MICHAEL McCARTHY TD KEEPING IN TOUCH SKIBBEREEN Spring 2012 INTRODUCTION sletter. I hope that Welcome to my latest new aim to update you on you find it of interest as I bbereen and the recent developments in Ski surrounding areas. Regards,
SKIBBEREEN SCHOOL MERGER PLAN GETS GO-AHEAD I was delighted that the planned amalgamation of Mercy Heights, De La Salle, and Rossa College was included in the five-year School Building Programme published by my colleague Minister Ruairi Quinn recently. The investment is a particular source of pride for me as I have been campaigning for many years on this project. Not only does it mean that local pupils will be educated in a more modern and cohesive school environment in the future, but it will also generate a number of teaching, construction and ancillary jobs in the local area along the way.
Michael McCarthy TD with President Michael D. Higgins
Other local projects which were included in the €1.5 billion programme include the new Clonakilty Gaelscoil, the amalgamation of St Joseph's and St John's NS in Kinsale, and extension works for Clonakilty Community College and Kinsale Community School.
FUNDING FOR BALTIMORE AND SKIBBEREEN HARBOUR There was good news for the local community recently when it was announced that the Baltimore and Skibbereen Harbour is to receive €1.25 million to fund essential remedial works.
Michael with Senator Jillian van Turnhout, outgoing Chief Executive of the Children’s Alliance signing a pledge to the Alliance and its call to strengthen children’s rights in the Constitution
The funding is broken down as follows: Western Pier final account (€39,000); RoRo Slipway final account (€21,000); North Pier extension final account (€25,000); North Pier Phase 1 final works and account (€150,000); North Pier Phase 2 works underway (€745,000); Sailing Club Slipway completion of works (€35,000); Proposed Inner Harbour Pontoon (€70,000); Breakwater Design completion (€30,000); Foreshore Licence Fees (€135,000). The investment will considerably improve the operational capacity of the harbour and shows that the Government continue to recognise the importance of maintaining our local harbours, which are often important focal points for rural communities.
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Michael and local Labour members at a recent constituency strategy meeting at Lissard House, Tregumna
Market Square, Dunmanway, Co. Cork Phone: 023 885 5705 Dáil office: 01 618 3844 Email: michael.mccarthy@oir.ie Web: www.michaelmccarthy.ie
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SKIBBEREEN 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 multi-national companies or investors. In his response, the Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte, confirmed that while the Skibbereen MAN is available for use, to date it does not have any connections. The project manager, e|net, has held discussions with local business representatives with Michael raising local issues in the Dáíl the aim of stimulating demand for MAN based services. Minister Rabbitte added that he would happily facilitate any requests from local business people to meet and discuss with e|net how they might make optimum use of the existing service. I will continue to liaise with the Department of Communications on this issue.
FOOTPATH REPAIRS FOR LEAP
WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT
The Government recently sanctioned €30,000 towards footpath repairs and associated works in Leap. The funding was approved for the construction of 250 linear metres of new footpaths in Leap Village with associated civil works. It is being made available through the sustainable travel project under last year’s Jobs Initiative.
I was pleased to learn that work on the waste water treatment plant for the town is gradually progressing. In its latest update, the council informed me that commissioning on the plant began in February and will be completed within the planned three-month timeframe. I look forward to the next phase of the project getting underway.
Not only does this funding enhance local cycling and walking facilities in Leap but it will also create employment for local contractors at a time when construction work is most needed.
RURAL TRANSPORT PLAN WILL IMPROVE LIVES IN SKIBBEREEN Major plans by Government to integrate rural transport services will be of huge benefit to people in the area. 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 coordination between them. This is set to change drastically under the new plans, which will see a more focused and coordinated 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 positive news story for rural communities because it tackles the problem of rural isolation, of which access to transport is a major component.
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HOUSING ADAPTION SCHEME WILL ASSIST MANY LOCAL RESIDENTS Many people in Skibbereen will benefit from the €6.25 million recently allocated to County Cork under the 2012 Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability. The funding was approved by my colleague, Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan and will lead to a substantial improvement the living standards of many people in Skibbereen this year. The programme assists people with a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability, or a mental health difficulty, by funding changes that need to be made to their home in order to make it more suitable for them to live in. It also accommodates older people who may need to alter their homes to make them more comfortable.
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Michael McCarthy TD
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