‘Minster can release the burden of consumers with Card - Purchase Scheme’ O’Flynn

‘Minster can release the burden of consumers with Card - Purchase Scheme’ O’Flynn

Councillor Kenneth O’Flynn is calling on The Minister for Finance to give support to a new measure that he hopes will take the burden of rising expenses off the Irish consumer by giving them the chance to pay for items they purchase through an instalment purchase scheme with the use of a simple card. The Fianna Fail councillor stated ‘I am proposing that a new banking card should be made available to consumers that allows for products to be purchased and then paid for through a number of instalments over a period of three months with 0% interest.

Councillor O’Flynn added that this should be done in partnership with Irish banks that are under state ownership  ‘This is about asking the banks that the Irish taxpayer bailed out, and is picking up the tab for, to give something back to the struggling retailer and consumer.’

The North side councillor explained  ‘I believe this could go a long way in giving the hard pressed consumer an opportunity to make significant savings on their expenditure, while also giving retailers a chance to build a much needed customer base.’ Councillor O’Flynn outlined how ‘Recent CSO figures show an annual decrease of 2.7% in the volume of retail sales, with hardware, textiles, clothing and footwear being particularly effected’ 

Councillor O’Flynn says that this initiative is something tried and tested ‘This kind of option is available when paying for electricity, gas and other household costs, in fact various reed card systems have been tried in other countries and have proven very successful. Moreover I think it is time that something similar should be introduced along the lines of groceries and other products. 

  Councillor O’Flynn is asking the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan to consider this ‘I am calling on the Minister for Finance to look at this and seriously consider implementing an instalment purchase scheme as a means of giving the weekly shopper a lifeline. I will be writing to him personally to act on this and furthermore I will be calling on Cork City Council to support my proposal.’

The City Councillor who recently had three motions opposing government decisions passed by Cork City Council will be hoping for the same outcome.

Household Bulky Goods

Ballyvolane

A Chara,

Cork City Council has informed me that a special collection of household bulky goods will take place in the Ballyvolane area on Tuesday the 12^th of June between the hours of 8.00am and 3.00pm.

 All bulky goods are requested to be brought to the skip located opposite 3 Ashgrove lawn.

Each household should have received official notification by letter from Cork City Council. It is important that you bring this letter with you to ensure your items are accepted.

The full list of items that can and cannot be accepted are outlined below.

If I can be of any assistance to you or your family please do not hesitate to contact me.

Acceptable items	Materials not accepted
Bicycles	Cardboard or newsappers
Carpets/viny/rugs	Cast Iron Baths
Electrical/ White Goods	Construction & demolition  waste, hazardous waste, oil, paints or batteries
Furniture tables, chairs, beds mattresses	Domestic refuse
Large Toys or Sports equipment	Fireplaces, fencing or gates
Old Doors or presses (without glass)	Garden or green waste hazardous
Sanitary ware excluding (cast Iron baths)	Any materials appropriate or would fit into a wheel bin

 

Tackling Cork City Centre Office Vacancy

 Background
The occurrence of significant vacancy levels in commercial properties in the City Centre hassignificant negative consequences from an economic, community and visual perspective for the City

Council and indeed the City generally. There is currently over 300,000 sq ft of advertised vacantoffice space (above 1500 sq ft) in the City Centre. Added to this the ELUS 2011 shows that the rateof employment loss in the City has been most acute in the City Centre with the loss of 3,502 people and so targeted action needs to be prioritized in this area.
Attracting employment, economic activity and footfall to the City Centre would add to its vibrancyand attractiveness, in turn changing perceptions and helping with the broader objective of marketingand promotion of Cork.

This increased footfall would also drive spin off spending in the city centre’s
shops, entertainment and leisure facilities increasing demand for these services. It is important tonote that the multiplier effect into the local economy from job creation in the City Centre is more intense the closer you are to the core. Finally, the use of buildings removes the risk of dereliction nd visual degradation, and this is very much consistent with the Council’s marketing objectives for the City.

The introduction of a targeted project to tackle an aspect of City Centre vacancy would be inkeeping with the Council’s role as a development agency as well as promoting the interests of the community. The adoption of this pro-active initiative would demonstrate the City Council’s commitment to be a key driver in supporting and attracting economic activity and employment creation. The demonstration of democratic leadership in this manner is particularly important in thecurrent economic climate.

The Approach

The City’s character, both architectural and commercial, is largely derived from the older buildingson key streets in the City Centre, many of which are Protected Structures. On South Mall forexample there are 35 Protected Structures representing 42% of the entire building stock on the street. These buildings are therefore considered worthy of special attention and protection. As such their long term contribution from both a commercial and heritage perspective should be prioritised.While the issue of vacancy in the City Centre affects both newer and older buildings the impacts of vacancy on older heritage buildings is more significant as they need to be maintained and remain in use to ensure their survival and avert the unfortunate tide of dilapidation and ultimate dereliction.
Reversal of the problem of dereliction in heritage buildings is also more costly and challenging whichjustifies a more proactive response early on. As a result it is recommended that this pilot schemefocus on addressing the issue of commercial vacancy in key protected heritage buildings across the City Centre.

 In this way no one area or business sector is prioritised above another allowing for a
universal application of the scheme across this important building stock in the City Centre.

The Scheme

The scheme, as proposed, would comprise the following:

• A capital building improvement grant of up to €15,000 would be given to each qualifying

Protected Structure as part funding to encourage owners to invest in these important
buildings and make them more attractive to the market. Qualifying works would include theexternal fabric of the building but might also include the upgrade of telecommunications in the building, fire safety improvements, energy efficiency measures and other works deemed essential to assist in upgrading and future proofing the building. A fund of €45,000 has been allocated towards this project in the Conservation Budget for 2012. If deemed to be successful consideration will be given to continuing this scheme on an annual basis.


• If refurbishment takes place and the owner succeeds in renting the upgraded commercial space the City Council will apply a grant in lieu of rates waiver on a sliding scale over threeyears to further incentivise the owner and importantly provide an incentive to the end user.

o In year 1 a 50% grant in lieu of rates waiver would be applied
o In year two a 35% grant in lieu of rates waiver would be applied
o In year 3 a 15% grant in lieu of rates waiver would be applied
o From year 4 onwards full rates would apply

• If refurbishment is undertaken and it requires planning permission no development
contributions will apply as these buildings are not liable for the charge under the City
Council’s current Development Contribution Scheme.The committee are requested to recommend that An Chomhairle note the capital grant scheme for Protected Structures (which is provided for in the 2012 budget) and resolve to approve the grant inlieu of rates waiver incentive scheme as outlined above. The detail of the terms of qualifying worksetc will then be set out and the scheme will be advertised and rolled out.

Cllr O’Flynn calls one Buy Irish Label

Cllr Kenneth O’Flynn is looking for Cork City Council to lead the way in transforming the way Cork food and indeed Irish food is promoted. The Fianna Fail councillor believes that in order to increase the sales of indigenous made food there should be one generic food label to show that the produce is of Irish origin. Cllr O’Flynn argues that ‘At the moment there is up to five different labels on products indicating that they are sourced or produced in Ireland. What I am proposing is that all these brands would come under one standard label to make it easier for shoppers to locate Irish owned brands and above support indigenous businesses.’

Cllr O’Flynn said this is something that both consumers and shop owners would react positively to. O’Flynn points out that ‘Research has shown that consumers much prefer this option and are much more likely to buy Irish brands when there is one single, clear, colour coded label to show this’ ‘I am aware of the knock on effect this would have for maintaining employment in the City. For every Irish produce on the shelf there is a minimum of five jobs being supported. This can be traced from start to finish, from the making of the product, to the packaging and delivering, to person who stocks it on the shelves.’ According to the Northside Councillor the groundwork has already been laid for such a program ‘A number of successful pilot schemes in Dublin and Cork have already been carried out. I have placed a motion before Cork City Council asking them to support this initiative and get as many super markets involved in Cork as possible. Furthermore I want to see Cork City Council launch an annual campaign to promote both Irish food and encourage shoppers to shop locally.’ Last year the Food and Agricultural sector contributed €24 billion to the national economy and employed more than 150, 000 people with further growth expected into 2012. The Northside councillor concluded ‘We have some of the best food in the world, it is time we start using it to all our advantages.’ Ends

O’ Flynn encourages all to get out and Vote

Cork City Councillor Kenneth O’Flynn is encouraging all citizens to make sure they vote on the upcoming referendum on the European stability Treaty. The referendum on the European Union Fiscal compact Treaty will take place on the 31st of May.
Cllr O’ Flynn stated ‘Whether you are voting yes or no I am encouraging all voters to use there democratic right and get out and vote on the 31st of May.
This referendum will be one of the most important in the country’s history and it is vital that voters make sure they have their say.
‘I will be personally mounting a campaign in support of the treaty. I believe that the future of Euro is at stake and a No vote would see further uncertainty spread across the Euro zone. I recognise the need for greater economic stability and hope that by ratifying this treaty we will see the necessary fiscal budgetary measures introduced that will prevent the reoccurrence of any further debt crisis’.

Cllr O’ Flynn reiterated the importance of those who are currently not registered to vote of getting on the supplement register.
‘I would also like to remind all those entitled to vote that if you are not yet registered there is still time to be included on the supplementary register. The deadline for this is the 14th of May. Anybody who wishes to avail of this can make an application to their local authority. Application forms are available from the registration authority or can alternatively be downloaded at checktheregister.ie’
However Cllr Flynn did criticise the government for the Treaty being held on a week day.

‘Having the Treaty on Thursday will mean a whole group of people will be disenfranchised. Students as well as people working or living away from home will find it very difficult to get out and vote.’
Ends

2012 SPORTS CAPITAL PROGRAMME ONLINE APPLICATION

http://www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie/scp2012/home


Deadlines for applications

Online applications and those made in Irish (and hard copy of the signed application form and all supporting documentation) must reach the Department by 5pm on Friday 1st June 2012. We cannot accept supporting documentation by email or online.
Paper based applications (and all supporting documentation) must reach the Department by 5pm on Friday 11th May 2012.

Address:
2012 Sports Capital Programme Applications
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
New Road
Killarney
Co. Kerry

PAINTING GRANT SCHEME 2012 GRANTS FOR THE SHANDON STREET AREA AND NORTH MAIN STREET

Applications are invited for the Painting Grant Scheme
2012. The aim of the painting grant scheme is to
improve the character and appearance of historic
areas of Cork City and to make them more attractive
to live and do business in.
The 2012 scheme targets the Shandon Street area and
North Main Street Architectural Conservation Area.
The area in which properties are eligible to apply
includes: Shandon Street; North Main Street; South
Main Street; and Castle Street, amongst others. A map
can be seen on the website [see address below].
Grants are available to assist owners and occupiers of
premises with the cost of undertaking painting work
necessary to improve building elevations fronting onto
the street in the defined area. Premises can be
commercial or mixed residential/commercial. The level
of funding available is up to 50% of the total cost of
eligible works, and up to a maximum value of €600
per building. Alternatively, if labour is provided by the
applicant then 100% of the cost of materials would be
met by a grant up to a maximum of €300.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications
is Friday, 27th April 2012 and qualifying applicants
will have until Friday, 31st August 2012 to submit a
payment claim to the Council under the Scheme.
Grant allocations are made on a competitive basis
and applications must be supported by competitive
quotations from tax compliant contractors / suppliers.
Details of the scheme and application forms may be
obtained from the City Councils website, or the
Planning Policy Section, Strategic Planning and
Economic Development Directorate, Cork City Council,
City Hall, Cork:
www.corkcity.ie/services/planningdevelopment/
grantsschemesincorkcity
Phone: (021) 4924757 / Fax: (021) 4924712
Email: planningpolicy@corkcity.ie
Pat Ledwidge, Director of Services,
Strategic Planning & Economic Development.
Tuesday, 27th March

Applications are invited for the Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) Grant Scheme 2012.

City Centre to Blackpool, and includes: the North Main Street ACA; the Shandon Street area the Blackpool,Gerard Griffin Street, GreatWilliam O’Brien Street and Thomas Davis Street area.



Cork City has 32 ACAs. The City Council has allocated
funds to assist the owners or occupiers of historic
buildings in the “scheme area 2012” to undertake
works necessary to secure their conservation. The level
of funding available is up to 50% of the total cost of
eligible works, and up to a maximum value of
€10,000 per building. The scheme is not intended to
assist in carrying out routine maintenance, alterations
or improvements. The scheme does not apply to works
begun before the commencement of the scheme.
The scheme area extends along Cork’s “historic spine”
from the City Centre to Blackpool, and includes: the
North Main Street ACA; the Shandon Street area
[forming part of the Shandon ACA] and the Blackpool
ACA, which includes Gerard Griffin Street, Great
William O’Brien Street and Thomas Davis Street. A
map of the defined area can be found on the website.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications
is Friday, 11th May 2012 and qualifying applicants
will have until Friday, 9th November 2012 to submit a
payment claim to the Council under the Scheme. The
fund is limited and grant allocations are made on a
competitive basis. Applications must be supported by
competitive quotations from tax compliant contractors.
Details of the scheme and application forms may be
obtained from the Planning Policy Section, Strategic
Planning and Economic Development Directorate,
Cork City Council, City Hall, Cork, or by the following
means:
www.corkcity.ie/services/planningdevelopment/
grantsschemesincorkcity
Email: conservation@corkcity.ie
Phone: (021) 4924757 / Fax: (021) 4924712
Pat Ledwidge, Director of Services,
Strategic Planning & Economic Development.
Tuesday, 27th March 2012

CORK'S ST PATRICK'S FESTIVAL INFO

CORK ST PATRICK'S FESTIVAL INFO

Thursday 16 Feb 2012 13:26 PM

ST PATRICK'S FESTIVAL

Road closures will be in place from 11.45. Merchants Quay will be kept open to traffic travelling west and north over Patrick's Bridge.

Sunday18th and Monday 19th March - Free Family Entertainment and market on Patrick Street from 10.00a.m. to 6p.m.

Visit www.corkstpatricksfestival.ie for further details.

Compulsory Purchase Order on the Blarney Square

Blarney Man and Cork City Councillor, Kenneth O’Flynn is calling on his counterparts in Cork County Council to make a Compulsory Purchase Order on the square in the centre of Blarney.



Cllr. O’Flynn who grew up in Blarney feels very strongly about this issue especially in light of the problems being felt by the organisers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Farmers Market in securing the square for use over the Bank Holiday Weekend.



Last year, a farmers and craft market took place providing hours of entertaining to local people. Included among the activities were traditional Irish music, dancing, and artistic and gymnastic displays.



‘I was asked by local residents in the Blarney area to engage with the owner of the square, Sir Charles Colthurst as an honest broker. Despite my best efforts, no resolution could be found with regard to the public liability insurance requests being made by Sir. Charles and the Farmer’s Market will now take place at Blarney GAA grounds



‘It is an absolute shame that the regulations being imposed on the organisers are forcing it to leave the Square and find another home. This cannot happen again and this is why Cork County Council should CPO the square’ added Cllr. O’Flynn



‘This will take the burden off the Colthurst family in terms of regulating these activities and ensuring that the people of Blarney are able to enjoy this important amenity for years to come’



‘I will be raising this issue and the need for a CPO at the next Joint Meeting between Cork City and County Councils. It is too important to ignore and action is now needed’ concluded Cllr. O’Flynn.



-ENDS-

Plan to deal with derelict buildings by City Council is a welcome move

Plan to deal with derelict buildings by City Council is a welcome move – Cllr. Kenneth O’Flynn

‘The plan being put together by the City Manager, Tim Lucy to help deal with the scourge of derelict buildings in the City is a welcome initiative’ said Northside Fianna Fáil Councillor, Kenneth O’Flynn

‘At present, there are approximately 140 sites at various stages of dereliction throughout the city. Many of these derelict properties are to be found in Blackpool, Shandon Street, Barrack Street and the city centre’ added Cllr. O’Flynn.

‘I have been informed that Cork City Council is in continuous contact with the owners of properties in an effort to try and resolve this important issue for local businesses and residents. I am delighted to see that the City Manager is taking such a proactive and determined approach to this issue and to ensure that it is dealt with as speedily and efficiently as possible’

‘As part of the Cork City Council plan, the Shandon Street area will have a new Painting Scheme; The Blackpool, Shandon, and North Main Street areas will see a new scheme focused on upgrading buildings while the City Centre will benefit from the upgrading of historical buildings designed to allow existing buildings be brought back into use’ added Cllr. O’Flynn

‘The city is working with the probation services to develop a graffiti removal project to rapidly improve the public environment in the city’

‘The City Council is only able to do so much. Many owners of properties want to develop them and make them usable but require the banks to release funding to enable them finish off the developments. I am calling on the Government to force the banks to do more to support these entrepreneurs by allowing them bring life into the city and surrounding neighbourhoods’ concluded Cllr. Kenneth O’Flynn.

-ENDS-

comprehensive database of key contacts internationally

Cork City Council Motion

That Cork City Council will create a comprehensive database of key contacts internationally, consolidating the information received from project reports city departments/ organisations, building up a ‘map’ of figures internationally who have already supported Cork interests that can be used as a resource for future international projects. 

*

Currently each organisation who travels internationally from Cork builds up their own international links (generally a slow ‘trial and error approach of sending out blind emails) but there is no coordinated city effort to sustain these newly forged ties after the project is over. When the next organisation who goes abroad, this process starts from the beginning again, trying to form new ties, which are then exclusive to the organisation, and often fade if the event organised is just a once off. This is a key issue in why long term plans for international relations are hard to form. Mutual contacts/personal recommendations are the most effective way for organisations to make an impact when they travel internationally.

When any organisation supported by the City Council goes abroad, a key element of their report should be to outline the contacts they have made, stating the field in which they are based, how the contact was made, and how they can be contacted again.

This information is included into an international ‘map’ of contacts that are divided into various industries and artistic fields within each city. With each contact, information included would be the history of the city’s contact with that figure/organisation. Thus, the city can put organisations travelling abroad in direct contact with the key people in the region that they are travelling to, people who have a track record of supporting Cork City projects.

(The issue of how much personal information that could be given out from this database would have to be investigated. If the giving out of contact details was not possible, the city could put the organisation looking to travel abroad in touch with the original organisation who made the contacts, who could then make the introduction. This is far more effective than organisations blindly sending out letters introducing themselves. )

Senior Citizens must be protected at all costs - O'Flynn

Northside Councillor Kenneth O'Flynn has today launched a blistering attack on IMF recommendations which include the cutting of free travel and medical cards for the over 70's.



'The IMF has recently told the Fine Gael / Labour Government to find savings by scrapping free schemes for the elderly and in particular those schemes which are of most use and support to one of the most vulnerable sectors of our community. Included in the draconian recommendations are the supports to help older people pay for their electricity and gas, their TV license, free travel and medical card scheme' said Cllr. O'Flynn.



'This is by far the most worrying and upsetting proposal to come from the Troika. While in Government, my party spared this sector of society from regressive cuts because it was this generation who endured the very tough 1950's and1960's and contributed so much to Ireland's economic growth in the 1970's and 1980's'


'Fine Gael and Labour have a choice to make. Will they tow the Troika line with regard to these cuts or will they follow Fianna Fáil's lead in reducing the impact of budget cuts on this important sector of society' asked Cllr. O'Flynn.



'The Governments decision not to exempt the elderly from the Household Charge and Labour's U-Turn on reversing the Universal Social Charge mean that our pensioners are facing tough choices when it comes to spending their money. Will they have to chose between food and heat?'


'These schemes are much more than payments to older people. They give them independence, allow them to keep in touch with their friends and family and have a better quality of life' argued Cllr. O'Flynn.


O'Flynn went on to say that he will opposed these regressive and shortsighted attacks on the elderly even if it means 'taking to the streets'.

O’Flynn calls on Government to change rules to allow Single Parents take part in Job Bridge

Cynical attempt by Fine Gael and Labour to massage the Live Register



Cork City Councillor, Kenneth O’Flynn is calling for the Government to urgently address an anomaly in the Social Welfare legislation that prohibits people in receipt of the One Parent Family Payment from gaining access to the Job Bridge Scheme which was designed to get people back into the work force.



‘This is a totally unjust and inexcusable situation. Where is the sense is not allowing these people gain access to internships which will further their chances of gaining employment’ said the Fianna Fáil Councillor.



‘Fine Gael and Labour are targeting those in receipt of this payment far more than others. Many single parents find it very difficult to transition into the workforce and internships are a very important tool in giving them the skills to make them more employable’ added Cllr. O’Flynn.



‘Many single parents have come into my constituency office in the last few weeks deeply annoyed that they are ineligible. They are asking “why are Government picking on us?”’



This is a cynical attempt by the Government to reduce the Live Register to make themselves look good rather than focusing on helping everyone who needs support in returning to work



‘Fine Gael and Labour should be ashamed of themselves’ concluded Cllr. O’Flynn

Cultural Ambassadors for Cork City

Cultural Ambassadors for Cork City.





Northside Councillor Kenneth O’Flynn has today welcomed comments by Director of Services who is committed to engaging with stakeholders from Social, Cultural, Business and Education sectors to find a number of Cultural Ambassadors for Cork City.

Councillor O’Flynn who proposed the Cultural Ambassador Programme that would see well known Cork public figures from the arts, cultural and sports arena promoting festivals and events and shopping in Cork City.

O’Flynn said “that now more than ever we need to be using Cork’s famous sons and daughters for promoting the City”. O’Flynn went on to say “in a number of countries Ambassador programmes have worked with great success in the economic promotion of cities and districts. I would also like to see an Ambassador programme being rolled out for international students. I have witnessed first hand this scheme being ran in Spain where international students are bringing cities and towns to the attention of their friends and families in different countries and encouraging them to visit.”