MCCARTHY MICHAEL KINSALE NEWS 1901_Layout 1 18/04/2012 10:53 Page 1
MICHAEL McCARTHY TD KEEPING IN TOUCH KINSALE Spring 2012 INTRODUCTION sletter. I hope that Welcome to my latest new aim to update you on you find it of interest as I sale and the recent developments in Kin surrounding areas. Regards,
500 JOBS FOR ELI LILLY The recent announcement that Eli Lilly will create 200 permanent jobs and 300 construction jobs in Kinsale is extremely welcome. The jobs arise from Eli Lilly’s decision to invest €330 million in a state-ofthe-art facility at its existing plant in Dunderrow. This will have a tangible impact on the local economy, and will boost external confidence in our local business environment. It is also a sweeping endorsement of the success of the Eli Lilly Kinsale site in recent years, when the company has consistently shown an ability to robustly develop its global biopharmaceutical business here. I want to commend IDA Ireland and the various other agencies who worked diligently to bring about this critical level of investment to Ireland.
LOCAL SCHOOLS GET GREEN LIGHT IN SCHOOL BUILDING PLAN Michael with Cllrs Tomas O'Brien and Tony Cierans
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 delighted that three local schools were included the five-year School Building Plan published by my colleague Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn recently. The plan has given the goahead to the amalgamation of St Joseph's and St John's NS in Kinsale, while it has also ringfenced funding for extension works at Kinsale Community School. The amalgamation of St. Joseph’s and St. John’s is long overdue and will now see pupils housed in a more appropriate facility, whilst Kinsale Community School now have the opportunity to improve their existing school environment, which is also long overdue. This investment is a certain source of pride for me as I have been campaigning for many years on these issues, and it now means local children will be educated in more modern school environments. Many teaching, construction and ancillary jobs will be also created in the process.
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Michael with Hal McElroy, Manager of the Trident Hotel
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 KINSALE NEWS 1901_Layout 1 18/04/2012 10:53 Page 2
MICHAEL APPEARS ON RTE'S 'LEADERS’ QUESTIONS' AND 'THE WEEK IN POLITICS'
PROGRESS ON FIBRE OPTIC NETWORK Recently in the Dáil I raised the ongoing case of the fibre optic network that has been lying dormant in West Cork for several years. Also known as MANs, or Metropolitan Area Networks, they provide improved telecommunications networks to business in rural towns, enhancing an area’s appeal to multinational companies or investors. In his response, the Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte confirmed that the MAN in Kinsale will be completed this year and handed over to Enet, the project management company, for completion. I commend the Minister and his Department for progressing this issue and prioritising the infrastructural needs of towns like Kinsale at a time when rural businesses need it most.
VISITOR NUMBERS AT CHARLES FORT SOAR ON ‘FREE WEDNESDAYS’ Tourist attraction Charles Fort has seen a leap in visitor numbers due to a Government initiative which gives free access to OPW sites on the first Wednesday of every month. For the last six months of 2011, footfall at Charles Fort increased by 49% on ‘free Wednesdays’. Such is the success of the initiative that it is being extended throughout 2012. The tourism sector is of critical importance to the re-establishment of financial stability in this country in years to come. The excellent array of OPW sites like Charles Fort will contribute to this process.
FUNDING FOR KINSALE HARBOUR There was good news for the local community recently when it was announced that the Kinsale Harbour is to receive €1.25 million to fund essential remedial works. The funding is broken down as follows: Commercial Town Pier contract retention (€30,000); Adam’s Quay completion of work on site (€555,000); Lobster Quay works completion (€90,000); Fisherman’s Pontoon Remedial Works (€140,000); Commercial Pier extension Phase 1 (€435,000). The investment will considerably improve the operational capacity of the harbour and will also have positive knock-on effects for the local economy and the environment.
FUNDING FOR KINSALE ARTS WEEK
ADDITIONAL ROAD GRANT FOR KINSALE TOWN COUNCIL
With Summer fast approaching, I was pleased that Fáilte Ireland recently approved €27,000 for Kinsale Arts Week under its annual festival funding programme. The funding is designed to raise awareness of festivals and events around Ireland, and to increase visitor numbers to a local region.The West Cork Chamber Music Festival also received €40,000 under the programme. I look forward to both events getting underway.
I was pleased that Kinsale 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 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 works and restoration works will be carried out on various roads in Kinsale and the surrounding areas. I look forward to these getting underway this year.
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Michael McCarthy TD
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Cllr Tomás O'Brien 087 2784953 tomasobrien@hotmail.com
Cllr Tony Cierans 087 6387792 tonycierans@eircom.net
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