blog

Knockmitten FC kitted out for new youth football season

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:00:00 +0100

The young U10 footballers of Knockmitten FC recently got their hands on a new soccer kit for the 2013 season after Airtricity, Ireland’s greenest energy provider, presented the South Dublin club with over €600 in funding.

The presentation was made to the Clondalkin-based club after Ian Baker, a volunteer coach who is an Airtricity employee based at the company’s Sandyford office, successfully applied for support through Airtricity’s Kit for Kids scheme.

Under its annual Kit for Kids programme Airtricity supports grassroots development for sports clubs in the local communities of its staff members throughout Ireland. After club volunteer Ian applied for support, Knockmitten Football Club was selected as one of the lucky clubs to benefit.

View the full press release

Information Alert: Airtricity warns customers about Premium Phone Lines

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0100

Airtricity would like to draw its customers’ attention to the existence of privately-operated Premium Phone Line providers who are using online advertising to mislead customers. When customers search online for Airtricity’s contact details they may be presented with an alternative ‘contact us’ webpage which displays a Premium Phone Line telephone number to use to contact our Customer Service team.

This Premium number is used to route the customer to our Customer Contact Centre, however the user will be charged a Premium Rate for using this service.

This is not an Airtricity service. Do not attempt to contact our Customer Service team using these Premium Rate services as you will incur high phone charges.

We have raised this matter with online advertisers, the National Consumer Agency and Comreg.

Customers wishing to contact our Customer Contact Centre should LoCall 1890 81 22 20 (Monday to Friday: 8am - 8pm) or visit our HelpCentre

Airtricity presents over €40,000 in funding to community projects around its Kingsmountain and Dunneill wind farms

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:00:00 +0000

€40,000 funding presentation brings total Airtricity community investment into Sligo communities since 2004 to over €150,000
Airtricity technicians volunteer time and expertise to support Kilglass/Enniscrone Football Club

20th March, 2013:

Airtricity, Ireland’s third largest energy provider and the country’s largest renewables generator, last night (19 March) presented over €40,000 in funding to community groups in the vicinity of its Kingsmountain and Dunneill Wind Farms. The presentation was held at the Templeboy Pastoral Council Centre, Templeboy, Co. Sligo.

Under its Community Fund Programme, Airtricity annually makes a financial contribution to local projects from each of its wind farms operated nationwide by SSE, the country’s largest renewable energy generator. Since commissioning its first Co. Sligo wind farm at Kingsmountain in 2004, Airtricity has handed out over €150,000 in funding to local projects in the county.

This year, grant awards from Airtricity’s Kingsmountain and Dunneill Wind Farms are supporting projects ranging from insulation upgrades for Templeboy Community Centre, Dromore West National School, Easkey GAA Club and Castleconnor Community Centre to the installation of new energy-efficient sports lighting for Kilglass/Enniscrone Football Club, lighting and heating for Kilmacshalgan Church and draught-proofing for High Park School, Skreen. A total of 12 community projects promoting energy efficiency are being supported this year.

In addition to community fund support, this year Airtricity’s qualified electrical technicians at Airtricity Utility Solutions will give their time and skill free of charge to help support one of the local projects. Under Airtricity’s Community at Heart volunteering scheme, technicians based out of the company’s street lighting depot at Collooney, Co. Sligo, will volunteer to install the energy efficient pitch side lighting for the Kilglass/Enniscrone Football Club.

View the full press release

Airtricity League 2013 season is launched

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:48:24 +0000

The 2013 Airtricity League season was officially launched today when players, managers and officials from all 20 clubs attended a reception in the Aviva Stadium.

The Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions will commence on Friday, March 8 and a total of 330 league and play-off games will be played between then and November 1 in addition to matches in the FAI Ford Cup, EA SPORTS Cup, Setanta Sports Cup, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

RTE and Setanta Sports will be continuing their live coverage of matches during the season and the popular RTE Two weekly highlights programme, MNS, will return to the screens on Monday, March 11.

Among the highlights of the new season will be the return of Premier Division football to Limerick after an absence of 19 seasons in addition to the introduction of Thomond Park as an Airtricity League venue. The 2013 season will also mark the return of Cobh Ramblers to the First Division after a four year absence.

Paul O'Shaughnessy, Head of Energy Sales, Airtricity, commented: "The Airtricity League continues to improve all the time and we're very proud at Airtricity, through our sponsorship and our association with clubs, fans and communities all across the country, to play our part towards that improvement."

The 12 clubs participating in the 2013 Premier Division will be: Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, Cork City, Derry City, Drogheda United, Dundalk, Limerick, St Patrick's Athletic, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, Sligo Rovers and UCD. The eight clubs participating in the 2013 First Division will be: Athlone Town, Cobh Ramblers, Finn Harps, Longford Town, Mervue United, Salthill Devon, Waterford United and Wexford Youths.

View the full press release

Airtricity backs Docklands’ free Santa and all for a good ‘Claus’

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Free Santa’s Grotto and Children’s Giving Tree to aid Barnardos at Airtricity Docklands Christmas Festival

The Airtricity Docklands Christmas Festival is back once again at the IFSC from Friday 7 to Sunday 23 December and this year the centrepieces of the festival are free Santa’s Grotto and the Giving Tree, all in aid of Barnardos.

Ireland’s third-largest energy provider, Airtricity, is encouraging all visitors to the Airtricity Docklands Christmas Festival to leave an unwrapped gift for children who are availing of Barnardos’ services. Santa Claus will also be spreading the Christmas spirit once again from the Airtricity Green Grotto which boys and girls can visit entirely for free and families can leave donations if they wish to further help support Barnardos’ work.

The festival, which is now in its eighth year, saw over 200,000 visitors attend last year and this year is expected to be ever bigger with more than quarter of a million visitors expected to attend this Christmas. Full details on the festival are available on www.airtricity.com and on www.dublindocklandschristmasfestival.ie.

Open from Friday 7 December until Sunday 23 December, the festival runs daily from 12 noon until 8pm and from 10am to 8pm at weekends. Children and families visiting the festival will experience a truly festive and magical atmosphere among the many gourmet food and gift stalls, authentic Victorian fairground attractions and of course, visiting Santa Claus at Airtricity’s Green Grotto. Children awaiting their chance to meet Santa and reveal their Christmas lists can help Santa’s elves build toys, make Christmas cards and get their faces painted while their parents put their feet up and take the chance to relax and enjoy the Christmas spirit!

View the full press release

Airtricity becomes Official Energy Partner to Irish football and extends title sponsorship of the Airtricity League

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Airtricity becomes Official Energy Partner to Irish football and extends title sponsorship of the Airtricity League

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the country’s fastest growing energy provider, Airtricity, have today announced details of a two year extension of Airtricity’s title sponsorship of the Airtricity League. Airtricity will also become Official Energy Partner to the Association and FAI international teams.

Airtricity has been title sponsor of the Airtricity League since 2010. In the three seasons since, Airtricity has enjoyed a very successful period for the domestic game involving dramatic title races, Airtricity League selections playing some of Europe’s biggest clubs, increased TV coverage and an unprecedented breakthrough into the group stages of European competition.

In 2011 Airtricity added title sponsorship of the new Airtricity U19 League, underlining its support for our next generation of elite players.

Now, in addition to extending its title sponsorship of the Airtricity League, Airtricity is further enhancing its commitment to Irish football by becoming Official Energy Partner to the FAI and its international teams.

View the full press release

Image: Stephen Wheeler, Managing Director, Airtricity (left), and John Delaney, Chief Executive, FAI at the announcement in Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin, of the extension of the Airtricity League sponsorship and Airtricity becoming Official Energy Partner to the Association and FAI international teams.

The Airtricity Docklands Christmas Festival is Back!

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Festival runs from 7th December to 23rd December at Georges Dock in the IFSC

The Airtricity Docklands Christmas Festival 2012 will run from the 7th until the 23rd of December at Georges Dock in the IFSC, from 12 noon to 8pm daily and from 10am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The Airtricity Docklands Christmas Festival will have a little bit of magic and Christmas cheer for everyone. The free to attend festival will see over 80 craft and gift market traders return to the Docklands as well as a multitude of gourmet food stalls with roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and a host of other Christmas fare.

This year will see a new layout that will incorporate many of the old favourites as well as some new surprises.

The beautifully restored showpiece, the ‘Galloping Horses' Carousel and other Victorian fairground attractions will make a welcome return and there will be live performers on stage at the 1950’s Airstream bar every day.

Santa will be arriving in the Docklands this December 8th and will meet all the boys and girls, and the best part is it’s absolutely free!

The IFSC is served by public transport including:

Luas Red Line – this stops at George’s Dock which is beside the Market.
Connolly Dart Station is a short, 2 minute walk from the market.

For more information on the Airtricity Docklands Christmas Festival visit www.dublindocklandschristmasfestival.ie

Folk gig strikes the right chord with Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

– SSE Renewables staff help raise almost €2000 for local mountain rescue service –

More than 100 local hillwalkers, musicians and folk music lovers ‘came down from the mountains’ on Friday 2nd November to help raise almost €2000 for the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team.

The ‘Come Down from the Mountain’ folk concert, which was organised by staff at SSE Renewables through its Community at Heart programme, saw local Dublin and Kildare folk musicians, Caoimhin O Raghallaigh, Inni – K and Danny and Aki entertain a packed audience at Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre in Temple Bar, with a mix of traditional and contemporary folk melodies and songs.

SSE Renewables is Ireland’s largest renewable energy developer, responsible for the development and construction of onshore wind farms, hydro, and marine projects to power Ireland’s greenest energy provider Airtricity.

Under its 'Community at Heart' volunteering scheme, SSE gives all staff the opportunity to take a day off from their usual work programme and swap it for a day working with a not-for-profit organisation or community group of their choice.

In the past, SSE’s Community at Heart scheme has allowed staff from Airtricity and SSE Renewables to swap a working day in order to help groups such as Barnardo’s the Laura Lynn Childrens Hospice and the Irish Cancer Society, amongst others.

View the full press release

A stroll in the park helps fund local projects around Meentycat and Culliagh Wind Farms

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Over 500 walkers and strollers took to the rolling landscape today of Ireland’s largest wind farm, Airtricity’s Meentycat Wind Farm and the adjoining Culliagh Wind Farm at Drumkeen, Lifford, Co. Donegal, to raise funds for local community projects in the area.

The walkers, representing 43 separate local community bodies and groups, were participating in the Airtricity Sponsored Walk as part of the Meentycat and Culliagh Community Funds. The walk, now in its eighth year, is held annually to raise funds for worthy causes in the vicinity of the Airtricity wind farm.

Groups from across the region including Ballybofey, Cloghan, Convoy, Curragh, Drumkeen, Letterkenny, Stranorlar, the Finn Valley, and other areas in the vicinity of the wind farms took part.

Participants completed the 15km route through Ireland’s largest wind farm in times ranging from just over one hour for the super-swift to just under three hours for those who wanted to take in the scenery.

As well as raising much-needed funding, participating walkers got a unique chance to get up close to many of the 63 wind turbines on the Meentycat and Culliagh Wind Farms. Walkers also enjoyed unrivalled views of some of Donegal’s most stunning natural landmarks including Mount Errigal to the northwest and Barnesmore Gap to the southwest, as well as catching a glimpse of the outskirts of Letterkenny town to the northeast.

Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, sponsorship raised by participating groups in the annual sponsored walk is topped-up by additional annual funding payments from the company. This is the eighth consecutive year of the Airtricity Sponsored Walk – to date, community groups have received over €425,000 in combined sponsorship and payments from Airtricity under the Meentycat and Culliagh Community Fund.

Funding raised this year through sponsorship and top-up contributions from Airtricity will be announced in November. Funding awards will be presented to participating community groups at a ceremony to be held locally later this year.

The Meentycat and Culliagh Wind Farms, which are operated by Airtricity’s parent company SSE, generate over 100MW of renewable energy to power Airtricity’s greener electricity supply and produce enough green energy to power over 50,000 homes.

View the full press release

Airtricity presents €106,000 to community projects in the vicinity of Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farms

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Airtricity, Ireland’s fastest growing and third largest energy provider, has presented €106,000 in community funding to local groups in the around the Ballyvourney and Millstreet regions of Co.Cork. The presentation of funding from the Airtricity Community Funds for Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farms took place on Monday 24th September 2012, at a ceremony held at Ionad Culturtha, Ballyvourney, Co.Cork.

The presentation brings to almost €500,000 the total contribution which Airtricity has made into local communities around its Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farms since the company first opened its community funds in the area in 2009.

Airtricity is supplied with green energy from the combined 59.8MW Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farms which are operated by SSE, Ireland’s largest renewable energy generator. The energy generated by Coomacheo and Curragh Wind Farms produces enough electricity to power over 40,000 homes.

Under Airtricity’s Community Fund Programme, the company makes a financial contribution from each of its 25 wind farms across Ireland to help local energy efficiency and sustainability projects.

With such a high volume of applications this year for funding, Airtricity has announced that it is awarding 13 community projects in Millstreet, Ballyvourney, Baile Mhic Ire, Carriganima, Cloghoula and Rylane.

View the full press release

Airtricity to acquire Phoenix Supply Limited, Northern Ireland’s market leading gas supplier

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:30:00 +0100

Airtricity to become Northern Ireland’s second largest energy provider and dual fuel supplier to 230,000 customers

Airtricity, Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing energy provider, has entered into an agreement with Phoenix Energy Holdings Limited to acquire Phoenix Supply Limited, Northern Ireland’s market leading gas supplier. Phoenix Supply is the regulated supplier of natural gas to around 130,000 domestic and business customers in Greater Belfast.

Following the acquisition Airtricity, SSE’s retail supply brand, will become Northern Ireland’s second largest energy supplier and a dual fuel provider of gas and electricity to over 230,000 customers.

The acquisition is subject to approval by the Irish Competition Authority and Airtricity expects to complete the purchase during the summer. Airtricity has also notified the Regulatory Authorities of its intention to acquire the Phoenix supply businesses.

Kevin Greenhorn, CEO of Airtricity and SSE’s Director of Business Supply, Contracting and International, said:

“We’re delighted to be entering into this agreement and see it as an exciting new chapter in SSE’s long-term sustained growth in Northern Ireland. This is a significant step forward for both Airtricity and Phoenix Supply as we seek to become the largest supplier of both electricity and natural gas in Northern Ireland. This is especially exciting as for the first time consumers in Northern Ireland, including Airtricity and Phoenix Supply customers, will be able to enjoy the benefits of dual fuel products and services.

“Through this deal we will extend our commitment towards serving customers, employing people, and making investments in Northern Ireland to Phoenix Supply customers and staff.

“We look forward to completing this acquisition as soon as possible.”

Airtricity entered Northern Ireland’s competitive domestic electricity market in 2010 and is the country’s fastest-growing energy provider. Over 100,000 Northern Ireland domestic and commercial electricity customers have switched to Airtricity for better value energy and trusted customer service.

Irish consumers can save up to €200 million per year by changing energy behaviour

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Airtricity, Ireland’s fastest-growing energy supply company, has said that Irish consumers can save up to €100 per annum if they cut their annual energy use by just 10% - equivalent to a nationwide saving of up to €200 million every year.

Launching an extensive integrated marketing campaign fronted by a new customer champion, Captain Energy, the company today encouraged Irish consumers to make small changes to their energy behaviour in order to make significant savings to their energy bills.

Airtricity recently emerged as Ireland’s cheapest supplier of electricity and dual fuel energy products for the home. Now, new customers who switch to Airtricity’s cheapest online tariff will also receive a FREE Airtricity Home Energy Monitor which helps consumers to take greater control of their energy consumption. By using less energy, Airtricity customers can pay less, meaning real reductions in their energy bills.

View the full press release

Interview with Captain Energy - an exclusive chat with the energy superhero

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

What made you want to be a superhero?

I couldn’t sit back and watch people wasting energy and wasting money any longer. I just wanted to help people. And wear a costume.

Got any special powers?

If you call helping people to use less energy and save money on their bills special powers, then yes, I have special powers. Plus I’m pretty good at climbing.

So where’d you get the costume?

I made it.

You sew?

I do.

Right. Who is your inspiration?

Neil Armstrong. Buddha. Morrissey. In that order.

What gets you up in the morning?

Well, my job obviously.

As a superhero?

No, I’m an engineer.

And a superhero?

Well I’m only a superhero in the evenings. And bank holidays.

Biggest fashion mistake?

I wore a huge hat in university. It was far too big and kept slipping over my eyes.

Most extravagant purchase?

That hat was pretty extravagant. University was a crazy time.

And what university was that?

I’m reluctant to disclose that, in case anybody discovers my secret identity.

Which is of Alan, a mild mannered engineer...

Who told you my name was Alan?

You told the receptionist when you came in.

Damn it. I’m always doing that.

Favourite type of energy?

Kinetic energy, definitely. It’s just so exciting. Although I can appreciate the subtle beauty of potential energy too.

What book are you reading?

Spiderman issue #11. I’m re-reading it actually.

Favourite Colour?

Presidential blue.

Favourite food?

Actually can I change that last one to light green? And my favourite food is... I dunno, apples?

Favourite drink?

Energy drinks! AHAHAHAHA!!!

(continues laughing at this for fully five minutes)

Airtricity sponsors launch of unique new guide to Airtricity League clubs

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Airtricity, the power behind Irish football, is proud to sponsor the launch of Just Follow the Floodlights, a unique and comprehensive new guide to all 47 clubs who have played or are still playing in the Airtricity League. Written by self-confessed football maniac Brian Kennedy and published by The Liffey Press, Just Follow the Floodlights is the must-have guide for football fans everywhere. From the managers to the mascots, trophy successes to matchday snacks, everything about the teams is included in this extensive and highly illustrated book.

Just Follow the Floodlights was officially launched on Saturday 15 October at Dooley’s Hotel, Waterford City, by soccer legend and pundit Eoin Hand. Pictured at the launch, sponsored by Airtricity, are (from left) John Delaney, CEO of the Football Association of Ireland, Jason Cooke, Airtricity Head of Corporate Communications, author Brian Kennedy and Eoin Hand. Just Follow the Floodlights is available nationwide and from online outlets including www.theliffeypress.com for €19.95.

Formed in 1921 with 8 teams originally, the Airtricity League currently has two divisions and 21 clubs. Brian Kennedy’s book covers all the teams in the Airtricity League Premier and First divisions as well as those clubs such as Drumcondra, Dolphin and St James Gate who won titles before eventually fading or joining with other clubs. Each chapter is packed with anecdote and detail on each club’s history and origins, their honours and star players over the years. In addition, there is key information on their grounds and the facilities on offer to the fans - based on the author’s research and visits to each venue, which saw him cover nearly three thousand miles!

Whether you stood on the terraces at Tolka Park or worshipped at The Showgrounds or Market’s Field, Just Follow the Floodlights will enthrall you with stories from all 47 clubs that have graced the League, each producing their own magical memories from one generation to the next. With numerous nostalgic photographs, amusing anecdotes and larger-than-life characters, this book will appeal not only to the loyal League of Ireland fraternity, but to football lovers and sports fans everywhere.

Read the full press release

Airtricity is Ireland’s cheapest electricity and dual fuel home energy supplier

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Airtricity, Ireland’s fastest-growing energy supply company, is officially Ireland’s cheapest supplier of electricity and dual fuel energy products for the home. The company has today unveiled a range of new and competitive electricity and dual-fuel products that will help home energy consumers make great savings.

As well as announcing the best discounted unit rates in the market, Airtricity has also announced that it is offering consumers guaranteed tracker discounts for up to two years. Airtricity is the only supplier operating in the current volatile wholesale energy market to offer home consumers the reassurance of Two Year gas and electricity discounts.

Electricity-only customers looking for the most competitive prices in the market will save around €100 more in one year and almost €190 more in two years if they switch to Airtricity’s best value rates than if they switch to ESB Electric Ireland’s best post-deregulation prices.

The savings are even better for existing ESB Electric Ireland customers who never switched to the semi-state’s initial post-deregulation discounts, which have now since been replaced. ESB Electric Ireland customers on the company’s standard rate, the highest standard rate in the market, will save almost €250 over two years – €161 in their first year and €86 in their second year – if they switch today to Airtricity’s 16% discounted electricity rate.

Dual-fuel customers switching to Airtricity will save up to €110 more in a year and around €260 more in two years if they switch to an Airtricity dual-fuel bundle than if they choose a dual-fuel package from ESB Electric Ireland. Similarly, dual-fuel customers switching to an Airtricity bundle instead of gas and electricity from Bord Gais Energy will save around €80 more in a year and over €200 more over two years with Airtricity than if they get their home energy from Bord Gais Energy.

Following today’s announcement Airtricity is officially Ireland’s cheapest supplier of electricity and dual fuel energy products for the home. Airtricity’s best value 16% discounted electricity product (in comparison to Airtricity standard rates) is 18% cheaper than ESB Electric Ireland standard rates and almost 13% cheaper than the recently deregulated semi-state’s best introductory rates.

Read the full press release

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Dublin man wins 10 years free energy

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:54:28 +0100

Congratulations to Cornelius O’Brien, Dublin, who is the lucky winner of 10 years free energy with Airtricity.

Cornelius was one of 500,000 Airtricity customers who were entered into a free draw to celebrate the fact that Airtricity now supplies over half a million customers with cheaper home gas and electricity.

Our lucky winner Cornelius was selected in a draw held at Airtricity’s headquarters on Thursday 30th June 2011.

Presenting the award to Cornelius, Jackie Duggan, Marketing Manager, Airtricity, commented: “At Airtricity we know that our success is based on the people who trust us to power their homes and businesses. So when over 500,000 customers switched to us, we knew that it was important to say thank you. We’ll never lose sight of how important our customers are, so keep an eye out for our new offers and initiatives that are coming your way soon, to make your life easier.”

Earth Hour 2011

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:05:31 +0000

As Ireland's greenest energy supplier, Airtricity is asking you – our customers – to join with us in helping to ensure we do even better this year!

At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour and people will commit to actions that go beyond the hour.

For Earth Hour to be successful and provide a platform for permanent change it requires the support of all of us – individuals, families, communities and organisations – to harness public participation and to highlight the fact that climate change is the single biggest challenge currently facing humanity.

Please pledge your support for Earth Hour and turn off lights and unnecessary domestic appliances in your home for one hour this weekend from 8.30 pm, Saturday 26th March 2011!

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Daffodil Day 2011!

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:50:43 +0000

It’s the lead up to Daffodil Day 2011 and we’re donating €20 to the Irish Cancer Society for every customer that switches to Airtricity between Monday 21st March & Friday 25th!

So, switch online today and use the promo code ‘Daff2011’ and we can help Daffodil Day reach its fundraising target of a massive 3.8 million euro!

more about Daffodil Day 2011...

5,000 volunteers, including staff volunteers from Airtricity, will take to the streets of Ireland on Friday 25th March with a fundraising target of €3.8 million euro in mind. Funds raised on Daffodil Day are channelled into the following nationwide patient care services;

National Cancer Helpline (Freefone 1800 200 700) - in 2010 Irish Cancer Society specialist cancer nurses supported 21,206 callers to the National Cancer Helpline which was an increase up from 19,331 calls in 2009.
Night nursing – in 2010 Irish Cancer Society night nurses provided 7,187 nights of care to almost 2,058 families who were looking after someone at the advanced stage of a cancer illness, which was an increase up from 7,000 nights in 2009.
Oncology liaison nurses – in 2010 the Irish Cancer Society funded 16 Oncology Liaison Nurses in hospitals across the country to the value of €497,943.
Financial aid – In 2010 the Irish Cancer Society provided financial aid to the value of over €909,512.
Cancer information literature – In 2010 the Irish Cancer Society distributed over 210,369 cancer information booklets and factsheets to people concerned about cancer across the country in 2010.
Daffodil Centres – In 2009, the Irish Cancer Society opened its first Daffodil Centre in Galway University Hospital and a second one in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 in 2010 The Daffodil Centres are an extension of the Society’s Cancer Information Service and are there to provide information, advice and support to all those concerned or affected by cancer in the Hospital. The Irish Cancer Society wants to see these centres established in hospitals across Ireland and we are currently in discussions with five other hospitals about opening more Daffodil Centres in 2011.

Week for Waste Reduction

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:27:33 +0000

It’s European Week for Waste Reduction and we’ve compiled a list of easy tips you can use to help reduce waste and help the environment.

The aim of the week is to inform large numbers of European citizens about the simple actions that they can take in everyday life to help contribute to waste reduction efforts. For more details visit http://www.ewwr.eu/

At work

Remember to give back empty cartridges to the supplier company to be refilled. As well as respecting the environment, this small-scale action generates activity and so helps to create new jobs.
At the office, bring in your own mug for your tea ! That way you’ll save filling up the waste paper basket with plastic cups.
Why not keep used office paper in a drawer so you can reuse it for drafts ?
Choose your office supplies with care, giving priority to rechargeable or reusable stationery, recycled or recyclable materials and products that come with a European eco-label !
Think about buying coffee or tea in a large packet rather than in small packs; you’ll produce less waste and you’ll save money.
Think about giving used electronic equipment to associations, who can give it a second life.
Cut waste and your costs by bringing in a packed lunch to work.

During mealtimes

Choose to cook with fresh foodstuffs; that way you’ll eat healthily and you’ll save a lot of packaging waste compared with an over-packaged ready meal.
Remember to use up those products that have a short use-by date. Taking more care of perishable products, for example, putting products with a short use-by date at the front of the fridge or cupboard is a simple way for everyone to reduce their production of waste.
Fill up a jug of tap water ! You’ll save the money you would have spent on buying a pack of bottled water and limit the amount of plastic wasted !
When going on a picnic, bring along airtight containers for food, flasks and everyday hardware cutlery. That way there is less rubbish left over at the end of the picnic, which of course will be thrown in the nearest bin, or even better taken home for separating and disposal.

Out shopping

Choose products that come with eco-labels
European or national eco-labels are official certifications that guarantee the quality of products as well as their reduced impact on the environment throughout their life cycle. Several hundred products (including school exercise books, bin bags, household products, coffee filters…) are available with eco-labels, so keep an eye out for them!
Choose products with less packaging and avoid disposable, single-use products
From the moment of purchase, you can often choose a product which will generate less waste. You will save raw materials and help to cut down on the pollution generated through the production process. You can also save money!
Choose to buy products in bulk
It often works out less expensive, and helps to minimise packaging waste. Packaging represents 23% of the weight of our household waste, and a significant part of the volume of your bin.
Buy in quantities that are adapted to your needs
Buying a quantity of food that is well adapted to your needs allows you to avoid producing waste but also to stop you from having to throw away products that you have paid for, making savings
Opt for reusable bags for your shopping
As well as being expensive thanks to the Government’s Plastic Bag Tax, disposable bags from shopping centres are used for an average of 20 minutes before being thrown away. Not only do they become waste very quickly, but if not disposed of carefully they can pollute the countryside and the sea. Plastic bags that end up in the sea can kill marine life who can become trapped in the bags or who can confuse them with jellyfish and swallow them.
Opt for eco-refillable products
Eco-refills are often available for household products, cosmetics, as well as certain foodstuffs.

Leisure time

Save batteries : at home, plug your small appliances into the mains or use rechargeable batteries… you’ll also save money.
Try to avoid unnecessary purchasing of products, especially around festivities and holidays: work out which items you really need to avoid over-buying of food, decorations and gifts
Next time you have a birthday present to buy, why not get a “dematerialised” gift, such as tickets for a show or concert in the area, or a subscription, a massage, cooking lessons… pleasure without waste!

At school

When it comes to buying new school materials, check the condition of stationery and materials that are left over from the previous year, to see if they can be reused. For those items that still need to be purchased, opt for materials that come with an eco-label, or those that seem durable and will withstand a few scrapes!
Opt for rechargeable stationery that can be kept for a long time.
At snack time, bring your food in a reusable hardware tub, and your drink in a flask.
Help to cut down on paper waste by writing on both sides of the page

DIY

Why not rent or borrow the materials you need ?
Call for a special collection for your dangerous waste.
For any chemical waste from DIY jobs, such as household products, batteries, or strip lighting…etc. take them to your nearest local recycling centre or collection point.

Gardening

Why not hire the gardening tools that you only need occasionally, or borrow them from a neighbour ?
Think about buying a natural fertiliser that’s adapted to organic farming methods. Even better, start home composting and use the compost as fertiliser!

In the home

Opt for low-energy light bulbs. An energy-efficient light bulb uses 80% less electricity, and it lasts 6 to 8 times longer!
Opt for durable products over disposable ones; they create a lot less waste! Some examples are cleaning cloths, razors, cups, refillable pens, rechargeable batteries…etc.
Before throwing an object out, find out about reuse associations in your area which could give that object a new life!
Choose to buy soap instead of shower gel. With less packaging, soap helps to cut down on waste !
Fight against excess paper waste: put a “No Junk Mail” sticker on your letterbox.
Recycle your dry waste and glass, using local waste management providers or by visiting your local recycling centre.
More than 30% of the weight of our bins is composed of biodegradable waste (kitchen waste, garden waste, ashes...etc.) Having a compost to put green waste into will mean you throw away less and gain an excellent source of nutrients for your flowers and vegetable garden.
Reuse and repair as much as possible! 13 to 25kg of electric and electronic equipment such as fridges, telephones, computers etc. are thrown out per person per year, yet these products often contain harmful components such as lead or mercury, and the majority can be repaired or reused. Think about giving used appliances and unwanted furniture to associations that will take on the job of restoring them.
Give your unwanted clothes a second life by giving them to charity collections or associations, or to friends and family members.

Innovation Dublin and Airtricity's Licence to Innovate

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:28:01 +0000

Airtricity were delighted to be part of Innovation Dublin -- an annual festival dedicated to pursuing new ideas and fresh initiatives for Dublin and in our case, for the whole country.

We used Innovation Dublin as an opportunity to kick-start Airtricity's L2i, License to Innovate programme. At Airtricity we want to be Ireland’s most innovative energy and utility company and we've launched ‘License to Innovate’, a new internal staff scheme, to facilitate this goal. It works very simply: staff submit an idea, it’s evaluated and if it has possibilities, a 'license to innovate' is issued. This authorises the staff member to investigate the idea over two months, obtaining help and support from anyone within the business. All final reports are reviewed and are eligible for a reward.

We hope that this programme will lead to more innovative products and home energy services for our customers. So watch this space!