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Monday 26 November 2018

The PSO Levy is totally Unfair to Community Groups and Sports Clubs?


What is the PSO levy for domestic users?

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy is a charge relating to the costs of purchasing peat generated electricity and the output of renewable, sustainable or alternative forms of energy purchased under various Government schemes. All electricity suppliers are obliged by government to apply these charges in the interests of security of supply and environmental protection.

It’s set by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy for Domestic electricity has been set at €3.95 (inc. VAT) / €3.48 (ex. VAT) per month from 1 October 2018.

What are the PSO levy rates for business customers?

The amount of PSO you pay for your business premises is based on your Maximum Import Capacity (MIC).

The current PSO levy rates for businesses from 1st of October 2018 to 30th September 2019 are:
PSO where MIC < 30kVA = €11.97 per month
PSO where MIC => 30kVA = €1.32 per kVA per month

What are the PSO levy rates for community halls and sports Clubs?

The amount of PSO you pay for your Community Hall Sports hall is charged at the same rates as business customers and  is based on your Maximum Import Capacity (MIC).

The current PSO levy rates for businesses from 1st of October 2018 to 30th September 2019 are:
PSO where MIC < 30kVA = €11.97 per month
PSO where MIC => 30kVA = €1.32 per kVA per month 

Take a look at the bill above. This is a bill received by a West Cork Community Council for the small community hall they manage in their local village. In this hall they provide community services and facilities for their local community.


Take a close look at this bill
The electricity cost came to €43.37 but the total bill was €162.11
The standing Charge was €57.57
and the PSO Levy came to €53.10
Local halls like this are facing crippling PSO Levies
Vat was added to the electricity charges, Standing Charges and PSO Levy at €19.92

We in Muintir na Tire think that it is grossly unfair that a small community group should have to pay the same rate as a small commercial entity. All the money raised by fundraising, donations, and users of the hall goes back to the government in charges and VAT.
How can you treat a community that provides meals on wheels, older peoples clubs, youth clubs etc etc in the same way you treat a small business. This makes no sense at all. 

We are calling on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton and Seán Canney,– Minister of State for Rural Affairs and Natural Resources and Commission for Regulation of Utilities to scrap the PSO on community groups or consider introducing a low rate for community groups and sports clubs.


Thursday 22 November 2018

Be Winter -Ready!

Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS)


Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS)
Are seniors in your area aware of the Seniors Alert Scheme? The SAS supplies emergency alarm pendants for seniors.
For further information, please visit www.pobal.ie

CLÁR Programme
The Department of Rural and Community Development has provided funding under the CLÁR programme to provide support for emergency responders in disadvantaged rural areas.
Details on eligibility and the application process are published on the Department’s website www.drcd.gov.ie

Libraries
Libraries are welcoming spaces at the centre of the community where people can access newspapers, books, online resources, free WiFi, computers and communal spaces. People can go to their libraries to reflect, connect and learn.
For more information on the services you can access at your local library, please see www.librariesireland.ie

Volunteering
Ireland has a strong tradition of volunteer activity. From checking in on vulnerable neighbours to staffing helplines, formal and informal volunteers have made a huge contribution during recent extreme weather events.
For more information on how you can contribute to your community, please see www.volunteer.ie
You can get more information from:

www.winterready.ie
 www.drcd.gov.ie
 www.mapalerter.com
 www.undertheweather.ie
 www.emergencyplanning.ie
 www.met.ie

Youth Book Club Volunteers Wanted!


Drama for fun! 4 week drama course


4 Week taster Teach Space@Foroige Fermoy


Healthy Ireland at your Library


Monthly Health & Well Being Talks


Chair Yoga at Fermoy Library


Community Development Initiative €1.5 million grant available for Cork Community Groups

Community Development Initiative
€1.5 million grant available for Cork Community Groups

Cork County Council, in association with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), are releasing monies as Phase 1 of a €3.5M fund with €500k from Cork County Council’s own funds being put aside on a yearly basis over seven years from 2016 – 2022.  The fund known as the Community Development Initiative will be used to fund local community development capital projects to a minimum of €1,000 with a maximum of €25,000.

The grant is 100% fully funded, there is no requirement for match funding from any group.  In the case where the grant is part funding a larger project, it will be required to identify where the balance will be funded from.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy in welcoming the scheme reiterated the Council’s commitment to community development undertakings which improve the prosperity of both people and places, “I know firsthand how important community and voluntary groups are.  Not only are they an asset to their own communities but there are an asset for Cork.  This fund will give further recognition for the tremendous work and commitment given by all involved.  I would encourage all groups to get their applications in.”

Speaking of the initiative, Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey highlighted how the Cork County Community Development Initiative was an example of the Council’s continuing dedication to local communities, “Through our 3 Local Development Committees, we are committed to improving the range and quality of community based facilities which will assist in providing the very best quality of life offering to our citizens.  The Cork County Community Development Initiative in cooperation with the Local Development Companies can be used to enhance facilities in communities or to kick-start, advance or complete their projects.”

Closing date for receipt of applications is 3pm Friday, 14th December, 2018.  Applicants will be notified if successful, in early March with a view to having all projects completed by 30th September, 2019.

Application Forms and guidelines are available to download from Cork County Council website www.corkcoco.ie under Community Services/Local Community Development Committees.
Completed applications to be returned to the following:

North Cork      -           Senior Executive Officer, North Cork Municipal District Office, Cork
                                    County Council, Annabella, Mallow, Co. Cork.
South Cork      -           Senior Executive Officer, South Cork Municipal District Office, Cork
                                    County Council, Floor 5, County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, Cork.
West Cork       -           Senior Executive Officer, West Cork Municipal District Office, Cork
 County Council, Kent Street, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.

Applications can also be made online at www.yourcouncil.ie For queries please contact: Local Community Development Unit, Cork County Council on 021- 4285295 or 021-4285230 or email communitydevelopmentunit@corkcoco.ie


Celtic Interconnector Project



EirGrid operates and develops the electricity grid in Ireland. We are responsible for a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity now and into the future.

Projects like the Celtic Interconnector are part of that future. This project will carry electricity between France and Ireland, connecting Ireland to the European energy network.
We’re holding two information Nights in the first week of December – One in Youghal and another in Cloyne – to discuss the Celtic Interconnector Project.
https://db.tt/NBPAMGUw -      Youghal : Monday 3rd December at the Cumann na Daoine Hall from 5pm – 8pm
-        Cloyne : Friday 7th December at the Cloyne Parochial Hall from 5pm – 8pm

Members of the Project team will be available to provide the most up-to-date information on the project, answer questions and take feedback also.

I would appreciate if you could forward this message to all the Groups in the East Cork area, making them aware of the upcoming Information Nights.

If anyone has any questions or queries, they shouldn’t hesitate to contact Michelle Walsh 085-8704999 or 087-2477732 to discuss.

Tuesday 20 November 2018

FREE Monthly Health & Well-Being Information

Fermoy Community Health Worker Jacinta McCormack continues to host FREE Monthly Health & Well-Being Information Talks on a wide and varied range of topics.   

OnThursday 29th November  the talk will be  given by Conor Gately, Fermoy Community Garda.  This talk will take place from 11am – 12noon in the HSE Saint Francis Day Centre which is located on Rathealy Road.  These monthly talks are FREE and are open to everyone and the focus is on informing and supporting people.  For further information contact Jacinta on 085 8742320.

Jacinta McCormack
Community Health Worker
Fermoy Community Health Project

Thursday 15 November 2018

Charities Governance Code

Charities Governance Code
The Charities Regulator recently launched the Charities Governance Code, which sets the minimum standards, which everyone on the board of a registered charity, should ensure their charity meets in order to effectively manage and control their organisations. 
The Charities Governance Code is:
  • six principles of governance which all charities should apply;
  • core standards that we expect all charities to meet when putting the principles into action; and
  • additional standards that reflect best practice for charities with high levels of income and/or complex organisational and funding structures and/or significant numbers of employees.
The code was written with volunteer-only charities and charities with a small number of paid staff in mind, as this reflects the reality of the charity sector in Ireland where these two groups make up the majority of registered charities.
Additional governance standards have been included which more complex charities are expected to meet.
For these reasons, the Code is relevant for every charity operating in Ireland.
This document is for charity trustees.  The term ‘charity trustee’ can include:
  • committee members;
  • council members;
  • board members; or
  • directors of a charity
By law, charity trustees have individual and joint responsibility for what happens within their charity.  This means that if their charity does not meet its legal duties, they are responsible both as individuals and together as a board, committee, council or other core group (referred to in this Code as the ‘board’).


The six principles of charity governance
You can download the charities governance code here

The editable Compliance Record form is attached

If you have any queries regarding the code please email them togovernancecode@charitiesregulator.ie

Or Ph: 01- 6331500

Community Development Initiative €1.5 million grant available for Cork Community Groups

 Community Development Initiative
€1.5 million grant available for Cork Community Groups

Cork County Council, in association with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), are releasing monies as Phase 1 of a €3.5M fund with €500k from Cork County Council’s own funds being put aside on a yearly basis over seven years from 2016 – 2022.  The fund known as the Community Development Initiative will be used to fund local community development capital projects to a minimum of €1,000 with a maximum of €25,000.

The grant is 100% fully funded, there is no requirement for match funding from any group.  In the case where the grant is part funding a larger project, it will be required to identify where the balance will be funded from.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy in welcoming the scheme reiterated the Council’s commitment to community development undertakings which improve the prosperity of both people and places, “I know firsthand how important community and voluntary groups are.  Not only are they an asset to their own communities but they are an asset for Cork.  This fund will give further recognition for the tremendous work and commitment given by all involved.  I would encourage all groups to get their applications in.”

Speaking of the initiative, Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey highlighted how the Cork County Community Development Initiative was an example of the Council’s continuing dedication to local communities, “Through our 3 Local Development Committees, we are committed to improving the range and quality of community based facilities which will assist in providing the very best quality of life offering to our citizens.  The Cork County Community Development Initiative in cooperation with the Local Development Companies can be used to enhance facilities in communities or to kick-start, advance or complete their projects.”
Closing date for receipt of applications is 3pm Friday, 14th December, 2018. 

Applicants will be notified if successful, in early March with a view to having all projects completed by 30th September, 2019.
Application Forms and guidelines are available to download from Cork County Council websitewww.corkcoco.ie under Community Services/Local Community Development Committees.

Completed applications to be returned to the following:
North Cork          -              Senior Executive Officer, North Cork Municipal District Office, Cork County Council, Annabella, Mallow, Co. Cork.

South Cork          -              Senior Executive Officer, South Cork Municipal District Office, Cork County Council, Floor 5, County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, Cork.

West Cork           -              Senior Executive Officer, West Cork Municipal District Office, Cork County Council, Kent Street, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.


Applications can also be made online at www.yourcouncil.ieFor queries please contact: Local Community Development Unit, Cork County Council on 021- 4285295 or 021-4285230 or emailcommunitydevelopmentunit@corkcoco.ie

Cork County Council Arts funding Opportunities

Cork County Council Arts funding Opportunities

Applications are now open on the Council’s online applications portal for the following Cork County Council arts funding schemes for 2019:

·         Arts Grant Scheme
·         Municipal Districts Arts Development Fund
·         Na hEalaíona atá bunaithe ar Ghaeilge/ Irish Language based Arts
·         Artists in Schools Scheme
·         Artists funding (open to practicing artists only)
o   Artists Creative Bursary
o   International touring and Exhibition
o   Tyrone Guthrie Centre Bursary
o   Ballinglen Arts Foundation Bursary

The purpose of the Arts Grant Scheme is to support the practice and enjoyment of the arts throughout Cork County.  The type of arts activity that is supported is wide ranging and includes arts festivals and events, the work of voluntary arts groups such as pipe and brass bands, traditional music groups, local arts centres, writers groups, theatre makers etc.  The scheme also supports access to the arts for more marginalised groups such as People with disability, the Elderly, Children and young people, Ethnic minorities, LGBT and those living in remote areas. 

Municipal Districts Arts Development Fund  Applications for this scheme have been brought forward to coincide with the overall advertising of funding opportunities as a consequence of feedback from arts and community groups in relation to previous funding rounds of the scheme.  This fund is designed to support new initiatives that will enhance community participation in the arts and to enable community organisations, artists and arts groups to work together for a common goal.  Funding through this programme is divided equally among all Municipal Districts.
Na hEalaíona atá bunaithe ar Ghaeilge/ Irish Language based Arts
Iarrann Comhairle Contae Chorcaí ar tograí ó Ealaíontóirí, agus Eagraíochtaí Ealaíon d'imeachtaí, tionscadail nó gníomhaíochtaí ealaíne atá bunaithe ar Ghaeilge. Is í aidhm na snáithe maoinithe seo ná tacaíocht a thabhairt d'ealaíontóirí aonair nó do ghrúpaí ealaíon chun obair nua a chruthú nó imeacht nó gníomhaíocht ealaíon atá bunaithe ar Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn.
Cork County Council invites proposal from Artists, and Arts Organisations for Irish Language based arts events, projects or activities. The aim of this funding strand is to support individual artists or arts groups to create new work or promote an arts event or activity that is Irish Language based.


Artist in Schools Scheme
The purpose of the scheme is to enable Primary or Post-Primary Schools work collaboratively with a professional artist on a creative project over an extended period.   The scheme is designed to provide an opportunity for a school to carry out a project that nurtures both the child’s creative imagination and the skills of the teachers involved.  Projects can be in any art form, for example, dance, music and composition, drama etc. 
 Artist Funding
Artist Bursary Scheme
This award supports  the creative development of practicing artists living and working in County Cork. It is open to professional artists,  working in any artform, currently resident in County Cork. 
Tyrone Guthrie Bursary
Cork County Council provides two bursaries annually to artists of any discipline currently resident in Cork County to support a two week working period working at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Co. Monaghan. 

Ballinglen Arts Foundation Bursary
Cork County Council provides two bursaries for visual artists to undertake a  two week residency at Ballinglen Arts Foundation. This Bursary Award offers visual artists resident in County Cork an opportunity to work side by side with other Irish and International artists in this unique setting.

International Touring and Exhibition Bursary
This bursary is designed to assist individual artists, currently resident in Cork County develop international performing or exhibition opportunities for their work.  It aims to provide some financial assistance towards the costs of bringing new creative output by artists living and working in Cork County to an international audience.



Applications for funding are now made through the Council’s online applications platform.
Further information here or onwww.corkcoco.ie



The closing date for applications is Friday, 7th December 2018

The Museum of Making and Mending

The Museum of Making and Mending

A group of people attending Skibbereen Day Care Centre worked with artists Tess Leak and Sarah Ruttle in 2016  to create a museum full of original poetry and artwork inspired by objects made or mended. 
 The Museum of Making and Mending was shown in Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre and has now been invited to LHQ Gallery, Carrigrohane Road, Cork where it also includes new work by participants in Schull and Clonakilty hospitals.

The project is part of the West Cork based Arts for Health Partnership Programme which provides a managed and integrated arts programme for older people in healthcare settings.

cid:7df00e8b-c3a5-8e41-ebf1-e6ff4f2a3bb0@yahoo.com
The Museum of Making and Mending  workshop begins with a short, lively tour of the exhibition and lasts approximately 2 hrs, with (if possible) a tea break in the middle.
Maximum number of participants is 8.

Participants are invited to bring in their own objects that have been made or mended by themselves or a friend/family member.
These could be for example:

Any knitted object (jumper/sock/hat)
Any hand-sewn item of clothing
Any mended object from home
Any tool for making or mending
A handmade loaf of bread (or cake!!)

 These objects will inspire conversations with the group which will in turn become a NEW POEM created by artists Tess Leak and Sarah Ruttle during the session, supported by the ideas and stories of workshop participants.

Copies of the new poem will be available for visitors to the Museum.

Workshops will be held as follows: 

Tuesday 4th December at 11am
Friday 7th December at 11am

To book a place on the workshop or further details  please contact 021-4346210 orsinead.donnelly@corkcoco.ie

The museum launch will take place on Friday November 16that 1:30 p.m. LHQ Gallery, Library HQ, Carrigrohane Road, Cork
The exhibition will be launched by the Deputy Mayor of Cork County Cllr Mary Linehan Foley

The exhibition runs Monday to Friday 9:00 – 5:30 p.m. until the end of December

Friday 9 November 2018

South Central Community Safety Forum


Magical Midleton Santa Express

Book your tickets now for Magical Midleton Santa Express Train.
Single ticket €5,Adult return €10 available online on irishrail.ie

Magical Midleton Christmas Festival is a FREE day of community family fun (small fee applies to some activities) and there will be entertainment, music and tasting throughout Midleton available all afternoon.

Thursday 8 November 2018

Be Winter-Ready


Met Éireann weather forecasts are available on RTÉ (radio and TV), on many of the independent local and national radio stations and on www.met.ie.

Weather Warnings are presented in three categories:

Status Yellow Weather Alert - Be Aware.
The concept behind YELLOW level weather alerts is to notify those who are at risk because of their location and/or activity, and to allow them to take preventative action. It is implicit that YELLOW level weather alerts are for weather conditions that do not pose an immedi-ate threat to the general population, but only to those exposed to risk by nature of their location and/or activity.


Status Orange Weather Warning - Be Prepared
This category of ORANGE level weather warnings is for weather con-ditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas. The issue of an Orange level weather warning implies that all recipients in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions.

Status Red Severe Weather Warning - Take Action
The issue of RED level severe weather warnings should be a comparatively rare event and implies that recipients take action to protect them-selves and/or their properties; this could be by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily, by staying indoors or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions.

You can get more details on Met Éireann’s weather alert, weather warning and severe weather warning on www.met.ie which also has the latest national and regional forecasts.

Wednesday 7 November 2018

Calling all Choirs.

Calling all Choirs.

If anyone is interested in participating or want more information please contact.

Dick White, Focus Ireland, 27 South Mall, Cork.
Phone: 086 8223690

Santa at the Black Gate Kilcrohane


Yes, we have great news for all the boys and girls of West Cork and surrounding areas this week! Santa and Mrs. Claus have let us know that they will be visiting again this year and spending a few days on the beautiful Sheep’s Head Peninsula!
They will be staying at The Alice West Centre (The Black Gate) near Kilcrohane and are looking forward to meeting all the good boys and girls on the 8th and 9th of December.
To find us follow the red nosed reindeer placed along the shores of Dunmanus Bay. A big fire will welcome you as you come in the door. Take a moment and relax beside it with a cup of tea or treat yourself to a glass of mulled wine and mince pie. Soak up the children’s laughter and watch their faces as they relay the events of the evening and open their gifts. Visit the life size live Crib, say hello to the goats Holly and Ivy, and hear Ned sing along with the children. Free hot chocolate and marshmallows for all the kids. Buy a ticket for our big Christmas raffle and be in for a chance to win some fantastic prizes sponsored by local businesses.
This is the sixth year of this wonderful Christmas adventure, run and hosted by the Muintir Bhaire Community Council.

What people are saying…

“There is a huge volunteer work force over the weekends leading up to, on the days of the event and after and without these people the Committee couldn’t run a weekend like this” says Annette Nicholas, Secretary of Muintin Bhaire Community Council. The funds raised from this weekend go back in to other events run by the Community Council, like Halloween parties, Easter egg hunts, family fun days, and summer camps.
So get ringing or e-mailing and book your spot and join us in all the Christmas fun!

Tuesday 6 November 2018

Tribute to Retiring HSE Community Worker


Thank you, Ronnie.


The executive and staff of the Cork County Federation of Muintir na Tire work tirelessly to fulfil Muintir’s Mission, serving three core functions of animation and organization, representation and advocacy and influencing policy. A small group of people on their own are very limited in what they can achieve, but, supported by statutory agencies, much can be done. The CEO of Muintir, Mr. Niall Garvey, recently commended the Cork Federation for engaging so successfully with Cork County Council and with the H.S.E.
Enter Ms. Ronnie Dorney, Principal Community worker with the H.S.E., South. For over two decades, Cork County Federation has been supported and assisted by the H.S.E., particularly through Ronnie’s term as Principal Officer. Her cooperation and encouragement often lifted the spirits of our executive, who noted that she is a firm believer that local communities can promote a spirit of community service for the common good. Ronnie is convinced that investment in community projects pays huge dividends and she constantly admires and encourages the efforts made by those involved in the development of our community at each and every level.
The executive of Cork County Federation of Muintir na Tire were saddened to hear of Ronnie’s decision to retire in early November. We wish her the very best for decades ahead. We feel that we are losing a genuine friend who empathised with us in our effort to improve the lot our fellow citizens and make our community more vibrant, caring and inclusive. We wish to thank Ronnie for her loyalty, confidence and friendship trough the past two decades.

Mile buíochas Ronnie, is go n-éirí an t-ádh leat

Monday 5 November 2018

CORK COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK

CORK COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK

is an informal network is and is open to colleagues in community and voluntary sector organisations.



We take a very broad view of Community Health! – this is a network not just for Health Projects: you’ re very welcome to attend if you feel your organisation is contributing to  health and well-being. Please feel free to forward this who may be interested or to other community and voluntary organisations.



Date:             Tuesday, 13th November 2018

Time:             12.30 tea/coffee/light lunch: for 1pm (sharp) Presentations



Hosted by:   Cork Deaf Association

Venue:          5 McCurtain Street, Cork   





Presentation 1     Cork Deaf Association  (Gerrie O’Grady, CDA)

Presentation 2     Belfast Healthy Cities (Brian Kelleher, NICHE)

Presentation 3   Commissioning (Siobhan O’Dowd, BTCDP)

Discussion & Updates:

AOB



RSVP  Cork Deaf Association (021) 450 5944

                                         

PechaKucha 20x20 is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images forward automatically and you talk along to the images. It comes from the Japanese term for the sound of conversation ("chit chat"). It's a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace



Looking forward to seeing you.



Yours,

CCHN Steering Committee:

Jim Sheehan, SHEP.

Siobhan O’Dowd, Ballyphehane Togher CDP

Martha  Halbert, Cork City PPN

Katherine Harford, Young Knocknaheeny ABC Project

'It's a Mans World ! or is it? Giving Men A Voice

IIts a Mans Life! Or is it?
Cork County Federation Muintir na Tire in association with Rathcormac Community Council are asking you to join us for a free event in Rathcormac Community Centre on the afternoon of  chat and Craic Wednesday November 7th at 2.30 pm to hear and talk about the reality of life for men in Rural North Cork in 2018.
Discuss such topics 'the decline of the rural pub and alternatives?
Is 60 the new 40
Life after retirement and Barriers to living a health active life?

We would love to hear your views.

Refreshments Served