Category Archives: Dun Laoghaire

Local Enterprise Offices back Start Up Gathering with over 90 Enterprise Events across Ireland

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The network of Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), as part of their Autumn/Winter Training & Development Schedules, is hosting over 90 events to support the Start-Up Gathering 2015, which aims to increase the level of Start-Ups in Ireland. Over 300 events will take place between 5th-10th October in Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway and across the country, with the aim of increasing the level of Start-Ups in Ireland by 2020.

Since the establishment of Local Enterprise Offices in 2014 as part of the Local Authority Network, they have worked in synergy with a number of organisations, in order to achieve real results on the ground with the creation of over 4000 jobs during 2015, as well as spearheading a number of local, national and international initiatives. These have included Food Academy, Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur, Trading Online Vouchers and a myriad of other Local, Regional and National Supports.

Head of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, (LEO), Eibhlin Curley, outlined the events occurring locally in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, which include:-

Start-up Gathering Network Event (Killiney) – Monday, 5th October 2015

Venue:                Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel, Killiney, Co. Dublin

Date:                  05/10/2015

Time:                  6:30pm – 8:30pm

Category:            Seminar

If you would like to leave your nerves behind, make those useful contacts with other business people in the county, grow your business and your professional brand – then join us for this free event and hone your skills with the expert Sean Weafer.

Networking is the single most powerful tool to grow your business, yet many of us are uncomfortable doing it.

This workshop will share real, practical networking psychology and skills to help you and your team become masters of any gathering – anywhere and at any time – and learn how to create new business relationships, influence key stakeholders and build a business profile that demands attention…and it’ll be a lot of fun!

Sean Weafer helps ‘technically smart’ businesses become more ‘emotionally smart’ to attract excellent clients and grow high-performing teams. As a conference speaker, author, coach and workshop leader he helps technically excellent professionals master the skills of High Trust engagements with their clients, stakeholders and teams to drive greater performance and growth. His clients have included BT, Grant Thornton Accountants, Jelf Pensions Group, Daiichi Sankyo, the ACCA, Institute of Financial Planners, Mazars, the Financial Times and Acelity. Sean coaches and consults with business executives, practice partners and their businesses on maximising their brand and communications, their business development potential and client/team engagement dynamics.

Free of charge. Places are limited and early booking is advised.

https://www.localenterprise.ie/DLR/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/Events/Start-up-Gathering-Network-Event-Killiney-Monday-5th-October-2015.html

For further detail on the Start-Up Gathering, log onto www.startupgathering.ie or log onto https://www.localenterprise.ie/DLR/

Extension of Home Renovation Incentive scheme is improving homes and creating jobs in Dun Laoghaire

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Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor has said that the extension of the Home Renovation Incentive Scheme has been good for the local economy, in that it is improving people’s homes and also creating jobs in Dun Laoghaire.

“The Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) scheme, allows homeowners who carry out qualifying renovation works to apply for and claim an income tax credit.

“Since the Scheme was introduced in October 2013, 17,488 number of works have been registered with the Scheme in Dublin, at a total value of €312.49 million. This is a real boost to the local economy, considering the jobs created by the Scheme and also the spend by people renovating their homes.

“There is also a real tangible benefit for the participants in the Scheme, considering the increased value of their homes after completing the renovation works. Of the high value works taking place, the majority were home extensions. Other popular works under the Scheme are window replacements, kitchen renovations and bathroom improvements. Not only do these sorts of works increase the value of your home, but work such as window replacements can greatly reduce your energy bills.

“The Home Renovation Incentive Scheme is just one small part of the overall strategy to secure the economic recovery in this country and ensure that its benefits spread to all parts of the country. We are now the fastest growing economy in Europe and we are creating over 1,300 new jobs a week, yet we know that not every family has felt the benefits yet.

“Schemes such as this are great for boosting economic activity in Dun Laoghaire and creating local jobs, which then has a positive knock on effect on other small businesses in Dun Laoghaire. We want every person and family to feel the benefits of the recovery and enjoy a better quality of life.”

2016 dlr Grant Scheme Now Open

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Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is pleased to announce that the 2016 dlr Grant Scheme is now open for applications.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to individuals, groups and organisations engaged in projects, events or developments at local or county level.  These grants will encourage the development of as broad a range of local community activities and services as possible, and ensure that the limited financial resources available are used to the maximum benefit of the community at large.

In 2015, a total of 553 applications were considered, with 347 applicants being awarded a total of €660,620.25 in grant funding.
The dlr Grant Scheme has 7 different grant categories:
  • Arts Grants
  • Business Area Promotion Grants
  • Community Grants
  • Environment Grants
  • Event Grants
  • Heritage Grants
  • Sports Grants
The 2016 Scheme and the relevant application forms can be downloaded from the following page on our website:
The closing date for applications is Monday the 2nd November 2015.
Contact Details
Phone:       +353 1 204 7024
Email:        grantschemes@dlrcoco.ie
Address:    Grant Scheme Section
Environment Dept
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
 

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)