Malahide and Portmarnock News

ALAN

Autumn 2014

FARRELL TD Working for you in Dublin Fingal

Dear Cons tituent, give As your local TD, I would likI ehatove been you an update on the work doing on your behalf.

www.alanfarrell.ie

MALAHIDE AND PORTMARNOCK NEWS

POLICING IN OUR COMMUNITIES As part of my role as your TD, I sit on the Dáil Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence, I am delighted to inform you that there has been a national reduction in 11 of the 14 crime categories. This represents a decrease of 6.6% in crime levels nationally and it is testament to the work and efficiency of An Garda Síochána during a time in which resources have been reduced. Burglary rates dropped 7.2% by the end of 2013 and crimes which adversely affect the quality of life in communities also fell significantly.

In our local communities of Malahide and Portmarnock, there have been reductions in crime which mirror those nationally. Across the broad majority of categories, communities in Malahide and Portmarnock had lower levels of crime in 2013 than in 2012 and 2011 and, in recent times, have become safer communities to live in.

I recently met with Chief Superintendent Francis Clerkin, head of our local division

Alan at Malahide Garda Station

of An Garda Siochana regarding policing in Malahide, Portmarnock and the Dublin Fingal constituency in general. During this meeting, I received assurances that there are no plans to remove existing resources from Malahide and Portmarnock.

PERSONNEL NUMBERS IN MALAHIDE GARDA STATION Alan Farrell TD with Minister Fitzgerald

45 Gardaí

2008

35 Gardaí

33 Gardaí

2011

2014

As part of my work as your local TD, I have submitted many parliamentary questions to the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD on policing levels and the support and resources provided to An Garda Síochána in Malahide and Portmarnock. Having obtaining the personnel figures from the Minister for Malahide station, what is evident is that, despite common perception, Garda number in Malahide have not reduced significantly since 2011.

While the public desk in the station is no longer open at night, members of the force remain on-duty in the local community.

This reduction in public desk opening hours has not affected the ability of the local station to deal with crime prevention.

This mirrors the reduction in crime across the vast majority of categories in the local

community as outlined earlier.

Furthermore, I have corresponded with the Minister regarding the upkeep and strengthening of the fleet of Garda vehicles.

The Department of Justice provided funding for the purchase of 305 new vehicles at the end of 2013 in addition to the 133 Garda vehicles which had previously purchased earlier in the same year. In addition to this, €4 million is available for the purchase and fit out of Garda transport in 2014 with over €22 million being allocated for the maintenance and continued running of the fleet throughout 2014. This funding is of fundamental importance in ensuring that Gardaí have the resources necessary to provide an effective service on our streets and roads for the upkeep of law and order throughout the local community and the State as a whole.

INSIDE...

• NEW CLASSROOMS FOR OUR PRIMARY SCHOOLS • HUGE TOURISM OPPORTUNITY FOR MALAHIDE • IMPROVING ECONOMY BOOSTS JOB CREATION

ALAN FARRELL TD - WORKING FOR YOU IN DUBLIN FINGAL

NEW CLASSROOMS FOR OUR PRIMARY SCHOOLS Education has been, and will continue to be, one of the main priorities of my work in Dáil Éireann. The announcement in May of eleven new classrooms for Malahide was very welcome news in the local community.

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St Sylvester’s Infant National School has been granted funding for 7 new permanent classrooms while St John Paul II has been allocated funding for 4 new classrooms.

The provision of these classrooms will assist in tackling the issue which currently exists in Malahide and I am sure this is welcome news for parents throughout the local area.

As many parents know, students are being turned away from primary schools in this area due to enormous demand. However, these eleven classrooms are just one part of this Government’s major investment in education in Malahide and Portmarnock. An investment worth in the region of €7 million has been allocated to St Oliver Plunkett’s National School for an entire new school on the Grove Road, St. Andrew’s National School was provided with 2 new classrooms, St. Helen’s Junior National School was granted funding for 2 withdrawal rooms, a multi-sensory room and a new office and the new Malahide/ Portmarnock Educate Together National School will be built in the local community over the coming years.

Having repeatedly called upon the Minister for this investment in the education system in Malahide and Portmarnock, I am delighted that such major investment is being provided to address the capacity problem currently being faced. The provision of permanent classrooms, as opposed to the prefab classrooms which were provided by the previous Government, shows that we are committed to providing long-term solutions and support for schools in Dublin Fingal and throughout the country.

The buck stops with the Department of Education and Skills and, as your local representative; I take responsibility to assist local boards of management to provide the resources to properly educate our children.

St. Sylvester’s Infant School

BACK TO SCHOOL ALLOWANCE As we approach back to school time, I understand that expenses associated with this time of year can place an extra financial strain on parents. For this reason, I would urge any parents who may need assistance with their ‘back to school’ costs to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

Families who have previously qualified for the Back to School allowance, and who qualify again this year, will be automatically approved for the allowance this year. These recipients should have received a letter outlining how and when their allowance will be paid.

Application forms are available at www.welfare.ie and in your local Social Welfare or Intreo Office. The deadline for applications is the 30th September 2014. Many families in Dublin Fingal are struggling with the cost of providing their children with the uniforms they need to return to school, if you believe that you may be eligible for the Back to School Allowance, I encourage you to apply.

recess, During the Dáil office my constituency ane, L at 6 Townyard en Malahide, is op from Monday to Friday . pm 30 9.30 am to 5.

St. Oliver Plunkett’s N.S.

ALAN FARRELL TD - WORKING FOR YOU IN DUBLIN FINGAL

SPORTS CAPITAL Over €1.7 million has been allocated to sports clubs and societies throughout Dublin Fingal under the Sports Capital funding programme 2014. In Malahide, the Basketball Club, the Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and the Yacht Club all received funding and in Portmarnock, the Sports and Leisure Club and the Guide and Scout Den Trust Company both were awarded funding under this programme.

Portmarnock was one of the big winners

under the Sports Capital Programme with over €385,000 being invested into the local community by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Overall, 24 applications were successful in Dublin Fingal, and the fact that these clubs were successful, given that over 2000 applications were made to the Department, serves to highlight the great quality of sports clubs and societies in

SPORTS CAPITAL FUNDING TO MALAHIDE AND PORTMARNOCK 2012-2014

€505,000 in 2012 2012

€550,000 in 2014 2014

9% INCREASE IN FUNDING

TO MALAHIDE AND PORTMARNOCK 2012-2014

Malahide, Portmarnock and throughout the Dublin Fingal constituency. The provision of resources to these clubs is essential for allowing them to grow and develop in conjunction with the economic recovery of the State. The work undertaken by these clubs is essential in the on-going battle against obesity, especially among children, and I will continue to support them in every way possible.

SPORTS CAPITAL FUNDING DUBLIN FINGAL 2012-2014

Over €1 Million in 2012 2012

Over €1.7 Million in 2014 2014

67.7% INCREASE IN FUNDING TO DUBLIN FINGAL BETWEEN 2012-2014

HUGE TOURISM OPPORTUNITY FOR MALAHIDE Malahide Cricket Club has been chosen as the venue for a one day international meet between Ireland and England on May 8th next year. As a member of the club since I was 7 years old, I am thrilled with this news. Following, last year’s successful clash between Ireland and England which attracted a record crowd to Malahide, the venue is quickly becoming the premier cricket ground in the State.

Malahide will once again be placed in the international spotlight by this upcoming match and, this international exposure will be beneficial to the town’s tourism potential in the long-term. Malahide and its surrounding areas, particularly Portmarnock, can expect a boost as a result of this fixture with a sellout crowd expected and the area’s tourism potential being showcased on an international stage. In addition to this, a great deal of money will be spent in the local economy around the time of, and following, this upcoming clash. This will be very welcome news to all businesses in the local area.

Alan Farrell TD with Minister Ring at Malahide Cricket Club

I am looking forward to watching Ireland play England in Malahide along with many constituents from Dublin Fingal, on the day.

ALAN FARRELL TD - WORKING FOR YOU IN DUBLIN FINGAL

IMPROVING ECONOMY BOOSTS JOB CREATION Much economic improvement has taken place under this Government but, as we continue down the road to recovery, we must remember that there is still much to do. All signs are pointing to the economy’s recovery continuing and indeed strengthening towards the end of this year and into next year. The Central Bank has revised its growth forecast for this year and next year upwards while the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Department of Finance have both also given positive predications in terms of economic growth and reductions in unemployment levels.

Unemployment levels have fallen for

NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS

the past 25 consecutive months and the ESRI now project that they will fall to 9.8% from the current level of 11.5%. This will be the first time the unemployment rate will have fallen below the 10% level since January 2009. These reductions in unemployment levels show that the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is working but much remains to be done to make sure this downward trend continues. It is essential that we provide the necessary supports to get as many people back to work as possible in order to ensure that everybody feels the positive impact of the economic recovery in their own homes.

14.5% 11.5% 9.8%

Jan 2008

Mar 2011

July 2014

2015

Exports from Ireland have strengthened and the domestic market is stabilising. This is positive news for businesses throughout the North County, many of whom are focused on the export industry due to the presence of Dublin Airport. The stabilisation of the domestic economy will be welcome news to business owners in Malahide and Portmarnock as it signals that consumers are more readily spending.

As your elected representative, I will continue to work for measures to support small and medium sized enterprises and to assist people in returning to work.

CLINICS Last Monday of each Month (Excl. August)

Alan with Minister Bruton

7.00 –7.30pm PSLC 7.45 –8.15pm Malahide

Constituency Office

YOUR LOCAL FINE GAEL TEAM:

MINISTER JAMES REILLY

CLLR ANTHONY LAVIN

CLLR KEITH REDMOND

01 8901300 james.reilly@oireachtas.ie

087 9931329 anthony.lavin@fingal.ie

086 6992689 keith.redmond@fingal.ie

If there are any issu which I can es a you with, plessist do not hesit ase a to contact mte e

ALAN FARRELL TD Dáil Éireann Leinster House Kildare Street Dublin 2 Tel: 01 6184008

Constituency Office 6 Townyard Lane Malahide Co. Dublin

alan.farrell@oir.ie /AlanFarrellTD www.alanfarrell.ie @AlanFarrell

ALAN FARRELL TD - WORKING FOR YOU IN DUBLIN FINGAL

0612

For further details of other clinics, please see www.alanfarrell.ie