County Kildare News

South Kildare Community Transport has launched two new pilot routes to their existing timetable of services.

These new routes are wheelchair accessible and will serve Ballymore Eustace to Newbridge and Ballymore Eustace to Naas Hospital and Naas.

For detailed timetables please visit www.skct.ie or contact the Transport Coordinator at 045 871916 or email info@skct.ie.

Route 3 Timetable

Invitation for Expression of Interest, by South Kildare Community Transport.

South Kildare Community Transport is a rural transport company seeking to address the issues of rural isolation in South Kildare. The company currently operates scheduled services in South Kildare and plans to extend its services.

Expressions of Interest are invited from Road Passenger Operators for the provision of possible services on a contract basis in selected areas throughout the South of the County.

Please send a letter or call the phone number below outlining your interests, times and place of bus availability, capacity and brief details of your organisation along with your vehicle and driver resources to the address below. Please indicate where possible which service(s) or areas in South Kildare you may be interested in providing.

VEHICLE:
The size of the Vehicle shall be a 16/23 seated passenger bus. The Vehicle shall meet the minimum statutory regulatory and technical requirements. The evaluation of interests shall be weighted in favour of persons who will provide full disability access.

The Transport Coordinator,
South Kildare Community Transport Ltd,
Jigginstown Commercial Centre,
Old Limerick Rd,
Naas,
Co Kildare.
Ph 045 871916
Email: info@skct.ie
Website: www.skct.ie

Athy Heritage Centre and Museum played host to the 7th annual Shackleton Autumn School over the October Bank Holiday weekend.

The weekend was opened by journalist Kevin Myers, whose lecture on Ireland and a multi-cultural society generated a lively debate among the very large attendance on the Friday night.

The weekend provided, as ever, a wide variety of events to interest all tastes. The series of lectures dealt with many aspects of Shackleton’s life but also with the environmental threat to the Antarctic and on Saturday night the annual Shackleton dinner was fully subscribed at the Carlton Court Hotel, where Jacintha O Donnell entertained the diners with music and song.

The Antarctic recreation group drew a steady stream of interested passers-by to their tent outside the Heritage Centre, where reproduction clothing, utensils, a sledge and equipment from the Shackleton expeditions were on show.

Sunday saw a morning of lectures and a film in the afternoon. On Sunday night the main library was packed for the performance of the Armagh Rhymers who, with their masks, poetry and music, brought the works of Patrick Kavanagh and other Irish writers to life.

The weekend concluded with a bus and walking tour of Ballitore on Monday morning where, again, a full complement of people visited the Quaker Meeting House, Mary Leadbeater house, Quaker school site and the Shaker store.

The organising committee expressed delight at the increased number attending this year’s school – all of the events were sold out – and they are already planning for next year’s events.

The South Kildare Medieval Festival Committee is pleased to announce the launch of their preparatory campaign to hold a Medieval Festival in Athy in April 2008. 

Invitations will go out to interested groups and individuals to participate in the organizing and carrying through of the archaeologically focused festival, with the aims of getting publicity for the finds over many years in the south county area.

The Launch, on November 4th at the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum in Athy, will give a taste of what is to come, with displays of objects, both photographic and real, of ancient artifacts, with archaeologist in attendance to guide that attending public interest.

As a backdrop re-enactors in period costume will display weapons and armour, and provide an interactive experience with calligraphy and coin striking. We hope to provide a spectacle of weapons in use as warriors square off nearby.

All are welcome and admission is free.  So for a fun afternoon join us at the Athy heritage Centre-Museum in Athy on Sunday 4th November next between 12 noon and 4 p.m.

Buying a new phone for christmas? Please don't dump your old phones.

Be Green and recycle old phones. There is a collection box in Kildare
Town Heritage Centre (Tourist Office), Market House, Kildare Town for
old mobile phones.

All money raised from these old phones will go towards protecting the heritage of Kildare Town.

For more information Contact 045 530672

The Constituency Commission has just released its Report on Dail and European Parliament Constituencies 2007 and its has issued recommendations on the following changes in the area of the Kildare North and Kildare South constituencies.

The population of Kildare has increased by nearly 14% since 2002.
However, the county’s 2006 population is equivalent to 7.30 seats (7 at present). The Commission suggests, as the appropriate approach on this occasion, that a population transfer between the 2 constituencies is the best means to address the variance in Kildare South.

The 2003/4 Commission recommended the addition of a seat to Kildare North, and the transfer of an area in the north-west of the county to that constituency from Kildare South. This was enacted by the Oireachtas.
The 2007 Commission recommends the transfer of a further electoral division in the north-west, and one in the north-east of Kildare South, from that constituency to Kildare North. The total population involved is 1,314.

The Electoral Divisions that are recommended to be transferred are Former Edenderry No.2 Rural District: Kilpatrick (Population 841) and Former Naas No.1 Rural District: Newtown (Population 473)

The Constituency Commission also states that if current population trends continue, the case for an increase in Dáil representation in Kildare may arise for consideration in the future.

Population figures are from 2006.

The following table sets out the relevant statistics for the recommended constituencies:

For more information visit the Constituency Commission website - www.constituency-commission.ie

This Halloween, Wednesday October 31st, Whitewater Shopping Centre, located in Newbridge, County Kildare is hosting a fun filled day of free children's activities to celebrate Halloween for its young customers. The management at Whitewater are inviting local children in the area to join them in the centre from 12 noon to 5pm for a full afternoon of free family entertainment.

Children will be treated to ghoulish story telling, hair-raising magicians and walkabout Halloween characters. Bring along your children in their Halloween costumes and let the professional face painters get them all set for an evening of 'trick or treating'. For the younger children there will be a special appearance by Jo Jingles, with singing, story telling and dancing to be enjoyed by all.

Commenting on the upcoming Halloween event, Whitewater Shopping Centre Manger, Justin Young stated that, "we have a wonderful day of free children's activities on offer this Halloween. It's just a small gesture to thank our customers for all their custom and support to date and what better way than to treat and entertain their children during the school's mid term break.  We're really looking forward to a great buzz in the centre on the day".

There are activities throughout the centre starting at various times during the afternoon. Feel free to come along on the day and enjoy the Halloween themed event. For further information and times please log onto www.whitewatersc.ie

For further information please contact:
Karen Reid - Account Manager, Spirit Marketing
Tel: 01 806 9071
Email: karen.reid@spiritmg.com

There are two Six week Parent & Baby Signing Workshops starting in November in Naas and Celbridge, starting in early November.

Naas GAA Centre: Wed 7th Nov to Wed 17th Dec @ 10.00am

Gymboree, Wolstan's Abbey, Celbridge: Fri 9th Nov to Fri 21st Dec @ 10.00am

The fee for each course is €150.

The Baby Sign Along programmes teach hearing babies/toddlers and their parents how to communicate with each other before their children can speak.

Through signing, music, songs, stories and fun we will show you how to replace frustration with communication through simple hand movements.

Come visit us on the web to find out more about the benefits of signing with your child. You'll be amazed at what your baby has to say.

For more information contact Clare Sharkey on 045-855978 or email babysignalong@msn.com

 Website: www.babysignalong.ie 

Attention all photographers!

Kildare County Council is pleased to announce the sixth environmental photographic competition for the county. The theme of this year’s competition is:

Call of the wild - celebrating Kildare’s biodiversity

All you have to do is take photographs in Kildare from now until next March. The judges will be looking for images that expand on the theme of celebrating Kildare’s biodiversity, it’s native flora and fauna. This could be anything from wild birds, to trees or mammals. Generous prizes are on offer and the competition is open to all.

For more information and a copy of the entry form, contact the Environment Section at  (045) 980200 or email: environ@kildarecoco.ie. Alternatively, the details can be downloaded from the Council’s website.

Closing date is Friday 28 March 2008.

A Free Bring Centre is now available for recycling household waste at Newtown, Moone, County Kildare.

The centre is vailable on Saturday mornings only from 8.00am to 1.00pm.

Recycling facilities for:

• Cardboard - Boxes or flat
• Cans - Drink and food; Separated and clean
• Crockery
• Electrical goods
• Glass - bottles, jars, windows etc.
• Paper - newspaper, office paper, books, magazines
• Plastics
• Tetrapak
• Wood

For more information contact Patrick on 081 8365828 or email arl@iol..ie

Website: www.arkrecycling.com 

A film is in production about the winning of the Melbourne Cup by Curragh trainer Dermot Weld's Media Puzzle. An Australian film crew has spent two weeks shooting at the Curragh, before the old grandstand is replaced. The horse won Australia's  greatest race in 2002, ridden by jockey Damien Oliver.

Filming is due to continue next March, with the release date set to coincide with the build-up to next year's race. Pierce Brosnan is thought to be a possibility for the part of the famous trainer.

The Kildare Community Partnership (formerly Action South Kildare) is a well-established and dynamic Community Group, funded by Pobal under the Government’s National Development Plan. Kildare Community Partnership responds to the needs of disadvantaged individuals and groups, and promotes social inclusion and integration.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for the following position. 

YOUTH PROJECT WORKER [4 Days/Week]
Fixed Term Contract for 6 months, with the possibility of an extension to contract.

The ideal candidate will support the implementation of agreed areas of work from the Life Options and Family Support Programmes as they relate to young people in the community.
 
Experience in a similar working environment, a track record in a Youth Work context, Knowledge and understanding of Community Development principles in recognising the roles of young people in decision-making and participation are essential. Commitment to working within an equality and anti-racism framework also essential

Salary and Conditions: €30,631 - €36,248 PRO RATA

Application Form, Job Description and Person Specification available from:

The Administrator, The Kildare Community Partnership, Jigginstown Commercial Centre, Naas, Co Kildare.
Email: info@thekcp.ie  
Tel: 045-895450              
Fax: 045-895449

Letter of application and completed application form to arrive at the above address by 5pm on Friday 09th November 2007.

INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE TUESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2007.

Canvassing will disqualify. KCP seeks to be an equal opportunities employer.
Shortlisting may apply.

The Kildare Community Partnership is funded by the NDP 2007-2013

Leixlip Library  invite you to check out their display of books and DVDs on Health and Fitness, which will help and advise you on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle through the winter.

The selection includes Antenatal Yoga, Gentle Birth, Sports nutrition, working out, Dancing, Mountain Climbing, Walking, Diet, Pilates and Natural Health.

The display runs from 1st Oct to 31st Nov 2007

Contact leixliplib@kildarecoco.ie

Phone 01 6060050

Following five years as part of the BSB calendar and following careful consideration, Mondello Park has decided not to take up its option to run a round of the British Superbike Championship in 2008.

With the BSB teams looking to reduce the number of races for budgetary reasons, and the fact that it costs Mondello considerably more to host a round than any of the British circuits, the County Kildare venue has decided not to take up its place on the 2008 calendar.

The decision comes despite an offer from the MCRCB to allow the Irish round to run over two days, rather than the normal three day event, which would have resulted in reduced costs for the teams, but not for the circuit.

Mondello Park is unique among the circuits on the BSB calendar in that along with higher fixed costs for running Irelands BSB round than British venues incur, the circuit also funds the team's travel to the tune of €130,000 annually. This travel fund has primarily been provided by Failte Ireland, with assistance from Stena Line, but due to a change in policy towards “arena events”, tourism funding reduced in 2007.

This factor in conjunction with Mondello offering reduced price tickets to this years event, contributed to the circuit losing money on its 07 BSB round. The reduced backing from Failte Ireland is unlikely to increase significantly for 2008 and as a result it is not currently viable for Mondello to continue to host a round of the British championship.

Speaking of the decision Mondello Park’s Managing Director, John Morris said;

 “Obviously we’re very disappointed, but we could never have hosted BSB without Failte Ireland and we’re extremely grateful to them for their support of a multitude of events at Mondello Park over the last 7 years. There is a great spin off from the big international events for the local community and I’m as disappointed for them as for ourselves and the many Irish and UK fans of the Mondello event.

However, Mondello Park is a business and it’s a commercial reality that we cannot run events that either lose money, or are simply too marginal to take the risk. We may be out for 08, but clearly we’ll continue to work to try and put a deal in place in 09 and beyond. We’ve simply invested too much in both the venue and BSB and we’ve made many new friends along the way. I’m confident that this isn’t the end for BSB at Mondello Park”.

In order to keep a major motorcycle event on the circuit’s calendar Mondello Park is considering the possibility of running a big prize money open event on the Sunday before the NW200. Morris commented;

“Many of the principle teams will be coming to Ireland for the North West and they may be interested in trying to head there with some extra prize money in their pockets. We have the date pencilled in on our calendar and if there is sufficient interest, we’ll certainly look at putting the prize fund in place”

Kildare Community Partnership invites tenders for the audit of Parent Support Services in Co. Kildare

Background

Kildare County Development Board 10 year strategy Kildare 2012, was launched in 2002. It sets out a “Shared Vision” for the future social, economic and cultural development of the county and aims to make Kildare a better place to live, learn, work, visit and do business.

Arising from Kildare 2012, an action plan was developed to realise the vision, goals and objectives of the strategy. The original action plan was reviewed in 2005 and a revised action plan was developed for the period 2006-2008. Actions identified in this plan are strategically linked to the six thematic areas identified in Kildare 2012. 

The countywide audit of parent support services is Action 7 in the plan and relates to the theme of New Settlement Patterns: Community Needs. Kildare Community Partnership is the lead agency for this action.

Purpose of Audit

• To establish the nature, range, extent and availability of existing support services for parents of children aged from birth to 18 years, in the role of parent. These may include parent & toddler groups, parent education, early intervention programmes e.g. Community Mothers, Lifestart, family support programmes, school-based programmes, childcare services, statutory Community Care system e.g. Public Health Nursing, Social Work service, and others.
• To identify the gaps, if any, that exist e.g. in terms of geography and/or unmet needs of parents, with particular emphasis on more vulnerable families experiencing disadvantage and marginalisation.
  
• To recommend appropriate responses to the findings e.g. ways in which gaps may be filled and emerging issues addressed.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF TENDERS:  5pm on Monday 5th November 2007 

Download the Tender Brief for full details

FADA is a new Community Group formed to respond to growing concerns over increasing Energy Prices and Climate Change.

They are inviting County Kildare Communities to attend  a talk by Eddie Hobbs entitled "When the Oil runs out; preparing Our Community for the Change" on November 14th 2007 at Ryston Social Club, in Newbridge.

Eddie will demonstrate the size of the challenge that faces us all in the near future, and how we might respond as individuals and households.

Practically every area of life will be affected in some way: work, transport, food, education, leisure, etc. and so a response must also happen at Community level, from the Community itself. 

The following Saturday, 17th November, there will be a “Community Brainstorming Event” at the same venue.

This event will use a well-proven format, adopted from business, called an
“Open Space Event” where the participants generate practical projects that will help our community prepare for the challenges that diminishing energy supplies will bring.

For more details, please contact Pádraic on 087 741 6473.  You can also find out more by visiting our website at www.kildare.ie/fada

"The Healthy Way" in Leixlip are running a workshop entitled "Mindfulness for Stress Reduction", with Josephine Lynch on 17th November 2007.

This workshop is designed to give people an introduction to the practice of Mindfulness. More and more people are discovering the essential nature of living in the present moment.

This day is an opportunity to learn how to practice this through the art of mindfulness.

Call 01 6244288 or email helena@thehealthyway.ie for details.

Kildare County Enterprise Board recommends that Kildare businesswomen, and those thinking of starting out in business, attend the inaugural one day conference for National Women's Enterprise Day.

Hosted by the County and City Enterprise Boards, the inaugural National Women's Enterprise Day will be held at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. This event aims to inspire, activate and assist women across the country in running their own business.

Date:    Wednesday, 21st November 2007
Venue:  Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Time:    9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Cost:    €50

On Tuesday 20th there is an informal reception in the Mullingar Park Hotel to kickstart your experience.

Bookings and further details:

Tel:          Clara Clark at 01- 289 8533.
Email:       info@nwed.ie
Website:    www.nationalwomensenterpriseday.ie

John Duffy has published a book on the River Barrow entitled ‘Barrow Bridges and related aspects’. This book contains pencil drawings by John of the Barrow’s 45 bridges as well as many photographs, both old and new, of River Barrow subjects. Much information is included about the Barrow’s bridges and people will be surprised to learn about the structures that we all take for granted today. The subject matter is extensive, covering Canals, Carlow Sugar Factory, Boating, Fishing, early Barrow maps and the history of the River’s towns, from Portarlington to New Ross.

Dick Warner, who wrote the book’s foreword, says, ‘To write the true story of the River Barrow you have to be at home in many disciplines. No one person can be a historian and an archaeologist, an engineer and a zoologist and a master of all the other subjects that the River reveals, but you have to understand something of them all and be able to interpret their mysteries for the reader. John Duffy not only succeeds in doing this, his talent as an artist means he can do it in pictures as well’.

The book launch, by Dick Warner, will be held in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow, on Wed. 24th October, from 7.30 p.m. Also on the night, there will be an exhibition/sale of John’s original Barrow drawings.
‘Barrow Bridges and related aspects’ contains 172 pages. The book will be going to print in early October and will be available in all bookshops, retailing at 30 euros.

The project has been financially assisted by McConville’s SuperValu, Portarlington and Monasterevin; Tiernan’s SuperValu, Athy and Connolly’s SuperValu, Bagenalstown.

St. Laurence's GAA Complex - Badminton Clubs

Juvenile Badminton Club's every Saturday 12.30  to 2.30 ages 7 to 18 - boys & girls -  with expert coaching and Badminton Ireland affiliated.   New members welcome. Fun and Fitness for all the family.  Limited place available.  Badminto is the fastest Racquet Sport in the World! 

Senior Badminton Club - New Season - New You? Every Tuesday & Friday - 9 to 11pm. All Levels Welcome - Join us on the night and bring a friend.

Please contact Josephine at 087 777  8096 or on larrysbamdinton@gmail.com  for further information on either the Senior or Junior Badminton Clubs.

Invitation to Tender
Kildare County Childcare Committee (KCCC) invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced individuals, organisations or agencies for an evaluation of the impact of the National Childminding Initiative (NCMI) in Kildare from 2004-2007.

Background
The National Childminding Initiative (NCMI) is an initiative which is delivered by KCCC in conjunction with the HSE/West Wicklow. The initiative was developed to support Childminders by providing, information, advice and training to people who are minding or who are considering minding children in their own homes.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF TENDERS: 5.00pm on Monday 22nd October 2007.

Download Tender Document with full details

The provision of schools and their governance are urgent issues which need open and serious discussion according to Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael.

“The lack of school places, the growth of several different styles of schools and the re-examination of by the Catholic Church of their commitment to education provision means that Irish education is at a crucial crossroads.

Gaelscoileanna and Educate Together schools are just some of the new types of schools which are growing throughout our county and country and the uniformity of provision of the past is changing. What types of schools and who should manage them are the questions which need to be discussed.” said cllr Daly

“As responsibility for the provision of schools is shared between several providers, adequate school places and a quality curriculum must be assured.

VECs which have an established role in education provision in every county must also be brought on board in discussions on the provision of education at all levels.

The Minister should initiate this debate sooner rather than later”

Richard Daly is a town councillor and school principal in Athy.

 
The annual International Rallycross event at Mondello Park this Sunday (Oct 14th 2007)could be the biggest the circuit has seen for many years, with star drivers, new cars, a huge entry and a revised circuit all set to add to the attraction of this already extremely popular event. Points will be up for grabs in the British Rallycross Championship and two Irish championships with the added attraction for the local Supercar drivers of also taking on some European visitors.

For the first time since the early nineties Mondello Park's rallycross circuit will be graced by entries form Europe with two drivers making the long trip to Ireland to battle with the British and Irish championship stars. One of the biggest names in the history of World Rallying and European Rallycross, Per Eklund, will be the star attraction as he brings his Saab Supercar to Co. Kildare. The Swede will not be alone in driving one of the Swedish cars as he will also run Irish Rallying legend Andrew Nesbitt in his second chassis. The other European entrant will be French driver Olivier Anne who will give George Tracey's new Citroen C4 Rallycrosser its debut.

The Supercar entry is already up to a phenomenal fifteen cars with the possibility of more still to come. All of the Irish front runners will be present with championship regulars, Tracey, Dermot Carnegie and John McCluskey joined by the returning Tommy Graham and former Rallycar class winner Eddie Kinirons, who steps up to the Supercar ranks for the first time. Pitted against the locals will be the top UK Rallycrosser's including Pat Doran, Andrew Jordan, Mike Manning and Steve Mundy and the two Europeans.

This Sunday's event sees a number of changes to Irish Rallycross which switches back to being a winter championship. This means that Sunday will not only be a round of the British and round five of the 2007 Irish championship, but also round one of the new '07/'08 series. The circuit will also see changes, with the removal of the unpopular rallycross three from its layout. The track will now contain just two loose sections with cars turning right at the end of the second and heading straight to Dunlop corner on the Tarmac. this will introduce an extremely fast right hander and extra overtaking places to the circuit.

The popularity of Rallycross continues to climb with competitors and entries up in all classes bringing the numbers competing over the one hundred mark for the first time in a decade. This Sunday’s event will be a real treat for the enthusiastic Rallycross crowd with the additional entries, the new look circuit and the return of the Europeans all breathing new life into the already exciting Rallycross format.

TIMETABLE
 
09:00
 Practice Commences
 
09:45
 Practice Finishes
 
10:00
 Heats Run 1
 
11:30
 Heats Run 2
 
13:00
 Lunch Break
 
13:45
 Heats Run 3 
15:15
 RX150 Buggy Demonstration
 
15:30
 Finals
 
17:00
 Prizegiving
 
 

Kildare Community Partnership (KCP) invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced individuals, organisations or agencies for a Review and Evaluation of the impact of the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme in its area of operation from 2004-2007.

TENDER BRIEF: REVIEW & EVALUATION LDSIP 2004-2007

The Kildare Community Partnership (KCP) (formerly Action South Kildare) is a well-established and dynamic community development organisation, supported by Pobal under the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme to respond to the needs of disadvantaged individuals and groups and to promote social inclusion and integration. The Strategic planning process for the period 2008-2013 will commence post-2008 as part of the cohesion process. We are undertaking a Review & Evaluation of the period 2004-2007, in order to inform the planning and implementation of the future programme. The Review & Evaluation will focus on the implementation of the LDSIP under the three KCP Programme areas: Life Options, Community Participation and Family Support.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF TENDERS: November 1st 2007.

Download the Tender Brief Document for full details

This weekend, (Friday 12th to Sunday 14th October 2007) Athy residents and visitors are in for a treat as the first ever Athy Rowing & River Barrow Autumn Festival hits the town. 2007 is the Year of the River Barrow and In order to link with the festivities held in New Ross in January 2007 to open the 'Year of the Barrow', the closing ceremony has been organised by Athy Rowing Club in Athy as part of a whole town festival ; The Athy Rowing & River Barrow Autumn Festival.

Athy Rowing Club was established in 1997 and has seen most of its growth over the past four years. The club presently operates from a container located on the banks of the Barrow in Rathstewart, Athy. The club has organised many events for the festival including a Water Sports Demonstration on Saturday 13th and a Regatta on Sunday 14th. One of the highlights of the festival will be the Banquet - held in the Carlton Abbey Hotel on Saturday 13th. Tickets  are €75 are are available from the Carlton Abbey Hotel, Athy or from Marilene at 086 3669118 or by emailing info@athybarrowfest.ie.

There are also many family activities organised for the festival including all weekend street entertainment with Bouncing Castles, Mini Carts, Party Carts, Lazer Zone, Climbing Wall,  Music and lots more and an Old Time Fair on Sunday 14th with Wheel of Fortune, Bottle Stall, White Mouse, and Test Your Strength.

For more information, see the website www.athybarrowfest.ie

BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, will provide women in Kildare with free breast x-rays from early October 2007.

The screening service is offered to women aged between 50 and 64 and BreastCheck urges all invited women to attend their appointment. The Government funded service will begin screening at a BreastCheck mobile screening unit in the car park of Dunnes Stores at Newbridge Shopping Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare from early October 2007.

A BreastCheck x-ray is a simple procedure that takes approximately half an hour and is offered to women aged between 50-64 every two years.

The aim of screening is to detect early breast cancer. The vast majority of women screened are found to be perfectly healthy with less than one per cent diagnosed with cancer.

Mr. Tony O'Brien, Director of BreastCheck, encouraged all women contacted by BreastCheck to attend.

"It is important that women take this valuable opportunity to look after their health. Many women in Kildare have already been contacted and we encourage all invited women to attend their appointment.

 We also encourage women who have previously availed of this service to encourage those who have not yet attended to take advantage of BreastCheck."

Women can find more information, register for BreastCheck, or check that they are on the register at www.breastcheck.ie/ssregister/index.php or by calling freephone 1800 45 45 55.

Last year 79,262 women were invited by BreastCheck for screening and 59,960 women attended their appointments. BreastCheck has reported a consistently high overall acceptance rate of 76.6% of eligible women to the screening programme, in excess of the target acceptance rate of 70%.

The uptake rate for women invited to attend for a second time was 88.8% and uptake among first time invitees to the programme was 72.2% - both in excess of the target of 70%.

WHAT DID YOU GET UP TO LAST WEEKEND?

Did it involve lying unseen with three of your mates at the edge of a forest, calling in artillery fire, before being extracted by helicopter? Surviving on cold rations because the ‘enemy’ can detect the heat signature of your stoves?

62 reserve artillery regiment is now recruiting new members.  

This local army reserve unit is a combat support element of 2nd eastern brigade reserve forces.   The regiment draws it’s male and female members from all walks of life in the county kildare area.   Members receive paid professional military training. 

People aged between 17 and 35 are eligible to apply.   Those interested should call / text 087 622 45 28, or send an email to 62regiment@inbox.com.

He was ratified for a three year term. He takes over from John Crofton, who resigned in July.

Kieran retired from inter-county football last month. He played a vital role in the success that Armagh enjoyed over the last number of years.

With Armagh he showed leadership, commitment and dedication both on and off the field.

Kieran was captain of the Armagh team that won the 2002 All Ireland Senior Football Championship.They defeated Kerry by 1-12 to 0-14 in front of a crowd of 79,500.

Between 1999 and 2006 Armagh won 6 out of 8 Ulster Championships.
Former Armagh selector Paul Grimley has been named as his assistant.

We wish Kieran all the best in his new position and there is no doubt that he will bring the same drive and determination to Kildare that he has brought to Armagh over the past number of years.

Kildare Community Partnership invites suitably qualified and experienced individuals, organisations or agencies to tender for action research aimed at exploring the social inclusion needs of prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families.

Background and structure

Kildare Community Partnership in partnership with South Western Regional Drugs Task Force, Kildare County Council and additional social inclusion organisations working in the Kildare area have come together to develop an action research project into the social inclusion needs of prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. The specific objectives of the research are:

(a) To identify obstacles facing prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families which prevent them from moving forward. The research will explore the social inclusion needs of this diverse group (e.g. drug users; ethnic minorities (including Travellers); the homeless etc.

(b) To research models of good practice in responding to the needs of this target group and make clear recommendations appropriate to the development of responses in County Kildare.

Download the Tender Document here

Closing date 15th October 2007

Transport Tender Notice

TITLE: TRANSPORT PROVIDERS

AWARDING AUTHORITY: SOUTH KILDARE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT LIMITED

APPLICATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2007

TENDER DEADLINE DATE: WEDNESDAY 17th OCTOBER 2007

South Kildare Community Transport Limited has been contracted under the Department of Transport, Rural Transport Programme, through the National Development Plan to provide a rural transport solution for persons living in the South Kildare area.

Applications are currently being sought from transport providers to tender for the provision of three Pilot rural transport bus services on the following routes:

• Pilot Route 3: Ballymore-Brannockstown-Dunshane-Two Mile House-Athgarvan-Newbridge.
  
• Pilot Route 4: Ballymore-Brannockstown-Dunshane-Two Mile House-Punchestown-Naas Hospital-Naas.
  
• Pilot Route 5: Calverstown-Ballyshannon-Suncroft-The Cut Bush-Brownstown-Curragh Camp-Newbridge.

SERVICE COMMENCMENT DATE: 22nd October 2007.

CONTRACT PERIOD: 22nd October 2007 – 31st December 2007 (subject to continued financial support from Department Of Transport)

TIMETABLE: The Service will run on different schedules see below.

• Pilot Route 3: 9.50am to 18.33pm inclusive (Operating 6 day service Monday to Saturday 4 services per day)
  
• Pilot Route 4: 08.00am to 18.11pm inclusive (Operating 6 day service Monday to Saturday 6 services per day)
  
• Pilot Route 5: 07.47am to 17.59pm inclusive (Operating 6 day service Monday to Saturday 5 services per day).
  

Applications for tenders for this route will close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 10th October 2007

VEHICLE:
The size of the Vehicle shall be a 16/23 seated passenger bus. The Vehicle shall meet the minimum statutory regulatory and technical requirements. The evaluation of tenders shall be weighted in favour of persons who will provide full disability access.

Transport Operators who wish to tender for the routes should hold a Road Transport Operators Licence and hold a current Tax Clearance Certificate.

Tender documents which include route, times, vehicle minimum specification, maps and draft contract are available from:

The Transport Coordinator,
South Kildare Community Transport Limited,
Jigginstown Commercial Centre,
Old Limerick Rd,
Naas,
Co. Kildare.
TEL: 045-871916
EMAIL: info@skct.ie

Web: www.skct.ie