Deputy Michael Lowry calls for the immediate approval of all TAMS II applications without delay
TAMS II Applications Must Be Approved Without Delay
“Following repeated requests from Tipperary Dairy Farmers I am calling on Minister Simon Coveney and the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine, to process applicants to the various TAMS II Schemes without further delay stated Deputy Michael Lowry.
These delays have caused unparalleled stress and anxiety for the Farmers in question. It is ludicrous to suggest Farmers should have to wait until first approvals to go out in January for the TAMS II Scheme. All applications for TAMS II are made under a tranche-based approach the first Tranche of the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme closed seven weeks ago and the first Tranche of the Dairy Equipment Scheme closed over three weeks ago. Minister Coveney surely understands that these cows and Heifers are already in Calf at the moment and they will Calf when they are ready and not when the Minister dictates.
In addition, to the obvious time constraints to complete necessary storage and housing work there is also a clear animal welfare issue here while Farmers are waiting for approval. I am calling on the Minister of Agriculture Food and the Marine to process these applications without delay and give urgently authorisation to all the TAMS II Schemes applications.
This issue is extremely frustrating for dairy farmers who must carry out work while herds are dried off and this must be resolved without delay concluded Deputy Lowry.”
Deputy Michael Lowry invites local groups to apply for Annual Funding from the Arts Council of Ireland
Deputy Michael Lowry Invites Local Groups To Apply For Annual Arts Council Funding
Applications are now open for Annual Funding from the Arts Council of Ireland for 2016. Persons or local groups interested in applying should visit the Arts Council of Ireland website. Applications for funding for 2016 period will close at 17:30, on Thursday 08 October 2015. Applications must be submitted online where applicants may request a contribution towards both operating and artistic programming costs. Organisations applying for the first time are requested to first discuss their suitability for this funding programme with the relevant Head of Team at the Arts Council.
Making your application
Register with the Arts Council’s Online Services
All applications must be made through the Arts Council’s Online Services; applications made in any other way (by post, fax or email) will not be accepted.
You must have an Online Services account to make an application. If you do not already have an Online Services account, sign up by filling out the registration form : HERE
Within five working days you will be issued (via email) with a unique ARN (artist reference number) and password that you can use to sign in to Online Services.
Give yourself enough time to complete the application
You should become familiar with the Online Services website well in advance of the deadline and in advance of preparing an application. It is likely that there will be heavy traffic on the site on the final afternoon of the closing date. You should prepare and submit well in advance of the deadline.
Upload times can be much longer than download times. It may take you longer than you think to upload your supporting materials.
Making your application online
To make your application online, you go through five main stages. Click Save draft at the end of each stage. You can come back to your application and revise it at any time before you finally submit it.
Choose funding programme and download application form
To start a new application, click the Make an application button on your home page, and follow the prompts to choose the Annual Funding programme. Give your application a unique reference by which to identify it. At this stage you can also download the application form and the Financial Review Template.
More information is available from the Arts Council of Ireland Website
Deputy Michael Lowry encourages people to apply for the water conservation grant
Deputy Michael Lowry encourages people to apply for the Water Conservation Grant
Every household that registered with Irish Water, on or before 30 June 2015, will receive a letter from the Department of Social Protection inviting them to apply for the Water Conservation Grant.
Households can expect to receive their letter by 30 September 2015 at the latest. You cannot make your application without this letter as it contains your household’s Transaction Identification Number (TIN) and Water Point Reference Number (WPRN).
A website has been set up to make it easier for applicants to apply. The closing date for applications is Thursday 8th October 2015.
See : Water Grant Website
When applying you will need the following information:
- TIN (Transaction Identification Number)
- WPRN (Water Point Reference Number)
- Irish Water Account Number (On your Irish Water Bill or on your online account)
- Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)
- Bank Account Detail (BIC and IBAN Numbers)
You can also apply by phoning the Water Conservation Grant Support Team between 9am and 5pm
- 0761 087 890
- 1890 100 043
If you have registered with Irish Water on or before 30 June 2015 but haven’t received a letter by 30th September 2015 Please contact the Water Conservation Grant Support Team on the numbers above or see Water Grant Website.
Should anyone need assistance when applying for the Grant please contact my office on (0504) 22022
Michael Lowry T.D. welcomes the Music Capital Scheme 2015
Michael Lowry T.D. welcomes the announcement by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, confirming capital funds of €210,000 for the Music Capital Scheme 2015
This scheme provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians. The Music Capital Scheme will open for applications on Monday, 14th September 2015, with a deadline of Thursday, 15th October 2015. Online application forms will be accessible through this page, and guidelines will also be available. The allocation of funding will come in two stream.
The scheme is entering it 8th year and was originally established by The Arts Council, The IRMA Trust and Music Network. Due to the success of the scheme funding has been provided since 2011 by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. This year the scheme is managed by Music Network Ireland.
STREAM 1
Stream 1 will be open for applications from non-professional performing groups or ensembles, and organisations seeking to buy instruments on behalf of non-professional music making in any genre.
As well as completing the online application form, Stream 1 applicants will be required to submit the following essential support material to Music Network by post:
Essential support material (Stream 1):
– History of organisation
– Biography of key artistic personnel
– Quotations from two instrument dealers for proposed purchases
– A copy of your child/vulnerable adults protection policy and procedures (if organisation involves people under the age of 18/vulnerable adults)
– Copy of constitution or memorandum and articles of association of organisation (primary/post primary schools are not required to supply this item)
Stream 1 applicants may also submit the following optional support material by post:
Optional support material (Stream 1):
– Recordings in audio CD or standard DVD formats only (please indicate which tracks/chapters should be listened to/viewed, and label -recordings thoroughly including listing all artists as well as date and place of recording) – highly recommended.
– Publicity material – posters, programmes, fliers etc.
– Press cuttings or adjudication sheets from competitions
– Confirmation of partnership funding (if already secured)
– Stamped self-addressed envelope of adequate dimensions, and with adequate postage attached, if you require your support material to be returned.
STREAM 2
Stream 2 will be open for applications from highly skilled performing artists seeking to buy a high-value musical instruments.
As well as completing the online application form, Stream 2 applicants will be required to submit the following essential support material to Music Network by post:
Essential support material (Stream 2):
– Full CV including details of training, performance history and names of groups/ensembles/musicians with whom you have collaborated
– Recordings in audio CD or standard DVD formats only. (Note: You must indicate which tracks/chapters should be listened to/viewed. Please label recordings thoroughly including listing all artists as well as date and place of recording. Recordings are not required to be produced by a professional production company, but should be clearly relevant to the application.)
– Two quotations from instrument dealers for proposed purchases or similar
Stream 2 applicants may also submit the following optional support material by post:
Optional support material (Stream 2):
– Reviews, press cuttings or other printed material etc.
– Stamped self-addressed envelope of adequate dimensions, and with adequate postage attached, if you require your support material to be returned.
MUSIC CAPITAL SCHEME ADVICE CLINICS
Music Capital Scheme advice clinics will be held in Limerick (Culture House), Dublin (National Concert Hall Building), Cork (CIT Cork School of Music), Galway (An Taibhdhearc) and Kilkenny (Kilkenny Castle) between 22nd and 30th September. More details here.
Read the FAQs from last year’s Music Capital Scheme Clinics here.
Information provided by The Music Network Ireland Website
Michael Lowry Welcomes the New FEAD program 2014-2020 for the most deprived persons in Europe
FEAD program 2014-2020 for the most deprived persons in Europe
- More Information Available: EXPLANATORY GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION FORM
- Application Form Available: FEAD Partner Application Form
What is FEAD?
The Department of Social Protection is the designated managing authority for the Operational Programme (OP) for the Fund for the Economic Aid (FEAD) to the most deprived who will have responsibility for the implementation of the programme in Ireland.
Who will FEAD be targeted at?
FEAD support will help people take their first steps out of poverty and social exclusion. The FEAD will help the most deprived people by addressing one of their most basic needs i.e. food and non-food for personal use e.g. sleeping bags, shampoo and other items for personal use, which is a precondition for them to be able to get a job or follow a training course.
What resources are available?
FEAD Ireland will be funded by some €22m of European funding and €4m of Irish exchequer funding totaling some 26.7m for the period 2014-2020.
Sixty-five per cent (65%) of available resources will be applied to the provision of food and thirty five per cent (35%) to the provision of basic material assistance e.g. sleeping bags, personal need items such as shampoo, shower gel etc.
Accompanying measures funding will also be available to a maximum of 5% of the value of food or non-food items purchased.
How will FEAD work?
The Department will establish an open selection mechanism in a fair, transparent and equitable manner for the provision of funding from the OP to partner organisations to provide food and /or basic material assistance for homeless persons. This will allow the organisations to purchase food and basic material essential non-food items and will then organise the distribution of food/non-food directly to people or transfer the food/non-food products to other not-for-profit organisations working with the target groups.
The criteria will consist of the following elements:
- organisations status, governance structures and legal/recognisable form
- expertise in the provision of food and/or basic material assistance
- capacity to target, deliver services to and support persons who are most severely deprived
- track record in the provision of services to persons who are most deprived
- organisational policies in respect of equality, non-discrimination, care of vulnerable people, accessibility, and inclusion
- ability to record and provide necessary data for monitoring/evaluation
- administrative, operational and management capacity
- financial standing and ability to manage public funds
- integration with other publicly funded programmes (to avoid duplication of support from other publicly funded programmes)
- geographical coverage.
Focus of OP
The focus of the fund will be on those on the margins of society and in need of essential supports. Effectively, the OP will target
- homeless persons including long-term rough sleepers
- children in low income/work intensity households
- victims of domestic violence in refuges and shelters
- person suffering or recovering from addictions
- certain members of the Roma and Traveller communities
- vulnerable persons transitioning to independent living from emergency accommodation, institutionalized care settings or places of detention
- any person without income, accommodation or means not otherwise defined above.
Tipperary 2016 Community Grant Fund to commemorate the 1916 Rising.
Tipperary 1916 – 2016 Rising Commemoration Fund for Communities In Tipperary.
Tipperary County Council Heritage Office has announced a new grants scheme to encourage public participation in the commemorations of the 1916 Rising. Closing Date For Applications is August 18th 2015.
Guidelines and Criteria
Download Application from Michael Lowry Website: HERE
Criteria for Funding:
This grant scheme is open to community and voluntary groups/organisations planning to organise a project/event to commemorate the 1916 Rising.
To be eligible for funding projects/events must:
- take place within or relate to the functional area of Tipperary County Council
- be organised by a community or voluntary group based in Tipperary
- be organised at community level and will either encourage or benefit participation in the commemoration of 1916
- be in keeping with at least one of the five themes of the National Plan for Ireland 2016
- be accessible to diverse audiences and participants and will be inclusive in theme and approach
- enhance the knowledge of the history of the 1916 Rising in a local area/community
- be designed on a realistic financial basis and provide good value for money
In addition the following details must also be supplied
- The anticipated target audience
- A breakdown of costs for undertaking the project
- Any additional supports and funding that may be required and have been secured
Items that are excluded from the fund include:
- Capital projects and infrastructural projects
- Spends on alcoholic beverages, food, fines, legal costs, penalty payments
- Wages
- The cost of items for resale are ineligible
Particulars of Funding:
- Grant amounts up to a maximum of €1000 will be allocated for the purpose of this scheme.
- It is anticipated that additional funds will be made available later this year/early 2016 and details will be announced when available.)
- It is hoped that a small number of county wide projects will be considered subject to resources and any group that has an interest or proposal for this type of project should register their interest by 18 August 2015.
Assessment process:
- All events and projects will be assessed on their own merit by an assessment panel
- Funding will be allocated based on the recommendations of this panel.
- Successful applicants will receive a letter of offer which will detail all conditions and requirements, this must be signed and returned by the date specified, failure to do so may result in funding being withdrawn and reallocated to another project.
- Due to resource constraints it may not be possible to allocate funding to all projects
- A list of successful projects will be published on the Tipperary County Council website.
How to apply:
Download Application: HERE
Please complete and sign the attached application form. Applications can be submitted by post to
Róisín O Grady, Heritage Officer, Tipperary County Council, Ballingarrane House, Clonmel Co Tipperary or by email to roisin.ogrady@tipperarycoco.ie or mary.quigley@tipperarycoco.ie
Any queries can be directed to Mary Quigley on 0761 06 5000
The closing date is Tuesday 18 August @ 5 pm Download Application Here
Tipperary Warmer Homes Scheme 2015
What is the Tipperary Warmer Homes Scheme?
This scheme provides house insulation and draught proofing to homeowners in Tipperary. It is run by Tipperary Energy Agency and funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and SSE Airtricity. This scheme has limited availability for homes in County Tipperary. Download the application form: HERE
Who is Eligible for the Scheme?
Homeowners who are in receipt of any of the following can avail of Option 1 of the scheme:
• Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme
• Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and has children under 7 years of age
• Family Income Supplement (FIS)
Homeowners who are not in receipt of any of the above supplements can avail of Option 2 of the scheme by receiving a grant towards the work to be carried out Download the application form: HERE
Measures Offered
- Cavity Wall Insulation or External Wall Insulation
- Attic Insulation
- Ventilation
- Draught Proofing
- Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
- Supply of an Energy Monitor
- BER Certificate
Option 1
Homeowners who are in receipt if the supplements mentioned can avail of the works for big discounts;
| Cavity Wall Construction | Solid Wall Construction | |
| Participation Fee | €79 – (average value of works €3400) | €1500 – (average value of works €14,500) |
| House Size Limit | 100m2 wall area* | 100m2 wall area* |
| *Typically grant sized ‘bungalow, semi-detached or terraced house’ i.e. less than 1400sq ft. All subject to survey | ||
Download the application form: HERE
Option 2
| Cavity Wall Construction | Solid Wall Construction | |
| Grants Available | Discount of €1350 off the works – (average value of works €3400) | Discount of €5250 off the works(minimum spend of €12,500) – (average value of works €14,500) |
| House Size Limit | Subject to survey | Subject to survey |
Download the application form: HERE
Lo Call 0818 222924 to request an application form by post .
Email warmerhomes@tea.ie to request an application form by email
Download Directly from: HERE
Please Note:
Inclusion in the programme is subject to the completion of a house suitability survey
The 2015 Tipperary Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and SSE Airtricity. It is supported by Tipperary Energy Agency. The main contractor is Leetherm Project Management Ltd
.
Information Via: Tipperary Warmer Homes Scheme Website
The Water Conservation Grant
You must register today to receive the The Water Conservation Grant of €100.
This grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced, as it is a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will reduce households’ outlay on water services both now and in the future.
All eligible households who apply will receive a Water Conservation Grant. The grant will be paid to the registered householders annually in respect of their primary dwellings, with the first payment to be paid in September 2015 and each subsequent year up to and including 2018. Check out www.watergrant.ie for more information.