Vincent Bartley won €200 Voucher To Electric Cork (W215)

Ruairi Doran won A two-course meal for four in The MET at The Metropole Hotel Cork (W127)

Gerard McSweeney won a two-course meal for four in the New Yorker at Cork International Hotel (W301)

Jeanine Hovius won a Kinsale Red Earl Irish Whiskey Hamper (P716)

Isabel Jones won the Keanes Jewellers €200 Voucher (W250)

Seamus English won the Samui - €200 voucher (W121)

John O'Brien won the SAVILLE Menswear €200 voucher (W320)

Sinead Dunphy won the €200 Monreal Voucher (W367)

Isabel Jones Opera Lane - €200 Voucher (W252)

R Crowley A €200,- Voucher for Diana O’Mahony Jewellers (W147)

William Bulman Ballymaloe Christmas Hamper & €100,- Voucher for Ballymaloe House (W109)

Unused annual leave is a hot topic for many employers across Ireland at the moment. That’s because annual leave management during COVID-19 hasn’t been easy.

And now, as Christmas closes in, you may wonder how to treat employees who have annual leave not taken.

Here, we’ll take a look at some of your options.

Is there actually a build-up of unused annual leave entitlements?

Given the limited travel options this year, it’s highly likely that your staff may have unused annual leave.

Don’t forget however, that if you’ve had to lay staff off temporarily, those employees don’t accrue annual leave while they’re not working.

However, an employee may have completed 1,365 hours of work during the leave year, even if they were laid off. If that’s the case, they’re still entitled to four weeks’ paid annual leave.

Use the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997

The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 entitles all employees to 20 days’ paid annual leave during any given leave year.

Under Section 20 of the Act, employers have discretion to decide when their employees take their annual leave.

When doing so, it’s important to account for your business requirements and consider:

• The need for the employee to reconcile work and any family responsibilities.
• The opportunities for rest and recreation available to the employee.

If you’re relying on Section 20 to get employees to take their annual leave, consult with them at least one month before they take it.

Carryover of annual leave in Ireland

Annual leave carryover in Ireland can be a cloudy area for both employers and staff. Especially if your employment contracts don’t set out your business’s position.

Your employees may ask can they lose annual leave or request to carry forward annual leave. This is where you need a robust policy.

For instance, the contract might specify that your annual leave year runs from January to December. During your annual leave year (and especially this year) unused annual leave can build up. If this has happened, you must discuss with your employees how they can use their unused annual leave entitlements.

You may operate a policy that prohibits employees from carrying annual leave into the next leave year. If so, you need to ensure your staff receive their full four weeks of paid annual leave before the end of 2020.

Of course, you may be an employer who allows employees to carry unused annual leave into the next year. If you do, don’t forget to update your 2021 annual leave balances.

Need our help?

Worried about unused leave due to coronavirus? If you’re a Peninsula client, you can call our 24/7 helpline for instant, unlimited advice on how to manage unused annual leave.

Not a client? No problem.

You can still claim a free advice call with one of our HR experts today.

To speak to an expert and get the latest guidance on unused annual leave, call 1890 252 923.

Welcome to the Grand CBA Christmas raffle!

We have 12  fantastic prizes from the best Cork businesses!

1. A €200,- Voucher for ELECTRIC

2. A two-course meal for four in The MET at The Metropole Hotel Cork

3. A two-course meal for four in the NEW YORKER at Cork International Hotel

4. A €200,- Voucher for DIANA O'MAHONY Jewellers

5. A KINSALE RED EARL WHISKEY Hamper6. A night at THE DEAN CORK!

7. A €200,- Voucher KEANES Jewellers €200 Voucher

8. SAMUI - €200,- voucher

9. SAVILLE  Menswear €200,- voucher

10. MONREAL €200,- Voucher

11. Opera Lane - €200,- Voucher

12.  Ballymaloe Christmas Hamper & a €100,- Voucher for Ballymaloe House

Go To https://cba.rallyup.com/cba-christmas-raffle to purchase tickets

€5,- per Ticket, 

5 Tickets for €20,-

Funding awarded for research into deep-tech microelectronic solutions such as beyond 5G wireless communications, implantable biomedical devices, IoT, space and satellite electronics, and sustainable electronics 

1 Dec 2020: Eight researchers working nationally with the Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland (MCCI) at Tyndall National Institute, one of Ireland’s highest performing Enterprise Ireland/IDA funded technology centres, will share over €5 million in funding to support their research into innovative future technology solutions in the area of microelectronics. 

These research projects will advance state of the art novel ideas in circuit design, enabling businesses in Ireland to lead the way in future IoT and sustainable electronics applications, 5G wireless communications, cryogenic circuits, wireless power, implantable medical devices and wearable healthcare, smart agriculture, quantum computing, space/satellite electronics, and automotive applications.

The objective is to advance industry relevant developing technologies for lower power, higher precision analogue and mixed signal interface circuits, and new hardware architectures, for emerging applications in sensors, communications, AI and quantum engineering.  This will have a knock-on impact on SME’s and semiconductor companies in Ireland looking to advance their technology.

Companies throughout the country partner with MCCI to access such novel concepts and state of the art research, so MCCI always has an industry focus at its core.

The call for high-impact industry relevant research proposals was launched in July and the response went beyond all expectations, to such an extent that it was 4 times oversubscribed.  

Donnacha O Riordan, Executive Director of MCCI, said the result is hugely encouraging and indicates the level of innovation and ideas that are generated within the microelectronics eco system in Ireland.  

Commenting on the funding awards, he said, “Congratulations to the researchers who have received funding today. The scope of the projects that have been funded will support industry growth by securing and scaling circuits R&D activity at our member companies in Ireland. By engaging our world-leading research leaders, we provide competitive advantage to microelectronics companies (SMEs and MNCs) located in Ireland. This ultimately leads to increases in employment, export revenue and the generation of future leaders in the sector”. 

The awardees are … 

All of the projects are focused on current and future industrial applications which are in sync with national strategies such as Innovation 2020, the National Development Plan 2018–2027 and Future Skills Needs 2017–2022. 

ENDS 

EDITORS NOTES: 

MCCI Key Figures 

€9M Total annual research funding  

90+ Researchers & Engineers supported across 6 RPOs 

50+ Research Projects 

22 Companies collaborating in research 

12Tier 1 Peer reviewed Publications 

19th IP License completed 

20:1ROI – Total impact or return to the economy, from EI Core grant 

63rd Researcher transferred to Industry 

In 2019, MCCI was recognised as one of the best performing centres in the Enterprise Ireland Technology Centre Programme

About MCCI  

Funded by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, MCCI‘s mission is to deliver high impact research for the semiconductor industry and to generate high impact innovative technology. Hosted at Tyndall National Institute, with an annual research budget in excess of €9 million, MCCI has established itself as a single point of contact in Ireland for access to high-calibre academic research in the field of microelectronics. The centre’s vision is to be the number one microelectronic circuits’ research centre globally for industrial and academic collaboration by 2025. www.mcci.ie 

CONTACT DETAILS  

For more information on MCCI please contact:  Nicola Cooney, Marketing Executive, MCCI, Tyndall National Institute, 

nicola.cooney@mcci.ie 

December 2020 – With December having flown around; it’s time to say Thank Cork It’s Christmas. After another challenging few weeks in an unprecedented year, it is heartening to see the city and country begin to re-open in time for the crucial Christmas period.

With collaboration and working together being the heart of Cork’s public response to Covid-19, Cork City Council is spearheading a ‘Thank Cork it’s Christmas’ campaign to increase awareness of the safety and unique experience available to those who wish to shop, eat, drink or visit our city. www.CorkCityShopping.com  will also be promoted for those who would rather ‘Shop Cork Online’ from the comfort of their own home while still supporting local. This year, above any other, it is crucial for us to give the gift of support, both to each other and to local businesses.

The ‘Cork City Shopping’ channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter will highlight the city’s fantastic range of boutiques, high street stores and quirky shops.  They will also promote the array of cafes, bars, restaurants, cultural venues and events, which are all within walking distance of each other, making shopping in Cork City so unique! The ‘Cork City Shopping’ social media channels are available on Facebook (@corkcityshopping), Instagram (@corkcityshopping) and Twitter (@corkshopping).

And of course, as it’s Christmas and in line with public health guidelines, a Re-Imagined Glow will take place in the city in December with the much-loved Ferris wheel being set up on Grand Parade. Furthermore, a Pantomime-themed festive window trail has been created by Eventi Management around the city centre, as an ode to Panto and Theatre in general,  to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy the Christmas in Cork experience while ensuring social distancing. Beautifully created by Sinéad Dunphy from Eventi Management, with set design by Lisa Zagone, and projection mapping and sound designed by Cormac O’Connor, animations by Barry McCarthy and voiceovers by West End Star Michael Sands; each window represents a traditional Pantomime title in the artistic fashion of a theatre model set box. The stories of Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Hansel & Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty & the Beast, Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel will be told in its own designated window on a magical walking tour of Cork City Centre.

It’s safe to say that there really is something special about Cork at Christmas and so we definitely want to Thank Cork It’s Christmas this year.

For more information please visit www.corkcityshopping.com

A Street Art Initiative celebrating Cork city’s traditions, history, resolution, and art.

 Featuring seven street murals by seven of Ireland’s most respected and

renowned street artists:

Deirdre Breen – Wandesford Quay

MASER – The Kino, Washington St

James Earley – Henry Street

Peter Martin – Kyle Street

Shane O’Driscoll – Harley Street

Aches – Anglesea St

& Garreth Joyce – Liberty Street

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5RGgwSQwcoOm4M7BU4AU_R75Xe8Fs_ek

Ardú arrived in Cork last month injecting a burst of colour, vibrancy, and life into the city in lockdown. Uniting the Leeside community through art, and lifting its creative and community spirit at a time when it needed it most.

Seven of Ireland’s most respected and renowned street artists were invited to create works at key city-centre locations, in response to a theme inspired by the 1920 Burning of Cork. Discover work by Deirdre Breen at Wandesford Quay, Maser at The Kino, James Earley at Henry Street, Peter Martin at Kyle Street, Shane O’Driscoll at Harley Street, Aches at Anglesea Street, and Garreth Joyce on Liberty Street.

Ardú - the Irish for ‘Rise’ - bases itself on a theme of nostalgia and celebration. Cork City rose from the ashes 100 years ago following the Burning of Cork, and now faces the challenge to rise again. As we soon rise gently out of lockdown, visitors to the city centre are invited to visit the Ardú Street Art trail through December.

Street art is the ideal medium for the times we live in. Cork City Council, Creative Ireland and Fáilte Ireland are delighted to present Ardú to the public, in a safe space where you can interpret the murals outdoors, and at a social distance from each other.

Beginning the first week of December, Ardú are delighted to offer two types of tours for the public to enjoy. Both are FREE and suitable for all ages:

1. A Guided Walking Tour of the seven Ardú Street Art locations, led by the artists and organisers. (Admission FREE but booking is required via Eventbrite)

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ardu-street-art-tour-tickets-130600508637?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&aff=escb&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing

1. A self-guided audio tour starting from Wandesford Quay. Visit the Ardú map available on the website, and find the free audio tour page to stream information on each of the murals and artists from Soundcloud links (smartphone and headphones required)

These brilliant audio tours are narrated by Ray ‘Wingnut’ Cuddihy, and features music by DJ Colm K.

At a time when we face shared and personal challenges, each of our artist’s murals are a rallying cry to the city - a call to remember that we have been through terrible times before and we rose up. We can do it again.

Co-organiser and artist Shane O’Driscoll said “The response to these murals in the city has been phenomenal, it has surpassed our expectations, instilling a new pride in Cork. The tours will give further insight into the project as they will be led by the team that created and painted in the initiative. This will be a unique and rare experience to walk with the artists and gain new understandings to the murals.”

Michelle Carew, Arts Officer, Cork City Council said “We are truly inspired by the response to Ardú -  the people of Cork have been so supportive of this new creative initiative. The overwhelming response is a reflection of the value of the arts at times of great challenge and a testament to the hard work of each artist involved, who have injected our streets with vibrancy and excitement. The upcoming tours will provide the opportunity for you to experience these spectacular pieces of work and furthermore, to get an insight into the creative process involved.”

Head of Festivals and Events at Fáilte Ireland, Ciara Sugrue added “Fáilte Ireland is pleased to support Ardú with Cork City Council. This initiative, to be delivered in adherence with the national COVID-19 safety guidelines, will provide an engaging, vibrant and creative outdoor experience in Cork.”

Join us for a celebration of Cork city’s traditions, history, and resolution.

The new website www.arducork.ie will go live this weekend

Follow on…

Twitter: @ArduStreetArt / https://twitter.com/ArduStreetArt

Instagram: @ArduStreetArt

Ardú Street Art Initiative is made possible with generous support from Cork City Council, the Creative Ireland Jobs Stimulus Package, and Fáilte Ireland.

Cork Business of the Year Awards launch during extraordinary times

New Covid resilience and innovation award

President of the Cork Business Association Eoin O’Sullivan commented on the unique environment facing Cork businesses and the importance of recognition and uplift during these difficult times as he launched the 64^th annual CBA Cork Business of the Year Awards.

The CBA Awards, which are run in partnership with sponsor JCD and Centra, event partner Peninsula, and media partner The Irish Examiner, recognise the outstanding contribution of businesses and individuals working diligently across varied sectors of business in Cork City.

There are 12 individual categories to choose from, including a new award this year for resilience and innovation during Covid19, in addition to the overall Cork Business of the Year Award winners for a medium and large business.  Each year a Champion of Cork is also recognised.

The awards are free to enter and nominations are now open online at CBAAwards.ie. The deadline for submission is midnight January 15th 2021.

Eoin O’Sullivan, President of the Cork Business Association and a Director of M&P O’Sullivan, said “The 64^th iteration of the Cork Business of Year Awards comes at an extraordinary time in the history of our city, and of the world.  The Covid pandemic is probably the greatest challenge our business community has had to endure.  But it is a challenge that we, as a collectively community, can rise from.  The business community of Cork has shown true solidarity and resilience over the last number of months which instils confidence for the future of our city post Covid19.

“With that in mind, I am delighted to launch the 2020 Cork Business of the Year Awards, which will hopefully recognise and uplift business owners who go above and beyond to ensure that Cork city is the best place to work and live.  It has never been more important to highlight businesses who are leading the way and setting precedents for others to aspire to.

“This year, in recognition of the times that we are in, we have also launched a new COVID Resilience and Innovation Award, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, to showcase businesses who have pivoted and shown true resilience and adaptability.”

The 12 individual award categories for 2020 include:

• Covid Resilience and Innovation, sponsored by Faílte Ireland
  • Open to all businesses in Cork City who have pivoted their business or shown resilience and innovation since the onset of the Covid19 pandemic in March 2020.  Entrants will need to demonstrate what they have done to ensure business continuity or to set themselves apart.

• Best New Business in Cork, sponsored by LEO Cork City
  • Open to all businesses that have been founded or are new to Cork since 1st January 2016. Entrants will be asked to explain their business and to demonstrate how they have translated a great idea into a viable and successful business venture. They will also be asked to outline their plans for the future.

• Best Cork Family Business, sponsored by AIB
  • Open to all family owned and run businesses in the greater Cork city area. Your business must be managed by family members and you must be able to demonstrate the involvement of at least two generations of family members who are working in the business.

• Best Cork Hotel, sponsored by M&P O'Sullivan
  • The Best Hotel award acknowledges excellence in service and accommodation. Entrants will demonstrate high class, flawless service in a comfortable, quality establishment, while both meeting and exceeding guest expectations, and how they have helped to promote Cork as a destination nationally and internationally.

• Best Cork Restaurant, sponsored by The English Market
  • The best Restaurant award acknowledges excellence in quality, service, price and ambiance. Entrants will demonstrate high standards in food quality, cost, efficiency, customer service, imagination, attention to detail, marketing and how well the establishment functions as a business.
• Best Cork Café, sponsored by The English Market

• The best Café award will recognise excellence in customer service, business innovation, premises ambiance and atmosphere. Entrants will demonstrate high standards in food quality, cost, efficiency, imagination, attention to detail, marketing and how they have raised the profile of their business in this ever increasingly competitive sector.

• Best Cork VFI Pub, sponsored by Vintners Federation Cork
  • The award for Best Cork Pub will be awarded to the pub that, in the opinion of the judges, demonstrates ‘best in class’ in the areas of innovation, creativity, ambiance, operational excellence and customer service.  Open to VFI Members only.

• Best Cork Retail Business, sponsored by Cork City Council
  • The best Cork Retail Business will be awarded to the business that routinely strives for the highest standards across a number of key metrics such as customer service, value, visual merchandising, premises maintenance, marketing, and adaptability. High standards are particularly important given the very severe challenges currently facing Ireland’s retail industry. It is critical that the retail industry plays its part in consistently improving its offering to attract more customers, keep retail workers in jobs and simultaneously keep Cork city centre vibrant which in turn will re-engage citizens and customers alike.
• Best Tourism Art Event, sponsored by IHF Cork
  • This award is designed to recognise and reward an organisation, attraction, business or event that has excelled in tourism, contributing to growing tourist numbers and /or the visitor experience in Cork.
• Best Professional Services Business
  • This category is open to all businesses that provide a professional business service in the greater Cork city area. They include banking, legal, accounting, HR, recruitment, PR, marketing, architects, financial advisers, engineers, consultants, training providers, strategic advice etc. They can be any organisation or profession that offers customised, knowledge-based services to clients.  Entrants must be able to explain what their professional business service is and demonstrate their commitment to customer service excellence within their particular service provided.

• Best Cork Digital Business, sponsored by ETC PR & Marketing

• This award will be presented to a company or organisation that can practically demonstrate how they have embraced the digital age and built their company around, or adapted their business strategy to adopt, a more future focused, digitally powered approach.

This category is open to all businesses, regardless of their stage in the business life cycle.

• Champion of Cork Award, sponsored by MTU ( CIT)
  • This award recognises a Corkonian whom the judges believe has made a real difference to Cork and its people, be it through driving business, their contribution to the arts, their charitable work, their efforts in developing our city or their passion and drive for promoting all things Cork.

The Cork Business of the Year Awards and Annual Gala Dinner is always a highlight for local businesses.  In light of expected restrictions on social gatherings, the event will be presented virtually on Saturday 20^th February.  This year there will be a fabulous dine at home gourmet twist where guests can collect a ‘President’s Taste of the City Hamper’, which will be filled with the best of local produce from some of Cork’s top chefs.  Further details on the event will be updated on the CBA website.

Last year the Cork Business Association recognised some highly notable achievements, with Casey’s Furniture and Cork English College being named the overall winner in the large category and medium category respectively.  Moss and Will Finn from Finn’s Corner picked up the much-coveted Champions of Cork award to great applause.

Eoin O Sullivan continued, “We very much look forward to receiving this year’s submissions and would like to encourage all businesses located within the greater Cork city area to consider entering these prestigious awards.

“The benefits of being part of the awards process are many, including association with the awards, public recognition for your hard work, plus marketing and networking opportunities. We would also like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors, in particular our awards sponsor JCD, event partner AIB, and media partner The Irish Examiner.”

To enter the Cork Business of the Year Awards 2020, your business must be based in the greater Cork city area or be a current member of the Cork Business Association.

An experienced panel of leading business and civic leaders will provide independent judging and the shortlist will be announced for public vote on the last week of January. The judging panel includes the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh, Seamus Heaney Head of Visit Cork, John Cleary from JCD, Tony Kerins, Peninsula Business Development Leader in Cork, Paul McGuirk LEO Cork City and Eoin O Sullivan M&P O’Sullivan and President of the Cork Business Association.  Three businesses will be shortlisted in each category and the public will have the opportunity to vote for the winners.

For further information see CBAAwards.ie.

ENDS