Cork City and County Council Budgets 2013
The Chamber is disappointed at the decision of both Cork City and County Council not to reduce the impact of local authority costs on business in their budgets for 2013. The Chamber has consistently highlighted the significant costs that commercial rates impose on businesses and believes that the absence of any reduction threatens the competitiveness of businesses. In the case of Cork City, competitiveness challenges have been intensified even further through increased water charges which will undoubtedly present challenges for companies who are especially reliant on this resource.
The ever increasing reliance of local authorities on business sources to fund their operational costs is worrying. Commercial rates now account for 33.6% of Cork County Council’s total income while government funding accounts for just 11.1%. In Cork City Council, the situation is even more serious where commercial rates account for 40% of total income. The Chamber continues to call for strong independent local authority funding to be put in place to reduce dependence on business charges.
More reaction can be found here.
Jack Lynch Tunnel Closures for Upgrade Works
The €5 million upgrade works on the Jack Lynch Tunnel will be completed in a final period of nightly closures commencing on January 19th, finishing on 8th February 2013. The tunnel will close from 9.15pm to 7am every night during this period with the exception of Fridays. The works, which are taking part as part of an EU directive for additional fire protection, are destined to enhance public safety and route protection.
Road users can sign up to an email or SMS notification service, free of charge, by visiting http://www.jacklynchtunnel.ie/. Users can also subscribe to the SMS service, by texting TUNEL to 51444 or simply follow @jacklynchtunnel on Twitter for all the latest updates.
Iarnród Éireann announces Free Parking for East Cork commuters
Iarnród Éireann has announced that it will provide free parking at Midleton Line and Cobh Line Commuter Railway stations until 31st December 2013. Commuters from Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Glouthane and Little Island will now be able to park at the stations free of charge.
Following on from the “Free Parking” offer over Christmas 2012, a decision was made to extend free parking to commuters for a year. With 590 car spaces, it is hoped that this initiative will attract more additional commuter business to Cork’s commuter rail services from East Cork.
The Midleton-Cork route has 42 trains operating daily with reduced Sunday services (16 trains). In addition, 46 trains a day operate on the Cork to Cobh route with reduced capacity on Sunday (24 trains).
Iarnród Éireann encourages employers to examine the Iarnród Éireann Taxsaver scheme. The Taxsaver scheme has proven to be a huge success with over 3,500 companies now purchasing monthly and annual commuter tickets for their employees. Further details can be found at http://www.taxsaver.ie/.
For further information on the free parking initiative log onto www.irishrail.ie or contact Iarnród Éireann for Information on 1-850-366222 or (021) 450-6766.
