All About Cork: TD calls for overhaul of local authority apartments in city

A Cork TD has called for a complete overhaul of local authority apartments in the city that have serious issues with cold and damp.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central, said the Government must rectify the fact that the Programme for Government is silent on the regeneration of flat and apartment complexes in Cork city.

Mr Ó Laoghaire highlighted the need to ensure that flat and apartment complexes in Cork, which have serious issues with cold and damp, are given a complete overhaul.

Speaking in the Dáil, during statements on the Programme for Government, Mr Ó Laoghaire said: “The Programme for Government is pretty thin gruel when you sit down and look at it.

“There are commitments to ‘examine’, ‘consider’, ‘evaluate’ and ‘assess’.

“An area that the Programme for Government is not even so much quiet on, but silent on, is the regeneration of flat and apartment complexes outside Dublin city centre.

“In Cork city, there are huge issues in terms of the regeneration of flat and apartment complexes,” he added.

“In Togher, at Togher Road, Clashduv Road, Sycamore Place, Hazel Road, Cherry Tree Road, and Maple Place, and in Desmond Square, Peter Street, Francis Street and several other locations across the city, these apartment complexes have gone well beyond their lifespans.

“The conditions in them are not good enough. In some instances, there is subsidence. There is a great deal of cold and damp inside the homes. There have also been reported issues of rodent infestations in some of the blocks.

“There are issues with loose masonry around the apartments. Iron bars surrounding balconies have rusted and are now jagged making them dangerous to children because of the condition they are in.”

Mr Ó Laoghaire said there is a “dire need” for the regeneration of these complexes.

“Unlike the report of the Housing Commission, the Programme for Government is completely silent on the issue of apartment complexes outside of Dublin. There is nothing at all in this regard,” he said.

“I hope the Government will rectify it because these apartment complexes need a complete overhaul.

“The Housing Commission has recognised that. We need to see urgent action in this regard.”

Charity concert fun in aid of Penny Dinners at the Harp Bar

Classes on smart devices

Tory Top Library will host Age Action device classes in the coming weeks to support older people in learning digital literacy skills.

Age Action’s ‘Getting Started’ is a free digital literacy programme, helping older people to get online, or to use their smart device with confidence.

The classes will run for five weeks and will take place every Saturday morning from 11am to 1pm, with a start date to be confirmed.

A waiting list will apply and people interested in participating are encouraged to register at ageaction.ie or call into the lending desk at Tory Top Library.

Attendees are asked to bring their own digital devices with them when attending the classes.

Suicide prevention training

Ballyphehane Community Centre will host suicide prevention training next month as part of a series offered by HSE South.

HSE South, together with a host of community partners, offers free training to individuals and groups who are interested in learning skills that will contribute to reducing incidents of self-harm and suicide in our community.

A safeTALK event will take place at Ballyphehane Community Centre on Monday, March 10, from 6pm to 9.30pm. There are 21 spaces available on the training programme.

The safeTALK event is a half-day alertness training that prepares attendees, regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert helper.

Participants will learn how to provide practical help by using the four basic steps of TALK (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keepsafe), and also gain information on the supports and resources available locally, regionally and nationally

Local green deals will speed up actions on sustainability

Lord Mayor of Cork councillor Dan Boyle has signed 12 local green deals (LGDs) which establish partnerships with a variety of organisations to accelerate sustainability actions.

LGDs are a strategic governance approach to local level climate action which aligns with the wider goals of the European Green Deal.

As a member of the EU’s Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, Cork city is committed to address the growing global climate crisis through meaningful actions at a local level.

The partnerships represent public commitments by local stakeholders across the private, community and voluntary sectors with the support of Cork City Council.

The initial 12 LGDs have been agreed with Allied Irish Bank in Cork, Ballymaloe Foods, Ballyphehane Community Association, Boston Scientific, Cork Chamber, Springboard Communications, Sunday’s Well Rugby Football Club, The Toy Library, Trigon Hotels, UCC, Velo Coffee, and Enable Ireland.

The Lord Mayor said he was delighted to formalise the local green deals, saying that “a shared challenge needs a shared solution”.

Sports clubs’ storm damage

A Cork TD has called on the Government to provide a scheme for sports clubs, community groups, and businesses to get support from the State following storm damage.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central, asked the Government for support for community groups and organisations affected by recent severe weather events, saying two clubs in his constituency suffered damage that is expensive to repair.

“The storm wreaked havoc across the State. Cork city was probably not one of the worst affected areas but, nonetheless, damage was done,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire in the Dáil recently.

“While schemes are available for householders, as of yet there is nothing for community groups, sports clubs, and businesses. That is a huge problem. When something like this happens, it sets clubs back hugely.

“Everton AFC had about €5,000 worth of damage done. Fencing, dugouts and goals were all upended. The club’s neighbours, Ballyphehane GAA club, which plays at the Old Red Mills GAA pitch, also had fencing, goalposts, and railings upended.”

Students at iWish in RDS

Students from Coláiste Éamann Rís were among the thousands who attended the recent iWish event in the RDS in Dublin.

The annual event is run by iWish, a community committed to showcasing the power of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) to teenage girls.

The organisation runs outreach activities, mentorship programmes, TechForGood laptop donations, twinning programmes, entrepreneurship programmes, further education programmes, and showcase events reaching a global audience.

“Students were addressed by An Taoiseach and women who work in STEM fields, learning about career prospects and opportunities for women in STEM,” Coláiste Éamann Rís said.

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