Thurles Information

Death Of Noreen Power, Formerly Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death today, Friday 26th April 2024 of Mrs Noreen Power (née Grace), Poulacapple, Callan, Co. Kilkenny and formerly of Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her husband John; Mrs Power passed away peacefully, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; sons John and Eamonn, brother Dixie, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs power will repose in Molloy’s Funeral Home, Callan, Co. Kilkenny (Eircode R95 Y443) on Sunday afternoon, 28th April, from 5:00pm, concluding with a recitation of The Rosary and Vigil Prayers at 7:00pm same evening.

Funeral Prayers on Monday morning at 10:30am, before being received into the Church of St. Michael, Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary (Eircode E41 EW94), to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Kilbride Cemetery, Callan, Co. Kilkenny.

The extended Power family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Free Invitation To Visit Apple Farm, At Cahir, Co. Tipperary.

To mark ‘Biodiversity Week 2024‘, Tipperary Green Business Network invite you to join them on a guided walk of ‘The Apple Farm’ at Cahir, Co. Tipperary, which will be led jointly by your host Mr Con Trass and Mr Alan Moore, latter of ‘Hedgerows Ireland’.

Date and time: Saturday, May 18th, 2024, commencing at 2:30pm until 5:00am. (2 hours 30 minutes).

Location: The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. [Eircode: E21 YX33]

Please do wear suitable weather gear and footwear. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Light refreshments will be available. This is a FREE event, but booking is essential. Contact info@tgbn.ie

The Apple Farm Shop will be open for those of you may wish to stock up on juices, apple cider vinegar, jams etc.

Note: National Biodiversity Week 2024 will run over a 10 day period, from Friday 17th to Sunday 26th of May.

Low Uptake Of Green Public Procurement In Government Contracts.

EPA report shows low uptake of Green Public Procurement in government department contracts.

Of €922 million spend by government departments on contracts in 2022, 34% included green criteria.
The increase in the use of green criteria (10% in 2021, 34% in 2022) is encouraging, but still at a low level.
All government departments must improve their implementation of Green Public Procurement and purchase more resource-efficient and less polluting goods, services and works.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its third report on Green Public Procurement (GPP) activity in government departments. GPP is a process where public authorities seek to source goods, services or works that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle.

The report details that out of the reported €922 million spend on contracts greater than €25,000 and signed in 2022, just 34% of the spend included green criteria. While it is encouraging to see an improvement compared to the previous year (10% in 2021, 34% in 2022), overall the use of green criteria is inconsistent across government departments and at a low level, relative to total spend.

Launching the report Ms Laura Burke, Director General, said: “Our latest report shows an encouraging increase in the implementation of Green Public Procurement by government departments. But the use of Green Public Procurement is still low, with only a quarter of in scope ICT Product contracts incorporating green criteria, and less than half in some other sectors such as transport and cleaning services. This is a missed opportunity by the Government sector to show leadership in purchasing more resource efficient and less polluting goods, services and works. For example, introduction of green criteria can deliver carbon reductions, conserve water, improve air and water quality and prevent waste.”

Summary Data.

Department.	No. of contracts over €25,000 signed in 2022 incorporating GPP.	Percentage of total spend reported on contracts over €25,000 signed in 2022 incorporating GPP.
Agriculture, Food & the Marine.	137	56%
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth.	1	8%
Defence.	4	50%
Education.	5	7%
Enterprise, Trade & Employment.	6	57%
Environment, Climate & Communications.	7	8%
Finance.	2	67%
Foreign Affairs.	5	45%
Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science.	0	0%
Health.	4	9%
Housing, Local Government & Heritage.	5	12%
Justice.	2	not known* [value of contracts not given]*
Public Expenditure & Reform.	19	64%
Rural & Community Development.	8	96%
Social Protection.	25	17%
The Taoiseach.	10	88%
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media.	3	45%
Transport.	3	100%

The EPA report sets out the following five recommendations:

Assign senior level responsibility within government departments to prioritise the incorporation of GPP into procurement processes, including the Corporate Procurement Plan.
Implement relevant actions in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications’ ‘Buying Greener: Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027’, published April 2024.
Provide GPP training to relevant staff and ensure awareness of the available resources, such as the national GPP guidance and criteria sets and GPP Criteria Search.
Put in place systems to monitor and report on GPP
Include GPP data in Government Department Annual Reports.

The report ‘Green Public Procurement: Monitoring and Reporting by Government Departments, 2022 Reference Year’ is now available on the EPA website, HERE.

Some 51,000 Food Businesses To Benefit, As FSAI Launch New Learning Portal.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today announced the launch of its new ‘Learning Portal’, latter an easy-to-navigate digital platform designed to consolidate best-in-class compliance training content and resources on food safety and hygiene. The introduction of this new desktop and mobile compatible learning portal aims to strengthen adherence with food safety legal requirements and supplement the food safety training provided by food businesses to their staff.

The new learning portal, now available to more than 51,000 food businesses, is free to use and offers a wealth of specialised content to assist users in keeping up to date with the latest food safety requirements.
The learning portal’s materials can be easily incorporated into food safety courses, staff meetings, or used for self-learning, allowing learners to study at their own pace and convenience. It was developed to assist in building compliance by food businesses and it includes eLearning modules, webinars, short videos, and explanatory materials covering a broad range of relevant topics.

Welcoming the new learning resource, Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO, FSAI said: “The launch of the ‘Learning Portal’ underscores our commitment to ensuring the highest level of food safety standards are achieved across Ireland. It is imperative that all food businesses recognise the importance of food safety training and the consequences if their staff are not properly trained. Untrained staff can lead to serious non-compliances, which can put consumers’ health at risk. It is the food business’s legal requirement to ensure the food they are producing, selling or distributing is safe to eat. We believe ongoing training and development is an essential component of every food business. I strongly encourage all food businesses across the country to avail of this free resource to assist in creating an ongoing positive culture of food safety compliance in their business”.

The primary content areas of focus include:
Food Safety Culture: This module provides guidance on how to develop and maintain an appropriate food safety culture in a food business, in order to be able to demonstrate this to inspectors and customers. Food safety is legally required to be placed at the core of every food business.

Food Safety Controls in Ireland: This module outlines the role of the FSAI and other official agencies responsible for supervising food businesses in Ireland. It also provides training and information around the latest resources and supports available to food businesses to ensure the highest standards in operational food practices.

Why Food Safety Matters: A module designed to highlight and create understanding around the importance of food safety in protecting the public health and the risks associated with non-compliance.

Product Recall: In line with the latest Irish and EU legislation this topic includes easy to understand short videos outlining what steps need to be taken in the case of a product recall.

The FSAI calls on all food businesses and relevant food professionals to access the new ‘Learning Portal’ and take advantage of its valuable resources to enhance food safety practices across the country.

You can access the FSAI Learning Portal HERE.

Death Of Mary O’Sullivan, Rossmore, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death today, Thursday 25th April 2024, of Mrs Mary O’Sullivan (née Purcell), Brocka, Rossmore, Co. Tipperary and formerly of Loughmore, Templemore, Loughmore, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her son John, parents Mary and John (Jack), parents-in-law Mary and John, Seamus Chrystal, brothers Gerard, Pat, Seamus and John, sister Carmel, sister in law Mary; Mrs O’Sullivan passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, after a short illness, most bravely borne.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; husband P.J., daughters Mary and Angela, sons John and Kevin, grandchildren Dylan, Ryan, Jamie, James, Ben, Fionn, Erin, Joe and Tadhg, sons-in-law Mark and TJ, daughters-in-law Fiona and Lucy, sister Eileen, brothers-in-law Junior (Stephen) and Joe, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mrs O’Sullivan will repose at Hayes’ Funeral Chapel, Clonoulty, Cashel (E25 TX26) on Friday afternoon, April 26th from 5:00pm until 7:30pm, same evening.
Her remains will be received into the Church of Jesus Christ our Saviour, Drum, Rossmore, Clonoulty, Co. Tipperary, on Saturday morning, April 27th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Kilvalure Cemetery, Drombane, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs O’Sullivan, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended O’Sullivan family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Note Please: Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Irish Lung Fibrosis Association Ireland, ILFAI).

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis i dteannta na Naomh agus na n-aingeal.