Employment « Thurles Information

Irish Summer Time Begins Tomorrow Morning.

Clocks go forward tonight, with Irish Summer Time beginning tomorrow morning, Sunday March 30th, at 1:00am. This change will mean longer, lighter evenings from the start of next week.

This practice of advancing clocks is to make better use of the longer daylight available during our summer season, so that darkness falls at a later clock time.

Most of our smartphones, tablets, laptops and PC’s will automatically update.

Since April 2021, the European Parliament, of which Ireland is a member, voted by 410 to 192 in favour of ending this seasonal practice of moving clocks forward by an hour in springtime, and then back again in the autumn. This decision is expected to form the basis of further discussions within EU countries before taking a final stance on the matter.

The British government has already indicated that having left the European Union, it will stick to the current practice/system of switching clocks.
Sir Winston Churchill once stated that the switching of clocks enlarged opportunities for the ‘pursuit of health and happiness’, among the millions of people who reside in England, however, it should be remembered that the practice of changing clocks was first introduced in 1916 to save energy costs during World War I.

Hydroelectric Energy Project For Tipperary Takes A Step Forward.

An Bord Pleanála has confirmed that proposed plans to establish a €650m hydroelectric pumped storage power project, to be located at the former mine site at Silvermines, Co. Tipperary, has been now been deemed developed enough to enter the permit granting process for ‘Projects of Common Interest’, latter an essential infrastructure project regarded as aimed to strengthen European energy markets, thus assisting EU energy and climate goals.

The appeals board will now evaluate the project under an EU procedure which aims to streamline the consenting process for trans-European energy projects.

This Silvermines Hydroelectric Energy Storage Project, when eventually operational, is expected to store as much as 296 Megawatts (MW), with a daily storage capacity of up to 2,175MWh of electricity, same sufficient to power 185,000 households or 21,000 small businesses daily in Ireland.

Not a new idea, but like the existing ESB Turlough Hill (292 MW) Power Plant in Co. Wicklow, first commenced in 1968, this project will see water pumped from one source, starting at ground level and delivered to a reservoir higher up, which in turn will then be released through turbines that in turn generate electricity.

The 148-hectare (366 acre) site, chosen for the project, in Co. Tipperary is situated on the Northern ridge of the Silvermines Mountain range and was first proposed initially some 9 years ago.
The project, when first made public in January of 2016, suggested that wind energy, from a wind farm on the site would be deployed at night time, during periods of less demand, to pump the water from the downhill lake to the uphill storage area.

This Silvermines Hydro project is being developed and managed by Siga-Hydro Limited, an Irish company based in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, working with the Foresight Group, a global infrastructure investor.

Accounts for a connected firm, Silvermines Tipp Hold Co Ltd, shows that it received a capital injection of €14.5m in 2023. It is estimated that the project will create some 400 jobs during its construction phase and employ as many as 50 qualified personnel in the pumping hydro station, during its operational phase.

Following the announced permit granting procedure, An Bord Pleanála will now make a final decision on the project.

Drish Bridge, Mill Road, Thurles Returned To Former Glory.

The temporary Stop & Go traffic lights, which were in use on the narrow Mill Road, here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, over the past number of weeks have this afternoon been fully removed.

Same temporary Stop & Go traffic light system was in use while the upgrading of the bridge crossing the River Drish, situated close to Lady’s Well, was being repaired.

Some years ago, a motorised vehicle had careered into the north facing, ancient, stone bridge wall, demolishing same into the river bed. Repairs, sadly, had been undertaken using solid modern cement blocks, causing major offence to Thurles residents.

Now some years later, in 2025, this crude offence has been corrected by Triur Construction Ltd, whose Corporate office is situated at No.13 Society Street, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, (Eircode H53 N9X3).

Full Credit Where Credit Is Correctly Due.
True to the Triur Construction company pledge, this specialist Civil Engineering & Building Company has most certainly delivered high quality, in relation to this project, with the attending skilled workforce under the supervision of a Lithuanian led supervisor.

The work was undertaken over the past few weeks, despite the most severe of Thurles weather conditions, with scaffolding having to be erected on the bed of a deep and fast moving, swollen river.

The newly replaced stone work is truly excellent and fully in keeping with the existing original structure.

I understand, the company will return soon again, when the flooded river water begins to subside; to carry out further repairs to the underside of this ancient, yet quaint historic structure.

New Chief Executive For Food Safety Authority Of Ireland.

**Mr Greg Dempsey**, *(New Chief Executive* *FSAI)*.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today announced that Mr Greg Dempsey has been appointed Chief Executive.
Mr Dempsey is currently Deputy Secretary General at the Department of Health and will take up office following the conclusion of tenure of the current Chief Executive, Dr Pamela Byrne, on March 1st 2025.

A native of Dublin, Mr Dempsey is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, holding a BSc in Financial Information Systems and is qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant. He is a member of the Board of the Institute of Public Administration, and a member of the State Claims Agency Advisory Committee.

Mr Dempsey has worked in the Department of Health for over a decade, where he was previously Assistant Secretary and Head of Finance, before becoming Deputy Secretary where he heads the Corporate Affairs Division overseeing the highest standards of corporate governance in the Department. Prior to that, he was Chief Finance & Operations Officer with the Department of Finance, having joined there from in the Central Bank. Before he joined the public sector, Mr Dempsey had a distinguished career in the private sector, where he worked in a number of Financial Services firms, including as CEO of Zurich Bank.

Commenting on the announcement, Ms Ann Horan, (Chairperson FSAI) stated that Mr Dempsey brings a wide breath of expertise and leadership to the role of Chief Executive that will be invaluable in steering the FSAI to maintain its primary role in protecting consumers’ health and interests in relation to food safety.

“The Board is delighted to welcome Mr Dempsey as the new Chief Executive of the FSAI. Mr Dempsey’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the FSAI, as we roll out our new Strategy 2025-2029, which sets out an ambitious roadmap to continue safeguard consumer health and enhance trust in Ireland’s robust food safety system. With his exceptional leadership skills, and a clear vision for the future, we are confident that he will safeguard and further drive the FSAI’s exemplary track record in delivering its legal mandate,” said Ms Horan.

“On behalf of the FSAI, I wish to thank our outgoing Chief Executive, Dr Pamela Byrne for her exemplary leadership during her tenure. Dr Byrne’s vision, passion, hard work and commitment to food safety has been instrumental in the FSAI continuing to be a highly regarded regulatory agency both nationally and internationally. We wish Dr Byrne all the best in her future endeavours and look forward to building on the strong foundations she has established,” Ms Horan concluded.

Budget Changes With Effect From January 1st 2025.

Following payment increases, tax changes, new grants etc, announced by the Irish Government back on October 1st last, many new measures will now come into effect within the coming days.
Some of these cost-of-living changes will now include:- See full changes HERE.

The national minimum wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour.
The 4% rate of Universal Social Charge (USC) will be reduced to 3%.
A €125 energy credit, to be paid to all households, regardless, from January 1st 2025.
Means test to be disregarded for Fuel Allowance will be extended to those aged 66 years and over – €524 (single person) and €1,048 (for a couple).
Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test.
Weekly rates of Child Support Payment will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 years and over, and by €4 to €50 for those aged under 12 years.
A €15 increase in Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit.
Newborn Baby Grant of €280 in addition to the first month of Child Benefit (€140) for children born on or after December 1st 2024.
A €12 increase in most weekly social welfare payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and people obtaining a reduced rate.
An increase by €60 a week in the case of the Working Family Payment; regardless of family size.
A €20 increase per month in Domiciliary Care Allowance.
The amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January 2025
Those in receipt of State Pensions (Non-contributory); Disability Allowances or Blind Pensions; the amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January1st 2025.
Carer’s Benefit to extend to persons who are self-employed.
VAT for installing a heat pump will be now be reduced from the current standard rate of 23% to the reduced rate of 9%.