Tag Archives: Council

News

Council Announces Road Closures To Facilitate Rose Festival Events

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KERRY County Council has announced road closures to take place in order to facilitate the holding of the Rose of Tralee International Festival in the town in August.

A dome structure is to be erected at the Abbey Car Park. As a result southbound traffic through the Abbey Carpark as far as the mini roundabout at Boots (through traffic from Mary St to Abbey Street shall be retained) will not be allowed from 6am on Monday, August 15 to 10pm on Wednesday, August 24.

Also, to facilitate the Rose of Tralee International Festival public entertainment and market stalls, Bridge Street, The Square and The Mall will close to traffic from 6pm to 6am each day from Thursday, August 18 to Wednesday, August 24.

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To facilitate the Rose Parades on Saturday, August 20, and Sunday, August 21, there will be rolling closures from John Joe Sheehy road down Boherbee to Upper Castle Street from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on the Saturday and 2.30pm to 3.30pm on the Sunday.

Finally, to facilitate public entertainment and parades, there will be full closures on Lower Castle Street and Denny Street at the following times;

• From 5.00 p.m. on Saturday, 20th August to 1.00 a.m. on Sunday, 21st August 2022

• From 12.00 noon on Sunday, 21st August to 1.00 a.m. on Monday, 22 nd August 2022

• From 7.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. on Monday, 22nd August 2022

• From 7.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 23rd August to 1.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 24th August

A traffic diversion system will operate on the main approaches to the town.

Any person having an objection to the above proposal should lodge same, in writing, marked Road Closure, with the Administrative Officer, Roads, Transportation and Marine Department, County Buildings, Tralee, County Kerry or by e-mail to roads@kerrycoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 26th July 2022. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

News

Gardaí, HSE And Council Remind Public About Cancellation Of Events

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AN Garda Síochána, the Health Services Executive and Kerry County Council are reminding members of the public that a large number of festivals, fairs and public events over the coming weeks in Kerry have been cancelled or postponed because of current advice and restrictions in relation to the coronavirus, COVID-19.

The three organisations, which are part of the Cork-Kerry Interagency Emergency Management Group, have come together to remind everyone, in particular, that neither Puck Fair in Killorglin nor the traditional annual Fair Day in Kenmare on August 15 are taking place this year because of the global pandemic and the threat posed to public health by the potential congregation of large numbers of people as well as likely difficulties in relation to observing social distancing.

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The Gardaí, the HSE and the Council have appealed to people not to gather informally or congregate at either of these locations on the traditional fair dates and to desist from travelling to Killorglin or Kenmare in the expectation of any informal, parallel or ‘unofficial’ gatherings.

They have emphasised however that the usual dates for Puck Fair and the Fair Day in Kenmare will be normal business days in Killorglin and Kenmare respectively and members of the public should continue to go about their business on these dates in a safe way.

Garda Superintendent Flor Murphy said: “Puck Fair in Killorglin and Fair Day in Kenmare are great social events, but unfortunately these social occasions pose a risk to public health at the moment. I am appealing to people to act responsibly and to comply with the public health advice. We will be implementing additional policing measures at both locations to ensure public health guidelines are complied with.”

Community Work Manager with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare at the HSE, Hilary Scanlan, said: “Our communities have worked very hard to flatten the curve of Covid-19 and to keep everyone safe. It’s important that we all continue to “Hold Firm” and remember the government guidelines on gatherings and physical distancing.”

The Mayor of County Kerry, Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen thanked the organisers of these events for showing leadership in cancelling the festivals which are traditionally such an important part of the summer in the county.

‘COVID-19 is still with us and personal behaviour is paramount in continuing to flatten the curve and it is essential that we do not have any attempts to have parallel or private gatherings in contravention of the guidelines. We all hope that the many summer festivals in the county will be in position to resume their tremendous work and bring enjoyment to visitors once again in 2021.”

Business/Property, News

New ‘Safe Destination Programme’ To Ensure Kerry Is A Safe Place Visit

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A MAJOR new programme of initiatives is being rolled out by Kerry County Council and other partners and agencies, to ensure that Kerry is a safe place to visit and stay as COVID-19 restrictions continue to be phased out over the coming weeks.

The goal is to make Kerry the safest and cleanest of destinations to visit and stay in.

Kerry County Council and its partners have launched a multifaceted ‘Safe Destination Programme’which will ensure that those who begin to visit and holiday in Kerry again can do so in the knowledge that it is a safe place to visit and stay. The Safe Destination Programme includes:

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• A bespoke training programme for tourism and retail staff
• A safer spaces plan for streets, shops and public spaces
• Preparing communities to welcome tourists back to the county
• A tourism marketing campaign to promote staycations in Kerry

The bespoke training programme for staff in the tourism and retail industries in the county has been rolled out by Kerry County Council and the Kerry Education and Training Board (ETB).

Over 2,000 employees have already signed up for the training. It aims to ensure that Kerry tourism and retail staff are trained in infection prevention, hygiene and cleanliness and dealing with customers in the new environment to the highest international standards as they reopen for business.

Business premises whose staff have completed the suite of training courses will receive the ‘Safe Destination’ badge.

Kerry County Council is also implementing a series of measures to ensure that towns and villages reopening for business are recognised as safe environments for commercial businesses to operate as well as for shoppers and visitors.

This includes a series of Safe Street and Safe Shopping initiatives developed with the business chambers and local communities.

Town Centre Mobility Plans are being implemented across each of the five Municipal Districts in the county and make provision for signage and revised parking arrangements to encourage social distancing.

The Council is also working with communities in the county to prepare for the return of visitors to the county, to ensure that residents and communities are reassured that the reopening of tourism is managed and in keeping with the national guidelines and advice.

Finally, the Safe Destination Programme will underpin a major marketing campaign to promote Kerry – to the domestic and staycation market – as travel restrictions continue to change over the coming weeks and months.

The marketing programme is being developed by the Kerry Tourism Industry Federation and Fáilte Ireland with the support of Kerry County Council and will be announced shortly.

Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell said that Kerry had always been an exemplar in tourism and was now meeting the challenge posed by the new and evolving restrictions to ensure Kerry can welcome visitors back to county with the firm reassurance that is it safe to do so.

‘We want to reassure our visitors that they are safe in Kerry. We know that the tourism industry in Kerry is more impacted than any other in Ireland so that is why we are working to position the county to welcome visitors back to a destination which will implement and observe the highest standards of safety to restrict the spread of the coronavirus,’ she said.

The Chairman of the Kerry Education and Training Board, Cllr Jim Finucane said that having staff prepared for the reopening of hotels, restaurants and bars in the coming months is critically important.

‘Kerry County Council and the Kerry Education and Training Board are providing the training which staff will need to work in the new COVID-19 environment. It deals with practical steps which everyone will need to take to ensure social distancing and other important health guidelines are adhered to. When people do begin to visit Kerry again, they can do so in the full knowledge that staff know how to interact with them in a safe way for everyone’s benefit.  Kerry ETB is delighted to pilot this programme which can, potentially, be rolled out nationally.”

News

Latest Update From Council On Advising People To Prepare For Storm

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THE Kerry Local Coordination Group met this afternoon to discuss Storm Ophelia and the Code Level Red weather warning for Kerry which is in place from 9am Monday to 3am Tuesday.

The meeting included representatives from Kerry County Council, the HSE, University Hospital Kerry, Kerry Fire and Rescue and Kerry Civil Defence.

The meeting took account of the decisions of the National Emergency Coordination Committee today and has issued the following advice:

·         People in Kerry are advised NOT to travel during the period in which the Status Red weather warning is in place – from 9am on Monday to 3am on Tuesday. People are advised not to travel on pedal cycles and motor cycles, as these types of vehicles are not suitable for use in the storm force winds expected. High-sided vehicles should not travel.

·         The Council is asking people to avoid exposed coastal and upland areas including beaches and cliffs.

·         It is likely that there will be storm surges in tidal areas and therefore residents and businesses in areas subject to tidal flooding are advised to take measures to protect their property.

While it is anticipated that wind rather than rain will be the main concern, there is a Code Level Orange rainfall warning in place from 9am Monday and 9am Tuesday.

Sandbags have been placed at a number of locations around the county on a precautionary basis. Full details are available on the Kerry County Council website www.kerrycoco.ie

·         People are advised and encouraged to check their own property today, Sunday 15 October and ensure that steps are taken to secure any loose objects on their property, for example, garden furniture, wheelie bins, etc., that could be damaged, or if blown, could cause significant damage, during the storm.

We also ask that you look in on your elderly and vulnerable relatives/neighbour who may not be in a position to secure their property.

Similarly, business and those operating building sites are requested to attend to any property that could become loose during the course of the storm.

·         It is envisaged that there will be significant damage caused by winds, especially in terms of fallen branches and trees, with the additional issues surrounding loss of electricity to a substantial number of homes and businesses.

People should make appropriate arrangements with an expectation that electricity outages could last a number of days.

·         Kerry County Council Civic Amenity Sites operated by Kerry County Council will be closed on Monday. There will be no refuse collection in Killarney town.

·         An emergency contact number is available on 066 7183588 for use in an emergency where the assistance of Kerry County Council is required.

Kerry County Council is asking people to pay attention to local media and to follow its social media accounts for updates. Information is also available on alerts.kerrycoco.ie. and on the main Kerry County Council website www.kerrycoco.ie

News

Council Hears Of Wheelchair User Sleeping Rough In Banna

Counselling Insert
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Cllr Toireasa Ferris
Cllr Toireasa Ferris.

A WHEELCHAIR user was found sleeping in the boathouse in Banna during the May Bank Holiday weekend, a Sinn Fein councillor told the meeting of the Tralee Municipal District on Monday.

Cllr Toireasa Ferris was speaking after her party colleague, Cllr Pa Daly, proposed a motion that the Council commit to purchasing single unit accommodation as a matter of urgency.

Cllr Ferris said there are up to 2,000 people – out of the 4,000 on the housing list – who are on the one and two bed list. She said landlords are not bringing down accommodation costs and the Government caps on rent supplement are creating a crisis for people looking for this type of accommodation.

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Kerry ETB New Insert
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“There are an amount of males that are in absolutely horrendous accommodation.  Last week we had an individual in a wheelchair sleeping at the boathouse in Banna. Someone pitched a tent for them, but as soon as the housing department were made aware of him he was accommodated elsewhere,” said Cllr Ferris.

“It’s at crisis point. We’re going to have more and more people sleeping on beaches and in doorways,” she added.

Michael Scannell of Kerry County Council said there was no need for people in Kerry to be sleeping rough in Kerry as emergency accommodation is there. It was not right that the person concerned was not aware of this, he said.

Cllr Ferris said she was aware of people who availed of emergency accommodation but when funding for this ran out, they had to leave and had nowhere to go.

The Council said it was acutely aware of the high number of single units needed in the Tralee Municipal District and are working within the options available to secure units in order to meet the relevant housing needs.