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By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford signs up to Covenant of Mayors

As one of his final acts as Mayor of Waterford City & County Council, Cllr. John Pratt signed the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy on behalf of the Council.

In doing so Mayor Pratt committed the Council to reducing CO2 emissions within its administrative area by at least 40% by 2030 through improved energy efficiency and greater use of renewable energy sources and increasing its resilience by adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The Council’s commitment to the Covenant of Mayors follows the unanimous adoption of a motion proposed by then Councillor, Marc O’Cathasaigh in October 2019 and is in line with the Council’s Climate Adaptation Strategy adopted in 2019.

In order to meet their mitigation and adaptation targets signatories to the Covenant of Mayors commit to preparing a Baseline Emission Inventory and a Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment and submit a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan. They also pledge to mainstreaming mitigation and adaptation considerations into relevant policies, strategies and plans.  Much of this work has already been completed as part of the Council’s Climate Adaptation Strategy.

In signing the Covenant, Cllr, Pratt acknowledged that local authorities are key drivers of the energy transition and fight against climate change at the level of governance closest to citizens and share the responsibility for climate action with regional and national government.  Climate change mitigation and adaptation can bring multiple benefits to the environment, society and the economy.  Tackled together they open up new opportunities to promote sustainable local development  including building inclusive, climate resilient and energy efficient communities; enhancing the quality of life; stimulating investment and innovation; boosting the local economy and creating jobs; reinforcing stakeholder engagement and cooperation.

The Council will be required to report on the implementation of its Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan every two years.

By Waterford City & County Council

Cappoquin receives €1.2 million in Rural Development funding

Cappoquin was one of the 24 communities around the country which were successful in the current round of Rural Regeneration and Development funding announced by Minister Michael Ring today.

Receiving the second largest grant of €1.2 million for a total project expenditure of €1.6 million, the grant will facilitate the commencement of the town’s regeneration programme. Today’s announcement relates to Category 2 of the fund which provides seed capital funding for the planning, design and preparation of large scale projects in anticipation of further future funding for the actual construction and physical delivery of the projects.

Announcing the successful projects today, Minister Ring said:

“The Category 2 funding I am announcing today is for projects that require further development to make them ready for construction.  There can be significant work and expense involved in getting projects to the point where they are ready to be delivered. This support is critical to ensure that a pipeline of ambitious regeneration projects are ready to hit the ground running in the future. ”

The primary objectives of the Cappoquin project are:

  • Improving the residential attractiveness and capacity of the Town Centre.
  • Developing new and improved enterprise spaces, facilities and partnerships in and around the Town Centre.
  • Investing in improvements in the public domain so as to make Cappoquin Town Centre an attractive place in which to live or to visit.
  • Developing the amenity and tourism potential of the River Blackwater.

Newly elected Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Damien Geoghegan, said that he is thrilled to be informed of Cappoquin’s successful application. “It is well recognised that a number of factors, including the closure of traditional businesses along with reduced residential demand in the town centre, have hit Cappoquin badly over the last few decades. This funding can now create an impetus for the local authority working in partnership with the local community in Cappoquin and with other local development agencies to turn the tide and to develop and deliver significant regeneration projects in Cappoquin town and surroundings”, he said.

ENDS

For Press Queries please contact Claire Hartley
087 2905194

By Waterford City & County Council

Abbeyside Coastal Walk Opens

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John Pratt was delighted to be on hand to officially open a new extension or ‘walking spur’ off the Waterford Greenway at Abbeyside earlier this week. The project consists of the upgrade of a walking path linking the Greenway behind Sea Park to White Strand, and Landsend to the Cove Beach.

Works include improving the existing trail surface, the installation of directional and interpretative signage, the erection of fencing to protect wildlife in the salt marsh and the planting of native species. With pathway construction now complete the remaining ancillary works will continue throughout the summer and early autumn. The project will complement greatly works that were carried out previously as part of the Dungarvan Smarter Travel project and the development of Waterford Greenway itself.

The project was funded under the 2019 Outdoor Recreation infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) which is administered at national level by The Department of Rural and Community Development in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority.  The Scheme provides funding for the development and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways and blueways.

In late 2019/early 2020 Waterford received a total of over €330,000 under ORIS which as well as funding this project in Abbeyside will also fund projects such as St. Declan’s Way, Anne Valley Walk, Dungarvan campervan parking Facilities, the Waterford Greenway Play and Amenity Trail, Lady Louisa’s Walk, Waterford Cycling Trails, EuroVelo 1 and an innovative project to promote Waterford’s wonderful trails and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Speaking at the opening of this new amenity Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John Pratt said ‘I am thrilled to be here today to mark the end of the construction phase of this project which will benefit not only for the local community here in Abbeyside and Dungarvan but all those who visit Waterford Greenway from further afield.

Projects like these have always been important for our towns and villages in facilitating and encouraging people to get outdoors and active. However, now more than ever, as we as a society navigate our way through this unprecedented pandemic, amenities like this are crucial to the health and well being of our people and communities’.

Cllr. Pratt also went onto to compliment Waterford City and County Council, in particular the team from the Environment Section and the main project contractor Richard Forristal, RFL Ltd who completed the construction phase of the project on schedule, despite the challenging circumstances currently faced by all involved.

The Abbeyside Coastal Walk is just one example of the ongoing evolution of Waterford Greenway. Work is also currently underway on a similar spur linking the village of Kilmeaden to the Greenway at Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Station.

This project is being funded under the Town and Village Renewal scheme and is part of a government’s broader Rural Development Investment Programme which is funded under Project Ireland 2040. The roll out of these rural development schemes in recent years has greatly benefitted the outdoor recreation offering right across County Waterford.

ENDS.

By Waterford City & County Council

Irish Water warns recent rainfall not sufficient as more schemes develop drought

June 23, 2020 –  Despite recent rainfall, Irish Water says that the number of schemes in drought around the country has increased from 35 to 37 and the ones in potential drought has grown from 52 to 59 since the start of the Water Conservation Order on 8 June. The need for the Water Conservation Order was due to the exceptionally dry spring, the driest for 70 years in some parts of the country according to Met Éireann.

Irish Water Lead Brian O’Leary says, “Unfortunately short periods of rainfall, such as those we have experienced last week, are not sufficient to return raw water sources to normal levels. A minimum accumulation of 100mm rainfall and a return to normal precipitation levels thereafter would be needed to offset the impact of the unseasonal lack of rainfall since March. We are keeping the situation under continuous review and are liaising closely with other key agencies such as Met Éireann, the OPW, the EPA, amongst others and if the situation improves we will consider lifting the Water Conservation Order. However any change is unlikely in the short term.

“In Waterford, the Ballymacarbery Water Supply Scheme and the Fews Water Supply Scheme, near Kilmacthomas are in potential drought.”

Irish Water would like to thank the public for their cooperation and the efforts they have made to conserve water in their homes and gardens over the last week and to appeal to them to continue supporting us in safeguarding water for essential uses.

ENDS

For media queries, please contact aibuckley@water.ie  

Editors notes

Since the Water Conservation Order came into effect, demand in the Greater Dublin Area has dropped to an average of 560 million litres per day from a high of 615 Million litres on the Saturday of the June Bank Holiday weekend. It is worth noting that the weather has been cooler with some rain since the beginning of the Order and Irish Water typically sees higher demand on dry, sunny days.

By Waterford City & County Council

COVID Care concert series

Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and the Mobile Music Machine present ‘COVID CARE CONCERTS’ SERIES 2020 for residential care homes across County Waterford.

COVID CARE CONCERTS is part funded by the Ireland Funds and is a new project that has been devised by the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF) and Mobile Music Machine (MMM) in response to the many social challenges presented by Covid 19 in residential care home settings.

Our classical music ensemble will perform at an appropriate social distance in the grounds of care homes across Co. Waterford. The residents will gather in the garden or listen to the performance through open windows and doors. The project is also designed to offer employment opportunities to world class Irish musicians, many of whom are facing long term unemployment.

With the support of the Ireland Funds grant, we will commence these concerts in residential homes in county Waterford at the end of June. 10 privately owned nursing homes in Co. Waterford have been selected for this project (see attached). Each outdoor performance will last for approximately 2 hours and will allow the musicians and residents to follow social distancing guidelines. We will rotate the members of the musical ensemble, thus providing a unique musical concert for each visit and employment opportunities for a range of performers throughout the series.

The Mobile Music Machine is a leading national music education company, founded by cellist Gerald Peregrine. The company has delivered workshops to over 55,000 primary school children across Ireland since 2007.

The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, Ireland’s only summer opera festival, is a celebration of the finest opera and classical music set in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East. Tucked away in the breath-taking Blackwater Valley, we stage performances of the highest artistic quality featuring both Irish and international stars and emerging talent of the classical music world. The 2021 Festival will take place from 1st-7th June and will feature an opera double bill Gianni Schicchi and Pagliacci.

As a Festival we are committed to fostering a love of music and opera in the next generation through our Education and Outreach programmes.  Our Covid Care Concerts series is an appropriate expression of our commitment of support for our local communities. In collaboration with Mobile Music Machine we also run a thriving schools’ programme based on our commitment to fostering a real passion for music in young people today.

For further information please contact Eamonn Carroll, Festival Director on 087 2865207.

e:  eamonn@blackwatervalleyoperafestival.com

w: www.blackwatervalleyoperafestival.com

By Waterford City & County Council

Emergency Road Closure – REMINDER: N72 Affane/Sunlawn towards Sheskin

Notice is hereby given that Waterford City and County Council, in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 75 Roads Act 1993, will close the following public road on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June 2020 to facilitate laying of hot road asphalt road surfacing.

Road to be closed:

  • A section of the N72 at Affane/Sunlawn towards Sheskin.

Diversion Route:

For car/light vehicles the following diversion route to be used:

From Cappoquin – turn right at Richmond House towards Mountrivers L2017 onto R671 at Knocknaskagh – then turn left for N72 Rockfield and right for Dungarvan.

From Dungarvan – turn left at N72 Rockfield on to R671 – then turn right at Knocknascagh on to L2017 onto Mount Rivers/Richmond House and left for N72 Cappoquin.

For HGV the following diversion routes to be used:

At the Tallow junction on the N72 turn right for Tallow onto R634 towards the N25. Turn left on N25 at the Piltown junction on to the R671 through Clashmore towards N72 Rockfield – right for Dungarvan.

At N72 Rockfield – turn left on to R671 towards Clashmore onto the Piltown junction on the N25, and turn right at this junction in the direction of Rhincrew Roundabout, at Rhincrew Roundabout take the third exit the R634 road to Tallow and proceed on to the N72 through Tallow.

Waterford City and County Council apologise for all inconvenience resulting from proposed closure.

By Waterford City & County Council

Decade of Centenaries Community Grant / Deontas Pobail do Dheich mBliana na gCuimhneachán

The War of Independence in Waterford – What happened in your local area?

The Commemorations Committee of Waterford City and County Council invite Community Groups to apply for a community grant towards projects to commemorate the Decade of Centenaries in Waterford City and County.

Grants of up to €1000 are available for projects to commemorate the Decade of Centenaries in Waterford.

Waterford Commemorations Committee invite you to take a look at the Decade of Centenaries from a local perspective and bring to life the stories and history of your local area.

Why not try:

  • Tell your local story with a publication or presentation
  • Create a workbook for your local school to share your local history
  • Create a map of manoeuvres or an attack that occurred

Resources such as the Brigade Reports and the Military Service pensions made available by the Military Archives www.militaryarchives.ie ; local newspapers made available online combined with the memories and stories of local families can tell an important story of  life in Waterford at an important time in Irish history and how the people and places of Waterford contributed

We would love to hear the creative Community Projects that Community Groups come up with and how Groups approach their local history with curiosity, empathy and respect.

Please Note: Covid 19 public health directions must be adhered to in all projects.

Closing date for applications is: 4pm Friday 10th July 2020

For Application Forms see https://bit.ly/waterford100 or contact  the City and County Archivist, Joanne Rothwell archivist@waterfordcouncil.ie 0761102144 for further information.

This grant is part of the Decade of Centenaries projects funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Check out www.decadeofcentenaries.com for more information and for details of events and projects throughout the country.

============

DEONTAS POBAIL DO DHEICH mBLIANA NA gCUIMNEACHÁN

Cogadh na Saoirse i bPort Láirge – Cad a tharla i do cheantar áitiúil?

Tugann Coiste na gCuimhneachán de chuid Chomhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge cuireadh do Ghúpaí Pobail cur isteach ar dheontas pobail i dtreo thionscadail a dhéanann comóradh ar Dheich mBliana na gCuimhneachán i gCathair agus i gContae Phort Láirge.

Tá deontais suas le €1000 ar fáil i gcomhair thionscadail chun Deich mBliana na gCuimhneachán a chomóradh i bPort Láirge.

Tugann Coiste na gCuimhneachán, Port Láirge cuireadh duit féachaint ar Dheich mBliana na gCuimhneachán trí dhearcadh áitiúil agus beocht a chur sna scéalta agus sa stair a bhaineann le do dhúiche féin.

Bain triail as:

  • Do scéal a insint le foilseachán nó cur i láthair
  • Leabhar saothair a chruthú i gcomhair do scoil áitiúil chun do stair áitiúil a roinnt
  • Léarscáil na n-inlíochtaí a chruthú d’ionsaí a tharla

Is féidir scéal tábhachtach maidir leis an saol i bPort Láirge ag am tábhachtach i stair na hÉireann a insint trí acmhainní ar nós Tuairiscí na mBriogáidí agus an Bailiúchán Pinsean Seirbhíse Míleata atá ar fáil ón gCartlann Mhíleata ag www.militaryarchives.ie agus nuachtáin áitiúla atá curtha ar fáil ar-líne a úsáid, i dteannta cuimhní cinn agus scéalta ó theaghlaigh áitiúla.

Ba bhreá linn cloisint ó na Grúpaí Pobail agus na Tionscadail Phobail a bheidh acu agus iad ag díriú ar a stair áitiúil le fiosracht, le comhbhá agus le meas.

Tabhair faoi deara: Is gá cloí le treoracha sláinte phoiblí Covid 19 le gach tionscadal.

Spriocdháta i gcomhair iarratais: 4i.n. ar an Aoine, 10 Iúil 2020

Foirmeacha iarratais ar fáil ó: https://bit.ly/waterford100 nó déan teagmháil le Cartlannaí na Cathrach agus an Chontae, Joanne Rothwell ag archivist@waterfordcouncil.ie nó ar 0761102144 i gcomhair a thuilleadh eolais.

Tá an deontas seo á dtabhairt amach mar chuid de thionscadail Deich mBliana na gCuimhneachán atá maoinithe ag an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta. Tá a thuilleadh eolais, maraon le sonraí d’imeachtaí agus de thionscadail ar fud na tíre ar fáil ar www.decadeofcentenaries.com

By Waterford City & County Council

Mayoral Statement on death of Det. Garda Colm Horkan, RIP

The Mayor of Waterford, Councillor John Pratt offers sincere condolences on behalf of the people of Waterford to family, colleagues and friends of Det. Garda Colm Horkan, RIP.

Flags will be flown at half mast at all Civic Offices as a mark of respect.

Ar dheis Dé do raibh a anam.

By Waterford City & County Council

Join the 2020 Summer Stars Reading Adventure at Waterford Libraries

The Summer Stars Reading Adventure has begun in Waterford Libraries!

Summer Stars is the national summer reading programme for children that runs all around Ireland in our public libraries from the 15th of June until the end of August.

With the impact of COVID 19 and the closures of our schools and libraries, the Summer Stars Reading Challenge will take place online to encourage and engage children in reading and creativity. Storytime, chapter readings, quizzes and crafts will be shared weekly on the Waterford Library’s Facebook page and website – www.waterfordlibraries.ie.

All children throughout the country are invited to join the adventure and to enjoy the fun and pleasure of reading and writing over the summer. Summer Stars is non-competitive and every child who reads even one book is regarded as having completed the programme. The Summer Stars Reading Challenge is free to access on our website and features storytime, quizzes and activities that will motivate children to take part in reading-related hobbies over the summer.

Take part in our online storytime or share a love of stories in your home with a daily reading commitment of 20 minutes reading with your child daily. All reading counts, whether its independent or shared, and will support your child’s literacy and creativity during summer.

Read ebooks or eAudiobooks downloaded from our website, enjoy comics and magazines, re-read a favourite story or read what you have in your home to keep reading a priority over the summer months.

You can keep track of your child’s reading with our downloadable Reading Card at waterfordlibraries.ie or pick up a card from library staff when you visit  branches to use the “Contact and Collect” service in Central Library and Dungarvan. You can return your child’s Reading Card to one of our library branches before August 31st to make sure they receive a Reading Achievement certificate in the Autumn.

If you can’t print the Reading Card that’s no problem! Encourage your child to record books or comics they’ve read and get in touch with us before August 31st to register their name for a reading Achievement Certificate – call us on 0761 102696 or email CarrickphierishLibrary@waterfordcouncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford businesses encouraged to apply for Local Authority Restart Grant in Phase 2 of Roadmap to Recovery

As the country moves into Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap to Recovery, small businesses that have managed to operate through the pandemic, recently reopened or are due to reopen are being encouraged to apply for the Local Authority Restart Grant through Waterford City and County Council.

The Restart Grant gives direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help them with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures and is available to businesses with a turnover of less than €5m and employing 50 people or less, which were closed or impacted by at least a 25% reduction in turnover up to June 30th, 2020.

Businesses due to reopen under Phase 2 (June 8th) include small retail outlets and marts.

Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council said the grant, is based on the equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019 and if a company is currently in a rateable premise but was not rate-assessed in 2019 it is still eligible to apply.

“Now that we are moving into Phase 2, more and more small businesses will be in a position to reopen.  Some will have continued to operate but will have experienced a loss in revenue and staff numbers while bearing ongoing costs.  For others, the cost of reopening will be a challenge.  The Restart Grant, which is a minimum of €2,000 and maximum of €10,000, can be used to help defray ongoing fixed costs or meet the cost of reopening, such as replenishing stock or implementing the necessary health and safety protocols to ensure customer and employee safety.”

“Small retail businesses due to open in Phase 2 should apply for the grant via Waterford City and County Council and they will be prioritised.  As we gradually move into the next phases and more sectors open up, these businesses should apply.  Over the coming weeks and months in Phases 3, 4 and 5 more retail outlets, offices, restaurants, hotels, cafes, pubs, childcare facilities and indoor recreational centres are scheduled to reopen.  These businesses too should begin the process of applying for the Restart grant in order to avoid delay.”

Applications for the Restart Grant can be made via www.waterfordcouncil.ie and the closing date for receipt of applications is August 31st, 2020.

Processing of applications and payment of the Restart Grant will depend on the initial surge of applications but, as far as is feasible, will be prioritised according to scheduled re-opening dates in the national Roadmap.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:

About the Restart Grant

Micro and small 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 Restart Grant is designed to alleviate the pressure on businesses in this context.

To avail of the Restart Grant, a business must be in the Local Authorities Commercial Rates Payment System and:

  • have an annual turnover of less than €5m and employ between 1 to 50 people
  • have closed and/or suffered a projected 25%+ loss in turnover to end June 2020
    commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed
  • declare the intention to retaining employees that are on The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS)

Business Categories, based on the Government’s Roadmap for a phased re-opening of the economy, are as set out below:

For further information:

Karen Cheevers, B2B Communications
086 2300700

By Waterford City & County Council

REMINDER: Temporary Bathing Prohibition, Clonea Beach

Due to an emergency overflow from the sewerage system, there is a risk of contamination at Clonea beach and bathing is temporarily prohibited until the status of the bathing water quality can be verified.

This will take approximately 2 days.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Council details Sec. 254 Outdoor Furniture Grant Scheme

Waterford launched the COVID 19 Economic Recovery Plan Monday 8th June as a response to getting Waterford reopened and moving into recovery phase. A number of initiatives have been implemented as part of the recovery Plan and plans are now in place for the roll out of the Outdoor Furniture Grant scheme.

The objective of the street furniture grant scheme is to contribute to vibrant City, Town, and Village centre and assist and support the hospitality sector with a grant towards the cost of equipment in providing additional outdoor seating and accessories in reopening  post COVID-19.

A consistent and high quality standard in the street furniture will be required in order to enhance the appeal of the city, town and village centre and to create confidence in visiting and dining in city, town and village centre.

The details of the Outdoor Furniture Scheme are as follows:

  • Food and Beverage retailers who wish to avail of the Outdoor Furniture Scheme need to apply in the first instance for a S.254 licence in order to be approved to place furniture in public spaces outside premises. The application form and details of the application process are detailed on the Council’s website.   The fee for S.254 licence has been waived as a recovery measure by Waterford City and County Council.
  •  All grants will be subject to compliance with conditions of a licence granted under section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) or the conditions of a relevant grant of planning permission

The following items are eligible for the grant :

  • Tables, Chairs, Umbrellas, electric heaters, screens/windbreaks, plant stands, temporary bike stands and wooden platform
  • Items must be purchased between 1st June and 31st August 2020 and payment will be made to applicants on submission of receipt  for equipment purchased. The scheme will provide up to 75% of the cost of equipment purchased / installed, with a maximum allowable contribution of €2,000 per applicant.

For further details on the scheme, please visit the Council’s website or call 0761 102020.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Temporary Bathing Prohibition: Clonea Beach

Due to an emergency overflow from the sewerage system, there is a risk of contamination at Clonea beach and bathing is temporarily prohibited until the status of the bathing water quality can be verified.

This will take approximately 2 days.

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