The people of Tipperary and the Staff of South Tipperary General Hospital deserve clarity into the governance and future of Maternity services at the Clonmel Hospital.
Statement
Deputy Michael Lowry has called for clarity on the external review completed by Mr. David Flory into the governance of Maternity Department services at South Tipperary General Hospital (STGH) Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
Deputy Michael Lowry said; this report is disturbing in the context of the long-term future of maternity services at South Tipperary General Hospital.
Deputy Lowry stated; South Tipperary General Hospital provides a vital service to the People of Tipperary. In 2014 there were 1,102 births registered in the hospital. The people of Tipperary and the Staff of South Tipperary General Hospital deserve clarity into the governance and future of Maternity services at the Hospital.
Deputy Lowry Concluded; I hereby Call on the Minister for Health to clarify the Government’s attitude to this report and give reassurance that there will be no reduction in the level of quality or services which are currently provided by South Tipperary General Hospital.
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 T.D. welcomes the RSA and ESB ‘Back to School’ road safety campaign
Michael Lowry T.D. Welcomes The RSA and ESB ‘Back to School’ Road Safety Campaign
Deputy Michael Lowry welcomes the RSA and ESB Networks Back to School road safety campaign. The two organisation have teamed up to distribute 85,500 High Visibility Vests FREE to every child starting school this year. Schools can now register online for the RSA’s ‘Back to School’ road safety packs which will be sent to primary schools nationwide over the coming months.
To register online for your packs, or for further road safety information for parents, teachers and students, visit Back To School 2015
More information is available on the RSA 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.
GP Visit Card for children under 6
GP Visit Card for children under 6
- Direct Download Link to Application Form: HERE
- Full List Of Signed Up Tipperary GP’s : HERE
- Link To Register for Free Under 6 Scheme: HERE
Children under the age of 6 are entitled to free visits to a participating GP.
In addition to free GP visits, the GP visit card for children under 6 covers specific assessments at age 2 and 5 and care for children with asthma.
These assessments are preventive checks that include charting age, weight and height and taking appropriate follow-up action.
The asthma checks will assess your child’s asthma and review their medications, including ensuring that your child is using inhalers correctly. A written plan will be given to you to help you manage your child’s asthma. The initial check takes place when asthma is diagnosed in a child over 2 years of age, followed by another check in the following 3 months and then annually until the child reaches the age of 6.
How can I get this new service?
Medical Card Holders – If your child or children have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card they will automatically be registered for this new scheme.
Non-Medical Card Holders – If your child or children does not have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card you must register them for this new scheme.
Direct Download Link to Application Form: HERE
Link To Register for Free Under 6 Scheme: HERE
Full List Of Signed Up GP’s Available: HERE
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
Bord Na Móna Littleton
STATEMENT:
Deputy Michael Lowry has expressed disappointment at the failure of the Labour Relations Commission to resolve a plethora for outstanding issues between Bord na Móna Management and it’s staff.
The talks have now ended without agreement. This is not surprising considering Management of Bord na Móna have been very intransigent in the negotiations. While it is accepted that Bord na Móna has many competitive challenges it must be noted that they have just announced an annual profit of €52 million.
It is unjust to expect the workforce to submit to enforced pay cuts, pay freeze and redeployment terms. The proposed terms and conditions of future employment are unacceptable to the vast majority of Bord na Móna workforce. Bord na Móna Group of Unions will next week make a full submission to the Labour Court. This prolonged dispute is damaging morale and working relationships between management and staff.
Deputy Lowry called on the Company to enter meaningful discussions to find a compromise solution in the interest of the workforce and the long-term future of the Company.
IFA LAUNCHES NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AWARENESS DAY, TUESDAY 21ST JULY
IFA LAUNCHES NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AWARENESS DAY, TUESDAY 21ST JULY
“I am asking farm families to take time out from farming on Tuesday next, 21st July to review their Farm Safety Risk Assessment by assessing the safety risks on their farm and put in place control measures to reduce the risk of accidents. IFA, with the support of the Champions for Change campaign, has produced an easy-to-use Farm Safety Risk Assessment Planner, which I would encourage all farm families to use to review safety on their farm”.
The National Farm Safety Awareness Day is part of the IFA’s ongoing SAVE LIVES, ‘Think Safety, Farm Safely’ campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of working on a farm and encourage farmers to change working practices to reduce risks.
IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Chairwoman Maura Canning said that National Farm Safety Awareness Day is about getting the whole family involved to review safety on the farm. “Summer is a very busy time on farms so it is important that the young people are aware of the potential risks. By getting the whole family involved I believe we will bring about real change in behaviour to safety and make farming safer.”
Eddie Downey said, “Attitudes to farm safety are changing. The response to the Farm Safety Scheme shows that if farmers are supported, they will invest in safety. IFA will continue to work with and support farm families through initiatives like the Farm Safety Risk Assessment planner to improve safety on farms”.
Information VIA: The Irish Farmers Association Website