MCCARTHY MICHAEL CLON NEWS 1900_Layout 1 26/04/2012 15:10 Page 1
MICHAEL McCARTHY TD KEEPING IN TOUCH CLONAKILTY Spring 2012 INTRODUCTION
sletter. I hope that you find Welcome to my latest new ate you on recent it of interest as I aim to upd the surrounding areas. and ilty nak Clo in developments would like to attend or , nce If you are in need of assista don’t hesitate to ase ple , tres cen one of my local advice get in contact. Regards,
Michael McCarthy TD with President Michael D. Higgins
CLONAKILTY SCHOOLS GET GO-AHEAD IN BUILDING PLAN I was delighted that two local schools were included in the five-year School Building Programme recently launched by my colleague, Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn. Getting the green light were the new Clonakilty Gaelscoil and Clonakilty Community College, which will receive funding for extension works. Not only does it mean that local pupils will be educated in more modern school environments in the future, but it will also generate a number of teaching, construction and ancillary jobs in the local area along the way. This investment is a particular source of pride for me as I have been campaigning on these issues for many years. Other local projects which were included in the €1.5 billion programme include the amalgamation of St. Joseph's and St. John's NS in Kinsale, the Skibbereen post-primary amalgamation project, and extension works at Kinsale Community School.
ADDITIONAL ROAD GRANT FOR CLONAKILTY TOWN COUNCIL Michael with Senator Jillian van Turnhout, children's rights activist, signing a pledge to the Alliance and its call to strengthen children’s rights in the Constitution
I was pleased that Clonakilty Town Council received an additional €195,000 under the road allocation grants programme for 2012 which was announced by the Government recently. The funding is on top of a broader package of €45 million that was made available to Cork County Council in road allocation grants this year. The money will ensure that substantive capital and restoration works on Clonakilty roads are carried out this year. I look forward to these getting underway shortly.
CONTACT MICHAEL:
Michael speaking the 2012 Labour Party conference in April
Market Square, Dunmanway, Co. Cork Phone: 023 885 5705 Dáil office: 01 618 3844 Email: michael.mccarthy@oir.ie Web: www.michaelmccarthy.ie
MCCARTHY MICHAEL CLON NEWS 1900_Layout 1 26/04/2012 15:10 Page 2
MICHAEL APPEARS ON RTE'S 'LEADERS’ QUESTIONS' AND 'THE WEEK IN POLITICS'
RURAL TRANSPORT PLAN WILL IMPROVE LIVES IN CLONAKILTY Major plans by Government to integrate rural transport services will benefit many lives in towns like Clonakilty when they take effect in the future. Despite the fact that over €200 million a year is spent on transport services in rural areas between the Rural Transport Programme, School Transport and HSE, there is no official co-ordination between them. This is set to change drastically under the new plans, which will see a more focused and co-ordinated approach to rural transport by integrating existing state services so that they work better, provide better value for money, and eliminate the huge cross-over in services that currently exists. This is a very good news story for rural communities like Clonakilty. The problem of rural isolation is a very real one for many people, and access to transport is a major component of this.
PROGRESS FOR N71
BOOST FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY
It was recently confirmed to me that design work is to begin on road pavement improvements on the N71 at Clonakilty. The National Roads Authority have authorised Cork County Council to proceed with the design work stage, which will leave the scheme well placed to proceed to construction once funding permits.
The tourism industry has gotten plenty of good news lately with the most recent round of figures showing that visitor numbers are up 7% since last year.
This follows ongoing efforts by myself and colleagues to alert the relevant authorities to the declining state of the road and to the need to upgrade it as soon as possible.
The tourism sector is of critical importance to the re-establishment of financial stability in this country in years to come. Towns like Clonakilty will contribute to this process.
IMPROVING PHYSICAL EDUCATION In recent months I have been working with my Labour colleague, Cllr Aidan Pendlebury, on the issue of improving physical education in our schools. We believe that all children should be monitored and allowed develop their physical literacy through a comprehensive program in school with benchmarked progression and competency testing. Cllr Pendlebury and I have been liaising with the Department of Education and other government departments to ensure that this issue is not only highlighted but future actions are measured and effective.
GET IN CONTACT Tel: 023-8855705 Email: michael.mccarthy@oir.ie Web: www.michaelmccarthy.ie Follow Michael on and
Michael McCarthy TD
Listen to Michael’s weekly podcast on www.michaelmccarthy.ie
Working with Michael McCarthy TD Cllr Aidan Pendlebury 3 Clarke Street, Clonakilty, Co. Cork t: 087 1166662 e: councilloraidanpendlebury:gmail.com 0612
I look forward to the design phase getting underway and will continue to push for progress on the issue.
Furthermore, more than half of Ireland’s tourism businesses have improved trade this year, according to a new Fáilte Ireland survey. There is a direct correlation between these positive industry sentiments and the pro-tourism agenda which this Government has doggedly pursued since entering office.