PALMERSTOWN UPDATE Robert Dowds TD Summer 2014
NEW LABOUR LEADERSHIP TO WORK FOR FAIRER SOCIETY The Labour Party received a clear message from the voters during the Local and European elections. We heard this message, and we are taking action. In the past few weeks the Labour Party has elected a new leader, Joan Burton, and a new Deputy Leader, Alan Kelly. ■ Labour and the new Tánaiste will keep doing everything we can to create new jobs for the unemployed and to help people get back to work. We will do this through our Pathways to Work strategy. ■ Housing will be the number one issue for our Deputy Leader, Alan Kelly. We will begin a construction programme to provide houses and get the 80,000 unemployed construction workers back in jobs. ■ We will establish a Low Pay Commission ■ In Budget 2015, we will improve the system of child supports so that people moving from welfare to work will keep their payments. ■ In the same budget, we will also increase the Household Benefits Package by about €100 a year, to help older people and vulnerable groups. ■ We will prioritise the over 70s in the next phase of the roll-out of free access to GP care, and after that we will extend it to children aged 6-11 and then 12-17. We recognise that cuts have been awful for people, but it had to be done because the country was broke. The country is recovering but people do not yet see that in their pockets. We are trying to change this by creating more jobs and making life easier for families.
DOWDS WORKS WITH LOCAL GROUPS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WITH PALMERSTOWN CEMETERY Robert has attended a number of meetings between Palmerstown residents and representatives from Palmerstown Cemetery. The meetings are aimed at helping to address some of the issues raised by local people. Discussions are continuing but so far, it has been agreed: ■ to try and improve wheelchair access to the site ■ Glasnevin Cemetery Trust (which runs the cemetery), will work with South Dublin County Council to prevent illegal access to the cemetery from Palmerstown Manor and Court ■ to try harder to resolve traffic issues occurring at funerals by allowing more cars into the cemetery Also discussed were toilet facilities, how security issues impact on local residents and traders, and the long-term plans for the cemetery. Robert said “If you have any queries relating to these or other issues with the cemetery, please do not hesitate to contact my office, and I will raise them in my next meeting with the Trust.”
HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GET BACK TO WORK
FREE TRAVEL PASS SAFE The Labour Party has committed to protecting the free travel pass. A review was being carried out on the way the free travel scheme works, but that was to make sure that it can be enjoyed by as many people for the next fifty years as it was for the last.
There has been a lot of confusion recently about the new Housing Assistance Payment. However there are many benefits to this new system that have been overlooked. HAP is a payment that will replace rent supplement for people who are in private accommodation. If you are on a housing list, you can take up HAP and still seek a transfer to a council house, a RAS-type tenancy, or accommodation from a housing association.
Speaking in the Dáil, the Tánaiste has made it clear that the free travel pass is safe, has been protected in recent budgets and will continue to be protected.
It allows people to take up a full time job and continue to get a housing assistance payment, unlike the present system.
Robert said “I am delighted that despite the difficult economic situation the government and the country is facing, we have been able to protect the free travel pass and that we will continue to do so. The Labour Party has a vision for older people, a vision of a society which recognises and respects their valuable role by providing them with help, where necessary, to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.”
CONTACT ROBERT:
Under HAP, you find your own accommodation and pay your contribution to the rent directly to the council. If your main income is from social welfare, your rent contribution will be deducted and paid to the council. The council will pay the full amount of the rent, up to the maximum limit, direct to the landlord for you. It is to be made available in South County Dublin in the coming months (for more information please telephone my office).
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