Jul 27, 2021
17th June 2021
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council working with local partners to enable older adults and people with a physical disability to cycle in the County.
From Monday 21 Jun booking of Trishaws or inclusive bikes available via a dedicated portal at www.thebikehub.ie
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is delighted to announce the launch of a new free inclusive bike rental scheme that will provide all abilities and ages the opportunity to, initially, take part in cycling along the Coastal Mobility Route (CMR) in Dún Laoghaire, and will extend to other accessible and suitable routes across the county, in due course. Following a collaboration with DLR Sports Partnership, The Bike Hub and Cycling Without Age, older adults and people with a disability can now book a range of inclusive bikes to cycle along this accessible route.
Cycling uptake has increased significantly in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County and the Council envisions establishing an inclusive culture where people of all ages and abilities can consider cycling as their preferred mode of transportation. There are strong opportunities for delivering great community services and developing new concepts and projects that will continue to place Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown as the most cycle and mobility-friendly location in the country.
Speaking of the launch An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy said;
“I am delighted that the Council and its partners have been able to bring this innovative project forward. It is testament to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdowns continuing commitment to inclusion, mobility and accessibility. This project will help to provide active mobility options to everyone, no matter their age or ability. “
This new inclusive fleet includes two brand new electric Trishaws which are designed to carry one or two people with a mobility issue at the front and allow them to enjoy the sensation of cycling with the wind in their hair. These specialised Trishaws require a pilot to safely operate them and these volunteers are trained and supported by Cycling Without Age who deliver this service in a number of locations around Ireland. Older adults and people with limited mobility now have the opportunity to go on a cycle at an easy pace, taking in the sights and sounds of the coastline of the CMR, whatever the weather.
This new inclusive bike fleet will also have a range of DLR Sports Partnership bikes (a tandem bike, handcycle and specialised trike) for hire by children or adults with a disability. The bikes will be located at and hired from a new purpose built unit, located at Dún Laoghaire harbour, across from the existing R.N.L.I. shop where they will be managed and rented out by The Bike Hub, which is a social enterprise focused on supporting the community in cycling-related activities. An online booking portal will be available for members of the public to select the appropriate bike and slot they require. The Bike Hub staff will then be on site to facilitate this as well as assist with the correct use of these bikes.
The dlr Disability & Consultation Group (DCG), one of the project partners, play a role in recommending improvements and greater inclusion to dlr County Council. Their work helps to provide awareness of and insight into the needs for greater accessibility to Council services, e.g beaches, parks and new cycle ways. DCG Interim Chair Helena Mollaghan and NCBI Advocate stated that as Interim Chair she “very much welcomes the introduction of the Bikehub project”.
Robert Burns, dlr Director of Service of Infrastructure and Climate Action added;
“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council values inclusiveness and accessibility and would like as wide a range of users as possible to safely enjoy the mobility infrastructure available across the county. We hope that this scheme will be a success and that it can be developed and expanded across the county and, indeed, may be become a model to be adopted by other local authorities in time.”
This project has possible due to months of planning and collaboration between these partners who are all working to provide all abilities and ages an opportunity to participate in and enjoy cycling. With bookings starting for the Trishaws at the end of June and other inclusive cycles in the coming days, this service will be available throughout the summer and autumn.
Funding for this project has been secured from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, and Sport Ireland through the Dormant Accounts Fund and Active Dublin. In addition Canada Life Re-insurance have very kindly donated funding to support the purchase of one of the Trishaws.
To book one of these Trishaws or inclusive bikes see www.thebikehub.ie. Website and booking open from Monday 21st June. For more details on this project or queries around the sport of cycling for people with a disability please contact Brian in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership on 01-2719506 or email bodonnell@dlrcoco.ie.
Jul 6, 2021
Stresses that only reductions in premiums will prove that actions are working
Urges Government “don’t leave anyone behind” in insurance reform plans
The Alliance for Insurance Reform has welcomed the Government’s publication of the first implementation report of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform.
Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance said that “We welcome this report and the actions it summarises. But the plan can only be deemed to be working when insurance premiums start to fall. The cost of insurance is based on future risk; and future risk has halved as a result of the new judicial Guidelines in place since April 24th. But there in no evidence that insurers are passing on the benefits of these reductions.
“Additionally, all the reform that has happened or is promised to happen is of no value to SMEs or voluntary & community groups if they cannot get insurance cover or there is only one underwriter prepared to offer cover. We have identified 35 sectors1 in this predicament.
“It is up to the Government to apply relentless pressure on insurers to react to significant reforms with significance price reductions and it is up to Government to ensure more competition is brought into the Irish insurance market now. We urge the Government to avoid leaving any sector behind as insurance reforms are implemented.”
ENDS
NOTE: The Government’s press release is copied below.
1Sectors, sub-sectors and groups of individuals that are struggling to get cover at all right now or are reduced to one underwriter who is effectively in a monopolist’s situation (even if this in inadvertent, because other underwriters have pulled out of the market) include:
- Adventure centres that deal with children
- Artists, arts workers and arts organisations
- Bike hire shops on greenways and elsewhere
- Bouncy castle operators
- Caravan & Camping Parks
- Car rental
- Childcare providers
- Childminders
- Children’s’ play centres
- Children’s playgrounds (non-local authority)
- Circuses (both community and commercial)
- Climbing walls
- Coasteering
- Drivers of older cars
- Equestrian sports
- Festivals and events
- High ropes (adventure centres)
- Home care providers
- Ice skating
- Incoming tour operators
- Independent marts
- Karting tracks
- Late night venues
- Minority sports
- Mountain biking
- Nursing homes
- Outdoor adventure centres
- Private scheduled buses
- Street artists
- Taxis
- Trampoline centres
- Travel agents
- Tyre depots
- Vehicle recovery operations
- Young drivers
For further information contact:
Peter Boland
ALLIANCE FOR INSURANCE REFORM
TEL: 086 826 6036
WEB: insurancereform.ie
FB: /insurancereformireland
TW: @InsuranceRefIre
Jul 2, 2021
As you will be aware, on Tuesday, June 29, the Government of Ireland announced the next phase of re-opening which will see some modification to the plans provisionally announced for July. A cautious approach with an emphasis on lower-risk activities will be followed.
Details of the full announcement can be found on the Gov.ie website here. Key highlights relating to sport and physical activity are summarised below:
- The number of spectators permitted at outdoor sporting events will increase as planned, to a maximum of 200 attendees for the majority of stadia, and to 500 for stadia/venues with capacity greater than 5,000, with appropriate protective measures.
The following is not yet permitted:
- Indoor activities, such as organised events, return of group training, exercise and dance classes will not yet proceed. It is anticipated that this will be a short-term delay, provisionally until July 19, pending the development of an appropriate risk-management system by Government.
Sport Ireland will continue to provide any additional or relevant updates to the sector in advance of July 19th. Should sporting bodies have specific queries in relation to how restrictions impact their sport, please feel free to contact the NGB, High Performance or Participation Units for further details.
Sporting bodies are requested to continue promoting safe practices regarding travel to/from training and competitions, management of access and egress points, the appropriate management and scheduled cleaning of toilets facilities and ensuring appropriate Covid Officers are present to implement best practice guidance.
International Travel
The current government advice is to avoid non-essential international travel. From July 19th, subject to the prevailing public health situation, Ireland will operate the EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) for travel originating within the EU/EEA.
Return of Spectators
In a step-wise manner towards full spectator return, pilot events will continue to be rolled out throughout July. These pilot events provide an opportunity for spectator return whilst assessing the implementation of the necessary protective measures. Sport Ireland invites engagement from NGBs with capacity and capability to safely deliver events with a spectator attendance greater than the numbers permitted in the public health guidance.
Jun 29, 2021
The Federation of Irish Sport note the announcement of a delay to upcoming plans to reopen indoor sport and physical activity on July 5th. We have been working to establish the key facts for our members as well as seeking clarification on a number of items following the government announcement today. Once further information and clarification has been sought a statement will be issued to members.
Thank you for your patience.
Federation of Irish Sport
Jun 29, 2021
Football is back for Irish players with vision impairments at three new regional training centres in Cork, Galway and Dublin with the support of four of Ireland’s top clubs – Cork City, Lakewood Athletic, Mervue United and Bohemian FC – and the FAI’s Football For All programme.
Mervue United FC in Galway will become the first club in the West to dip their toe into this new format of the game after representatives from the club met with the FAI and nominated coaches to participate in a blind football coaching workshop and sighted guide training last month. Co-ordinated by Robert Connolly, the club has now appointed coaching staff and are currently embarking on a recruitment drive.
The vision impaired football development initiative is being driven by Padraig Healy, sports development manager with Vision Sports Ireland, alongside FAI Football For All Development Officers Nick Harrison, Paul Smyth, Johnny Morris Burke and Emer Flatley as they work together to create structures that will support the growth of Grassroots blind and vision impaired football and a pathway to the already established international team. Nick said that the game suits players of all ages and abilities and aside from the obvious health benefits of being involved in sport, VI and Blind players involved in the other centres have shown improved spatial awareness, communication skills and physical confidence.
New players of all ages and abilities, coaches and volunteers are currently being recruited for Mervue United’s Vision impaired / Blind Football team. Players interested in getting involved should contact club coordinator Rob Connolly on 0851406344 or robconnolly184@gmail.com
Jun 29, 2021
The first annual coordinated Open Weekend took place across the Bowling League of Ireland, 25th -27th June, taking place in 15 clubs across Ireland. It gave people across the country the opportunity to try the sport by finding their local club and turning up over the weekend.
People showed up in their droves to try out the sport and it was a massive success for all clubs involved. We had all ages and abilities on the greens with games for kids and competitive fun for adults too, we were also able to facilitate wheelchair bowlers. Some coaching of the basics was given as people stepped onto the green and after that it was all about getting the feel for it and enjoying the day.
Encouraging people to take up the game won’t end with the Open Weekend initiative as clubs are encouraged with the message that every day is an open day at each club.
For more details on how you can find your local club check out the Facebook page facebook.com/proirish.lawnbowls and website irishlawnbowls.ie
