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Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Kerry councillors put millions in funding at risk as they vote against Áras Phádraig redevelopment
With significant funding from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), the redeveloped Áras Phádraig would have included a three-storey theatre, a six-storey HSE primary care centre, a public plaza and a revised entrance from Lewis Road. The site was purchased by Kerry County Council (KCC) from the Franciscan friars for €225,000 in December 2019. Interest was later sought from public bodies, to assist with its redevelopment, and the HSE was the only body to make an expression. Councillors have not been happy about the inclusion of the care centre in the proposed redevelopment, feeling it should be built on local HSE lands. They believe its creation would have led to the loss of 60 much-needed parking spaces and increased traffic congestion. Elected members were about to hear the KCC Chief Executive's Report, recommending that the redevelopment proceed despite more than 150 public submissions against it, when Killarney Mayor Martin Grady interjected. Mayor Grady told council officials that he wanted to make a proposal on behalf of all seven Killarney councillors. The Mayor proposed that KCC creates a new plan for Áras Phádraig that would include a new theatre and library facilities and also maintain the car park there. He proposed that the HSE primary care centre be built at the O'Connor Unit at the old St Finian's Hospital. In response, a council official told Mayor Grady that representatives were required to vote on the current redevelopment proposal under the Planning and Development Act. Councillors were told that if they did not vote, the redevelopment of Áras Phádraig would pass automatically. Killarney Municipal District manager, Angela McAllen, told elected members that there was risk with what they had proposed. Ms McAllen said substantial work had been done in an effort to get Áras Phádraig redeveloped. She said the redevelopment would represent a €47 million investment, ten times the council's investment of €4.4 million, and it would be worth €133 million to Killarney over 30 years. The manager said there is a risk that the URDF may not agree with the proposal. She also noted that there is no funding available for standalone theatres at the moment. Frank Hartnett, KCC director of roads & transportation, smart travel and public realm, said any change to the current proposal will more or less require a new application. And if the HSE is not on board, a new partner or stakeholder will be required to compliment the application. 'There is a significant risk that it would not be funded,' Mr Hartnett said. Independent councillor Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan said that if elected members had the support of KCC management, they would be confident of keeping the URDF funding. Kerry Independent Alliance councillor John O'Donoghue said members had knowledge of what they could lose but are still going through with it. Cllr O'Donoghue said he hopes this gives an indication to how much thought had gone into their proposal. 'It's not something we are doing flippantly,' he said. 'We know very much what is involved.' Independent councillor Brendan Cronin said he accepted that KCC management are disappointed with the councillors' proposal, and acknowledged the 'huge amount' of work gone into the proposed redevelopment project. Cllr Cronin said the turning point for him was Killarney representatives' briefing with the HSE. He said a HSE representative was asked why the Áras Phádraig site was chosen for a primary care centre, and the health official replied that 'It was done before his time'. He said the HSE representative also outlined that the old St Finian's hospital site was being seen as a 'fallback position'. Labour councillor Marie Moloney said the public did not want the centre at Áras Phádraig. 'We came up with a proposal that we hope satisfies the URDF and the executive,' Cllr Moloney said. Fianna Fáil councillor Niall Kelleher suggested that the representatives' new proposal could be enhanced in order to secure funding with the help of KCC. 'We endeavour to work together with management to make this a reality,' he said. 'We really, not for one minute, take for granted the difficult position that this decision makes.' Independent councillor Maura Healy-Rae acknowledged the hard work of the council in preparing the proposal. She said, however, that councillors had to make a decision. Cllr Healy-Rae claimed 'misinformation' and 'inaccuracies' had circulated about the proposed redevelopment project. She said that it was clear from the meeting with the HSE official that the health service, which has landholdings around Killarney, was 'hedging their bets' by seeking to get a centre built as part of the Áras Phádraig redevelopment. 'We have taken a massive risk. We are hoping we will be able to maintain URDF funding,' the councillor said. MD manager Ms McAllen reassured councillors that she and her colleagues would do their best to keep the funding, and that they are committed to the redevelopment of Áras Phádraig. This was applauded by elected members, who officially put forward their joint proposal to the council. Councillors were then asked to make the required vote on the existing redevelopment proposal, inclusive of the HSE primary care centre. They were reminded that if they did not vote then the redevelopment project it would automatically get planning permission. All seven councillors voted against it. The councillors had voted earlier in the meeting to rescind the decision they made to approve planning permission for the redevelopment of Áras Phádraig in February.
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Kerry ‘needs to sell itself' to Ryder Cup market
With individual homeowners in Kerry already advertising accommodation to golf tourists ahead of the event, the call for Kerry County Council (KCC) to start putting Kerry on the map as a destination was made by Fine Gael Councillor Angie Baily at a recent Tralee MD meeting. The view is being spearheaded by Kerry's close proximity to the Adare Manor in County Limerick where the competition between the USA and Europe takes place in September 2027. So far, close to 110,000 people have registered their interest in attending the event. It's estimated the Ryder Cup will result in a €100 million boost to the Irish economy, while government is likely to spend over €60 million as part of preparatory work for the golf classic. Cllr Baily asked KCC for updates on the marketing campaign for the Ryder Cup, and what the expected footfall in Kerry is likely to be. She further asked what plans are in place so Tralee – as the county capital – can effectively capitalise on the event. 'With Kerry, we're pushing well above our weight. I think this is something we can hugely benefit from. But there will be a massive shortfall in accommodation,' she said. 'I just feel we need to start plugging ourselves and selling ourselves to the market of those people who will be coming here and to get a nice slice of the in excess of a quarter of a billion economic boost for Kerry, and the long term benefits for building tourist relations,' Cllr Baily added. KCC said its tourism unit is working with Tourism Ireland's golf division to ensure Kerry is well positioned as a premier golf and holiday destination, particularly in the US, UK, and European markets. The council's tourism unit confirmed advertising within the Spirit of Ireland – a North American travel magazine with a distribution of 100,000 and 2,500 tour operators. Its autumn 2025 edition will feature a dedicated focus on golf, helping to raise awareness of Kerry's world-class courses and associated offerings. 'Discussions are ongoing with local groups including Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, the Irish Hotels Federation, and Fáilte Ireland to ensure the county is well prepared to maximise opportunities arising from the Ryder Cup,' said KCC management. 'This collaboration aims to ensure that tourism providers across Kerry are ready to welcome and accommodate the increased demand and will include discussion with Tralee Chamber Alliance.' The Ryder Cup is one of the sport's premier competitions that has not taken place in Ireland since 2006.
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Farmers allege banks denying NOCs for PACS Kisan Credit Card loans
COIMBATORE: Farmers in Coimbatore are claiming that nationalised banks are refusing to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) required by Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) for obtaining Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans. R Periyasamy, a farmer from Theethipalayam, Coimbatore, said, "As per a new circular issued by the cooperative societies on July 17, farmers who have already obtained a KCC loan from any nationalised bank are now required to get an NOC from the concerned branch manager. When I approached my bank in Thondamuthur Taluk, they denied the NOC, stating that I already have an existing KCC loan with them. Many farmers like me, who have KCC loans with nationalised banks, are unable to obtain these NOCs." S Palanisamy, district president of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said, "Cooperative societies offer a maximum of Rs 2 lakh at zero interest for a year, irrespective of the farmer's land area. This means a farmer cannot obtain more than this limit, even if they own over 10 acres. If a farmer cultivates bananas on one acre, for instance, they need a minimum of Rs 1.7 lakh as input cost. The KCC loan provided by PACS is simply not enough to cover expenses for all their land. Therefore, farmers resort to nationalised banks to obtain KCC loans under the interest subvention scheme, which offers an interest rate of 4%." Palanisamy further said,"No bank will offer an NOC until the concerned farmer closes their existing loan. Officials in PACS are merely stating they will offer a loan once they receive the NOC from the banks. This new norm appears to be a tactic by PACS to curtail farmers from obtaining loans from nationalised banks, thereby crippling them economically." He demanded that the cooperative societies revoke the order. When contacted, a senior official from the cooperative societies department said, "These norms have been implemented as per RBI guidelines. The objective is to prevent farmers from obtaining multiple KCC loans from various banks under the interest subvention scheme, as it offers a minimal interest rate. We have, however, received grievances from farmers regarding this issue, and we will bring it to the government's attention."
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Fewer borrowers, bigger burden: Punjab's Kisan Credit Card debt rose Rs 2cr per day in 4 years, now Rs 57,536 cr
1 2 Chandigarh: Despite being the agricultural heartland of India, Punjab continues to grapple with a mounting debt burden under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme —a trend that highlights deepening financial stress in the state's farm economy. This rise in outstanding loans — which was Rs 2 crore every day — has occurred despite a drop in the number of active KCC accounts, raising questions over repayment capacity and increasing dependency on credit among farmers. According to data presented in the Lok Sabha by the Union ministry of finance in response to a query by BJP MP Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama, Punjab's outstanding loan amount under KCC scheme rose from Rs 54,526 crore in March 2021 to Rs 57,536 crore in March 2025 — an increase of Rs 3,010 crore (5.52%). Give than there were nearly 1,500 days in this time period, the credit burden rose nearly Rs 2 crore every day. During the same period, the number of operative KCCs declined from 2.244 lakh to 2.168 lakh, indicating a high per-card loan exposure. The KCC scheme, launched in 1998, was designed to provide timely and hassle-free credit to farmers for activities such as crop production, post-harvest expenses, and working capital for agricultural assets. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2021 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo It is implemented through commercial banks, cooperative banks, and regional rural banks. The Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) offers an interest subvention of 1.5% on short-term working capital loans up to Rs 3 lakh at 7% interest, with an additional 3% incentive for prompt repayment. While Punjab's loan growth is modest in percentage terms, the increasing liability despite fewer cardholders underlines a worrying trend. In Haryana, loans grew Rs10,055cr In comparison, Haryana has seen a more pronounced rise in both card issuance and debt levels. The number of active KCCs in Haryana grew from 2.264 lakh in 2021 to 2.4 lakh in 2025, while outstanding loans surged by Rs 10,055 crore—from Rs 45,356 crore to Rs 55,411 crore, a 22.2% rise. 44.4% rise in Himachal Pradesh In Himachal Pradesh, the rise has been even sharper in percentage terms. The hill state's outstanding KCC loan increased from Rs 6,626 crore in 2021 to Rs 9,572 crore in 2025, marking a 44.5% increase. The number of KCC holders also went up from 39,200 to 51,000, reflecting improved credit access but also a growing credit footprint. KCC loans now at Rs 10.2L cr in India Nationally, the outstanding loan under the KCC scheme has ballooned to Rs 10.2 lakh crore as of March 2025, up from Rs 7.53 lakh crore in 2021. The govt has reiterated that to support timely repayments and reduce defaults, farmers are provided incentives for prompt repayment, alongside subsidised interest rates through MISS.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Canterbury shop owners blame multi-million pound development for flooding
Business owners told ITV News Meridian's they've had three floods in the past two months. Businesses in Canterbury, which have repeatedly flooded in heavy rain, are blaming a million pound scheme designed to improve the owners near the city's famous Westgate Towers, who were inundated earlier this week, say the pavements and road there now funnel water towards their premises. Kent County Council is investigating and late this afternoon the city's MP talked to locals about their poured into shops and an overwhelmed drain appears to have collapsed under the businesses say they had never flooded before the 1.5 million pound improvement works say the road is now too high and newly extended pavements slope towards the poured from the street into Ali Maroof's barber shop, completely filling his basement. Ali Maroof said: "I didn't know what to do. I just turned it off, everything, all the powers, we shut the shop. "We just got out because it was so dangerous, because of the electrics in the cellar and the gas meter in the cellar. "I blame the road, because they didn't do a proper job." Today, Canterbury MP visited the affected businesses. Rosie Duffield, the MP for Canterbury, said: "I'm really concerned about the extra thousands of houses being built in the area. "If we can't cope now, if our drains are overflowing, if the council doesn't have a proper plan - either the city council or the county council we are in for a world of pain. "And it needs to be sorted out before we build those houses." A spokesperson from Kent County Council (KCC) said: 'We are very sorry to hear about the impact of flooding on residents and businesses in Canterbury, particularly those affected on St Dunstans Street. "Our teams responded to 29 flooding emergencies in the area and worked tirelessly to support those affected. This included arranging urgent flood clearance and providing FloodSax to help protect properties from further damage. "As part of our recovery efforts, we are prioritising the clearance of drains on affected roads, particularly in areas where internal property flooding has occurred – including businesses. 'We are committed to understanding what has happened and taking any necessary steps to prevent it happening again. "Our engineers are on site and are working with our contractor, FM Conway, and Southern Water to inspect the surface water drainage systems in the area. "If these systems are not found to be at fault, we will investigate further to determine the cause of the flooding. "As we continue to monitor the situation closely, we encourage any residents or business owners who need assistance to contact us directly so we can provide the appropriate support.'
