Latest news with #CorkCityCouncil
Irish Examiner
17 hours ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
'One-stop centre' to help migrants and refugees access health services in Cork
A new hub is to be launched to serve as a 'one-stop centre' for migrants and refugees living in Cork City to access health services. Migrants' rights charity Nasc, in partnership with Cork City Council and the HSE, is launching the Migrant Health Hub which will see HSE staff helping migrants with queries on how they can access health services in Cork. International protection applicants, refugees living in both state-provided accommodation and within the community, the Roma community, as well as the broader migrant population, will be able to access the services. The hub will act as an outreach facility for the HSE migrant health response teams, addiction services, screening and immunisation services, as well as psycho-social services. It is designed to help identify gaps and map existing supports to ensure more targeted, effective interventions for migrant communities. Additionally, it is set to provide "safe, supportive spaces" that will help address emotional, physical, cognitive, social and cultural health, as well as support integration and inclusion. It will also have staff from the HSE's migrant health services on site to help answer queries on accessing health services in Cork. Members of the local authority integration teams, as well as Cork City Partnership, who work directly with the migrant community, will also be present to answer any questions or concerns. The Cork Migrant Centre, South Parish Community Centre, Lib Counselling, Brijj, and Children and Young People Services Committee will be involved with the Hub. Nasc have said the ethos behind the hub is "one of partnership and collaboration." "Ensuring that Cork lives up to its promise as being a true 'City of Welcomes. The launch is being timed as part of Refugee Week 2025, which has an overarching theme of 'Community as a Superpower'," they added. The hub will be launched on Friday by the Lord Mayor of Cork on World Refugee Day. The launch will see musical performances from Citadel, Sauti Mentors, the African Queens, and Kalyna Soul Project. Additionally, murals created by migrant women and muralist Joe Caslin will also be on display.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Plans for 400 student bedspaces in Cork get go-ahead despite strong local opposition
Plans for more than 400 new student bedspaces in Cork have received the green light from An Bord Pleanála despite heavy local opposition. Lyonshall Ltd can now progress with the plans for the 408-bed purpose-built student accommodation development on the site of the former St Joseph's Convent on Model Farm Road to the west of the city centre. In its order, An Bord Pleanála said: 'The proposed development would provide an acceptable form of student accommodation in an area with a clear demand for such accommodation.' Last December, Lyonshall Ltd applied for permission for the 408 student beds across 57 apartments reaching as high as five storeys. As part of the plans, the existing former convent on the site would be demolished. Two months later, the plans were approved by Cork City Council despite local opposition. This was the second time developers have tried to secure permission for student accommodation on the site. The first application was turned by An Bord Pleanála in June 2024 due to limited communal facilities that 'failed to provide a satisfactory standard of residential amenity for the student population'. In its fresh application, developers said the proposed bedspaces 'will further support the students enrolled in Munster Technological University and University College Cork, where there is a high demand for student accommodation'. It also suggested figures show a significant undersupply of student housing in Cork, and this development would help meet the 'increased demand' from student bedspaces being used for the housing of Ukrainian refugees. However, following the planning approval from City Hall, no fewer than 12 appeals were lodged against the development. Summarising the objections, an An Bord Pleanála inspector said concerns varied from transport and residential amenity to visual impact and the scale of the development. 'The proposed scheme is essentially the same as that which was previously refused permission on this site,' objectors argued, adding the site should be used for housing rather than student accommodation. Concerns were also raised about the potential for it to be used as short-term lets in the summer months. One of the original conditions to the approval granted by Cork City Council was that the development be used as tourist or visitor accommodation during academic holiday periods but 'shall not be used for permanent residential accommodation, as a hotel, hostel, aparthotel or similar' without seeking further planning permission first. This was re-affirmed by An Bord Pleanála in its approval of the development, which was signed off unanimously by two board members. It added the apartments were of an acceptable scale and density and would 'not seriously injure' the amenities of the area.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Cork's €1.5bn commuter rail service will have 'multi-generational impact', says project leader
The €1.5bn investment in developing a commuter rail service in Cork will have a 'multi-generational impact' lasting up to a century, the man overseeing the massive project has said. Irish Rail's AJ Cronin, the delivery manager for the Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) programme, was speaking as Irish Rail launched a public consultation on the second phase of the programme, which includes proposals for eight new commuter rail stations in the metropolitan region, five of which could be built by 2030. The company has now published detailed maps and a raft of reports linked to Phase 2 and invited feedback on its preferred locations for: the train stations at Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry, Tivoli, Dunkettle, Ballynoe, Carrigtwohill West and Water-Rock; two new park-and-ride facilities on the city's northside, one at the Blarney station near Blarney Business Park, and one at the Blackpool station near Blackpool Shopping Centre; for a new fleet depot near Water-Rock in East Cork; its proposals for the full electrification of the fleet. A second round of consultation will be held before a planning application is made next year. Mr Cronin said Irish Rail wants to fast-track the delivery of the stations, with demand-study reports already justifying the construction of five, which could be built by 2030 pending planning and funding approval. Other stations, including Monard and Ballynoe, are in areas earmarked for thousands of new homes, and will be delivered as the housing is delivered. The CACR is the largest ever investment in the region's rail network and aims to provide high-frequency capacity for trains to run up to every 10 minutes across each of the three commuter lines to Mallow, Midleton, and Cobh – handling up to 16 million passenger journeys a year. Mr Cronin said: The impact of delivering significant rail infrastructure is for 100-plus years. It's multi-generational, and will support long-term growth in the economy and in the city and country region. Work on Phase 1 of CACR involves an estimated €400m investment in the twin-tracking of the line to East Cork and new signalling systems along the three commuter lines, both due for completion next year, and construction of a new through-platform at Kent Station, completed in April. Lord Mayor of Cork, Green Party Cllr Dan Boyle, said new stations at locations like Blackpool and Dunkettle could actually be built by 2028, and said it's a case of build it and they will come. 'It will be used. We have made the start, we are doing more than we've done before, and we can physically see the changes having a benefit, in terms of more train services, more people using public transport,' he said. 'If we don't invest and don't do the work quickly, we are running to stand still. In fact we are running backwards up a hill." Chief executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O'Sullivan, said for every euro the State invests in projects like this in Ireland's second city, 'the country will get it back in spades'. 'This is an exemplar of plan-led development – looking at where our growth is going to be and building for that growth,' she said. 'Cork City won't be a car-focused city in the future. It cannot be, it's just not sustainable as we grow to 335,000 people.' Read More Funding to electrify Cork rail reaches next EU round
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Applications for 28 long-term rental homes in Cork city now open
The new Cost Rental homes are located in Longview, in the northside city suburb, and delivered by Clúid in partnership with Cork City Council. The rents for these homes will be up to 30% below the average for the area. Clúid opened applications for the next two weeks, which can be made up until 5pm on Wednesday, July 2. Interested applicants will be able to apply for one of the five brand new two-bed houses, with a rent of €1,340 per month, or one of the 23 three-bed houses with a rent of €1,479 per month. Clúid expects residents to begin getting their keys in late August. Interested parties need to register their interest online, via and upload supporting documentation to the online portal. Documents required include proof of identity, bank statements to prove household income, and employer and landlord references. Colin Byrne, head of affordable rental at Clúid Housing, said: 'We're delighted to be opening our third Cost Rental scheme in Cork City at Longview. Ballyvolane is a buzzing suburb, with a range of retail and leisure options, and Cork City Centre is easily accessible by public transport,' he said. 'We anticipate all these factors will lead to high levels of interest.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Mr Byrne recommended those interested in the housing to start the application process as soon as possible. The homes are near the schools and shops of Ballvolane, with Cork City and a range of employment hubs in close proximity. As well the landscaped green areas, play spaces and a new greenway within the scheme, residents can also enjoy the open space and amenities of Glen River Park, just a short walk away. Cost Rental homes is a new form of renting housing tenure in Ireland and are designed for people who do not qualify for social housing or other support like Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) but also struggle to rent in the open market. To be eligible for Cost Rental homes, applicants must be able to prove that their household income is below €59,000 per year, they do not receive housing support, they can afford the rent, they don't own a property already and the household is the correct size for the home. The Longview Cost Rental homes were delivered by Clúid in partnership with Cork City Council, and with the support of the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government, The Housing Agency and the Housing Finance Agency. The developer is Longview Estates Ltd. and the main contractor is Cork-based CField Construction.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
HSE reveals in Cork that over 800 concerns of elder abuse were reported to it in region last year
To mark the day, HSE South West has launched a series of videos and events. The theme of this year's safeguarding awareness campaign is "Loneliness – Connection is Protection." Most older people live independent and active lives. However, loneliness and social isolation leaves older people vulnerable to abuse and risk of exploitation, the health body said. A short series of safeguarding awareness clips can be found on HSE South West's YouTube channel and on social media, focusing on topics such as an introduction to safeguarding and how to recognise abuse, support people to know how to report concerns of abuse and encourage our older population to stay connected. The Safeguarding Team is also visiting several organisations in the region to promote awareness. Cork City Council and Kerry County Council are supporting the campaign by lighting up their buildings purple on June 15, the colour associated with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Miriam Tobin, Principal Social Worker with the Safeguarding and Protection Team in HSE South West, said: "There is nothing more lonely or terrifying than feeling unheard. An older person who had a large circle of friends, a fulfilling career, or a wide range of exciting hobbies may feel embarrassed, or may find it difficult, to talk about feeling lonely as they get older. 'The most common issue we are told about is the older person not being listened to. People can experience loneliness if they don't feel understood or valued by the people around them. Stop, take the time to listen properly, and do what you can to help our elders live out their best lives, in safety and comfort. Being there to listen and reassure, creating a safe space to connect, can make the world of difference to how a loved one feels.' Loneliness is not always visible; it can affect people with a network of support around them. Loneliness can lead to an increase in emotional, physical, and financial vulnerability and can result in physical health problems. Abuse can take place in the person's home or in places assumed to be safe such as hospitals, residential homes, or day centres. Abuse can be deliberate, or it can be caused by a lack of knowledge or through neglect. Types of abuse include emotional, physical and sexual abuse, neglect of a person's basic or health needs, and financial and online abuse such as scams or exploitation. Watch out for any signs of elder abuse and know how and when to report it to a professional or service known to you. You can contact the HSE South West Safeguarding Team on 021 4927550 or Freephone 1800 225 500 between 9am-1pm and 2pm-4pm Monday to Friday.
