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Irish Examiner
29-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Church-run Carraig Centre hailed for inclusion as it expands to serve even more Cork residents
The people behind a church-run community building that became a hub for Ukrainians in Cork have been hailed for their social inclusion work, as the property is set to undergo major works to cater to even more people. Tánaiste Simon Harris visited the Church of Ireland's Carraig Centre in Ballincollig on Friday for a briefing on the work, which is benefiting from government funding set up to recognise communities that helped welcome newcomers. The centre, run by the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes as a church, parish, and community centre, already hosts a range of groups and activities — from church and prayer groups, the HSE, the ICA, and the Montforts, to music and art lessons and birthday parties. Enable Ireland also provides adult day services for service users in the area from the centre. However, the building has become a key social hub for Ukrainians who fled the war and settled in Cork, and is now the home of the Ukrainian community choir of Cork, Kalyna, which has gone on to perform at the Cork Choral Festival. Tánaiste Simon Harris speaking at the Carraig Centre. Picture: Brian Lougheed The Carraig Centre secured €185,000 over three tranches of the Department of Rural and Community Development's Community Recognition Fund, which was set up to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the work being done to welcome and host new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. It also secured €2m in grant funding from the Department of Justice's now-closed Immigrant Investor Programme to cover the major refurbishment costs. The funding will cover: The installation of flexible wall partitions to create adaptable internal spaces for community groups; The construction of a walkway canopy to connect the existing east wing of the centre, which is currently being refurbished, ensuring all-weather access; The refurbishment of the west wing to create additional community space. Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy welcomed the government's commitment to community development in and across the city. 'The Carraig Centre is a professional, well managed, shared space that is open to all for the improvement of the quality of life for the people of Ballincollig and beyond,' he said. 'I would like to congratulate the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes on the progressive path they have taken in sharing this community facility way beyond their church community as an exemplar of social inclusion and community development.' The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy with Danielle Kelly and Emma Leahy, service owners at Enable Ireland. Picture: Brian Lougheed Rebecca Loughry, a director of services in the city council's Corporate, Community and Cultural Affairs directorate, said the Carraig Centre has consistently supported local community groups and the Ukrainian choir. 'This is an excellent example of what the Community Recognition Fund is all about in terms of enhancing services for all communities, new and established,' she said. 'It further adds to our commitment to enhancing and ensuring Cork city's reputation as a 'city of welcomes' which can be shared by all.' Tánaiste Simon Harris was greeted by the Rector of the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes and the Carraig Centre, Canon Robert Ferris and Rebecca Loughrey, Director of Services, Corporate, Community and Culture Affairs, Cork City Council. Picture: Brian Lougheed Canon Robert Ferris, rector of Carrigrohane Union of Parishes, described Friday's visit by the Tánaiste as an important milestone, bringing together many of the people — including those from national and local government, their staff, and users of the centre — who have helped them reach this point. 'We look forward to serving the community to which we are called and continuing to build upon the rock (Carraig) solid foundations in the months and years ahead," he said. The construction work will continue through the summer with minimal disruption to its wide range of community services. Read More Work on Cork taskforce 'ongoing' as Fine Gael appoints first ever spokesperson on city
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
When will Trump's $5 million gold card visa be launched? US Commerce Secretary Lutnick provides big update
International investors with at least $5 million in capital will have access to a new "gold card" visa programme in about a week, granting permanent residency and work authorization in the United States, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced on Wednesday. Speaking at Axios' Building the Future event in Washington, DC, Lutnick revealed that the initiative, introduced by President Donald Trump, aims to attract high-net-worth individuals to invest in the country in exchange for a streamlined path to US residency. 'I expect there will be a website up called in about a week,' Lutnick said, as reported by CNN. 'The details of that will come soon after, but people can start to register," he added. While full specifics of the programme will be disclosed in the coming weeks, Lutnick confirmed that it is intended to replace the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme. Under the current EB-5 scheme, green cards are available to foreign investors who contribute $1.8 million to the US economy—or $900,000 in designated economically distressed areas. The proposed "gold card" would require a significantly higher investment of $5 million but would offer expanded privileges, including a route to US citizenship. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Trump had first proposed this visa in February earlier this year. 'We're going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million,' he said in an announcement from the Oval Office. 'That's going to give you green card privileges, plus it's going to be a route to citizenship. And wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card," he further stated. Lutnick suggested that interest in the programme is already strong, particularly among high-net-worth individuals abroad. Referring to a recent trip to the Middle East, he said, 'Basically, everyone I meet who is not an American is going to want to buy this card- if they have the fiscal capacity.' He also framed the initiative as part of a broader economic strategy, claiming it could help reduce the US federal debt, which currently exceeds $36 trillion. 'These are going to be great people who are going to come and bring businesses and opportunity to America, and they're going to pay $5 million,' he said adding, 'If there are 200,000 people who pay, that's a trillion dollars. That pays for everything.' However, immigration experts have noted that creating a new visa category would require approval from the US Congress, raising questions about the legal and legislative feasibility of the plan. What is the Gold Card visa scheme? The US Gold Card initiative, priced at $5 million, is proposed as a successor to the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa scheme. The EB-5 programme, established in 1990, currently enables foreign nationals to secure green cards through business investments. The qualifying criteria include a minimum investment of $1 million in a business venture, or $800,000 in economically disadvantaged regions, with the requirement to create at least 10 jobs. In 2024, authorities granted over 4,500 EB-5 visas. The proposed Gold Card programme, according to Trump's announcement, would operate without any numerical restrictions on issuance. Further details, including eligibility criteria and implementation timelines, are expected to be released by the Commerce Department in the coming weeks. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Páirc Uí Chaoimh in running to host International Rules test
SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is in the running to host an International Rules test this October. The GAA and Australian Football League (AFL) are expected to confirm details in the coming weeks of what is hoped will be a two-test series as was the case in the last series in 2017 when the games were played in Adelaide and Perth. Croke Park is in line to stage the second and final test with the Cork venue being considered for the first the weekend before. There was only one test the last time the hybrid sport was played in Ireland in Croke Park in 2015. Páirc Uí Chaoimh previously hosted the first official Compromise Rules test in 1984 and since then the likes of Galway's Pearse Stadium (2006), Limerick's Gaelic Grounds ('10) and Breffni Park in Cavan ('13) have been the scene for opening tests. GAA and AFL officials met in Dublin last month having previously discussed the revival of the concept during GAA president Jarlath Burns's trip to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Australia GAA last autumn. Ireland was due to host two tests in 2020, the second of them on the 100th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in November, but they were cancelled due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, Louth GAA have secured additional funding to complete the first phase of their new stadium outside Dundalk. Croke Park have signed off on the €14 million opening stage of the development, which will allow approximately 6,000 spectators, over 4,000 of which will be seated in the south stand. Louth have raised almost €15m via the State's Immigrant Investor Programme and the entire project for the 14,000-capacity venue is expected to cost between €25m and €13m. It is expected the first part of the development will take 16 months to complete with the plan to be open in late 2026 and will include floodlighting, standing sections behind each goal, car parking and an auxiliary building. The second phase will comprise a standing terrace and commence when funding is available. Louth County Board chairman Séan McClean declared: 'This is a momentous day for all Gaelic Games in County Louth. After years of planning and preparation, we are thrilled to secure the necessary funding to begin construction on this state-of-the-art facility.' Speaking in February, GAA director general Tom Ryan said the organisation had to assist Louth: 'We just have to deliver something for Louth. They're not looking for the sun, moon and stars, they're just looking for a ground that is capable of holding county finals and home league games and qualifiers and things like that.'
