Dear Chamber Member,
I hope you, your families, friends and colleagues are all well.
It was encouraging to see the allocation of funds from Government this week to specific active travel projects across the city and county. These initiatives are essential in allowing for mixed mode movement, however significant road projects remain essential to regional logistics, connectivity and recovery. In the very short term it is imperative that the Dunkettle works commence at pace, and that complementary projects such as the adjacent cycle and greenways from Carrigtwohill and Glanmire are also fast tracked. N25 improvements including access to the Ballyadam site must also be progressed rapidly to a point of investment decision.
This week’s announcement of funds to be allocated to Climate Adaptation Projects across the county is also positive - not least because it will allow essential drainage and flood relief projects to progress. The early storm events this August brought into sharp focus that neither weather nor tides will wait for this pandemic to pass, and we need to deliver infrastructure projects in order to energise the economic recovery of the region.
The Morrison's Island flood defence and public realm improvements which will be transformative for the city centre are now delayed by an obstructive judicial review of An Bord Pleanála’s recent approval. It is time now for the city to be protected and to allow business and community to flourish in areas that have proven too risky for meaningful investment.
This week, the reformed Wage Subsidy Scheme came into effect. For the EWSS to deliver real benefit to businesses that are doing their utmost to return or remain open, the administration and accessibility must be seamless. There are failings in the EWSS which urgently need to be addressed, including eligibility, the sudden reduction in rate from €350 to €203 per week, and in particular the 7 week delay in payment of the subsidy to business.
Though the holiday season was shortened this year, Cork topped the polls for Irish staycations. We are indeed privileged to be in a region so steeped in heritage and with an abundance of natural beauty. We must work together to ensure that the Cork City Region recovers and grows sustainably - to maintain its well-earned reputation as a place to visit, to live, and to do business. Testing must be introduced to facilitate safe and controlled international travel and to establish a level of visitors that can provide certainty to the aviation and tourism sector.
The challenges facing our business community are immense and we are here to support you on your journey. I welcome your feedback and input so that, together, we can build economic resilience for Cork, email me <HERE> or 087 9471858 or make contact with any of the team at Cork Chamber.
Take Care,
Conor Healy
