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 Bord na Móna It has been claimed that Bord Na Mona staff here mid-Tipp may be facing the future of having to reapply for their own jobs, despite the company recently announcing in recent days an annual profit of some €52 million.
This semi-state body is presently attempting to implement cost cutting measures across the Company and recent discussions at the Labour Relations Commission, latter in an attempt to resolve a number of issues, have now ended without further agreement.
The position locally at the Littleton, Co Tipperary, Briquette Manufactoring Plant has been to place production on hold until mid-August, with up to 80 permanent workers remaining either on reduced hours or on temporary lay-off.
Tipperary Independent TD Mr Michael Lowry claims that workers are now being put in an impossible position by being asked to reapply for their own jobs on reduced wages, through the introduction of a pay freeze which is expected to last until at least 2019.
In a statement released through the office of TD Michael Lowry last night, the Deputy has expressed disappointment at the failure of the Labour Relations Commission to resolve a plethora of outstanding issues between Bord na Móna Management and their workforce.
“These talks have now ended without agreement. This is not surprising, considering Management of Bord na Móna have remained very intransigent in these negotiations. While it is accepted that Bord na Móna has many competitive challenges ahead, it must be noted that they have just announced an annual profit of €52 million.
It is therefore unjust to expect the Bord na Móna workforce to submit to proposed enforced pay cuts, a pay freeze and redeployment terms. The proposed terms and conditions of future employment are unacceptable to the vast majority of the Bord na Móna workforce. Bord na Móna Group of Unions will next week make a full submission to the Labour Court. This prolonged dispute is damaging to both the morale and working relationships, between management and staff ,” Mr Lowry stated.
Deputy Lowry called on Bord na Móna to immediately “enter meaningful discussions to find a compromise solution in the interest of the workforce and the long-term future of the Company”.
 Fianna Fáil Following a meeting of Fianna Fáil’s National Constituencies Committee last night, the party have decided to included M/s Siobhán Ambrose and Mr Michael Smith (jnr) on the ticket for the forthcoming General Election, latter expected late this year or in the spring of 2016.
Both candidates had previously lost out to Councillor Jackie Cahill at the Tipperary selection convention, held at the end of May last, in the Anner Hotel, Thurles.
M/s Ambrose, a previous General Election candidate, is based in Clonmel in the south of the county, while Mr Smith is based in Nenagh, in the north of the county.
However in this upcoming General Election the new single constituency of Tipperary will return just five instead of six Dail Deputies; replacing the previous two x 3-seater constituency riding’s of North Tipperary and South Tipperary.
Given the size of this constituency and the now required 30% gender quota introduced for the first time, it was always a foregone conclusion that two extra names would be added to the ticket.
Presently Fianna Fáil have no TD’s in Co. Tipperary, although the present Tipperary South Independent Dáil Éireann representative, Deputy Mattie McGrath did defect from the Fianna Fáil party, prior to the last general election.
All nominated Tipperary Fianna Fáil candidates believe they can now reclaim two lost seats in this newest constituency.
The Joke: “We are seeing a very significant reduction in the number of long-term unemployed people who are getting real jobs in the economy.” Quote by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton, on April 16th 2015.
Unemployment figures for the month of June 2015 once again demonstrate a sharp upward rise for every single town in Co. Tipperary, when compared to the previous month, May 2015.
Monthly figures for June 2015, when compared to the previous month of May 2015 demonstrate that unemployment increased by an extra 452 persons for the whole county of Tipperary.
In total, for just the two combined months of May and June 2015 a total of 835 Tipperary residents, represented under the CSO categories of ‘All Ages’ – ‘Both Sexes’ are now signing for unemployment benefit.
 May – June – North Tipperary and Associated Towns 2015.
6,199 – 6,462 – North Tipperary, an overall increase of 263 persons.
2,529 – 2,635 – Nenagh, an increase of 106 persons.
1,164 – 1,187 – Roscrea, an increase of 23 persons.
2,506 – 2,640 – Thurles, an increase of 134 persons.
May – June – South Tipperary and Associated Towns 2015.
7,809 – 7,998 – South Tipperary, an increase of 189 persons.
1,094 – 1,145 – Cahir, an increase of 51 persons.
1,663 – 1,697 – Carrick-On-Suir, an increase of 34 persons.
1,017 – 1,025 – Cashel, an increase of 8 persons.
2,562 – 2,611 – Clonmel, an increase of 49 persons.
1,473 – 1,520 – Tipperary (Town), an increase of 47 persons.
Over this current month (July 2015) unemployment figures are expected to further substantially rise in Tipperary, same due to seasonal job losses in Bord na Móna (Littleton), some 60 plus job losses expected at two C&C facilities (Clonmel and Borrisoleigh) and an unknown number of qualified IT contract workers, latter previously employed with Dublin based companies, but now, with contracts completed, left with no alternative except to return to their homes in Tipperary; once again jobless.
Justice for Clerys workers in Dublin
Sadly on June 12th of this year, 130 understandably devastated direct employees of the iconic Dublin department store, Clerys, lost their jobs. For several days afterwards our national press, radio and television stations carried this news as their top story. During this same period, May CSO Live Register figures showed an increase of some 383 persons unemployed in Co. Tipperary. Today this figure has been even further increased to show 835 unemployed persons. Over the past 3 days there has been no national media coverage, whatsoever, of Tipperary’s devastating and demoralizing unemployment crisis.
Exactly four weeks ago, on the 3rd June 2015, Mr Richard Bruton TD welcomed the publication of the latest official unemployment figures, showing, he claimed, “a continuing decline in the number of people out of work”.
The hard facts now remain; Live Register unemployment figures for Co Tipperary today are almost double the national average.
Once again; Time for our reigning Fine Gael and Labour politicians to take their pensions and just go, in the secure knowledge they have failed dismally the people of Co. Tipperary.
 Nenagh Hospital Tipperary A new Surgical Day Unit will be officially opened in Nenagh Hospital on Monday June 29th 2015 next. This new Surgical Day Unit has now been completed and is currently up and running.
Some €6.2 million has been spent on Nenagh hospital in recent years, under the Government’s Capital Works Programme. Current services available here for Tipperary and the Mid-West region now include Endoscopy, Diagnostic and Surgical Procedures, together with a range of Consultancy Specialists operating from the hospitals outpatient clinic.
Since re-development and restructuring of services the throughput of patients has now increased by an average of almost 40%.
Independent Deputy Michael Lowry, whose representations undoubtedly resulted in agreement to include Nenagh in the National Capital Programme with an investment of 6.5 million, has today welcomed the completion of this latest phase of development.
Recent visitors to the hospital have also welcomed recent new refurbishments.
 Fianna Fáil’s Mr Seamus Hanafin today succeeded Fine Gael’s Mr Michael Fitzgerald as the new Cathaoirleach (Irish – Chairperson) of Tipperary County Council, having been proposed by party colleague Mr Jackie Cahill and seconded by Mr Roger Kennedy.
Councillor Hanafin described today as being a very proud one, not just for himself, but also for those he represents, together with his family; namely his wife and three children, his mother Peg, Mrs Mona and her husband former Senator Mr Des Hanafin, latter who himself was also, in the past, a Chairperson of North Tipperary County Council some 60 odd years previously.
Accepting his new post, Councillor Hanafin spoke of the need for a comprehensive plan of action with regard to employment, stating that current unemployment stands as the single biggest issue that must be brought under control here in Tipperary and pledged that same is something that he will strenuously battle and fight to redress, particularly during his term as current office holder.
The popular Councillor was later congratulated by his fellow Council colleagues, who unanimously agreed that he would greatly enhance and introduce even greater qualities to this, his newly elected office.
Today also saw widespread tributes paid to outgoing Chairperson Mr Michael Fitzgerald; describing him as fair minded, especially with regards to the very tough tasks undertaken, while taking over a reformed and newly amalgamated North / South Tipperary Council.
Chief Executive, Tipperary County Council, Mr Joe MacGrath stated that Mr Michael Fitzgerald’s name would now go down in the history books as the first ever Cathaoirleach of a new combined Tipperary County Council and thanked him for his unfailing commitment to the office of County Cathaoirleach.
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