County Mayor's Diary

Cllr Gillian Coughlan

Last weekend really was the most wonderful weekend.

Daylight Saving Time kicked in and now there is that wonderful stretch to the evenings that make them so full of the promise of summer, and we had unseasonably warm weather.

It brought people out in their droves to all the scenic hot spots around the county, families were celebrating Mother’s Day, eating ice cream and there was a distinct holiday atmosphere in the air.

The warm weather combined with Mother’s Day had this running through my mind all weekend - “Ne’er cast a clout till May is out”, a saying to remind us not to be too quick to remove the warm layers until the chilly days of May are over.

I’ve started spring cleaning and have taken the opportunity to avail of the DUMP Campaign running from until 22 April.

It is encouraging everyone to bring unused medicine to participating pharmacies for free and safe disposal. The combination of fine weather and the stretch in the evening will have us all cleaning and updating our outdoor spaces.

Remember Cork County Council operates 11 civic amenity sites and 121 bring sites for community waste recycling across the county so please dispose of waste not collected by kerbside service providers responsibly.

I am very proud of Cork County Council’s response to this humanitarian crisis. Covid-19 brought about the incredibly successful Community Support Programme where agencies such as An Garda Siochana, HSE South, local development companies, An Post, the Civil Defence, the Red Cross, plus many more voluntary groups to deliver in the most effective manner possible.

Tim Lucey Chief Executive Cork County Council has re-established the Community Support Programme as part of the county’s response to assist the people of the Ukraine.

This approach will be able to provide local knowledge and experience in a single contact point and system to support those most in need.

One of the key priorities identified was the requirement for adequate emergency shelter and accommodation facilities to accommodate Ukrainian refugees in Cork county and those who wish to assist may do so by identifying potentially available 'quick turn-around', multi-occupancy emergency shelter and accommodation facilities and inputting the information online via the forms available at corkcoco.ie.

I was thrilled to see the list of 22 recipients of the creative county cork grants 2022 totalling €35,000 throughout the county. It will be such fun to attend the innovative projects, events and initiatives being funded through this scheme which connects people, creativity and wellbeing.

The vision is that every person in Ireland should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential and this is the vision we want to share with the people of Ukraine who seek refuge in Cork county.

This crisis requires us all to work together and do everything within our power to welcome, and support, those seeking our help and refuge in Cork county.