2015

€30m Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant at Old Wallbord Factory site, Ferrybank identified as preferred site- Doyle

Andrew 2015, Environment, Wicklow - East Carlow

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, has welcomed the latest update from Irish Water regarding the provision of a Wastewater Treatment Plant for Arklow. The announcement of the Old Wallboard Factory, North Quay, Ferrybank as the preferred site for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant marks a key milestone in the delivery of the long overdue Wastewater Treatment Plant for Arklow. At present it is the case that the untreated waste water is discharged into the Avoca River which flows through Arklow Town, an unacceptable situation that Irish Water has prioritised as addressing. The provision of a new treatment plant in Arklow will bring benefits to the town and surrounding areas in terms of health, environmental protection and improved water quality for all.

The preferred location for the new Treatment Plant has been recommended by Irish Water based following on from the public consultation process and consultation with An Bord Pleanála, Wicklow County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will now be carried out at the preferred site which will examine in detail the issues of concern raised during the consultation periods. The EIA which is due to begin immediately, and will take approximately 12 months to complete, will form the basis for a planning application.

The proposed project, which is estimated to cost in the region of €30 million will include:
· A new Wastewater Treatment Plant and pumping stations to treat wastewater for a population equivalent of 36,000.

· A pipeline to bring untreated waste water to the Wastewater Treatment Plant and to bring treated wastewater from the plant to the outfall.

· An outfall pipe to safely discharge the treated waste water to the Irish Sea or the Avoca River.
‘The selection of the preferred site at the Old Wallboard Factory Site, North Quay, Ferrybank marks a key land mark in the delivery of €30 million of capital investment in a Wastewater Treatment Plant for Arklow and to ending the discharge of untreated waste water into the river and provide the people of Arklow with a the clean environment they deserve.

It is vital that Irish Water provide quarterly updates on the Arklow project during the period of the Environmental Impact Assessment on the project and consult with all relevant project shareholders throughout this period” concluded Doyle

 

James Keogh of Rathwood Ireland Wins Best Established Business in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur

Andrew 2015, Jobs Enterprise Innovation, Wicklow - East Carlow

2015-10-06_car_13454439_I1Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle congratulates James Keogh of Rathwood Ireland named as Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur in the Best Established Category supported through Local Enterprise Office Wicklow.

The Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton T.D. made the announcement in front of 360 guests at the IBYE national final, held at Google’s European Headquarters in Dublin on Sunday, December 6th 2015.

“It is a testament to the wealth and talent of entrepreneurship that we have in Wicklow. I congratulate James Keogh on his achievement as he has brought Rathwood Ireland from strength to strength over the last number of year. Rathwood is now renowned for its year-round themed events and the retail entertainment company welcomes over 250,000 visitors every year and employs nearly 200 people. This is also recognition of the excellence provided by the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow team on their guidance and mentoring and provision of services that they provide to young entrepreneurs.

“Supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland, the nationwide competition is organised through the Local Enterprise Offices and forms part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2015 with an overall investment fund of €2 million awarded to county winners and national winners.

“Two thirds of all new jobs are created by start-up businesses in their first five years. We are relying on these young entrepreneurs to start-up the businesses that will create the jobs of tomorrow. By taking part in the IBYE initiative, 450 young entrepreneurs have benefitted from mentoring, training, networking or financial assistance, which will bring practical benefits for their businesses and will increase their chances of start-up success.”

“For anyone else who’s thinking of starting a business or planning to expand in 2016, I would encourage them to access the same enterprise supports through the Local Enterprise Offices here is Wicklow, led by Head of Enterprise, Sheelagh Daly. By promoting entrepreneurship as a career choice, we can ensure that we start more businesses and ultimately create more jobs” concluded Doyle

Notes to the Editor

Details for all the finalists are available at www.ibye.ie and by searching #ibye on social media and YouTube. The National Final for the IBYE competition was supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the network of Local Enterprise Offices, Enterprise Ireland and Google