Alan Farrell Spring Newsletter

Alan

Edition 3

Farrell TD Working for you in Dublin North

www.alanfarrell.ie

Dublin North Newsletter 80 New Jobs for Malahide Castle Dublin North had a positive start to the year with the announcement that Avoca will be recruiting 80 people for its forthcoming tourism and café centre in Malahide Castle, which will form part of the overall Tourism and Heritage project.

This announcement is a welcome reward for all the hard work and significant investment of €6.25 million by Fingal County Council, along with the strategic investment of €3.75 million by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport that will reap rewards for the community. As a Councillor I was involved with Fingal County Council and local community groups who have worked very hard to bring the historical site

of Malahide Castle to its full potential while making it an economic driver for the area.

Local businesses, shops and retailers can already look forward to an increase in footfall and customers as the numbers employed in the village increase. This is before we see the effects that increased tourism generated from the project has even been considered.

Since the government approved funding for the regeneration and additions to Malahide Castle last May, it is encouraging to witness the direct results that hard work and good investment can bring to a town such as Malahide.

For more information go to www.alanfarrell.ie

Under Construction: Alan Farrell TD with Minister Leo Varadkar TD, Cllr Anthony Lavin, Cllr Anne Devitt and Mayor Gerry McGuire at the laying of the foundation stone at Malahide Castle Garden’s redevelopment.

Call for the reunification of North Swords with Dublin North Last month I called on the Chairperson of the Boundary Commission Mr. Justice Cooke to reunite the town of Swords within the constituency of Dublin North at the upcoming boundary review.

It is my opinion that all of Swords and its associated rural areas should be represented within the Dublin North Constituency.

The current arrangement is far from ideal leaving many residents with a feeling of disenfranchisement on the basis that their Dáil representatives are mainly focussed within the tight area of Castleknock, Blanchardstown and the greater Dublin 15 area.

The division of the town into two constituencies did not sit well with Swords residents, and for good reason. It resulted in a detachment from the constituency that housed their schools, parishes, community projects and local businesses.

I am encouraged by the large number of submissions in favour of this review that has been submitted to the Boundary Commission by the residents of Dublin North.

Monster Waste Water Plant is not the solution for Dublin Waste In 2006 Greater Dublin Drainage Scheme was established, in conjunction with Fingal County Council to provide long term sustainable wastewater drainage for the Greater Dublin Area.

This project was initiated in conjunction with Fingal County Council, and there have been nine sites identified in Dublin North as potential areas in which to house this facility.

For numerous reasons including

environmental, health and congestion, this has become an issue of grave concern to the residents in north county Dublin.

I do not believe that this facility is the solution to treat Dublin’s sewage waste, and I am acutely aware of the desire by many smaller communities in north county Dublin to treat their own waste within their own communities.

The project will require planning

permission, which will be subject to an environmental impact assessment and will require a foreshore licence.

Each of these has a statutory public consultation element to it so constituents will have several opportunities to air their views on this matter.

It is my intention to ensure that the north county landscape and horticultural market is protected, and that we retain the market

Alan Farrell TD - Working for you in Dublin North

garden status where a majority of the country’s vegetables are grown.

Up to 10,000 submissions have been made to and are currently being reviewed by Fingal County Council. Following on from these findings, I am determined to ensure that the future of Fingal is protected and that this process does not undermine the needs of our community.

For more information go to

www.alanfarrell.ie

es

Not h t r o N n i l Dub

Homebond snub of Oireachtas an insult to owners of pyrite-affected homes I fully condemn Homebond’s decision not to appear before the Oireachtas Committee for the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht as part of its investigation into the cost of restoring the structural integrity of houses damaged by Pyrite.

Homebond’s decision is an insult to the estimated 20,000 people who own pyrite-affected homes.

Homebond has a responsibility to these people to account for themselves before the national parliament, as has been requested.

I would like to ask why they are trying to avoid the questions raised by the Committee?

Pyrite is a national issue, and a matter of serious public importance. If Homebond insists that it is their right to shirk the legal responsibility of this issue, inevitably onto the taxpayer, they have a duty to explain their actions.

Unfortunately this no-show is reflective of its general lack of cooperation with affected homeowners since this issue came to light.

I fully condemn Homebond’s refusal to appear before the Oireachtas Committee, and I will support the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, and the Committee in all their endeavours to ensure that we receive a full explanation for its actions.

For more information go to

www.alanfarrell.ie

tion In response to my a Parliamentary Ques housed in Gardiner ntly curre is that e Offic re Welfa in Dubl h Nort she has requested that rmed confi has Street, Minister Burton facility within the new the Office of Public Works to acquire a of supplementary need in e thos re Balbriggan area to ensu city centre at €7 the to allowances are not required to travel per trip.

School Building Programme

Construction on Holywell Educate Together and Thornleigh Educate Together is due to be complete by September 2012. The initial grant of planning for Scoil Chormaic CNS was issued on 25th January and the Following final grant is due shorHOtly.

USING no issues n and issio perm ning plan HEALTH arising, the project will proceed to construction. These schools are on the Government Rapid Delivery Programme.

The Major Building project at College Community Ardgillan stage early an at is currently of Architectural Planning. This project was included in the School Building Works Programme for 2012 announced on 19th December 2011.

It is authorised to proceed to tender and construction in 2012.

Know Where You Stand

(two earner), €75,000 for €50,000 (one been refused earning undertwo years, and have record. to persons ent for a credible savings amount a 97% loan us employm ts must have offers up to m loan in continuo The city council 0. You must be 3.25%. Potential applican time buyers. The maximu tion.

SE LOAN: full informa first e is €185,00The interest rate is purchased to omechoiceloan.ie for HOME PURCHA those you owe maximum availabl agency’s. www.h value of a property tely inform earners). The l by two lending of 4.20%. See vital that you immedia of the market the cost of visits is mortgage approva provides up to 92%one variable interest rate 5 Forrest Card covers tax and PRSI; of payments it LOAN 438 or locally, n of free. A GP Visit HOME CHOICEHome Choice Loan offersdifficulty keeping up with s (1890 283 health services i.e. after the deductio e with creditor pocket medical is €285,000.

If you are having Options include: advise and can negotiat ntitles you to allbased on net income regular weekly out of your remaining MS al Card e cards is e and of DEBT PROBLE etc.) and seek advice. (MABS) who ill be granted if L COVER: A Medic tances. on childcar test for these g the The means e; on travel to work; butory OAP. The cards w (utilities, banks, & Budgeting Service in some circums PRIMARY MEDICA (see below). interest only or extendin Advice 01 890 1006) months for your family. ment meters ed Housing Payments ives (like • Money s for non-contri e for 2012: rent or mortgag ssion for 12 man). to the doctor Road, Swords even pre-pay expenses on alued in the same way a GP Only to explore alternat Mews, Forrest Easypay options and HSE offer access Support Ombuds action for reposse following guidelin reasonable g the lender:66 and over offer to take legalto the Financial Service exceed the of the gs are v • Utilities nity Welfare Service protects you by requirintracker mortgage; not ns does not or Under 66 expenses. Savin Medical Cardover e302.00 a g internally, these deductio • Commu age Code of Practice force you to abandon 66 and e276.00 ent or appealin income after after paying Under 66 e260.00 payable, if, brings your • A Mortg to apply penalties or complying with an agreem e201.50 e246.00 e interest is e184.00 e447.00 term); not time when you are or mortgag child. The supplement (over e173.50 towards rent e400.00 (not counting working full-timethe cost e164.00 supplement ), plus e29.80 for each TS alone PRSI, e298.00 spouse is per week, a GP Only HOUSING PAYMEN • Single living with family ded.

Supplement, e266.50 277.80 (couples you or your over 29 hours SUPPORTED Family Incomeon a scheme) are disregar is working than e158 (single), e eligible if either test, e57.00 Card partner l • Single living (or single parent) not less Medica the means work or If neither couple are left with this level. You are reviewed in 2012. In income (e.g. part-time e61.50 • Married e38.00 these, you ent Children: d applies. up to of other are to be ance for Depend e58.50 income back week). These ceilings plus 25% of the balance that, the income disregar e41.00 Additional Allow children under 16 75 e64.00 assessed, above 29 hours perto work, and the first e two e39.00 16 onths. payments is • for first of travelling e117.00 children under r home, and ment is restricted to 12 m of maintenance e42.50 95.23 e nt of you • for other children over 16 eligible: first l be The two MENT - to ential improvememposition. If not, supple e78.00 ocial Welfare wil 16 • for first household INTEREST SUPPLE purchase, repair or ess old of similar co . An increase in S 2012. . grant) children over where gross MORTGAGE Card during or a medical card • for other in full time third level (no g to work, ave been for the rent ceiling for a househh your lending institution Illness qualify f with returnin Term must h r 16 cess wit than the years after • the loan family membe me will generally person with a Long

• for over est is no greater 12 month Resolution Pro tapered basis over 4 to cover one pensions, ave no other inco will be given to a • the inter on a

British or EU

tances, for example al welfare who h e completed the GP service can be retained . Persons with ome. Students will only €317.43.

• you hav special circums Persons on Socito lose your card. Free

list.

Supplement work) doesn’t exceed fees for children ss of inc under the guidelines in to s housing needs not cause you Mortgage Interest outside these do not have to pay exame Medical Card regardleat least e204.30 but on the Council’ fast tracked by DCC).

PRSI and travel consider cases months, or with two income of income (after cases ast six dent ncy family The HSE will costs. Medical Card holders , generally qualify for th eligible: for be or an indepen per month odation) for at le in housing need (emerge pension (single), MENT - to they have high medical as per week (e.g. e1,050 meless accomm h Social Welfare RENT SUPPLE own right if than €700 t family size them renting (or in ho rst assessed by the Council who have no Iris card in their

set for differen income is less • Already has deemed a medical

gross weekly qualify for exceeds ceilings se you must be fi if the Council es.

Card if your • Otherwi supplement where the rent

above guidelin for a Medical eligibility for the ent will be paid 70+ qualify only retain No supplem for three years. On the balance only hours) can cover.

Dublin.

Persons aged d). for a rded. medical card work (>29 70, both get children, in to keep their of assets are disrega , ent (in general €1,400 (marrie spouse qualifies at Scheme (RAS). to back to full-time 70 will be allowed Rent Supplem Private Landlord People going Rental Accommodation e72,000 (couple) It does not apply • Once either been getting m contract with a you take up work tner aged over (single),

family). the per have ing par for e36,000 month eligible • A surviv housing and enters into a long-ter e64 (couple)}. If the family test, the first

(max e10 per counted. odation Schemeyou are in need of tenancy for card holders • In the means earned will be e132 of e32 (single) County Council

Rent Accomm for RAS if Under RAS, the tax income in excess obliged to secure another applies to medical in excess of income actually n item qualify month is in any or more). {of 15% of after You can per prescriptio s, the council drugs used 18 months scheme. r, prescribed A e0.50 charge period of income related Rent If the Landlord withdraw call long-term illness the cost of For details a services. Howeve rent. pay an ed those on the refund on you Council. you hospital a ent that g on get subsidiz County a can Fingal give notice and out-pati you still getTel: 890 5380). e30,000, droppin : Any family ent list. ments from unless you c in-patient is less than Drug Refunddrug is on the governm home improve or care arising, (For details, is entitled to publi grants for the owner and their spouse NERS €10,500 for get : Everyone pay privately for any test school health to provided the PENSIO up can from of MENTS are: of FOR ities referred broken 60 or over, nt.

AL ENTITLE , you will have to HOUSING AID or those with incapacapply if the gross income no grant over that. They ailments or persons age of existing boiler when for the treatme but privately GENERAL HOSPIT with long term homes, for g waiting list Older people The full grants below 54,000 - 65,000, consultant 9. if you see a back to join the public Card Holders, and childrenhospitals: in owner-occupied none), and replacin incomes stairlifts 01 890508 to 30% for eople - Up to 100% grantcentral heating (where of Medical be paid in major public wish to switch (e.g. rails, ramps, to hospital graduated basis the exception must by a doctor , roof repair, or admitted €30,000.

Aid For Older P Charges: With the following charges by your doctor problems, certifiedld income is under with an • Housing improvements - rewiring of a person 0 unless referred examinations, address mobilitythe annual househo necessary in a year) these to €6,000 to to suit the needs rented homes. The where Outpatient e10 (day care). a max. e750 be charged beyond repair. Up to 100% grant of up private rented homes to adapt a homein owned or private • Casualty and (private), e916 night (up to patients will or to €30,000 Aids n, etc.) ed e75 per rivate), e1,243 so all private • Mobility access showers) in owned Up to 95% grant of up adaptation, extensio They must t Report.

• Public Ward B per night (semi-p will be ended, Home air ional Therapis and level accommodation. pay e1,118 sability) private beds Public Nursing ower, wheelch public and require an OccupatCouncil Senior Citizens irs toilet/sh Adaptation (Di Private or a liable to pay towards • Private patients on between in either a • Housing disability (e.g. downsta ry by a doctor and may seek be distincti and will place a the 70. seeking the Council if over enduring be certified necessa t. The patient During 2012, may sell it to (aged 60-70) or less Deal” patients rates.

Senior Alert test for paymen works must own house sale private bed contact the ce with odd jobs expenses) Under the “Fair same meanswho own their of the proceeds of the SUPPORT: Over 65’s can ocket medical need and the assistan citizens HOME of basis.

G out-of-p nd ent third Senior NURSIN tion one e/rent and on a year-rou of the Elderly offer flexible years. same assessm give the Corpora red in the past 5 tax, PRSI, mortgag now have the are now available 8. Friends of honest and care: deduction of d of e36,000 s assets transfer have a list “pendant” alarms ent 071 918672 the cost of me (i.e. afterin excess of a disregar ets. The HSE can asses Safer Homes lighting and ers. They also ent of the Environm will be ts, assessable inco for pension ove • Locks, security money owing by the Departm • 80% of of the value of any asse le’s joint income and ass do odd jobs

vailable to impr estate, but the contribution will be Scheme funded (Tel: 8731855). available to cavity • plus 5% ssed with half of the coup and (SEAI) are a

volunteers nt of the person’s time deferred insulation, light by the State. for older people a team of Authority of Irel d until settlemefamily home only, the collected during the life care will be met tion of attic A spouse is asse

Ireland has Call) 1890 369 369. of the cost ainable Energy ncludes the installae Insulation, low energy tions not be of the or by a tion can be deferre (Lo The balance • Age Action ailable i organisa s , the contribu each year. In the case against the home will ed by the patient, red by the Sust tradesmen. ion, pip ves. trustworthy are in property Funds administe ulnerable. Assistance av ter tank insulat ner by community based ity home deferred charge be separately request If the assets the Consumer Price Index decision themsel SCHEMES: rly and v on-Local Author of care). The jacket, cold wa the homeow must ischarge from of making the WARMER HOMES in the homes of the elde water cylinder provided at no cost to increased by (i.e. after three years child. This deferral tion. wner occupied n is not capable is assessed on d the patient’s those living in o 850 250 204 for informa energy efficiency draught proofing, hot ce. Services are or a disabled Court for a patient who capped at 15% where the need able to cost where the Better the e in spouse e home, e. Call 1 g is avail gy advi fund to apply to lan in th HSE will wall insulation, rovision of ener duced by incom of a survivin approved by the Circuit AI. This scheme ipt of the Fuel Allowanc may be eligible ed above along with an fund a care pinstitutional care. The ontribution is re above, they bulbs and the p ractors appointed by SE sehold is in rece mention contact representative Care Package c out of sion. The HSE c ose hou ate cont met the criteria include the items should please call our care to not , and wh will PACKAGE: A Home Nurse to keep a person ory Old Age Pen do and priv which they full-time CARE s re 2002 : If Health HOME d giving scheme theyfurther information. Grants of the Contribut s-tested Home Schemeenergy efficiency upgrade constructed befo by the Public avail of the ation system), an ds hospital, or more than e100 in excess apply for a mean Grant. they wish to terenergyhomes for : Better Energy direct communic scheme part-fun insulation. Should ll-time care, can e1,700 Respite ai.ie/bet tion of GREENER HOMES income is no limit. s r close by with a scheme. This visit www.se achieved. and external over requiring fu y for a Declara their spouse’ an annual ho is living with, (o Energy Homes system upgrades details. You can also of up to 50% can be excess of that erson aged 16 or or over) plus or half of their own andthe first e7.60. your local authorit NCE: A person w ance, or to any p if carer is 66 drylining, heating927 000 for furthercost, and energy savings first apply to (single), disregarding CARERS ALLOWA you should (e239 of e332.50 iliary Care Allow accordingly, centre on 185020% -30% of the full insulation, a child on Domic Allowance of e204 of the carer in excess ce is reduced

ayment. on. Carers installing external permission. allowan income typically cover planning on: Before weekly Carers Social Welfare P capacitated pers assessed. The test, any weekly l wall insulati€80), as you may need urs per week. (married) is ersons receiving another more than one in o 15 ho In the meansExterna e665 of ck aring for excess form (cost: able to p person c loyment for up t tled to go on Ba income in Exemption llowance is pay t will be paid to a ing or paid emp ng, you are enti Half rate Carers A d full respite gran can take up train n you cease cari or efit. Whe % allowance an n right. A carer over 15 hours An additional 50free travel in their ow tions to keep you in ben .

persons working to chemes contribu means but are entitled y Employment S ed to credited egardless of (up to 24 months)is Carers are entitl Education or Communit e1,700 Respite Grant r

s from work per week to Work, Back to time can qualify for short-term absence up to e332.50

full work earning be claimed for Persons caringpayments will not qualify.

Insurance can except S and J. Limited . income er on your Social walk, if their e classes on Jobseek month duration is unable to t of e205 based e to all insuranc d for the 24 16-66) who A Carers Benefi ibilities. It is availabl Your job is protecte a person (agedweek. to respons HSE benefit. the this caring for payable by ore than e12.70 per while claiming per month is permissible, Dunne nce of e208.50 ory Pension by m Cllr Larry l A Mobility Allowa Social Welfare Contribut Town Counci y Lavin Balbriggan does not exceed Cllr Anthon 6

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A Guide to ts in 2012 Entitlemen

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fice Dublin North Welfare Ofrega rding the

The 2012 edition of Know Where You Stand is available at www.alanfarrell.ie or can be requested by contacting my office by emailing alan.farrell@oir.ie or by phoning 01 618 4008. This is a very useful document for outlining your rights and entitlements for 2012.

to take very get Bud We have had sions in the tough deci will be unaffected. and no one ured key We have hono on Tax, commitmentsMortgages. and fare Wel plan ritising our We are prio tion and we are for job crea d on the long pushing ahea reform. process of is helpful. information I hope this

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E: RELL ONLIN td ALAN FAR ook.com/alanfarrell lanfarrell www.faceb

Devitt Cllr Anne Swords Ward 8 Tel: 01 840972 co.ie ngalco anne.devitt@fi

Fine Gael

y Cllr Tom O’Lear Ward Balbriggan 11626 Tel: 087-24 galcoco.ie tom.oleary@fin

rs:

Councillo

Ward Malahide 31329 Tel: 087-99 fingalcoco.ie anthony.lavin@

Tel: 01 – 841435 gan.ie balbrig larry.dunne@

Alan

TD FARRELL

ile 2012 GOAL Mho joined me on

w Thanks to all for the 5th annual GOAL Christmas Day 3,360 for the charity. mile, raising €

Dublin 2. re Street, ll.ie House, Kilda www.alanfarre Leinster farrelltd .farrell@oir.ie book.com/alan Dáil Éireann, 008 alan www.face Tel: 01 6184 lanfarrell ter.com/a www.twit

0612

Major transport investment is a boost for Dublin North r.com/a www.twittearrell.ie www.alanf

There has been significant funding allocated to Dublin North in recent weeks from the Department of Transport, both in terms of road improvements and also projects that will have a significant impact on improving the quality of life of residential areas.

These funds will be administered effectively by Fingal County Council who has managed to maintain and improve Alan Farrell TD pictured at the site of the Malahide Railway Viaduct roads throughout 2011 despite budgetary constraints. I am pleased to note that the main street in Rush has had significant improvement since the harsh weather in 2010 caused severe damage, and the resurfacing of the Swords road was complete by the end of 2011.

Last year, The Department of Transport introduced significant legislation to improve road safety on a national level and are now investing in this as priority on a local level.

Funding Summary For Dublin North All areas: €4.2 million

This is funding provided to Fingal County Council and will be earmarked for safety improvement, restoration, discretionary grants and surface dressing allocations.

Swords

Provision of a direct cycle/pedestrian connection from Drinan to Holywell.

Funding of €575,000 is provided to complete of the distributor road network at Holywell, meaning traffic can avoid the residential core of the neighbourhood and provide appropriate routing for bus services. This will mean a lot to the residents in Holywell, with whom I have been working since 2005 to ensure that these works are carried out.

Lusk

Funding of €200,000 will be allocated for traffic lights in Lusk to encourage drivers to use the by pass, reducing traffic in the village. These will also include facilities for Mobility Impaired & Disabled persons.

Balbriggan

€800,000 has been provided to improve the Harry Reynolds Road. This will bring the road carriageway and footpaths up to standard, while the planned addition of a slip road at the junction will ease traffic and alleviate tailbacks on the Naul road.

A further €107,500 will go toward small improvement projects, including a Pedestrian Crossing on the Drogheda Road and at St. Mologa’s school.

Malahide/Donabate

€100,000 has been allocated to the design phase of pedestrian and cycle route from Malahide to Donabate along the Dublin – Belfast railway line, including a crossing of the Malahide Estuary. This is a worthwhile and low cost step forward in a project that will allow access to one of the most beautiful landscapes of Dublin North.

For more information go to www.alanfarrell.ie

Alan Farrell TD - Working for you in Dublin North

t

Appointment to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence I was delighted to be appointed to the Joint Committee for Justice, Defence and Equality at the end of 2011.

This is a vital committee that has various significant roles when it comes to protecting the individual and their rights.

This government is committed to bringing about reform in our justice system and I look forward to engaging with the committee and its representatives over the period of this government to create a fair and accessible justice system.

For more information go to www.alanfarrell.ie

Alan Farrell TD speaking in the Committee for Justice, Equality and Defence

Update on the Fine Gael Five Point Plan Fine Gael set out a detailed Five Point Plan last year during the general election. We are making good progress in many areas, including getting the economy back on track, political reform, and stabilising the public finances.

It was never going to be possible to implement the plan in full immediately after the election, and many of the points will take the full five year term to implement.

The difficult economic climate has slowed

progress in some areas, while other aspects have been re-negotiated with Labour as part of the Programme for Government. However, I am satisfied that the Government is well underway.

1 New Politics

• The IDA had a record year with the creation of 13,000 new jobs in the Private Sector; • The establishment of NewEra and the Strategic Investment Fund to channel investment into job-creation.

Not achieved yet • Retrospective abolition of upward-only rent reviews - for Constitutional reasons.

bondholders as agreement with ECB could not be secured.

Work in Progress • Increases in indirect taxation and introduction of water metering; • Agreement with Troika on restructuring of banking debt.

Work in Progress • Reform of sectoral wage-setting mechanisms; • Sale of State assets to raise money to re-invest in the economy; • Reduce regulations and red tape applied to business.

Fine Gael committed to reforming, modernising and streamlining the public service. We also committed to impose no further pay cuts so long as the Croke Park reforms were implemented.

Achieved • 40 quangos to be abolished or merged in 2012 (several done already); • New career-average pension system for new public servants; • Plan to reduce size of public service by 23,500; • End to privilege days in the public sector like ‘fair days’ and ‘regatta days’; • Standardised leave; • End to Decentralisation; • More promotions by merit; • Senior positions now open to private sector applicants.

Work in Progress • Procurement savings (better value from private sector); • Back office shared services; • Reform of rosters, working practices and extended hours.

Fine Gael in government promised to reform and modernise our political system.

Achieved • Ministerial pay cuts implemented and State cars removed; • Number of Oireachtas committees slashed; • Number of junior ministers cut and Ministers’ office staff reduced by 25%; • Public appointments advertised and Chairpersons vetted by the relevant Oireachtas Committee; • Legislative process changed to give backbenchers more input; • Referendum on judges’ pay has been passed; • A Commission has been appointed to reduce the number of Dáil seats and redraw the constituencies.

Not achieved yet The referendum to allow the Oireachtas to carry out banking inquiry was defeated.

Work in progress • A Constitutional Convention, including referendums on abolishing the Seanad, and on Children’s Rights; • Instigating fully-vouched expenses for TDs • Reform of local government; • Reducing the number of councils and councillors at local authority level.

2 Jobs Fine Gael committed to do everything in its power to create new jobs. A Jobs Action Plan has been introduced and we are trying to create the right environment for the private sector to create jobs within tight budgetary constraints.

Achieved • The VAT rate for hotels, restaurants and leisure has been cut to 9% to boost the tourism industry, which has grown by 10% and created 6,000 jobs; • Employers’ PRSI has been reduced to cut the cost of employing people; • Increased tourism marketing and investment in tourist attractions; • Increased road maintenance, school summer works and smarter travel projects;

3 Tax and the Budget Deficit Fine Gael committed to get the Budget deficit under control through a programme of economic growth, targeted spending cuts and limited tax increases. The emphasis would be on spending cuts rather than tax increases, including no further increases in income tax.

Achieved • No increase in income tax; • Coalition agreement on 2:1 split of cuts over tax increases; • Renegotiation of IMF/EU agreement to reduce interest rate (€10 billion saved to date); • No more cash for Anglo; • Anglo and Nationwide broken up and remnants merged into IBRC; • Forced State-owned banks to reduce interest rates in line with ECB; • €5 billion saved by imposing losses on sub-ordinated bondholders; • Budget deficit down to 10.3% this year (a small improvement but still very bad); • New Capital Plan published to save money by deferring major transport, prison and university building projects while pressing ahead with essential education and health projects; • New medium-term fiscal plan published to get the deficit down; • Independent Fiscal Council set up.

Not achieved yet • Imposition of losses on senior

4 Public Sector Reform

5 Health – FairCare Fine Gael committed to reforming our health service by moving to a universal health insurance model like the Netherlands. This has proved difficult at the initial stage, with budgets being reduced and problems in the VHI and Quinn Healthcare. Nonetheless, the HSE board has been replaced and the Minister for Health is taking greater direct control of the health service. Cancer care is being improved and so is screening.

A special delivery unit (SDU) has been established to drive changes and in some cases management has been tendered out replacing the existing management.

Alan Farrell TD - Working for you in Dublin North

The Personal Insolvency Bill is not designed to erase people’s debts but it will help people to manage their debts while remaining in their homes.

This legislation is hugely significant and should provide comfort to people who have found themselves in financial difficulty – especially those who are struggling to pay mortgages. I am aware of the multitude of first time buyers in Dublin North who bought at or near the peak of the boom who are now trying to honour large repayments on reduced incomes, and are often left with next to nothing once the bills are paid.

A number of arrangements will be made available under the provisions of the Bill whereby a portion of personal or mortgage debt may be written off, as part of a repayment plan. Debt Relief Certificates will help out people with smaller debts, of less than €20,000, while Debt Settlement Arrangements can be reached for larger mortgage loans.

A Personal Insolvency Service will be established to administer the new regime, with insolvency trustees appointed to liaise with creditors on behalf those in debt. It is hoped that the full legislation will be published by the end of April, and I hope the Service can be set up as soon as possible after that.

For more information go to www.alanfarrell.ie

Tourism industry shows strong signs of improvement with Dublin North to benefit Recent CSO figures on tourism show that visits to Ireland for the first eight months of 2011 were up by 11% compared to the same period in 2010. This is proof that the Government’s efforts to boost visitor numbers are paying off.

In total, 4.5 million people visited Ireland in the period from January to August. This sector has been strongly supported by a number of targeted measures aimed at encouraging visitors to Ireland and places like Dublin North, such as the renovation of Malahide Castle, the reduction in Airline Tax, VAT reduction on labour intensive businesses, and visa waivers for tourists coming from emerging economies.

Minister Varadkar has also recently announced a €9 million overseas tourism marketing blitz to attract visitors to Ireland. This is in addition to ‘The Gathering’, which will be the biggest ever tourism initiative in Ireland, consisting of a year-long programme of events in 2013.

For more information go to www.alanfarrell.ie

Constituency Office Now Open My constituency office is now open on 11 Old Street Malahide, on Monday & Friday 10am - 5.30pm.

Appointments are available on request.

Note new clinic times

Clinic Times

First Monday of each month Donabate Community Centre 7.00 - 7.30pm Lusk Murray’s

7.45 - 8.15pm Rush Community Centre 8.30 - 9.00pm Rush First Thursday of each month Skerries Community Centre 6.30 - 7.00pm Balbriggan Town Hall 7.15 - 7.45pm Swords Senior Citizens Centre 8.00 - 8.30pm

Follow Alan Online!

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Personal Insolvency Bill is good news for struggling mortgage holders

If you’d like to keep up to date with Alan online, you can follow him on Twitter or Facebook www.facebook.com/alanfarrelltd www.twitter.com/alanfarrell www.alanfarrell.ie

James Reilly TD Minister for Health Tel: 01 890 1300 james.reilly@oireachtas.ie

Cllr Anne Devitt Swords Ward Tel: 01 8409728 anne.devitt@fingalcoco.ie

Cllr Tom O’Leary Balbriggan Ward Tel: 087-2411626 tom.oleary@fingalcoco.ie

Cllr Anthony Lavin Malahide Ward Tel: 087-9931329 anthony.lavin@fingalcoco.ie

Cllr Larry Dunne Balbriggan Town Council Tel: 01 – 8414356 larry.dunne@balbriggan.ie

Alan Farrell TD Chairperson, Internal Committee for Public Expenditure and Reform Dáil Éireann Leinster House Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: 01 6184008

alan.farrell@oir.ie www.alanfarrell.ie www.twitter.com/alanfarrell

Alan Farrell TD - Working for you in Dublin North

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