Cork Chamber Pre-Budget Submission 2014

Following the announcement by Government that the next Budget will be announced in October, the Chamber is preparing its pre-budget submission which will set out the priorities of Cork’s business community to Government in advance of Budget 2014.

The Chamber’s pre-budget submission last year set out a number of key proposals in relation to taxation, infrastructure, employment, economic development and public sector reform. 

If you have any suggested inputs for this year’s submission please contact Siobhan Bradley, Acting Policy & Research Manager (siobhan.bradley@corkchamber.ie) by 5pm Friday 24^th May 2013.

Cork City Council Painting Grant Scheme 2013

Cork City Council has announced details of its Painting Grant Scheme 2013.  The grant scheme is focused on Cork’s historic City Centre, and includes Gerald Griffin Street, Shandon Street, North Main Street, South Main Street and Barrack Street.

The scheme assists building owners and occupiers to invest in the visual appearance and maintenance of their historic buildings, and also helps improve the character, appearance and overall attractiveness of these historic and valued areas of Cork City.


Grants are available up to a maximum of 50% of the total cost of the external painting works up to a maximum of €600. However, should an owner wish to carry out the painting themselves, Cork City Council will meet 100% of the cost of materials up to a maximum of €300.

The closing date for the receipt of applications is Friday, 31st of May, 2013. Those offered a grant in principle will need to complete the works and submit a claim for payment towards the cost of the works by Friday 13th of September 2013. Further information about the scheme can be found on the City Council website or by contacting the Planning Policy Section at planningpolicy@corkcity.ie or 021-492-4086.

Cork City Council Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) Grant Scheme 2013

Cork City Council has also announced details of the Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) Grant Scheme 2013, which focuses on Cork’s Historic Centre (Historic north-south spine), extending from Barrack Street to Blackpool Church.

The scheme is complementary to the Painting Grant Scheme 2013 and incentivises good custodianship and repair of historic buildings, as well as improving the appearance of the area.  Typical works might include repairs to windows, doors / surrounds, roof / chimneys, or architectural detailing.

In previous years, the ACA Grant Scheme has benefitted Blackpool (2011) and the Shandon area (2012).  This year the scheme area has been significantly enlarged to provide an incentive for people to invest in buildings along the whole of Cork’s historic spine. The scheme area contains many buildings suffering from a lack of investment, vacancy and dereliction, which the City Council is targeting over the next few years as part of its focus on improving the City Centre. The grant scheme will also help raise awareness of good conservation practice and Cork’s 32 architectural conservation areas (ACAs).

The level of funding available is up to 50% of the total cost of eligible works, and up to a maximum value of €10,000 per building. Details of the scheme and application forms are available from the Cork City Council website.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 31st May 2013 and successful candidates will have until Friday 8 November 2013 to submit a payment claim to the Council under the Scheme. The fund is limited and grant allocations are made on a competitive basis.

Why train with us? We have small class sizes of an average of 10 persons per class (individual attention guaranteed) Top Trainers (all are leaders within their respective fields), locally delivered and exceptionally good value for money.

E-Mail & Business Writing

Course Date: 2^nd May

Member Rate: €120.00

This one day course is designed to give the participants an understanding of the importance of written communication in delivering the core message of the company brand. Specifically, it will present the techniques to create e-mails and documents with a clear, logical structure to organise their ideas and key points.

Following this course you will:

• Understand the importance of active management of the written communication process as an essential skill in getting the information from others, setting clear direction, building trust and creating and maintaining customer relationships.
• Understand that writing clearly is a professional business skill
• Have logical structure to create effective e-mails
•  Realise that the content and tone of their emails can influence the reactions of the readers
• Know how to properly structure e-mails.
• Avoid common grammar and punctuation errors
•  Practice the techniques and tips to create professional emails and create an action plan to apply them.
•  Recognise that professional writing is a career skill which enhances employability.

This course is ideal for those people who are responsible for communicating in writing with internal and/or external customers or clients. BOOK TODAY!

MS Word Intermediate

Course Date: 3^rd May

Member Rate: €100.00

This course is designed for those who use MS Word on a regular basis but may have never received formal training. You will cover the MS Word Essential skills concentrating on shortcuts and faster ways of performing everyday tasks, along with some of the more advanced functionality in an easy to follow and with a practical/hands-on approach. This course includes basic headers & footers, setting up different sets of headers, footers & page numbering within the same document and how to overcome some problems that are encountered. You will learn how to layout your document in a more professional manner using tables and also look at performing calculations in tables among others.

The course includes:

• Review of basic MS Word Topics
•  Tricky Topics
• Document Control
• Headers & Footers
• Tables
• Advanced Table Features
•  Enhancing overall document appearance

This course is ideal for anyone who is using MS Word on a regular basis but may never have received formal training. BOOK NOW!

Introduction to Technical Writing

Course Date: 15^th May 

Member Rate: €130.00

Great technical writing can make a poor product usable - poor technical writing can make a great product useless. Our Introduction to Technical Writing Course is designed to help you become that great technical writer! This one day course aims to ensure that participants can make their technical documentation accurate, brief, clear, complete and, above all, useful. The emphasis is on writing to impart complex technical information to a specific target audience. Participants should be committed to delivering reports, manuals and routine communications that are accurate, concise, clear and focussed on the needs of the target audience.

The course will include:

• How to structure reports
• Basic sentence rules
• Technical writing for software
•  Working with words
• Brushing up on grammar and punctuation

This new one-day course will be running on the 15^th May next and is only €130.00 for Chamber members - BOOK NOW!

Train the Trainer (FETAC Level 6)  

Course Dates: 14^th, 21^st & 28^th May

Member Rate: €400.00

This 3 day course, one of our more popular, is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deliver, assess and evaluate training programmes. It is suitable for people who are working in the area of training and development or who will soon be assuming a training position within their organisation. Participants on this course will gain practical experience and recognised certification (FETAC Level 6) as trainers.

At the end of this programme successful participants will be able to:

• Understand different learning styles;
• Explain critical elements of a trainers' role;
• Understand the functions and processes of learning and training;
• Evaluate different approaches to training;
• Appreciate the importance of training on an individual, social and economic level;
• Work effectively with a range of learner groups;
• Explain the training needs analysis process and set appropriate training objectives;
• Apply the principles of training design in preparing lesson plans;
• Deliver training effectively in one-to-one and group situations, and select appropriate techniques for assessing trainee progress;
• Identify different levels of evaluation and evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes;
• Develop and implement appropriate assessment methods.

So if you wish to gain a professional, accredited qualification in the area of training,BOOK TODAY!

See our full range of courses at www.corkchamber.ie/training

Bookings can be completed through the website and enquiries should be directed to Aoife@corkchamber.ie  (Training Services Administrator)

Enterprise Europe Network Ireland - eHealth Business Marketplace, 14 May, The Convention Centre, Dublin.

Enterprise Europe Network Ireland is supporting ECHAlliance in hosting the eHealth Business Marketplace starting Tuesday 14 May 2013. The goal of the ‘Marketplace’ is to create new business relationships, research, innovation and collaborations leading to innovative health improvements, job creation and economic developments. There are 18 pre-arranged B2B meetings in 4.5 hours.  The event is suitable for large and SME companies, research institutions, governments and healthcare providers. Click here for more information or contact karen@corkchamber.ie

ATWARM International Conference 2013 Brokerage Event – “Water the Greatest Global Challenge”, 15 May, The Helix, Dublin.

Enterprise Europe Network Ireland supported by Enterprise Ireland and Invest NI is organising an international brokerage event during the ATWARM International Conference 2013 on 15 May in The Helix, Dublin. “Water – The Greatest Global Challenge” is the theme of the event and which is targeted at a wide spectrum of innovative companies, universities and researchers from Europe in the Water and Environment sector.  Find international partners for technology transfer, business co-operation and collaborative research in pre-arranged 20 minute meetings.  Full three day attendance of ATWARM International Conference, including the Brokerage Event is €100. Click here for more information or contact karen@corkchamber.ie

InterTrade Ireland - Collaborate to Innovate Conference - Access Horizon 2020,   16 May, Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin

InterTradeIreland are organizing an event to help SMEs, researchers and other organizations on the island to prepare for Horizon 2020, the new funding instrument for innovation.  The conference will provide an opportunity to meet potential partners, hear about the opportunities and supports available and learn about the benefits of North-South collaborations in EU funded projects. Register here

InterTradeIreland All-Island Seedcorn Investor Readiness Compeition

InterTradeIreland is calling on new start-ups and early stage companies to enter the island’s largest business competition, the InterTradeIreland all-island Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition. Nine cash prizes are on offer for entrepreneurs to win their share of €280,000. Closing date: Friday 28^th June 2013. Apply here.

Service arrangements during this time include:

• Bus transfers between Mallow and Cork in both directions for all services.
• Cork Mallow Commuter services will operate as a bus transfer.
• Bus transfers for Kerry and Dublin services departing Cork will leave 25 minutes earlier than the scheduled train departure time to ensure a timely connection with services departing Mallow to Dublin and Kerry. Mallow to Dublin and Kerry services will operate to a normal schedule.
• For the duration of the works car parking will be free at Mallow.
• Normal Commuter services will operate between Cobh/Midleton and Cork during this time.
• Full services will resume on Monday 13th May.

Full timetable details are available at www.irishrail.ie or call our customer information line 1850 366222.

Works on the structure will include the addition of reinforced concrete slab on existing masonry slab on the bridge. It will also facilitate the removal of a speed restriction over the bridge.

Works have been scheduled at this time to ensure they are completed ahead of the busy summer tourist period