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By Waterford City & County Council

Dungarvan’s overwhelming response to Ukrainian refugee plight

Waterford City and County Council has expressed its gratitude to the people of Dungarvan for their overwhelming response to the Ukrainian refugee plight.

Last weekend, fifty-five Ukrainian nationals, fleeing the Russian onslaught arrived in Dungarvan Sports Centre where they will be accommodated temporarily.

Sinéad Breathnach, Community Lead, thanked the people of Dungarvan and West Waterford for their response to the crisis.  “We initially put out a call to local businesses and community groups to assist us with the provision of essentials such as clothes, bedding and shopping vouchers and we have been inundated.”

“Local people, community groups and businesses have shown a tremendous generosity of spirit and have come in their droves with essentials such as clothes, new bedwear, white goods and food.  It’s hard not be affected by the devastating images we see of what is happening in Ukraine and people genuinely want to help in any way they can.  Their donations are helping to make such a traumatic, life-altering experience a little more comforting.”

The emergency accommodation has been greatly enhanced by the addition of items such as couches and TVs which have been donated by local businesses.  Waterford City and County Council is also supporting local business by purchasing all the necessary provisions from local providers.

“While it is only a stop gap for those who have fled Ukraine in search of safety, we feel it is crucial that the refugees feel welcome.  We are ensuring that their specific culinary and dietary needs are catered for, that they have access to online library services and that the necessary meetings with the relevant agencies such as Department of Social Protection and Department of Education are being set up with the help of translators.”

Of the fifty-five Ukrainian refugees in Dungarvan Sports Centre, twenty-two are aged between 2 and 19, with the remainder aged up to 67 years of age.

The Community Response Forum was established in Waterford last month by Waterford City and County Council to put in place the necessary structures and supports that are required for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Waterford.

-ends-

By Waterford City & County Council

RSA & An Garda Síochána launch Easter Bank Holiday Road Safety Appeal

  • 50 road deaths in 2022, up 21 deaths on the same period in 2021*
  • All road users are urged to take extra care over the Easter Bank Holiday
  • Drug drivers target of Easter Bank Holiday road safety campaign
  • Cannabis and cocaine remain the most detected drugs in drivers on Irish roads.

13 April 2022: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are issuing an urgent road safety appeal to all road users to slow down, wear seatbelts, not to drive when impaired, or distracted – particularly by illegally using your phone while driving –, or when tired. Also, watch out for vulnerable road users over this Easter Bank Holiday weekend. It should be borne in mind by us all, that this appeal follows an extremely worrying increase in road deaths so far in 2022.

Provisional figures from An Garda Síochána* show that 50 people have lost their lives on Irish roads to date this year compared to 29 up to the same date last year. This is 21 more unnecessary deaths and heartache for families and friends and represents an almost doubling of last year’s figure.

While the RSA and An Garda Síochána have issued a general appeal for road users to take greater care on the road this Easter Bank Holiday there will also be focus on drug driving. An Garda Síochána figures for the full year 2021 saw over 3,300 arrests for Drug-Driving. The number of arrests in 2022, up to 31 March, is 768.

Analysis by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) shows that cannabis and cocaine remain the most detected drugs in drivers on Irish roads. In 2021, 57% of specimens tested for drugs contained cannabis, 31% contained cocaine and 14% were found to have benzodiazepines.

Ms Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said: “The increase in road deaths this year is deeply concerning. We must all take action to reverse this trend by taking greater care when using the road – especially over the high-risk Easter Bank Holiday period. Four people died and eight were seriously injured over the Easter bank holiday last year. That means as drivers, we have a responsibility to slow down, to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, never to use our phones or drive while tired, and always to ensure that everyone in our vehicle wears their seatbelt. For the government’s part, we are continuing to prioritise lifesaving legislation such as the current Road Traffic and Road Bill and to invest in infrastructure to enable safe active travel initiatives. The government is spending approximately 1 million euro every day on infrastructure to support safe active travel.”

Mr Sam Waide, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority, said that: “We have had an appalling start to the year on our roads with 50 lives lost. An average of 15 people have been killed each month on the road to date this year. If we continue on this path, we could end up losing 180 lives this year. Ireland is in Danger of having the highest number of road fatalities in a decade. If we all act now and improve our behaviour on the road, collectively we can avoid this preventable loss of life.”

Mr. Waide added, “There is a focus on drug driving over the Easter Bank Holiday. Driving under the influence of drugs can seriously affect a driver’s motor skills, and ability to control a motor vehicle on the road. If you are detected drug driving you will face a court appearance and if found guilty, a minimum driving disqualification of one year. Ask yourself is it worth the risk? Losing your licence and possibly your job.”

Assistant Commissioner, Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, An Garda Síochána added: Every road traffic fatality is a tragedy. We all need to examine our behaviour and ensure that we do not contribute to fatal and serious injury collisions. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. It is expected that large numbers will be travelling on our roads this Easter period. Motorists should plan their journey and pay attention to other road users. We want everyone to stay safe and enjoy the holiday period. Remember that every decision you make on the road counts.”

Assistant Commissioner Hilman added, “This Easter Bank Holiday weekend, members of An Garda Síochána will focus on the detection of key lifesaver offences which include speeding, drink/drug driving, non-wearing of seat-belts and using a mobile phone while driving. Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints will be undertaken throughout the country. Don’t ever drive under the influence of an intoxicant. If you drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs you risk losing your licence. Our priority is to keep people safe, so I would ask you to please make responsible decisions this holiday period and don’t ever drive under the influence of an intoxicant.”

Professor Denis Cusack, Director, Medical Bureau of Road Safety said: “Drug driving remains a significant and growing risk to road safety in Ireland. Intoxicated drug driving causes crashes, injuries, ruined lives and deaths. Our analysis shows there was a 39% rise in blood and urine specimens being forwarded for drug testing in 2020 compared to the previous year 2019. That high level of detection continued in 2021 and into the first quarter of 2022. Cannabis and cocaine remain the most commonly detected drug amongst Irish drivers. Benzodiazepines also continue to be found in significant numbers of drivers. Later this year a new generation of preliminary drug testing will be introduced which will expand the number of drugs that can be detected in drivers by the Gardaí. Roadside impairment testing by the Gardaí also remains a core part of drug driving detection.”

Professor Cusack also added that “Some of the high impact measures contained in the Road Safety Strategy 2021 to 2030 to tackle impaired driving include an action ‘to legislate for increased sanctions for polydrug and drug and alcohol use while driving’.”

Additional advice for road users to make this a safer Bank Holiday Weekend

  • This Easter Bank Holiday Weekend drivers are being reminded that the RSA and participating Applegreen service stations are providing free cups of coffee to drivers to help combat driver fatigue. The offer is available from 2pm to 8pm on Friday 15 and on Monday 18 April.
  • Drivers planning to head out socialising over the Easter Bank Holiday are urged to plan how they are going to get home safely. Book a taxi, or hackney, use public transport or designate a driver. The same also applies if we are planning to walk, particularly in rural areas where there may be no footpaths or street lighting.

Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy.

Ireland’s fifth government Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50% over the next 10 years. This means reducing deaths on Ireland’s roads annually from 144 to 72 or lower and reducing serious injuries from 1,259 to 630 or lower by 2030.

The strategy is the first step in achieving the 2020 Programme for Government commitment of bringing Ireland to ‘Vision Zero’. This is to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by the year 2050.

Please also find RSA slides to the road safety appeal here

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Let Dandelions Bee!

Let Dandelions Bee! is a campaign to let dandelions bloom for a short few weeks to help feed bees this Spring. They are our wild bees’ most favourite food. Help halt the bee decline by simply leaving dandelions to grow in your garden this March and April.

The best way to help our bees this year is to do nothing!

If you have grass or lawn at home, give the mower a rest for 2 or 3 weeks while the first flush of dandelions come into bloom, usually in March or early April. For more information, see www.letdandelionsbee.ie or https://pollinators.ie/resources

By Waterford City & County Council

Closing this week : Project Support Coordinators

Waterford City & County Council is recruiting a number of Project Support Coordinators to assist in the co-ordination of the response in and between the emergency accommodation shelters. The role will involve assisting with planning, monitoring and reacting to the needs of Ukrainian refugees as they arrive.

The Project Support Coordinators will ensure all premises, supplies and resources are used effectively, to the maximum benefit of those using the shelters.

For full details please see Information Booklet. Completed applications must be submitted through this link.

The latest date for accepting fully completed Application Forms via online link is Thursday, 14th April at 13:00.

By Waterford City & County Council

Recruitment : Project Support Coordinators

Waterford City & County Council is recruiting a number of Project Support Coordinators to assist in the co-ordination of the response in and between the emergency accommodation shelters. The role will involve assisting with planning, monitoring and reacting to the needs of Ukrainian refugees as they arrive.

The Project Support Coordinators will ensure all premises, supplies and resources are used effectively, to the maximum benefit of those using the shelters.

For full details please see Information Booklet. Completed applications must be submitted through this link.

The latest date for accepting fully completed Application Forms via online link is Thursday, 14th April at 13:00.

By Waterford City & County Council

Irish Water begin sewer investigation survey along Estuary Road, Tramore

Irish Water working in partnership with Waterford City and County Council wishes to inform the community of Tramore that essential survey works will take place next week on Estuary Road, Great Somerville Road and the Waterford Road that may cause some minor traffic disruption.

Speaking about the works, Irish Water’s Lisa Cogan said;

“These Site Investigation works will inform the design of the proposed sewer upgrade, which will support growth and development in Tramore in the years ahead. The scope of the project will deliver upgraded wastewater infrastructure to meet the demand of the proposed development in the area. Irish Water is committed to playing its part in the national drive to provide homes to people who need them by developing and prioritising the delivery of key water service infrastructure. We would like to thank the community of Tramore for their cooperation and patience in advance.”

The site investigation works commence on site from Monday 11th April 2022 with all site investigation and reinstatement works to be complete by the end of the month . The working hours will be from 8.00 to 18.00 daily.

For further information please visit our supply and service section on our website www.water.ie. The Irish Water customer care helpline is open 24/7 and customers can call us on 1800 278 278 and contact us on Twitter @IWCare.

Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Recruitment : Project Support Coordinators

Waterford City & County Council is recruiting a number of Project Support Coordinators to assist in the co-ordination of the response in and between the emergency accommodation shelters. The role will involve assisting with planning, monitoring and reacting to the needs of Ukrainian refugees as they arrive.

The Project Support Coordinators will ensure all premises, supplies and resources are used effectively, to the maximum benefit of those using the shelters.

For full details please see Information Booklet. Completed applications must be submitted through this link.

The latest date for accepting fully completed Application Forms via online link is Thursday, 14th April at 13:00.

By Waterford City & County Council

Make-A-Wish Ireland mark 30th anniversary with Light Up Blue campaign

Make-A-Wish Ireland

On April 29th, Make-A-Wish Ireland will mark their 30th anniversary of granting over 2,770 wishes to children living with life threatening illnesses.  This coincides with the 42nd anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of the organisation responsible for granting more than 520,000 wishes worldwide.

In honour of the anniversary, Make-A-Wish is celebrating World Wish Day®, the charity’s annual donation day, and a week of festivities celebrating their Wish recipients. Make-A-Wish put out the call to corporations and public offices around the country to celebrate with them by lighting up well-known landmarks with the Make-A-Wish blue, and in doing so, aim to show the country the symbol of hope by harnessing the power to light up the darkness for every eligible child through the power of a wish. The campaign also shines a light on children waiting for their wishes to come true.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Joe Kelly, has given his full support to the initiative, and is delighted to announce that Waterford civic buildings will Light Up Blue on the eve and day of World Wish Day, 28th and 29th April.

Mayor Kelly says, “We were delighted to be one of the first counties in Ireland to offer our full support to Make-A-Wish and help this excellent organisation to celebrate their 30th Anniversary.”

He goes on to say, “Over the past few years so many children here in Waterford, living with serious illnesses, have been the recipients of wishes. These wishes have helped give hope to their families and in many cases have helped greatly in the children’s medical journeys.”

Susan McQuaid O’Dwyer, CEO of the charity says, “Make-A-Wish receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of the general public. We are organising a large campaign called “Wish Week” from the 24th April and culminating in Wish Day on the 29th April. During this week we will revisit some of our wish children and their families over the last 30 years through the help of the media so as you can hear their stories and learn of the impact Make-A-Wish has had on their lives.” O’Dwyer continues, “We are asking the public to support the charity with one week of fundraising to help a child in their local communities.”

Ways to get involved include setting up a fundraiser with your friends, family or colleagues; for schools, have a non-uniform day where the children wear blue to represent a Wish; or host a quiz night, or a community event to have some fun and make wishes come true. The public can get behind Make-A-Wish by donating what they can online at http://www.makeawish.ie/donate

With hope, a child with a critical illness finds light in the darkness of their current circumstances. It transforms their perspective, replacing feelings of trauma with hope for tomorrow. They have renewed motivation to persevere and heal. A wish begins with hope, and hope begins with you.

-Ends-

By Waterford City & County Council

Traffic & Travel Update : Friday 8th – Monday 11th April

Urgent pavement repairs will take place on the N25 tomorrow Friday 8th April & Monday 11th April, 2022 at Kildermody between Carrolls Cross & Ballyduff

There will be two separate sets of Traffic Management in place.  Please expect significant delays on the N25, Please proceed with caution.

Waterford City & County Council wishes to apologise for any inconvenience caused

By Waterford City & County Council

Job Alert : Join our Climate Action team

JOIN OUR CLIMATE NEUTRAL WATERFORD ACTION TEAM

THE CONCEPT

In keeping with its designation as Ireland’s Best Place To Live, Waterford is intent on being the first in Ireland to achieve climate neutrality and is seeking to put in place a multi-disciplinary team to lead the change agenda, engage with the wider community and accelerate the National Climate Objective at a local level.

Waterford City and County Council intends to:

  • Embed climate change mitigation as a part of what we are as a corporate entity and community.
  • Be an exemplar in Ireland of best practice in climate action.
  • Forge a new paradigm of participative local democracy through climate action.
  • Be a centre of excellence for research and innovation in respect of the reduction of GHG emissions.
  • Establish Waterford as a leading hub for the implementation of European Green Deal
  • Foster a just transition, through the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals

We are looking for outstanding and dynamic people to work on this exciting project across a range of disciplines with skills required in climate change, green solutions, community engagement, finance, behavioural change and marketing among others.

Director of Climate Action
5 Year Contract		– Advert

– Application Form

– Information Booklet

Senior Climate Action Officer
5 Year Contract		– Advert

– Application Form

– Information Booklet

Assistant Climate Action Officer
5 Year Contract		– Advert

– Application Form

– Information Booklet

Closing Date : 4pm, Friday, 22nd April 2022

By Waterford City & County Council

ArtLinks Collaboration Award : Call for Applications

The ArtLinks partners in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford local authorities are pleased to announce that they are currently accepting applications for the ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary Award 2022. The aim of this award is to encourage more collaboration between artists across the ArtLinks counties and support artists seeking to expand their practice and networks regionally.

The Collaboration Award is open to application by Professional and Emerging Artists who are members of ArtLinks. For this bursary there will be one award of up to €10,000. The award must involve collaboration between artists from two or more ArtLinks counties in the development of new work, to be showcased in two or more ArtLinks counties.

Closing date: Tuesday 19th of April 2022

ArtLinks is a partnership of the four Local Authority Arts Offices in Wexford , Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny , and is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. ArtLinks provides professional development opportunities and supports for established and emerging artists who are resident in the four partner local authority areas of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.

Artists must be a current member of ArtLinks to avail of the Collaboration Bursary. You must be registered on or before 11/4/2022 to be eligible to apply for this bursary.

Email artlinks.ie@gmail.com to request a membership application form if you are a new applicant.

This year the application process is online and the closing date for receipt of ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary applications is Tuesday 19th April 2022 at 5pm.

For all ArtLinks enquiries please contact artlinks.ie@gmail.com

Follow ArtLinks on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.

By Waterford City & County Council

Creative Waterford “Open Call” 2022 Grants announced


Students at Ursuline Primary School making murals with artist Caoilfhionn Hanton.
Photographer: Joe Evans

Twelve grants have been allocated to a range of community groups, organisations and individuals in Waterford City and County. Successful applicants to the Creative Waterford Open Call 2022 scheme were notified of funding allocations in late March.

Katherine Collins, Creative Waterford Coordinator said “Communities and individuals are invited to see themselves as co-creators of their own cultural and creative experiences and to mobilise communities of interest. Creative Waterford encourages new, ambitious, and meaningful collaborations between people and communities, and professionals such as artists, archaeologists, historians, archivists and everyone else involved in the culture and creative sectors within Waterford. We are delighted to work with these projects and are excited to see how they develop during the year.”

Grants were awarded to:

  • Caoilfhionn Hanton, An Intersectional Waterford: €3,000.00
  • Walton Institute, WIT, Re-Fashioning the Future: €5,000
  • Calmast, Ballybricken Spoken Word Project: €6,000
  • Garter Lane Art Centre, The Voice of Young People (Working Title): €7,250
  • Mercy School, Healing Arts Week 2022: €5,000
  • Waterford Film Centre, Community film projects : ‘Imbolg’ and ‘The Check Out Girl’: €7,250
  • Waterford Pride, Pride of the Déise Festival 2022: €3,500
  • Waterford Healing Arts Trust, No Place Like Home: €2,500
  • Theatre Royal, Creating Green Shoots @ Theatre Royal: €5,000
  • SLí Waterford, Street Art for the Goals: €4,500
  • Jenny Fennessy, Acting workshops with amateur drama groups in Waterford City and County: €4,000.00
  • Market House Craftworks, Cappoquin “New Reality” A Festival of Contemporary Collage in Ireland: €3,000.00

Visual artist, Caoilfhoinn Hanton said “An Intersectional Waterford is the kind of project I have wanted to materialise for many years now. Being a young adult currently studying visual art but having began my professional practice and been mentored by Dublin artists since I was 16, I feel I can still relate to the younger generation but am more equipped now to deliver such a project.”

Jenny Fennessy said “We will deliver acting workshops to amateur drama groups in Waterford City and County. We will teach a wide variety of acting skills and techniques and participants will work on a great range of texts to practice their new skills. By the end of the workshop, we would hope the members feel empowered to take on characters and parts in plays in a more skilful way. Our aim is that these skills will be passed from us to them and from them to future members of the drama group.”

According to Aileen Drohan, “Re-Fashioning the Future brings together a community of traditional textile craft practitioners with technical driven experts from Walton Institute’s new E-Textiles Lab. Through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing workshops, the group will actively

engage in a collaborative exploration and investigation of electronic textiles, carried out utilising a sewable range of electronic components, conductive fabrics, and threads.

In keeping alive the old traditional craft methods, all the while embracing new methods of e-textile making for smart textiles, the workshop participants will extend their newly acquired skills through an additional series of workshops to wider community groups. Re-Fashioning the Future’ aims to foster a network of e-textile practitioners and provide over 100 traditional craft/textile makers with the technical skills and know-how to embed electronic circuitry in textiles for creative outputs with added functionality.”

ENDS

Note to editors:

Creative Ireland is a five-year Programme which connects people, creativity and wellbeing. Creative Communities is a local authority-led initiative which pioneers and supports local creative projects in arts, heritage, local history, STEAM and the creative industries.

Please contact Katherine Collins, Creative Waterford Coordinator
087 9268520
kcollins@waterfordcouncil.ie

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