Summer 2014
PAT DEERING TD
Working for Carlow, Working for you...
22 CARLOW CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS TO RECEIVE €750,00 FUNDING UNDER THE SPORTS CAPITAL PROGRAMME ORGANISATION
AMOUNT ALLOCATED
Askea Karate CLub Ballon Karate Club Ballymurphy Hall Ltd Carlow Cricket Club Carlow Dragon Boat Club Carlow Gymnastics Club Carlow/Graiguecullen Subaqua Club Cuchulainn Rounders Club Fighting Cocks GFC Hanover Harps FC Leighlin Parish Sports Grounds Development Committee Mount Leinster Rangers GAA Club O’Hanrahans GFC Old Leighlin Community Support Ltd. Rathvilly GAA Club Setanta GAA Ceatharlach Tinryland G.F.C. Tullow Active Retirement Association Tullow Amateur Boxing Club Tullow RFC Vale Wanderers Football Club Coisde Condae Ceatharloch Tullow & South Leinster Tennis & Sports Club
TOTAL:
€6,500 €1,800 €30,000 €14,000 €9,356 €10,000 €40,000 €2,000 €70,000 €60,000 €50,000 €10,000 €80,000 €50,000 €30,000 €7,000 €20,000 €2,500 €8,000 €30,000 €14,000 €100,000 €100,000
€ 745,156
Constituency Offices: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow. Church Road, Bagenalstown. T. 059 9173446 M. 087 9470736 F. 059 9164680 E. pat.deering@oireachtas.ie W. www.patdeering.ie
200 SPRING BOARD PLACES IN IT CARLOW
Almost 200 places are being made available in IT Carlow across a range of specialties such as Energy Management, Fund Accounting & Risk Alalysis, Supply Chain Management, Digital Marketing, IT Management and Computing. Springboard courses aim to help people who are without a job to get back into the workforce by giving them qualifications in expanding enterprise sectors. This is
GRID LINK UPDATE
Grid Link has confirmed to me that they are working to identify an underground route for the Grid Link Project which they expect to publish later this year. They will also identify their preferred overhead corridor, thus eliminating for many communities the fear of not knowing if they will be affected by the development. When both of these options, the underground option and a single overhead corridor, have been decided, the analysis of both will be reviewed by the Independent Expert
the fourth year of Springboard, which helps jobseekers to boost their skills so they can access employment in growing enterprise sectors, which are leading our economic recovery. Most courses are part-time, they are all free, and they generally allow participants to maintain their social welfare payments while they are completing the course. A small number of courses are full-time one year ICT skills conversion courses; and successful applicants for these courses who are in receipt of a jobseekers payment can apply for the Back to Education Allowance.
Panel appointed by the Government, in a fair, objective and comparable way. Nothing has been decided yet, but it is a positive step that going underground is now been seriously considered as a viable option. It is also welcome news that Eirgrid will eliminate three of the four possible overhead routes at this stage. The expert panel has a clear decision to make then – one overhead option and one underground option – taking all technical, environmental and economic criteria into consideration.
BROADBAND
The Government recently announcement that fourteen locations in Carlow are set to benefit as a result of plans to greatly increase access to high speed broadband in rural Ireland. The absence of high speed broadband has been a significant problem in rural areas, and is hampering job creation. Under these new plans announced by the Government, over 1,000 rural communities will be targeted for improved connections. Since the announcement of the National Broadband Plan in 2012, the number of companies, such as Eircom, UPC and Sky, offering high speed internet access has increased significantly. However the Government recognises that the absence of fibre networks in rural communities has led to broadband blackspots. This is a highly ambitious project, which will address the areas of the country which cannot access commercial high speed broadband. The Government has already identified more than 1,000 locations nationwide which will be targeted. Included are the following: Ballinabrannagh, Ballymurphy, Bilboa, Clonmore, Corries Cross, Hacketstown, Kernanstown, Kilbride, Myshall, Nurney, Palatine, Rathoe, St. Mullins & The Ridge.
PAT DEERING TD
MEDICAL CARDS The Government has accepted, that the review of the cards – which took place in the context of the centralisation of the medical card system – produced unintended consequences. There is evidence that some people with an acute medical condition, or a lifelong condition (including a disability) have lost their medical cards, an outcome that the Government could not stand over. I was very vocal on this for a number of months because I saw at first hand the effect the decision to withdraw medical cards was having on peoples lives, the stress of the whole process on top of the illness itself was a step too far for many people. I was critical of the Government’s handling of this and I welcome their decision to take remedial action to sort out this ongoing problem and also their decision to formulate a new policy whereby eligibility for health services can take into account peoples medical conditions, in addition to the existing basis of financial means. The HSE has already established an expert panel to advise on the broader issue by September.
LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE
On 9th June 2014, Carlow County Council officially launched its Local Enterprise Office (LEO) located in Enterprise House, O’Brien Road, Carlow. The Local Enterprise Office is your one stop shop for all your business development needs and provides a variety of in-house services aswell as providing a guide to the many state services available to the business community in developing their business. Your team in the Local Enterprise Office provide a variety of services including : • Business Information & Advisory Services. • Entrepreneurship Support Services • Enterprise Support Services • Local Enterprise Development Services. • Financial Assistance for SME’s • Training & Development • Web Technology Voucher Scheme • Network & Clustering • Young Entrepreneur Competition Enterprise House, subject to availability has a variety of business units available for SME’s who are in a development stage of their business. Meeting rooms are also available if required. For further information contact Kieran Comerford (Head of Local Enterprise) kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie.
Constituency Office: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow. Tel: 059-9173446 or Mobile: 08
Pat with Minister Brian Hayes receiving the key to Altamont House from Robin Eustace Harvey, on behalf of the Office of Public Works. Also in picture are Carole Harvey, Councillor Des Hurley, Chairman Carlow County Council, Tom Barry, County Manager, Councillor John Murphy and Director of Services Seamus O’Connor.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT (HAP) The new HAP scheme, which will allow people to work full time, is very welcome. Under this scheme the payment, which will be issued by the local authority instead of the Department of Social Protection, will be paid incrementally depending on how much the applicant earns. This will come as a relief to struggling families who are finding it increasingly difficult to find a home. Presently, working families are not entitled to Rent Supplement if they work more than 30 hours per week. This seriously disadvantages hard working people who want to work full time and provide for their families. Instead, they need to join the endless local authority waiting lists and try to find private accommodation which they can afford. In the present economic climate with rents rising, this is proving more and more difficult. Consequently many families have to consider cutting back their hours or giving up work altogether to become eligible for Rent Supplement. This practice is soul destroying and needs to stop. The scheme also includes provision for rent supplement to be paid directly to landlords by local authorities. Some landlords have been reluctant to take on rent supplement tenants for fear of not been paid.
BOOST FOR TIDY TOWNS
Funding of €70,000 for Carlow County Council was announced to support community groups such as the TidyTowns groups to enhance their areas. The funding comes as part of a €3 million Public Area Enhancement Scheme.
bile: 087-9470736
HEALTH
Free GP Care for five year olds and younger was announced in Budget 2014 and is an important first step towards free GP care for all. This announcement will lift the financial burden for young families of bringing sick children to their GP, without having to worry about the cost of the fee and the impact that spending this would have on other necessary expenses for the family. In addition it is hoped that an early visit to the GP will mean sick children will be treated earlier which will in turn relieve pressure on hospitals and contribute to better health overall. HSE services available to help tackle suicide – there is help available for people who are feeling suicidal and for families and friends who are concerned about someone. • HSE Free-phone 24/7 Suicide Prevention Helpline : 1800 742745. • Farm & Rural Stress Helpline (24/7) : 1800 742 645 • 1life Suicide Helpline 1800 247 100 or text ‘help’ to 51444 There are many programmes available such as Self Harm Intervention Programme, Bereavement Counselling Service for Traumatic Deaths and Suicide Prevention Training Programmes such as safeTALK, ASIST, STORM etc. The clear message is that there is help available – please don’t feel you are alone.
BETTER ENERGY HOMES
– offers homeowners grants for roof insulation, wall insulation, heating systems and solar panels. This scheme will remain open into 2015. SEAI would encourage all homeowners to consider these grants while they are still available and to do all energy upgrades during the milder summer months. Applications can be made online at www.seai.ie/ betterenergyhomes or by calling 1850 927 000.
BETTER ENERGY WARMER HOMES
– is available to eligible low-income homeowners and provides free energy upgrades including attic & cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting and energy advice. Further information can be found at www.seai.ie/Grants/warmer_homes_scheme and low income homeowners are encouraged to call 1800 250 204 to see if they are eligible for this free service.
Email: pat.deering@oireachtas.ie
MORTGAGE TO RENT SCHEME
BAGENALSTOWN OFFICE
Opening hours are Monday 4.30 to 6.30 PM, Tuesday and Friday mornings 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM. Either Michael Meaney or I will be there to meet you and deal with your queries. No appointment necessary.
LEINSTER HOUSE TOURS
Leinster House is a great place to visit. Steeped in Irish history, the tours are provided by the Oireachtas Ushers who have a historical and educational knowledge of both the building itself and the workings of the Dáil and Seanad. Tours of Leinster House include a visit to the public galleries of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, the Taoiseach’s portrait gallery and others. If you as an individual, a group, a school, or any organisation, would like to take a tour of Leinster House and the Houses of the Oireachtas, please get in touch, I would be delighted to help plan your visit.
The Mortgage to Rent Scheme is a Government initiative to help home owners who are at risk of losing their homes due to mortgage arrears. The scheme is an option for people who have engaged in the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) with their lender. Under the Mortgage to Rent Scheme, you will voluntarily surrender ownership of your home to your lender. A not for profit Housing Association will buy your
home from your lender and become your landlord. You will no longer own your home but you will continue to live in it as a tenant of the Housing Association. You will pay an income related rent. Your participation in the scheme will have significant implications for your tenure, so you should give it careful consideration. For further information you should contact your lender who will be your main point of contact.
PASSPORTS
Reminder
I would encourage all passport holders to ensure that their passports are valid and in date. Regularly people suddenly realise that their passports are invalid. A passport that has six months left to its expiry date is regarded as being out of date but not everyone realises that. Sometimes it’s too late when people discover this which means in many cases that travel plans have to be completely altered. In recent times there have been some small changes in the application process for renewal of passports and the best advice that I can give anyone is to visit the website and see the changes for themselves. If a person requires a passport within 10 working days the best course of action would be to make an appointment with the Passport Office on line https://www. passportappointments.ie and then call to the public office at the arranged time with their application and documentation.
Your Local Fine Gael Team in County Carlow
Tommy Kinsella, Kilcumney, Goresbridge, Co. Carlow. 059-9775398/087-9377386, tkinsella@carlow.ie
John Murphy, Glisheen, Boggan, Kilbride, Co. Carlow. 059-9159238/087-2125275, jmurphy@carlow.ie.
Michael Doran, Main Street, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. 059-9721184/0872152788, mdoran@carlow.ie
Fergal Browne, Church View, Rutland, Bennekerry, Carlow. 059-9135356/0879884113. fbrowne@carlow.ie
Brian O’Donoghue, Williamstown, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow. 087-2630848, bodonoghue@carlow.ie
0612
Denis Foley, 1 Chestnut Court, Royal Oak, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. 059-9721802/0862626483, dfoley@carlow.ie.
PAT DEERING TD
Working for Carlow, Working for you...
Constituency Offices: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow. Church Road, Bagenalstown. T. 059 9173446 M. 087 9470736 F. 059 9164680 E. pat.deering@oireachtas.ie W. www.patdeering.ie