Awareness of green issues is low
A new website, GreenQuest.ie, founded by Mayo natives Martin Heneghan and Tom Canavan has found that more than 55 per cent (55.6 per cent ) of people living in Connacht still do not know what a building energy rating (BER ) is, despite the fact that any house being offered for sale or rent in this country requires one under law.
Other findings show that while 69.5 per cent of homeowners are aware that grants are available to improve the energy efficiency of their home, just 3.4 per cent have availed of the grant.
In regard to waste disposal habits, more than 80 per cent of Irish people have been shown to throw out food at home either daily or weekly, while in relation to recycling 65.4 per cent of parents encourage their children to recycle, while a further 19.2 per cent only encourage them when they think of it.
Almost half of parents believe their children have a better understanding of green issues than they do themselves.
Further info at greenquest.ie
Calleary backs new government savings bond
A new National Solidarity Savings Bond just launched by the Government represents a safe opportunity for people to invest sums from €500 to €250,000, according to local Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary.
“The National Solidarity Bond was announced by the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan TD in the Budget last December and it will be available to purchase from post offices from May 4.
“The bond is a national savings product. People can invest sums of between €500 and €250,000 which will be used by the State to help stimulate economic recovery through investment in capital projects around the country.
“While the minimum investment amount is €500, people can make regular savings of €25 which will be automatically invested in the bond when it accumulates to €500.”
The bond is to be managed by the National Treasury Management Agency and will provide a return on investment of 50 per cent gross over 10 years. “After tax the net return will still be a very rewarding 47.5 per cent,” he said.
“This is an innovative way for the Government to raise funds to invest in stimulating the economy, while at the same time providing a safe investment opportunity for ordinary people,” concluded Minister Dara Calleary.
Financial experts have expressed varying views in regard to the new savings scheme in recent weeks and consumers are advised to discuss all options with their advisors before making any commitment.
Loss of trade in Claremorris
A Claremorris councillor has said the town is losing business due to parking charges.
Cllr Richard Finn, Independent, said that a major factor in the fall off in trade in Claremorris town centre is the pay and display system and he claimed the town is losing out to free parking in the larger shopping centres.
“The fact that people have to pay for parking for short terms around the town is deterring shoppers from coming to the centre of town. A level playing field is needed if there is going to be fair competition for the business people of the town,” he said.
