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kilkennyobserver.ie
The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 December 2021
News
Glanbia share fall: farmers ‘uneasy’ GLANBIA plc’s falling share price has farmers “uneasy” about Glanbia Co-op’s €307m proposed takeover of the plc’s remaining 40pc stake in Glanbia Ireland. Speaking ahead of this month’s online shareholder vote on the proposal, which could see farmers take full ownership of the milk and grain processor, some
On their bikes: how we began a recycle initiative AN initiative that began in Kilkenny has sparked Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council together with Rotary Dublin, Rotary Ireland, The Defence Forces and The Irish Prison Service to appeal for the donation of unwanted bikes for the School Bikes Africa Initiative — a hugely successful project that really took off with Rotary Kilkenny in 2018. The project has been running nationally lead by Rotary Ireland and with the co-operation and assistance of Local Authorities, the Department of Environment Climate and Communications (DECC), the Defence Forces and the Prison Service. Heading up the project is Jason Dempsey of Rotary Kilkenny, who oversaw the successful launch of the appeal in Kilkenny where there is a collection point at Dunmore Recycling Centre.
suppliers have voiced concerns. While most accept the move as “inevitable”, concern is growing after the recent drop in Glanbia plc’s share price to €11.90/share after trading around the €14 mark for the last six months. Dairy farmer Thomas Cooke said: “It’s a necessary move rather than a good move. It’s the inevitable conclusion of what
started back in 2012 when they began this process of separating the co-op from the plc. “I don’t think farmers have much choice about it. “They realise they must get away from the plc, but the problem is farmers are very concerned about the way the plc shares have tanked. “It’s counter to everything we’d
have thought because one of the main narratives over the years was the plc was being ‘dragged back’ by farmer control. “The real crux of our problem now is if shares stay down, they’re going to be against the financing of the project... at this rate, farmers are paying too much for the business.” ICMSA Farm Committee chair
Denis Drennan urged the co-op to reassess its proposal, which includes a direct spin-out of Glanbia plc shares worth €168m. “They have to go back and redo the figures.” On the share price movement Glanbia company secretary Michael Horan recently said: “At this time of the year, stock markets and share prices can be vol-
€1m. to aid women in surviving domestic violence
Wheels of good fortune: schoolgirls in Gambia, north Africa, with their bikes donated by Rotary Ireland
More than 5,000 bikes have been collected nationally, then repaired and shipped to countries such as The Gambia where school students use the bikes to access education. They often travel distances greater than 10 kilometres to get to school. “Rotary Ireland is delighted to see the launch of the 18th
collection centre for School Bikes Africa, and to welcome Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to the team. Together we can both improve the environment and enrich lives,” said David Murray District Governor of Rotary. If you have a bike to donate please take note of the fol-
lowing requirements: Strong sturdy bikes capable of withstanding rough terrain. Bicycles that would suit primary or secondary school students. Bicycles with mountain bike type-tyres. Bicycles with a minimum tyre size of 24 inches. Jason Dempsey of Rotary Ireland said: “The initiative
is a Win, Win, Win: a win for climate change given the benefits of repair and reuse as well as promoting sustainable transport; a win for prison inmates providing opportunities for training and rehabilitation and a win for school students in Africa in providing a better chance for availing of education.”
Supports on tap to help local business grow IFAC, Ireland’s farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services firm is highlighting the multiple supports available to businesses that are looking to manage the challenges they are facing and grow their business. David Leydon, Head of Food and AgriBusiness with ifac, said: “As Kilkenny business owners look to manage the challenges that Brexit, Covid-19, climate change and digitalisation present, it’s important to make sure that all available resources are being
actively considered.” Some of the latest funding available that can make a difference for businesses includes: EI digitalisation voucher One of Enterprise Ireland’s latest supports is the Digitalisation Voucher. This support is becoming increasingly important as consumers now demand a streamlined digital offering regardless of the product or service. Businesses must audit their current digital capabilities, in-
cluding their internal strengths and gaps before reviewing potential external threats including cyber threats or competitor activities. Brexit loan scheme Some businesses are struggling to manage the repercussions of Brexit. To support these businesses, the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme (BILS) has been developed by the SBCI in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the
Marine, the European Investment Fund and the European Investment Bank are offering affordable medium-term finance to businesses that have been negatively impacted by Covid-19 and Brexit. Ensuring a business has adequate working capital is essential to the survival of the business, the BILS can be used by affected companies to secure the necessary working capital. Climate action With businesses looking to reduce their emissions and
improve their environmental focus, Enterprise Ireland has developed the Climate Enterprise Action Fund which consists of several supports including the Climate Action Voucher, GreenStart and GreenPlus. * Check out www.ifac.ie/newsinsights to be kept up to date. If you are looking to engage with one of the supports mentioned above and need more information, contact your local ifac office or davidleydon@ ifac.ie.
€204,600 kick-starts community benefit fund THE electricity grid operator EirGrid has opened the Laois Kilkenny Community Benefit Fund with an initial €204,600 available for community groups to apply for. The €204,600 available represents 40 percent of the overall fund.
The Laois-Kilkenny Community Forum and Community Benefit Fund were established by EirGrid to recognise the important part that local communities play in the development of the electricity grid and will go to benefit groups and projects in these areas.
EirGrid is proposing to reinforce the network in the general Laois-Kilkenny region and plans to achieve this through the development of a new transmission line between the two counties. The Laois-Kilkenny reinforcement scheme will address
atile. There are current investor concerns from a macroeconomic perspective related to Covid issues, supply-chain concerns, and inflationary pressures.” According to a report in the weekly Farming Independent, it’s understood funding options for the proposed deal were to be addressed at a Glanbia council meeting.
the concerns on the network in the local area and ensure that the system can comply with the grid’s technical standards. This will also ensure a reliable, high quality standard of electricity supply for the present and future needs of all users.
Communities adjacent to the line in Laois include Coolnabacky, Timahoe, Ratheniska, Spink and Ballinakill and in Kilkenny, include Ballyragget, Ballyouskill and Tinnalinton, with priority given to those areas within 3km from the countyline.
ALLIANZ Insurance is supporting the world’s strongest women by breaking the silence on domestic abuse in Ireland with the launch of a new three-year partnership with Women’s Aid and €1,000,000 in funding to tackle domestic abuse. The partnership will support Women’s Aid in tackling the issue of domestic abuse and support those women who are living through domestic abuse in Ireland. This is a multi-faceted partnership with financial and non-financial supports, including the internal training of all senior managers at Allianz, a domestic abuse policy and supports for their 650+ workforce, and financial support for Women’s Aid consisting of a public awareness campaign, funds donated. The issue of domestic abuse can take violent and non-violent forms (coercive control, financial abuse).The issue beame more prevalent during the last 20 months of the pandemic with more than 29,700 contacts with Women’s Aid in 2020 resulting in 30,841 disclosures, which was an increase of 43% on 2019. The selection of Women’s Aid as the chosen charity partner for Allianz Insurance followed research with Allianz employees and customers on the right cause for the company to champion. The topic of domestic abuse was chosen as having a right fit with Allianz as protection is at the core of insurance and applying this lens of protection to potential issues that often arise within the home is a fitting extension of that remit. The Women’s Aid partnership and campaign will be championed within Allianz Insurance by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sean McGrath. The selection process was overseen by leading adviser on cause partnerships, Business In The Community.
