It has been confirmed that St Mary's Road library will close at the end of the month. City Manager Joe Gavin revealed to Sinn Féin Cllr Thomas Gould at last Monday's City Council meeting that the library will be closed by the end of March.

A recent audit into foster care facilities in the South of Ireland suggests that Irish people have learned little from recent experiences with taking risks with the safety and security of children. That's according to Cork Labour Party TD Kathleen Lynch, who said news that foster carers have not been screened was "deeply disturbing".

The Girls from Christ King Secondary School on South Douglas Road will dance all day long for charity on Tuesday 16 March, in a céilí organised by Michelle McGinley, a PE teacher in the school. Principal Mary Keane, was delighted to facilitate this novel and innovative idea where up to 150 students will be dancing in the school's hall any given time during the day accompanied by live musicians.

Concern Worldwide is very grateful for the extraordinary generosity shown by the people of Cork in response to the Haiti appeal. Recently Concern has sent out a letter to those who have donated €250 or more over the course of a year. If you are a PAYE tax payer and have given annual donations of €250 or more to Concern in any of the last four years since 2006, Concern can claim back money from Revenue on your donations.

A New planning application has been submitted for the proposed €80m clinic to be located in Lancaster Quay. The application was submitted by O'Callaghan Properties this week to Cork City Council for the site, next to Jury's Hotel on the Western Road. In December of last year, planning permission at the same site was refused by An Bord Pleanála following an appeal to the granting of permission by Cork City Council.

There were positive signs for the new car market in February with signs of a recovery for the wider motor industry. Statistics released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that there were 11,707 new private cars licensed in February 2010, compared with 8,793 in February of last year representing an increase of 33.1 per cent.

There has been strong criticism of the proposal to hold a motor rally at the site of the former city dump on the Kinsale Road. Cork Motor Club are seeking to hold the motor rally in aid of Marymount Hospice at the end of May at the Kinsale Road landfill site, which has been turned into an amenity park since its closure last year.

Businesspeople renting in places like the Wilton Shopping Centre believe some landlords are increasing commercial rent rates to make their properties appear more valuable before they enter the NAMA process. Cork South Central TD and spokesperson Ciaran Lynch, claimed the Government's plan to take over bad loans from banks is forcing shops and other businesses to pay higher rents instead of helping them by making credit more available.

John and Liz McCarthy of Mad Pride Ireland have been invited by President Mary McAleese to attend her annual St. Patricks Day celebration at Aras An Uachtarain. The invite is in recognition for Cork Independent columnist McCarthy's work as a mental health campaigner, and in particular his fight against stigma in mental health.

The possibility of withdrawing orthopaedic services from St Mary's Hospital has been criticised by local councillors. A senior medical consultant is currently completing a feasibility study to examine how the orthopaedic services at the hospital can be transferred to CUH.