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RWN’s social enterprise, CycleUp.

“This is a project that is being run by four regional partners: The Rediscovery Centre in Dublin; EDI in Longford; Tait House Community Enterprises in Limerick; and Roscommon Women’s Network,” RWN CycleUp Coordinator Martina Hourigan explained.

“The project is funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment and is part of the Community Climate Action Fund. The project tries to engage with communities and individuals in communities in finding out what they want to do in terms of climate actions at a local level”.

ECCO partners will play their part in these efforts by providing workshops and mentoring for individuals in the local community.

“It’s all about empowering those people and those communities and helping to bring to fruition whatever climate action they

IrBEA’s Biochar Conference highlights potential for growth

The Irish Bioenergy Association’s (IrBEA) recent Biochar Conference has highlighted the potential for growth in the sector.

Biochar is a stable form of charcoal, produced from a wide variety of biomass streams using pyrolysis technology.

The conference, organised by the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA), was sponsored by Celignis Analytical and Arigna Fuels, and represented a cross-section of stakeholders and businesses from this emerging sector. The event brought together experts, innovators, and entrepreneurs to discuss the potential of biochar and the development of carbon products.

Attendees heard from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and also from Colm Markey MEP for Midlands North West, who gave the keynote address and outlined the important potential contribution of biochar and are interested in,” Martina added.

There was a good turnout for the event in Athleague which featured a number of informative talks and was attended by community groups and other social en- terprises including Bounce Back Recycling from Galway, who upcycle old mattresses; Rediscover Cy- cling, an enterprise which refurbishes old bikes; Ballygar Men’s Shed; and The Melting Pot Roscommon.

First, or Falling Behind Further?’ documents Ireland’s progress from the perspective of those ‘left behind’.

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carbon farming from a European policy perspective.

Just one in five Rossies will retire at pension age

New research shows that one in five Roscommon people plan to retire upon reaching the State Pension age of 66.

16 per cent of respondents to the nationwide survey by Lockton People Solutions also stated that a higher pension would not be enough to entice them to work beyond the age of retirement.

Taking effect in January 2024, workers will have the option to continue in their roles until the age of 70 in return for a higher State Pension. Those that do so will secure a State Pension of €315 per week, compared with the current rate of €265.30 per week.

Survey: 72% of publicans say business has returned to prepandemic levels

Almost three-quarters of publicans outside Dublin say turnover is now similar or greater than pre-Covid, with many expected to upgrade their pubs in the coming year.

The research for the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) reveals the vast majority are confident about the future of their bars, despite the spiralling cost of energy, insurance and other operating expenses.

However, despite this positive outlook among publicans, new VFI President, John Clendennen, warns pubs face a “huge battle” to stay afloat and will need key State supports such as the retention of the 9 per cent hospitality VAT rate and insurance reform.

Roscommon woman heads

Coalition 2030

Roscommon woman, Lou Roscommon woman, Louise Finan, recently played a key role in the launch of a report by Coalition 2030, which is calling for greater action to ensure Ireland reaches its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The Coalition’s report, entitled ‘Furthest Behind

Louise is Head of Policy and Programmes at Dóchas, a member organisation of Coalition 2030, and is currently serving as Chair of the Coalition. She spoke at the report launch in Buswell’s Hotel in Dublin this week, as well as addressing a briefing for members of the Oireachtas in Leinster House.

Commenting at the report launch, Ms Finan called for the establishment of a Future Generations Commissioner and for more direct Government responsibility in progressing SDGs.