slí na noileán - oileain.ie · the groups will be trained by experts in the field ... the...

Contents 2 Rural Development Programme Grants Paid 3 Crafts on Tory Island 4 Transnational Co-operation Project on Energy 5 L.C.D.P. State Pensions 6 Training for Jobseekers 7 High Value Nature Farming 8 The Burren Life Project & Fishing Safety Scheme

San Eagrán Seo 9 Clár Forbartha Tuaithe: Deontais Íoctha 10 Lámha Thoraí 11 Fuinneamh SEAI 12 Oiliúint do Chuardaitheoirí Poist 13 Athraithe ar an bPinsean 14 Feirmeoireacht Nádúrtha 15 Clár an Bhoirinn / Scéim Sábháilteacht Mara 16 Teagmháil / Contact Info.

Slí na nOileán

Fómhar / Autumn 2010 Eagrán / Issue 04

High Nature Value Farming proposal for Aran Islands and North Connemara

Maoinithe ag Rialtas na hÉireann faoin bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, 2007 - 2013

Slí na nOileán 2 Fómhar / Autumn 2010

Rural Development Programme

Grants Paid Comharchumann Thoraí Teo The Co-op received grant aid of €5,370 for the first stage of the Lámha Thoraí Arts & Crafts training workshops.

Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhóir Grant aid of €1,200 was paid to assist in the purchase of panels to mount an exhibition on the history, flora and fauna of the island. The Co-op was also given grant aid of €6,815.30 to equip one of the rooms in the cultural centre with office equipment and to provide sewing machines to enable them to run adult education courses in the centre.

Comharchumann Forbartha Árann The Co-op received a grant of €7,203.37 to equip an Information Technology training room for use in community training. They also received grant aid of €8,390 to carry out part one of a Yachtmaster Training Course.

Bere Island Projects Group The group received grant aid of €3,500 for training for FETAC Marine Engineering Proc-esses and Safety at Sea.

Comhar Caomhán Teo A grant of €17,808.75 was paid to Comhar Caomhán to upgrade and modernise its fuel delivery, storage and distribution service to the Island of Inis Oírr. The group also received €3,600 to povide a course in occupational first-aid and participants were awarded FETAC level 5 certification. Grant aid of €10,161.86 was also paid to this group to carry out renovation work on the Community Hall.

Pat Quinn-Inis Oírr Pat received €580 in grant aid to record 10 original songs on a CD and publish 1,000 copies for sale to the tourism market.

Grúpa Turasóireacht Chliara Grant aid of €1,350 was paid for a cookery course for people involved in the tourism industry.

Comharchumann Chléire Teo The Co-op received €1,974 in grant aid for running a practical training workshop on organisation of Walking Talking Tours.

Ruairí & Marie-Therese de Blacam, Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites This project received grant aid of €22,920 to upgrade and refurbish the suites as part of a long term plan to develop the business.

Jim Cox This promoter received €22,500 to carry out a Feasibility Study into the development of a large tourism enterprise on Clare Island.

Inishturk Community Council This group received grant aid of €7,608 to carry out community training courses.

Clare Island Pony Breeders Group A grant of €3,250 was paid to this group to carry out Farrier & Horsemanship Training.

Comhar na nOileán received €26,626.05 to carry out a feasibility study into provision of Video Conferencing facilities on the islands.

Lawrence Cove Ferries received a grant of €79,500 to install a crane to upgrade the lifting capacity of the vessel used for the boat hire business.

Féile Soilse Thoraigh was granted €2,333 to carry out music training workshops on the island.

Head Office/Príomh Oifig Inis Oírr

099 75096 [email protected]

Mayo & Cork Islands Mary Lavelle

095 45016 / 087 2872929 [email protected]


Lámha Thóraí — Crafts in Tory Island

This is a 3 year craft making project aimed at the community on Tory Island. The aim of the pro-ject is to train the participants in how to make their own crafts. The participants are gaining the knowledge how to make their own crafts and secure employment through selling their work on the island during the Summer season via Ionad Bhalor craft centre, and also selling work through craft outlets on the mainland. During the first year of the project we ran courses in jewellery making, woodturning, pot-tery and basket making and before the end of the year we will run courses in how to make hand made soaps using seaweed from the island and hand made dolls and handbags using recy-cled materials. The courses are taught by regis-tered Crafts Council Of Ireland Craft Workers, therefore the courses are taught at a very high standard.

This project is of vital importance to the island community and it will play a vital role in sustain-ing employment for the inhabitants on Tory and it will give the community the opportunity to cre-ate long term employment opportunities. The project will promote Tory and its craft work-ers at a national and international level therefore enhancing tourism to the island, which will in turn sustain employment and be an area of inter-est promoting both the island and these historical hand made crafts which are in decline throughout the country and if not cherished will be lost in time. Over the next 2 years we hope to run courses in the following:

♦ Candle making ♦ Felting ♦ Quilting ♦ Glass art & painting ♦ Stone sculpturing ♦ Slate crafts ♦ Pewter crafts & Jewellery ♦ Handmade books using leather ♦ Model boat making

The courses are opened to participants from Tory Island and participants from other Irish Islands are also very welcome. We are extremely grateful to Comhar na nOileán for their support, without this support it would not be possible to run such courses.

Marjorie Carroll


IRDA Energy Transnational Co-operation Project

This transnational project is environmentally based and builds on initial work undertaken dur-ing the National Rural Development Programme. It is a joint initiative to address issues common to the islands in both countries.

Three Energy Groups from the Irish islands will participate in a training project with three islands in Denmark. The project was agreed between Comhar na nOileán and the Local Action Group with respon-sibility for the small Danish Islands Småøernes Aktionsgrupp. The Energy Groups selected from the Irish is-lands are located in Árainn Mhór in Donegal, Clare Island in Mayo and Bere Island in Cork. The groups will be trained by experts in the field in putting together frameworks for development of a sustainable energy strategy for their island. The training will ensure that they are capable of planning and scheduling implementation stages for the achievement of the objectives of their strategy.

The groups will be assisted by Consultants from the Energy Agencies to achieve this and work-shops will be organised locally, nationally and in the partner countries to enable cooperative work-ing under expert guidance. The project will culminate in a final seminar at which the six groups will present the implementa-tion plans for their islands. The pilot project organised by Sustainable Energy Agency Ireland monitoring energy use on the Aran Islands to determine if renewable sources can replace fossil fuels will also be studied by participants during the life of the project. SEAI will attend workshops to share their expertise with participant groups. The project pools know-how and promotes net-working and sharing of information across differ-ent jurisdictions. In particular it draws on the experience of the Danish island of Samso in the development and implementation stages of their strategy to achieve an energy positive status and the learning associated with their success.

Each group will be expected to produce an en-ergy strategy and implementation plan to achieve low carbon status for their own island. The awareness raised by the training project as well as the completion of the different stages of implementing the plans should mean savings for the islands concerned. It is also hoped that it will stimulate interest in training in various renewable technologies, which would give more employment opportunities to islanders.


Changes to State

pensions

Question:

There’s been a lot in the news recently about planned changes to pensions. I turn 65 next year in 2011. My wife will turn 65 in 2015. I’ve worked all my life and my wife took care of our children and only started paid employment outside the home in 1996. We don’t have private pen-sion plans. How will the changes affect us? Answer:

Substantial changes to how contributory State pensions are calculated and when they are paid are planned. The proposed changes will not affect you but they will affect your wife. The age at which people qualify for a State Pension will increase – to 66 in 2014, 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028. The State Pension (Transition) will be abolished in 2014. This means that your wife will not get a State Pen-sion Transition at 65 in 2015. Currently to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory and Transition) you must have a minimum of 260 paid PRSI contributions (5 years) over your working life. Your pension is then based on your yearly average of contri-butions (both paid and credited). Credited contributions can be given when you are ill, unemployed or taking care of someone. You need a minimum yearly aver-age of 10 contributions to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) and 48 for a full rate pension.

Local and Community Development Programme

Know Your

Rights

From 2012 you must have a minimum of 520 paid contributions (10 years) over your working life. Your wife will have 20 years of paid contributions by the time she retires in 2016 so she will meet this requirement. She will qualify for a full pension based on her 20 years’ contributions with a yearly average of 48 contributions if she continues to work full time. This yearly average method for calculating contributions will continue until 2020. After that the system will change to a total contri-bution system. A minimum of 520 (10 years) paid contributions will give you one-third of the total pension rate. Thirty years contribu-tions will give you a full pension. A maxi-mum of 10 years of credits will be taken into account. You can find out more about changes to pensions at www.pensionsgreenpaper.ie. Know Your Rights has been compiled by Citizens Information Service which pro-vides a free and confidential service to the public. Information is also available online at www.citizensinformation.ie and from the Citi-zens Information Phone : Lo-call 1890 777 121


Training for

jobseekers

Question: I’m unemployed at the moment and would really like to improve my computer skills but I can’t afford most of the part-time training courses I’d like to do. What are my options?

Answer: There are a range of free courses available for jobseekers who want to improve their skills or to retrain. Some are provided by lo-cal or community-based organisations and others are provided by FÁS – the National Training and Development Authority. Many Vocational Education Committee (VEC) courses are free. To apply for a place on a FÁS training course, you must first register with your local FÁS Employment Services Office. You will be interviewed in order to identify the course that will best suit your needs. You can search online for FÁS training courses at fas.ie. Your local FÁS Employment Services Office can also give you information on other courses in your area. The Labour Market Activation Fund supports education and training courses for unem-ployed people – especially people who are less skilled, who have worked in construc-tion, retail and manufacturing, who are aged under 35 or who are long-term unemployed. The courses are run by a number of VECs, Institutes of Technology and other organisa-tions. You must have been getting an unem-ployment payment for 3 months before start-ing the course. Visit qualifax.ie for a list of courses available.

If you plan to go on an approved short-term or part-time training course you can keep your welfare payment while you are doing the course for as long as you would normally be entitled to it (for example 9 or 12 months for Jobseeker’s Benefit). If you would like to go on a longer or full-time course there are a range of options including the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and the Back-to-Education Allowance (which includes a Part-time Edu-cation Option). Further information is available from the Citi-zens Information Centre below. Information Publications and Social Policy

Citizens Information Board George's Quay House 43 Townsend Street

Dublin 2 Tel: 01 605 9012

Information is also available online at www.citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, Lo-call 1890 777 121.

Local and Community Development Programme

Know Your

Rights


High Nature Value Farming ( HNV) on the Aran Islands and North Connemara

High Nature Value Farming (HNV) is low intensity farming that is associated with a high diversity of wildlife and natural habitats. Basically it is the type of farming that our forefathers carried out and that really defines the type of landscape that we have inherited today. Modern ‘intensive’ has replaced HNV farming over much of Ireland and Europe with resulting losses of natural and cultural habitats. This de-cline of traditional methods leads to increases in part time farming and a shrinking population of older farmers, reductions in farm management, change in land use and partial or complete aban-donment.

EU member States are going to try and identify all such areas and to put in place measures that will help to help to protect a high proportion of them. Ireland is well behind our European coun-terparts in identifying such areas. Most of the west, northwest and south west would have elements of such farming in the more disadvantaged and uphill areas. With the lack of information available on such areas the Heritage Council, in partnership with FORUM (Letterfrack), the BurrenLIFE Project , Teagasc and the De-partment of Agriculture have commissioned case studies of HNV farming in the Aran Islands and North Connemara. The aim is to better understand the relationship between natural and cultural heritage and associ-ated farming practices and to develop measures that will recommend conserving HNV farming in the 2 areas.

A series of public meeting were held with farmers to gather information on current and past prac-tices, the challenges farmers face in these areas, and to find out what solutions farmers can offer to sustain their style of farming. Following this, indi-vidual farmers were interviewed to gather infor-mation on individual farm enterprises. Farm and field surveys were carried out also. The Burren area in Co Clare is one area that has been studied already over the past 6 years and has put a plan in place to support HNV farming there. How is HNV different to REPS and other Schemes?

There has been increasing recognition in recent years that designations under EU Directives and National Legislation on HNV Farmland alone will not be enough to stop loss of biodiversity and that indeed much of the HNV farmlands may occur outside of these designations. The measures in place to support farming and encourage environmental friendly initiatives such as Least favoured Area Payment and Agri-environmental Schemes (REPS) are not fulfilling that commitment either. The same measures, are thought to be simplistic in their approach and do not readily allow for diversity between areas. Re-sults in HNV areas are based on an biodiversity increase and monitoring is an intergral part of the programme.

The Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are perhaps the best example in Ireland of a traditional agricultural landscape. Old traditional farming methods in the past have defined the dry stone walls separating tiny fields that protect the orchid rich grasslands, limestone pavements, heath and machair. Low intensity cattle grazing of these high diverse habitats pre-serve the orchids and other species of interna-tional conservational importance. Without the cattle grazing these fields will be overcome with bracken, brambles and other scrub and lose its conservation value. However, the beauty of HNV farming is that the landscape is total different here to the North Connemara and different re-sponses may be required to put measures in place to conserve the landscape. For further information visit the Heritage Council website at: www.heritagecouncil.ie.


In 2004, the Burren Life Programme (BLP) was set up after it was shown that the best way to pro-tect the Burren landscape was to continue farm-ing. Over the years, traditional farming was re-placed by farming continental breeds that were silage fed and kept in slatted houses. This lead to under grazing, the growth of tough grasses, the encroachment of brambles and hazel scrub and rank undergrowth and loss of unique and rare flowers. If this continued the landscape would become overgrown, with localized pollution and full scrub encroachment. A new model was devel-oped on how best to farm the Burren in a way that helps protect its priority habitats while also helping the farmers to earn a decent living. To date, BLP has worked hand in hand with farm-ers, scientists, and conservation experts to pilot a range of actions on 20 project farms covering over 3,000ha of land. A number of actions were agreed and the impact of these actions were monitored. As well as tackling conservation threats on the ground BLP also produced valu-able information to inform the development of a tested, costed, blue print for Burren farming. Other players in the process were IFA, Teagasc, National Parks and Wildlife. Funding was pro-vided by the EU Commission (Life Nature Fund). Research focused on ways to minimize farm in-puts and maximum outputs and to ensure farming is carried out as effectively and efficiently as pos-sible. The Programme offered real progress to the State Agencies and the general public in rec-ognizing that farmers and their families are custo-dians of the land and it’s natural built heritage. Farmers were paid for the work they carried out, for project participation and demonstration farms. All of this work has been accompanied by de-tailed ecological, agricultural and socio-economic research, monitoring and analysis. The pilot project finished in 2009 and it shows clearly the linkage between farming and conser-vation in protected areas and HNV landscapes, supporting local people to live and farm in an area, helping build sustainable rural communities and at the same time having a very significant conservation benefit. In July 2009, the Exchequer allocated 1m each year for the next 3 years to support HNV within the Region to continue and mainstream the pilot scheme to additional farms in the Burren.

It is felt that such a scheme on the Aran Islands will also benefit both the farming community and their families and will increase the value put on biodiversity for the next generation and thereaf-ter. For further information on the Burren Life go to: www.burrenlife.com

A scheme to upgrade safety equipment on mainly fishing and angling boats has been launched by the Minister of State, Sean Connick . The funding can be used to upgrade other safety equipment, navigation and communication equipment on board such vessels. This new scheme will enable up to 800 vessels to modernise their on board safety equipment to further protect fishing crew. However, it is not enough to have a modern vessel - all skippers and crew must complete basic safety training he said.

This current scheme which will run until 2015 will provide 40% grant aid for the purchase and installation of equipment. The scheme hopes to provide €3m over the next 5 years. Subject to budgetary provision, it is administered by BIM. Applications and details on the Fleet safety scheme are avail-able from www.bim.ie

Fleet Safety Scheme for fishing

and Marine Tourism Boats

The Burren Life Project (BLP)

“I would envisage

all fishermen who

have not already

done so to

contact BIM to

complete their

safety training

without delay”


Clár Forbartha Tuaithe

Deontais Íoctha Comharchumann Thoraí Teo Fuair an comharchumann cabhair deontais de €5,370 le haghaidh an chéad chéim de cheard-lanna oiliúna Ceardaíochta. Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Íocadh deontas de €1,200 chun cuidiú le painéil a cheannach chun taispeántas ar stair, bláthanna agus ainmhithe an oileáin a chur ar fáil. Tugadh cúnamh deontais freisin de € 6,815.30 chun ceann de na seomraí san ionad cultúrtha a fhe-istiú le trealamh oifige chomh maith le meaisíní fuála a chur ar fáil chun cur ar a gcumas cúrsaí oideachais do dhaoine fásta a reachtáil. Comharchumann Forbartha Árann Tugadh deontas de € 7,203.37 chun seomra oiliúna i dTeicneolaíocht Faisnéise a fheistiú le húsáid in oiliúint pobail. Fuair siad cabhair deon-tas de € 8,390 chomh maith chun an chéad chuid de Chúrsa Oiliúna Yachtmaster a chur i gcrích. Bere Island Projects Groups Fuair an grúpa cúnamh de € 3,500 le haghaidh cúrsa oiliúna FETAC i bPróisis Innealtóireacht Mhuirí agus Sábháilteacht ar Fharraige. Comhar Caomhán Teo Íocadh deontas de €17,808.75 le Comhar Caom-hán chun nuachóiriú a dhéanamh ar fhearas sheachadadh breosla ar an Oileán Inis Oírr. Ina theannta sin, fuair an grúpa €3,600 chun cúrsa i ngarchabhair ag an obair a reáchtáil, agus bronnadh teastas FETAC leibhéal 5 ar na rannpháirtithe. Iocadh deontas €10,161 don chomharchumann freisin chun obair athchóirithe a dhéanamh ar an halla pobail. Pat Quinn-Inis Oírr Fuair Pat deontas €580 chun 10 n-amhrán nua-chumtha a thaifeadadh ar dhlúthdhiosca agus 1,000 cóip a dhéanamh don mhargadh tu-rasóireachta.

Grúpa Turasóireacht Chliara Íocadh deontas € 1,350 do chúrsa cócaireachta le haghaidh daoine atá páirteach i dtionscal na tu-rasóireachta.

Comharchumann Chléire Teo Fuair an Comharchumann € 1,974 le haghaidh ceardlanna oibre a eagrú don Fhéile Siúlóide. Ruairí & Marie-Therese de Blacam, Bialann & Seomraí Só Inis Meáin Fuair an togra cúnamh deontais de € 22,920 chun uasghrádú agus athchóiriú a dhéanamh ar na seomraí mar chuid de phlean fadtéarmach chun an gnó a fhorbairt. Jim Cox Fuair an tionscnóir seo € 22,500 chun Staidéar Féidearthachta ar fhorbairt fhiontair tu-rasóireachta mór ar Oileán Chliara a chur i gcrích. Inishturk Community Council Fuair an grúpa seo cúnamh deontas de € 7,608 chun cúrsaí oiliúna pobail a reáchtáil.

Grúpa Capaillíní Oileán Chliara Íocadh deontas de € 3,250 leis an ngrúpa seo chun cúrsa Crúdóra & Láimhseáil Capaill a chur ar fáil. Fuair Comhar na nOileán €26,626.05 chun staidéar féidearthachta a dhéanamh ar sholáthar áiseanna físchomhdhála do na hoileáin. Íocadh deontas €79,800 le Lawrence Cove Ferries chun crann tógála a uasghrádú ar an mbád. Féile Soilse Thoraigh fuair an grúpa seo €2,333 chun ceardlanna ceoil a eagrú d’óige an oileáin.

Príomh Oifig Inis Oírr

099 75096 [email protected]


Is tionscadal 3 bliana ceardaíochta é seo atá dírithe ar an bpobal ar Oileán Thóraí. Is é an aidhm atá leis an tionscadal ná oiliúint a thabhairt do na rannpháirtithe i ndéantús ceardaíochta. Tá na rannpháirtithe ag foghlaim conas a gcear-daíocht féin a dhéanamh agus fostaíocht a fháil tríd a gcuid earraí a dhíol ar an oileán le linn sé-asúr an tsamhraidh trí ionad ceardaíochta Ionad Bhalor. Chomh maith leis an obair a dhíol ar an oileán is féidir leo é a dhíol trí shiopaí ceardaíochta ar an mórthír. D’eagraigh an tionscadal cúrsaí i ndé-antús seodra, i ndeileadh adhmaid, potaireacht agus déántús ciseáin i rith na chéad bliana agus tá súil againn roimh dheireadh na bliana go

mbeidh cúrsaí á reáchtáil i gallúnacha a dhé-anamh ag baint úsáide as an bhfeamainn atá ar fáil ar an oileán chomh maith le bábóga agus málaí láimhe a dhéanamh ag baint úsáide as áb-hair athchúrsáilte. Tá na cúrsaí á múineadh ag Oibrithe Ceirde atá cláraithe le Comhairle Ceardaíochta na hÉireann, rud a fhágann go bhfuil caighdeán teagaisc an-ard ag na cúrsaí. Tá an tionscadal seo thar a bheith tábhachtach do phobal an oileáin agus beidh ról fíortháb-hachtach aige i bhfostaíochta a chothú do na daoine atá ina gcónaí ar Thóraí. Tabharfaidh sé seans don phobal deiseanna fostaíochta a chruthú go fadtéarmach. Cuirfidh an tionscadal seo oibrithe ceardaíochta Thoraí chun cinn ag leibhéal náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta, dá bhrí sin, feabhsóidh sé turasóireachta ar an oileán, rud chuirfidh bonn fostaíochta láidir ar fáil chomh maith le bheith ina ábhar suime a chuirfidh an t-oileán agus an ceardaíocht stairiúla seo chun cinn. Tá an ceardaíocht seo ag dul i léig ar fud na tire agus más rud é nach gcothaímid é bheidh sé caillte in imeachta ama. Thar an 2 bhliain seo chugainn tá súil againn cúrsaí a reáchtáil sa méid seo a leanas: ♦ Coinnle a dhéanamh ♦ Déanamh Feilte ♦ Cuilteála ♦ Ealaíon Gloine & péinteáil ♦ Dealbhóireacht cloiche ♦ Ceardaíocht slinne ♦ Ceardaíocht Phéatair & Seodra ♦ Leabhair lámhdhéanta ag baint úsáide as

leathar ♦ Múnlaí bád a dhéanamh Tá na cúrsaí oscailte do rannpháirtithe ó Oileán Thoraí agus tá fáilte freisin roimh rannpháirtithe ó oileáin Éireannacha eile. Táimid thar a bheith buíoch do Chomhar na nOileán as ucht a gcuid tacaíochta, gan an ta-caíocht seo ní bheadh ar ár gcumas na cúrsaí seo a reachtáil.

Marjorie Carroll

Lámha Thóraí — Ceardaíocht in Oileán Thóraí


Fuinneamh IRDA Tionscnamh trasteorann comhoibrithe

Tá an tionscadal trasnáisiúnta comhshaoil bunaithe ar obair thosaigh a rinneadh le linn an Clár Náisiúnta Forbartha Tuaithe. Is comhthionscnamh chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar shaincheisteanna atá coitianta do na hoileáin sa dá thír.

Beidh trí Grúpaí Fuinneamh ó oileáin na tíre páirteach sa tionscadal oiliúna chomh maith le trí oileán sa Danmhairg. Shocraigh Comhar na nOileán agus an Grúpa Gnímh Áitiúil atá freagrach as Oileáin bheaga sa Danmhairg, Småøernes Aktionsgrupp, ar an tion-scadal seo. Tá na grúpaí fuinnimh a roghnaíodh sa tír seo lonnaithe in Árainn Mhór i nDún na nGall, Oileán Chliara i gContae Mhaigh Eo agus Oileán Bhé-arra i gCorcaigh. Beidh na grúpaí traenáilte ag saineolaithe sa ré-imse chun creata a chur le chéile maidir le strai-téis fuinnimh inbhuanaithe a fhorbairt dá n-oileán féin. Cinnteoidh an traenáil go mbeidh siad in ann gach a bhaineann le pleanáil agus sceideal cé-imeanna do chuspóirí na straitéise a chur i gcrích. Beidh na grúpaí ag fáil comhairle ó ionadaithe na Gníomhaireachtaí Fuinnimh chun é seo a bhaint amach agus beidh ceardlanna a reáchtáil go háitiúil, go náisiúnta agus sna tíortha comhpháirtíochta chun comhoibriú faoi threoir saineolaithe a éascú. Cuirfear deireadh leis an tionscadal le seimineár críochnúil ag a mbeidh na sé ghrúpa ag déanamh cur i láthair ar phleananna feidhme a n-oileán. Beidh staidéar á dhéanamh ar thionscadal píolótach Ghníomhaireacht Fuinneamh Inmharthana Éireann chun monatóireacht a

dhéanamh úsáid fuinnimh sna hOileáin Árann chun a chinneadh an féidir fhoinsí in-athnuaite a sholáthar in áit breoslaí iontaise. Déanfaidh SEAI freastal ar cheardlanna chun a gcuid saineolais a roinnt leis na grúpaí freisin. Beidh staidéar á dhéanamh ar thionscadal píolótach Ghníomhaireacht Fuinneamh Inmharthana Éireann chun monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar úsáid fuinnimh in Oileáin Árann chun féachaint an féidir foinsí in-athnuaite a sholáthar in áit breoslaí iontaise. Déanfaidh SEAI freastal ar cheardlanna chun a gcuid saineolais a roinnt leis na grúpaí freisin. Roinneann an tionscadal fios gnó trí chomhoibriú a fhorbairt agus is sampla dea-chleachtais a bheidh ann.

Tarraingíonn an tionscadal ar an taithí atá ag oileán Samso na Danmhairge i bhforbairt agus i gcur i bhfeidhm céimeanna a straitéis féin. Tá stádas fuinnimh dearfach bainte amach ag an oileán seo (ag easpórtáil fuinneamh) agus beidh go leor le foghlaim uathu. Tá súil go mbeidh ar chumas gach grúpa straitéis agus an plean feidhme fuinnimh chun stádas carbóin íseal a chur le chéile dá n-oileán féin ag deireadh an togra. Táthar ag súil freisin go mbeidh spéis in oiliúint na dteicneolaíochtaí inathnuaite éagsúla ag mé-adú freisin, rud a chuirfeadh deiseanna fostaíochta níos mó ar fáil d'oileánaigh.


Ceist: Táim dífhostaithe faoi láthair agus ba mhaith liom mo scileanna ríomhaire a fheabhsú ach ní féidir liom íoc as an gcuid is mó de na cúr-saí oiliúna páirtaimseartha a bhfuil suim agam iontu. Cad iad na roghanna atá agam? Freagra: Tá roinnt cúrsaí saor in aisce ar fáil do chuar-daitheoirí poist a dteastaíonn uathu a gcuid scileanna a fheabhsú nó athoiliúint a fháil. Cuire-ann eagraíochtaí áitiúla nó eagraíochtaí atá bunaithe sa phobal roinnt acu ar fáil agus soláthraíonn FÁS – an tÚdarás Oiliúna agus Fostaíochta Náisiúnta – roinnt cúrsaí eile. Chun iarratas a chur isteach ar chúrsa oiliúna FÁS, ní mór duit clárú le d’Oifig áitiúil Seirbhísí Fostaíochta FÁS. Cuirfear agallamh ort le fáil amach cén cúrsa a oirfidh is fearr do do chuid riachtanas. Is féidir leat cuardach a dhéanamh ar líne le haghaidh cúrsaí oiliúna FÁS ag fas.ie. Fé-adfar faisnéis a fháil ó d’Oifig áitiúil Seirbhísí Fostaíochta FÁS freisin faoi chúrsaí eile i do cheantar. Tugann an Ciste um Ghníomhachtú an Mhar-gaidh Shaothair tacaíocht do chúrsaí oideachais agus oiliúna do dhaoine dífhostaithe – go háirithe daoine nach bhfuil a lán scileanna acu, a d’oi-brigh sa bhfoirgníocht, sa mhiondíol agus sa dé-antúsaíocht, atá níos óige ná 35 nó atá díf-hostaithe le fada. Ritheann roinnt Coistí Gairmoideachais, Institiúidí Teicneolaíochta agus eagraíochtaí eile na cúrsaí. Ní foláir nó go raibh íocaíocht dífhostaíochta á fáil agat ar feadh 3 mhí roimh an gcúrsa a thosú. Fé-ach ar qualifax.ie le haghaidh liosta cúrsaí. Má tá sé ar intinn agat cúrsa oiliúna páirtaimsear-tha nó gearrthéarmach a dhéanamh is féidir leat d’íocaíocht leasa shóisialaigh a choimeád agus an cúrsa á dhéanamh agat ar feadh an méid ama céanna is a bheadh tú i dteideal í a choimeád de ghnáth (mar shampla 9 mí nó 12 mhí i gcás Sochar Cuardaitheora Poist).

Más mian leat cúrsa níos faide nó cúrsa lánaim-seartha a dhéanamh tá roinnt roghanna ann lena n-áirítear an Scéim Deiseanna Oiliúna Gair-moideachais agus an Liúntas chun Filleadh ar an Oideachas (a bhfuil Rogha um Oideachas Páir-taimseartha san áireamh ann). Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil ón Ionad seo thíos:

Ionad Eolais do Shaoránaigh Teach Cé Sheoirse 43 Sráid Townsend Baile Átha Cliath 2 Tel: 01 605 9012

Chuir Ionad Faisnéise do Shaoránaigh ‘Bíodh Eolas agat ar do Chearta’ le chéile. Cuireann an tIonad seo seirbhís saor in aisce agus faoi rún ar fáil don phobal. Tá eolas le fáil freisin ar líne ag www.citizensinformation.ie agus ón tSeirbhís Teileafóin um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh, Fón 1890 777 121.

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Chearta!

Oiliúint do chuardaitheoirí poist

Clár Forbartha Pobail Áitiúil


Ceist: Tá go leor sa nuacht le déanaí maidir leis na hathruithe atá beartaithe ar phinsin. Beidh mé 65 bliain d’aois an bhliain seo chugainn, 2011. Beidh mo bhean chéile 65 bliain in 2015. D'oi-brigh mé ar feadh mo shaol ar fad agus bhí mo bhean chéile i mbun cúram ar ár bpáistí go dtí gur thosnaigh sí ag obair taobh amuigh den bhaile i 1996. Níl aon phleananna pinsin príobháideacha againn. Cén tionchar a bhéas ag na hathruithe orainn? Freagra: Tá athruithe suntasacha beartaithe maidir le pin-sin Stáit, maidir leis an gcaoi a n-oibrítear amach é agus an bealach a n-íoctar é, á phleanáil. Ní dhéanfaidh na hathruithe atá beartaithe aon difear duitse, sa gcás seo, ach déanfaidh siad difear dod' bhean chéile. Méadoidh an aois ag a gcáilíonn daoine le haghaidh Pinsean Stáit - go 66 in 2014, 67 in 2021 agus 68 in 2028. Beidh an Pinsean Stáit (Idirthréimhseach) á chur ar ceal in 2014. Cial-laíonn sé seo nach mbeidh do bhean chéile ag fáil Pinsean Stáit Idirthréimhseach ag 65 in 2015. I láthair na huaire chun cáiliú le haghaidh Pin-sean Stáit (Ranníocach agus Idirthréimhseach) ní mór duit ar a laghad 260 ranníocaíocht ÁSPC (5 bliana) a bheith déanta agat i rith do shaol oibre. Tá an pinsin atá bunaithe ansin ar mheán bhli-antúil na ranníocaíochtaí (idir íoctha agus creidiúnaithe). Is féidir Ranníocaíochtaí creidiúnaithe a fháil nuair a bhíonn tú tinn, díf-hostaithe nó ag tabhairt aire/cúraim do dhuine. Ní mór duit meán bliantúil de 10 ranníocaíocht a bheith déanta agat chun cáiliú le haghaidh Pin-sean Stáit (Ranníocach) agus 48 i gcomhair pin-sin ar an ráta iomlán. Ón mbliain 2012 ní mór duit ar a laghad 520 ran-níocaíocht a bheith íoctha (10 mbliana) ar feadh do shaol oibre. Beidh 20 bliain de ranníocaíochtaí

íoctha ag do bhean chéile faoin am a scoireann sí in 2016 agus mar sin beidh sí abalta an riall seo a shású. Beidh sí i dteideal pinsean iomlán bunaithe ar a 20 bliain 'ranníocaíochtaí le meán bliantúil de 48 ranníocaíocht más rud é go lean-faidh sí ag obair go lánaimseartha. Beidh an modh seo chun an meán bliantúil le haghaidh ranníocaíochtaí a oibriú amach á úsáid go dtí 2020. Tar éis sin, beidh an córas ag athrú go dtí córas ranníocaíochta iomlán. Beidh siad siúd a bhfuil ar a laghad 520 (10 mbliana) ran-níocaíochtaí íoctha acu, i dteideal aon trian den ráta pinsin iomlán. Má tá ranníocaíochtaí 30 bliana agat, beidh tú i dteideal pinsin iomlán. Beidh suas le 10 mbliana de chreidmheasanna a chur san áireamh. Is féidir leat tuilleadh a fháil amach maidir le hathruithe ar an bpinsean ag pensionsgreenpa-per.ie Tá eolas ar fáil ar líne freisin ag citizensinforma-tion.ie agus ón tSeirbhís Ghutháin um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh, Fón 1890 777 121.

Clár Forbartha Pobail Áitiúil

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Athruithe ar an bPinsean Lúnasa 2010


Feirmeoireacht Ard Luach Dúlra (HNV) sna hOileáin Árann agus Conamara Thuaidh

Séard atá i bhFeirmeoireacht Ard Luach Dúlra (HNV) ná feirmeoireacht lagdhianais le hé-agsúlacht ard a bhaineann le fiadhúlra agus gnáthóga nádúrtha.

Go bunúsach, is é an cineál feirmeoireachta a rinne ár sinsear agus is as sin a thagann an cineál oidhreacht tírdhreach atá againn inniu. Tá dian-fheirmeoireacht i bhfad níos coitianta in Éirinn agus san Eoraip ná HNV le caillteanais mar thoradh air ar ghnáthóga nádúrtha agus cultúrtha. Tá fás i bhfeirmeoireacht páirtaimseartha mar thoradh ar mheath na modhanna traidisiúnta chomh maith le laghduithe ar bhainistíocht feirme, athrú ar úsáid talún agus feirme tréigthe i bpáirt nó go hiomlán. Tá Ballstáit an AE ag dé-anamh iarracht chun limistéar den sórt sin a aithint agus pleananna a chur i bhfeidhm a chab-hróidh chun cuidiú le céatadán ard acu a chosaint. Tá Éire go maith taobh thiar ar ár gcomhghleacaithe Eorpacha i limistéir den sórt sin a aithint. Bheadh eilimintí den chineál seo feirmeoireachta ar siúl sa chuid is mó den iarthar, in iar-thuaisceart agus ó dheas sna ceantair is mó atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste agus thuas ar na cnoic. Tá an Chomhairle Oidhreachta, i gcomhpháirtíocht le FÓRAM (Leitir Fraic), an Tionscadal BurrenLIFE, Teagasc agus an Roinn Talmhaíochta tar éis cás-staidéir a choimisiúnú ar fheirmeoireacht HNV in Oileáin Árann agus i dTuaisceart Chonamara le dul i ngleic leis an easpa eolais atá ann. Is é an aidhm ná tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar an ngaol idir an oidhreacht nádúrtha agus cultúrtha agus cleachtais feirmeoireachta agus bearta a mholadh chun forbairtí le feirmeoireacht HNV a

chaomhnú i réimsí a 2. Tionóladh sraith cruinnithe poiblí le feirmeoirí chun faisnéis a bhailiú maidir le cleachtais feir-meoireachta reatha agus roimhe seo, aghaidh a thabhairt ar dhúshláin na bhfeirmeoirí sna réimsí seo, agus moltaí a fháil chun an stíl seo a sháb-háil. Tar éis seo, cuireadh agallamh ar fheirmeoirí aonair chun faisnéis a bhailiú ar fhiontair feirme aonair. Rinneadh suirbhéanna feirme agus réimse amach freisin. Tá staidéar déanta cheana féin le 6 bliana anuas ar cheantar na Bóirne i gContae an Chláir agus tá plean á chur i bhfeidhm chun tacú le feirmeoireacht HNV ann. Cén chaoi an bhfuil HNV éagsúil ó REPS & Scéimeanna eile? Tá aitheantas ag méadú le blianta beaga anuas nach mbeidh an t-ainmniúchán faoi Threoracha an AE agus Reachtaíocht Náisiúnta maidir le tha-lamh feirme HNV ann féin ábalta stop a chur le cailliúint na bithéagsúlachta. Níl ag éirí leis na bearta atá i bhfeidhm chun tacú le feirmeoireacht agus spreagadh a thabhairt do thionscnaimh atá neamhdhíobhálach don chomhshaol ach oiread. Creidtear go bhfuil na bearta céanna, ró-shímplí ina gcur chuige agus nach n-aithníonn siad an éagsúlacht idir na réimsí sin. Tá na torthaí i gceantair HNV bunaithe ar an méadú ar bithéagsúlacht agus tá monatóireacht a dhéanamh mar chuid lárnach den chlár. Na hOileáin Árann B'fhéidir go bhfuil an sampla is fearr in Éirinn de thírdhreach traidisiúnta talmhaíochta sna hoileáin Árann. Tá na modhanna feirmeoireachta traidisiúnta ag cosaint na ballaí cloiche tirime a scarann na buailte beaga bídeacha óna chéile. Cosnaíonn siad freisin na tailte féaraigh magairlín saibhir, cosáin aolchloch, fraochmhá agus machair. Caomhnaíonn feirmeoireacht lagdhianais na gnáthóga éagsúla agus speiceas a bhfuil tábhacht idirnáisiúnta leo. Gan an féaraigh eallaigh bheadh na réimsí seo a shárú le raithneach, driseacha agus scrobarnach eile agus a luach caomhnaithe caillte acu. An rud is fearr faoi feirmeoireachta HNV ná go n-aithníonn sé go bhfuil tírdhreach éagsúil agus go dteastaíonn freagraí éagsúla chun an tírdhreacht a chaomhnú.


I 2004, bunaíodh an Clár ‘Burren Life’ (BLP) mar go raibh sé le feiceáil gurb é an bealach is fearr le tírdhreach an Bhoirinn a chosaint ná an tsean bhealach feirmeoireachta a thabhairt arais. Thar na blianta, thosaigh feirmeoirí ag coinneáil beithígh i dtithe urláir sa gheimhreadh. Mar thoradh ar seo cailleadh bláthanna uathúla agus neamhchoitianta agus aith-níodh go raibh an tírdhréach i gcontúirt. Forbraíodh samhail nua ar an mbealach is fearr chun feirmeacha na Bóirne a chosaint ar bhealach a chab-hraíonn le gnáthóga tosaíochta agus leis na feirmeoirí chun slí bheatha mhaith a fháil. Go dtí seo, tá BLP ag obair as láimh a chéile le feirmeoirí, eolaithe, agus saineolaithe chun raon de ghníomhartha ar 20 fheir-meacha os cionn 3,000 heicteár a chaomhnú ar bhonn píolótach. Aontaíodh ar roinnt de na gníomhartha agus rinneadh monatóireacht ar thionchar na ngníomhartha. Chomh maith le dul i ngleic le bagairtí caomhnú ar an talamh thug BLP eolas luachmhar ar fhorbairt chreat-lach chun feirmeoireacht na Bóirne a chaomhnú. Bhí páirt ag IFA, Teagasc, An tSeirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra sa phróiseas. Cuireadh maoiniú ar fáil ó Choimisiún an AE. Dhírigh an taighde ar bhealaí chun ionchur feirme a íoslaghdú agus aschur a mhéadú chomh maith le feir-meoireacht a dhéanamh ar bhealach chomh hé-ifeachtúil agus is féidir. Chuir an Clár dul chun cinn ar fáil do na Gníomhaireachtaí Stáit agus do na pobail i gcoitinne ag aithint gur caomhnóirí na talún agus oidhreacht nádúrtha agus thógtha atá i bhfeirmeoirí agus a dteaghlaigh.

Íocadh feirmeoirí as an obair a rinne siad, don rannpháirtíocht sa tionscadal agus do fheirmeacha a cuireadh ar thaispeánt. Tá mionsonraithe éiceolaíoch, taighde talmhaíochta agus soch-eacnamaíocha, monatóireacht agus anailís mar chuid lárnach den obair seo. Chríochnaigh an tionscadal píolótach in 2009 agus léiríonn sé go soiléir an nasc idir fheirmeoireacht HNV agus limistéir chosanta a chaomhnú, ag tacú le daoine áitiúla maireachtáil ar an bhfeirm ina gceantar, agus cabhrú le pobail tuaithe inmharthana a thógáil agus ag an am céanna tairbhe an-suntasach caomhnaithe a bheith aige. Chuir an Státchiste 1m le gach bliain do na 3 bliana amach romhainn ar leathtaobh in Iúil 2009, chun tacú leis HNV laistigh de réigiún a leanúint agus chun an scéim phíolótach a leathnú amach ar fheirmeacha breise sa Bhoirinn. Meastar go ndéanfadh a leithéid de scéim ar Oileáin Árann leas freisin don phobal feirmeoireachta agus a dteaghlaigh agus go mbeadh méadú ar an luach a chuirtear ar an mbithéagsúlacht don chéad ghlúin eile.

Scéim um Shábháilteacht loingis iascaireachta agus Turasóireachta Mara

Tá Scéim le huasghrádú a dhéanamh ar threalamh sábháilteachta ar bháid iascaireachta slaite den chuid is mó seolta ag an Aire Stáit, Sean Connick. Is féidir an maoiniú a úsáid chun uasghrádú a dhéanamh ar threalamh sáb-háilteachta eile, do loingseoireacht agus trealamh cumarsáide ar shoithí den sórt sin. Cuirfidh an scéim nua seo ar chumas suas le 800 bád athchóiriú a dhéanamh ar a gcuid trealamh sábháilteachta le tuilleadh cosaint a thabhairt do fhoirne iascaireachta. Mar sin féin, chomh maith soitheach nua-aimseartha a bheith acu ní mór do scipéirí agus criú oiliúna sábháilteachta bunúsa-cha a bheith acu.

Clár Beatha an Bhoirinn (BLP)

"Ba cheart do na hiascairí go léir nach bhfuil sin déanta cheana féin dul i dteagmháil le BIM chun bailchríoch a chur ar oiliúint sábháilteachta gan mhoill " a dúirt an tAire. Leanfaidh an scéim seo ar aghaidh go dtí 2015 agus beidh cúnamh deontais 40% do cheannach agus a shuiteáil trealamh ar fáil uaidh. Táthar ag súil go gcuirfidh an scéim € 3m ar fáil thar na 5 bliana atá amach romhainn. Is faoi réir an tsoláthair buiséid a bheidh sé agus tá sé á riaradh ag BIM. Tá iarratais agus sonraí ar an scéim le sáb-háilteacht loingis ar fáil ó www.bim.ie

Comhar na nOileán Teoranta

Sonraí Teagmhála / Contact Details

Mairéad O’ Reilly P.O.F / C.E.O, Inis Oírr 099-75096 [email protected]

Mairéad Ní Ghríofa Riarthóir Airgeadais / Financial Administrator, Inis Oírr 099-75096 [email protected]

Máire Uí Mhaoláin Riarthóir/Oifigeach Forbartha / Administrator/Development Officer, Inis Oírr 099-75096 [email protected]

Linda Searraigh Rúnaí/Riarthóir S.S.T / Secretary/RSS Administrator, Inis Oírr 099-75096 [email protected]

Mary Lavelle Oifigeach Forbartha / Projects Development Officer, Inishbofin 095-45016 [email protected]

Foilsithe ag / Published by Comhar na nOileán Teo. Inis Oírr, Oileáin Árann, Cuan na Gaillimhe, 099 75096 Comhar na nOileán Teo is a Limited Company incorporated under the Companies Act 1963 to 2006, No. 448764

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