Launching PRTLI Cycle 5 alongside the Taoiseach, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe TD, said the five-year plan - the largest investment in research in the history of the State - would help to create 'smart' jobs and make Ireland Europe's innovation hub.

While the largest part of the funding announced by Minister O'Keeffe for all third level institutions is for capital projects like buildings, the funds for WIT are exclusively provided for the current funding of research and are strategically important for the economic development of the region.

The funding is for two specific projects – the Eco-Innovation Research Exploration project will receive €1.593m while the Telecommun...
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The 18th Spraoi Festival begins on Friday next with acts from 11 countries performing.

The event is expected to attract thousands of spectators and give the city a welcome economic boost.

Several hundred individual performances will be staged throughout the city centre climaxing with a dramatic fireworks show on the river Suir on Sunday night at 10pm. See inside for further information and full programme details are available on www.spraoi.com

Cullinane calls for urgent action on heroin problem at JPC meeting

Speaking at the Waterford City Joint Policing Committee meeting on Monday Sinn Féin Waterford City Councillor David Cullinane called for an urgent, coordinated and decisive response to the developing heroin problem in the City. Councillor Cullinane said a weight of evidence pointed to an alarming increase in heroin use in Waterford. Also speaking at the meeting Chief Superintendent Pat Murphy said the increase in heroin use presents serious challenges to communities and state agencies in Waterford and pointed to a shift away from cocaine towards heroin use as heroin represents 20% of all drugs seized this year in the city. Councillor Cullinane proposed the holding of an inter-agency meeting made up of the guards, city council, HSE, treatment and support service providers, GP's and those working in community based drug programmes. This m...
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After many years working in Waterford things are, as predicted of course, about to change for our resident "Stargazer" Stan Phillips. Initially, because he is getting a bit long in the tooth now, the plan involved semi-retirement but somehow events have conspired to make that impossible. However, he is leaving his office in Gladstone Street at the end of this month, after which he can be seen, by appointment, at The Athenaeum House hotel, set in a glorious sylvan setting on the bank of the Suir, on the Ferrybank side of the river. He will continue to write his popular column in this paper as well as his regular contributions on 'The Morning Mix' for South East radio. The plan for him, as he enters his dotage, is to do more writing – several novels to top and tail prior to publication – for example. As well as frequent trips to England and Spain to see clients in more far flung areas. There are also one or two projects ...
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Kenneally raised Tramore Back strand and Dungarvan harbour classification with Minister

Waterford TD Brendan Kenneally has raised the issue of Dungarvan Harbour and Tramore back strand being made special protection areas with Minister for the Environment John Gormley. In a Parliamentary Question to the Minister, Deputy Kenneally asked the Minister to outline why he was considering this move and to explain when the new designation will come into place.

In reply to Deputy Kenneally's query, Minister Gormley said, "My Department is currently engaged in a programme of classification of Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive. This exercise includes the re-classification of many existing SPA sites, including Dungarvan Harbour and Tramore Back Strand, which were first designated some sixteen years ago."

"A judgement delivered by the European Court of Justice against Irel...
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Over €1.2 million in revenue delivered to Waterford hotels from SuperValu Getaway Breaks in 2009

In 2009, the SuperValu Getaway Breaks scheme contributed over €30 million in direct revenue to the Irish Tourism industry. Waterford was among the counties that experienced particular success in tourism with €1,236,500 in revenue to hotels in the county. Over the past number of years, more and more Irish people have chosen to holiday at home and make the most of our beautiful scenery, attractions and great value holiday offers. "Staycations" have become a popular choice and this year is no exception with Fáilte Ireland recently announcing that as many as 80% of families are expected to holiday at home in 2010.

In addition to the Getaway Breaks offers – and as part of the SuperValu Real Rewards scheme – this summer SuperValu customers can also avail of "Kids go Free" vou...
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Waterford Institute of Technology has announced it will be running a new 2-year add-on Level 8 BEng (Honours) in Sustainable Civil Engineering from September 2010. The Institute is currently inviting applications for the course.  

The issue of sustainability is central to the current and future civil engineering profession. Civil Engineers are increasingly working to achieve safe and sustainable development in a cost-effective, environmentally protective and socially responsible manner. This honours degree course is at NQAI Level 8 and has been designed to produce graduates who can successfully operate as civil engineers in the future Irish and global engineering and construction industry. The overall context to the course is the key theme of 'sustainability'. The graduates will be conscious of the vital influence that civil engineers will increasingly have on achieving the various sustainability targets at national, EU...
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Trio from Waterford join 17 other young explorers on Sail Training experience

A trio from Waterford is joining 17 other young explorers from all over Ireland and setting sail this week for an unforgettable experience as part of the Tall Ships Races 2010.

Along with young people from over thirty countries, the group will take part in Sail Training International's Sail Training programme, which will take them on their race journey on August 1st from Kristiansand in Norway to Hartlepool in the UK.

Becoming a crew member on one of the ships is not only a fantastic adventure, but is also seen as hugely positive in the personal development of those taking part. Being part of the crew ...
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T3 presents - Making Sense of the Financial Crisis in the Era of Peak Oil

Almost every time we switch on a TV or open a newspaper these days, we see or hear something about the negative impacts of climate change, the high price of fuel, or another problem with the banking sector. So how should we respond to these issues?

In recent years the 'Transition Towns' process has emerged with the aim of radically reducing energy costs, reducing carbon emissions while at the same time building economic resilience within communities.

Tramore's Transition Town Initiative is one of 800 Transition Communities worldwide – Villages, Towns, Cities and Islands – which are looking forward to the future, asking the question "how can our community respond to the challenges of Peak Oil and Climate Change?", and putting together plans to enable them to prosper and thrive in an era when the...
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Spraoi is known not just for the quality of the street Entertainment on offer, but also for the great music which can be heard on just about every street and corner. There'll be lots of pavement sessions at Spraoi, and make sure to catch some of these bands at some point over the festival. 

Consistently one of the most popular acts at Spraoi, Spraoi Drums offers young people a chance to get involved in percussion workshops, allowing them to develop their musical skills in a fun and creative environment, as well as offering them a unique opportunity to perform at one of Ireland's largest festivals. For some of the 20 young people involved this is their first experience of percussion and performance. The workshops have been ongoing througho...
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RTÉ holds Waterford selection for brand New kids' cooking competition

Are you aged between 8 - 12 years old and love to cook? Are you a whiz in the kitchen and a creator of amazing food?

Well RTÉ Young People's has the show for you!

RTÉ Television are looking for the next Neven Maguire or Rachel Allen to star in PANS ON FIRE - a brand new cooking competition where you will be crowned super chef king or queen of the kitchen!

The first selection round of the competition will take place at 2pm on Sunday 1st August at the Spraoi Festival, Wyse Park, Waterford.

Participants should arrive with a five star dish of their choice, which can be eaten cold (we won't be able to heat dishes up). The most impressive chefs will be chosen by our mentors including The Afternoon Show Chef Louise Lennox to take part in the Pans on Fire cook-off!

And remember- Ri...
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Kenneally informed of progress regarding roundabout in Dunmore East

Deputy Brendan Kenneally has received confirmation from Waterford County Council that a roundabout has been designed for the Horsequarter in Dunmore East but there has been a delay on it because the council have been unable to reach an agreement on land purchase.

"Due to the fact the road leading from the lower village to the upper village is now one-way it makes the construction of a roundabout at the Horsequarter more important. I tried over a number of years to have this put in place and indeed Geoff Power when he was a member of Waterford County Council was told that the roundabout would be constructed in 2004. In the interest of safety I feel it is urgent that Waterford County Council now progress this project."

"Waterford County Council have informed me that there is no funding available in the current ye...
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Twenty-three primary schools nationwide have had to advertise the position of principal a second time in recent months, due to a lack of applications from aspirant leaders. Nineteen schools have been forced to re-advertise the position an unprecedented three times to secure an adequate number of suitably qualified applicants.

Figures released recently by the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) based on their recruitment website, EducationPosts.ie, indicate that an increasing number of class teachers are shunning the position of principal in many schools. July is normally the busiest time of the year for recruitment in schools nationwide.

'There have been 161 principal positions advertised since January on EducationPosts.ie and the number of schools forced to re-advertise the position of principal has risen by a staggering 54% in the last two months alone' stated Pat Goff, IPPN President. Almost half of...
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House of Waterford Crystal and other projects provide Waterford tourism boost – FBD Hotels

The opening in June of the new House of Waterford Crystal visitor attraction on The Mall in Waterford is already providing a measurable boost to tourism and hospitality in the city according to FBD Hotels Ireland who operate Tower Hotel Waterford and Faithlegg House Hotel along with two hotels in Dublin.

Deirdre Houlihan, Group Marketing & Administration Manager, FBD Hotels Ireland said the resumption of factory tours for visitors and the opening of the high-end retail outlet at the new city centre location were contributing to greater interest in Waterford as a destination for both domestic and...
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Food Harvest Report 2020 doesn't address the most important issue to Farmers.

Michael Flynn from Rathgormack county Waterford has said the Food Harvest Report doesn't address the most important issue for farmers and that is the price we receive for our products. He claims if anything needs to be learnt from last year disastrous prices received in 2009 is that if the price isn't right it affects the supply.

Supermarkets are not being tackled by our Politicians or farming leaders which is having severe consequences for farmers. They're buying power is so strong that they can force a farmer to sell below cost price which is draining monies out of rural Ireland.

Mr. Flynn suggest that pressure should be put on at EU level by all concerned to put a minimum price on farming produce to protect food supply going forward. The big problem that we now have in farming is that we have so many...
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John Smiles,
Qualified Financial Advisor,
Hooper Dolan Financial

Life insurance is not a simple product. Life policies have many elements to be carefully considered to arrive at the type and amount of cover required.

Life assurance myths

Do Single persons need cover?

Single people need enough life insurance to cover the costs of personal debts, medical and funeral bills. Otherwise, you may leave a legacy of unpaid expenses for your family or executor to deal with. Life cover can be a good way to leave a legacy to your favourite charity.

How much life cover do I need?

You need to cover the loss of the breadwinner's salary to provide for your family for several years. You also need to provide an amount equal to your mortgage; other loans and provide for medical and funeral bills.

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Winning a hurling title is a costly business. We have a Munster title won but there's a lot more to do. You can be part of the team that makes a difference to Waterford GAA and give us a realistic chance of winning the All-Ireland title.

Upcoming Dates for the Diary Saturday 7th August - The Winners BBQ

Club Déise (The Official Waterford Supporter's Club), The Waterford County Board and with kind permission of Michael Ryan, Al Eile stud Dungarvan will host a BBQ with free-range pig on a spit. Open from 2pm until 7pm. Come and see a working stud farm, horses on the gallops and horses swimming. A great family day out, meet Davy and the Waterford hurlers with the Munster cup from 3pm until 5pm. Tickets €25, chil...
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Family Law
Fiona Ormond
Solicitor with MJ O'Connor
Solicitors, Confederation House, Cork Road, Waterford
051 355663
formondatmjoc.ie

Custody and Access of children following marital and relationship break-up

Custody is the right of the person so entitled to manage the physical care, control and upbringing of a dependent child on a day to day basis. A dependent child is a child under the age of eighteen.

Married parents are automatically deemed to be joint custodians of their children. For unmarried parents the mother is deemed the sole custodian while the unmarried father does not have an automatic right to custody but can make an application to the court.

Joint custody is where both parents exercise joint control of the child and usually means the child living with each parent for a stipulated period. Unmarried fathers do n...
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Killer fungus a threat to Ireland's forests and gardens – Coffey

Ireland may be facing an outbreak from a killer fungus that could do as much damage to our landscape as Dutch Elm disease and which could threaten garden shrubs too, warns Fine Gael's Seanad Spokesperson on Environment, and Waterford bye-election candidate, Senator Paudie Coffey.

"The disease is called Sudden Oak Death, and there are signs of a major outbreak in south-west England. Trees that are hundreds of years old are poisoned by a black fluid and die at a frightening speed.

"It's caused by a fungus related to the one that causes potato blight and although it is particularly associated with oak trees, the disease affects woodlands generally and leaves conifers especially at risk.

"Over 250 hectares of oak wood, at forty different locations, are currently being felled in south-west England t...
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Third annual 'Pedigree Adoption Drive' Raises €3000 for shelters in Waterford

The results are in; the third annual Pedigree Adoption Drive has raised €3000 to be distributed to Waterford SPCA and Dungarvan Rescue Kennels in Co. Waterford. Pedigree is delighted to announce the success of the 2010 campaign in raising much needed funds for the care of homeless dogs in Ireland.

The campaign, which ran from the 1st April to the end of June, saw Pedigree donate money for every pack of Pedigree dog food sold. Raising funds went hand in hand with raising awareness during this year's campaign, which ultimately sought to help the plight of homeless dogs in Ireland. The Pedigree Adoption Drive has been extremely successful since the campaign was launched in 2008 with 20 fewer dogs put down every day over the first 2 years of The Pedigree Adoption Drive and 2008 & 2009 the first 2 years E...
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New website to make it easy to reuse household and business items

A website has been designed make reuse easy. Both household and business items can be offered free of charge on www.freetradeireland.ie

Free Trade Ireland is easy to use. If you wish to advertise an item on the site, you must become a member. Once you have put your item onto the website, everyone visiting the website can see it. Anyone interested in any item is free to contact the member using the details displayed. The service is free to use and all items advertised on the service must be offered for free.

FreeTrade Ireland features include:
• Dedicated offered and wanted, household and business sections;
• Comprehensive item category and subcategory listings to ensure ease of access to information;
• Specific ' household' and 'business' account types to cater for the needs ...
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Capital budget to generate jobs 

The capital budget announced by the Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D. on Monday has been tailored to generate the maximum amount of jobs. Whilst one billion Euro has been slashed from the Capital Budget other major national infrastructural projects are getting the go ahead such as the Dublin new metro system and the Dart underground interconnector. The Budget itself is half of what was originally envisaged due to the collapse of the banking system and the government's intervention to shore up the financial sector which we the ordinary taxpayer are going to pay for.

The Taoiseach said that the Capital Budget spend could create 270,000 jobs and the government is prioritising public transport, environmenta services, education and enterprise. However, the cutbacks in the area of road building will have a knock-on on public roads in major urban and rural areas and...
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Grasshoppers

All Irish maps produced by the Ordnance Survey office now show the national grid divided into 10km squares. The OS Discovery series further divides this into 1km squares. The 10km square was first adopted to map the distribution of Irish wildlife in the early 1970's and a succession of atlases have now been published showing the distribution of species as dots on maps. However, before a dot appears on a map for a particular area in Waterford or elsewhere, the species must first be found, properly recorded and the information transmitted to whatever authority is mapping the biological diversity of the area. The essential information needed to do this is the date, place, four or six figure grid reference of the na...
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