Category Archives: Cabinteely/Cornelscourt

Report of the Stillorgan Leisure Working Group

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Report of the Stillorgan Leisure Working Group

At the February 2015 Meeting of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, it was agreed that a Working Group be set up to consider options surrounding the future of Glenalbyn Swimming pool, and to report back to the Council with their recommendation.

The Working Group considered the four following options:-

1. Construct a new facility on the Glenalbyn site
2. Refurbish the existing facility on the Glenalbyn site
3. Develop a new facility on an alternative site in Stillorgan Village
4. Do Nothing

with Option 3 being the preferred option of the Working Group.

The full report and recommendations can be viewed on the link below.
https://dlrcoco.citizenspace.com/environment/report-of-the-stillorgan-leisure-working-group/consult_view

LEO Training Courses – Training for Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses

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LEO Training Courses – Training for Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses

 

To assist the small business community in meeting the challenge of the business world, Local Enterprise Office Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown provides a wide range of high quality supports which are tailored to meet specific business requirements. Whether you are starting a business or growing a business there is something suitable for everyone.

 

Want to update your business skills?

 

Check out all the training courses currently available from the Local Enterprise Office. Topics include Management Development, Social Media, Start your own business, and Sales. For further details and online booking go tohttps://www.localenterprise.ie/DLR/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/

 

For further information:

 

Phone: (01) 204 7083

Email: contact@leo.dlrcoco.ie

Mitchell O’Connor helps to launch AMD awareness week

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Speaking at the launch of AMD awareness week, Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor called people to get tested, making the point that around 75-80% of blindness is preventable. The Your Defining Moment Campaign was launched in Dublin this morning.

“This is a wonderful initiative and an initiative that is very close to my heart. It pains me to hear that every year in this country about 7,000 more people will stop seeing some or all of these beautiful things and more, bringing the total number of people suffering from AMD in Ireland to almost 100,000.

“Creating awareness of eye conditions such as AMD and encouraging testing is vital and I am delighted that the mobile testing unit will be testing for AMD in my own Constituency at Dún Laoghaire LexIcon this week

“Today we can all make a difference by encouraging our friends and family to take control of their vision health.

“The key message that we must all leave with today is that awareness is key. Awareness leads to screening and treatment, an ultimately blindness prevention.”

New law to clamp down on burglary

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Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has said that a new law, which will clampdown on repeat burglary offenders, will make a significant difference in tackling crime in Dun Laoghaire. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking following the publication of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015 by the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald.

“Garda Síochána data shows that 75% of burglaries are committed by the same 25% of burglars. It is clear that it is the same few who are causing trauma for many, and that the deterrents in place up until now were not enough. This new Bill is targeted at those repeat burglars who have previous convictions and who are charged with multiple offences.

“The new Bill will mean that where a burglar is being sentenced for multiple offences, the District Court will impose consecutive jail sentences. This new law will also allow the courts to refuse bail for offenders who have a previous conviction for domestic burglary, coupled with two or more pending charges.

“I am confident that targeting repeat offenders has the potential to significantly reduce the number of burglaries being committed here in Dun Laoghaire and across the country.

“Home is the place where we should all feel most safe and secure. This is why Minister Fitzgerald undertook a review of how the criminal justice system treats burglaries.

“This Bill is designed to keep repeat burglars off the streets and to improve the safety of our communities.

“In addition to the new legislation €700,000 has also been allocated to An Garda Síochána for the purchase of specialist vehicles to support the Gardaí  in tacking highly-mobile criminal gangs, including those involved in burglaries.

“I hope that the Bill will be passed by the Dáil and Seanad as early as possible, so that this law can be implemented to tackle burglars affecting homes and families in Dun Laoghaire”.

Amgen commitment to education will benefit future generations

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Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has said the official opening of Amgen in Dun Laoghaire is yet another sign the economic recovery is taking hold. The Dun Laoghaire TD was particularly impressed by the company’s commitment to science education.

“Amgen’s new $300m facility will provide high quality employment in the local economy. It will also benefit the education system across the country. Amgen has also launched two complimentary science education programmes designed to equip secondary school teachers with the skills and equipment to increase students’ scientific literacy and foster an interest in a career in science.

“This new initiative in science education demonstrates a commitment to future generations of scientists and employees in this country and I commend this local company on their foresight.

“Ireland ranks in the top 20 countries for science excellence. Developing partnerships with world-class companies to support education and research will ensure that the next generation of Irish people are equipped for the careers offered by this sector.”

Supporting Physical Education & Activity in Primary Schools

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Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin and Kildare Sports Partnerships are jointly running a free seminar on Tuesday 22 September 2015 in the Citywest Hotel entitled ‘Supporting Physical Education & Activity in Primary Schools’. The seminar aims to build on the success of a similar seminar run in 2014 for secondary schools and will focus on how primary schools can engage with and reach their pupils and to raise awareness of the options and supports available to schools.

The schedule for the afternoon has been drawn up with the input and support of various agencies involved in this area including; Education Centres, INTO, IPPEA, Active School Flag and PDST, to make sure it is appropriate and valuable for teachers and indeed also school completion officers and others involved in the primary school system.

The presentations will be short and snappy (20 minutes each) with direct examples from local schools – urban/rural, junior/senior including:

  • A look at the latest research in the area of participation through the life cycle, focusing on Primary Level; both pathways & influences.
  • Understanding the provision of professional development and supports for primary teachers in sport and physical activity.
  • Supports the LSPs can provide in driving & increasing participation within the school setting.
  • A look at the various national programmes your school might consider.
  • Insight into how three local schools are adding to their PE curriculum on a daily and weekly basis; increasing regular participation in sport and physical activity among their pupils.
  • Research and best practice in adapted physical education and a look at the European Inclusive Physical Education Training programme.

Also present on the day will be a large number of information stands from sports governing bodies such as Athletics, Hockey, GAA, Rugby, Cricket, Frisbee and more. There will be a refreshment break during the seminar to facilitate schools to link in with these sports.

This event coincides with the European Week of Sport (EWoS) and the Irish Sports Council is also an event partner viewing this as a flagship event for the week.

Attendance is FREE but places are limited and people are asked to register their place at https://primaryschoolssportsseminar.eventbrite.ie

Supporting Physical Education Activity in Our Primary Schools

Community Sports Clubs – Partial Rates Exemption

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The Valuation Office is implementing the provisions of the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015, which came into effect on 8th June 2015, in connection with Community Sports Clubs. The Act amends Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001 and provides a newpartial exemption from commercial rates for Community Sports Clubs that are registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act, 1904.

Community Sports Clubs not registered under the 1904 Act, and which operate on a not for profit basis, will continue to be exempt from rates and do not need to make an application.

Under the new partial exemption, Community Sports Clubs registered under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act 1904 will not be liable for commercial rates on buildings, or parts of buildings, used:

  • exclusively for community sport and not for the generation of income, or
  • to generate income from participants in community sport, or
  • by community organisations that use the building or part of the building for community purposes.

Buildings or parts of buildings, used for or in conjunction with the sale or consumption of alcohol or food, retail use or hire for profit (other than outlined in the previous paragraph) are liable for rates.

Over the coming months, the Valuation Office will revise the valuations of Community Sports Clubs benefiting from the amendment to Schedule 4. This process requires Community Sports Clubs to complete and submit an application (Form R2) and the accompanying documents no later than 15th September 2015.

The completed application (Form R2) and accompanying documents should be posted or delivered to Sports Club Applications, Valuation Office, Block 2, Irish Life Centre, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1, D01 E9X0, to arrive no later than Tuesday September 15th 2015.

There is no fee for the application.

Form R2 Revision Application (pdf -132kb)

Trading Online Voucher boosting recruitment across the country

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Fine Gael TD, for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has welcomed the results of the Growing Small Business Through Online Trade report, showing that SMEs who availed of the Government’s Online Trading Voucher, are growing.

“We know that 67 per cent of all of the new jobs created in Ireland are created by start-ups in their first five years of business so it is essential that we do everything we can to support these business and to drive them into the future. This is why Fine Gael launched the Standing Up for Small Business campaign and why the Government introduced the Online Trading Voucher.

“The Growing Small Business Through Online Trade report shows that over 70 per cent of small businesses that took part in the Government’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme expect to recruit more staff.

“The Trading Online Voucher Scheme was launched in 2014 to boost the number of small firms trading online. It offers small businesses a grant of up to €2,500, as well as training, mentoring and networking support to help them develop their online trading capability.

“Small business is the cornerstone of a sustainable economy and these local businesses support many jobs here Dun Laoghaire. In Ireland, €700,000 is spent online every hour. That is a staggering statistic and I want Dun Laoghaire businesses to benefit from this trend.

“Some 225 companies received the Online Trading Vouchers and they have experienced a huge jump in inquiries and a 21 per cent increase in sales. The scheme is administered by Local Enterprise Offices and I would encourage any interested business owners to get in touch.

“The Online Trading Voucher has proven a great success for SMEs, but having consulted with local business through our Standing Up for Rural Ireland campaign, we know that one of the biggest issues is the need to standardise the tax treatment of the self- employed and PAYE workers, as well as the need for continued reductions in the general tax burden.

“Fine Gael TDs and Senators are working to ensure that these issues are addressed in the upcoming budget.”

Major re-development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital to go ahead

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Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, says today’s announcement of extra funding of €15 million for the re-development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital is great news, especially for all the patients who use the service.

“This €15 million funding boost for the NRH in Rochestown Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, which has been announced today by the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, will see the existing ward accommodation replaced by a new 120 bed facility.

“This re-development is something that has been badly needed for a long time, by both patients and staff. It is something that I have raised with the Minister for Health and have worked for, along with my constituency colleagues.

“The National Rehabilitation Hospital provides vital treatment and rehabilitation to patients from across Ireland and is one of the country’s most important health facilities, helping improve the patients’ quality of life.
“This new development will be purpose built to accommodate the needs of patients requiring complex specialist rehabilitation services and will comply with best international practice and guidelines. The facility will include integrated therapy spaces, hydrotherapy and sports facilities on the NRH Campus.

“This is great news for the patients and staff at the National Rehabilitation Hospital. I would like to pay tribute to the staff for their outstanding professionalism and also to the Board of the National Rehabilitation Hospital.”

Registration for free GP care for over 70s begins today

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For Online Registration & Further Details Visit www.gpvisitcard.ie

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar and Minister for Primary Care Kathleen Lynch have today announced the start of registration for the Free GP Care service for people aged 70 and over, which will commence on August 5th. This second phase of universal GP care extends a GP service without charges to everyone aged 70 years and older.

This new measure applies to those aged 70 and over who do not currently hold a medical or GP visit card.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Varadkar said: “This is the next step to universal healthcare. From August 5th, all 400,000 people aged 70 and over will be able to see their GP without paying fees. It’s an important step because, for the first time, the eldest and youngest in our society will be able to access GP care without being charged.”

Minister Lynch added “This Government is committed to strengthening and further developing primary care services. As we continue to expand free GP care to those under 18 years of age, we will also provide more services in primary care. We will focus on early intervention, providing services such as minor surgery and managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma in primary care. As the number of primary care teams and centres continue to increase, so too will the range of services being provided.”

A HSE public information campaign on the new service is also starting which is aimed at encouraging just under 40,000 people aged 70 years or older, who do not already have a medical card or GP visit card to register for this service.

Mr John Hennessy, HSE National Director of Primary Care explained; “ A simple online registration system is available from Friday July 31st on www.gpvisitcard.ie. Registration of a person aged 70 or older just requires the person’s name, PPS number, gender, date of birth, contact details and the selection of a GP of choice.  Alternatively people can download a form from the website www.gpvisitcard.ie, or locall 1890 252 919 to receive a copy by post. The registration form will also be available in pharmacies and local health offices”.

All persons aged 70 or older will be able to access a GP service without charges, replacing the existing GP service arrangement for this age group which is based on a means-test. Their dependents, including spouses or partners, who are under the age of 70 will continue to have access to a GP service without fees where they meet the existing income limits. Please note that persons Over 70 who already hold a medical or GP visit card do not need to register.

If anyone needs help or guidance they can contact the helpline 1890 252 919 (weekdays 8am-8pm)