Cork set to host global event to showcase business startups In July I was delighted to officially launch the 2016 Global Startup Gathering in Cork Airport. As part of the Gathering, Cork will host a major global event in November, the Startup Nations Summit 2016, which will showcase many of Ireland’s small businesses and startup companies to a global audience. It’s been a pleasure to work with the Cork Innovates Partnership to bring this international event to Cork, which is the first location in Europe to host it. Taking place over three days, it will attract hundreds of international and national business people, entrepreneurs and those thinking of starting up a new business from across a number of sectors from food to technology, while also offering an opportunity for us to showcase our increasing number of home-grown business success stories.
New low-cost Credit Union loans launched to tackle moneylenders – “It Makes Sense” I very much welcome the launch last month of the new “It Makes Sense” Credit Union managed low-cost loan scheme targeted at low income families. The new scheme, which is being made available through Credit Unions across Ireland, will provide short-term affordable loans of between €100 and €2,000 for those who may struggle to get credit elsewhere, and importantly the scheme is open to all those in receipt of social welfare. The aim behind the scheme is to tackle the problem of penal interest rate loans offered to struggling families by unscrupulous moneylenders, so the more people are aware of the new scheme, the better. It’s being offered to credit unions nationally, with many still in the process of signing up, so get in touch with your local Credit Union to check if the new scheme is already available. Tourism on track for another record breaking year. The tourism and hospitality industry is on track for another record breaking year. With almost 4.4 million arrivals to the country recorded, this represents a half a million additional overseas visitors when compared with the first half of last year, which is good news for Cork and for Blarney. British visitor numbers grew by over 15%, which will be important to maintain following the Brexit referendum, while mainland European visitor numbers have also continued to increased, by 11%, from countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Benelux. The arrival of the new Grand Hibernian Train, Ireland’s answer to the Orient Express, later this Summer will help to boost Cork’s iconic visitor attractions, with Blarney Castle being actively marketed as a destination for visitors on the new luxury train service. Paternity benefit for fathers available from September. The Government has introduced new legislation so that, for the first time, from 1st September, fathers will be eligible to claim two weeks Paternity Benefit when they take Paternity Leave. The Paternity Benefit will be paid at a rate of €230 a week for two weeks, to both employees and the self-employed. Fathers can take Paternity Leave at any time within the first 26 weeks of the child’s life, or following adoption. You’ll need to give your employer four week’s notice that you’re planning to take Paternity Leave and can then apply for Paternity Benefit online. For further information, check out: www.welfare.ie/paternitybenefit