Latest news with #LocalDemocracyReportingScheme
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
More than 400 households in Wicklow reimbursed for housing Ukrainian refugees
The ARP is a tax-free monthly financial contribution of €600 available to households who provide accommodation to a person or people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since March 2022. Figures released to Sinn Féin's spokesperson on migration, Matt Carthy TD, reveal that the number of properties nationwide in receipt of ARP rose from 4,245 in January 2023 to 21,803 by mid-July of this year, a rise of over 17,500. In Wicklow, the number has jumped from 154 to 463 over the same period. Deputy John Brady has raised concern at what he calls 'a significant and worrying increase in the number of private properties being brought into the ARP scheme. 'In Wicklow alone, we have seen ARP properties triple in the space of just 18 months. This is happening while thousands of families in the county are being priced out of the private rental market. This is particularly concerning when only 58 properties are currently available to rent in the county'. The Wicklow TD said that the government had failed to acknowledge the impact of the scheme on rental supply. 'We are in the middle of a housing emergency', he said. 'Instead of protecting tenants or investing in long-term housing solutions, the government has created a system where landlords can cash in on the ARP, avoid the rules of the private rental sector, and bypass tenant many protections'. The figures show that 21,803 properties are being paid under the scheme, provided by just 16,900 owners. Deputy Brady claimed landlords are taking advantage of a state-funded scheme with 'little oversight or long-term benefit to the housing system'. 'This is a direct consequence of the government's failure to plan and their refusal to engage in proper housing reform. Wicklow families are being left behind while landlords are benefitting' he added. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Call for empty buildings in Cork to be used for arts and business purposes to tackle dereliction
Empty buildings across West Cork should be put to use for arts, small business and community purposes in an effort to combat dereliction according to Social Democrats councillor Isobel Towse. Ms Towse raised the issue in a motion proposed to the recent meeting of Cork County Council's Western Division that asked: 'That the Western Division of Cork County Council would develop a strategy to encourage and facilitate 'meanwhile-use' of vacant and derelict buildings in West Cork.' The motion was seconded by her party colleague Ann Bambury. Meanwhile use is the temporary use of empty buildings for various purposes while they await longer-term development or occupancy, said Ms Towse, and examples of uses include pop-up shops, street markets and exhibition spaces. Ms Towse said: 'I am appealing to the council to do everything within its power to facilitate and indeed encourage meanwhile use, in both public and private buildings where possible. The commercial vacancy rate in Cork county is 12.4%, much higher than our European counterparts. 'This has a negative impact on a town's economy and the health and wellbeing of the community. Meanwhile, artists are crying out for spaces to create and put on cultural activities; organisations and community groups need places to meet; and micro businesses would benefit from affordable retail spaces. "All of this would boost economic development and innovation, attract tourism, and improve the liveability of towns, and importantly, tackle problematic vacancy and dereliction.' Ms Towse said a good example was the case of the Clonakilty Community Arts Centre, which is facing eviction from its current location as the building was due to be sold. She said a short distance away, the former Clonakilty Fire Station building was currently unoccupied. She added: 'Overall I think we need to develop a model for meanwhile use that would respond to the unique needs of towns and villages in West Cork. We must remember that the most sustainable building is an existing one.' Keith Jones, director of asset management and land development at Cork County Council, said the council was committed to engaging with the owners of vacant and derelict buildings to bring them back into productive use for the social and economic benefit of communities. Divisional manger Michael Lynch said the new formed directorate of asset management and land development was conducting a strategic review of derelict and unoccupied buildings with the aim of developing a strategy to tackle dereliction, and meanwhile use would be part of the overall plan. This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Over €3m awarded to Galway rural water schemes
Housing Minister James Browne announced a €74 million investment across the country, €3.4 million of which will be given to Galway to improve rural water schemes. Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Albert Dolan said: 'This is a landmark day for rural communities in Galway and right across the country. I'm particularly delighted to confirm that over €3.4 million will directly benefit group water schemes here in County Galway. This investment ensures that more homes and families in rural areas can access clean, safe and secure water.' Water compliance, source protection, and leakage reduction are among the priority improvements to bring water services up to 'par with urban centres.' Deputy Dolan said in a statement that this is furthering efforts to invest and commit to water infrastructure and the future of rural Ireland. It is noted that the funding will be invested in a range of key areas, from water quality compliance and source protection to leakage reduction and the expansion of piped public water supply connections. Among the major Galway projects receiving support are: Kilbannon Group Water Scheme – €450,000. Peterswell\Castledaly GWS – €254,000 New Inn - Corrabaun Group Water Scheme – €210,316 'This investment will make a big difference for generations to come. Investment like this lays the groundwork for future growth, from building new homes to supporting local development into the future across county Galway.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Rumblings at Galway County Council as Fine Gael councillor insists he will only vote for party's candidate
The conversation was sparked by a suggestion to hold a special meeting to invite potential candidates to represent themselves and their agendas to the council. A sense of pride in the democratic process of the presidential election filled the chamber, as councillors reflected on the longstanding tradition of supporting candidates over the years — notably including their backing of Mary Davis in 2011 and Joan Freeman in 2018. Councillor Thomas Welby said: 'We have a power, and we shouldn't use it lightly.' For someone to be eligible for candidacy they must be nominated by at least 20 Oireachtas members or at least four local authorities. But also in the conversation was an unmoving opinion from Fine Gael County Councillor Jimmy McClearn as he told the elected members his party 'will vote against any candidate other than our own party'. This decision was made in an independent FG meeting 'under no pressure from anybody' he said. In response, councillors criticised the stance as 'anti-democratic,' arguing that inviting candidates to present to a council where some members have already made up their minds undermines the objectivity of the process. 'It wouldn't be fair on candidates where the two main blocks have decided on who they are voting for.' Independent councillor Shaun Cunniffe said. 'If it's a good candidate, why would we try and stop the campaign before it starts?' Cllr McClearn wanted to be 'crystal clear' about the plan of action for FG representatives in the chamber. ADVERTISEMENT 'With respect, I think we have been very honest and very clear about our situation, we will be voting against anyone who comes here looking for a nomination.' However, this doesn't mean a loss of respect should another candidate be backed by the council. 'We are democrats at the end of the day, and we will fully abide by the decision that's made at the end of the day.' Thus far, seven candidates have been in contact with the council since March requesting an opportunity to come before the council according to chief executive Liam Conneally. The council Corporate Policy Group (CPG) proposed the meeting which will likely be held in September. The suggestion states that each candidate will have 10 minutes before the elected members in order of surname, the meeting will then be adjourned for a short period for further discussion and consideration. A proposal was made and approved to prohibit representatives from speaking on behalf of candidates during the presentation. This marks a change from previous years, when family members or others were permitted to address the elected members on behalf of those running. The special meeting will likely have both an in-person and online option. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Multi-Million euro investment to improve water quality in Mayo
The programme aims to improve water infrastructure across rural Group Water Schemes (GWS). 20 GWS across Mayo will benefit from the funding, which is the largest Government investment to date for water services in the county. The funding will support a range of projects in Mayo, including source protection measures, water treatment upgrades, leakage reduction and prevention, new community water connections, as well as the formal taking-in-charge of four Group Water Schemes and Group Sewerage Schemes in Mayo. €2.89m was granted to Callow Lake GWS for water conservation and leakage reduction. Cllr Neil Cruise from Foxford spoke to the Irish Independent and welcomed the funding. He mentioned there is a lot of pipe work that needs to be replaced due to ongoing leakage issues, 'This news is wonderful for the greater east Mayo area, this is funding that is hugely required. It is very welcomed news to help solve the ongoing issues, make things better for the environment, and protect the water.' Cllr Cruise made a motion at the last Mayo County Council meeting to develop a LIFE project in the Pontoon area, to help preserve water quality in Lough Conn and Lough Cullin, similar to the ongoing LIFE project in Lough Carra. Lough Carra GWS also received €1.2m to improve water efficiency and reduce losses. Cllr Donna Sheridan from Castlebar said that today's announcement is great news for communities in the Castlebar Municipal District. 'It is so important that we protect our water sources and ensure the highest standards in our water treatment. We must ensure that communities across Castlebar Municipal District have the benefit of high water infrastructure and water services, 'This funding, and the completion of these projects, will allow GWS to continue to improve the quality, quantity, and reliability of the water services across Mayo.' Over €7.5m has been allocated to support the taking-in-charge of dozens of group water and sewage schemes across the county, to help ensure long-term sustainability and public oversight. Minister of State, Alan Dillion TD, welcomed the significant investment saying: 'This vital funding will support the development and maintenance of essential water and sanitation services, ensuring that rural households have access to clean, safe, and reliable drinking water, ADVERTISEMENT 'The Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme is not only about improving quality of life, it also supports economic activities such as agriculture, livestock farming, and tourism, all of which depend on reliable water resources, 'This is one of the most significant investments in rural water infrastructure ever seen in Mayo. It will directly benefit thousands of households, improve water quality, reduce leakage, and ensure that rural communities have access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water services.' This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
