Politics - Thurles Information

Agreement Reached On Thurles, Munster Hotel Car Park Rent.

We learned today that an agreement has been reached, allowing the public to continue to use the Munster Hotel car park, latter situated eastward, on the junction of Cathedral Street and Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

**Metal Cladding remains adrift on Munster Hotel roof, today in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.**
*Pic. G. Willoughby.*

A request sent to Ms Sharon Scully (Thurles MD Administrator), with regards to the details of the new financial package, paid by taxpayers, and now agreed between Tipperary Co. Council and the owner Mr Martin Healy, for the next 12 months, has not as yet been disclosed.

The possible non availability of the parking spaces into the future had been first highlighted by Cllr. Jim Ryan, after negotiations had apparently broken down, thus promising even greater reduction in not just town centre footfall, but major issue with regards to Church services and School student transport.
This massive reduction in footfall follows the half upgrading of Liberty Square, which according to the few remaining businesses trading in the area, has been reduced by at least 65% over the past 4 years.

Regrettably, changes to parking bays on Cathedral Street; same regulations changed in favour of the parking of School buses, which previously sat within the car park, will now have to be reversed again, to ensure that small businesses in the immediate area, continue to attract consumers.

Meanwhile, the large sheet of metal cladding, adrift on the Munster Hotel roof, continues to threaten any vehicles parked in the immediate area.
One wonders whose insurance company is involved and have they been made aware of the need to correct this dangerous issue?

The waste of taxpayers money continues.

By the way, talking about Cathedral Street, Thurles; one Pedestrian Crossing light bulb (Green) has not been working for some weeks, since it was struck by a high sided vehicle, same exiting MIC (St. Patricks College Thurles).

Thurles Municipal District Council Continue To Waste Tax Payers Money.

The heavy duty vehicles continue to have problems in their efforts to pass through Thurles Town in Co. Tipperary. The galvanised railing, on the junction of Liberty Square and Slievenamon road, has been struck again in recent weeks; despite the street lighting left burning over a 24 hour period. See picture immediately below.

Closeby in the same area, one or more ‘Uncouth Barbarian(s)’ have ripped open the casing on the Victorian visitor information display board. Nobody saw anything and anyway who cares. See picture immediately below.

A short distance away, on Parnell Street for want of a spanner, the pedestrian lights situated a few metres from the offices of Fianna Fáil TD Mr Jackie Cahill, have been struck yet again (several weeks ago), by a high sided vehicle, and are possibly no longer fit for purpose. See picture immediately below.

Looks like all Municipal District Officials; elected Councillors and TD’s continue to ‘sleep at the wheel’, while taxpayers money is being washed down the drain.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you have successfully turned our town into a now derelict uninhabited place.

Munster Hotel Car Park Closed To The Public.

Despite the statements and so called interventions by Fianna Fáil TD Mr Jackie Cahill and Fianna Fáil Councillor Mr Seamus Hanafin, yesterday’s statement printed in the Thurles Cathedral Mass Booklet correctly states, quote:-

“As you are possibly aware, the Munster Hotel Car-park has now closed for public use. This is a regrettable decision for all who visit and attend ceremonies at our Cathedral. Please be aware of this and plan your parking accordingly when visiting the Cathedral. Please note that the MIC (St. Patrick’s College)is available for weekend parking. However, due to the increased number of students the MIC carpark is not available on weekdays during College term”.

This accounts for the fact that the coin slot on the parking metre in this car park was taped-over on Saturday last, although the tape was removed this afternoon (Monday March 4th).

**Thurles Cathedral forecourt with partially completed marked car parking spaces.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

Thurles.Info warned of this problem some weeks ago [January 8th, 2024], regarding parking for those attending Mass, Funerals etc at the Thurles Cathedral, and indeed the impending challenges and dangers caused by no parking for retailers/consumers, latter attempting to transact service in numerous small, nearby business premises.

Look skyward as you pass the former Munster Hotel building, latter Thurles town’s number 1 eyesore, believed to be owned by Mr Martin Healy *(Member of Thurles Chamber of Commerce)*, as metal material is ready to displace itself from the Hotel’s roof.
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

Right at this moment, while public car parking still occurs at the carpark in question; vehicle owners should be aware that our ‘eye in the sky’ has identified a large section of what appears to be metal material, that has broken loose from the roof of this Thurles town eyesore (Munster Hotel) and is due to descend into the car-park, therefore likely to strike a school bus, or other parked vehicle, or indeed likely to land in Cathedral Street, same propelled by a sharp south westerly wind blowing outside today.

Meanwhile, Thurles Cathedral (see pic. above) has partially undertaken, this morning, to mark out limited car-park spaces and pedestrian lanes on its tiny forecourt, in the interest of public health and safety.

**‘The** **Source’ Car Park, paid for by Rate Payers, *(which cannot accept buses)* continues to remain closed today following an arson attack last year.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

The Source Car Park, paid for by Rate Payers, still remains closed, although the streamers, ripped from roof insulation which was left uncovered, appears to have been removed, indicating a possible opening in the near future and will, no doubt, be welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Jackie Cahill or Independent TD Mr Michael Lowry.

Bicycle bays remained empty this morning as Thurles Town continues to becomes a “no go area” for motor vehicle parking.
This situation should be etched on the electorates mind, when local elections take place shortly, in our once thriving town.
Local newspapers and local radio stations should now be highlighting and publishing this wanton destruction of a town centre, instead of reposting/publishing, ‘willy-nilly’, the press releases of Local Councillors and resident TD’s.

Education & Training Guide For Young People No Longer In Formal Education.

Further Education & Training Guide For Young People No Longer In Formal Education Launched.

Provides guidance on the further education and training options available who have left formal education.
Information not previously readily accessible for Youth Justice workers and participants of Youth Diversion Projects.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice Mr James Browne TD and Minister for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins TD have today launched a guidance document to help young people in Youth Diversion Projects, to access Further Education and Training related opportunities.

This includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education and core literacy and numeracy services as well. Details are also included with regard to the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) which is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose economic or social background are under represented in higher education.

Minister Browne said: “We know that young people who leave formal education prematurely and do not make the transition into employment can be permanently affected in terms of longer-term life outcomes. Providing pathways back into education and training is an essential part of our Youth Justice response because it provides at-risk young people with opportunities to turn their life around.
This guide brings together the details of further education and training options available across the country to young people no longer in the formal school system. Our Youth Justice workers, who do amazing work helping young people across the country, will have a key role in matching young people with available training and other opportunities that suit their needs and interests”.

The potential negative impacts of being outside of the formal education sector are recognised in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027, which contains a strategic objective to address the effects of disengagement from education and early school leaving, and support those who may be vulnerable to disengagement.

Minister Collins said, “Further education and training is available in every county in Ireland. It can offer any person, regardless of any previous level of education, a pathway to take them as far as they want to go. The range of courses expands from law to childcare, to hairdressing and ICT. There is something there for everyone.
Today’s announcement brings together key information on what is available and how to access it, and it is there for you when you need it, for whatever you need it for. Throughout life, regardless of present or past circumstances educational opportunities are available for everyone right across country. I would encourage support services and all who come into contact with young people to use the guide to ensure the breadth of education and training options are known to them and their families”.

Youth Justice workers and young people participating in Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) will now have a nationwide list of the Education & Training Boards (ETBs) Adult Guidance Information Service contact points and details on the type of Further Education and Training (FET) opportunities that are available.

Irish People Continue To Be Positive About Benefits Of Climate Action.

The results of the second wave of the EPA’s Climate Change in the Irish Mind survey show:

Consistent with the previous study, findings show widespread agreement on many climate change attitudes and strong majority support for climate action.
81% of people in Ireland are worried about climate change and 75 percent think extreme weather poses a moderate or high risk to their community over the next 10 years, with increases in worry in relation to severe storms (74 percent) and extreme heat (54 percent).
89% report that climate change is important to them personally and 79% say climate change should be either a “very high” or “high” priority for Government, with high overall support for a range of climate action policies.
Irish people think that climate action will increase economic growth and create jobs (56%), and actions to reduce climate change will improve quality of life in Ireland (74%).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published initial results from the second wave of its ‘Climate Change in the Irish Mind’ project (CCIM). This work was undertaken by the EPA and the Yale University Program on Climate Change Communication in support of the National Dialogue on Climate Action.

The findings of the nationally representative survey show broad consistency with the 2021 study, including continued high level of climate awareness (95%), acceptance of human causation (92 percent) and the personal importance (89 percent) of climate change. Key changes include an increase in worry about severe storms (74%) and extreme heat (54%) and a large increase in people who hear about climate change in the media once a week or more often (73%).

Speaking about the report Ms Laura Burke, (Director General of the EPA) said: “We know that Ireland is experiencing the impacts of climate change. These findings highlight that Irish people are aware of these impacts and are worried about the harm it may cause. People are engaged with this issue, talking about it with their friends and families and hearing about it frequently in the media.”

She added: “Despite the many challenges, including cost of living increases, people remain positive about the benefits of climate action for our economy and quality of life. There continues to be majority support for a range of climate policies. In particular, we see overwhelming support for improved public transport and renewable energy, which can deliver significant emissions reductions, air quality improvements as well as delivering cost savings for individuals”.

There has been an increase in the number of people who reported hearing weekly about climate change in the media from 51% in 2021 to 74% in 2023. This is aligned with high levels of public trust in mainstream media (68%) and in journalists (68%) on the topic of climate change. Furthermore, over 80% of people trust scientists, the Irish EPA, educators, family and friends, television weather reporters, and environmental NGOs on the topic of climate change.

A large majority of Irish people (79%) say climate change should be either a “very high” or “high” priority for Government. In addition, a majority of people in Ireland believe climate action will provide opportunities to create new jobs (56%) and improved quality of life (74%). While still receiving majority support, two policies “higher taxes on cars that use petrol or diesel”, and “banning peat, coal, and oil for home heating” received weaker support from those who had experienced economic difficulties. However, the findings show that those who reported economic difficulties in the last year expressed the same levels of worry and feelings of personal importance about climate change as those who experienced no difficulties.

Speaking about the report, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Mr Eamon Ryan TD said: “The findings of this second Climate Change in the Irish Mind survey are very encouraging. It confirms that Irish people have a good understanding of the complex issues of climate change, that they are concerned about its effects on their lives, but importantly that they believe that taking climate action can make our country more resilient, creating jobs and improving our quality of life.
This survey also shows us that climate is not an issue that divides people as much as it unites us. It also underlines the importance of ongoing engagement and communications. As a Government, we must listen and act so that we are supporting people to take climate action that works for their community — from the ground up. Climate action won’t work if it’s a top-down, blame or shame approach. Our transition to a new way of doing things must be fair, it must involve everyone and it must ensure that things will be better”.