Thurles Information

Age Action have launched a COVID-19 Hardship Fund, in conjunction with the Irish Red Cross.

This fund is in response to the immediate needs of older people in vulnerable situations right across Ireland, latter who may be experiencing additional hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis.

Both Age Action and the Irish Red Cross know that some older people in vulnerable situations who are at the highest risk of the corona virus, may need additional supports over the coming weeks, particularly as they are now required to cocoon to protect themselves and those immediately around them.

This scheme is specifically designed to provide practical relief, in alleviating any unforeseen/unexpected hardships that they may experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Age Action in conjunction with the Irish Red Cross are making a once-off grant, up to a maximum of €500, per person/household affected.

Who Can Apply: Older people in need of assistance, family members supporting an older person and carers of older people, social workers and local voluntary organisations or community groups providing direct assistance to individuals within this target group.

What Can I Apply For: Any practical needs that are adding to your hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased social distancing restrictions of cocooning for the over 70’s. This can include costs of the following examples and other needs as they arise, within the scope of this fund;

Small household maintenance, repairs and safety improvements
Food and basic provisions and associated delivery costs
Upgraded or New Small Appliances (fridge, freezer, washing machine, TV, cooker, etc.)
Providing Digital Technology Equipment, for example smart phones or tablets
Contribution towards increased energy costs or telephone bills
Contribution towards additional home or personal security costs
Contribution towards additional travel costs for essential reasons (medical appointments, etc.)

How Do I Apply: The COVID-19 Hardship Fund Application Form is available HERE, or you can contact their offices to request a form by contacting them at Email: hardship2020@redcross.ie

Phone: Irish Red Cross at 01 6424600 or Age Action at 01 475 6989

Please ensure that you clearly outline the need for which you are applying; how the grant will alleviate hardship and what it will be used for and details of the costs, (Remember, up to a maximum of €500).

What Happens Next: Age Action and the Irish Red Cross will assess applications and oversee distribution of the funds on a weekly basis and successful applicants will be notified as soon as possible.

A member of staff from Age Action or the Irish Red Cross will contact you if they need further information.

They will ask that you verify that the funds are being used for the purpose intended, by supplying receipts and photographic evidence where possible.

Note: Closing date for applications is 31st August 2020.

If your company is interested in becoming a Corporate Partner or if you would like to organise a fundraising event to raise funds for the Covid-19 Hardship Fund, please contact Caroline O’Connell, Head of Fundraising at headoffundraising@ageaction.ie

“The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,
Her ashes new create another heir
As great in admiration as herself..” – William Shakespeare

The Erin Foods factory had been in operation in Thurles, Co Tipperary, for some 46 years, until it closed in June of 2008, with the immediate loss of 95 jobs.
This closure was then just one of over 20 such industry finalities that saw closure in Thurles over the previous 25 years, thus forcing hundreds of Thurles residents, both young and middle aged, to migrate to larger Irish costal cities or to emigrate abroad altogether, in their efforts to find employment.

This now being demolished Thurles plant had been involved in the production of Erin Soups and Sauces, Campbell Soups and some MacDonald Sauces.

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The then owners of Erin Foods; Premier Foods, while aware of the impact this closure would have on their employees and their families; following a group-wide company review; recommended the consolidation of its production of key brands, which inevitably resulted in the signing of a death warrant for the Thurles plant.

Old Erin Foods Site Set For €24 Million Redevelopment
But despite a 12-year wait, now a new building is due to rise from the current rubble.

Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG, latter a German global discount Supermarket Chain, based in Neckarsulm, Germany; through their architects Clarman, have acquired full Planning Permission, in a joint partnership between Wesley Quirke of Baycross Developments Ltd., and Castletown Capital Ltd.

This project will comprise of 3 phases:
Phase 1 :- The demolition of the existing buildings and full site clearance, currently underway.
Phase 2 :- The construction of a new site entrance, again already cleared.
The site will be accessed by means of a proposed new roadway which will form the initial phase of the long awaited inner relief road for Thurles, linking Slievenamon Road to the Mill Road.
Phase 3 :- The construction of the new state of the art retail store and 60,000 sq. ft. business centre, thus enabling the entire site to be redeveloped.

This project is expected to take a further 2 years to fully complete, and will revitalise a prime site, latter which has been dormant for almost 12 years, while generating significant job opportunities and the revitalisation, hopefully, of the local Thurles economy.