Alcatraz masterplan for Spike Island to be unveiled.

The green shoots of hope are beginning to push through all the doom and gloom I think with a few small positives happening.  Locally, Council has plans for a new scheme to attract tourists which will hopefully create jobs in the near future.  A  masterplan to redevelop SpikeIsland into an attraction comparable to Alcatrazwill be unveiled this week.In July 2010, SpikeIsland, located off the Corkcoast, was handed over to Cork County Council on behalf of the Department of Justice by then minister for social protection Éamon O Cuiv. Continue reading »

Public Lighting on the Rochestown to Passage West Cycleway

  In relation to the public lighting on the Rochestown to Passage West cycleway  the Engineer in charge of lighting gave the following report at our recent area roads meeting.  The current status is Airtricity have fixed most of the lights on this walkway.  There are currently 6 number lights not working.  The planned remedial works are|: the 6 lights have been damaged severely and repair works will include replacing electronic gear as well as the lanterns. Continue reading »

Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to facilitate start-up of small businesses.

Coming from a small business background myself I fully appreciate and admire anyone who has the guts and nerve and self belief to start up a business.  What with the pressures of costs, taxes, marketing, red tape and tough financial markets it is a miracle that such people continue to have the persistence to keep going at huge personal stress to their families and themselves.  I believe creative thinking and these small enterprises will hugely help us out of our current difficulties.  I salute each and every one of you.  The new LEOs which are being set up to facilitate start-up of small businesses will, I hope, cut red tape and be pro active in helping such businesses to ‘arrive and thrive’ Continue reading »

Council Policy on verge cutting & Hedge/Ditch maintenance on Public Roads

I regularly walk around Maryborough Hill/Moneygourney/Clarkes Hill (trying to keep fit) I notice many overgrown hedges /ditches and generally these are a nuisance to pedestrians and impinge on footpaths and roadways.  I thought I would set out the council’s policy having asked the Area Eng. to particularly examine this section today. Continue reading »

Reduction in cost of septic tank registration

The furore about Septic Tanks continues and I have no problem in meeting with groups who wish to outline their objections or concerns.  However, it is important that discussions are based on the FACTS and that consultations will be based on the common good and practical solutions.  I understand that people are feeling that it is one more nail in the coffers so to speak for householders, but I will set out below some points which I feel will are logical and necessary. Continue reading »

HOUSEHOLD CHARGE

Household Charge

I, and I presume other councillors, have received representations querying the legality of the Household Charge.  These claims are spurious.Non-payment may result in a court appearance and fine of up to 2,500.  I sought clarification not alone from the FG Party but independently from Barristers to provide assurance to those people who contacted me in relation to the matter.  I understand that people are resisting the notion of such a charge and I would urge them to refer to the reason this charge was introduced in the first instance (deal done with Troika by previous government) and the long term future strategy for funding of local government whereby people will see the benefits locally and have more control of where these monies are being spent. Continue reading »

Cork County 2012 Road Allocation Grants announced by Minister Leo Veradkar

There is good news for motorists and residents and businesses today with the announcement of the 2012 Roads Allocation Grants from Minister Leo Veradkar.  Of particular interest to the Carrigaline is the Specific Improvement Grant for the Old Kinsale Road Bridge  €1,300,000; Strategic Regional & Local Roads Grant for Carrigaline Western Relief Road €1,500,000; Clarkes Hill/Monegourney €1,000,000; and Cork Technology Park €450,000.

Continue reading »

1m allocation for Clarkes Hill/Moneygourney

The Roads allocations for 2012 have just been announced this evening and Im absolutely ecstatic the 1M has been allocated to the section of road Clarkes’ Hill /Moneygourney.  This section of road is long overdue upgrading and as I walk it most days and see how dangerous it is to pedestrians and inadequate for motorists, I am very pleased with the allocation.  The a/manager recently informed me that a new design is currently been drawn up for Bus Standing area and pedestrian crossing and Ive no doubt that it should be all systems go from now on.  Much thanks to Minister Leo Veradkar and the local Minister and TD, Simon Coveney and Jerry Buttimer respectively.

Cork County Council Leads the way in housing New Tenants

Cork County Leads the Way in Housing New Tenants

The Housing Department’s performance is monitored on an annual basis over a suite
of national indicators relating to Housing. Of particular relevance to the management
of the housing waiting list was the total number of new tenants housed over the
calendar year. Cork County Council housed 502 new tenants. This was the highest
number of new tenants in any Local Authority in the country. Continue reading »

Douglas Traffic Warden

The Engineer in charge of introducing the parking system for Dougolas has informed us that a decision was taken to outsource the warden service.  This process is approaching completion and it is council’s intention to outsource the warden service.  This process is approaching completion and it is our intention to sign a contract with the preferred contractor for warden service before the end of the month.  The contractor to provide the warden service would also be responsible for cash collection from the Pay & Display machines, parking fine collection by e-payment and IVR (telephone), ticket to court process and handling of parking fine appeals.  Parking fine payment by cash or cheque will be directly to the County.  This is only one part of a two part process the other being the delivery of the long term car park in the Douglas Woollen Mills.