County Kildare News

As part of the Kildare Youth Services Christmas Staff Day Celebrations, KYS staff annually takes part in a “Give Back to the Community” event. In previous years this has included gift wrapping for St. Vincent de Paul. Carol Singing in Naas Town and Care of the Aged.

This year we took part in two events. We were delighted to be able to carol sing and meet the visitors of Naas Care of the Aged. A wonderful time was had by all and a big thank you to the Care of the Aged for allowing our staff this opportunity to entertain.
Our second event was the “The Great Soup Give Away”.

Kildare Youth Services in partnership with the Classic French Restaurant Vie De Chateaux in Naas, held this event in Naas Town. There were two soup points, one outside the KYS building in Basin Street and the other in Poplar Square.

Free cups of delicious soup were offered to passers by, hopefully warming their tummies and hearts. The aim of the event was to thank Naas and the county of Kildare for their continued commitment and help in the work of KYS in supporting young people and families across the county.

KYS would also like to take this opportunity to thank the students from Pipers Hill College who performed from their musical “Hairspray” at the KYS Christmas staff day. We were mesmerised by their talents. Congratulation on such a good performance and we look forward to seeing next year’s production.

If you wish to contact KYS, drop into KYS, Canal Stores, Basin Street, Naas, Co. Kildare or Phone: 045 897893.

Kildare Youth Services would like to Wish You a Very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has warmly welcomed the announcement today (Friday) by Minister Richard Bruton that 150 jobs are to be created by MGS Mfg Group Inc. with the establishment of their manufacturing centre in Leixlip.

“Once again Kildare has been identified by an international company as an ideal location for business. MGS.Mfg Group Inc, is a leading provider of engineered manufacturing solutions to the plastics Industry, and the Group’s new entity will further develop and build on existing business connections in Europe. The company will be investing over $12 million USD over three years in a 150 person manufacturing facility in an existing 45,000 sq. ft. building on the Hewlett Packard Campus in Leixlip. The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

“Only a couple of months ago the Kerry Group announced 900 jobs for the Naas area and the announcement today of a further 150 jobs brings to over 1,000 jobs created for the Kildare North constituency, which will have a dramatic knock on effect on the local community. This government has been committed to creating jobs and I am delighted that Kildare has benefitted to such a large extent to date. Today’s announcement comes on the back of a very tough Budget where difficult decision had to be made however I believe it shows a turn in fortunes for the country and a glimmer of hope for 2013″

Thanks to all the young people from Co. Kildare who entered this years KYS Christmas e-Card Art Competition. WE received a great variety of styles. Special thanks to local artist Karen O’Connor, who judged the competition.

An over whelming amount of entries were received and as always the standard was extremely high, which made it a tough task for Karen.

Kildare Youth Services would like to Congratulate Maria Corr (12) from St Mary’s College, Naas who was chosen as the overall winner.
Maria’s winning entry (right) becomes Kildare Youth Services Official Christmas e-card for 2012.

Congratulations also go to the prize winners from each age category:

Non Project Winner Age 13-15   -  Lauren McGinley (14)   St Marys College,
Project Winner Age 10-12  - Caoimhe Chambers  (12)  Athy Youth Project
Project Winner Age category 13-15 years  - Jade Foley (15) Leixlip Youth

Merits were also given to entries that Karen felt where of excellent standard for their age. KYS would like to thank all the young artists who entered the competition.

An exhibition of all competition entries are on display in the KYS, Youth Information Centre in Canal Stores, Basin Street, Naas. Tel: 045 897897 or e-mail: yic@kys.ie

KYS would also like to say a big thank you to the local business who donated prizes for the winners in the competition.

This is an annual KYS e-card art competition and we look forward to receiving your entries for the 2013 competition.

Kildare Youth Services would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Acknowledging the ongoing fiscal challenges facing Government as we entered our sixth austerity Budget, North Kildare Chamber accepted some tough decisions regarding Government expenditure were unavoidable but expressed disappointment that more was not done to incentivise and support further business growth, essential to stimulating job creation.

Assessing the overall impact of the budget, North Kildare Chamber president Eilis Quinlan stated “positively, we acknowledge the focus that Government has placed on the vital role of SMEs in the economy, the reinforcement of its commitment to the 12.5% corporation tax rate, the absence of any increases to employer’s PRSI and that the much feared transfer of sick pay costs to employers did not materialise. In addition, the R&D tax credit expansion, fuel rebate for hauliers, seed and venture capital scheme, measures to improve liquidity as well as efforts to reduce bureaucracy impacting on SMEs are welcome.”

However, the president continued “when it comes to introducing new initiatives and incentives to support business growth, the measures within Government’s ‘ten point plan’ which specifically targets SMEs falls far short of the scale of initiative and innovation required to truly grow the level of business activity that Ireland now needs. This is compounded further by concerns around the impact of wider budget measures which will impact on consumer confidence and purchasing power, resulting in continuing challenges for particular aspects of the economy, most notably the struggling retail and hospitality sector.”

With the implementation of the property tax now planned for mid 2013, Eilis Quinlan re-echoed the Chamber’s “acceptance of the need to broaden the tax base to support local government in delivering services in order to reduce the disproportionate reliance on business funding for these essential services. All income generated through a property tax, should be retained and re-invested within the local authority in which it is generated. A failure to do so would represent a ‘double hit’ for local citizens and businesses who pay a tax without realising the benefits of it locally.”

The president concluded, “I very much welcome the Government’s recognition of the need to stimulate private sector regeneration in our cities and the acknowledgement of the requirement to support the development of high quality office accommodation to meet continually expanding FDI and indigenous industry needs.”

Over 70 people gathered at The Osprey Hotel last Tuesday (4th December) in order to attend Naas Credit Union’s AGM.  Peter Fullam, Chairman of Naas Credit Union gave an over view of the organisation’s performance over the past year and also spoke about some of the improvements in membership services.  The assembled crowd was very pleased with the results as the year end showed a surplus of €1.78 million which was substantially up from 2011, while the balance sheet and reserve position remain strong with total assets now standing at over €76 million.  Over €950,000 was paid back to members in 2012 which represented a dividend of 1.5% on savings while €12.49 million was lent to people in Naas and the surrounding areas.

It also seems that Naas Credit Union is bucking the national trend and has money to lend.  Mr. Fullam stated that over €30 million is available to lend to members, a welcome respite from the current economic climate and the national limited access to credit. He went on to say that although members are not immune from the present economic difficulties the Credit Union had noted that there has been some reduction in the number of people experiencing difficulties with their loan repayments which he hoped was a small sign of an improving trend.

Naas Credit Union welcomed 1,162 new members in 2012 which makes it one of the fastest growing Credit Unions in the country in terms of membership numbers and growth. This is due in part to the fact that finance is available and money is there for members to borrow and also due to several new membership initiatives which were introduced during the year.   In June, Naas Credit Union became the first Irish Credit Union to join the European Clearing System; this new venture gives members the ability to move their money from Naas Credit Union to any bank account in Ireland or indeed Europe. The real benefit is that the transferred money will be available in the recipients account ‘Same Day’, so members can draw down a loan before 11am and have the funds sitting in their bank account that day. A Smartphone App was also introduced in order to allow a more convenient way for members to access their Credit Union account.

The Credit Union continued to follow its mission statement of supporting and improving the economic and social well being of the community by donating over €30,000 to 16 community groups in October of this year. The Cecil Doyle, Naas Credit Union Community Bursary was one of the highlights of the year when applications were invited from local community groups to apply for grant aid to support voluntary groups, working and operating in the local community. This was the first year for the bursary to be held and the Credit Union was very happy with the huge response and number of entries submitted by local organisations. “We were really delighted with the response we got back from the local community. We got so many, very good submissions all worthy of monetary support and we were delighted to have been able to help many local groups to continue their great work.” Bursaries were awarded to various organisations including sporting groups, heritage, tidy towns, health support groups, schools and a group which works tirelessly for the homeless in Naas. The bursary was named after Cecil Doyle (86), President and founding member of Naas Credit Union.

Mr. Fullam also confirmed that Naas Credit Union has signed a lease on a new office in the Monread Shopping Centre in order to better serve members living in the northern parts of Naas, Sallins, Kill and Caragh.  The new office is due to open in March 2013 and the opening will create four new jobs. He closed his address by thanking his fellow Directors, the board and committee and the members themselves for their support during the year. 

For further details on Naas Credit Union log on to www. naascu.ie or call (045) 879622

• Shopping locally for Irish quality products will help to secure jobs in a difficult time for Irish manufacturers, producers and retailers.
  
• Switch to quality LOCAL Irish products and ‘shift the balance’ in favour of ‘the home team’.
  

North Kildare Chamber has called on the hard pressed Kildare consumer to ‘think local, think Irish’ when shopping this Christmas. While acknowledging the reduced financial circumstances of all our citizens and the necessity to cut back on spending this year, the Chamber, which represents all businesses across the county, encourages shoppers to ‘BUY LOCAL and BUY IRISH, where and when they can.
 
According to Chamber President Eilis Quinlan, “now more than ever we need a real effort to save and retain local jobs. By demanding quality Irish products we will at least give a fair chance to local producers and retailers to survive and serve the local community. Buying from locally owned businesses keeps money circulating closer to where you spend. Local shops use local services, accountants, insurance brokers, PR companies as well as employing local people. They also carry a higher percentage of locally-made goods”.

• Every €10 spent locally on Irish products generates €24 of benefit to the local community.
  
• 45 cents of every Euro spent is reinvested locally in comparison to only 15cents for the foreign multiples.

 
“With job losses now at record levels and retailers and suppliers struggling to survive, it is vital that we support our own local enterprises during these difficult times. By buying local, we secure local jobs, and by buying Irish we secure Irish jobs. If every consumer switched just one tenth of their ‘imported shopping’ to Irish produced goods it would shift the balance in favour of local producers, manufacturers and retailers and go a long way to sustaining Irish jobs, after what has been a very difficult year
 
“We are asking consumers therefore to ‘think local, think Irish’ and ‘shift the balance’ in favour of the ‘home team’,” concluded Quinlan
 

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DATES CONFIRMED!!..The 1st Beginner Course of 2013 will begin with a FREE Trial class on THURSDAY 17th JANUARY at 7.30pm in the Abbey Hall, Clane (see website for location) followed by registration for the course which starts on THURSDAY 24th January.

Pre-register by emailing info@wulonghealing.com or Text to 086 3527527

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Sponsored prize fund for winning business concept

Minister for State, Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Sean Sherlock TD was on hand as Bord na Móna confirmed its commitment to the sponsorship of an entrepreneur coaching programme targeted at highly motivated professionals who have unfortunately, recently become unemployed. 

The Enterprise Evolution Programme (EEP), which offers these professionals the opportunity to develop their own business ideas into a viable commercial success, is jointly delivered by IT Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology and Innovo Training and Development, with the support of Bord na Móna

Minister Sean Sherlock TD commented; “The Enterprise Evolution Programme (EEP) is a great example of a programme which will help budding entrepreneurs to make their ideas a reality. This very much ties in with the Government's Action Plan for Jobs 2012.  I would like to commend Bord na Móna for their support of the EEP."

The first winner, De Paor Pottery, Pottery in Motion, founded by local Kildare native Danielle Power, will offer a unique service including a range of products, from ‘Paint your own pottery parties’ to creating memorabilia to mark important life milestones. 

Danielle Power, Creator of De Paor Pottery commented; “The funding that Bord na Móna have given De Paor Pottery will go towards making our business a reality and without their sponsorship this would not be possible.”

As part of their sponsorship of the EEP programme, Bord na Móna award a prize to the most innovative business idea presented by the students of the course.  The winning business idea is then given start up funding from Bord na Móna to help turn their business concept into a viable reality.  In addition, the winner is given access to vital technical and marketing advice from experienced executives in the group.

Bord na Móna recognize the importance of developing and supporting new enterprise ideas and business start ups. 

Gabriel D’Arcy, CEO, Bord na Móna commented; “As part of the EEP we have sponsored, for the past two years, a €5,000 start up fund for the best small business start-up in diverse areas from Pottery Production to the manufacture of specialized racing sail boats!  We recognize the vital importance of bridging the gap between business theory and practical commercial entrepreneurship.  This programme offers this and we congratulate the IT in Tallaght and their partners Innovo on the initiative.  We want to continue to help support people who are taking control of their own future and play our part in bringing their business ideas to life.  Bord na Móna are pleased to be associated with this venture.  It is a critical element of our company’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme and a tangible demonstration of our commitment to helping the talented start-ups get up and running.  We are happy to be in a position to give these businesses a helping hand.