Friday, September 24, 2010

What is the Breakdown for the €72 Billion Exposure,

What is the Breakdown for the €72 Billion Exposure,

Please see below a breakdown of the Liabilities of Anglo Irish Bank. The €72 billion figure is a relatively fluid figure as it is affected by currency changes and also some elements of the liabilities might not need to be paid in full if the bank were instantly liquidated.
Key Elements of Anglo Irish Bank’s Balance Sheet (End June 2010)
Deposits from Banks €33.3 bn
Customer Deposits €23.2 bn
Debt securities in issue €16.5 bn
Subordinated Liabilities €2.5 bn
Derivative Financial Instruments €4.4 bn
Other elements €0.5 bn
Total Liabilities €80.5 bn
What were the Recent Changes Announced by Government in Relation to Anglo Irish Bank, Asset Recovery Bank & Investment Bank,
The Government decided that Anglo Irish Bank will be split into a Funding Bank and an Asset Recovery Bank. Anglo Irish Bank has not expanded its loan book since it was nationalised in early 2009 and this will remain the case. It is intended that in due course the Recovery Bank will be sold in whole or in part or that its assets will be run off over a period of time.
The guaranteed position of depositors will be unchanged by the new arrangements. The depositors will become customers of the Funding Bank which will be fully capitalized and continue as a regulated bank.
What is the Purpose of the Change & what will be the End Result
"Today’s decision by the Government will provide certainty about the future of Anglo Irish Bank. Resolution of this, our most distressed institution, is essential to the promotion of confidence and stability in our financial system."-Minister Brian Lenihan
Under the restructuring plan, the Funding Bank will be a Government-backed/guaranteed specialist deposit bank which will contain the bank’s deposit book. It will be a stand-alone, regulated bank, completely separated from Anglo’s loan assets and it will be owned directly by the Minister for Finance. This bank will not engage in any lending, but will provide a secure home for Anglo’s depositors and any new customers who wish to deposit their funds with it. Depositors with the Funding Bank will be completely insulated from the future performance of the rest of the current Anglo Irish Bank loan book.
The Asset Recovery Bank will also be a licensed regulated bank. Its dedicated focus will be on the work-out over a period of time of the assets not being transferred to NAMA in a manner which maximises the return to the taxpayer.
The Government believes that it is essential to identify, with as much certainty as possible, the final cost for the restructuring and resolution of the bank. This will underpin international financial confidence in Ireland. Accordingly, the Central Bank will determine the appropriate levels of capital needed in both institutions. Its decision will be announced by October.

What is the Breakdown for the €72 Billion Exposure,

Please see below a breakdown of the Liabilities of Anglo Irish Bank. The €72 billion figure is a relatively fluid figure as it is affected by currency changes and also some elements of the liabilities might not need to be paid in full if the bank were instantly liquidated.
Key Elements of Anglo Irish Bank’s Balance Sheet (End June 2010)
Deposits from Banks €33.3 bn
Customer Deposits €23.2 bn
Debt securities in issue €16.5 bn
Subordinated Liabilities €2.5 bn
Derivative Financial Instruments €4.4 bn
Other elements €0.5 bn
Total Liabilities €80.5 bn
What were the Recent Changes Announced by Government in Relation to Anglo Irish Bank, Asset Recovery Bank & Investment Bank,
The Government decided that Anglo Irish Bank will be split into a Funding Bank and an Asset Recovery Bank. Anglo Irish Bank has not expanded its loan book since it was nationalised in early 2009 and this will remain the case. It is intended that in due course the Recovery Bank will be sold in whole or in part or that its assets will be run off over a period of time.
The guaranteed position of depositors will be unchanged by the new arrangements. The depositors will become customers of the Funding Bank which will be fully capitalized and continue as a regulated bank.
What is the Purpose of the Change & what will be the End Result
"Today’s decision by the Government will provide certainty about the future of Anglo Irish Bank. Resolution of this, our most distressed institution, is essential to the promotion of confidence and stability in our financial system."-Minister Brian Lenihan
Under the restructuring plan, the Funding Bank will be a Government-backed/guaranteed specialist deposit bank which will contain the bank’s deposit book. It will be a stand-alone, regulated bank, completely separated from Anglo’s loan assets and it will be owned directly by the Minister for Finance. This bank will not engage in any lending, but will provide a secure home for Anglo’s depositors and any new customers who wish to deposit their funds with it. Depositors with the Funding Bank will be completely insulated from the future performance of the rest of the current Anglo Irish Bank loan book.
The Asset Recovery Bank will also be a licensed regulated bank. Its dedicated focus will be on the work-out over a period of time of the assets not being transferred to NAMA in a manner which maximises the return to the taxpayer.
The Government believes that it is essential to identify, with as much certainty as possible, the final cost for the restructuring and resolution of the bank. This will underpin international financial confidence in Ireland. Accordingly, the Central Bank will determine the appropriate levels of capital needed in both institutions. Its decision will be announced by October.


What is the Breakdown for the €72 Billion Exposure,

Please see below a breakdown of the Liabilities of Anglo Irish Bank. The €72 billion figure is a relatively fluid figure as it is affected by currency changes and also some elements of the liabilities might not need to be paid in full if the bank were instantly liquidated.
Key Elements of Anglo Irish Bank’s Balance Sheet (End June 2010)
Deposits from Banks €33.3 bn
Customer Deposits €23.2 bn
Debt securities in issue €16.5 bn
Subordinated Liabilities €2.5 bn
Derivative Financial Instruments €4.4 bn
Other elements €0.5 bn
Total Liabilities €80.5 bn
What were the Recent Changes Announced by Government in Relation to Anglo Irish Bank, Asset Recovery Bank & Investment Bank,
The Government decided that Anglo Irish Bank will be split into a Funding Bank and an Asset Recovery Bank. Anglo Irish Bank has not expanded its loan book since it was nationalised in early 2009 and this will remain the case. It is intended that in due course the Recovery Bank will be sold in whole or in part or that its assets will be run off over a period of time.
The guaranteed position of depositors will be unchanged by the new arrangements. The depositors will become customers of the Funding Bank which will be fully capitalized and continue as a regulated bank.
What is the Purpose of the Change & what will be the End Result
"Today’s decision by the Government will provide certainty about the future of Anglo Irish Bank. Resolution of this, our most distressed institution, is essential to the promotion of confidence and stability in our financial system."-Minister Brian Lenihan
Under the restructuring plan, the Funding Bank will be a Government-backed/guaranteed specialist deposit bank which will contain the bank’s deposit book. It will be a stand-alone, regulated bank, completely separated from Anglo’s loan assets and it will be owned directly by the Minister for Finance. This bank will not engage in any lending, but will provide a secure home for Anglo’s depositors and any new customers who wish to deposit their funds with it. Depositors with the Funding Bank will be completely insulated from the future performance of the rest of the current Anglo Irish Bank loan book.
The Asset Recovery Bank will also be a licensed regulated bank. Its dedicated focus will be on the work-out over a period of time of the assets not being transferred to NAMA in a manner which maximises the return to the taxpayer.
The Government believes that it is essential to identify, with as much certainty as possible, the final cost for the restructuring and resolution of the bank. This will underpin international financial confidence in Ireland. Accordingly, the Central Bank will determine the appropriate levels of capital needed in both institutions. Its decision will be announced by October.

http://www.nama.ie/Publications/2010/NamaAWorkingSolutionPresentation14Sept2010.pdf

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Cut Rates & Keep Jobs






Cllr. Kenneth O'Flynn has called upon the Government to begin a revaluation of properties as the last significant valuation of commercial property has been carried out since 2007 the height of the property boom in order to cut rates for business and protect jobs. Speaking on this O’Flynn said; “170,000 properties were valued at the height of the boom back in 2007, no substantial valuation has taken place since. Businesses are paying boom rates but taking in recession receipts “

Continuing on this O’Flynn said; “It is evident that the current local authority rating system, which is used to calculate the commercial rate liability of a business, is not fair. The Valuation Act of 2001 was supposed to bring in a rating system which has enabled safe and certain revenue for the local authorities every year, while also allowing commercial businesses to plan ahead due to the fact they would know their liability for next year, but it does not take account of falling property prices”



Cllr. O’Flynn who is himself a businessman was sceptical stated “many commercial premises have fallen in value by 28 to 30 percent and even though their commercial rates liability are connected to the value of their premises, commercial rates are still allowed to rise by the level of inflation even after a downwards revaluation .”

This in Councillor O’Flynn’s opinion is; “This is producing devastating results for businesses as they are also dealing with shrinking revenue due to the recession which is effectively putting them in a position where costs are rising and income is falling. An article I read in July, said that commercial rates in the city are now almost equating to 30 percent of their rental costs when taking into consideration that some rental prices have dropped to reflect the drop in sales. While rental prices, the value of the buildings and business revenue are all going south, commercial rates have neglected to reflect the change in the economy.”

In conclusion O’Flynn said; “It also must be asked what is the point in valuing every commercial business in the country, when in reality the commercial rates will depend on the fiscal requirements of the local authority as oppose to their value.” Councillor O’Flynn also stated his desire to bring these matters up directly with Minister Brian Lenihan at the next National Executive meeting

Friday, September 17, 2010

Your chance tomorrow to volunteer for work overseas

Your chance tomorrow to volunteer for work overseas

IRISH AID, the Government’s overseas development programme, will host “the largest overseas volunteering fair ever held in Ireland” this Saturday.

The fair aims to highlight long and short-term volunteering opportunities in developing countries. It will be held in the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre in Dublin, with 29 organisations taking part, including GOAL, USIT and Slí Eile as well as Irish Aid.

The fair is free and open to the public. It will run from 11am until 4pm, and according to Overseas Development Minister Peter Power is “the perfect opportunity for individuals looking to get involved in volunteering abroad to discuss their options with volunteer-sending organisations”.

Speaking ahead of the fair, Minister Power encouraged those interested in overseas volunteering to attend…

Events such as this also help to promote synergies among organisations working in volunteering. The health and safety of development workers and volunteers overseas is of crucial concern and it is very important that volunteers are managed in a professional way. The Volunteering Fair will showcase the Irish Volunteering Code of Practice which supports organisations that manage and work with volunteers.

Visitors to the Fair will be able to meet with representatives of the organisations and past volunteers, and attend workshops on volunteering options. There will also be presentations on the work and requirements of several of the organisations.


Meanwhile next week Minister Power will accompany Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin to New York to attend a “major” meeting on hunger.

Micheál Martin and the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will co-host a meeting of international leaders to address world hunger and under-nutrition.


The event, 1,000 Days: Change a Life, Change the Future Partnering to Reduce Child under-nutrition, will be attended by world leaders, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.

It is designed to “highlight action to reduce child under-nutrition, focusing on programmes targeted at the 1,000 day window of opportunity, the period beginning with a woman’s pregnancy and continuing until a child is 2 years old”.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Cllr. Kenneth O'Flynn has welcomed the proposed Blackpool Development Plan which is to be voted upon shortly by members of Cork City Council.

Cllr. Kenneth O'Flynn has welcomed the proposed Blackpool Development Plan which is to be voted upon shortly by members of Cork City Council.



Speaking on this the Northside Councillor said that there have been certain criticisms raised with regards to the issue of dereliction. O’Flynn however said that he feels under the leadership of the new City Manager, Tim Lucey, the issues relating to dereliction will be tackled. O’Flynn said; “Speaking to the new manager last Monday at a private meeting, he certainly inspired me with confidence that he is willing to take action on these issues and work with public representatives to make the Plan work for the benefit of Blackpool.”



O’Flynn did however stress that the spine plan for Blackpool must be completed before the new plan can be put into action. On this he said; “the finger posts to Blackpool Village must be erected, the ornamental plaques indicating the lanes of old Blackpool must be laid and a map must be put in place on the plaza outlining the historical areas of interest in Blackpool.”



On the continued issue of flooding O’Flynn said; “the threat of flooding in Blackpool remains for residents and business alike. I have stressed that provisions be made to combat this and find a solution to stop the flooding as presently businesses in Blackpool are finding it increasingly difficult to be insured as a consequence of the flooding.”



O’Flynn concluded by saying when the spine plan is completed and the proposed Blackpool Development Plan implemented, the area will have the potential to be one of the cities primary locations.

fuel allowance





You May be entitled to receive the fuel allowance, which is now being paid to eligible persons. Fuel allowance payments have now recommenced for eligible persons and will continue through to next April. The scheme operates for 32 weeks each year from September to the end of April. The Fuel Allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating your home. It is paid to people who are dependant on long-term social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs

you may want to log on to http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/extra-social-welfare-benefits/fuel_allowance

Cork Walk of Fame Commemorate the Famous Corkonian’s





Cllr. Kenneth N. O’Flynn has put forward a motion to Cork City Council, calling on the Council to put in place a walk of fame on Cook Street to Commemorate the famous Corkonian’s who over the years have contributed to the reputation of the City both locally, nationally and internationally.

Speaking on this the Northside Councillor said; “Cork has a rich heritage and can boast an impressive list of people who have contributed to the reputation of the City in various fields. For example of the top of my head I can think of several people fror example with Literature Frank O’Connor, with Sport Roy Keane and
Christy Ring in Theatre Joe Lynch in Politics Jack Lynch, with Music Seán Ó Riada and Cara O’Sullivan. While in Industry we have the two great distilling names the Beamish and Murphy Families and in Science, the mathematician George Boole.”

Cllr. O’Flynn believes that the project would not just offer a fitting tribute to these famous names but that it would also become a premier tourist attraction in the City Centre.

Apps for Cork





Cllr. Kenneth N. O’Flynn has put forward a motion to Cork City Council, calling on the Council to develop an application for iPhones and Satellite Navigation devices which would allow users the opportunity to download for free the historical points of interest in Cork City.

Speaking on this Cllr. O’Flynn said; “I think that this would be a good way for the City to provide an easy to use and informative virtual tour of Cork City allowing them to access points of interest and get the relevant information on these places.”

Continuing the Northside Councillor said; “in drafting the motion I asked that in developing this application, the Council pay particular attention to the historical walking tours which have been set up by Cork City Council in the past year. I know myself that the walking our on the Northside of the City based around Shandon has been agreat success and brought many people to the area with an interest in
history and the rich heritage of Cork.”







Bike Sharing Scheme





Cllr. Kenneth O’Flynn has welcomed a reply to a motion that he put before Cork City Council, in which he called upon the Council to implement a bike sharing scheme. In the reply the Roads Control Division and representatives of the Planning Department have begun to investigate the options available to fund public amenity projects such as the Public Bike Scheme.

Cllr. O’Flynn welcomed what he says is; “the first step in the right direction by the Council in relation to this scheme.” Bicycle sharing are increasingly popular, a number of bicycles are made available for shared use by individuals who do not own the bicycles. Public bicycles are a mobility service, mainly useful in urban environment for proximity travels. It is able to remove three difficulties of daily cycling use: home parking, theft and maintenance of your private bicycle.

The reasons for implementing bicycle sharing systems are as numerous as the forms the systems take. Recently and most notably, municipal governments, including Dublin City Council, have promoted systems as part of intermodal transportation, allowing people to shift easily from other forms of transport to bicycle and back again. However, for years community groups have promoted bicycle sharing as an easily
accessible alternative to motorized travel, hoping to reduce the carbon footprint of commuting as well as enable residents to become healthier through exercise.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Helping Home Owners

Helping Home Owners

Support for Mortgage Holders in Difficulties

The tradition of home ownership is very strong in Ireland. Successive governments facilitated home ownership in a variety of ways including in via mortgage interest tax relief. I The OECD has concluded that Ireland has one of the most ‘tax-friendly’ housing environments in the world. Banks and Building Societies which are registered with the Financial Regulator must under the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears make every reasonable effort to agree an alternative repayment schedule with borrowers who find themselves in difficulties.

Registered lenders are required under the terms of the Code to give consideration to alternatives such as deferral of payments, extended terms of mortgage, changing the type of mortgage or capitalising arrears and interest.

On the 5th February the Financial regulator wrote to all mortgage lenders informing them that from 17th February the Statutory Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears has been amended where arrears have arisen on a borrower’s primary residence. The Regulator’s initiative followed a request from the Minister for Finance that the ‘waiting period’ be doubled as a means of taking pressure off mortgage holders who were experiencing difficulties.

Registered lenders are now required to allow at least 12 months from the time arrears first arise before applying to the Courts to commence legal actions.

In addition to the Code of Conduct, the Irish Banking Federation has announced that its members will hold off on legal action against those in difficulty as long as the borrowers who are in difficulties stick to mutually acceptable arrangements that are put in place to deal with the debt. These arrangements are subject to six monthly reviews.

Advice for mortgage holders with problems is available through the Money Advice Budgeting Services (MABS).

The Money Advice Budgeting Services (MABS) provides a free, confidential and independent service for people who find themselves in difficulties particularly with mortgage arrears.

The Government has recently increased the advisory services provided through the Money Advice Budgeting Services (MABS).

The Irish Banking Federation and MABS have agreed an operational protocol which will enable MABS and the Irish Banking Federation to work closer with each other, to help people who find themselves in difficulties.

In addition to the advice and guidance through MABS the Government, in the most recent budget, refocused mortgage interest relief on those who bought their homes at the peak of the market.

The Government is also providing financial support to over 15,000 families, through the Mortgage Interest Subsidy Scheme.

With an eye to the longer term the Government has established a Review group on Mortgage Arrears. Headed up by the Department of Finance the Group is examining problems arising from both mortgage and non-mortgage debt, considering measures to assist people with mortgage arrears to keep possession of their family home and examining measures adopted in other countries to deal with this problem. The Group will report on a rolling basis on the most sensible and effective way to deal with these problems.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

PRSI Scheme to Create Jobs





PRSI Scheme to Create Jobs



Under the Government’s latest job creation initiative €36 million will be made available to businesses that create jobs.
Under a new Government initiative, an employer who creates new jobs for people who have been out of work for 6 months or more will be fully exempt from PRSI liability for the first year of that employment.
The scheme will save an employer in the region of €3,000 from the annual cost of employing an additional worker.
The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme will help to create jobs and help to get people who have lost their jobs back to work.
The scheme, which will be open to applications in relation to any job created in 2010, is being specifically targeted at people who have been out of work for 6 months or more because evidence suggests that that after 6 months on the Live Register there is a danger that people will drift into long-term unemployment.
An employer will not have to pay PRSI for 12 months from the time an application is approved.
There are a number of safeguards built into the scheme to ensure that it has maximum impact and prevents any abuse:
 The job must be full-time and must be new and be additional: employers will not be allowed to substitute existing employees to avail of the scheme.
 The job must last for six months or more. If it does not the PRSI exempt amounts will have to be repaid by the employer.
 The employer will be required to furnish an up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate.
 Employers will be limited to a maximum participation rate of 5% of their existing workforce or, for smaller companies, a maximum of 5 new jobs.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

New Law to Govern Property Management Companies







New Law to Govern Property Management Companies

The Government has introduced legislation in Dail Eireann which will be of particular interest to apartment owners and to people with homes in ‘mixed developments.’ The new legislation, the Multi-Unit Development Bill 2009, will regulate new and existing management companies.

The legislation, implements recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission on the regulation and management of apartment blocks and other multi-unit developments in June 2008

The legislation provides a legal framework that will govern the establishment and operation of management companies. It also provides for the transfer of ownership of common areas within apartment block or other multi-unit developments.

The Bill introduces statutory regulation in this area for the first time. It addresses issues relating to the obligations of developers, the operation of management companies and protects the owners of new and existing units in apartment blocks and other forms of multi-unit developments.

Critically the Bill provides for the transfer of common areas to owner management companies prior to the sale of any units in an apartment block. This will overcome the difficulty faced by many buyers of apartments where developers continued to effectively hold control of common areas, a feature that some developers sought to exploit through the operation of management companies which they continued to control.

The Bill also makes provision for voting rights and sets out regulations for the establishment and maintenance of schemes for service charges. It makes mandatory the provision of sinking funds necessary for the long term care and maintenance of apartment blocks. The legislation also sets out mediation and a court based resolution system for resolving disputes.

The legislation together with the recently published Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009, will, when in operation bring a very important new form of regulation into Irish property management. It will transform the regulatory environment for management companies, impose new obligations on developers and give new powers to apartment owners.

The National Consumer Agency has welcomed the publication of the bill as representing a “good day for consumers”. The agency has specifically welcomed the obligations to transfer common areas to owner management companies and the extinguishment of the beneficial interests of the developer on completion of a development. It welcomed the transparency in relation to service charges and the statutory requirements to create a sinking fund.

The Apartment Owners Network which supports campaigns for Irish apartment owners has also welcomed the publication of the bill.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

“That this Council would put in place a blanket ban on bonfires in the City 365 days a year.


That this Council would put in place a blanket ban on bonfires in the City 365 days a year.














Councillor Kenneth O’Flynn has placed a motion before Cork City
Council which reads; “That this Council would put in place a blanket
ban on bonfires in the City 365 days a year. In particular the 23 June
would no longer be known as ‘Bonfire Night’ but rather ‘Community BBQ
Night’ similar to block parties that are organised in the United
States.” Speaking on why he placed this motion before the Council
O’Flynn said; “I think the days of bonfires are past us. Not only do
they create temporary unsightly smells and smog clouds in some cases,
they also give people an unwarranted excuse to burn rubbish and other
household waste.”

Cllr. O’Flynn said the symbolism of bonfire night, which began in
pre-Christian times and was adopted as part of Saint John’s Eve
following the arrival of Christianity to Ireland has no relevance in
modern Ireland. He said; “In its present form bonfire night is an
excuse for vandalism and anti-social behaviour and each year the
emergency services are placed under tremendous pressure as a
consequence bonfire night.”

So what does the Fianna Fáil Councillor have in mind instead of the
bonfire night; “I would prefer to see communities holding block
parties with a BBQ, games and fun events organised around it. I think
that while the positive aspect of bonfire night has always been the
Community input, this has been hijacked by those who simply start
fires on the night without any regard for anyone else.”

Councillor O’Flynn believes replacing bonfire night with a community
night which he is at present calling; ‘Community BBQ Night’ will be a
great way for communities to organise events in a way to brings people
together for the purpose of having a fun night that is inclusive of
all the community.
Cork Opera House












Northside Fianna Fáil Councillor Kenneth O’Flynn has called on the City Manager to suspend the board of the Opera House in the wake of the decision to close the theatre from 4 July until 29 September.

The Blackpool based Councillor said; “I am flabbergasted that at the height of the city’s tourist trade, we are without one of the most iconic sites in our City. Cork City without the Opera House is like Paris without the Eiffel Tower.”

While two Events will be honoured during the temporary closure include Daniel O’Donnell concerts and an Aprés Match show, Cllr. O’Flynn said that this is; “not good enough. While I am glad that the Opera House is honouring to stage what will be successful shows, to think that only 2,000 will avail of the theatre over the summer is disheartening.”

The Councillor believes the City Manager needs to suspend the board while a full investigation into the matter is carried out by Cork City Council. Speaking on this O’Flynn said; “This is the people’s Opera House and it was their money that built it. The people of Cork love
their Opera House and they deserve nothing less to receive answers as to why in the second city in Ireland is on the brink of maybe losing its main theatre.”

With a background in the Arts, O’Flynn believes that now is the time people with a knowledge of both business and culture should come together to save this important part of City life.
We need to Establish a Grot busting unit












Fianna Fáil Cork City Councillor, Kenneth O’Flynn has called upon the Council to establish a grot busting unit.Speaking on the issue, O’Flynn said; “In the U.K. the ‘Grot-Busters’ campaign has proven hugely effective in seeking the clean up of many areas and in particular the tidying up of so many scruffy buildings.” If introduced the plan would see Cork City Council “Grot-Busters” going out to
private buildings or areas in need of cleaning and then carrying out this work. After this work would be carried out the person who owns the property would be made to foot the bill. The Councillor believes that such a plan would go a long way to making people more responsible not just for their own properties, but in the case of green zones or wastelands in private ownership. Whereby the securing and maintenance of these areas would be improved to avoid any fining or indeed prison sentencing on failing to pay for the work carried out by
‘Grot-Busters’.

O’Flynn believes this coupled with greater education of the public against illegal dumping and the need to maintain buildings to an acceptable standard within a local community will go a long way in helping to aesthetically rejuvenate communities as well as fostering greater personal responsibility among individuals. Councillor O’Flynn says he will be meeting shortly with Council officials to impress upon them the merits of this scheme.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Former St Mary’s Road Library


Former St Mary’s Road Library







RECENTLY agreement was reached between the HSE and Cork City Council to use the former St Mary’s Road Library as a community resource and to provide there a range of facilities for the elderly including the possibility of a drop in centre.

Cllr Kenneth O’Flynn welcomed this announcement saying, “This is a very important development for the elderly people of Shandon and it provides additional facilities to the community.

“I am delighted to see the former St Mary’s Road Library being put to good use. It will continue to be a vital asset to the Shandon community, especially to the elderly people of the area.

“The City Council stressed that they seek to assist community groups and that if anything specific can be done they will be happy to have it examined.