CLONDALKIN UPDATE
Robert Dowds TD Summer 2015
A BETTER FUTURE FOR CLONDALKIN 2. SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN
1. USC CUTS FOR WORKING FAMILIES Now that the Government's finances are getting in reasonable shape, the debate is beginning on where the extra money should be spent for the future. I am arguing for further cuts to the USC for working families, which will increase their take home pay and help to ease the burden on those who have borne it the most. I will be pushing the Government to cut the USC in the forthcoming Budget for low and middle income earners, while maintaining it or increasing it for higher earners.
3. JOBS FOR THE UNEMPLOYED Last year, 29,100 extra jobs were created in Ireland, of which 13,100 were construction jobs. The numbers signing on the dole in Clondalkin and Lucan continues to fall, and is now down to 6,832 in April from 9,686 in August 2011. The trend is set to continue, giving jobs, income and opportunities for the future.
There is nothing more important for our future than our children's health and education. In Clondalkin, the Government has built several major extensions for our schools, and has built over 300 new schools or schools extensions across Ireland. By investing in our future, the Government has prioritised the needs of children, which will help them in their lives ahead and provide a better future for everybody.
4. TACKLING THE HOUSING CRISIS The current housing and homelessness crisis is a major problem in Clondalkin, and the Government is trying to tackle what is a very difficult issue. The Government is spending €2.2 billion on social housing, and this will include several hundred new social housing units for Clondalkin. These houses will be homes for young families who need them and will help them to build a better future for themselves.
5. TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE
6. BETTER PAY AND CONDITIONS FOR WORKERS
The Government is for the first time passing a Bill on Climate Change, to ensure that Ireland lives up to our obligations to cut our carbon emissions. Taking care of our environment is vital for the future of our children, and Labour is tackling the challenge head on by supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
The pay and conditions of workers has always been at the heart of the Labour Party. The Government has published proposals giving the right of collective bargaining to trade unions, which will help workers when negotiating with employers on pay and conditions. When put into law later this year, these proposals will help create better, fairer working conditions for workers now and into the future.
7. LÍONRA GAEILGE LE HAGHAIDH CHLUAIN DOLCÁIN Tá pobal láidir Ghaeilge i gCluain Dolcáin, le dhá bhunscoil, meánscoil agus ionad cultúrtha sa cheantair. Tá súil agam go néiríonn le Cluain Dolcáin stádas Líonra Ghaeilge a bhaint amach sa todhchaí, rud a cabhróidh go mór len teanga sa ceantair agus a cabhróidh go mór le turasóirí a mhealladh chuig Cluain Dolcáin.
CONTACT ROBERT:
8. BRINGING TOURISTS TO CLONDALKIN South Dublin County Council have recently published a tourist marketing strategy for the county, and Clondalkin Village is right at the heart of it. The new Round Tower Visitor Centre and Monastic Garden will be the centre piece of the strategy, which is hoped will attract tourists to the Village, helping create jobs and opportunities for the future of Clondalkin.
Constituency Office: Main Street, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 Tel: 618 3446
Mobile: 087 652 0360 E-mail: robert.dowds@oireachtas.ie Website: www.robertdowds.ie
Robert Dowds
@robert_dowdsTD
FREE GP CARE A BETTER, HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN
A CHOICE FOR THE FUTURE LABOUR VS. SINN FÉIN Labour want to cut the USC for those on Low and Middle Incomes
Sinn Féin Oppose Cuts to the USC
cuts to the “I would like to see iddle income USC for low and m Budget. workers in the next y to see high However, I am happ ose on higher levels of USC for th incomes." Robert Dowds TD 11 June Speech to the Dáil,
Labour cut the USC in October The rollout of free GP care for children aged under 6 is good news for local families. Many people worry about the cost of bringing their child to the doctor and parents often have to bring young children to the doctor a couple of times a year. So free GP care for children under 6 will make a real difference to a family's household budget. Labour in government has also ensured that adults aged over 70 will benefit from free GP care. This means that from this summer, up to 300,000 children and older people who currently have to pay to see their GP will no longer have to. But free GP care is about more than reducing the day-to-day cost of living for families and pensioners. The enhanced primary care services being rolled out mean that the Under 6s will benefit from a new, landmark asthma cycle of care programme and preventative wellness checks. Adults of all ages will benefit from the new diabetes care programme. This is the first step in the phased introduction of a universal, free GP service. It marks a shift towards promoting health and wellbeing that will benefit our health system as a whole. It is also an important milestone in achieving Labour’s priority of enhancing primary care and keeping people well in their own community.
Sinn Féin Voted Against Cutting the USC in November Should the USC on low and middle income worke rs be cut? Sinn Féin voted:
2% 1.5% 2014
2015
4%
3.5%
2014
2015
7% 8%
7% 11%
2014
2014
2015
Over €70k
Yes
No
x
Finance Bill, 26 November
Sinn Féin Voted Against Increasing the USC on Higher Earners
Labour Increased the USC on Higher Earners
higher Should the USC on ed? as re earners be inc : Sinn Féin voted
Yes
No
2015
Self Employed Over €100k
x
Finance Bill, 26 November
Labour has hired an extra 3,500 teachers since 2012
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Sinn Féin Minister for Education John O'Dowd is about to sack 1,700 teachers in Northern Ireland
1700
3500
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Article written by Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin opposing tax cuts, Sunday Business Post May 3rd
EXTRA TEACHERS HIRED
teachers sacked
A LOOK TO THE FUTURE The Irish people have been through a traumatic experience over the last 8 years, and finally things are starting to improve. It is important that the most amount of people possible feel the benefit from the recovery. It is also absolutely vital that the recovery is not put at risk by poor economic management. The Irish people have been through too much for the recovery to all go up in smoke. We must think of the future of the country and make the decisions that will help Ireland to continue its recovery, and to spread the benefits as widely as possible.
If you wish to raise any issue with me, whether personal, local or national, please contact me.
Robert Dowds TD Working with your local Labour team
Tel: 618 3446 Mobile: 087 652 0360 E-mail: robert.dowds@oireachtas.ie Website: www.robertdowds.ie Robert Dowds @robert_dowdsTD
Joanna Tuffy TD
Cllr. Breeda Bonner
Cllr. Martina Genockey
01 6183822 joanna.tuffy@oir.ie
087 413 2627 bbonner@sdublincoco.ie
086 373 5657 mgenockey@cllrs.sdublincoco.ie
If you wish to set up an appointment with Robert, please call his office on 01-6183446. 0612
Constituency Office: Main Street, Clondalkin, Dublin 22