Wexford students are set to benefit from funding announced today (Monday) by the Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris TD of €5.8 million granted for community education under the Mitigating against Educational Disadvantage Fund.
The funding will be administered by the Education and Training Boards and the Waterford and Wexford ETB will manage €788,739 for the two counties.
SENATOR MALCOLM BYRNE
The announcement has been warmly welcomed by Wexford Senator Malcolm Byrne who has campaigned for extra supports for disadvantaged students, especially those who may not have access to their own laptops or tablets. The allocation to the South-East is one of the largest in the country.
“This fund will particularly help with developing individuals’ digital skills and we need to ensure that all learners have access to the technology to do this. I’ve spoken a lot about the digital divide that the pandemic has exposed even more,” Senator Byrne told WexfordLocal.com
The Fund aims to increase the participation of disadvantaged learners, particularly with the digital infrastructure including providing devices and software, thus increasing their capacity to deliver online learning.
Minister Harris told WexfordLocal.com; “One of the things that the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted was educational inequality – be it a lack of devices like laptops or someone not having the connectivity to study online. The funding I am announcing today is specifically designed to tackle those inequalities and support access to community education.”
The fund is aimed at supporting and engaging with disadvantaged learners, reaching out, encouraging and supporting learners to re-engage with education and training and attracting new learners to engage with education and training opportunities.
Five units of Wexford Fire Service were called to South Main Street, Wexford, after smoke was noticed bellowing from buildings close to a car park near The Foggy Dew Bar and Guesthouse.
Blaze at the rear of Wexford’s South Main Street.
The blaze was noticed around 9 am and residents were evacuated from the area. No injuries are reported.
The street will remain closed for some time and the public is asked to avoid the area.
The new Rector of Bunclody Union of Parishes, Rev’d Trevor Sargent will preside at his first Service in Bunclody, tomorrow, Sunday, and due to Covid-19 restrictions and government guidelines it will be available online on his YouTube channel reverendtrevorsargent from midnight tonight.
Rev’d Sargent was instituted as Rector on Friday night and Bunclody Union of Parishes includes St. Mary’s Church, Bunclody, St Paul’s Church, Kildavin, St Fiac’s Church, Clonegal and St Brigid’s Church, Kilrush. He succeeds Canon Michael Stevenson who retired in February 2020.
REV’D TREVOR SARGENT opens the door of St. Mary’s Church following his institution as Rector of Bunclody.
The online institution service – a first for the Diocese – was attended by over 200 invited parishioners, family members and well-wishers.
Speaking at the Service Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory, said he was delighted to welcome Mr Sargent to Bunclody and he hoped that Trevor and his wife, Áine, would have many happy years there.
He also thanked Valerie Power and the Rev. Margaret Sykes and all those who held the fort during the one-year vacancy.
“With so many people attending from so many different places,” he said, “we are, in Biblical terms, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.”
The preacher was the Very Rev’d Maria Jansson, Dean of Waterford who spoke of how Trevor had brought imagination, initiative and hard work to his curacy in Waterford Union and referred to how the world and the church will have changed considerably following this pandemic.
“As people of faith our task is to enable a conversation develop, that can relate God to the mess of life, to the potential for good in mankind,” she said, stating also that the seeds of a new church are taking root.
“As individuals and as communities we have to learn to witness in a way that makes sense to people who long for a radical and authentic faith,” she said.
Referring to the new Rector and his wife Áine Neville’s interest in organic growing she said that it was no accident that they were coming to Bunclody in the spring.
“You have a few months before the end of this pandemic,” she told Trevor in relation to his ministry, “to prepare the soil, to begin the conversations, so that you will know what needs to be weeded, protected, nourished and planted.”
Many prayers during the service were read in Irish, reflecting the new rector’s love and commitment to the language and his involvement with Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise (the Irish Guild of the Church) which promotes the use of the Irish language.
Robert Deacon welcomed Trevor and Áine to Bunclody on behalf of parishioners and Fr Laurence O’Connor, parish priest of Bunclody, also had words of greeting and encouragement. He said he was honoured to be asked to welcome the new rector, reassured him of his own deep ecumenical spirit and of his belief that the world must be enriched by difference, not alienated by it and prayed that Trevor will be a great light to the people of his pastoral areas.
After thanking many for their help and support Trevor spoke of how Bunclody is a beautiful part of the world and how both he and Áine feel blessed to be moving to Bunclody Rectory.
“The warmth and friendliness of the people here makes us feel very welcome,” he said.
“Naturally Áine and myself were sad to leave the many friends we had made in their parishes,” he said before the service, “but we are looking forward to this new chapter. Luke 2:27 reads: Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple.’ Likewise, becoming rector of Bunclody Union of Parishes has been a Spirit-led journey. I feel a strong calling to serve this community. I pray that in striving to do God’s will, that the deep peace of knowing Jesus will help more and more people to overcome the personal, local and planetary challenges we face in this pandemic and beyond it.”
Two men, aged in their early 40s and late teens, were arrested and detained at Wexford Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1996 following the search of a house in the Kilmuckridge area on Friday.
Cannabis found in a house in Kilmuckridge (Pic; An Garda Siochana)
A cannabis grow-house and a large quantity of amphetamine valued in total at €66,000 was seized.
Gardaí attached to the Divisional Drug Unit supported by local and regional units made the discovery as part of Operation Tara.
In a statement issued on Friday Irish Water and Wexford County Council are asking homes and businesses to check for leaks and to conserve water where possible whilst adhering to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding Covid-19.
“We are asking people to do this to protect the water supply in advance of expected freezing temperatures and snow expected in the coming days. In January, following freezing temperatures and the subsequent thaw the public water network experienced a greater than normal volume of bursts. Irish Water in partnership with Wexford County Council carried out hundreds of leakage and burst repairs arising from the cold snap. Tom Cuddy, Head of Operations, Irish Water, told WexfordLocal.com; “As we face another spell of sub-zero temperatures over the weekend and into next week we are appealing to homes, businesses and those responsible for unoccupied buildings to check for leaks whilst adhering to current public health regulations and advice, and to turn off water where it’s not needed. We are also appealing to customers to check outside pipes that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and report leaks they see on the public network to us.
“Small efforts by everyone to conserve water wherever possible make a big difference overall and we would ask the public to only use what they need whilst continuing to adhere to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding Covid-19. Simple advice on conservation includes for example taking showers over baths and fixing dripping taps where it is possible to do so. “We are also reminding people with responsibility for properties that are currently unoccupied to check for leaks, whilst adhering to public health regulations and advice and turn off water where it is not required. There are lots more tips on how to conserve water in your home, business or school on our website at https://www.water.ie/conservation/
To report a leak please contact Irish Water on 1850 278 278
Temperatures are set to drop dramatically and today the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management issued a statement regards potential severe weather next week.
WEATHER OUTLOOK; There is a risk of frost/ice in some areas tonight and tomorrow night.
From Sunday night there will be widespread frost and ice and with low daytime temperatures. It will turn increasingly cold over the next few days. Low pressure is currently centred near Ireland and will sink southeastwards from today, introducing a colder northerly airflow over the country. Then as the low continues to move away to the southeast, an even colder easterly airflow will be introduced. From Sunday night, showers will start to turn wintry in nature, but will primarily affect north Leinster and north Ulster. There is potential for yellow snow/ice warnings for these areas. Some showers will penetrate further inland, but are likely to be more isolated in nature.
Midweek next week brings a more significant threat of a widespread snow event as low pressure in the mid-Atlantic (and its associated precipitation) moves up and clashes with the colder air underneath. There is potential for countrywide yellow/orange warnings for this. Met Éireann says there are indications of a milder airflow next Friday that will move in across the country bringing more wet and windy conditions.
The scene on Gorey’s Main Street, March 2 2018. Will these scenes be repeated this week? (Archive Pic; Joseph Dixon)
Co-ordinated Response Met Éireann updated the Principal Response Agencies (HSE, local authorities, An Garda Síochána) on the current outlook at a meeting this morning. Local authorities lead on the response to severe weather and are undertaking preparedness actions, including:
Making sure extra beds are available for homeless / rough sleepers in line with the Cold Weather Strategy 20/21;
Operating road treatment on key routes (winter maintenance);
Activating of crisis management and an inter-agency coordination;
Maintaining Community Call staff in place to assist vulnerable and isolated persons; Communicating information and safety messages via local news media and WexfordLocal.com. Met Éireann, local authorities and the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management are continuing the monitor this evolving situation.
A Wexford councillor is calling upon Wexford’s TDs to demand adequate funding for rural roads, which he claims “are devastated and resemble the surface of the moon despite the best efforts of the roads engineer and his work crews.”
Cllr Jim Codd from the Rosslare Municipal District Council is critical of the absence of funding. “In excess of €70 million has been removed from Wexford County Council’s road budget by central government since 2008. Yet central government still benefits from our road tax and the many other tariffs put on workers, homeowners and businesses,” he told WexfordLocal.com.
CLLR JIM CODD takes a shovel to filling some of the potholes on the Garrison road.
“The roads in south Wexford have been allowed go to pieces. Cars are being broken up on them,” said Cllr Codd, who said that some of the worst affected roads in his electoral area includes Bannow, Rathangan, Cullenstown, Ballymitty, however, he acknowledges that the same applies to many rural roads across County Wexford.
Cllr Codd says he is inundated with roads issues, which are immediately acted upon, but argues that there is only so much road crews can do without adequate funding and he is consistently calling upon Wexford’s TDs to demand extra funding for Wexford’s rural roads.
AUDIO EXTRA; CLLR JIM CODD explains the poor state of rural roads and calls for additional funding to Wexford County Council
Two Wexford growers are among the winners of the Glanbia Ireland 2020 Grain Supplier of the Year awards. Congratulations to Philip Murphy, Ballykerogue, Campile, the Green Feed Beans champion and Michael Cloney, Curracloe, winner of the Dried Feed Barley title.
PHILIP MURPHY
Philip Murphy farms a mixed farming enterprise of tillage, suckler beef and calf-to-beef with his wife Margaret and the main crops grown on the farm are winter barley, winter wheat, spring malting barley, spring beans and fodder beet.
Michael Cloney farms in Curracloe and over the years he has built up the area farmed to 1,200 acres on which he grows a range of crops including winter wheat, winter oilseed rape, winter barley, spring barley, malting barley, feed oats and gluten free oats.
MICHAEL CLONEY
Wexford-based Glanbia Ireland Chairman John Murphy congratulated the growers whose excellence and attention to detail are recognised as central to the exceptionally high standards in the industry, as evidenced at the latest awards. He looks forward to a promising year ahead.
“Grain farmers across Ireland continue to produce extremely high quality grains, albeit in very challenging weather conditions over the past number of years. 2020 was no different with 60% more than average rainfall and high winds wreaking havoc in the south and south east, particularly in August. Despite all of this, our award winners and their fellow growers excelled and have raised the bar even further this year,” said Mr. Murphy.
Former Teachta Dála, Leader of the Green Party and Minister of State for Food and Horticulture Rev. Trevor Sargent, is the new Rector of Bunclody Union of Parishes.
Rev. Sargent will be instituted to the incumbency of Bunclody Union of Parishes in the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory on Friday night.
REV TREVOR SARGENT… new Rector of Bunclody Union of Parishes
The service will be led by The Right Reverend Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory and the preacher will be The Very Rev. Maria Jansson, Dean of Waterford Union of Parishes where Trevor has served as curate assistant for almost three years.
Welcoming his appointment Bishop Burrows said: “Trevor’s unique journey from the life of a TD to that of a parish rector gives him a rare palette of experiences. Above all he is profoundly aware that service lies at the heart of all Ministry, whether in church or politics. The people of Bunclody will be much enriched by his passion for service, by his deep interest in people and by his firm conviction that essential to Christian mission is the obligation to safeguard creation and to sustain and renew the life of the earth.”
Mr. Sargent was ordained priest in Christ Church Cathedral Waterford in August 2018 and prior to that assisted in the Tullow Group of Parishes where he was ordained deacon in Shillelagh parish church in 2017.
Rev. Sargent, a native of Ashbourne, Co. Meath, is a former Green Party politician who served as Minister of State for Food and Horticulture from 2007 to 2010 and Leader of the Green Party from 2001 to 2007. He served as a Teachta Dála for the Dublin North constituency from 1992 to 2011.
The special ceremony on Friday night will take place via the web conferencing platform Zoom before 200 invited online guests.
With the latest update on the Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme dominating local news headlines it is a relief to learn that Enniscorthy escaped without panic or emergency action following the weekend’s heavy downpours.No need for sandbags along Templeshannon Quay on this occasion.
Swans in isolation and maintaining a distance on the River Slaney south of Enniscorthy today.
The River Slaney was high at Rafter Bridge and flowing fast today, however, it never threatened to rise above the quayside. Parts of the island, north of the town, were flooded, while much of the Bear Meadows, south of Enniscorthy, were also under a considerable amount of water, however, this occurrence is not unusual.
North Wexford was badly hit by flash flooding on Saturday morning, but reports suggest that all waters subsided fairly quickly and no further flooding was reported. Some bridges are subject to inspection under health and safety.
Wexford County Council adopted bye-laws at the Council meeting held on December 14th to regulate the use of Piers, Harbours and Car Parking Areas under its custody and control at Arthurstown Slipway, Barrystown Slipway, Ballyhack Harbour, Cahore Pier, Carne Pier, Courtown Harbour, Duncannon Harbour, Fethard Harbour, Kilmore Quay Harbour, New Ross Marina and Town Quay, Rosslare Strand Moorings, Slade Harbour, St. Helen’s Pier and Wexford Harbour. The bye-laws are available to view and download from Wexford County Council’s website at www.wexfordcoco.ie/
WexfordLocal.com 