Author: skerry

Ruralbiz 2014 award ceremony took place Thursday 6^th November inAras an Phobail community building Deans Lane Tralee, This event was co hosted by 2 community organisations North East Kerry Development , South Kerry Development Partnership as well as  Kerry Local Enterprise Office..and key sponsors who helped bring total prize money to E 18,500.

John Stack of NEKD stated he was delighted with the quality of small business applications, and said he was encouraged by the manner in which NEKD/SKDP/ and Kerry Local Enterprise Office  had come together to support new and evolving businesses.

Pat O’Driscoll of South Kerry Development Partnership (Chair of Agricultural  working Group) said his organisation was delighted with the numerous applications and that there was a vibrant sense of entrepreneurship alive and well in rural Kerry.

The award competition was inclusive in many ways and had sought and received applications from younger people, from groups and from their respective Gaeltacht areas.

Tomas Hayes CEO of Kerry Local Enterprise office said he was delighted to adjudicate such well developed business ideas…many in a start up phase..and that with small  supports these could lead to new strong businesses with  exciting  futures.

Key sponsors including Mc Carthy Insurance Group, Lee Strand   and Patsy Tim O’Sullivan attended the award ceremony..and stated they were delighted to be involved in this initiative, supporting communities,,and supporting lively-hoods.

Award winners for the SKDP Area included ;

SKDP Joint 1^st: prize was awarded to  Ml O’Dowd Ballycrispin Castlemaine and Jessica Clinton Ballyhar Creamery: E2,000 from Tim O’Sullivan plus equipment grant prize funding of 65% up to a maximum of E1,500 from SKPD

SKDP Gaeltacht AREA: Mark Smith Tullig Cahersiveen: Equipment grant prize, funding of 65% to a maximum of E2,000 of the best idea in the South  Kerry area.

SKDP under 35 award went to  Deirdre O’Connor Toormore Cahersiveen Equipment grant prize funding from SKDP up to a maximum of 500 for the best business idea

SKDP Group Collective enterprise went to Flor Griffin,Killorglin.: Equipment grant prize funding of 65% up to a maximum of E1,500 from SKPD.

Thanks to all entrants, sponsors, NEKD, SKDP and Kerry Local Enterprise office.

Community representatives from South Kerry will be trying out new ideas in the region over the coming months following a very successful visit to France last week. The South Kerry delegation was in both the Laval and Redon areas of France as part of the INTERREG Rural Alliances project which is run in the region by South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd. The key objective of the transnational meeting was to enable community representatives from all of the 12 partner areas learn from and assist each other in coming up with new approaches to common issues. Among the new ideas the South Kerry delegates are likely to focus on following the meeting areas such as creating a more inclusive role for people with disabilities and looking at alternative approaches to financing community initiatives.

Chairperson of South Kerry Development Partnership Sheila Casey, a community representative from the Greater Killarney area, said that the visit offered communities and regions such as South Kerry to develop new contacts and opportunities. “Many of the problems rural areas such as South Kerry face at present such as depopulation and lack of access to services are mirrored in the other partner areas and having the chance to look at the approaches they take to solving such problems offers us the chance to try new things in our areas” Sheila said. She added that they saw some very interesting new initiatives particularly around community transport and financing during the visit which they hope to pilot in South Kerry over the next number of months.

The issue of commonality of problems in rural areas throughout North West Europe was echoed by the Kenmare Alliance representative Maureen Sullivan who said that having the chance to build up contacts with the other partner areas through such project meetings was very beneficial for all. “This region is very similar in many ways to our area here in South Kerry and we can certainly learn a lot from working together to tackle the common issues” Maureen added.

Rural Alliances project manager in SKDP Seán de Buitlear said that the trip also offered the representatives the chance to feed back to each other the work they have been engaging in since a similar meeting took place here last year. “SKDP, in conjunction with Dr. Brendan O’Keeffe of Mary Immaculate College has also undertaken an extensive survey through this project of both community groups and individuals in the South Kerry area looking at the issue of rural vibrancy” Seán said adding that the issues arising from this work will then feed in to the development of policy papers, endorsed by all partners in the project, aimed at positively influencing future decisions at local, national and EU level in favour of rural areas. Seán concluded that they look forward to working with the communities to see the benefits of the new ideas gained from the visit being rolled out throughout the region in the coming months.

2103 has proven to be another very successful year for both the Rural Social Scheme and TÚS in South Kerry.

The RSS currently has 138 participants and 8 supervisors in the South Kerry Region and this brings some €2m in wages into the region. The TÚS project has 80 participants and 4 supervisors in the region.

For a full overview of the activities of both the RSS and TÚS in the South Kerry area during 2013 please click RSS Report 2013

If you would like further information in relation to either the Rural Social Scheme or the TÚS Initiatives please contact any of the South Kerry Development Partnership Offices and request to speak with a relevant staff member – SKDP contact details Click Here

To Download an English Language version of the application form please click Application Form Tom McBride 2014

Chun cóip Gaeilge don foirm a fháil cliceáil le do thoil ar Application Form 2014 Tom McBride Gaeltacht

CLOSING DATE: 5pm on Friday 12th September, 2014 

Applications are now being sought by the South Kerry Development Partnership through the Tom McBride Education Bursary fund from people interested in getting a second chance at education. The fund, which is named in honour of a previous chairman of SKDP, is funded through the Local Community Development Programme administered by SKDP and is targeted at giving assistance to those in disadvantaged areas to get back into education.

The fund is targeted in particular at people on low incomes, those who are socially & economically disadvantaged, people with disabilities, those engaged in seasonal work or lone parents. SKDP Education co-ordinator Julieann Lane pointed out that the fund can cover both direct costs such as course fees as well as indirect costs such as travel, childcare and the costs of books. Last year almost 40 people received assistance in getting a second chance at education through the bursary.

Angela Healy from Killarney who benefited through the fund last year to undertake a degree course in French and Spanish said that without the assistance received through the bursary, she would not have been able to do the course. The course brought additional benefits for Angela given that because she achieved a distinction in both subjects, she secured a scholarship to undertake further study in Spain and will now progress into her second year in 2014. Angela said that getting this qualification will greatly enhance her employment prospects including enabling her to teach these languages.

The courses or training eligible for the fund must be accredited nationally and must be seen to improve the employment prospects of the person undertaking the course. However funding may be provided for non accredited courses where a specific prospect of work exists for the person on completion of the course. Expenses covered by another source of funding are not eligible for grant assistance and those applying must be living in the South Kerry area. A percentage of the bursary is allocated specifically to applicants from the South Kerry Gaeltacht area.

“The importance of education in terms of securing employment is one that cannot be overstated” according to Julieann and this fund can greatly assist people to gain qualifications that can greatly improve their chances of getting into the workforce. Julieann also pointed out that both full and part time courses are covered by the bursary but that people must apply annually for funding where a course is more than 1 year in duration.

The closing date for completed applications is 5pm on Friday, September 12^th and application forms are available to download from the SKDP website www.skdp.net or they can be collected from the reception at any of the SKDP Offices in Cahersiveen, Killorglin, Killarney or Kenmare. People can also contact Julieann directly by e-mail [email protected]  or by phoning 066 9761615.

Community and voluntary organisation representatives from all parts of Ireland are due to converge on Dublin on Wednesday next (9^th July) in protest against Minister Phil Hogan’s Alignment proposals around the RDP (LEADER) Programme.  The rally, planned for Kildare Street at 1.30pm is to highlight the concerns of communities throughout the country around the changes to the programme which they see as stripping LEADER away from the Local Area Groups (LAGs) and putting it in under newly established LCDC’s in each local authority area.

SKPD Community Board member and Chairperson Sheila Casey said that “the protection of the EU’s most successful LEADER delivery structure remains a most urgent priority otherwise the LEADER ethos and its bottom up developmental methodology will be lost to Ireland”. “If we allow this to happen, the more than 20 years of experience, skills, expertise & local relationships built up by South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd and similar companies will be lost with all the negative implications for rural Ireland” she said. Calling on all communities to send along representatives to the protest Sheila added that “now, more than ever, we need your support, so that communities – and not Local Authority Committees – can continue to decide how LEADER funding should be administered in this area.

The protest will be addressed by MEP’s Marian Harkin and Liadh Ní Riada amongst others and SKDP is planning to organise a bus to enable community & voluntary organisation representatives attend the protest.

Those interest in travelling are asked to contact SKDP reception in Cahersiveen on 066 9472724 before 5pm on Monday.

“Negotiations on the future of the LEADER Programme and the role of Local Development Companies has reached a critical point, now more than ever we need to demonstrate our resolve, to demonstrate unity of purpose, to publically support our communities and each other in order to achieve the best possible outcome from the Alignment Process” Sheila concluded.

The importance of operating a tractor safely in a farm setting was emphasised to senior students of the Killorglin Community College this week through a practical, hands-on course at the school. The course, organised by South Kerry Development Partnership’s Rural Agricultural Office John McCrohan and funded through the Family Supported Learning Budget of SKDP, was aimed at ensuring that Ag Science students at the college got the opportunity to see at first hand the potential dangers around operating a tractor and how to minimise the risk to both themselves and others when working on the farm with the tractor. The course was arranged following an approach from Killorglin Community College Principle Con Moynihan to SKDP and the Zetor Tractor and other farm machinery for the safety course was provided free of charge by newly appointed Zetor main dealer for Kerry, Hoare’s farm machinery in Killorglin.

SKDP’s John McCrohan said that he was delighted to get involved in organising such a course for the students given how vital it is to ensure that safety on farms is the number one priority. “We have seen over the last number of months’ accidents on farms involving tractors and machinery resulting in serious injury and unfortunately the deaths of farmers so helping stress to these students the importance of working safely with the tractor in particular is very important” John said.

Tim Hoare of Hoare Farm Machinery said that while manufacturers such a Zetor were always aiming to improve the safety of their products through innovation, it is still vital that farmers have the knowledge on how to handle and use these machines safely. The tractor is a key piece of equipment on the farm and one where a farmer spends most of their time working with so the safe operation of it is crucial in order to prevent serious injury and even death”. “We are delighted to provide the tractor and other machinery free for this course as we feel it is an ideal chance to give proper instruction to these young farmers on the safe operation of such a tractor” Tim said.

Ag Science teacher Marieke O’Connor pointed out that a farm is a dangerous work place, not just for the farmer but for other members of the farm family and by teaching the students the importance of safety and how to use a machine such as a tractor properly, we can hopefully reduce the danger of accidents on farms in the future. “I would like to thank both SKDP and Hoare Farm Machinery for enabling us to put on this course for our students here in Killorglin and I believe it is vital that students get exposed to a practical demonstration such as this one on tractor safety” she added.

The course was conducted by trainer Val O’Connor of the FRS training group and involved some 20 senior students at Killorglin Community College.

“The Dawn” Film Workshops has succeeded in achieving another first for Ireland with the arrival of world renowned cinematographer Daniel Pearl in Kerry to conduct a 5 day workshop. Among the many credits on Daniel Pearl’s CV are working on videos of all the major international music acts including U2, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson & Bruce Springsteen. His film credits include The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Friday 13^th.

Supported by the INTERREG Rural Alliances Project through SKDP, The Kerry Education & Training Board, IT Tralee and the Dingle International Film Festival, The Dawn Film Workshops aim to bring top class film related training workshops to Kerry for film professionals and students alike. It is also aiming to help re-establish the region once again as a premier film location for national and international film companies thus providing a much needed economic boost, particularly off peak season.

Brian Nolan of the Kerry ETB pointed out that the National Digital Skills Centre, based in the ETB Kerry training centre is to the forefront in terms of pushing out the boundaries of the film industry in Ireland and to have Daniel Pearl over to work in the centre and to pass on his tricks in cinematography is a unique opportunity. “The centre is the first to work with RED Camera equipment in Ireland and Daniel will be using the brand new ultra high definition 6k camera for the first time during the course courtesy of RED Europe” Brian pointed out. RED’s European Ambassador Sandeep Reddy is also providing technical assistance for the workshop. There are 14 participants on this course from all over Ireland, the UK and one who has returned from Dubai in order to attend.

The workshop is also providing a welcome benefit for Kerry singer Tanya O’Sullivan as the group are shooting the music video for her song “Freak” as part of their practical hands on training. Part of this video is being shot on location at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel as well as in other locations in Kerry.

SKDP’s Rural Alliances Project Manager Seán de Buitléar said that it is a major coup to have a person of the calibre of Daniel Pearl in Kerry for “The Dawn” Film Workshop series. “This will help establish the workshops in Kerry for the future and will hopefully lead to the development of a designated Film Workshop Festival in the county” he said. Maurice Galway of the Dingle International Film Festival said that he was delighted that Daniel could impart the many tricks he has learnt down through the years to the 14 workshop participants here in Kerry. “Kerry is very strong in terms of film professionals and festivals and having this workshop series is another major positive step for Kerry” Maurice said.

Mary Lucy of the IT Tralee said that again, they are very happy to be able to support “The Dawn” Film Workshops in the county and they hope it will help provide many future job opportunities in the film industry in the county for their graduates.

A new project aimed at conserving the fresh water Pearl Mussel in South Kerry has been approved by the EU. The Kerry LIFE+ project will be worth some €3.8m to the region over some 5 years and will see the creation of 4 or 5 jobs to be based in a project office in either the Glencar or Blackwater area.

The project will focus on working with farmers in the area to look to develop farming methods to enhance the water quality in both the Glencar and Blackwater areas aimed at conserving the fresh water Pearl Mussel. It is being lead by the Department of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht with South Kerry Development Partnership taking a leading role in working with the farmers in the regions to implement the project on the ground. In addition, the project will see the Coillte, Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service involved in the project over the 5 year period.

SKDP’s Agriculture Manager Joseph McCrohan said that this project has developed through SKDP’s Agricultural Working Group following research undertaken in the region by UCC’s Dr. Eileen O’Rourke with 80 farmers that resulted in the Farming in the Iveragh Uplands report. He said that 45% of the funding will go to the family farms in the areas concerned to carry out work on their farms aimed at improving nutrient management and protecting the water quality on their land.

Agricultural Working Group Chairman Pat O’Driscoll said that this project is very much a voluntary bottom up approach demonstration project where the farmers involved will have a direct say on how the project will operate on their farms. There is both a research and demonstration element involved in this project which will greatly benefit the farmers in the area in their work” Pat added.

In addition to the work that will be undertaken on the farms, a major public awareness campaign will also be rolled out through the local schools and wider community to highlight the importance of the project for the region and the benefits it can bring for the farming and wider community in the area.

“This project can have a significant positive impact on all river catchments in Kerry as the learning derived from it can be used by groups in the other areas to enhance their water quality” Joseph pointed out.

The announcement of €3.4m in funding for work on the first phase of the South Kerry Greenway project by Minister Alan Kelly has been warmly welcomed by South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd. The project aims to redevelop the old railway line be Glenbeigh and Cahersiveen as a cycleway and it is expected to provide much needed economic benefits for the region.

Speaking following the announcement of the funding SKDP CEO Noel Spillane described it as a vindication of the work SKDP has put into bringing the project to this stage. The idea for developing the old railway line as a cycleway originated in South Kerry Development Partnership he pointed out and the funding that enabled the feasibility study to be undertaken on this initial phase was provided under the RDP LEADER Project, Noel added. “We then met with Minister Kelly and provided him with this Feasibility Study which set out the proposal in detail for him which was crucial in getting his support for the plan” Noel said. The Partnership has also been to the fore in working with the landowners along the proposed route and helping to ensure their views and opinions have been heard at all stages of the process to date. “This project is likely to have major benefits for both the local communities who will have access to this wonderful new cycleway in the region as well as encouraging the development of the tourism industry along the route” Noel said and based on the success of other cycleway projects, particularly in Mayo, it is likely to result in the creation of badly needed jobs for local people in the area also he added.

SKDP’s Agriculture Manager Joseph McCrohan praised the landowners along the route for their positive co-operation and attitude towards the project to date and said that he was hopeful now that they would all come on board to ensure the project proceeds smoothly following the announcement of this funding. SKDP Consultation with the farming community has been ongoing from the very beginning in 2010 including a fact finding visit to Mayo in November 2012 attend by over 30 farmers from South Kerry with support from the Local Community Development Programme. “The farming community along the route recognise the importance of this project for all in the region and the benefits that can come from it and I’m sure we will now all work together to help make it a reality” Joseph said.

The funding for the project will be channelled through Kerry County Council and it is likely some of the work along the route will be done by workers on the Rural Social Scheme operated in the area by South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd.

Representatives of community groups from around Kerry will gather in Tralee on Monday next (April 14th) to voice their anger to Councillors over proposals around Alignment. Kerry’s councillors are due to vote on motions around the formation of the new LCDC’s by Kerry County Council – the bodies that it is proposed will run the new LEADER and Local Community Development Programmes. This in effect would lead to the closure of the current Partnerships and a major reduction in access to essential services for people in rural areas of the county.

The proposal to stage a mass protest at the council meeting arose from groups who have been attending public meetings in both South and North Kerry over the last two weeks to highlight their opposition to these proposals. The South Kerry meetings have been organised by the Community Directors of SKDP who fear that these proposals, if allowed to go ahead, will take the voice and decision making power of the rural communities and transfer it into the hands of Kerry County Council.

SKDP Chairperson and Killarney Community Director Sheila Casey said that the people have voiced their opposition to these proposals loud and clear and in large numbers at the meetings in South Kerry. “It is coming up to election time and councillors would be well minded to listen to the will of the people and oppose this motion when it comes up for a vote at next Monday’s meeting” Sheila said. “The system that is in place to run both the LEADER and Community Development Programmes is working extremely well and there is no need at all to change it” according to Sheila. “This is a proven, bottom up approach for the delivery of vital programmes in rural areas and the people want it to remain so, not have their power taken away from them” she said. It is ironic that Minister Hogan has called his proposals “Putting People First” – this is clearly not putting people first and the people are demanding that both the Councillors and the Minister to listen to their views and abandon these plans” Sheila concluded.

The Community Leaders behind next Monday’s protest have asked all those wishing to attend to be outside the County Buildings in Rathas, Tralee at 9am next Monday morning so as to ensure the Councillors attending are fully aware and in no doubt of the opposition to these proposals  before they vote on the motion.  The protest will run until 10.30am