of the community, tax collection and licensing and maintaining refuse infrastructure.
Posted: 15/06/2007