Other Bodies

Wexford Energy Management Agency

Wexford Energy Management Agency was set up in 2001 in association with Wexford County Council, W.O.R.D and the European Commission under the EU SAVE program. The agency is a Local Energy Agency, one of a network of fifteen local energy agencies throughout Ireland. The Agency seeks to promote energy awareness and conservation, and the development of renewable energy resources within the county. The Agency has a full time staff of three.

The Agency is now concentrating on the renewable energy resources within the county and an Energy Plan for the County is expected to be completed in 2004. The Agency is working with a number of Primary and Secondary Schools within the County promoting the need for energy efficiency and renewable energy supplies.

Westgate Computer Centre

Wexford Information Network for the Community (WINC) Ltd. provides ICT access and training to the residents of County Wexford to ensure that they are capable of engaging in the Information Society. The company provide services and ICT training to the following four categories - Community Groups, Socially Excluded Groups, Commercial, and the Local Government Sector. To date, over 3,000 people have attended training programmes and courses provided by the company.

WINC Ltd. was re-structured in 2003 and will deliver a FAS sponsored Social Economy Programme to provide ICT access and training to the community for the next three years.

Visit the Westgate Computer Centre at www.westgatecc.com

Community Warden Pilot Scheme

Since Wexford was chosen as a pilot area for the Community Warden Scheme in February 2002, the Community Wardens have become a familiar sight on the streets and roads of the County. There are nineteen wardens employed on a full time basis performing a range of tasks and winning acceptance and recognition within the community. The main duties undertaken by the Community Wardens are as follows:

• Dealing with Stationary Traffic Offences
• Monitoring public amenities such as parks and beaches for illegal parking, littering etc.
• Checking dog licenses
• Litter patrols, investigation and education
• Checking Casual Trading Licenses
• Identifying abandoned cars and potential derelict sites
• Monitoring recycling centres for illegal dumping and investigating illegally dumped material
• School visits to promote anti-litter messages
• Providing tourist directions and advice
• Removing obstructions from footpaths and traffic e.g. skips, signs, hoardings, fallen trees, sandwich boards, tables, chairs etc.
• Assisting river rescue operations

The Community Wardens also act as an important link to the elderly and people living alone. They are frequently involved in setting up residents associations and are actively involved with pre-tenancy training. The presence alone of the Community Wardens on the streets help curb and deter anti-social behaviour and make the streets a safer place for residents and tourists.

The Community Warden Scheme will be assessed and evaluated during 2004, and a decision will be made to extend it countrywide or not. For further information on this service, contact Wexford County Council, The Avenue, Gorey (053) 9430260