The torrid weather hit Waterford and the South East as shoppers, drivers and everyone in between had to cope with massive disruption as several areas, both city and county, were cordoned off at the weekend.

The January sales were met with a slight delay on Saturday with Michael Street in the city centre being closed off for a short period of time due to falling slates.

There was also further disruption caused when a tree crashed to the ground on the Newtown Road/Dunmore Road Junction.

Elsewhere, the grounds of Presentation Convent were shut off opposite Walsh Park when a tree came down there also. Meanwhile, communications provider, Eircom reported that Waterford and Kilkenny were among their worst hit areas for damage to their lines. Roads were also closed down in New Ross as a result of falling trees on both Saturday and Sunday.

There was massive disruption caused in Co. Kilkenny al...
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Union officials sounded an optimistic note from their meeting with private equity firm, KPS Capital Partners, last week but they are far away from any agreement on any pension and redundancy terms as staff began their first short-time (threeoday) week since the receivership began.

While a buyer is waiting to be found, the phased payments to workers made redundant last year are still being paid at a rate of 40% with no guarantee of any payment the week after.

Worse yet, existing Waterford Crystal workers have been put on a short-time, three day week with a loss of 40% of their income and requiring the staff to seek social welfare payments.

While union officials have been quoted as saying that 250-350 jobs could be saved, the issue of existing conditions for the workers or a possible scenario for staff pensions is still unknown.

According to Cllr Joe Kelly, chairman of the 3/86 branch a...
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The fight is on to save St Brigid's Ward in St Patrick's Hospital as local councillors, trade unions and community groups across the spectrum are mounting a challenge to the proposed closure by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

It was outlined in the latest HSE service plan that St Brigid's would be targeted for closure along with cutbacks to Waterford Regional Hospital (WRH) and St Otteran's Hospital. Four trade unions at the hospital (Unite, Impact, Siptu & Mandate) have agreed to back a plan by the Friends of Patrick's Hospital to keep the ward going as have city councillors who attended an emergency meeting at the Hospital on Monday evening.

The closure of St Brigid's ward in St. Patrick's Hospital, more bed losses at Waterford Regional Hospital and transfer of patients from St Otteran's are all part of the cutbacks outlined in the HSE plan outlined last week at the Regional Health Forum (South). ...
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Waterford based business Bernadette Phillips Consultancy New Insights for Change Events and Programmes, is organising and facilitating a Seminar, Change: an evolving agenda, on Monday 26th January' 2009, 9.30am to 1pm, in the Talbot Hotel Wexford.

According to Social Entrepreneur Bernadette Phillips facilitator and organiser, "The Seminar Change: an evolving agenda, will provide a forum for individuals, businesses, community organisations, entrepreneurs, educationalists and policy makers, to have a wide ranging discussion concerning Global Economic Concerns and Challenges and the impact they are having at local level. It will also provide the opportunity to look at Key Strategies, Responses and Solutions required going forward for the greater benefit of all both at a local and global level, and will focus on the areas of Civic Literacy, Active Citizenship, Community Development, Stakeholder Engagement and Corporate, Soc...
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A music video and social networking enterprise which got critical research and development (R&D) support from Waterford Institute of Technology's ArcLabs research and innovation centre has signed another major licensing deal, this time with the EMI music label.

Six software developers based in Waterford now provide all the technical back-up and support for Muzu TV, one of the fastest growing music video social network sites. Record industry giant EMI is the latest label along with Sony BMG to choose the Muzu TV platform. It's another coup for ArcLabs-assisted and now Dublin-based Muzu. Its growth has been so meteoric that it was named new software company of the year by the Irish Software Association in November. Through this new agreement with EMI, MUZU.TV users will get free access to more than 5,000 videos from EMI Music's catalogue. Muzu allows fans to create, watch and share music-video playlists. Users can cre...
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Deputy John Deasy, Fine Gael has announced an exciting new initiative which brings 25 American students to Dungarvan and WIT next year. The deputy said the students will study undergraduate courses across the board. Many Waterford students have studied in Mercyhurst College and the Director of Endowment is a native of Abbeyside.

The Fine Gael deputy is excited at the potential of this initial project which will be based in Dungarvan. He said that he had been in discussions withgovernment bodies and it was his ultimate ambition to see a dedicated campus in Dungarvan for Intelligence Studies and Information Technology on the OPW site in the town.

He described it as a real boost to the area and had huge potential. However, Deputy Deasy said that Ireland was in competition with Holland for the intelligence studies project and we needed to pull out all the stops to ensure its placement in Ireland.

The...
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Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism this week attended and addressed the first in a series of nine Fáilte Ireland Tourism Industry briefings which will take place around the country between now and the 30 January.

The first briefing, which is for the South East region, was held in Waterford.

Speaking at the event, Minister Cullen said: "Tourism is one of Ireland's most resilient industries. It has a track record of success that has been established over many decades. As we all know, however, it faces a particularly challenging period as we look ahead to 2009."

Minister Cullen said: "The Government, in its recent Budget, consolidated its commitment to tourism, allocating just under €161 million for 2009 including €48.5 million for overseas tourism marketing. This substantial investment represents a clear statement of confidence by Government that Irish tourism has a...
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Former East End Gangster, John Pridmore will be coming to Waterford to speak in schools and in St. Paul's Church, Lisduggan, from February 2nd to the 4th.

His trueocrime biography has become a best-seller and he has been featured in The Irish Independent, The Irish Times, Sunday Star, News of the World, Sunday Mirror, The Independent, The Times, The Universe, The Irish Catholic, The Catholic Hearld and was the cover story of The Week magazine. John has also appeared on The Kelley show, ITV, TV3, RTE, BBC, SKY TV, UTV (USA) EWTN SBS CNN, (AUSTRALIA) SKY TV, SBS and EMG.

He grew up in the east end of London and following his parents divorce at ten, John started getting into trouble, ending up in a young offenders prison. Having left home at 15, the only occupation he'd learnt was stealing. By his 20s he'd become a violent East End gangster well-acquainted with the capital's criminal underworld. Thanks to drug ...
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UPC Business has partnered up with IT Services, a dedicated company to providing computer services to businesses and the general public.

The contractual deal will enhance UPC's capacity to offer business high speed broadband to businesses in Waterford City, County and the Southeast area.

This announcement results in expanding UPCs business portfolio to a wider audience and will enable local enterprises to avail of some of the fastest broadband speeds in the marketplace.

Gary Power, Ceo of IT Services said: "This deal is great news for businesses in the Southeast region and provides the business community with another high quality telecommunications option. More and more companies are looking to optimize their output while reducing costs. UPC Business has designed specific high speed broadband packages that best suit the client's requirements. I'm delighted IT Services was chosen as the preferr...
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Gerry and Emmet Halley of M.M. Halley & Son, Solicitors, 5, George's Street, Waterford are delighted to see the progress at the site of their new offices on the Slievekeale Road. M.M. Halley is one of the City's oldest law firms and for almost 70 years has been building a reputation for their expertise in an array of legal areas including litigation, conveyancing, employment law, succession, family and commercial matters.

In line with the Firm's growth and expansion plans the Halley brothers recently acquired the site of the old Presentation primary school and this site is currently being developed for them by DFL (David Flynn Ltd.) for use as modern new offices.

The building work started in October 2008 and the project is expected to be completed for occupation by June. David Flynn says "This is a lovely old building and the Halleys deserve great credit for the work they are doing in preserving this W...
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Stock from 'The Store' is a display of older books by John Grisham and Marian Keyes that are available to borrow from Ardkeen Library during January.

Each month Ardkeen Library will select books by two authors from the library's back stock of books kept in the store. The books will be displayed in the library and available to borrow.

Suggestions for authors for the display are more than welcome and if you would like to suggest an author please let the staff at Ardkeen Library know.

For further information on the Stock from 'The Store' display please contact Ardkeen Library by phone at 051 849755 or 051 843633 or by email at the following address, scummins(at)waterfordcity.ie.

Cllr. Jim D'Arcy has welcomed the pedestrian crossing planned for the Dunmore Road, near the Farmleigh housing estate. He points out that people trying to get to the Londis shop and other facilities from estates on the other side of the road have found it difficult and dangerous to get across. The Fine Gael councillor says that the Dunmore Road is a major route, which is extremely busy at all times of the day and that crossings further in the road have improved safety for local residents in those areas. "It is very good news that a pedestrian crossing is now planned for this location. It is important that people are able to feel safe when they are walking to their local shops and amenities and the new crossing will greatly enhance safety in this area."

The South East Region is set to benefit from the arrival of Ireland's first coach and transport company providing WiFi facilities onboard to passengers. With mobile internet access fast becoming a necessity for the average Irish professional, Coach Company JJ Kavanagh & Sons is the first in Ireland to bring the information age to their passengers with the introduction of onboard Wi-Fi to their fleet of Failte Ireland approved coaches.

The introduction of the Wi-Fi service has resulted from the growing need of business commuters to be accessible and connected at all times as well as increased consumer internet usage. Students want to access to social entertainment such as bebo and facebook and all other passengers now have the option of logging on line for their specific needs throughout their journey.

JJ Kavanagh & Sons has partnered with Fleet Connect Ltd who has fitted coaches with 3G broadband-ena...
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Do you want to know how the universe began? How planets are made? If there is life out there in the Universe? to celebrate 2009, the United Nations International Year of Astronomy, Astronomy Ireland are launching their Beginner's Evening Classes in Waterford. These hugely popular Evening Classes will be coming to Waterford on January 28th and will run for 8 weeks. These classes are aimed at the general public and will delve into the exciting world of astronomy and tell you everything you ever wished to know, without the need for maths skills. Time: First night of registration 7:00pm-9:00pm, every other night 7:30pm-9:30pm. Length of course: 8 weeks with one 2 hour class every Wednesday.
Start of course: Wednesday January 28th.
Cost: 180 euro
Advanced booking is essential so enrol now at www.astronomy.ie/class or call Astronomy Ireland on (01) 847 0777.

Special Olympics Ireland is launching its 2009 fundraising campaign up to 1st June 2009, and is asking the people of Ireland to donate or to engage themselves in fundraising events to support Special Olympics in their own community.

The campaign, supported by eircom, aims to raise €5 million in 2009 to support the existing Special Olympics programme and also to fund the recruitment process of new athletes in every county in Ireland.

A dedicated Special Olympics Ireland Fundraising Campaign office has been set up to support and coordinate the campaign in County Waterford. The office is located at 14 Lombard St, Waterford and is now open from 10am-4pm Monday - Friday. (Office kindly sponsored by The Tower Hotel, Waterford).

For further information of activities in County Waterford or to get involved please contact the Waterford office on (051) 860035 (051) 860036 or contact County Co-ordina...
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Thomas Pakenham 8th Earl of Longford is Chairman of the Irish Tree Society and an Anglo-Irish Historian and Arborist who has written many prize winning books including the highly successful "Remarkable Trees of the World" and "Meetings with Remarkable Trees" which was made into a Radio and Television series of the same name. Waterford people will now have a rare opportunity to attend an illustrated lecture by Thomas "On Safari in Southern Africa in Search of Remarkable Trees" when he comes as a guest of the Waterford Garden Plant Society to Waterford. The lecture will be held at St. Joseph and Benildus Parish Centre, Newtown (next to the Church.) on Wednesday 4th February at 8:00 pm. Admission free for members. Non-members a nominal Euro 5.00 with free parking. Come early as space is limited. Gardening books and magazines will also be on sale. Not forgetting our usual friendly complimentary tea or coffee.
For furthe...
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Network Waterford will hold its AGM on Wednesday 28th January 2009 in the Ramada Hotel at 6pm. Network Waterford is an organisation set up to support women in business through networking, training, information evenings and general support. Conscious of the greater business world our networking events are open to both male and females which have proved very successful in generating business for attendees. The AGM will announce the new committee for 2009 and set out Network's aims for the year. We are delighted to announce that Passion for Creative Managing Director Jill Hincks will launch their new book at the Network AGM on 28th January titled "How to be successful in Business...get all your ducks in a row".
Attendees will get a free copy of this book to take with them.
To find out more please contact Samantha Clooney on 051 351286 or info(at)virtualoffices.ie.

The people of Waterford have joined forces with Sea cargo Services, Ireland's largest independent sea freight firm, to equip a school in Gambia built by Wexford-based priest Fr. Sean Devereaux and Joe Ryan and their Waterford-based friends, Tom O'Mahony and Nicky McEvoy.

Sea cargo Services donated a container to transport computers, medical supplies, school equipment, sewing machines and children's clothes from the South-East of Ireland to Gambia to the village of Kassawa in Gambia complete the school project. The materials and equipment were donated by local businesses and people living in the South-East.

Joe Ryan, Tom O'Mahony and Nicky McEvoy first visited Gambia in 2003 and were so distressed by the conditions in which people were living that they vowed to try and help them. On a subsequent visit to Gambia, they met Wexford native, Fr. Sean Devereaux who has been working in Gambia since 1999. They agre...
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Speaker: Brian Hennebry of Brian Hennebry & Associates

ACCA the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in Waterford will host a lecture on taxation at 6pm on January 29th in the Ramada Viking Hotel.

Brian Hennebry & Associates provide consultancy services to accounting and legal firms in the south east, as well as handling the tax affairs of individual and corporate clients.

The event will focus on topical taxation issues including significant issues from the finance act, areas of revenue focus in 2009, making the most out of losses and inheritance planning.

Both Members and non-members are welcome, places are limited so advance booking is required.

For further details contact:
Cathy McGann, ACCA Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)1 498 8918

47 O'Reilly Road,
Cork Road,
Waterford.

Dear Editor,

For the past year, the people of Ireland have been bombarded with some truths and half truths about the 1914-18 war. We were told that the Irish that fought on the side of the British, died for the freedom of small nations, that the Germans were trying to enslave all of Europe and to die in European battle fields was a glorious thing. People who died, we are told, made a sacrifice of their lives and did so willingly. no man dies willingly and in th at war, men were forced to die by gin soaked, arrogant, geriatric generals who sent their troops into suicidal conflicts, all to satisfy their undoubted blood lust and stupidity. They were products of the English public schools where they had been taught that they were a superior race and all other people were expendable and of very little value. Its about time that the true facts that led to this ...
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Due to the success of the Thatch Calendar produced by Waterford County Council last year, this year we have produced a Heritage Calendar. This highlights a selection of the wonderful and varied built and natural heritage of Waterford. There are images the Copper Coast, Lismore Castle, Ardmore, the Metal man and Dromana Gate . Our diverse natural heritage is represented by images of woodlands, the Comeragh mountains, coasts, gardens and various wildlife. This year we also have sections in English and Irish explaining the photographs and our services. Waterford County Council have conducted various Surveys to record our heritage and have initiated Plans which will help enhance and protect it. These can be accessed via our website. Hopefully the calendar will encourage us all to go out and explore our amazing county!

The free calendars are available at the Civic Offices, libraries around the County or by contacting Rose Ry...
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Glanbia plc's preoclose trading statement revealed mixed results in their Irish operations with Food Ingredients Ireland in 2008 being singled out as having disappointing results due to milk price against raw material costs and demand.

From the Group headquarters in Kilkenny, Glanbia reported their consumer foods, agribusiness and property ventures had 'traded well' but that Food Ingredients Ireland failed to meet expectation, particularly in the second half of 2008 due to an 'imbalance between market pricing and raw material cost'.

However, Waterford IFA Chairman, Michael Keane, said that they are calling on the company to hold milk prices at the current 27 cent per litre payment given at present.

Mr. Keane added that with production costs in milk, being at 23-24 cent per litre, farmers would be in an not sustainable position if there was a further cut in the price of milk.

The m...
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Monday, 26th January sees the launch of Hearing Awareness Week 2009 in Waterford supported by the Hidden Hearing Clinic on Arundel Square and the Irish Deaf Society. The week aims to encourage people to look after their hearing across the country, as they would their health, or their teeth. two RTE celebrities who know plenty about high volume, How Low Can You Go's Mark and Michael, took to the streets with a volume testing team to ascertain exactly how low people were prepared to go with the volume on their Ipods and MP3's. to mark the week, Hidden Hearing is to make a special donation to the Irish Deaf Society for every person tested through the Waterford Hearing to make a special donation to the Irish Deaf Society for every person tested through the Waterford Hidden Hearing Clinic, Aruden Square, to help raise much needed funds.

two hundred people between the ages of 15 and 35 had their music-time interrupted to have...
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Law students at Waterford Institute of Technology are getting a unique insight into working life and invaluable experience to boost their future employment prospects through a new work experience programme.

The various law programmes in the Institute's Department of Applied Arts have teamed up with Waterford Law Society to develop the work experience initiative for legal studies and criminal justice students. The programme gives students an opportunity to see what it is really like to be a solicitor.

In today's more challenging employment market, having the right work experience on your CV is critical when applying for work, according to law lecturer, Jennifer Kavanagh. "We are very grateful to the Law Society and its members for allowing our students put theory into practice. Students are really benefitting from the program and learning a phenomenal amount from the professionals," she added. The work experi...
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In the interests of patient care, visitor restrictions have been put in place at some wards in Waterford Regional Hospital in a bid to curb a suspected outbreak of the Norovirus - commonly known as the 'vomiting bug' . The wards affected are Medical 1, 2, 3 and 5 (currently Medical 4 remains unaffected). The situation in Waterford Regional is monitored constantly and a range of infection control measures, including visitor restrictions, are in place. These arrangements are reviewed on a daily basis.

Patricia Sullivan, General Manager of WRH, thanked the general public for their ongoing co-operation with the visiting restrictions and reiterated how important it is for patients that these infection control measures are respected saying, "The vomiting bug is currently widespread in the community and people may unknowingly bring the bug into the hospital when visiting sick relatives or friends. I would appeal to the public ...
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Waterford hoteliers have condemned as outrageous the decision by the board of the ESB to pay the 3.5% wage increase under Towards 2016 (the first phase of the transition agreement). The South East branch of the Irish Hotels Federation questions whether the board of the ESB has fully grasped the perilous condition of the Irish economy and calls on the Commission on Energy Regulation (CER) to intervene immediately and instruct the board to reverse its decision and to disallow wage increases in the calculation energy tariffs. It states that any increases would further erode Irish industry's competitiveness, particularly when the focus should now be on seeking whatever means possible to reduce electricity costs.

Damien Lynch, Chairman of the IHF South East Branch said, "The notion that the board of the ESB would consider wage increases at the current juncture demonstrates a stark disconnect with economic reality. The immed...
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ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has called for immediate emergency legislation to allow the Government introduce pay cuts across the public sector. The Association outlined that the introduction of this legislation was vital in ensuring the €16.5 billion cost savings in Government spending is achieved without delay.

According to ISME Chief Executive, Mark Fielding, "As the economy continues to deteriorate, with many private sector companies already introducing pay cuts just to survive, it is totally unrealistic to think that savings of this magnitude can be achieved without cuts in Government spending. The fact that public sector pay accounts for almost 50% of current expenditure means that the need for payroll cuts is beyond question.

Despite the dire need for expenditure cuts, the public sector unions have already threatened to legally challenge any proposed pay cuts in t...
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Waterford's Minister Martin Cullen TD has welcomed the announcement made last week by Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith TD that the minimum age for BSE testing of both animals slaughtered for human consumption has been increased to 48 months.

Minister Cullen welcomed this development and said that the higher age for the testing of animals will deliver; "savings to farmers in Waterford and all over the country who have to date, had to pay for the testing of animals over 30 months."

Minister Cullen said that while; "strict measures continue to apply to safeguard consumers, the new age for testing was appropriate because of the significant reduction in the country of BSE cases." Minister Brendan Smith said that the decision vindicated his efforts in pressing the EU Commissioner to increase the minimum age for testing, because he believed that the requirement to test all cattle over 30 months was "no long...
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The EU Commission say that they are investigating allegations made in a large number of complaints in relation to the Irish Government's recent budget provision, Home Choice Loan, according to Ireland South MEP, Kathy Sinnott.

In answer to an oral question by MEP for Ireland South Kathy Sinnott, the Commission disclosed that they are fully aware of the Home Choice Loan measure introduced by the Irish Budget in October 2008 and that they are examining in detail the information supplied by the Irish authorities in reply to the complaints.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Kathy Sinnott said "I was concerned about the budget proposal to introduce a programme of sub-prime mortgages in Ireland. Before the Budget, I recommended that the Irish government purchase houses for social and affordable housing. This would go a long way to shortening our long waiting lists of social housing to those people in need of homes. Bizarr...
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The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Barronstrand Street, Waterford, was packed to capacity on Thursday last to say a fond and prayerful farewell to the late and much loved Bishop Michael Russell.

The chief mourners were Conor and Sean Russell, brothers of the late Bishop, sisters-in-law Madge and Maura, and nieces and nephews.

Bishop William Lee, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore was the Principal Celebrant. Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland presided at the Mass. Assisting Bishop Lee were: Archbishop Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly; Bishop John Magee, Bishop of Cloyne; Bishop Sheehan O.S.A (retired missionary); Rt. Rev. Mgr. Michael Olden VG; Dom Michael Ahearn O.C.S.O.; Bishop Denis Brennan, Bishop of Ferns; and Bishop Sheehan concelebrated along with priests and religious from the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore and other dioceses. Rev. Michael Twomey se...
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The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D., has announced that eligible Irish and US citizens can now begin to apply for one year working visas under the new Ireland-US Working Holiday Agreement. The Minister said: "Last September, the US Deputy Secretary of State and I successfully concluded a new Working Holiday Agreement. We have moved without delay to complete the necessary internal procedures and guidelines and I am delighted to confirm that Irish and US citizens can now begin to submit their applications". Highlighting the key elements of the Programme, the Minister said that it would enable a minimum of 20,000 Irish citizens who are in, or have recently completed, post secondary education to work and travel in the US for up to 12 months and that up to 5,000 US citizens will also be able to work and travel in Ireland on a similar basis. The Minister emphasised the considerable benefits that the new Programme wi...
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Home Instead Senior Care, the world's leading provider of non-medical, in-home services to seniors, opened its new franchise office in Waterford this week. The award winning franchise has experienced phenomenal success with over 800 branches worldwide. The Waterford franchise is independently owned and operated by Michael and Danette Connolly.

Home Instead Senior Care provides services to seniors in their own homes and is approved by the HSE. Its caregivers help clients maintain their independence by assisting them with activities of daily living such as meal preparation, laundry, shopping, light housekeeping, driving and incidental transportation. The result is companionship and independence, allowing seniors to feel safe while they age in the home they've lived in for years.

According to Michael Connolly, Managing Director, "Our services are flexible and designed for practically any living arrangement wher...
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Cllr Davy Daniels (IND) has been informed that the pilot home energy scheme of 2008 is due to be launched in Waterford City this year.

The scheme is operated on the basis that householders will avail of a Building Energy Rating (BER) assessor to come to their house, give the home a BER rating and advise on the works that need to be carried out to improve energy efficiency.

The homeowner will preopay €100 towards the cost of the assessment, with Sustainable Energy Ireland subsidising the balance. Approximately two thirds of the cost of the assessment, will therefore, be covered by the government,

The assessor may advise that the house requires such work as attic insulation, interior or exterior wall insulation, low emissions doubleoglazing heating control or a range of other energy efficient works.

The government will then cover up to 30% of the cost to a maximum of €2,500. ...
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