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“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies”.
[Above quote by British publisher & political publicist Sir Ernest John Pickstone Benn.]
Some 1,433 persons left the live register during September 2016, per figures published in a Statistical Release on the 6th of this month, October 2016, by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Some 649 left the Live Register in North Tipperary, while 784 persons vacated same in South Tipperary.
However, please let all our 1000 (+) daily readers refrain from ‘jumping for joy’, at this time, as no new Foreign Direct Investment or indeed any other sizeable form of decent employment has darkened our borders; despite the promises of the outgoing former Fine Gael / Labour coalition government, prior to the General Election held on February 26th 2016 last.
I am informed by the CSO that this sudden drop in Social Welfare claimants is merely down to normal reductions expected in September figures, brought about by students returning to education, etc.
In the hope of finding out more information on this September statistics reduction, an e-mail query has been forwarded to the Labour Market Section, at labour@cso.ie. Should I receive a reply, you our readers will be first to be informed.
One major tax concession in Tuesday’s ‘non event leaked budget’ is most certainly not expected to permeate the picturesque borders of Co. Tipperary in the immediate future. I refer of course to the concession directed at first-time new house buyers and the tax refund of up to €20,000 on those buying newly built homes, valued at up to €600,000. (Much of this concession paid for out of taxes taken from minimum paid workers who will not ever be able to buy a house.)
To take advantage of this major tax concession of course such young people will first need to hold a job. With 18 to 24-year-olds only getting an additional €2.70 per week, bringing their personal weekly rate of unemployment benefit to €102.70 per week; whatever about our cities, I don’t expect to see a huge surge in newly built houses in Co. Tipperary.
Twenty five year old persons benefited to the tune of €3.80 in their personal rate in Tuesday’s budget, bringing their payments to €127.80. Even twenty-five-year-olds will have difficulty in simply affording /attending a job interview in Dublin, where all the jobs are available; with the cost of a return train fare in excess of €50, (Note Dublin to Thurles, return, presently costs €53).
Perhaps a reduction in builders VAT Rates and a public transport concession for those seeking employment would have been a more appropriate answer to the problems of first time house buyers and major unemployment, latter up 120% over the past 10 years in Co. Tipperary.
 The monthly ‘Cash Draw’ for Thurles Credit Union (TCU) Members, for October 2016, took place last Saturday (1st October 2016).
Our congratulations go to this month’s computer generated 1st prize winners Thomas and Kathleen Burke, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, latter who won the monthly 1st prize of a whopping great €10,000 in cash.
Congratulations must also go to three other lucky TCU Member winners, each of whom received prizes of €1,000 each; namely:- M/s Esther Butler, Horse & Jockey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary; Mr & Mrs Kevin & Irene Kelly, Loughmore, Templemore, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and finally M/s Carmel Tierney, Bawnmore, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny.
Please Note: Members can still join these current TCU Members Monthly Cash Draws by simply completing an application form in any of the three Thurles Credit Union associated offices or by downloading the ‘Members’ Cash Draw Application Authorisation’ from HERE.
 In excess of some 70 jobs were lost in the town of Tipperary this morning with the regrettable closure of a mushroom growing facility. McDonald Mushrooms closed today with its Managing Director blaming job losses on the recent Brexit vote.
One of the largest employers in the Tipperary town area, an emotional Mr Peter McDonald today stated that it was a sad day for himself, for his family and his entire workforce. Staff were informed on Wednesday morning last of the decision to discontinue the operation. Following the result of the recent Brexit vote, the considerably change in Sterling values, and despite every effort being made to keep the facility viable, earning capacity was lowered by some 17%, thus insuring the non viability of the operation to continue trading.
Fianna Fáil nationally are now calling for the government to urgently support the Irish Mushroom Sector, which has been left particularly vulnerable by the value of pound sterling; rightfully claiming that some 3,500 jobs are immediately at risk nationwide.
In the past McDonald Mushrooms produced over 1.58 million kilos in weight (3.16 million lbs) of mushrooms annually, with the majority of same being exported direct to the British mainland.
This business which had survived the recession had been in operation for some 17 years near Tipperary town and the profile of their employee structure included both local Irish and foreign national workers.
 Parents, Teachers – Note Bargain of the Week.
‘Crayola Twistable Pencils’ have become increasingly popular with children; also their parents and teachers, in recent years.
No more pencil sharpening and associated mess; you simply twist the top and continue to colour. The only disadvantage however has been the associated price tag, with a set of ten ‘Crayola Twistable Pencils‘ typically retailing at €3.99; both online and in the shops.
However, this week in Tesco Thurles, ‘Crayola Twistable Pencils’ are on sale (while stocks last), for the incredible low price of just €1.29 per pack of 10. That’s cheaper than their no-brand equivalent!
A Real Back to School Bargain Folks!
 Pictured L – R: Miss Josephine O’Dwyer, Miss Sinead Guiney (International Miss Macra 2016) and Miss Aileen Sheehan, all judged winners at the 45th International Miss Macra 2016 Festival’s Gala Banquet, held in the Anner Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, last night. Primary School Teacher Miss Sinead Guiney, (representing Avondhu Macra Club, Co. Cork), was crowned International Miss Macra 2016, at the close of the 45th International Miss Macra Festival, held in the Anner Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, last night.
Miss Josephine O’Dwyer (representing South Co. Tipperary), achieved second place, while Miss Aileen Sheehan (representing Muskerry Macra Club, Co. Cork) achieved third place.
The names of the winners were publicly announced following a Banquet in the Four Star Anner Hotel, Dublin Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary last night; in front of a record crowd of some 250 guests; marking the conclusion of this year’s 3 day successful farming festival. Musical entertainment at the Sunday night Gala Banquet was provided by Tipperary popular band ‘Silver Dollar’.
Following the judges final decision last night, Miss Guiney was presented with a specially designed Sterling Silver Tiara, embellished with Cubic Zirconia, designed and hand crafted by Michael Carew Jewellers, West Gate, Thurles. Miss Willis also was presented with the Perpetual Silver International Miss Macra Trophy, (Fitzgibbon Perpetual Cup), together with a beautiful piece of Galway Crystal and a bouquet of flowers by Festival Chairperson Miss Anne Marie Lyng, and Festival Secretary’s Miss Eibhlis Maher and Miss Simone Loughman respectively. A cash prize of €1000, sponsored by the Anner Hotel, was presented by one of the joint owners of the establishment, Mr Michael Maher (Managing Director).
Second placed, Miss Josephine O’Dwyer, received a specially commissioned piece of Galway Crystal and a cash prize of €500, while Miss Aileen Sheehan, judged a close third, also received a piece of Galway Crystal and €300 in prize money.
Previously, that morning all International Miss Macra 2016 contestants had attended Mass in the local parish church in Clonoulty-Rossmore and afterwards togged-out to prove their worth by taking part in a sports day, field event.
This year saw twenty-two contestants, each chosen by their respective Macra Clubs, taking part in this year’s 45th International Miss Macra Festival. Given the very difficult task of selecting this year’s “International Miss Macra 2016” winners were:- Joan Pollard Carew, (Representing Main Sponsors Michael Carew Jewellers, West Gate, Thurles); Geraldine Henchion, (Representing Tipp FM, Tipperary’s No 1 Local Radio Station); & Declan Ryan, (President of the Clonoulty/Rossmore Macra Club).
The enormous success of this year’s festival, which attracted record crowds, is due completely to the hard work of all the Clonoulty / Rossmore Macra members, who undertook the precise planning and organising of this year’s festival on a completely voluntary basis, under the strong leadership of Miss Anne Marie Lyng (Chairperson). Other speakers at the event included Mr Ger Griffin (Munster Vice President of Macra Na Feirme), Mrs Joan Pollard Carew (Spokesperson for the Sponsors), Mr Declan Ryan (Spokesperson for the judges) and Miss Susan Willis (Outgoing 2015 Int. Miss Macra Winner).
Also speaking at the Gala Banquet, Miss Anne Marie Lyng (Festival Chairperson) was high in her praise for the outgoing 2015 winner and runners-up. She stated that “last year’s winners Miss Willis, Miss Julie Muldowney and Miss Helen Hayes, over the past year, had shown total dedication in their promotion of Macra principals and Macra Clubs, throughout the length and breadth of Ireland and abroad.”
The International Miss Macra Festival 2016 event is understood to have attracted some €300,000 into the local Tipperary economy, in tourism product; promoted by a committee whose ages range from the oldest just 29 and youngest a mere 24 years of age. Club profits from this well organised event will be fully invested in next year’s International Festival, thus further ensuring its security and success into the future.
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