on…

Breakthrough on youth fixtures clash welcomed

A move by the Minor Board of the GAA to end an impasse that had arisen over youth sporting fixtures has been welcomed this week. It came after two weeks of growing public disquiet over a prospective fixtures clash between underage GAA and Roscommon & District Youth Soccer League games.

Parents, coaches, and young sportspeople across the county have welcomed the GAA Minor Board’s decision to propose a new fixtures schedule in order to avoid a clash with their soccer counterparts.

Following a meeting of the Minor Board on Monday night it was proposed that U-16 matches take place on Monday nights, U-14s on Tuesdays, and U-18s on Thursdays.

The proposal, which will have to be ratified by the senior GAA County Board, is welcome news for local soccer clubs and dual players.

After the story was broken by the Roscommon People (issue dated 17/3/23), Roscommon GAA later issued a statement to this newspaper explaining that the clash came about due to a change to its grading structure.

The statement read: “We did not sit down to intentionally clash with other codes. This year our age grades have changed, which has created the difficulty. Our clubs voted to change from U-13, U-15 and U-17 to U-14, U-16 and U-18.

“Our U-18 players who are in their final year can now play both minor and adult football which also impacts on our fixtures.

“This leaves us with very little room around manoeuvring fixtures and it is simply impossible to create a fixtures programme that works around the schedule of countless other activities”.

With PAUL HEALY

Home Refurbishment Grant

I own a property that has been vacant for the past ten years. It is not derelict but needs lot of work to make it habitable. I heard about a grant I could possibly apply for, but I am not sure if I qualify for it. I would hope to rent out this property. Can I still qualify for the grant if I also own my own home and I rent out the property I renovate?

A grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 towards the renovation of vacant or derelict properties was previously restricted to a property that was or would be the applicant’s home (principal private residence). The Croi Conaithe Refurbishment Scheme has now been extended to include properties which are made available for rent and not just owner-occupied from May 1, 2023.

I understand that grant rates will also be reviewed. At present, a grant of up to a maximum of €30,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation, including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residence previously. The grant is inclusive of the VAT cost of the works. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the grant of up to €30,000, at present a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 will be available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict (i.e. structurally unsound and dangerous). In the case of such a top-up grant for a derelict property, an independent report prepared by an appropriately qualified professional (e.g. quantity surveyor, engineer etc.) must be submitted along with the application confirming that the property is derelict.

Under the rules of the scheme, a property will be considered to be vacant if it has been vacant and unoccupied for two years or more. Confirmation of vacancy must be validated and verified by the local authority prior to grant approval.

This column is prepared by Dolores Gacquin, Solicitor. Byrne Carolan Cunningham have offices in Athlone, Moate, Lanesborough and Galway.

A person should always contact their solicitor to obtain legal advice specific to their own situation. The above column contains general information and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. * In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement

Byrne Carolan Cunningham

SOLICITORS

Telephone Central Line 090 6478433

Carolan Cunningham Solicitors