Thurles Information » Finance

North Tipperary Vintage & Machinery Club Donation

George — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:42:09 +0000

North Tipperary Vintage And Machinery Club

North Tipperary Vintage and Machinery Club members pictured here presenting a cheque for €2,200, to Mr Billy Shanahan, latter representing the worthwhile organisation “Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.”

The presentation was made in Corcoran’s Pub, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co.Tipperary and even Billy’s Guide Dog showed her full appreciation with a big sloppy kiss for one of the club members.

John Dunne, the Club’s Chairman, was loud in his praise of all who had generously supported their fundraising events over the past year, both financially and also in donating their much valued time to all projects undertaken.

Photo courtesy G.Willoughby.

Down Syndrome Ireland Greyhound Fundraiser

George — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:25:15 +0000

Comedian PJ Gallagher has helped launched a unique partnership between Down Syndrome Ireland and the Irish Greyhound Board, with a National Fundraising Night taking place on February 25th, in aid of Down’s Syndrome sufferers.

This is now the second year running that the Greyhound Board will host such an event nationwide, to help raise much needed funds for DSI.

Events will take place at major Greyhound racing venues across the country, including Thurles Greyhound Stadium, Shelbourne Park, Dundalk, Galway, Lifford, Limerick, Mullingar, Newbridge, Tralee and Waterford.

This family-friendly ‘Benefit Night at the Dogs,’ hopes to raise over €100,000, which will go directly to support a wide range of DSI services both locally and nationally. Various competitions and raffles will also be taking place at these venues with ‘goodie bags,’ given to all children attending such events.

Down Syndrome Ireland, 95% funded by voluntary contributions, is an incredible organisation helping thousands of families here in Ireland and with ever increasing cuts in services, it continues to serve over 3,000 members who are increasingly more and more reliant on this organisation, to give them very vital service and support.

If you can help, then please do. Remember the date Feb. 25th next, Thurles Greyhound Stadium.

Funding for Tipperary Animal Welfare

George — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:52:10 +0000

Four Animal Welfare Organisations / Animal Shelters in County Tipperary have been allocated significant public funding for the coming year.

Roscrea SPCA has been allocated a total of €11,000 for the coming year. (Do not go unto this website presently, as according to top antivirus programme Avast!, it has been hacked and now carries a highly infectious js:Iframe-DV [Trj] , or Trojan, confirmed as at today’s date.)

PAWS Animal Rescue, Mullinahone, has been awarded €18,000 in funding, while Tipperary SPCA will receive €10,000.

Tipperary Friends of Animals SPCA will benefit from €4,000, while the sum of €10,000, has been allocated to Hannah Fitzgerald’s Cottage Rescue.

This local animal funding allocation is a portion of the over €1.235 million that has been granted just for animal care nationwide.

Fine Gael Deception Now Shaping Our Economy

George — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:40:19 +0000

Let’s be honest TV schedules this Christmas were nothing to write home about, so most of my TV entertainment came by watching the truly magnificent multiple award winning “Downton Abbey - Series 1 [DVD]Downton Abbey,” TV series, (Both series 1 & 2) over the holiday period. Housekeeper Mrs Elsie Hughes, the character depicted by actress Phyllis Logan, reminded me so much of my late grandmother, who held a similar position, in the Powerscourt / Wingfield estate in Co Wicklow, in the early 20th century.

One of the quotes regularly repeated by grandmother, Eliza Jane, suddenly sprang to mind, “There are only two things of which mankind ever needs to be ashamed and both begin with the letter D, Dishonesty and Dirt.”

First I should explain that I personally don’t have a problem with paying tax, but taxes in any fair society should be based only on the principle of ones ability to pay, which is why the fairest form of taxation will always be direct taxation.

The latest Fine Gael budget does not factor in an ‘ability to pay,’ concept, instead stinking to high heaven of both the aforementioned “dishonesty and dirt.”

I will deal only with the dishonest issues surrounding the new household tax in this blog, pointing out again that as a general rule, in relation to household tax and expected water charges, I would certainly agree to paying same, were they applied with fairness and were they ever to actually attempt reform to our now defunct and in some cases unnecessary local government, to the point where same actually served the needs of its people.

Fine Gael have done quite a job cleaning up their pre-election website, removing most of their dishonest and desperate promises, which assisted them in gaining power, this time around. Well they have not cleaned up everything;

Warning: Phil Hogan who assured the public, yesterday, not to worry about security on his Household Charge website, must be somewhat embarrassed over the past few days, since his own website has been identified as far from secure by two top Internet browsers, namely Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, both of whom warn all surfers, that his site contains infectious malicious software ( philhogan.ie – Please do not go there and open.) Do click on image above for larger resolution which explains.

One deletion from the Fine Gael website was their promise not to introduce flat-rate charge on householders. However, let me remind you of their promise to those who supported them, and whom I trust retain a longer memory than Minister Phil Hogan.

Fine Gael Quote: “Flat rate charges means that houses in standard neighbourhoods worth a fraction of some mansions will pay the same rate of tax. It will be difficult to pay for asset rich but income poor households, particularly the elderly and the unemployed; and it will be deeply unfair for a young generation that paid exorbitant amounts of stamp duty and VAT on the purchases on over valued houses, many of whom now find themselves in negative equity.“

Fine Gael’s apparent opposition to flat-rate household charges, based on fiscal benefit, efficiency and equity, were viewed by voters before the election, as worthy of support. Fine Gael, prior to this election, had made their stance crystal clear. Michael Noonan told the Dail that a tax on financial property, along the lines of the French tax, would yield between €400 to €500 million, and the great thing about such a tax was that it would have very little deflationary impact, since such a tax would attach itself naturally to only the very highest incomes.

The EU/IMF Memorandum of Understanding, regularly used by Fine Gael Ministers to excuse their poorly thought out policies, has no mention of a flat-rate household charge. It does state that Budget December 2012 should make provision for a ‘property tax,’ while Budget 2013 should then make provision for a further increase.

Fine Gael lied, this flat-rate tax, now introduced, is just about the most socially inequitable and economically inefficient tax one could possibly ever dream up, short of rule by dictatorship.

If our present Fine Gael & Labour Government ever had a mind to tackle the serious levels of inequality in our society, it would follow examples used by other European governments and increase income tax.

Rural Ireland Tax Debate Needed

The debate must now commence, as to why those of us, who reside in rural areas, and who in most cases have to pay for digging our own wells, our own sewage system and it’s necessary maintenance, our own waste recycling, etc must now accept flat rate taxes. Rural Ireland with the exception of our towns and villages have no footpaths, we have no parks, we have no street lighting, yet we are expected to contribute for the benefit of the greater good. Has Phil Hogan visited Thurles Town recently, now displaying unacceptable broken footpaths, broken road signs and dirty neglect in evidence everywhere? Do take care coming over Barry’s Bridge Phil, should you accept my invitation, it is in danger of falling into the river Suir.

Yes we do get some benefit from local services, but our rural roads, whose maintenance we already support, through motor taxation, are now no better than gravel driveways, riddled with pot-holes.

Yes despite being in opposition, Fine Gael & Labour, you also must take some responsibility for our current financial predicament, so begin by casting aside the Dirt & Dishonesty. Like Google and Firefox warn ” Something’s Not Right Here!.”

Controversial €100 Household Charge Tax

George — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:35:48 +0000

In early February every home in the country is to receive a leaflet to ensure that everyone is aware of Minister Phil Hogan’s controversial €100 Household Charge, which comes into effect from next month.

It has not yet been decided if the paper work for paying the charge will be included, but leaflets must be delivered over a 10-day period and the controversial tax must be paid by March 31st.

The government can not as yet put a cost on how much the delivery of these leaflets will cost, since it had just been offered to tender, but it seems likely that here in Ireland, An Post are the only operation with the logistical capacity to deliver same, nationwide. However under EU rules all public contracts,which are above a certain pricing threshold, and which go to tender, must be open to all delivery companies operating across Europe.

Who is exempt from the €100 Household Charge?

Truth is no one really knows as yet. However it would appear that those who would be a ‘force for most resistance,‘ to this charge, have been carefully factored out. People in ghost estates and those on mortgage interest supplement will get a waiver from the tax, while those living in council estates will be exempt.

Fines for those who won’t pay can be deducted from their wages or Social Welfare payments, as well as through Revenue and Irelands newest tax collector the ESB. While the latter two are having difficulty collecting their own just payments, we are informed that refusal to pay could result in a court appearance, a fine of €2,500 and or a term in jail. However latter is highly unlikely, since prison space in Ireland is currently at a premium for even major criminals.

This controversial €100 household charge is expected to raise some €160m in the coming year and will eventually be replaced with a property tax. Regarding the latter, the Government has decided to convene an expert group in early January to consider the issue. So the wealthy will again convene to decide on taxes which will affect the wealthy. Maybe they could also discuss giving up their Children’s Allowance entitlements when they eventually meet up.

However, opponents of this ‘Household Charge,’ live under the elusion that this latter decision now demonstrates that their campaign of pressure todate, against this unjust tax, is actually working.

Landlords have said they will pass on the €100 household charge to their tenants, so expect a massive Grecian style demonstration of ‘people power,‘ in the coming months folks, when people decide they have had enough of the creeps, the snake-oil salesmen and spoofers, who caused our financial ruin and yet continue to raise unjust taxes, to subsidise their personal greed and gross negligence.

Let us have your comments or subscribe to our “Opinion Poll,” on the right hand side of our home page.

Irish Budget 2012 At A Glance

George — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:00:45 +0000

Increase in Carbon Tax, as expected, pertaining to fossil fuels, from €15 per tonne to €20 per tonne. Note: The increased carbon tax will be applied to petrol and auto-diesel from midnight tonight, by 1½ cent per litre.
No Carbon Tax on household fuels, e.g Turf, Briquettes, Timber or Coal.
VAT rate to be increased by 2%.
Government commits to not raise the standard rate of VAT beyond 23% during its lifetime.
Introduction of a household charge of €100, again as expected, which can be paid by installments.
Increase in Motor Taxation with effect from January 1st 2012.
Reduction in the VAT rate on district heating from 21% to 13.5%.
There will be no change in personal income tax.
DIRT Tax increased from 27% to 30%.
Universal Social Charge to have exemption levels raised from €4,004 to €10,036, removing an estimated 300,000 people from liability.
An increase in mortgage interest relief for first time home buyers who buy from today and before 2013.
Non-first time home buyers will benefit in 2012 from mortgage relief at 15% instead 10%.
A property relief surcharge of 5% to be imposed on all investors with annual gross income over €100,000.
Mortgage interest rate relief to increase to 30%.
Modification to retirement relief for farmers from Capital Gains Tax, so as to encourage the timely transfers of farms and businesses prior to the current owners reaching the age of 66.
Stock relief of 50% for all registered farm partnerships and 100% stock relief for certain young trained farmers.
Stamp Duty on all commercial property including farmland to be cut by 6% to 2% from midnight tonight.
Farmers can claim VAT refund on wind turbines, purchased with effect from January 1st 2012.
A 9% VAT rate for tourism being extended to open farms.
A report on Legacy Property Relief to be published with Finance Bill.
A reduction in the Group A Tax-free threshold for Capital Acquisitions Tax from €332,084 to €250,000.
Increase in the current rate of Capital Acquisitions Tax from 25% to 30% from tomorrow.
Increase in Capital Gains Tax from 25% to 30% from tomorrow.
Corporate tax exemption for new start-up companies to be extended for the next three years.
A NAMA advisory group to be established which will advise on future NAMA strategy and make appointments to its board.
A broadening of the base for PRSI through removal of the remaining 50% employer PRSI relief on employee pensions.
A broadening of the PRSI base to cover rental, investment and other forms of income from 2013.
Abolished is the “citizenship” condition for payment of Domicile Levy, thus ensuring that “tax exiles” do not avoid same by renouncing their citizenship.Tax treatment of tax exiles is to be kept under constant review.
Introduction of a foreign earnings deduction for persons who are involved in developing markets in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries.

Thurles Leisure Centre Install Biomass Heating

George — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:17:25 +0000

A new 550kW Biomass Boiler is currently under construction east of the Thurles Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre here in Thurles.

Biomass Installation

The project is estimated to cut the cost of the heating necessary for this local state of the art facility by one third, to under €100,000 per year.

Currently this venue costs €150,000 each year to heat, using bulk liquid propane gas, however now this new installation will be fueled using biomass, latter fuel which can be sourced locally.

This new venture should have the impact of retaining large money savings for within the local economy, thus resulting in more money for the support of other commercial purposes within Thurles.

Added to this, Thurles Town Council’s commitment to a reduction of the towns carbon foot print, has meant that the Swimming Pool management have embarked on improving further energy efficiency measures, e.g. installing additional wall insulation and lighting controls at this popular leisure facility.

By undertaking this project, Thurles Town Council now set a prime example to others in the Public Sector, on how they can lead the way, in strengthening other local economies.

You can find full details of Thurles Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre’s Christmas Opening Hours by clicking Here

North Tipperary Recycling Facilities Allocated €105,415

George — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:38:14 +0000

Deputy Noel Coonan TD

Noel Coonan TD has welcomed today’s announcement that €105,415 has been allocated to North Tipperary County Council to assist the authority in meeting the costs associated with the operation of their Bring Banks and Civic Amenity Facilities.

Speaking to Thurles.Info this morning, Deputy Coonan said; “It is important to promote recycling now and into the future, especially as most landfills have closed or are about to close. This money will encourage our local authorities to continue to provide necessary waste management infrastructure. We can see that civic amenity facilities are hugely successful, and this funding is an incentive to increase opening hours and facilities throughout the constituency.”

Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, today announced the provision of €5 million in funding to assist local authorities in meeting the costs associated with the operation of their Bring Banks and Civic Amenity Facilities for the period January to June 2011.

The funding is provided from the Environment Fund, through which the proceeds of the plastic bag and landfill levies are utilised to provide assistance and support, in respect of a range of waste management, litter and other environmental initiatives.

North Tipperary County & Town Council Charges

George — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:05:54 +0000

Discussions by local centre Thurles traders, carrying the banner “Thurles Traders Unite,” who met with Thurles Town Council recently, to discuss more flexible regulations regarding parking restrictions, development charges, the cost of rates etc, ended up receiving a rather negative response. However, very soon it would appear, Thurles Town Council may have to revisit their recent ‘lack lustre,’ decision making.

Central Thurles

While many of the issues reported as put forward by “Thurles Traders Unite,” to our Town Council, have as yet not been decided on, the Irish Governments have started a welcome positive initiative to deliver a multi-annual Action Plan for Jobs, aimed at “making Ireland the best small country to do business with in Europe,” and demanding quarterly targets from each involved department.

Under this new quietly welcomed aim, an implementation group consisting of representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Forfás will be responsible for ensuring that these targets are met.

Following the publication of Action Plan for jobs, recently by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Employment Richard Bruton, North Tipperary Deputy Noel Coonan is now calling on North Tipperary County Council to “step up to the mark,” and reduce development charges for small businesses.

Noel Coonan TD believes job creation in the country must be kick started immediately and this requires Government and Local Authorities to work to achieve this aim. County and Town councils “must play their part in removing barriers to creating employment.”

Speaking to Thurles.Info today, Deputy Coonan said:

“One of the biggest deterrents for businesses is development charges. These charges can cripple small businesses who are trying to establish themselves, expand or change the use of premises.
Businesses are charged exorbitant rates by local authorities for parking spaces, yet the Council is already charging for parking in towns and receiving a substantial income from this charge. There is a real need for local authorities to reduce this charge considerably; this will keep town centres vibrant and encourage footfall in town centres. Land prices are falling and local authorities are paying less to provide car parking facilities in Town centres and this should be reflected in reduced charges for small businesses who are struggling to compete with multinationals. Construction costs have also dropped and we have an opportunity here to encourage rather than inhibit development.”

Deputy Coonan has recently been in contact with the Minister for Local Government Phil Hogan on this issue, whom the latter is reported as stating:-

“My Department is preparing updated guidance for local authorities on the issue of development contributions, which will require local authorities, inter alia, to consider the impact of development contributions on businesses and competitiveness generally in the development of their schemes. Authorities whose Development Contribution Schemes have come up for renewal since the announcement of the Government’s Jobs Initiative have been advised to consider providing reductions/exemptions in development contribution rates where such reductions/exemptions would help progress the Jobs Initiative.”

The Action Plan for jobs illustrates some determination in Government to tackle the jobs issue and to assist small businesses to generate employment. Indigenous businesses are at the core of job creation strategy. This plan appears to contain some real logical measures, which will help Irish small businesses access credit and generate employment.

Measures will include:-

The establishment of a temporary partial loan guarantee which will help Irish businesses access credit.
A micro finance loan fund to generate up to €100million which will benefit over 5,000 businesses over a ten year period.
Provision of €60 million seed and venture capital funding for high growth Irish businesses, to be matched by the same amount in private sector funding.

Deputy Coonan went on to say:-

“We are determined that these commitments will be adhered to rigorously. The Jobs Action Plan will be a rolling programme with strict delivery targets and systems to monitor implementation. Quarterly targets will be set, and delivery monitored.
The Action Plan for Jobs comes on foot of the report of the Advisory Group for Small Business which was presented to the Taoiseach last week by Minister for Small Business, John Perry. The report sets out the collective views of small businesses, based on the realities of what they experience on the ground and aims to assist businesses to promote enterprise growth and jobs. We need to be ambitious for the future and have set the target for job creation at 100,000 extra jobs by 2015. We remain committed to making Ireland the best small country in the world to do business.“

Small towns like Thurles must now be visited and examined, in a bid to improve competitiveness, support start-up companies, develop employment initiatives and assist with business growth. While Thurles businesses are fully aware that local revenue needs to be generated, the Thurles town centre would welcome Local Government Minister Phil Hogan to meet and examine this situation which currently exists in Thurles and other rural towns in Tipperary.

The situation presently exists where local small traders are indirectly subsidising large supermarket chains, like Aldi, Dunnes Stores and Lidl, while the issue remains ignored by local Urban and County Councils, latter badly in need of generated revenues.

Enhance Your Business Attend ISME Skillnet

George — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:16:43 +0000

Enhance your business in 2011 by attending ISME Skillnet’s SME BUSINESS NETWORK Event. ( 28th Nov – 5th Dec 2011 inc.)

The course is designed to give Owner Managers, like you, a competitive edge, and these “Sessions,” will examine today’s operating environment for SMEs and ask what does the future hold in store?

Each session is focused on imparting practical and relevant information to owner managers.

There is no fee for these events as they are being supported by ISME Skillnet, however booking is essential as places will be limited. The ISME Skillnet is funded by member companies and the Training Networks Programme, an initiative of Skillnets Ltd. funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.

A G E N D A
Enhance your business in 2012.
Create savings of 1% of turnover.
Get grants to improve your business.
Make your pension give you a better return.

Rolling with the Punches – Brody Sweeney. From the highs of building an international chain to the lows of liquidation and the necessary back to business again, – the lessons, the do’s, the don’ts: This will be a masterclass for entrepreneurs.

E – Invoicing – Delivering Real Cost Savings and Efficiencies for SMEs. John Larkin, Managing Director, eBox Systems will speak on how companies can achieve cost savings of 1% to 2% of turnover and what you need to do to get these savings.

Tax Credit Where It’s Due – When innovation is crucial and cash is king, R&D incentives such as the R&D Tax Credit can give your company the support it needs in these uncertain times. KPMG explain how easy it is for SMEs to avail of these tax incentives.

Pension Shock –Knowing the Costs and Options on your Pension Scheme Pension Source will make your pension scheme more transparent by focusing on cost structures, performance issues, trustee obligations and what can be done about them.

For details of nearest venue location, dates and times and of course your booking form: Click – Here.