All About Cork: Cllr McCarthy's 2026 call for ward funds open

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy is calling on any community groups based in the south east ward or south east local area of Cork city, which includes areas such as Douglas, Ballinlough, Ballintemple, Blackrock, Mahon, Donnybrook, Maryborough, Rochestown, Mount Oval and Moneygourney with an interest in sharing in his 2026 ward funding or local area community funding to apply for his funds.

A total of €12,500 is available to community groups through Cllr McCarthy’s ward funds.

In general, contributions to groups range between €200 to €250 or slightly more depending on the project.

Application should be made via email to Kieran at kieran_mccarthy@corkcity.ie.

This email should give the name of the organisation, contact name, contact address, contact email, contact telephone number, details of the organisation, and what the ward grant will be used for.

Application should be made via email by Friday, February 6.

Ward funds will be prioritised to community groups based in the south east ward or the south east local electoral area of Cork City who build community capacity, educate, build civic awareness, and projects that connect the young and old.

Mr McCarthy especially welcomes proposals where the funding will be used to run a community event, digital included, and that benefit the wider community.

He is seeking to fund projects that give people new skill sets. That could include anything from part-funding of coaching training for sports projects to groups interested in bringing forward enterprise programmes to encourage entrepreneurship to the ward.

Mr McCarthy is particularly interested in funding community projects such as community environment projects such as tree planting and projects that promote the rich history and environment within the south east of Cork city.

Councillors seek to raise No Wait Card motion

Labour Party Cork city councillors Peter Horgan Ciara O’Connor and John Maher have submitted a motion for the January meeting of Cork City Council which recognises the need for statutory No Wait Cards for people with chronic and invisible illnesses.

No Wait Cards are issued by organisations such as Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland and Spinal Injuries Ireland and aim to empower individuals to request access to toilet facilities when urgency strikes.

The card is a vital tool for many people with medical conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which affects at least 40,000 people in Ireland.

However, it has no legal standing in Ireland.

Mr Horgan, who is a councillor for the great Douglas area, stressed: “This motion offers a compassionate solution, by recognising the need for statutory No Wait Cards and working with local shops and businesses with a staff toilet to make them available to a person with a medical condition who is urgent need.

“It also seeks to ensure that future developments by the city council include public toilet provisions.”

Cllr Maher added: “The lack of access to toilet facilities is a serious issue for people with chronic and invisible illnesses, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and can have a negative impact on a person’s daily life.

“This motion aims to recognise the need to place No Wait Cards on a statutory footing and supports equal access to toilet facilities for cardholders.

“This motion is based on Deputy Mark Wall’s ongoing work to place No Wait Cards on a statutory footing through his Equal Status (Access to Toilet Facilities) Bill 2025.”

Cllr O’Connor concluded: “Retail businesses are a key part of this, and our motion also calls on the Council to develop a ‘No Wait’ initiative, which will invite local businesses to participate by allowing urgent toilet access to people who have a No Wait Card.”

M8 works resume

Works have resumed on the M8 Cork to Ringaskiddy road following the Christmas break.

In the Rochestown area, construction of the new retaining wall on the west side of the Bloomfield Interchange off-ramp is currently underway.

Excavation works for the new Maryborough–Carr’s Hill link road have now commenced with construction of a retaining wall to facilitate the link road due to begin shortly. Earthworks at the Carr’s Hill Interchange are also underway, with major filling operations in the Ballybrack Valley expected to continue over the coming months.

Culvert works are also progressing throughout the scheme, with construction of a new culvert near Mount Oval now underway.

A number of traffic management measures are in place to support these works. The temporary speed limit reduction between Rochestown Bridge and Carr’s Hill is active, and road users are asked to drive with care through this section.

Extend renewal scheme

A call has been made for the Government and the Department of Rural and Community Development to extend the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to include communities such as Upper Maryborough and Moneygourney, stressing the urgent need for targeted investment in local amenities and road safety.

Labour Party councillor for the greater Douglas area, Peter Horgan, said that while the scheme has delivered welcome improvements in many towns and villages, smaller communities like Upper Maryborough and Moneygourney facing increasing traffic volumes and growing safety concerns.

“These are strong, close-knit communities, but they are under real pressure,” Cllr Horgan said.

“Residents are dealing with serious road safety issues, a lack of safe pedestrian infrastructure in places like Moneygourney, and limited amenity spaces.

“The Town and Village Renewal Scheme has shown what can be achieved in the North West of the City, and it should be broadened to include areas like Upper Maryborough and Moneygourney.”

He highlighted the need for footpaths, traffic-calming measures, improved public lighting, safer road layouts, and small-scale amenity developments that would significantly enhance day-to-day life for local residents.

“This is about practical, deliverable projects,” he said. “Relatively modest investment could make these communities safer and more attractive places to live, work, and raise families.”

Mr Horgan said that rural and village communities must be treated fairly when it comes to national funding programmes.

“I will continue to push for changes to the eligibility criteria. Upper Maryborough and Moneygourney deserve the same opportunities as any other town or village. Extending the Town and Village Renewal Scheme would be a positive and necessary step in supporting balanced rural development.”