'Don't forget investment' because of coronavirus, Chamber says

Investment in town centres, infrastructure and housing 'must not be forgotten' by government while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, County Kildare Chamber says, writes Brian Byrne.

"This was our priority ahead of the February election," the Chamber's CEO Allan Shine said in a statement at the weekend. "This has not changed, and in many ways, is now more important. The economy will not recover unless it is sustained through public spending and investment.”

Mr Shine was welcoming the compression of the 'Roadmap to Re-Opening the Economy' to four stages instead of five, in advance of today's arrival at Phase 2.

He acknowledged that 'it is no easy task' getting the balance right between supporting the economy and livelihoods while also protecting public health.

"Businesses have suffered immense economic damage over the past two to three months. They will require as much financial support from the State in these phases as they did during the lockdown. If this support does not materialise, we risk permanently losing jobs, and job creators, over the coming months."

Mr Shine called on Government to work with business in determining what interventions will be required to support different sectors, including retail, manufacturing, tourism, and hospitality.

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Council reminds of Re-Start Fund

With an accelerated Phase 2 reopening of businesses now possible from Monday, a reminder that Kildare County Council invites applications for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation’s Re-Start Fund – a fund to reconnect small and micro businesses with their employees and customers.

The grant is available to businesses with a turnover of less than €5m and employing 50 people or less, which have suffered a projected 25pc+ loss in revenue from 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020.

The grant will be equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019, with a minimum payment of €2,000 and a maximum payment of €10,000. It is a contribution towards the cost of re-opening or keeping a business operational and re-connecting with employees and customers.

Eligible businesses who have stayed open throughout the crisis, as well as those who have reopened under Phase 1 (from 18 May) and are reopening in Phase 2 (8 June) of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, are encouraged to apply now for the Restart Grant

Please note a separate application will be required for each rated property on your rate account. Applications are being accepted on-line only, through the following https://consult.kildarecoco.ie

Most questions on the grant are answered here.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 31 August 2020.


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Fallons facilitate initiative to feed health workers

Fallons of Kilcullen have provided their kitchen for the production of meals to feed front-line health workers in and around Naas, writes Brian Byrne.

The initiative by Redmond Fine Foods in Naas is being operated by chefs Mickael Viljanen, Mark Moriarty and Paddy Lee (formerly) of The Greenhouse restaurant on Dawson Street, Dublin, in association with Naas Gardai.

The project will run for two months and work to three days production and availability — Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday initially.

There's a GoFundMe page to raise money for the costs of ingredients and production. A goal of €50,000 has already achieved a response of almost €6,500.

The first delivery from the initiative was made this afternoon.

Beat the Virus: Stay At Home. 

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