Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_05_12/GA_1205_E1_037.pdf 

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Galway Advertiser

N E W S 37

Major improvements in store for city's roads
BY KERNAN ANDREWS Major improvements works are due to take place on Galway city's roads while traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossings, and cycle facilities are to be provided over the next few months. At the next Galway City Council meeting, councillors will discuss the Roads & Transportation Programme 2005. The report outlines the various works on national, major, and minor roads throughout the city which are planned for the rest of this year. A grant of 2,083,155 has been allocated from the Department of the Environment and this will go towards funding various projects. Of that grant, 623,000 will go towards the road surfacing taking place in Newcastle, the Headford Road, and the Monivea Road/Joyces Road. A total of 450,000 has been allocated from the above grant towards regional traffic management works. Of this 50,000 will go towards providing dished kerbs and tactile paving at pedestrian crossings from May to September; 40,000 for the provision to taxi ranks through August and September; 60,000 for traffic calming in Bowling Green and Coole Park, Bohermore from May to September; 200,000 for improvements on the Doughiska Road/Dublin Road junction. These works will also take place from July to October. This grant also sets aside 100,000 for four new signalised pedestrian crossings at Prospect Hill, Michael Collins Road, Castlepark Road, and the Siobhan McKenna Road. A total of 650,000 will spent on improvements to the Doughiska Road during September and October. Works are due to take place on the N84 Headford Road in September. The works will include installing traffic calming measures and a pedestrian crossing. The works will cost 200,000. A provision of 200,000 will also be made to improve cycle facilities in the Dublin road outbound between Renmore Road junction and the Skerritt roundabout at the Great Southern Hotel. It also includes an examination for the bus stop outside the GMIT. Consultants have been appointed and the works are due to be completed by 2005. During September and October new bicycle parking will be provided at a cost of 14,000. A budget of 1,199,000 has been set aside for public lighting maintenance and improvements to deal w

`Musicathon' fundraiser for Special Olympics
BY JENNIFER HOUGH The playtime project is holding another piano marathon, this time in aid of the `Get up and Go' campaign for the Special Olympics. "It is our aim to raise 1,000 to sponsor a Special Olympian for the 2007 Special Olympics," said Iyvonne Byrne who is organising the event. Piano teachers and their students will participate in playing for five hours, and it is expected 80-100 students will take part in the event The `musicathon' will take place at the Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Centre at 11.30 am on Sunday May 22. "They are very generously giving us the use of their piano and the centre as they did for our last fundraiser," said Ms Byrne, "and all are welcome on the day." If you are interested in participating contact Iyvonne Byrne on 091 521657.

Finance available for western community groups
Clann Credo Ltd, the Social Investment Fund, and the Western D e v e l o p m e n t Commission have provided loan finance for the voluntary/community sector for more than four years under a joint funding agreement. Projects supported are involved in voluntary/community activities and are located in urban and rural areas throughout the western region. Clann Credo Ltd is a social investment fund providing loan finance to projects in the voluntary/community sector that can demonstrate social benefit in addition to an ability to repay the loan. To date the fund has invested in excess of 7 million in more than 100 projects throughout Ireland. The Western D e v e l o p m e n t Commission operates a 34.4 million investment fund, the Western Investment Fund, which includes a dedicated Local Investment Fund for the community/voluntary sector. Applicants must show a social return in terms of creating a positive impact in the local community. The applicant must also demonstrate an ability to meet the loan repayments. Clann Credo Ltd and the Western Development Commission welcome applications from projects that make a difference to their communities and the region. Initiatives previously supported under the joint funding arrangement between the two organisations include childcare, eldercare, voluntary housing, community enterprise, and many more innovative local development projects. To date loan finance in excess of 3 million has been approved for investment under this partnership arrangement in community projects throughout the region. The joint funding arrangement between Clann Credo Ltd and the Western Development Commission provides applicants with an opportunity to be considered for both funds under a single application process. Typically community based organisations design an action to meet an identified local need (housing for the elderly, an enterprise centre, etc,), however a shortfall in the funding package may exist. To address this funding gap an application is made to Clann Credo Ltd and the Western Development Commission. The loan finance advanced is structured to meet the needs of the individual applicant. Loan finance under this arrangement has been advanced to projects throughout the western region including: Independent Parenting Services which is a family s u p p o r t service/organisation that is addressing the needs of a significant group within society, those who raise children on their own. The service provides a number of measurable and immeasurable social dividends including training programmes on issues of interest; a number of formal networks have been created; drop in centre; counselling service and crisis support; as well as the provision of a second hand clothes shop. Finance was made available by Clann Credo and the WDC to refurbish the second hand clothes shop, the proceeds of this unit are being used to finance the other activities of the organisation. If you are involved in a voluntary organisation and would like to discuss a proposal's financial needs contact Tracey Hannon, Clann Credo L t d / W e s t e r n D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, or telephone (094) 9861441.

Quiz for Friends of Albania
The Roscommon People's Association will hold a fundraising table quiz in the Westwood House Hotel on Tuesday next, May 17. The quiz, which will commence at 8.00pm sharp, is for the Friends of Albania, in association with Mr Jack McCann of UCHG

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Dave Griffin Ireland's leading expert on exotic reptiles was the guest speaker at a special reptile advice weekend in Pet world Galway last weekend. Displaying some of the more exotic Snakes are Brendan Farrell Pet World, Dave Griffin - Reptile Haven and Stuart Madden -Pet World manager