This Sunday, August 13 is National Prosecco Day, and if you ever needed an excuse to enjoy a few glasses of bubbly goodness, HYDE are ready to mark the occasion with a fantastic get-together.
The city-centre spot, located just a short walk from Eyre Square, is the place to be for National Prosecco Day if you fancy some delicious culinary delights with a few glasses of glorious prosecco.
HYDE are welcoming everyone to book tables for this get-together in advance, and they are looking forward to hosting a fab time between 11 am and 4 pm – ideal for a few hours with a bunch of pals or your bestie.
After all, what could be better than some brunchtastic cuisine and a few glasses of sparkling goodness? HYDE will have the option of a two-course brunch.
If you go for this option, you’ll be able to avail of the “bottomless” prosecco add-on (two-hour time limit) to keep the weekend vibes flowing, and this is priced at €30 per person.
So, go ahead and add a fun twist to your end-of-weekend wind-down with National Prosecco Day at HYDE.
Why not book your table for this event and give yourself something fab to look forward to in HYDE this Sunday.
They promise a fizztastic time and a corking-great atmosphere in a boho-chic Galway City-centre locale.
Galway Pride parade down Shop Street - Photo by Avi Ratnayake
Galway Pride Week 2023 is underway this week with a fantastic lineup of events, anchored as always by the Pride Parade this weekend.
The annual Galway Pride Parade will take place in Galway City this Saturday, August 12, starting at the City Hall at 1pm.
Pride Week 2023 began on Monday with the Flag Raising event in Eyre Square, and there’s plenty of fun, engaging, and educational events taking place across the city this week.
An arts exhibition will be running at Áras na Gael throughout the week, with doors open from 12pm to 5pm each day.
Later on Wednesday evening, a candlelit vigil will be held at the Spanish Arch from 6:30pm.
For those looking to get out and mingle tonight, the Traffic Light Dating Night will be on at Áras na Gael at 7:30pm on Wedmesday, with music in Monroes Tavern from 8pm.
For those hoping to enjoy a bit of better weather this week, Pride With Pets at Fr Burke Park will give people a chance to mingle with their best buds from 3pm to 8pm on Thursday.
Also that day, A panel on Representation in Media will run at the Portershed from 4pm to 6pm.
Plenty of fun at the Pálás Cinema on Thursday as well, with Trivia Night with Sam’s Collective taking place at 6pm, and the Queer Cinema Club running that night at 9:30pm.
On Friday a HIV Panel will take place at Áras na Mac Léinn in University of Galway at 12:30pm, and the Amach! Community Hub & Archives Exhibition will open at 6pm.
That evening, experience some Rad Trad le Devon Diva at An Taibhdhearc Bar from 7pm, or slip over to the yard Party at Áras na Gael taking place at 8pm.
Saturday of course features the Pride Parade, as well as Family Picnic at Fr Burke Parke where the Parade ends immediately afterwards.
Experience the Rainbow Umbrella Market at Massimo in the westend from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday, as well as more music and cinema at the Roisín Dubh and Pálás.
Pride Week comes to a close on Sunday, with the Pride on Wheels and Pride Swim both taking place at midday at Raven’s Terrace and Blackrock Diving Tower respectively.
The last event of the week will film screenings taking place at the Pálás Cinema from 6:30pm to 8:30pm that evening.
Those are just a few of the many events you can still catch for Galway Pride Week 2023. For the full programme of fun and informative events, go to galwaypride.ie/pride-week.
There are a few days left for households in Galway to avail of a bulky goods waste collection initiative in the city and county this month.
The City and County Councils are running a €5 Bulky Goods anti-dumping initiative which began at the end of July, and will continue until this Saturday, August 12.
The collection is running at the Tuam, Clifden, and Ballinasloe Civic Amenity Sites, along with the Barna Recycling facility on the Headford Road in Galway City.
For €5, people can recycle three-piece suites, wardrobes, bedside lockers, mattresses, bed frames, dining tables and chairs.
Galway city and county councils have reminded the public that this service must be booked online via the Barna Recycling website before arriving at any of the sites.
Pre-booking is essential to avail of the €5 gate fee and regular gate and weighbridge fees will be incurred if people arrive at sites without prior online booking of the service.
The service is for householders only, and commercial operators will be turned away.
The local authorities have said that items which will not be accepted include construction and demolition waste, hazardous waste, bags of household waste, toys, trampolines, ceramic and textiles.
Small food businesses have been encouraged this week to apply to the LEADER Food Initiative (LFI).
The initiative was originally allocated €15 million by the government to support the development of food and beverage businesses in rural Ireland.
Of the allocated amount, at least €883,000 in funding has become available for various reasons, e.g. project withdrawals, or projects completing for less than the grant amount approved.
This new call is specifically targeted towards on-farm diversification enterprises as well as artisan, micro and small food businesses.
The maximum amount of funding permitted per project under this call is €200,000 and funding proposals must not be for less than €5,000 per project.
Projects must be fully completed by 31 March 2024.
Announcing the final call for applications, Ministers Heather Humphreys TD, Charlie McConalogue TD and Senator Pippa Hackett urged Local Action Groups and their Implementing Partners to engage with potential applicants for this funding in their areas.
They are asked to submit any project proposals they may have to the Department of Rural and Community Development seeking funding approval in principle for these projects.
All project proposals for this call must be submitted by the LAG and their Implementing Partners to food1420@drcd.gov.ie by 5.30pm on 31 August 2023.
Galway County Council has alerted road users that a section of the R344 in the Inagh Valley will be reduced to one lane of traffic for the coming days.
The closure was announced this afternoon after recent heavy rain affected a part of the embankment of the R344.
Traffic lights will be in place for the coming days for traffic management purposes.
Galway County Council apologised for any inconvenience these works may cause.
Galway City Museum has been allocated funding for an exciting new exhibition of silver and stone artifacts dating back to the town’s medieval history.
The museum has been awarded €13,875 under the Regional Museum Exhibitions Scheme 2023 for ‘Medieval Galway: Silver and Stone’.
This is a new exhibition that will focus on the craftsmanship of the time, with a display of silver and stone artefacts associated with the medieval town.
It will include new displays cases for the Galway Sword and Mace, symbols of the Crown which were used by Mayors in official duties for over two centuries.
Photo: Galway City Museum
The sword was crafted by local silversmiths in the early 17th century, with a blade taken from an older German fighting sword.
Its accompanying silver mace was made in Dublin during the 18th century, and bears the national insignias of England (rose), France (fleur-de-lis) Scotland (thistle) and Ireland (harp).
It also carries Galway’s coat of arms, and the Eyre family crest on behalf of Edward Eyre, who donated it to the city.
A total funding of €174,434 is being allocated to 16 museums under the 2023 scheme which was announced today.
Projects funded under this Scheme seek to enhance the cultural offering of museums, to encourage greater access to museums and to promote the use of museums as tourism resources in their locality or region.
Minister Catherine Martin said, “Our local and regional museums are an extremely important resource for accessing culture and heritage in towns and villages across the country, and I am very pleased to be able to support their renewal and development through the Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme.”
“Funding provided under this scheme allows local and regional bodies to continue to enhance their exhibitions, which improves the cultural offering for their communities and visitors.”
“The funding provided under this scheme over the years has allowed these cultural bodies to continue to enhance the presentation of their exhibitions and improve the cultural offering to the communities they serve.”
UHG is the second most overcrowded hospital in the country today, with an eye watering 61 patients on trolleys.
In the emergency department at University Hospital Galway there are 45 patients admitted waiting for a bed, and another 16 people on trolleys in the wards.
At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there are another 15 patients who have been admitted with no bed available.
Of these, 10 people are waiting on trolleys in the emergency department, and another five are in the wards.
Nationwide there are 448 patients with no beds for them in Irish hospitals today according to INMO Trolley/Ward Watch figures.
University Hospital Limerick is the worst affected as usual, with 88 patients there going without a bed.
UHG reported last week that the hospital was dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks in multiple wards, putting services under great pressure.
Visiting restrictions were imposed on all five wards, where 28 virus cases were reported last Tuesday.
Planning approval has been granted for upgrades to Merlin Park Pumping Station to improve its wastewater storage capacity.
Uisce Eireann has received planning permission from the city council for the construction of a new 949m³ underground storage tank, along with associated site works.
The existing 1,500mm diameter surface water sewer at the pumping station will be diverted to avoid the new storage tank.
The new tank is needed to reduce the frequency of emergency overflows in the network due to its current lack of emergency storage.
Merlin Park PS is connected with Oranmore pumping station, and discharges further downstream at Renmore WWPS.
Currently, Merlin Park takes precedence over Oranmore during storms due to the lack of emergency storage capacity here. This can cause flow to backup at Oranmore, resulting in overflows.
The new storage tank is meant to alleviate pressure on the network, and accommodate new development at Ardaun.
Planning permission was ultimately granted by the city council for the pumping station upgrade with eleven conditions attached.
Local Activists have launched a court challenge against planning approval for a proposed Biogas Plant in Gort.
The Gort Biogas Concern Group has been given leave to seek a judicial review of the biogas plant project by the High Court.
In an update on social media, the local campaigning group said, “This means we are over the first hurdle in our legal campaign against this industrial sized development in the heart of our town.”
“Well done to the people of South Galway for your unwavering support. Our fight is by no means over.”
An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the Biogas plant shortly before Christmas, overturning two rejections of the project by Galway County Council.
In both rejections, the council had raised road traffic concerns, as well as concerns about environmental implications.
The proposed Biogas plant would be built on a 10ha site in the townlands of Ballynamantan, Kinincha and Glenbrack on the outskirts of Gort, producing fertiliser and energy through the treatment of farm waste.
The project has been heavily opposed locally, with hundreds of objections submitted to the county council at that planning stage.
Last January, Gort Biogas Concern Group held a public meeting to discuss planned legal action against the proposal, with hundreds of people in attendance.
Over €16,000 was pledged towards that legal action at the time, with more than €38,000 pledged on GoFundMe since then.
Spiddal native Séamas Ó Concheanainn has been chosen to take the role of the new Coimisinéir Teanga, the Language Commissioner.
The Coimisinéir Teanga is responsible for ensuring public bodies and state agencies fulfil their responsibilities to speakers of official languages, Irish and English.
Mr Ó Concheanainn is currently working as the Director of Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, and has been handling the Commissioner’s responsibilities since his predecessor resigned earlier this year.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill resigned as Commissioner in February in order to take up the role of Media Development Commissioner with Coimisiún na Meán.
Séamas Ó Concheanainn has previous experience working in language legislation, higher education, language planning, and community development amongst other things.
He was also previously in various leadership positions at the University of Galway.
Minister Catherine Martin said, “I am pleased that the Government has accepted the recommendation that Mr Ó Concheanainn be appointed as the new Coimisinéir Teanga.”
“He is highly respected by the Irish language and Gaeltacht community because of the work he has done as Director of Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga since he was appointed there in 2020 as well as his previous work with the University of Galway.”
The Minister added that his previous experience will stand him well in his job as Coimisinéir Teanga.
Séamas Ó Concheanainn was chosen for the role following a competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
A resolution on the government’s recommendation of him to the role will be put before the Oireachtas when it returns in Autumn.
The children’s charity Barnardos has revealed the results of a survey which highlights the stress parents and guardians are under ahead of the new school year.
The survey found that 50% of primary and 66% of secondary school parents are worried about meeting back-to-school costs this summer.
It is estimated that it costs on average €972 to send a new first year to secondary school in Ireland.
Seventy-five percent of schools request voluntary contributions – and over two thirds of parents or guardians felt that these contributions were compulsory.
Adrian Curran, People Before Profit candidate for Galway City Central in next June’s local elections, said the findings “refuted the idea that Ireland has free education”.
“Whilst Ireland is touted as having free education for children, the reality is families are struggling,” he said.
“Every summer’s end we are made aware of parents and families struggling with back to school costs.
“Costs like uniforms, digital materials, and books in secondary schools are driving the costs of education into unaffordable territory.”
PBP’s City East candidate Denman Rooke said that when you see one in five primary school families having to dip into their savings to afford to send their children to school, “it is an indication that the system needs to be changed”.
“Free education should be truly free – everyone should have the same access and potential of education. Working class families should not struggle to ensure the best for their children.”
Maisie McMaster, the party’s Galway City West candidate, explained the remedies People Before Profit say need to be put in place.
“As Barnardos have publicised, there are clear, straightforward ways we can address this issue. Firstly, we need to extend the free school books scheme to secondary schools.
“Secondly, lower cost uniforms must be available. Emblems, crests, and the monopolies of uniform manufacturing must be done away with.
“Thirdly, the Back to School Footwear and Clothing Allowance must be increased, along with Child Benefit, both of which were cut by previous Fine Gael governments, in coalition with Labour.
“Lastly, we need to abolish the Voluntary Contributions, which in reality are not voluntary and contribute to stigma and money concerns for many families.”
Winners Zein Mahdi, Ruth Walsh and Michelle Kearns at the all-inclusive most stylish evening in The Dean Hotel during Galway Race Week. Photo: Yamile Photography
An all-inclusive most stylish event took place for the first time during Galway Races, with the inaugural event at the Dean Hotel in Bohermore being deemed a major success.
The all-inclusive most stylish evening brought out some of the best fashion of Race Week 2023, with the local LGBTQI+ community turning up in style.
Tom Walsh, Tanya McHale-Roe and Sarah Foy. Photo: Yamile Photography
Stylist Caroline Downey, Tom Walsh of Aztec Hair Co and well-known Galway drag queen Blondie selected worthy winners in three categories on the night.
Blondie, Zein Mahdi, Michelle Kearns, Annie Naggins and Ruth Walsh. photo: Yamile Photography
Ruth Walsh, originally from Kerry and now living in Galway, won the ‘Most Fabulous in an Outfit’ category with her baby blue ensemble featuring a jacket from Monki, a dress from Pull & Bear, a hat from H&M and shoes from Una Healy.
“I wouldn’t normally go to the races, my friend told about this event. I love an excuse to dress up, so I decided to go,” said Ruth. “I knew I wanted to wear the jacket so I based the rest of look around that. I am delighted!”
The ‘Stunning in a Suit’ prize went to Zein Mandi from Saudi Arabia, who moved to Galway in February.
They wore shorts and a blazer suit from Mango, a shirt from Claudie Pierllt, a Gucci tie and Nike runners.
“It was such an amazing night, it was brilliant to be a part of this event in its first year,” said Zein.
The final category was ‘Most Dapper in a Dress’, which was awarded to Michelle Kearns from Tuam who caught the eye of the judges with a colourful glitzy look from Zara and a gorgeous pink headpiece she made herself.
“This all inclusive sounded so much fun and I knew the style would be so different from what we would see at the regular best dressed, I am so glad I came along,” said Michelle.
Louise Donnellan from Claregalway and Aisling Canny of Galway. Photo: Yamile Photography
An electrifying performance by one of Galway’s best drag queens Annie Naggins stole the show on the night at Galway’s newest boutique hotel.
Judges Tom Walsh, Aztec Hair Studio with Stylish Caroline Downey and Alan Hughes at the all inclusive most stylish evening in The Dean Hotel during Galway Race Week.
Two new farming apprenticeships have been announced by Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris TD.
The Farm Manager apprenticeship creates a pathway to a managerial career in the agricultural sector.
It will equip the apprentice with the latest research and management knowledge to successfully run a commercial farm business.
The Farm Technician apprenticeship trains apprentices to work within Irish farming systems, gaining skills in daily operations, and compliance with industry standards and regulatory measures.
Apprentices will be employed by commercial farm enterprises such as arable, dairy, cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, suckler farm enterprises.
Speaking on Sunday, Minister Simon Harris said that it is a “really exciting development” for both the education and the farming sector.
“These apprenticeship programmes will welcome their first apprentices in September. Embedding these programmes will be essential to securing the future of farming,” he said.
“This investment will ensure the next generation of farmers can access the education they want and need, while still working on the farm.”
A Boil Water Notice has been issued for homes in one area of Tuam town this week.
Uisce Eireann has issued a BWN for customers in the Mountpotter area who are served by the Tuam Regional Water Supply Scheme.
The Boil Water Notice was issued after elevated levels of iron were detected in the water supply along this area.
Uisce Eireann has said that the Boil Water Notice does not apply to other areas on the Tuam RWSS.
Water must be boiled for drinking, drinks made with water, preparation of food not cooked prior to eating, infant formula, brushing teeth, or making ice.
However, the water supply is still suitable for hygiene purposes, such as showering and hand-washing.
Atlantic Technological University has seen an 11 percent increase in the number of students receiving early CAO offers for course places this year.
The CAO issued a total of 1,711 offers in Round A, back in July, and Round Zero to prospective students at Atlantic Technological University this year.
People receiving offers in July for Round A, and this week in Round 0 include additional mature applicants, access applicants, as well as QQI FET applicants.
Dr. Billy Bennett, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Registrar at ATU commented, “ATU attracts learners from a diverse range of backgrounds, and we are delighted to see a marked increase in the number of Round Zero offers made by the university.”
“The impact that ATU has had on the region is starting to show in this CAO data today and it is fantastic to see the growth in interest in the university from within the region and beyond.”
Round Zero offers concern applicants who are not competing with those awaiting 2023 Leaving Certificate examination grades, or who are assessed on other criteria.
For other successful applicants, Round One offers will be issued on Wednesday, August 30. Round One offers will be available to view online only from 2pm that day, and successful applicants will also receive offer notifications by email and text message if they have selected this option.
The reply date by which Round One offers must be accepted is September 5 at 3pm. Round Two offers will be available to view online from September 11 at 2pm.
Calls have been made for an update on when work will begin widening a vital Roscam junction by multiple local estates.
Galway City Councillor Alan Cheevers has asked for the council Transport Department to give a start date to the widening of the junction at Spar in Roscam.
This junction on the Doughiska Road is the main entrance point to four estates in the Roscam area of Galway City.
Councillor Cheevers says the agreed works must start as soon as possible, as they must be completed before start of the new school year in September.
“This has been an ongoing issue since active travel work has began on the the South Doughiska Road, where over 700 residents signed a petition to bring the access back to two lanes at junction”.
This was followed by a number of meetings between the active travel team at the city council and the local residents management company, Cllr Cheevers added.
“A proposal of works was presented to the Councillors on July 19. There was broad agreement by a majority of Councillors present to proceed with plan”
“It is now important that it starts immediately so we can avoid more chaos in September with schools open.”
Galway City Council has issued further warning notices for potential bacterial contamination at Ballyloughane & Grattan Beaches.
Prior Warning Notices have been issued for both beaches in response to heavy rainfall recently, which can cause elevated bacteria levels.
The notices are expected to be in force until Tuesday, August 8, and the city council has said that an update will be provided next Thursday evening, after further water sampling results are available.
While the warnings are in place, people should avoid splashing or swallowing any water from the two beaches, and to wash hands before preparing food after being in the water.
A swimming ban was in place on both of these beaches earlier this week after elevated E. Coli levels were detected.
The ban was lifted on Friday after further testing returned ‘Excellent’ water quality results for Ballyloughane Beach, and ‘Good’ results for Grattan Beach.
U.S. Navy Public Affairs Resources Website, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The annual Galway Hiroshima Peace Memorial will take place in Galway City Centre this afternoon.
The memorial, organised by the Galway Alliance Against War group, will be held in Eyre Square at 1:30pm on Sunday.
This year’s event, which marks the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, will also address the war in Ukraine.
The Hiroshima peace event will also have live protest music and a minute’s silence for the people killed in the Hiroshima/ Nagasaki atomic bombing.
Speaking at the memorial will be local peace activist Margaretta D’Arcy, who is currently campaigning to retain Irish neutrality.
A spokesperson for GAAW said, “With the blockbuster movie Oppenheimer currently in the cinemas, we hope that it provokes an awareness of the true horrors of nuclear weapons as experienced by the Japanese victims, and why such occurrences must never be allowed to happen again.”
“In a time of forever warfare, it is important that Ireland continues its role as international peacemakers rather than becoming aligned with warmongers.”
Five Finalists (L to R) Gabrielle Dunne, Aoibheann McMonaghe, Jordan Cooney, Eileen Lundon, Therese Conway, Photot: Athlone Towncentre.
Three Galway Ladies were chosen as finalists in this year’s Friday’s Most Stylish sponsored by Athlone Towncentre at the Galway Races, which was won by primary school teacher Jordan Cooney from Navan in Co. Meath.
Therese Conway and Gabrielle Dunne, both from Oranmore, and Eileen Lundon from Gort, stood out from the tens of thousands of racegoers in Ballybrit.
Therese Conway wore a Stine Goya pink, green and black above the knee dress which she had spotted at full price but kept an eye out for on fashion resale site Depop.
When it came up for sale she promptly bought it as an early 40th Birthday gift to herself.
She complemented it by renting a headpiece made by Galway based Milliner Cara Meehan and shoes from Cordners, Sligo.
Gabrielle Dunne wore a green and gold Karen Millen dress with a headpiece made by her very evidently talented mother which matched in the same colours.
Repurposing pieces was at the core of Eileen Lundon’s look as she bought a purple skirt from River Island and made trousers from it.
She also created a top from a second skirt which tied in a bow at the back. Roscommon cased Milliner Laura Hanlon made the red headpiece which finished out her vivid ensemble.
Jordan Cooney from Navan, Co. Meath was announced as winner of ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’.
Jordan Cooney, winner of Friday’s Most Stylish. Photo: Brian Farrell
Wearing an ASOS Design red and pink trouser suit Sarah elevated her look with shoes from Boohoo and a handbag from Kildare Village.
She completed her race going outfit with a red and pink headpiece designed and made by Milliner Majella Lennon from Galway. The easy elegance of her outfit perfectly complemented Friday summer evening racing in Ballybrit.
One of the key reasons Jordan was chosen as winner of Athlone Towncentre’s ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ was due to the way she created a wholly individual look incorporating pieces from high street stores and an independent designer which are reflective of the variety of retailers housed in Athlone Towncentre.
Jordan took home the biggest Prize Fund on offer for the competition yet, which is worth in excess of €3,500.
She has won a €2,000 Athlone Towncentre Gift Card, a luxury two night break in the four star Sheraton Athlone Hotel in a Deluxe Tower Room with dinner and spa treatments and a €500 gift card for a piece of her choice from Fields The Jeweller, who are one of the many retailers located in Athlone Towncentre.
‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ has proven to be one of the biggest gatherings of race going fashion lovers to date on the Friday of the Festival.
Celebrity judges Arthur Gourounlian, TV Broadcaster and Creative Director and Marietta Doran, Fashion Stylist and Racing Style Presenter were joined by Shirley Delahunt, Manager of Athlone Towncentre.
With the competition in its eleventh year, the spotlight has been on fashion forward style mirrored by the contemporary retailers resident in Athlone Towncentre.
Speaking about her delight at being announced as winner of ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ sponsored by Athlone Towncentre, Jordan said she had not planned to attend until my friend talked her into it on Friday morning.
“I am absolutely thrilled I wanted to come to enjoy the racing We come every year and absolutely love being at the Galway Races.
Speaking about her plans to enjoy her prize Jordan said she is going to bring her friend Bronagh who encouraged her to attend to enjoy the Shop and Stay break which is part of the prize.
“I am planning on going on holidays soon and think I will definitely hit Zara in Athlone Towncentre when we are there to spend part of my Gift Card.”
Marietta was confident in the winning choice, saying that she chose Jordan as she was the stand out winner.
“Her style her poise and her grooming oozed head to toe glamour Above all else her colour prints and tailoring were fabulous She was such a gracious winner She epitomises everything Athlone Towncentre Fridays Most Stylish is all about.”
Social Media fans can check out behind the scenes action on the Athlone Towncentre Facebook and Instagram accounts which were taken over by Rebecca Rose Quigley, a previous winner of ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ who is now a talented stylist and influencer and forms part of the Personal Shopping Team in Athlone Towncentre.
Viewers have exclusive access to style around the racecourse as was seen throughout the day.
A dedicated grant scheme is needed for maintenance and upgrades of playgrounds for the benefit of children and young people in our communities, a Galway East TD has said.
Deputy Ciaran Cannon said the vast majority of playgrounds in rural Ireland have been developed by local community groups, with support from the State through various funding schemes.
“Many of these community playgrounds are now well over a decade old, with many issues beginning to arise in terms of their safety and a need for general maintenance,” said the Fine Gael TD.
“Equipment needs to be upgraded or replaced completely and insurance is sometimes difficult to secure in the absence of such upgrades.”
Deputy Cannon said that all in all, major problems are mounting up and causing a major headache for those committed volunteers who work hard in our communities.
“That’s why I’m suggesting we need a dedicated grant scheme for the maintenance and upgrading of community playgrounds.
“This is an issue I have raised with my colleague, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, TD, who confirmed to me that she would be open to examining the issue.”
He said the most logical option is to route this funding through the Department of Rural and Community Development.
“Minister Humphreys and her officials have valuable experience in the shaping of such funding schemes and ensuring value for taxpayers’ money.
“They can build on the success of a recent scheme for the upgrade of community centres. The response for example to last year’s Community Centres Investment fund was extremely well received.
“In excess of €45.8 million was allocated to refurbish more than 860 community centres, making them safer, more accessible and more enjoyable places for families and communities.
“I have made a recommendation to my Fine Gael cabinet colleagues that this Community Playground Upgrade Scheme would be provided for in the upcoming budget and would go live in early 2024.”
More than 70,000 students are receiving their Leaving Cert results today, including 3,700 in Galway, with people able to get their results from 10am...
