Minister Ryan has extended the smoky coal ban to Tramore from September 1st 2020.
Tramore town and environs now joins the existing smoky coal ban areas in Co Waterford around Waterford City and Clonmel. From 1st of September it the burning, sale and marketing of smoky coal in Tramore will be banned.
You can check if you are located in a low smoke zone using the interactive map, which includes an eircode search facility.
Businesses throughout Waterford City and County are encouraged to apply for the COVID-19 Restart Grant Plus, through Waterford City and County Council. With an additional €300m funding made available by Local Authorities Ireland, the enhanced Restart Grant Plus is available to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 with the costs associated with reopening, reemploying workers and reconnecting with customers.
The €300m funding is in addition to the €250m previously committed and businesses that have not already applied, which have a turnover of less than €25m and less than 250 employees, were impacted by at least a 25% reduction in turnover between April 1st and June 30th, 2020 and intend to retain employees on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) can apply.
The Restart Grant Plus is the equivalent to the commercial rates bill of the business in 2019, and for first-time applicants under Restart Plus, the minimum grant is €4,000 and the maximum is €25,000. Businesses that are in a commercially rateable premises but not rate-assessed in 2019 or currently in arrears are still eligible to apply.
The Restart Grant Plus, with increased eligibility criteria, also means that rate paying sports clubs and trading charity shops can also apply. Non-rateable B&Bs can apply through Failte Ireland.
Michael Walsh, Chief Executive Waterford City and County Council, said “The increased eligibility criteria means that across all sectors many more small and medium sized businesses will now be eligible for the Restart Grant Plus.”
“This direct aid will prove timely and beneficial to those businesses in helping with the costs of dealing with COVID-19. The costs associated with reopening, implementing health and safety measures, retaining staff, replenishing stock or ongoing fixed costs, such as insurance and utilities can be met in some way with the Restart Grant Plus.”
“Whether the business is up to date with its 2019 commercial rate payments or not, the Restart Grant Plus will help take the financial burden out of the costs associated with getting back up and running and the return to viability.”
The application process is quite straight forward, and businesses will need to submit their Council rates account number, bank account details, a bank statement header, and indication of reduction in turnover. Applicants will also be required to self-declare information.
Businesses that qualified for a grant under the original Restart Grant scheme are simply required to re-declare via email that the information supplied continues to be true.
Applications for the Restart Grant Plus can be made via www.waterfordcouncil.ie and the closing date for receipt of applications is September 30th, 2020.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor:
About the Restart Grant Plus
Small and medium sized businesses are particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of Covid-19. Many businesses, even while closed, continue to incur costs including fixed costs without being able to generate revenues. It is recognised that businesses will also incur costs in preparing their businesses to reopen and meeting the needs of employees and customers. The enhanced Restart Grant Plus is designed to alleviate the pressure on businesses in this context.
To avail of the Restart Grant Plus, a business must:
· Be a commercial, trading, entity
· Operate from a premises that is commercially rateable by a local authority
· Have 0 – 250 employees
· Have a turnover of less than €100k per employee to a maximum of €25m[1]
· Have suffered a 25%+ loss in turnover between 1 April and 30 June 2020
· Commit to remain open or to reopen if closed
· Intend to retain employees that are on The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).
The DETE will arrange to carry out spot-checks to ensure compliance with the qualifying criteria.
[1] The criteria regarding turnover of < €100K per employee will be assessed in groups of 25, e.g. <50 staff must have under a maximum €5m turnover, 51 to 75 staff must have a maximum of €7.5m turnover, 76 to 100 staff must have a maximum of €10m turnover, 101 to 125 staff a maximum of €12.5m turnover, 126 to 150 staff must have a maximum of €15m turnover, 151 to 175 staff a maximum of €17.5m turnover, 176 to 200 staff a maximum of €20m turnover, 201 to 225 employees a maximum of €22.5m turnover and 226 to 250 employees a maximum of €25m turnover. Employee numbers are expressed in Full-Time Equivalents.
For further information:
Karen Cheevers
B2B Communications
Conducted by the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), the Tellus survey collects geochemical and geophysical data on rocks, soil and water across Ireland.
To collect this data, the latest phase of the survey will involve a low-flying aircraft flying from August 2020 until the end of the year (weather permitting) over Counties Laois, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford, and neighbouring parts of Kildare, Carlow, Offaly and Cork. For up to date information and the planned weekly flight schedule, please visit www.tellus.ie.
The aircraft will fly at a low level of 60 metres over rural areas (approximately eight times the height of a standard two storey house), rising to 240 metres over urban areas. The sound of the plane is similar to that of a passing lorry and it may startle sensitive livestock, such as horses, pedigree cattle, sheep-in-lamb and poultry flocks. The speed of the aircraft is about 216 km/h or 130 mph.
As it is vital to raise public awareness of the project, particularly amongst farmers and animal owners, the Tellus team is delivering an ongoing communications campaign across the region to ensure all stakeholders are informed. If you have any concerns about the survey, particularly if you own sensitive livestock and you would like to be kept informed of latest flight plans in your area, you can contact the Tellus Freephone information line on 1800 45 55 65 or visit www.tellus.ie.
You can also follow Tellus on twitter, @TellusGSI
Restricted opening hours will apply at Waterford Dog Shelter
FROM Tuesday, 25th August 2020 TO: Wednesday, 2nd September 2020
SATURDAY 29th August 2020 CLOSED
For enquiries and access to the Dog Shelter please telephone 0761 10 20 20 or e-mail contact@waterfordcouncil.ie
From THURSDAY 3rd September 2020 onwards, the usual opening hours apply …
Due to updated COVID-19 government guidelines, organisers of both A Celebration of Harvest and Spraoi Time 2020 programmes have announced their cancellation.
Teams at Spraoi, Waterford Harvest Festival and Waterford City and County Council had worked to reimagine both festivals. However, new guidelines instructing cafes, restaurants and similar venues not to host formal or informal events, as well as tighter restrictions on capacity for outdoor gatherings before September 13th, means that these programmes are no longer feasible.
The news will come as a huge disappointment to the public and local businesses. However, Spraoi aims to install a series of decorative pieces at various city centre locations to add colour and novelty to streets and squares during the original festival dates (4th – 13th Sept). Meanwhile Waterford will continue to offer incredible experiences at an array of restaurants and cafes, and local producers will continue to stack the shelves of your shops with quality Déise foodstuffs.
Harvest Festival Director Tommie Ryan stated “It is a huge disappointment to everyone involved, however it is the right and only decision. What is key now is that people continue to keep their promise to support local businesses whenever they can”.
Spraoi Director T.V. Honan added, “I am very proud of our board, management, staff, artists, volunteers, funders, sponsors and stakeholders. Each gave everything they had towards the goal of staging Spraoi Time 2020, as did Harvest and Council teams. Sadly in the end it wasn’t enough. It’s fair to say we’re gutted.”
While the news is disheartening for so many, the teams are united in the belief that safety for all involved is paramount, and this is a perfect opportunity for the people of Waterford to show their solidarity and support businesses in the area. The message is clear, Stay safe, Shop Waterford, Support Local.
-ENDS
For further information:
Sandra Power: Waterford Harvest Festival Marketing Manager
086 155 7627
Storm Ellen is expected to affect Waterford later this evening from 8pm and will be most impactful from 11pm through the night to early morning. Storm Ellen is forecast to be an exceptional weather event for this time of year and coupled with spring tides and gusts up to 120 KPH will pose a significant risk to people and property.
The Severe Weather Assessment Team at Waterford City and County Council was convened earlier today, Wednesday 19th August 2020, and will continue to monitor and review the information from advice from NDFEM throughout the event itself.
The advice to the people of Waterford and those visiting our City and County during this busy tourism period is to keep away from shorelines, cliffs, piers and any exposed coastal or tidal areas.
If you are on the coast of Waterford and you are CAMPING, staying in a CARAVAN or CAMPERVAN you are advised to move away from coastal areas and if possible to return home. The Lower Promenade at Tramore will be closed from 4pm today (19.08.2020) and all life-guarding services will be withdrawn at close of business today and will be reviewed tomorrow.
Please remove any outdoor furniture and equipment from outside homes and businesses and construction sites are also being asked to secure and material which could be moved by the strong gusts.
Flood defences have been erected and some coastal flooding is expected due to the current spring tide conditions, storm surges and southerly wind direction. The weather event will be a fast moving and short lived event with potential gusts up to 120 KPH and rainfall of 25 – 50 mls overnight. Flood defences have been erected across Waterford City and outdoor crews will be on call and will respond where safe to do so.
Our phone lines will be manned overnight and we ask members of the public to use the 0761 102020 number in the event of emergencies ONLY. Non emergency matters can be reported to contact@waterfordcouncil.ie
Waterford Council urges you to take particular care early tomorrow morning (Thursday) if travelling as tree and structural damage can be expected along with localised flooding on roads.
#Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry – Advice from Irish Coast Guard
#Avoid Unnecessary Journeys – Advice from Road Safety Authority
ENDS
For Press queries please contact
Claire Hartley, 087 2905194
The Road Safety Authority (RSA), is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads over the next few days as Met Eireann has issued Orange and Yellow weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain.
Met Eireann has issued an Orange Wind weather warning for Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Mayo and Waterford from 9pm Wednesday to 12pm on Thursday. Storm Ellen will track over Ireland on Wednesday night and during Thursday bringing a period of severe and potentially damaging winds. It will also be associated with heavy rain bringing a risk of flooding. Due to the combination of storm surge, spring tides and onshore winds there is a potential risk of coastal flooding.
A yellow weather warning is also in place for Ireland from 9pm Wednesday and all day Thursday.
Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warning are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey. The following advice is being given to road users. Motorists;
Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists and motorcyclists;
For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages.
Please also see our severe weather warning videos created in collaboration with Teresa Mannion here. See advice with advice for driving in strong winds here.
For more weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website: www.met.ie
UPDATED NOTICE – PROHIBITION NOW IN PLACE
Following on from our earlier advisory, water quality is now not suitable for swimming and hence there is a bathing prohibition in place until further notice, at locations below:
Advisory only remains at Bonmahon.
Join our 3 webinars pertaining to the Waterford City & County Development Plan 2022-2028
18th August – Environment and Heritage – https://t.co/J5cf8CJpAv
• Environment – Ray Maloney, Senior Executive Officer, Environment Department
•Natural Heritage – Bernie Guest, Heritage Officer, Planning Department
•Built Heritage – Rose Ryall, Conservation Officer, Planning Department
19th August – Local Placemaking – https://t.co/a5QaMmOLIa
• Placemaking – Morris Conway, Executive Architect, Economic Development Department
• Local Development – Vinnie O’Shea, Administrative Officer, Economic Development
• Open Space – Eoin Dullea, Horticulturist, Environment Department
20th August – Economy, Education and Agriculture – https://t.co/q4F73J37Dc
• Economy – Gerald Hurley, CEO Waterford Chamber & Jenny Beresford, CEO Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber
• Education – Dr. Richard Hayes, Vice President for Strategy, WIT
• Agriculture– Mr. John Geraghty, Lecturer at the School of Science and Computing, WIT
The Arts Office, Waterford City & County Council is pleased to announce details of the Waterford Poetry Prize 2020. The Waterford Poetry Prize is open to all writers currently living on the island of Ireland.
The prize will be announced at the Waterford Writers’ Weekend in October 2020, during the Imagine Arts Festival in Waterford city.
There is no age limit and no entry fee for the Waterford Poetry Prize 2020.
The first prize is €400 plus attendance at a designated writing course at the Molly Keane Writers’ Retreat, Ardmore in 2021. Second prize is €300 plus a writing course in Ardmore and third prize is €200.
The closing date for receipt of entries is 12 noon on Wednesday 16th September 2020. The judge is writer and poet Colm Keegan.
The entry form and guidelines can be downloaded below or from www.waterfordarts.com or by contacting the Arts Office on 058/41416.
CAN YOU HELP ?
Waterford City and County Council call for help to “Call out Litter Louts”.
How often have you been in a car when one of the other passengers have opened the window and chucked out an empty coffee cup, the packaging waste from a takeaway or an empty plastic bottle? Have you noticed your friends or family fling out a cigarette butt or cigarette box?
Waterford City and County Council, as part of a regional roadside litter campaign with Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford County Councils, are calling for everyone in the South East to us help eliminate roadside litter. The “call out litter louts” campaign asks all of you who are in the company of those who chuck litter from their car window to do one simple thing “call them out” on their disgusting behaviour.
“The National Litter Monitoring Survey reports that 64.4% of littering is caused by passing pedestrians and motorists” says Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer for Waterford City and County Council. “Roadside litter damages our environment and our wildlife, as well as creating unnecessary and costly work for Local Councils and community groups such as Tidy Towns groups. Littered roadsides also give an unfair impression of local residential areas and has a significant negative impact on tourism in the South East. It’s easy to blame the local take-aways or motorway service stations” she adds, “but it’s up to each individual to ensure that their litter is appropriately disposed of, and we hope that the “Call Out Litter Louts” campaign will encourage everybody in our communities to act and call out this filthy behaviour.
Mayor of Waterford City and County Council, Councillor Damien Geoghegan welcomes this regional roadside litter campaign.
“It is fantastic to see collaboration between the four Local Authorities, working together to try to combat this ongoing issue. We are all in the company of these litter louts from time to time, they all have friends and family who don’t agree with their disgusting behaviour, we need to play our part and call them out on their actions. Those responsible for roadside littering are blatantly belittling the substantial work carried out by many committed volunteers from Residents’ Associations and Tidy Towns Groups who work alongside our Local Councils to keep our Counties looking their best.”
As of Monday 10th August, the car park at Kilbarry Nature Park (near Kingfisher) shall reopen at these times:
CAN YOU HELP ?
