Calling all organisations or community groups who may need volunteers from local business.

Cork Volunteer Centre contacted us and asked us if we could help them to make community organisations in our area aware of the services they are running in Cork City and County.

They are looking for groups who might have once-off projects or upcoming events where the help of a group of volunteers from a local business could really make a difference.

If you would like more information, please contact Alison Leo, Manager, Cork Volunteer Centre at 021-4396510 or alison@volunteercork.ie.

SALT SUPPLIES – WINTER SERVICE PROGRAMME

Cork County Council has storage for 3,500 tonnes of de-icing salt and currently has 2,900 tonnes in stock. Work has commenced on the construction of two new salt barns at Ballincollig & Skibbereen. Once the construction of the salt barns is complete early in the new year, the storage capacity will be increased by an additional 2,800 tonnes.

The Council has been notified by the NRA that it is being allocated 4,580 tonnes of salt for use on National Roads. An allocation of 2,000 tonnes of salt has been allocated by the DOTTS for use on regional and local roads during the upcoming winter.

The NRA intend to maintain a strategic reserve of 40,000 tonnes for use on National Roads. This reserve will only be released during a period of exceptional weather conditions as occurred the past two winters.

Cork Swansea Ferry

DATAS Douglas Civic Centre

D A T A S – Douglas Civic Centre is a new Non-Profit Civic Centre. It is based in Unit 6 of St Patrick’s
Woollen Mills. We aim to provide a place where the Community can come together to learn & enjoy different
activities & support each other. Call to see a list of current activities and proposed future facilities.
Drop in for a cuppa and talk to Kate/Mat/ Annette/Deirdre.
We are open Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 10:30 – 12:00 & Thursday 6pm -9pm or Phone:
Kate/Mat 0867322109; Annette 087763066; Deirdre 0879161952.
The costs for each class are for utilities. Call any of the numbers supplied to book your place.
Employment Service s : Job Search, C.V.’s , Interview Techniques, Job Notices, Papers, Computers.
Tea & Coffee. Every Monday morning 10:00 – 12:00 Cost €3
Life Coaching : This 4 week course looks at where you can get Guidance and External Support for Personal and
Professional growth and change. Mondays 7pm – 8.30pm (Tea & Coffee supplied ) Cost per class: €3
?Come and enjoy a Safe Space to Hang out, Surf the net, Play games and get Support from
people who care. Open Every Thursday 7pm – 9pm. You must be at least 13yrs old. Café open Cost €2
BULLYING – These classes will look at the types of Bullying. How to deal with it, Where to go and Whom to
get support from. Wed 10:00am – 12. Cost €3
Bring & Swap – Have you any unwanted items? Bring them along to the centre & swap for a wanted item.
Friday Mornings 10:30- 12:00. Cost €2

Community news/DATAS Douglas Civic Centre

Had great fun today in shopping centre, met all my friends from St. Columbus Hall.  I invited them to tea and buns in our new DATAS Douglas Civic Centre in Unit 6 St. Patricks Woollen Mills on Mon morn. (10.30 – 12.00  Lots of backroom work done by the wonderful Kate, Matt and friends and of course Annette.  All lending a hand to get the Civic Centre off the ground.  Will post photos shortly.  All wonderful sponsors will be acknowledged.  Interview on Community Radio Sat. to make people aware of facilities for all.  New Web site for DATAS to follow.

Presidential Election

Have been out over the last few nights canvassing, people very polite at door but mostly saying they hav’nt made up their minds.  Television exposure and debates will decide.  Interestingly, people are saying they know def who they are not going to vote for but havent decided their preferences yet.  Gay has a battle but as the saying goes ‘it aint over til the fat lady sings’

Culvert Installation at Church Street Douglas – Update

Readers will be aware of the current works being carried out in Church Street and despite the disruption the project will significantly lessen the incidences of any potential flooding in Douglas, something many of us were all too familiar with.  Click on the link below for update.

Douglas Culvert Progress Update No. 2

Banning Smoking in Childrens’ Playgrounds.

Recently I was contacted by Chairperson of ASH Ireland Dr Brian Maurer Consultant Cardiologist who outlined why such measures would be a positive step in protecting children from the harmful effects of passive smoke inhalation.  Exposure to passive smoke (he says) has been shown to be harmful to children even in the open.  As he is eminently more qualified that I am in such matters I take his work for it.

He states that Tobacco waste and litter constitutes over 50% of our urban waste and is a serious environmental problem.  Banning smoking in childrens’ playgrounds not only removes a threat to childrens’ health, but creates a much cleaner environment for them and helps to deal with urban litter.  So its a win win.

I put forward this proposal to our Council and many speakers were in favour with the spirit of such a move (Clare Co Co have already banned smoking in some playgrounds and Doneraile Community park has similiar ban) Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown have put up signage (or are in the process) asking patrons to refrain from smoking) 

A recent survey conducted by the TobaccoFree Research Institute in the Blanchardstown area found that the majority of parents, smokers and non smokers, vitiing playgrounds with their children supported the smoke-free playgrounds idea.  In New York I understand many public places have forbidden smoking.  Now I understand that such an addiction is very difficult and while I believe adults have a choice little children dont and if passive smoking harms them we should do our best to curb where we smoke.  Recently the Minister  announced that there will be a ban on smoking in cars with children under 16 as passengers.

In addition, I was taken to task recently by a pro smoker on the Matt Cooper show and he stated smoking contributes millions to the exchequer!!  This is a flawed argument to quote a cliche (forgive me) two wrongs dont make a right.  Bad health from smoking related problems COSTS millions and lives down the line.  In addition, children observe and copy adult behaviour, surely it is better that they think smoking is unacceptable and will choose a smoke free lifestyle in time.  The council asked that ASH ireland provide us with some stats in relation to smoking in playgrounds and specifics in relation to how bad passive smoking even in open spaces can be.  When the matter comes back to us we will debate it again.  Ashire@iol.ie; www.ash.org.uk for more info.

Casual Trading on Rochestown Road

 Recently residents of Rochestown Road contacted me re the above.  Following correspondence with official I have been informed that the Rochestown road is not a designated casual trading area as per our casual trading byelaws, copy attached, so technically no casual traders should be trading on this road.    

There are exemptions to needing a casual trading licence as per the attached 2004 regulations, so depending on what the individual is selling he may not need a licence. 

This whole area of casual trading is being reviewed at present.

Bus Shelters or lack of them

Recently I wrote to Minister Leo Varadkar re the matter of delivering appropriate Bus Shelters having met up with him when he was in Cork to launch the Sarsfield Road and Bandon Road upgrade.  Readers may be interested so I publish it below.

Dear Minister, 

The recent 98M project for the Sarsfield Rd and Bandon Road Interchanges is brilliant news for Cork and all the more so because of the current climate.  In addition I would like to thank your Dept for the Grant of 290,000 under the Jobs Initiative for Footpaths etc in Grange which is one of my core areas!.  That too is most welcome. 

I did have a few brief words with you re the above.  For many years now I have raised the lack of delivery of same.  The fact is the a private company ……………… usually installs these facilities.  However, it very much depends on footfall for advertising stream.  Therefore, they usually have no interest in installing these shelters in areas of low density etc.  I have written to Bus Eireann and they say they have no money for same and pass the matter to the private company.  So the matter falls between two stools so to speak.

 I believe the Department or NTA should take charge of delivery of such necessary items (given our inclement weather patterns) and possibly get an income stream from advertisers themselves.  Perhaps if more competition were introduced private companies such as the one currently involved in erecting same would respond better to the needs of the public transport users. 

You mentioned in your role as Minister you do from time to time meet with the NTA?  And I hope you can take the matter up as I am sure it is an issue of concern all over the country.