Sinn Féin Ard Fheis this weekend

Fri, May 25, 2012

The economy, Irish unity, and the fiscal treaty will top the agenda at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Killarney this weekend.

Mulherin welcomes clarification that the Stability Treaty will not change

Fri, May 25, 2012

Fine Gael TD for Mayo Michelle Mulherin has welcomed the clarification at the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels that the text of the Stability Treaty will not change. Deputy Mulherin added that now it is time to focus on the facts and the contents of the Treaty in the run up to polling day.

“We’ve received categorical confirmation from the Taoiseach at the EU leaders’ summit that the text of the Stability Treaty will not change, putting to bed the false claims being made by those calling on us to reject the treaty. We know what we are voting on, we know this will not change, so now is the time to focus on the facts.

Appeal to older people to help build a green house

Fri, May 25, 2012

Who wants to help me to build a green house? Not a greenhouse for plants, a green house from 100 per cent natural and sustainable materials, for people to live in. I have the skills and the designs, but I need help to build the project. The task has become too great for this grandfather of four to do alone. I'm appealing especially to older people, although young enthusiasts are very welcome too. The project needs the knowledge and skills from life experience and also youthful vigour and enthusiasm. On the plus side young and old volunteers will learn skills such as thatching, stone building, cob building, coppicing, and hedge laying.

Savings for employers from PRSI Incentive Scheme for JobBridge interns, says Minister Burton

Fri, May 25, 2012

Substantial savings in PRSI for employers who create jobs and take on eligible employees, including JobBridge interns, after January 1 2012, have been announced by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, who has reminded employers that they may avail of the Employer Job PRSI Incentive Scheme until the end of 2012.

Minister Burton stated: “Under the scheme, if an employer takes on an eligible worker who has been unemployed for six months or more, they are exempt from paying employer’s PRSI for 18 months. The job must be new and additional, be for at least 30 hours a week, and last for at least six months.

Farm forestry, a viable alternative in uncertain times

Fri, May 25, 2012

Ireland has both the most suitable land and climate in Europe for growing trees. Interestingly, however, we are the least wooded country in Europe, with a tree cover of almost 11 per cent compared with the EU average of 31 per cent. Wood imports into Europe are the second biggest commodity import after oil. As a consequence, a major effort has been made over the last two decades to encourage farmers and landowners to plant in order to reduce this massive import bill. Forestry has become a much more attractive option for farmers and it can contribute greatly to the overall farming enterprise providing multiple benefits.

Calleary calls for urgent clearing of backlog in payments to Mayo farmers

Fri, May 25, 2012

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has welcomed indications from the Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture Tom Moran that the Agri-Environment Options Scheme may be reopened this year. Mr Moran made the comments to the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture last week, just weeks after the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney admitted that he is not considering reopening the scheme. Deputy Calleary said, “There was much anger and upset among thousands of farmers in Mayo and across the West last month when Minister Coveney said there would be no new AEOS scheme this year. It will come as a huge relief to them if the Minister rows back on this, as indicated now by the Secretary General of his Department.

Potato Blight warning for this week

Fri, May 25, 2012

The present weather conditions over the next few days in the west and north west will favour the spread of potato blight on young developing potato stalks, according to Paraic Horkan from Horkan’s Lifestyle and Garden Centres.

The mild, warm, humid weather allows the spores to spread rapidly on to the young potato stalks, which can badly effect the growth and developing potatoes.

Community Diary

Fri, May 25, 2012

Join the TweetUp on the Reek!
Register for the TweetUp climb of the Reek, which will take place on June 16.

HSE West members call for relaxation of smoking ban

Fri, May 25, 2012

A relaxation of the smoking ban in the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital in Galway has been agreed by members of HSE West following a call by chairman, Fine Gael Councillor Padraic Conneely, for more flexibility on the issue. At its May meeting this week councillors agreed that a designated area should be set aside for smokers, in place of the current protocol that obliges people to walk up to half a mile to a blue line at the hospital entrance.

Average age of Mayo population is in the 30s

Fri, May 25, 2012

New CSO statistics released in a report on the profile of older and younger people in Ireland show that the average age in Mayo according to the 2011 census is 38.6.

Free recycling collection in Mayo

Fri, May 25, 2012

WEEE Ireland and Tesco today announced their schedule of collection of electrical and electronic equipment days for the summer months. Free recycling events are scheduled in the following Mayo stores: Tesco Castlebar on Saturday June 30; Tesco Claremorris and Tesco Ballinrobe on Saturday July 14.

People must have died from pain waiting for orthopaedic care, says HSE West chairman

Fri, May 25, 2012

The chairman of HSE West, Padraig Conneely, has stated that the serious delay in orthopaedic appointments for those on waiting list must have caused some people to die from pain.

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