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South East Regional Skills Forum ‘Open For Business’

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South East Regional Skills Forum ‘Open For Business’

South East Regional Skills Forum ‘Open For Business’ to help employers in the region as it meets Minister for Training and Skills

Representatives from the recently-established South East Regional Skills Forum (SERSF) have held their first meeting with Minister of State with responsibility for Training and Skills, John Halligan TD.

The event, at Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny, provided an opportunity for the SERSF to brief the Minister on the objectives of the Forum and its future plans for the development of the region. The SERSF is one of nine skills fora supported and funded by the Department of Education and Skills. The Regional Skills Fora have been established as part of the Government’s new architecture under the new National Skills Strategy which sets out the Government’s approach to identifying and meeting the skills needs of industry up to 2025.

The SERSF which covers Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford City, Waterford County and Wexford currently comprises representative from IT Carlow, Waterford IT, Tipperary ETB, Waterford/Wexford ETB, Kilkenny/Carlow ETB, Skillnets, LIT Tipperary. IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Waterford Chamber of Commerce, Local Enterprise Offices, IBEC, Wexford Chamber of Commerce, and Unum Ireland.

The SERSF provides an opportunity for local employers and the regional education and training providers to work together to meet the skills needs of their regions. The Forum has already started to identify the current and emerging skills needs in the south east. Whilst the Forum is concentrating initially on six sectoral areas in which it will identify skills needs and ensure timely training and education provision for the sectors which are: engineering; pharma; agri- food; business services/IT; design creation and tourism, the needs of other sectors will be supported where there has been an identified and definite skills deficit.

Speaking during the meeting, Minister Halligan welcomed the establishment of the Skills Forum and its potential to address both the identification of the local skills needs of enterprise and the current high level of unemployment in the South East. " I’m delighted to see all the relevant education and training bodies coming together and strategically focusing on the skills needs of the region and sharing knowledge and experience”, said Minister Halligan.

The newly appointed SERSF Manager Mr Edmond Connolly called on employers in the region to engage with the Forum to ensure that their skills needs are being met. Edmond said, "We are ready and willing to engage with local employers throughout the region and will be meeting with them in the coming weeks and months. If the skills needs of your business are not currently being met, or if you are having difficulties in attracting the right skills, the Forum is here to help. In addition to individual planned initiatives on a sectoral basis, the Forum is focussed on addressing the current and future skills needs of the region. The challenges of attracting, retaining, reskilling and upskilling staff will also be a key focus of the Forum. There is substantial scope to promote education and training targeting specific jobs that are or will be available in the South East.

At the event, Dr Patricia Mulcahy, Chairperson of SERSF and President of Institute of Technology Carlow, welcomed Minister Halligan and introduced him to some of the forum representatives including Professor Willie Donnelly, President of Waterford Institute of Technology; Ms Fionuala McGeever, CEO of Tipperary ETB; Mr Kevin Lewis, CEO of Waterford/Wexford ETB; Ms Cynthia Deane, CEO of Kilkenny/Carlow ETB; and Ciaran Lynch, Development Manager, Limerick Institute of Technology Tipperary. They were also joined by Mr Frank O’Regan, Chair of the South East Action Plan for Jobs and Mr Sean McKeown, Director of the South East Action Plan for Jobs, who will be working closely with the SERSF in the coming months.

Prior to his appointment as SERSF Manager, Edmond Connolly held the position of CEO of Macra Na Feirme for eight years and Edmond has also worked as assistant Chief Executive of South Tipperary County Enterprise Board and being native of the South East he understands the challenges facing local businesses as they seek to emerge from the recession and build on new opportunities.

Local employers in the south east can contact Edmond through the Regional Skills Website (http://www.regionalskills.ie) or at 087 8314729. The SERSF is looking forward to hearing from and engaging with local employers and supporting their skills needs. In this the Forum will also be working very closely with the South East Action Plan for Jobs.

For further information, visit http://www.regionalskills.ie


HSE failings in management of Console contract must be acknowledged – David Cullinane TD

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David Cullinane, Sinn Féin member of the Public Accounts Committee, said that the HSE cannot accept the internal audit report on Console on one hand, and then ignore the implications it has for HSE procedures on the other.

Deputy Cullinane said:"The internal audit report into Console said that its 60 findings all carried the highest risk possible and that many had national implications for the HSE. Despite this, the Director General of the HSE refused today in the Public Accounts Committee to acknowledge the seriousness of the issue, opting instead to treat it as a learning exercise to fine-tune current managerial systems, practices and procedures.

"This is unacceptable. The internal audit report itself is clear that there are systemic issues for the HSE. This cannot be ignored or waved away.

"Tony O'Brien told the Committee that the HSE had no powers over the governance of Console and could not be held for the management of Console, and while this may be technically correct it is a rhetorical sleight-of-hand to be honest.

"The issue is not the management or governance structures of Console but the management of the service agreement the HSE had with Console.

"And with regard to the oversight, checks and balances on that service agreement, the audit report flagged concerns that speak to systemic issues with the HSE's own governance and oversight structures.

"The HSE has a public budget that dwarfs many multinationals. This is all public money and with that in mind we need to take seriously a report that suggests that fine-tuning might not be enough to ensure an issue like Console does not happen again, or is at the very least flagged and dealt with before it becomes a bigger problem."

Minister Harris to provide medical cards to over 10,000 very sick children

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Minister for Health, Simon Harris, reaffirmed his commitment to automatically provide medical cards for very sick children who are in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA). At a meeting with ‘Our Children’s Health’ this week, Minister Harris confirmed that this was a priority for him in the upcoming budget discussions and legislation to enable it will follow as quickly as possible.

The Minister said; "Families all around the country are caring for about 30,000 very sick children. They currently receive Domiciliary Care Allowance but one-in-three do not get a medical card. I am extending this to include 10,000 more children in receipt of the DCA who will be provided with a medical card”

From then on all of these children will be provided with a medical card without having to go through means testing, once they are in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance.

"This is a key Programme for Government commitment and I am very confident I will be able to get cross-party support for this Bill when I bring it to the Oireachtas. This would allow for it to pass quickly through the House so as to bring the benefits to these children and their families in the not too distant future. I hope that not having to worry about applying for a medical card will help these families in some small way” concluded the Minister.

Call for CCTV security for Waterford Harbours

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At the monthly meeting of WC & CC Cllr Pat Fitzgerald drew attention to the increase in theft of marine equipment and outboard motors and called for the installation of CCTV at the small harbours along the Waterford coastline that are under the jurisdiction of the council.

Councillor Pat Fitzgerald told council, the amount of outboard engines and marine equipment being stolen from small harbours in recent years is shocking; the thefts are literally putting small inshore fishermen out of business.

The effect of this criminality is not only being felt in the inshore commercial fishing industry but also by people that enjoy the marine tourism and leisure industry. Many leisure craft are launched for the summer only, this increases the opportunity for criminals specialising in the theft of marine equipment during the summer months. In recent years scores of outboard engines ranging in cost from a few thousand to €15,000 have been recorded stolen in what has almost become an everyday occurrence in nearly every harbour around Ireland.

Compared to small remote harbours, thefts from most of the larger harbours are minor, this is down to the fact that these harbours are protected to a large extent by security cameras.

An example of how CCTV can alleviate the problem is Dunmore East where recently an elaborate CCTV system was installed.

Garda advice to all owners of boat engines, no matter what size is; take a note of the engine’s serial number and keep it safe. In the event your property is stolen you can provide those details to the Gardaí.

Keep a record of the unique engine serial number and /or fix an electronic chip on the outboard engine. There are a number of companies who can supply electronic chips at very reasonable prices. If possible lock and secure your outboard engine in a lock up or shed. Do not leave it attached to the boat if at all possible. These relatively cheap precautions may not stop the initial theft but it could help to catch the thief and re-unite the owner with their equipment.

Flower Show at the Copper Coast Geopark

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Flower Show at the Copper Coast Geopark

The 9th annual Flower Show will take place in the Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre, Bunmahon on 23rd & 24th July. Entries are invited in the following

categories:

- Decorative Arrangements

- Cut Flowers

- Home Produce

- Arts and Crafts

- Children’s

Categories

Entries must be registered by phone, email, post or in person by Thursday 21st July. All exhibits except cakes must be handed in on Friday 22nd July from 5-7 pm, and homemade cakes on Saturday from 10am-12noon. No late entries will be accepted. For all enquiries and Entry Forms, please contact the Copper Coast Geopark Centre by telephone at 051-292828 or 087-2392625, or by email at info@coppercoastgeopark.com or bredacolfer@eircom.net, or by mail to Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre, Bunmahon. Entries cost €2 per class/category for adults and €1per class/category for children.

The Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

Enjoy lunch or coffee in the Café at the Visitor Centre, serving locally produced food, while the Craft Shop is well stocked with an extensive range of superb, locally made crafts.

"We need to put Waterford back on the political map” - Mulligan

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2016 Census statistics give a damning indictment on the previous Government’sRegional Development Policy for Waterford and the South East

The release of preliminary 2016 Census statistics give a damning indictment on the previous Government’s Regional Development Policy for Waterford and the South East, in general, according to Cllr Eddie Mulligan.

Cllr Mulligan, who was in the unique position of actually being a 2016 Census Enumerator, has for many months championed the mantra that much more action and less talking must be done to accelerate the economy of Waterford. He believes that the very latest set of Census data reinforces the need for more Government attention and investment into the various high level projects identified by Waterford Council and the wider stakeholder groups.

"As one of the very few Councillors that actively use the Central Statistics Office data, on a very regular basis, I felt that it was important, to do my bit, to ensure that the people of Waterford contributed to that process. Hence, when I was given the opportunity to actually become a 2016 Census Enumerator I jumped at the chance. To me, it has been an invaluable process and engaging with the hundreds of households in my Census area has given me the opportunity, to encourage the Waterford people, to be part of an extremely essential five yearly statistical exercise that gathers data that I can use for the betterment of our Citizens.

"With headline figures, since 2011 (the last Census year), such as an increase in Waterford’s population of 2.3% or 2,606 people, empty premises accounting for 7,742 dwellings or a vacancy rate of 14.6% and net migration of minus 496 for the City and minus 1,145 for the County, giving a total of 1,641 people who have left the City and County since 2006. With our third level attainment also unbelievably low, compared to the national average, it is no wonder that our sons and daughters are having to seek opportunities abroad.

"In terms of national averages we perform consistently badly. Whether that is lower than average population growth and vacant dwelling rates and so on.

This type of data can and should then be used, by ALL our political representatives, to back up the shocking recently released unemployment figures that show one on four of our youth are unemployed and that our total unemployment rates continues to be far too high!

The combination of Census and other CSO statistical information needs to be utilised to drive an accelerated Government policy for REAL regional development. In the case of the 2016 Census data the statistics do not lie and I suppose that the crumb of comfort is that the information is "hot off the press”, so to speak, and we now need to act immediately to ensure that come 2021 (the next Census year) our averages better the national medium.”

Cllr Mulligan, who is unequivocal in his belief, that other Counties will no doubt be mobilising their political "big guns” to start, literally, the banging down the doors of Leintser House to get a better deal for their electorate. He would like to see Waterford’s political glitterati coming together with one common cause, "We need to put Waterford back on the political map, to secure investment, and to do this we now have the latest stats to hand. Forewarned is forearmed, to coin a phrase, so let us collectively, come together and use the information, so willingly given by the people of Waterford, to create a better place for our future sons and daughters.”

Countdown begins to €3 million August Racing Festival in Tramore

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€300,000 prizefund for racing August 11 – 14

FOODIES and fashionistas, fanatics of hurling and family fun seekers will delight in this year’s August Racing Festival programme in Tramore. The four day-long celebration begins on August 11 and is expected to draw over 20,000 to the seaside town this year, generating €3 million plus for the local and regional economy and this year all 28 races are sponsored, ensuring a race prize fund of €300,000

An Artisan food hall, ‘A Taste of Tramore’, has been added to the action-packed festival programme this year and will showcase the many food enterprises in the region throughout the Family Fun Afternoon the final day of the festival.

The four day August festival starts on Thursday evening, August 11, and is the highlight on the annual calendar at Tramore, one of the country’s most historic racetracks. Up to 100 local people are employed on site throughout the event, according to Racecourse General Manager, Sue Phelan.

“The mix of Club Déise on our first evening; the barbecue evening with entertainment the second evening; our House of Waterford Crystal/Redlane.ie Style Evening with Roz Purcell on Saturday and our family fun afternoon on the Sunday, means more and more younger racegoers are flocking to Tramore.

“We’re very fortunate to have a very loyal, long-standing following but for the festival we always see a particularly welcome spike in those in the 25-35 age category enjoying racing in Tramore, as we prepare to celebrate 104 years of racing by the sea,” Sue said.

The August Festival opens with the Déise Evening and seven exciting National Hunt races. The fun continues late into the evening with live music in the Inside Track bar where racegoers are invited to mix and mingle with the county’s hurling heroes and their mentors.“Club Déise have a great evening planned in the Festival Marquee and will be welcoming the senior hurling panel as their guests and Brass & Co will be playing live during the evening.

Tickets priced at €50 are available directly from http://www.clubdeise.com” the racecourse general manager added.

An evening National Hunt fixture gets underway on Friday, August 12. The Festival Marquee is definitely the place to be for all the tips from Tramore’s celebrity racing tipsters. Live music continues after racing with music from No Hot Ashes. Waterford & Tramore Chambers are hosting a summer networking evening in the Craic at the Track marquee the same evening. More information from http://www.waterfordchamber.com

“This year sees the introduction of the Taste of Tramore Marquee. During the afternoon, racegoers are invited to enjoy cookery demonstrations from Jeni Pim, Jens Kitchen and nutrition talks from Helen Byrne, Help2Health http://www.tramore-racecourse.com/index.php/a/help2health.ie. We encourage people to come along and sample locally produced food from the artisan food producers,” she added.

For more about tickets and bookings, log on to http://www.tramore-racecourse.com

New EU deal is great news for Waterford dairy farmers – Coffey

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Fine Gael Waterford Senator Paudie Coffey, has said that a new EU deal worth €11.1 million to Ireland is great news for Waterford dairy farmers.

“A new aid package for the EU Agriculture sector, with particular emphasis on the dairy sector, has been agreed at €500m on an EU wide basis. Ireland is to receive €11.1m million in the package which is great news for Waterford dairy farmers.

“The way the overall package is structured is also very beneficial to the Irish dairy sector. €350 million is for a conditional adjustment aid measure to be implemented by EU Member States, while €150 million is for an EU wide measure to support voluntary reduction in milk production. Despite strong pressure from other Member States, Ireland’s views in relation to supply management are well known, and we did not want this package to be focused exclusively on production discipline.

“It is also extremely positive that the Commission has responded to demands from Ireland and others by the extension of public intervention for Skimmed Milk Powder and private storage aid schemes to February 2017. This is a good deal for Irish dairy farmers.

“This EU aid package also includes provision for advance payment of key farm support payments which will be really beneficial for Waterford dairy farmers. I have heard from many local dairy farmers about the liquidity issues they are experiencing, and so the payment of up to 70% of direct payments and 85% for area based RDP payments from October 16th of this year, will provide further relief.”


Chamber Race Night at Tramore August Festival

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Chamber Race Night at Tramore August Festival

Waterford Chamber and Tramore Chamber of Tourism & Commerce have joined forces to host a brand new event on Friday, August 12th at the annual Tramore August Racing Festival.

The event commences at 4.00pm with live music by jazz duo Indigo Mood and delicious BBQ chicken and beef blaas will be served with a selection of salads.

During the race meet on Friday, August 12th, Henry De Bromhead will be on hand to provide tips for the seven thrilling national hunt races, starting from 5.15pm. Racing is followed by live music from No Hot Ashes.

Commenting on the upcoming event at Tramore Racecourse, CEO of Waterford Chamber Nick Donnelly said, “We are delighted to join with Tramore Chamber in hosting this event at the festival. The annual racing festival is always a highlight in Waterford’s event calendar and this year during the National Hunt evening fixture, we will faciltate a great networking opportunity. It is set to be a fantastic summer occasion, all are welcome and hopefully we will continue to host this event on an annual basis.”

Tickets are €25 each. Advance booking is required as admission is by ticket only. For further details on this event and for tickets contact Jemma at 051 311136 or jemma.archbold@waterfordchamber.ie

Ten years of redevelopment now completed at St. John’s College

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Ten years of redevelopment now completed at St. John’s College

On conclusion of the acquisition and planning, the actual re-construction of John’s College began in March 2014 by Respond! Ltd and was completed in November 2015 by Mythen Construction, ahead of schedule. The impressive development includes 21 new apartments in the College, with a 10-bed group home and 36 new-build one-bed apartments overlooking the Folly.

The total redevelopment costs came to €12 million. All of the residents in John’s College came from the Waterford City and County Local Authority waiting list. The apartments cater mainly for Older People and people with specific needs and requirements who are capable of independent living.

On Friday 22nd July, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, Damien English, T.D. performed the official opening of the John’s College campus in Waterford with a large crowd of distinguished guests in attendance. The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Very Reverend Alphonsus Cullinan and Dean Maria Janssen carried out a blessing of the campus. The recently elected Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Adam Wyse was in attendance and was highly impressed with the redevelopment.

According to the John’s College Facilities Co-ordinator, David Phelan: “All of the residents have now moved in and are very happy with their accommodation and the support services offered in John’s College. We are currently running a number of activation and recreational programmes for our tenants and the wider Waterford community to counteract the effects of loneliness and social isolation.’

Respond SUPPORT Ltd (a sister company of Respond!) is now offering a number of essential support services in John’s College Campus for the wider Waterford community including a Community Education Centre, Conference Centre, Activation Room, Sensory Garden and The Hub Café which is due to open within a fortnight. There are a number of rooms available to rent for meetings, community educational classes and conferences for up to 150 people. The Waterford Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland are one of the main anchor tenants of John’s College and use the building for their educational programmes and activities.

Continued on page 21.

Fr. Patrick Cogan, ofm, a Founding Director of Respond! stated: ‘We welcome all Community Groups to come up and utilise the excellent facilities on offer in John’s College. This redevelopment is the culmination of 34 years of Respond!’s work in Waterford where we have provided over 570 dwellings. Now Respond SUPPORT Ltd gives back this flagship development to the people of Waterford and we invite you to participate with us in the services it will be providing.”

During his speech Minister English stated: “I congratulate Respond for the development of St. John’s College. Delivering these 67 units was no small feat and I’m aware that Waterford City and County Council was very anxious to see this project progressed in the context of protecting the architectural heritage of the City”

Fr. Patrick Cogan also stated that “as Respond! has been in the forefront of Housing Associations in Ireland in providing some 5,500 dwellings to date, it will not shirk its responsibility to lead the way in meeting the challenge of those who are homeless and on housing waiting lists. We have promised Government to review the enlargement of our in-house Design and Property Team to meet current housing needs.”

New Cancer Support Services for west Waterford

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The Solas Cancer Support Centre has been in existence since 1999 and based in a purpose built facility in Waterford City since 2011. The centre offers free support to those affected by cancer, their families and carers.

Having looked at the statistics for clients from west Waterford who avail of these services it was identified that these numbers are relatively small. Dr Brian Creedon chair of the Solas Cancer Support Centre explains ‘in the past 5 years we have supported approximately 2,500 clients in total and on reviewing these figures noticed that only 170 clients from west Waterford have used the services . Of these 170 clients the vast majority are from between Kilmacthomas and Dungarvan. We feel that the distance involved is one of the reasons for this low number and made the decision to open a Dungarvan based service’.

Based on NCRI stats, 335 people in West Waterford could have a cancer diagnoses annually and this stark figure does not reflect the number of people affected by cancer, i.e. family members, carers and those bereaved.

This new service will start on Monday 5th September based in The Alternative Health Clinic at 12 Main Street, Dungarvan. This well known business was founded in 1999 by Orla Casey, an aroma therapist and hypnotherapist, and Kevin Power, a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was the first clinic of its kind in Dungarvan, and in Co. Waterford and the premises was specifically restored and redesigned as a modern clinic of alternative and complementary medicine. ‘We are very fortunately to have found such a suitable, central located premises, that is so in keeping with our services and ethos’ says Clare Shanahan, Client Services Coordinator.

Clare was attending the Dungarvan Show to raise awareness of this new service and to explain that to start with the service will open weekly on Mondays to offer a range of services including Reflexology, Massage, Reiki, Counselling, Meditation, Yoga, Art Psychotherapy and facilitated support groups.

For enquiries please feel free to call the Solas Cancer Support Centre on 051 304604 or e-mail info@solascentre.ie

Summerval Waterford A reason to celebrate every weekend!

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This weekend at Summerval Waterford there will be plenty of entertainment on offer on Bailey's New Street which has become a hub of culture and arts this summer!

Saturday sees Artbeat presenting The Fontaines Voodoo Jazz with support from Auxiliary Phoenix from 4.30pm on The Bailey's New Street Stage. LateBeat will follow with The Morning Tree providing the entertainment.

Viking Country kicks off at 8pm on Saturday evening with John McNicholl & Band.

This GAA Sunday the Deise Blues will be Live on the Big Screen outside on Bailey's New Street taking on Kilkenny in the All Ireland Semi-Final! Throw in is at 2pm sharp so make sure to get in a get a good seat!

There will be both outdoor and indoor bars open for Saturday and Sunday. All events are free of charge & family friendly.

Waterford Hospice cheque handover at Sallyfort Farm

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Pictured at Sallyfort Farm, Stradbally, Co.Waterford where proprietor Dermot O'Brien presented a cheque for €4,190.00 to Waterford Hospice Fundraising Manager, Marie Cummins.

The cheque total was raised at a Waterford Hospice Fund Raising event held at the farm on Saturday 9th July where local bands, disco, BBQ and many other family friendly activities took place.

The night was a huge success with hundred's of people attending.

Dermot said that he was delighted with the response and told Marie Cummins from Waterford Hospice that he was thrilled to host the event and that the work she does and Waterford Hospice in general was greatly appreciated. He said he also liked to thank the many sponsors who so kindly donated and helped out on the night.

Fair City actor Michael Skehan (Dean) was in attendance on the night and proved a great hit with everyone present. Also pictured in the photo were Mary Butler TD, her daughter's, Jane and Jenna

Butler along with Dermot's wife Pearl O'Brien and children, Barry, Donnchadh and Seán O'Brien.

Update on Boil Water Notice in place on Ring Helvick Water Supply Scheme

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Following advice from the HSE, Irish Water and Waterford City & County Council issued a Boil Water Notice on a section of the Ring Helvick Water Supply Scheme, as a precautionary measure, on 15th July.

There were concerns that the disinfection process may have been compromised on a section of the supply affecting 350 households.

Irish Water is continuing ongoing monitoring and sampling of the water supply and is undertaking a series of measures to enable the lifting of the boil water notice as soon as possible. This involves:

The installation of additional valves and hydrants to allow for more effective flushing of water in the network improving water quality; and

The construction of a section of pipework which will link to the nearby Robert’s Cross Water Supply, allowing a number of customers to be supplied from this scheme.

In addition Irish Water is progressing work to replace the existing sections of cast iron mains in the Ring Helvick Water Supply as a priority.

Regular consultation with the HSE will continue on this issue but Irish Water anticipate the boil water notice will be in place for at least another six weeks.

Irish Water appreciate the inconvenience caused as a result of the Boil Water Notice and we wish to apologise to all customers affected.

We will continue to keep local residents and councillors updated on these works and our efforts to enable the lifting of the boil water notice as soon as possible.

Solas Cancer Support Centre launches the 2016 South East "Run & Walk for Life"

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Solas Cancer Support Centre launches the 2016 South East

On Thursday 28th July 2016, at the newly renamed Solas Cancer Support Centre, the

annual "Run & Walk for Life" event was officially launched by Mayor Cllr Adam Wyse. The formal launch was part of the Centre’s Open Day, which gave members of the public, clients, friends and business partners the opportunity to view, first hand, the excellent facilities available throughout the Centre.

The Open Day was an ideal opportunity to launch the following:

- South East "Run & Walk for Life", which will take place on Sunday 9th October. There will once again be the option of the 10-mile run or the 5-mile walk, with a combined finishing line in the People’s Park. The Park will once again host the "Fun for Life". The 2016 event supporters are Beat (Media Partner) and Datapac (Event Partner), with additional support from Agora Publishing Services Ireland.

- On Monday 5th September a new support service will open in Dungarvan. This service will be based at The Alternative Health Clinic at 12 Main Street.This Dungarvan service will allow more people from the South East to access our support services and negate the need for people to travel from the west of the county to Waterford City. This is a significant expansion for us and we know that the Dungarvan Centre will be welcomed by everyone."


Another Amazing Spraoi

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Another Amazing Spraoi

Thousands of people turned out to enjoy the 24th Spraoi over the

weekend. With something to entertain young and old alike over the weekend, the highlight as always was the parade followed by the fireworks. And this year’s parade went down an absolute storm. A celebration of all things Waterford, it included everything from Thomas Francis Meagher to the

Bilberry Goats, the Hucklebuck, Blaas and The Metal Man, pictured here, who thrilled the crowd with Dean Martin’s classic "That’s Amore" reworded to include Dun-more and Tra-more!

Local Woodie's store launches Heroes Campaign to raise funds for brave kids

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Woodie's Cork Road, Co. Waterford has launched its 2016 Heroes Campaign, as part of a nationwide campaign to raise much needed funds for Ireland's major children's charities. In partnership with Make a Wish Ireland along with Temple Street Children's Hospital, Jack and Jill and Irish Autism Action, Woodie's hopes to raise €200,000 over four weeks.

Each Saturday for the month of August, Woodie's employees in the Cork Road store will team-up and take turns cycling on static bicycles in-store to demonstrate the proactive enthusiasm they share for reaching their fund-raising goal. Donation buckets will be made available for customers who would like to show their support in their local Co. Waterford store. Various fundraising initiatives will also take place in stores across the country and customers will be given the opportunity to donate €1 at the tills to the Woodie's Heroes campaign. Woodie's Heroes will culminate in an all-Ireland cycle ride on August 26th, where two cycling teams will take on the challenge of travelling 1,500km over five days to collect fundraising cheques from each of Woodie's 36 stores nationwide.

Nigel Callaghan, Store Manager, Woodie's Cork Road, Co. Waterford, also commented: "We are excited to get started on 2016's campaign and reach our fund raising goal. It's an honour to work with our chosen charity partners and we take pride in helping them to continue providing their invaluable resources to children across the country."

For further information on Woodie's Heroes visit your local Woodie's Cork Road, Waterford or visit http://www.facebook.com/WoodiesIE

Ten Waterford Teens Graduate from Foróige's

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Ten Waterford Teens Graduate from Foróige's

International Leadership Programme

Waterford delegates attending the Foróige Leadership for Life Conference in Maynooth University.

FRONT ROW (Left to right) Iona Flynn, Sinead Mc Cann, Karen Looby, Thomas Ahern

BACK ROW (Left to right) Killian Barrett, Caoimhe O'Brien, Megan Osborne, Marie Williams, Sarah

Cotter, Ceinwen Ronayne

Ten young people from Waterford have participated in the Foróige Leadership for Life Conference in NUI Maynooth last week (2nd- 6th Aug 2016). The international youth leadership conference was attended by over 250 young people from across Ireland, the USA, Saudi Arabia and India. As part of the week-long conference, inspirational lectures were given by RTE Broadcaster Joe Duffy, Fitness Guru Pat Divilly and Senator Joan Freeman who founded Pieta House. The programme also included workshops on team building, critical thinking, communication skills and peer discussions on matters of global importance.

Foróige Chief Executive Seán Campbell said: "Leadership is a singular ability which is vastly important in the modern world and can be learned. It begins with leading oneself. "Great leadership is grounded in respect and the ability to inspire. These young leaders have been on an amazing journey this week where they have discovered the greatness within themselves and their own unique leadership style. This conference gives teenagers from vastly different cultures and backgrounds a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with one common purpose – the development of our next generation of leaders."

At the end of the Foróige Leadership for Life Conference, the 250 delegates received certificates of achievement in youth leadership.

Lower income families struggling to meet school transport costs - Mary Butler, FF

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Fianna Fáil TD Mary Butler says lower income families are being punished by arbitrary rules imposed in the School Transport Scheme.

Deputy Butler was responding to the publication of Barnardos Children's Charity annual ‘School Costs Survey', which found that lower income families in particular are struggling with the costs of school transport.

"This survey demonstrates that there are many families who are struggling to meet school transport costs for their children. Lower income families are expected to pay up to €650 per annum for school transport, despite being in receipt of the Back to School Allowance," said Deputy Butler.

"Currently a child who holds a medical card, and lives more than 3.2km from a primary school or 4.8km from a secondary school, is entitled to free school transport. This is completely reasonable, but in contrast lower income families who live closer to a school are expected to pay the full cost of school transport.

"Lower income families currently receive €100 for primary school children and €200 for second level pupils through the Back to School Allowance. However the Barnardos survey points out that this money is fully used up on school transport costs for those unlucky enough to live just inside the travel bracket for their school.

"This arbitrary rule contained in the School Transport Scheme needs to be re-examined as it is imposing an excessive burden on families. It's putting these families at risk of poverty and is acting as a barrier to education. We should be doing everything we can to ensure all children have access to education.

"I believe that the School Transport Scheme should be reformed so that families holding a medical card are eligible for free school transport, regardless of the distance they live from school."

Helvick Swim & BBQ on Sunday to be the best ever

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Helvick Swim & BBQ on Sunday to be the best ever

The Helvick Swim & BBQ scheduled for this Sunday August 14 from 1pm, has morphed over the past twenty-two years into a great celebration and family fun day attracting sponsored swimmers and visitors to the Co Waterford Gaeltacht from not only the Dungarvan Bay area but from all corners of Ireland and beyond.

"We predict that this year will be the best ever" said Hon Fundraising Chairman Kevin O'Morchoe. "Our fundraising committee have been sourcing several new attractions including a simulated surfboard and play slide in addition to the Dog Show, face painting, Stormy Stan etc.!"

Dungarvan Brass Band will perform on the pier and Michael Wright the Mad Hatter will keep us all on our toes with his banter and commentary as the sponsored swimmers complete their swim across Dungarvan Bay from Ballinacourty, arriving into Helvick Pier to be cheered and welcomed by the crowd and by the hospitality of the ladies catering committee.

"We have a new selection of beautiful RNLI quality merchandise," said Hon Fundraising Treasurer Dolores Walsh "and this year contestants for both the King and Queen of Helvick will have to throw the wellie into the floating target!"

"Tickets for the raffle for seventeen great prizes, sponsored by local businesses, are being quickly snapped up" says raffle coordinator RoseAnn Foley from the RNLI Fundraising Committee.

Parking restrictions will be in operation, so we would ask that drivers leave their cars on the main road. There is extra parking in Murray's field near the pub in Helvick.

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