There was a general negative reaction to the TV3 programme screened on Monday night on TV3 on the Ballybeg Housing Estate.

Deputy John Halligan, Independent posted the following comment on his Facebook page:

"I sincerely hope next week’s episode of The Estate on TV3 portrays some of the good work being done on the ground in Ballybeg by local residents.

What the programme neglected to mention was the fact that all those houses were clumped together without a second thought to proper planning and it was the community itself – particularly residents of Clonard Park and Ardmore Park - who built up everything they have out there. Shame that members of the Ballybeg Action Group or some of the other community activists were not interviewed about all the hard work they do positively promoting Ballybeg".

Former Ballybeg publican Frank King rang WRLfm and also was critical of the programme. He praised the great community spirit of the people of Ballybeg and described them as wonderful people.

The Estate by TV3 also screens for the next two Monday nights.

Waterford City Councillor John Hearne said he was asked to publicise a case he is dealing with. A 28 year old man who is wheelchair bound who lives in a house which is clearly seen to be adapted from the outside for wheelchair needs woke the other morning to the sound of breaking glass. Two masked men attacked his house and broke every single window in the house. To add to his distress his dog jumped out the window to chase the thugs and didn't come back for a good while and he thought his dog was taken.

Cllr Hearne said "we have gone to every government department and nobody will fix the windows. Last night was the 3rd night the man slept in fear not knowing why he was attacked or if they were coming back to attack him again. It is very distressing to see people so upset and to see peoples lives destroyed. "

Cllr Hearne said "I'm appealing to anybody who knows the names of the cowards who attacked this mans house to pass them onto myself or the Garda. There is no place in civilised society for thugs who pick on the most vunerable in society. Meanwhile the inoccent victim of the attack lives in a cold house with no natural light as all the windows are boarded up and is now being medicated for the fear and distress this attack has caused him. It is a disgrace in these times that people have a mindset to cause such grief and no state bodies will help secure the building to put this mans mind at rest".

ESB is aware of the existence of privately operated Premium Phone Line operators who are using Google ads to mislead customers into using their phone numbers to call our Customer Contact Centre, resulting in high phone charges for customers who use these numbers. These are not legitimate ESB or Electric Ireland on-line ads.

We have contacted the company involved instructing them to remove all references to ESB and we have notified the Gardai, the National Consumer Agency, the Communications Regulator and Google. Customers who wish to contact ESB should go to our website http://www.esb.ie or call our contact phone numbers:

Electric Ireland Customer Service

t: 1850 372 372 (8am - 8pm, Mon - Sat)

From abroad: +353 1 852 9534

ESB Networks Customer Service

t: 1850 372 757 (8am - 8pm, Mon - Sat)

From abroad: +353 21 494 7260

For emergencies, supply failure or damage to networks - ESB Networks: 1850 372 999 (24 hour service).

Iarnród Éireann to offer free trips for community, voluntary and charity groups in 2013

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail has launched the 2013 programme for The Journey’s on Us, an initiative to support organisations and groups in the voluntary, community, sporting and charity sector.

"The Journey’s On Us", will provide up to 100 groups with a free group travel return journey for up to 50 people per group during 2013, meaning 5,000 free journeys are on offer across any of the company’s services. The travel facilities will be ideal in particular for organisations bringing a group to a special event, or as part of a specific support to the members of the group which requires travel.

The company has invited all community, voluntary, sporting and charity groups from across the country to apply for the 100 group travel trips available. Entry forms are available at all Iarnród Éireann stations or online at http://www.irishrail.ie/journeys. Entry forms can be filled out online, emailed to journeys@irishrail.ie or by post to Corporate Communications, Iarnród Éireann, Connolly Station, Dublin 1. The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 3rd May, at 17.00hrs.

Tramore Tourism delighted with Town Council backing for Inclusion Play Park and Adventure Park

Tramore Town Council supported unanimously for Tramore Tourism proposed development of 2 inclusion play parks for Tramore by the boating lake. Tramore Tourism Committee member Stephen Mullally made a passionate plea to the town council and told of the disadvantages people with special needs have in the area, he informed the meeting of how this would be unique to Tramore and that they would not be anything like this within a 100 km radius.

Both will be accessible to able bodied and disabled children. One park for kids up to 8 years of age and also an adventure play park/obstacle course for the older kids. Stephen and his fellow Committee members hope to bring the grasses and plants from the Sand dunes to the area so as the kids could experience the touch/feel and experience of the local dunnes without the access issues.

The project is at an early design stage but a big congratulation’s goes out to Stephen for his vision and hard work to get such an innovative idea supported by Tramore Tourism.

Tramore Tourism has set up a sub Committee to work on this project and would like to thank the following people, Andrea Gagley, Suzie Duffin, Paddy O’Neill and Tramore Town engineer Morris Conway. The group’s goals are to bring this park to Tramore and the surrounding areas for the betterment of the community and visitors alike.

Funding application is gone into LEADER but some fundraising will be needed, this will be starting soon. They are looking for companies and individuals to sponsor some of the equipment; you can contact the group by emailing secretary@tramore.ie or call Stephen on 089 416 0601

Mayor’s Annual Health Day is being held on Wednesday, May 15th. Have a healthy breakfast or lunch, go for a walk with your friends, bring your children, parents and grandparents on an outing. As a business, school or community organisation organise an event for your staff and members.

This day is being organised by the Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Jim Darcy to promote healthy living and to encourage you to do something that will make you feel better in yourself. You can get involved on this day by doing whatever makes you feel better – that is what the day is about!

"With Waterford designated a healthy city by the World Health Organisation this Health Day can provide a useful reminder to all of us of the old adage that health is wealth. By taking simple steps around diet, lifestyle and exercise, all of us can make a real difference to our quality and length of life," said the Mayor.

Events and activities will be promoted through local and social media and if you wish to be part of it further information is available by contacting waterfordhealthycities@wap.ie or Catherine Power, Waterford Area Partnership on (051) 840011.

Figures made public today reveal that 20 patients in Waterford Regional Hospital are occupying hospital beds, despite the fact that their acute care has ended and they are medically fit to be discharged.

Almost 90% of these are elderly patients over 65 for whom alternative arrangements have not been put in place.

The HSE’s own figures estimate the cost of a hospital stay per night at €800-€900 amounting to a conservative total cost of at least €16,000 each night the 20 patients remain in hospital, or the equivalent of over 750 hours of home care.

The latest HSE report published on April 1 also shows that there are 658 delayed discharges around the country with 54 patients waiting six months or more to be discharged. Using HSE’s own figures those waiting six months or more could amount to a cost of almost €8,000,000.

The main reasons for the delay include people awaiting approval for nursing home care under the Fair Deal scheme, people waiting for home help, a home care package, access to a rehabilitation facility, or equipment from the HSE.

Michael Harty, Co-Chair of Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI), said:

"The delayed discharge figures are shocking, but what is more worrying is that they are part of a much wider issue – the complete lack of a joined up approach to elder care that is costing millions each year. The whole system is unsustainable due to the ring-fencing of one type of care over another, and premature admissions into nursing homes, in complete contradiction to stated Government policy to help people remain in their homes for as long as possible.

Increasing home care funding to enable faster discharge could save millions each year and free up much needed resources to safeguard frontline services. More importantly, it could also help elderly, dependent people to live longer at home and prevent unnecessary admission in the first place.

HCCI has recently published a report outlining how Government can maximise resources with savings of up to €48 million in the next year alone, through more open, transparent commissioning and increased patient choice, yet it seems this is falling on deaf ears. We would call on the Government and HSE to use the forthcoming tender for home care provision to urgently address these issues."

Dr Arini Beaumaris, an internatonal educational leader and consultant, and Managing Director of High Capacity Communications, Australia, spoke about her work, in a recent visit to Waterford. Dr Beaumaris is a member of the Baha’i Faith, serves on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia, and was a guest of the local Waterford Baha’i community during her stay.

Dr. Beaumaris’s work provides the tools to enhance all our relationships and better understand ourselves and others. She has also developed a unique system of coaching parents and caregivers to develop ethical character and behaviour management in children, based on her Doctoral research into acting on moral choices.

Dr Beaumaris has spent over twenty years as an educator, from pre-school to Higher Education. As Principal of a secondary school in Canada, she introduced a character education programme resulting in 64% of the students being placed on the British Columbian Honours Roll. This convinced her of the importance of educating children to become ‘both learned and good’. Her research and guidance challenges many of the conventional methods of discipline and raising children. She has developed a set of books: The Super Six, to help lay the foundations of moral development in children before the age of six years. Her books are illustrated by Irish artist Niamh Fitzsimmons, thus creating strong links between Dr Beaumaris and Ireland.

Following her visit to Waterford she went on to Kilkenny where she was hosted by the Kilkenny Baha’i community, and presented her work at three further events.

See her website:www.highcapacitycommunications.com

HCS Business Solutions are the first Microsoft Partner in Ireland to achieve the new Microsoft Gold Small Business Competency

HCS Business Solutions, the Waterford based IT company are very proud and excited to announce that in recognition of our Office365 and Microsoft Cloud expertise, we are the first Microsoft Partner in Ireland to achieve the new Microsoft Gold Small Business competency.

This is a significant recognition of our expertise and track record in deploying Microsoft solutions that fit the needs of Small to Medium sized organisations in Ireland.

To achieve a Microsoft gold competency, partners must successfully complete exams (resulting in Microsoft Certified Professionals) to prove their level of technology expertise, and then designate these certified professionals uniquely to one Microsoft competency, ensuring a certain level of staffing capacity. They also must submit customer references that demonstrate successful projects (along with implementing a yearly customer satisfaction study), meet a revenue commitment (for most gold competencies), and pass technology and/or sales assessments.

"This Microsoft Gold Small Business competency showcases our expertise in and commitment to today’s technology market and demonstrates our deep knowledge of Microsoft and its products," said Neil Phelan, Director, HCS Business Solutions. "We plan to accelerate our customers’ success by serving as technology advisors for their business demands."

Earning the Microsoft Small Business competency demonstrates partner expertise and commitment to deliver solutions tailored to Small Business customer requirements. Given the focus on adoption of Cloud computing by over 50% of SMBs in the near future to drive their business operations, partners that invest in this competency are ready to address the rising customer demand for Microsoft cloud solutions based on Office 365, Windows 8, Windows Small Business Server, Windows Intune and CRM Online.

Call us today on 01 8734120 | 051 595200, visit http://www.hcs.ie or email sales@hcs.ie to arrange an appointment with HCS, Microsoft’s only Gold Small Business Partner in Ireland and see how you can get the most out of your Microsoft technology.

Following reports that the ECB has gagged the government from releasing information on the liquidation of the Irish Banking Resolution Corporation, Phil Prendergast MEP has voiced her criticism of the plan.

"The legislation regarding the liquidation of the IBRC was passed late at night with minimal information relayed to the public. The debate for the public played out on social media. The outright rejection of Freedom of Information requests is a step too far.

"As a member of the European Parliament, I represent the people of Ireland and firmly believe that access to information is a key part of democracy in action. There is no excuse for a gag order like this.

"A blanket refusal policy would serve only to heighten distrust in government and in the ECB.

"The ECB should not have the power to make these demands and I am calling on the Department of Finance to ensure that Freedom of Information requests in this matter are dealt in the regular manner without exception."

Another great Blian na Gaeilge event is being run in Tramore with the Team Challenges on the beach as Gaeilge, on April 28th 2013 with the  Freedom Scoil Surfála at 1:30pm for 10-12 year olds. It is Sáor in Áisce (no charge) but booking is essential 051 386773.

Freedom Scoil Surfála provides surfing lessons in Irish to all ages.  For more information telephone 051 386773 or check out http://www.freedomsurfschool.com.

Speaking in advance of a cabinet decision this week on the recommendations of the Higgins Report, Senator David Cullinane has given a cautious welcome to reported changes concerning Waterford Regional Hospital. While the report will, it seems, recommend a breakup of the region and WRH being grouped with Cork University Hospital, important changes, safeguards and commitments will be made to Waterford Regional Hospital.

Speaking today Senator Cullinane said:

"It is being reported that while the cabinet will sign off on proposals to breakup the Southeast Region and create a new hospital grouping linking WRH with CUH, it will also commit to retaining tertiary and specialist services at WRH including cancer care and trauma. It may also designate WRH as a University Teaching Hospital although this is of yet unclear.

"If these changes are implemented, it represents a positive step forward. While it may not be the ideal outcome, it does put us in a better place. The key issue is the retention of tertiary services.

"It is also vital that Waterford Regional Hospital retains its status as a regional hospital. While linkages to a University and a University Hospital will undoubtedly bring benefits, it must not come with the price of WRH losing its regional status.

"This cabinet decision is crucial to the future development and status of Waterford Regional Hospital. It is hugely important that it is the right decision for patients in Waterford and the Southeast. We must robustly protect all services at the hospital."

Last year, the committee of Portlaw Community Alert Group produced an information card listing contact numbers for emergency services in the area, including a mobile number for our local Gardaí.

In recent times due to changes in the Garda structures of the area, there is a possibility that the mobile contact number may occasionally not be answered.

At a recent Community Alert Committee meeting, these concerns were brought to the attention of senior Gardaí who were in attendance. It was agreed that the best option now is to call Tramore Garda Station at 051 391620 or 051 381333 as Tramore Garda Station is manned 24 hours. People can of course still call 999 or 112 also. The Gardaí in Tramore will then be able to contact whoever is on duty in this area and advise them accordingly.

The committee would like to thank Gardaí for their ongoing support and commitment to our village.

The committee are currently working on the introduction of a text alert system which we expect to be launched in the near future. Also, the Smoke Detector Scheme for vulnerable households is still in operation and very soon we will be in a position to secure grants for the purchase and installation of monitored personal alarms (Seniors Alert Scheme). For additional information on any of the above, please contact Declan Clune (085 8570506), Liam Walsh or any committee member.

Three members of Waterford City Council have called for their fellow councillors to put an end to the unjust situation that a man who has served 34 years on a council has never been honoured with the opportunity to be Mayor. Councillors Dick Roche, Sean Reinhard and John Hearne have said that because Councillor Gary Wyse decided to leave the pact recently it means that Fine Gael and Labour are no longer the leaders of a majority voting pact and for the first time in years the Mayoral Election in June is not a foregone conclusion. The three councillors believe that the candidate that Fine Gael and labour will put forward will be someone who is for the amalgamation of Waterford City and County Council and that the majority of Councillors on the Council are very much opposed to the abolition of the City Council.

They stated that it would be very hard for Councillors to see a Mayor in agreement with the destruction of the very Council that person will be chairing. The councillors went on to say that there is a popular opinion in the City that Cllr Davy Walsh should have at some stage been given the honour after a life time of service and that this opinion is held by people across the City whether they are supporters of Cllr. Walsh or not. In peoples view it’s just about fairplay and that councillors have an ideal opportunity to demonstrate their sense of justice and fairplay next June. The three Cllrs pleaded with their colleagues to do the right thing leave their politics take a back seat over what most people in Waterford will see as the fair, just and right thing to do.

Waterford City Centre Business Group (WCCBG) is delighted to announce a car parking reduction rate in the New Street/Apple Market Car Park. The rate reduction will take effect from Friday 26th April.

Spokesman for the group Michael Garland stated, “After only four weeks since the WCCBG was formed a huge amount of voluntary work has been carried out by ALL the Group members. The enthusiasm and drive from the Group, to breathe new life into the very heart of Waterford City Centre, is just incredible.

There is undoubtedly huge momentum building and in the very near future there will be full details of the Group’s City Centre development proposals. The Group’s proposals will be announced and launched at a meeting where all City Centre businesses will be invited to attend. Full details on the meeting will be circulated and announced through the local media.

The first significant announcement for the WCCBG is a rate reduction in the privately operated car park at New Street/Apple Market. We are delighted to announce a rate reduction from Friday 26th April to the following: €1 per hour every Friday from 6pm to 10pm, €1 per hour every Saturday from 8am to 12 noon, and €1.40 per hour all day on Tuesday and Thursday.

This is the first private car parking operator to come on board with the overall plan to revitalise the City Centre and we certainly hope that it will not be the last.

The WCCBG are now working very hard to get further concessions with other private car park operators and we know that Waterford City Council will also now step up to the mark and offer additional on street car parking solutions around the City Centre.”

Glenn Sheridan added, "The car parking rate reduction is just one of our foundation stones to putting Waterford City Centre back on the retailing map of the South East. We have seen a real decline in retail footfall over the last few years and we all need to pull together to revitalise the City Centre.

We have recently undertaken a survey, and actually visited over 300 businesses in the City Centre, and the results of the survey will be given at our first open meeting – date to be announced. To date we have received almost one third of the forms back which is a terrific response. However, we would like to hear from ALL businesses and we would ask that the forms are returned ASAP to Tommy Hilfiger, Hype Hair, Sam McCauley’s, City Jewellers, Occasions or Fitzgerald’s Menswear. There is still time to contribute and have your say.

The WCCBG Facebook campaign and other social media promotions are reaching literally tens of thousands of people. We will keep this momentum going and ask that everyone gets involved in spreading the good news stories now coming out of Waterford City."

You can keep up to date on all announcements by following the Waterford City Centre Business Group on Facebook and through other social media sites.