New report shows action on moneylenders urgently needed — Ruane

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

Responding to the lasted Central Bank report on the licensed money lending industry, Sinn Féin Castlebar town councillor Therese Ruane has called for action to be taken to curb the interest rates charged by these services, which according to her are “making exorbitant profits on the backs of hard pressed families”.

Craggagh NS rolls out blue carpet for Taoiseach

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited pupils in Craggagh National School, Balla, this week for the launch of the 2013-2014 Blue Star Programme; a national primary school initiative which aims to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union among Irish primary school pupils through classroom projects and activities. The Taoiseach was welcomed to Craggagh NS by a colourful guard of honour put on by the school’s younger pupils. During his visit, the Taoiseach met with members of the school community and was treated to an exhibition of the pupils’ Blue Star projects and artwork from the entire school.

Mayo’s Louisburgh HQ wins €10,000 grant from Coca-Cola Thank you Fund

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

Louisburgh HQ has received a €10,000 grant from the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. The funding will be used to promote and develop six activity routes in the Louisburgh area. These routes will be used for cycling and walking by locals and visitors. The twin goals are to highlight the area’s natural beauty and to engage more people in exercise.

O’Mahony urges Mayo clubs to register on new online Sports Capital facility

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

Fine Gael Mayo TD John O’Mahony has urged Mayo sports clubs and organisations to register their interest on the new online system for Sports Capital Funding.

HSE staff in Mayo launch annual Bronntanas appeal for Christmas

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

For the 10th year running, HSE staff in Mayo have launched the annual Bronntanas Appeal in the run-up to Christmas. Bronntanas is a group of HSE staff, their families and friends who, along with volunteers from voluntary organisations, come together in the weeks before Christmas to organise the giving of presents anonymously to children in families who are under financial strain. This is carried out under the guidance of the Health Service Executive Childcare Department in Mayo.

Foxford woman wins Brí Regional Carer Award

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

The Brí National Carer Awards took place in the Carlton Hotel, Liffey Valley, Dublin, recently. The awards are to celebrate the extraordinary work that carers around Ireland do on a daily basis. These carers support people who have brain injuries. Celebrities Mary Byrne (X-Factor) and Nuala Carrey (RTE) helped make the night a memorable one.

Mayo County Council to raise €10 million loan for water services

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

The members of Mayo County Council this week approved the raising of a loan of €10.4 million for water service projects at Monday’s meeting of the local authority. Some of the elected members expressed concerns that the council would be left with this loan, as Irish Water will take over operational control of the provision of water services in 2014.

Bord na Móna and Coillte must change to prioritise local workers — Mulherin

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

Fine Gael Mayo TD for Mayo Michelle Mulherin has received confirmation from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, that stipulations can be made to ensure that local workers are prioritised during construction phase in public contracts. Deputy Mulherin has called for this stipulation to applied in the case of the construction of the State’s largest wind energy farm at Oweninny. “I have received confirmation from Minister Howlin in response to a parliamentary question I submitted that there is a mechanism available which could be utilised to give priority to local workers in public construction contracts. I believe this can and should be applied in the case of the wind energy farm at Oweninny,” she said. “In response to my initial proposal that local people be prioritised for employment in the construction of the wind farm at Oweninny, Bord na Móna and Coillte stated that they are prohibited from prioritising local staff because of EU procurement rules. However Minister Howlin’s statement confirms that this is not the case. However Minister Howlin has confirmed to me that the European Commission issued guidance in 2010 that in pursuance of certain social objectives the public procurement process can be used to prioritise employment and training opportunities for young unemployed or long-term unemployed, in a contract for services awarded by these state companies. In the case of the wind farm at Oweninny, it is my contention that such a clause should be used and a derogation sought to provide work for locals who are long term unemployed and for training and apprenticeship opportunities for young people.”

Successful community futures and rural networking event

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

A very successful networking event was held at the end of October, in the Harlequin Hotel, Castlebar. The event was hosted by Mayo Community Futures and the Rural Alliances EU project from Mayo County Council. Local communities which had participated in the Community Futures community planning programme and the recently formed Rural Alliances came together to share ideas and learn from their individual experiences. The event was open to all communities which had participated in the Mayo Community Futures programme, Rural Alliances, County Community Forum members, and members of the Community Futures management sub-committee, and was well attended on the night.

Christmas comes early to Mayo General Hospital

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

Mayo General Hospital started its Christmas festivities early this week with the arrival of 480 Christmas annuals for the children’s ward. Folens is once again teaming up with Yoobyoo – Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI) to spread some festive cheer in the lead up to Christmas by donating popular annuals; Súgradh, Siamsa, Sonas and Spraoi, for the children to enjoy.

Calleary calls on Govt to rule out any watering down of youth guarantee

Fri, Nov 15, 2013

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary has warned the Government against any attempt to water down the youth guarantee, saying it will have grave consequences for the economy. Deputy Calleary has called on the Government to immediately rule out any extension of the four month waiting period for guaranteed access to a job, training, or further education. “This pledge was very clear: No young job seeker will be waiting for more than four months for a meaningful job or training opportunity. There can be no deviating from this promise,” said Deputy Calleary.

He went on to say, “We are losing a generation to youth unemployment and emigration. Nearly one in every three people under the age of 25 who are ready and able for work cannot get a job. Many more are underemployed, while thousands of our school and college leavers have been forced to emigrate for a job. Now more than ever, we need to give our young people an iron-clad pledge that they do have a future here in Ireland and they will not be waiting for it. We know from bitter experience that the longer someone is on the Live Register the harder it is for them to get back to the workplace. The youth guarantee is one step towards minimising that lost time in a young job seeker’s life. Any attempt to extend the four month waiting period – or more than double it to nine months – must be ruled out immediately.”