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HAPPY St Patricks Day!

We had planned to be painting the town green, marching in the parades and watching loved ones perform, sing and dance down O’Connell street.

But with all the cancellations we must get creative at home and have social distancing the theme at this years festivities.

So while you gather costumes, tri colours and shamrocks we are going to take a look back at previous parades and events in Limerick City and County.

The post A look back at St. Patricks Day Parades in Limerick appeared first on Limerick Post Newspaper.

UNIVERSITY of Limerick (UL) is virtually celebrating the spirit of St Patrick’s Day amid the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis by releasing a stunning new video.

The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and the International Education Division at UL have collaborated with international and Irish students to mark St Patrick’s Day with a beautiful rendition of the song ‘Mo Ghile Mear’, in a video that celebrates the global nature of Irish culture, music and spirit.

Lecturer at the Irish World Academy, Mexican composer Oscar Mascarenas, arranged the Irish traditional song, which is performed by international vocalists singing as Gaeilge.

Dr Sandra Joyce, Director of the Irish World Academy at UL said with the current global pandemic, it is “more important than ever to focus on what connects us”.

“With everything that is happening across the world right now, it is more important than ever to focus on what connects us, like culture, music and spirit. On March 17, we are all connected, we are all Irish,” said Dr Joyce.

Continue reading below…

She noted the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance was delighted to collaborate with the International Education Division “to celebrate the diversity of the UL campus community”, saying the academy is “proud of our global community” having graduated students from more than 50 countries.

She said, “We are also pleased to present an Irish language song which is such an important part of the Irish tradition, Mo Ghile Mear – this was selected and arranged by our colleague from Mexico, Dr Oscar Mascarenas.

“All soloists and instrumentalists are from outside of Ireland, from countries such as the US, Mexico, China, Ghana and Estonia. They work very well with our talented choir of undergraduate singers from Ireland.

“We wish everyone a very happy St Patrick’s Day and hope you enjoy this snapshot of our beautiful campus and talented students.”

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AN INFORMATION evening focusing on local supports available to family members and carers of those living with neurological conditions due to take place this Thursday will now be available online.

The event coincides with National Brain Awareness Week which begins this week and marks the start of the ‘Love your Brain’ campaign led by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.

The campaign aims to promote greater awareness and understanding of the brain and brain conditions as well as the need for more investment in services, research and prevention.

The information event due to take place led by Social Democrat Cllr Elisa O’Donovan, Family Carers Ireland and Headway is now moving online.

Cllr O’Donovan said, “I have spent the last ten years working with people living with neurological conditions and the need to raise awareness of brain health is something that is very important in Limerick”.

The information session on local supports available for family members and carers of those living with neurological conditions will now take place as a Facebook Live session.

“I will hold a Facebook Live session on Thursday at 7pm to talk about the impact of living with neurological conditions and the Limerick supports that are available,” said Cllr O’Donovan, adding, “I will also provide information from Family Carers Ireland for carers on Covid19.”

This brain awareness week takes place at 7pm on Thursday, March 19 on Facebook at @elisaodonovanlimerick or contact Cllr O’Donovan on 087-9120231 for more information

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IRELAND’S tiniest, and perhaps only, St Patrick’s Day parade went ahead in Limerick on Wednesday, with the restrictions of social distancing fully observed.

Lone piper, Paul McMahon, marched around the Park Gardens estate in Corbally, to keep an 18-year tradition alive.

Mr McMahon normally performs the annual local ritual with little marchers from local pre-school Busy Bees. However, when it closed to observe social distancing, the children could not take part in the march.

Residents, including grandparents standing separate from their grandchildren, were thrilled the small parade went ahead.

Some clapped and waved McMahon on his way, while more wept tears of joy.

“It was very emotional,” agreed McMahon who was joined by his wife Barbara and daughter Clodagh.

“I thought, we still had to celebrate St Patrick’s Day so, a lone piper in the middle of the street wasn’t any risk, everyone kept their distance by staying inside their own gardens.”

“I think everybody enjoyed it. We waved a few flags and celebrated St Patrick Day,” he added.

Mr McMahon started the tradition, to give something back to Busy Bees, where his children previously attended, by including the kids in their own little parade.

He also normally gives the school a St Patrick’s Day talk on playing the bagpipes and marching.

“The kids usually come out and make lovely banners and we all march up and down the road. This year, unfortunately, we couldn’t do that, so we said we’d still celebrate it,” he said.

“This time, it was a little bit quieter, but many of the neighbours came out to their doors or waved from their windows – whatever was appropriate – and it was good to see people smiling at this time, we need more smiles than frowns.”

Mr McMahon’s father-in-law Joe Neville who, along with his wife Pauline, are practicing self-isolation in their home, shed tears of joy as he watched his son and granddaughter wave to them as they marched past his home.

“It’s fantastic, Paul’s great. We are just delighted for him, and it’s great, but we cant get out for it ourselves. We are basically locked in,” they said.

Not being able to hug their grandchildren “is the worst part of it”, said Mrs Neville.

Another resident praised Mr McMahon, and added: “It’s very emotional, all the neighbours are out waving. He never leaves us down, every year.”

The sound of Mr McMahon’s pipes drew out a few other locals, who followed behind him from a distance on bicycles and on foot.

Busy Bees owner, Vivienne Campbell Vereker, said she was “on the verge of tears” as older neighbours applauded her and her husband Glen as they joined Mr McMahon from a distance.

“The neighbours have been out supporting us every year and today was a really special day,” said Ms Campbell Vereker.

“Stay safe, mind yourself and, Happy St Patrick’s Day,” she added.

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UNIVERSITY of Limerick Hospitals Group is curtailing outpatient radiology services from Wednesday, March 18 for an initial period of four weeks.

The decision has been taken in the interests of patient safety, and UL Hospitals Group regrets the inconvenience to patients and their loved ones at this time.

All GP-referred outpatient x-ray (plain film imaging) appointments have been postponed at University Hospital Limerick (UHL). X-ray services will continue as normal, for now, at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals.

Patients who are currently scheduled for x-ray appointments at UHL will be contacted by telephone and offered an appointment in Croom Hospital.

Non-urgent CT, MRI and ultrasound outpatient imaging is being postponed in UHL, Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals.

Outpatient obstetric ultrasound imaging will continue in University Maternity Hospital Limerick for now.

All non-urgent outpatient and day-case image-guided procedures have been postponed across our sites.

We would like to reassure the public that radiology appointments are postponed, not cancelled. UL Hospitals will, in time, image every patient that has been affected by these service curtailments.

All postponed appointments will be tracked, and affected patients will be contacted by our administrative staff and advised of postponements, or (in the case of GP-referred outpatient x-rays) offered an appointment in Croom.

However, it should be noted that amid the current rapidly evolving clinical situation, it may be necessary to suspend all outpatient imaging services at short notice.

We are grateful to the public for their patience and cooperation regarding disruption to our services at this difficult time.

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IRELAND’S number of COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases is expected to rise to more than 15,000 by the end of the month and “rise further in the weeks thereafter”, according to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Speaking in a national address, the Taoiseach said the vast majority of people who will contract the virus will experience a “mild illness” but noted many will be hospitalised and some will die.

The Taoiseach called on the nation to adhere to the rules of social distancing, noting “we cannot stop the virus, but working together we can slow it in its tracks, and push it back”.

In the address he said this can only be achieved if people take “sustained action”, saying “nothing less will do”.

After calling on people to “reduce close human contact” by cancelling social gatherings and events, he said, “all resources we have – financial and human – are being deployed to serve this great national effort.”

The Taoiseach said the emergency is likely to go on past March 29, and noted it “could go onto the months in the summer. So we need to be sensible in the approaches we take”.

He said at a point Government will advise the elderly and those with longterm illnesses to “stay at home for several weeks” in what he labelled “cocooning”.

He said, “We are putting in place the systems to make sure that if you’re one of them, you will have food supplies and are checked on.”

“It will save many lives,” he said, adding, “particularly the lives of the most vulnerable, the most precious in our society.”

View the full conference here on RTÉ News.

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I WASN’T meant to be playing that day. I wasn’t meant to be playing at all actually now that I think about it. It was five or six years ago. I was in Italy working as a part-time performance analyst, a part-time underage coach, a part-time Venetian tour guide, part-time barman, and part-time waiter

And on one wet Sunday afternoon, a part-time player in the lower tiers of local Italian rugby after a bunch of the local first-team players were made unavailable because of a wedding.  The game wasn’t supposed to be on a Sunday but had been moved by the tournament organisers.

The wedding was on Sunday (for luck) but you’d need all that good luck if you planned on telling an Italian bride and her mother that you, your brothers and your childhood friends couldn’t attend the wedding because of a league game 100 kilometres down the road.

The groom, wanting to live a long, healthy life, decided to take the smart route and binned off the game and his brothers and friends did the same. I began to notice that something was up when the first-team coach texts me on the Wednesday before the game.

For context, the coach never texted me. He didn’t give one single shit about my analysis, or video analysis in general, because he liked to only focus on what his team did and, besides the point, he felt that video analysis was a form of unseemly cheating.

I was only there at all because the president of the club liked the website I did for him for €300 and, when he asked me what he could do for me in return, I said: “bump up my coaching CV pretty please?” so he planted me in as a video analyst and underage coach.

He also loved the idea of Ireland and the Irish because (a) he thought we were good luck and (b) he thought Ireland was a magical, foggy island in the Atlantic that fascinated him, even though he had never been there but that’s another story.

Anyway, the text said, “you are free Sunday”. There wasn’t a question mark. He knew I was “free Sunday” because I was supposed to be at the game videoing it. Those four words told me all I needed to know. I would finally be of actual use to him.

When I text him back saying that I was supposed to be at the game doing video, he clarified that he wanted to know if I was down to play on Sunday. I suppose I was. “It is OK,” he texted back. “We have a tripod for the camera.” Replaced by €30 bit of plastic? A new low.

So anyway, I would be needed at training the day after to get into what we were doing. I wanted to play in the forwards but he didn’t buy my usual trick of turning my 5’11” into a togged out 6’1″ and told me I was too small for the back row.

It would have to be the backs. I could still carry a ball at that point, so I was put into midfield to replace the Best Man. The other wedding attendees were replaced by a ragtag bunch of ringers who would be pretending to be registered players for the purposes of this league game, refereed as it was by a ref from outside the regional fed.

The team we played that Sunday contained six of the biggest guys I’d ever seen on the same pitch like me, at that point. I’d been wiped out by lads on the field before of course – in New Zealand, for example – but none of those guys were dramatically bigger than me in my gigantic togged out state of 6’1″.

Their pack had three guys that were legitimately around 6’6″. One of their second rows was coming up on 6’8″. One of their props was around 6’2″ but hauling 19 stone around under it without a massive gut, which is always scary. The guy playing opposite me in midfield looked around 6’4″ and had shoulders so wide you could legitimately fit two heads either side of his real head and it wouldn’t look crowded.

That day I saw our pack get absolutely annihilated. Out-jumped, out scrummaged, out-mauled, blown back in contact and, to put a technical term on it, absolutely nuked to within an inch of their lives.

I ran into the Roman God Mars in the midfield three or four times on the crash and it felt like running into a large pile of stones. I didn’t find one collision that I wouldn’t lose. Well, actually, I did manage to run over their scrum half off a scrum, but that was a bit like taking pride in getting the shit kicked out of you by Mike Tyson but breaking his knuckle with your forehead.

My day was spent running into brick walls and waving lads through in defence like runway Marshalls in Top Gun. And these guys weren’t even very good. We only lost by 15 points (I think) on the day because they might have looked (and felt) like Thor and his buddies, but they had hands like the Teletubbies.

That game informed me on the reality of the vast majority of rugby games once you get into adulthood. Size wins you games. It was true six years ago and it’s even truer today.

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RAHEEN-based pharmaceutical company Regeneron is working alongside its sister plant in New York to develop a “full suite of medicines” as the company launched clinical test trials on critically ill coronavirus patients, in the hope of developing a life-saving vaccine.

The company, which employs around 1,000 people at its European headquarters at the Raheen Industrial Estate, said it had “identified hundreds of virus-neutralizing antibodies” from mice as well as people who have recovered from COVID-19.

It “plans to initiate large-scale manufacturing by mid-April with antibody cocktail therapy, with potential to enter human clinical studies by early summer”.

When the Limerick Post specifically asked the company if its Limerick factory was playing any role in the manufacturing or otherwise of the coronavirus trial testing programme, a Regeneron spokeswoman replied: “Our Industrial Operations and Product Supply (IOPS) teams in Limerick and Rensselaer, NY work together to make our full suite of medicines between the two manufacturing facilities.”

“We don’t disclose which products are made where,” they said.

A statement release by Regeneron, March 17, stated the immediate program “is in addition to Regeneron’s separate ongoing clinical program evaluating a receptor antibody, in severe COVID-19 patients”.

The company stated that in its latest efforts for a vaccine, its scientists had isolated “fully human antibodies from the company’s VelocImmune® mice, which have been genetically-modified to have a human immune system”.

“Regeneron has also isolated antibodies from humans who have recovered from COVID-19, in order to maximize the pool of potentially potent antibodies.”

The company is progressing its proposed therapy “from this large pool of candidates”.

“Using a multi-antibody approach allows for targeting of different parts of the virus and may help protect against multiple viral variants.”

Regeneron previously used similar technologies “to rapidly develop a successful treatment for Ebola virus infection, which is currently under review”.

Regeneron co-founder, Dr George D Yancopoulos, said the firm’s thirty years of investment in “antibody technologies” “have hopefully prepared us for this critical time and to meet this important challenge”.

“Given the tremendous interest and concern around the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be providing regular and transparent updates on our discovery and development programs. I want to recognize our incredible team, which is working around the clock to develop needed solutions to this global health crisis,” Mr Yancopoulos added.

In 2017, Regeneron, supported by the IDA, announced a $100billion investment to its Limerick base.

It’s 400,000 sq ft state-of-the-art production facility is the largest scale bulk biological production facility in Ireland.

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SPORT has been decimated with the decision to lock down public events. The problem with this for the regular sports fan is that in troubled times a stroll to watch your local team, a couple of pints watching Super Sunday, or the Sunday Sports Supplement with a coffee provide release from the daily struggles of the world.

This week the stressometer has been ramped up significantly with the government’s decision to cancel all public gatherings. This to be fair to the powers that be is in line with most countries approach to this insidious virus.

The knock on effect of this is that global sporting events are falling like a house of cards. Last Friday the PGA Tour announced the Masters was to be postponed, the NBA cancelled the start of their regular season due for March 26th and there is ongoing debate whether the Premier League title should just be awarded to Liverpool and be done with it. Euro 2020 is at serious risk now and may well be held in December instead.

In Japan the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said this week that “the country is hopeful of hosting the Olympics this summer without a hitch.” In Britain, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta was diagnosed with the virus but has reported to being in ‘better health already’.

And this is the driving theme of this article. Despite the hysteria and panic that has been spread on social media and by some sensationalist journalism this virus will pass. For the majority of the population it will either have no effect or will have the same impact as a regular cold or flu.

There is no underestimating the threat posed to people with underlying health issues and for these people we must be respectful of the instructions from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the HSE and the Government.

The cancellation of sporting events removes the ability to switch off so popular with so many of the population. I have always felt the Karl Marx was wrong when he described religion as the Opium of the people. I believe sport is.

Throughout recession, terrorist threat or personal challenges a game of football, Rugby, golf  whatever have the capacity to distract us from our woes. Without these outlets what are our options?

Well there are clear messages coming from the people who understand this virus best. I had the pleasure to interview Luke O’Neill Professor of Immunology at Trinity College and member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) this week.

Luke is one of the foremost experts in researching the immune system. We spoke about the current crisis with a view to understanding what we have control over at this stressful time. There has been a lot of hysteria and misinformation flying around social media in the aftermath of the government decision to escalate their response.

Prof O’Neill provided logical, common sense, scientifically researched advice on what we can control in the coming days and weeks. There is no need to stop visiting loved ones. However physical contact is to be avoided on visits. Typically keep two metres gap when you are with people.

Thus far the virus has only been a threat to people over 55 from at risk categories such as the elderly, people with respiratory problems, undergoing cancer treatments, suffering from obesity etc. There is no evidence it is any threat to children right now.

Masks are pretty pointless unless you have the virus as the virus can get in through your eyes.  Even old people should get out for short walks. It is vital for all of us to take steps to boost our immune systems through moderate physical exercise (you don’t have to become an athlete overnight) , eat healthy (your immune system hates fatty foods)  and getting proper sleep (Sufficient sleep 6-8 hours boosts the immune system significantly).

Stay calm (stress negatively affects your immune system). Try Meditation and Mindfullness apps to help you switch off. Most importantly this is a strain of influenza. In the coming years it will be just another strand of the flu that we get vaccinated for.

The HSE are drawing expertise from some of the greatest minds in disease control from around the world so trust their message. So, for now wash your hands, avoid unnecessary crowds, maintain a minimum 2m distance from others where possible and stay positive. “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein.

Take steps to protect yourself by making healthier choices. Remember there were four pandemics in the 20th Century. They all ended. Sport will return. This too will pass.

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EUROVISION 2020 has been cancelled due to Coronavirus.

The song contest was due to take place on May 16th in Rotterdam.

A statement from organisers reads, “It is with deep regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam.

“Over the past few weeks, we have explored many alternative options to allow the Eurovision Song Contest to go ahead.

“However, the uncertainty created by the spread of Covid-19 throughout Europe – and the restrictions put in place by the governments of the participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities – means the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has taken the difficult decision to not continue with the live event as planned.

“The health of artists, staff, fans and visitors, as well as the situation in the Netherlands, Europe and the world, is at the heart of this decision.”

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THE postponement of almost all elective surgeries and outpatient appointments across all six sites of UL Hospitals Group is to be extended until further notice.

The visiting ban at University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, and Ennis, Nenagh, St John’s and Croom Hospitals remains in place until March 29th.

We sincerely regret having to extend this reduction in service, and we are sorry for any inconvenience or distress it has caused for affected patients, who will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity.

Time-critical procedures, including cancer surgery, will continue in the coming days and weeks. Five theatres are currently open at UHL for emergency and trauma cases as well as time-critical elective surgery.

There are a number of exceptions and the following appointments and procedures continue as normal:

• –          Dialysis (UHL)
• –          Cancer services (oncology and haematology day ward; haematology and oncology OPD clinics; medical oncology clinics; Ward 4B appointments) (UHL)
• –          UrgentCardiology diagnostics – patients being contacted directly (UHL)
• –          OPAT (antibiotic therapy) (UHL)
• –          Fracture Clinic (UHL)
• –          Paediatrics: oncology/radiology day case/paediatric diabetes service (UHL)
• –          Ante-natal clinic; colposcopy clinic; diabetes in pregnancy clinic; elective c-sections and induction of labour (UMHL)
• –          Warfarin Clinic (Ennis Hospital)
• –          Elective surgery for paediatric patients (Croom Orthopaedic Hospital)
• –          Radiology appointments (Nenagh Hospital)
• –          Warfarin Clinic (St John’s Hospital)

For a limited number of other urgent outpatient appointments and procedures, patients will be called directly by staff to confirm the appointment. Patients should only attend for their appointment or procedure if contacted directly by the hospital.

The visiting ban across UL Hospitals Group remains in place until March 29^th.

We regret that so many people have been unable to visit their loved ones in hospital, and we acknowledge the impact of loneliness and isolation on people in our care at this time, particularly elderly people.

We have drop-off & collection services available at our sites to help people get important personal items to and from their relatives in hospital. Security staff at University Hospital Limerick and reception staff at Croom, Nenagh, Ennis, and St John’s Hospitals will be happy to assist with queries about this service.

The ban on visitors also applies to patients attending the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick and the Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s Hospitals, and we are grateful to the public and our patients for their cooperation at this most difficult time.

Their continued support has helped us to keep the Emergency Department as a place where we must prioritise the treatment of the most seriously injured and ill people, and those whose lives may be at risk.

The only exceptions to the visitor ban are as follows (with a strict limit of one visitor per patient):

• Partners of women attending University Maternity Hospital Limerick
• Parents visiting children in hospital
• People visiting patients at end-of-life
• People assisting confused patients (e.g. dementia)
• People visiting patients in Critical Care

As an alternative to attending ED we urge everyone to first consider the care options that are available in their own communities, including family doctors, out-of-hours GP services, and local pharmacies.

The Local Injury Units at Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals (8am-8pm daily), and St John’s Hospital (8am-6pm, Monday to Friday) are an excellent option for treatment of broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns, without a lengthy wait that can be expected in the ED at this time.

If you develop symptoms you will need to self-isolateand phone your GP. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone. If they think you need to be tested for coronavirus, they will arrange a test.

UL Hospitals Group CEO, Colette Cowan, concluded: “We sincerely regret having to reduce services and restrict visiting across our sites. However, patient safety is our highest priority and as part of a number of actions in that regard, it is necessary to reduce activity and prioritise services for our sickest patients. We look forward to resuming normal service at the earliest appropriate opportunity”

“We ask that members of the public help in the national effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 by observing the visitor ban in our hospitals, by attending the Emergency Department at UHL only when necessary; by following relevant public health advice around hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette and social distancing; and taking simple precautions to protect themselves, their loved ones and our community at large.”

Notes:

COVID-19 is spread through close contact with an infected person’s body fluids (for example, droplets from coughing or sneezing). It is also spread by touching surfaces that an infected person has coughed or sneezed on, which is one of the reasons why it is so important that people wash their hands regularly, practice respiratory etiquette, and try to avoid touching their face.

It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) to show.

Symptoms may include:

• a cough
• shortness of breath
• breathing difficulties
• fever (high temperature)

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) can also cause more severe illness, including:

• pneumonia
• shortness of breath
• breathing difficulties
• fever (high temperature)

Things you can do to protect yourself from getting Covid-19 (Coronavirus) include:

• wash your hand properly and regularly
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze
• Wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub:
  – after coughing and sneezing
  – after toilet use
  – before eating
  – before and after preparing food

The general public is advised to follow advice from the HSEand the Health Protection Surveillance Centreto protect their health.

Any person concerned that they may have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) should immediately isolate themselves from others and contact their GP by phone.

Need information and advice on COVID-19? Go towww.hse.ie/coronavirus

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ENTERPRISE Ireland has a number of supports available to help businesses mitigate the impact of Covid-19 (Coronavirus).

Visit Enterprise Ireland for full details of the Business Response Plan.

Business Response Planning Supports include:

• €200m Package for Enterprise Supports including a Rescue and Restructuring Scheme – available through Enterprise Ireland for viable but vulnerable firms that need to restructure or transform their businesses, details of these supports are being finalised.
• €200m Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) Working Capital Scheme – for eligible businesses impacted by COVID-19,
• Short Time Work Support – is available from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and is an income support payment for employees who have been temporarily placed on a shorter working week and is intended to help employers during periods of temporary difficulty.
• COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment – from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection will be available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to a downturn in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The payment has a one–page application form and will be paid for a period of 6 weeks at a flat rate payment of €203 per week for jobseekers.
• Finance in Focus – “Finance in focus” grant of up to €7,200 available to Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients to support financial planning
  
• Strategic Consultancy Grant – for SME’s to assist the company development of a strategic response plan
• Act On Initiative – providing access to 2 days consultancy engagement at no extra cost to access Financial Management, strategic sourcing and transport and logistics advice
• Key Manager Support – to provide partial funding towards the recruiting of a Full or Part time Manager with critical skills for future growth
• Agile Innovation Fund and Operational Excellence Offer
• Be Prepared Grant
• Vouchers for business continuity preparedness, innovation and productivity will be available through Local Enterprise Offices in every local authority area.
• The Credit Guarantee Scheme is a government supported product from the banks for small and medium businesses who have difficulty borrowing from their bank. Businesses can apply for loans of up to €1 million at AIB, Bank of Ireland or Ulster Bank. Loans can be for terms of up to 7 years. The scheme provides an 80% guarantee to participating banks which are AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank.

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LIMERICK City and County Council recognises the financial pressures being experienced by certain sectors and encourages any ratepayers experiencing difficulties in paying their commercial rates to get in contact.

The Council is dealing with difficulties experienced by ratepayers on a case by case basis, as the impact is not uniform.

In particular, businesses, such as those in the hospitality sector, small and medium retailers and children’s play centres have been identified as ones that could be adversely affected initially.

The Council will also suspend the issuing of all legal proceedings during this period.

While the identified types of businesses may be most impacted initially, Limerick City and County Council is also cognisant that in a prolonged Covid-19 situation, the categories of ratepayers experiencing difficulties may change.

Income from commercial rates makes up approximately one third of Limerick City and County Council’s budget per annum and is critical for the continuing operations of services, such as Fire and Emergency Services, Flooding Emergency Responses, Street Cleaning and other key services.

As these circumstances are unprecedented the Council will continue to monitor the situation on a day to day basis. Senior Management have been meeting on a daily basis since the coronavirus was first confirmed in Ireland and will continue to do so until the government and health experts say it is safe to resume our ‘new normal’ life.

The Council also offers supports to the Small and Medium Business Sector and Tourism Sector and the qualifying criteria have been amended as a result of the current situation.

Small and Medium Business Support Scheme

The rebate will be paid as a financial support to occupiers of commercial properties with total annual commercial Rates bills of up to and including €25,000 in 2020.

The support payment, aimed specifically at small and medium-sized enterprises, is set at 9% of the annual cost of commercial rates for the rated occupier up to a maximum of €1,000.

In light of the current circumstances, the Council will be extending the date to qualify for this rebate.

Tourism Sector Support Scheme

The Tourism Sector Support Scheme will pay a financial support to occupiers of commercial properties where commercial rates liability is greater than €25,000 and directly linked to the Tourism and Hospitality Sector.

The property types that qualify for the scheme include Hotels, Licensed Premises, Restaurants/ Cafes and Hostels.

The support grant payment is aimed specifically at the Tourism Sector is 4% of the total Rates, including arrears, for 2020.

In light of the current circumstances, the Council will be extending the date to qualify for this rebate.

For more information about the support schemes or to discuss payment arrangements, business owners are asked to contact their Revenue Collector or rates@limerick.ie or 061 556360.

Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Finance with Limerick City and County Council Sean Coughlan said: “Limerick City and County Council is aware of the impact the measures introduced by the government to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 are having on the business sector in Limerick.

I am urging those experiencing difficulty to contact their Revenue Collector to discuss their situation. I am also urging eligible businesses to look at the Small and Medium Business and Tourism Sector Support Schemes to see if they are eligible.”

“Limerick City and County Council is in constant contact with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the local government representative body, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to discuss the financial impact Covid-19 is having on the local, regional and national economy.”

Meanwhile the Government has announced a separate package of supports for businesses impacted by Covid-19.

Supports announced by the Department of Business, Enterprise and innovation

The details have been announced by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation can be viewed on https://dbei.gov.ie/Djei/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/March/10032020.html

More information on these supports will be on the Limerick Local Enterprise Office (LEO) website localenterprise.ie/limerick, when it becomes available from the government and Enterprise Ireland. You can contact LEO Limerick on localenterprise@limerick.ie or 061 557499.

Vincent Murray, Director of Economic Development with Limerick City and County Council said: “It is important that businesses are able to access government supports when required. LEO Limerick will be there to offer support and assistance to those eligible companies, and will work in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and the Department to help businesses through the Covid-19 crisis.”

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DURING the week we spoke to Dee Ryan of Limerick Chamber on the Limerick Post Show.

At present we are in a worldwide pandemic and the Chamber have advice for businesses and employees.

“We issued a statement on behalf of our board and board members calling for businesses to observe recommendations from An Taoiseach to work remotely where possible calling for the Government to out in nessecary measurements that are needed for employers to be able to move their teams into remote working practices”, she said.

The Chamber also issued forms to employers for employees that have to be laid off during this time.

“That form is also available for the self employed and your business is gone because of Covie-19 you can fill in this form as well.” she explained.

Forms can be downloaded, filled out and emailed back to the Department of Social Welfare as they are practising social distancing in offices. (limerick@welfare.ie)

Smalls businesses are shutting doors and laying off stay throughout the City and County with many unsure about the future.

“We are hearing a lot of uncertainty from employers over the weekend and you see if yourself if you around town there are people around town and there are people going into shops, Limerick Chamber’s message is follow the Taoiseach’s guidelines, if you work remotely do, if you have the option of closing, close, it’s the responsible thing to do,” she added.

Last night (March 18th), it was announced in the news that Limerick is the third worst effected County with coronavirus cases.

“We need to look after our Mid-West Regional Hospital, we need to ensure the pressure is reduced on healthcare workers who we are all relying on.

“I’d urge people to take responsibility now of social interactions, where possible limit them completely,” Dee said.

Watch the interview with Dee Ryan, Dalton (Rift) and Donal (Mike O’Connor menswear) here:

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