Wallace seeking Covid shelters for Mullingar squares

A call to have overhead shelters erected at Dominick Square and Market Square for the benefit both of businesses and the general public was made by Cllr Emily Wallace at the monthly meeting of the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District.

The Fine Gael woman pointed out that as the Covid-driven shift to outdoor dining happens, structures such as these are becoming increasingly necessary.

“Ireland at the best of times is not a great place with weather and when we get it we want to enjoy it – and equally we want to be able to give people shelter,” Cllr Wallace said, adding that these covered areas would also be of benefit during the Fleadh and other outdoor events.

The mayor, Cllr Bill Collentine, supported the call, saying he had seen the one erected in Athlone and it seemed to be a valuable addition.

The response from the council stated that there are two schemes currently running through which funding for such structures can be sought.

Director of services Deirdre Reilly stated that the first is the Outdoor Seating and Accessories for Tourism and Hospitality Business Scheme.

This, Ms Reilly explained, was launched by Fáilte Ireland and is administered by Westmeath County Council.

She said the aim of the scheme was to support hospitality and tourism businesses to increase their capacity to facilitate outdoor dining in the summer of 2021, and grants of up to 75% (excluding VAT) are available subject to a maximum of €4,000.

This scheme, Ms Reilly continued, would only be open to attractions, hotels, restaurants, cafés, public houses or other establishments where food is sold for consumption on the premises, and applicants could seek relief for furniture purchased on or after 01/04/2020.

Applications are being accepted up to September 30 of this year, and further details are available on the Westmeath County Council and Fáilte Ireland websites.

The closing date is sooner for the Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme. Applications for this close on May 27.

Under that, there is a provisional allocation of €200,000 per county for weatherproofing solutions in areas where additional outdoor dining could be possible.

Ms Reilly explained that for the purposes of this particular scheme structures must be permanent in nature and be in place for at least five years, and must benefit at least three businesses serving food in the area.

“The local authority application must be supported by three businesses,” she added, explaining that the local authority would be responsible for maintenance of the equipment.

While the Market Square and Dominick Square could be considered, she stressed that three businesses would have to be involved at each location.

Seating

Cllr Wallace also asked at the meeting if outdoor seating is to be provided in the newly- installed outdoor community spaces in Castlepollard and Kinnegad.

“The district has no plans for outdoor seating at these locations, in order to maximise the possible uses of these community spaces,” the written response to Cllr Wallace stated.

Ms Reilly told Cllr Wallace that the thinking was that if permanent seating was installed, then it did not allow for other uses of the covered areas: “It doesn’t maximise the possible uses of the community space,” she stated.

Cllr Wallace asked if seating could be provided nearby to facilitate dining as at present, she said, there is no seating within 50 yards of either location. Ms Reilly undertook to have the situation reviewed.