Spring newsletter

Welcome to my Spring newsletter. I am very pleased to announce the opening of my Constituency Office at 2 Main Street, Ratoath ( Beside main entrance to the church). The opening of this office symbolizes my deep commitment to serve the people of Ratoath and South Meath as a Fine Gael Representative. I believe having a Local Point of Contact will enable me to provide a more professional service to you and further enhance
the level of information, advice and representation for you. The minimum opening hours shall be from 10am - 12.30pm, Mon - Fri, however please feel free to call in any time the office is open.
The last year has been challenging. The impact of the recession, people losing their jobs and the bad weather has brought hardship of unknown proportions to so many families. It is obvious that if the economy is to grow again, businesses and entrepreneurship must flourish to provide jobs, and in order to do this they must be encouraged, resourced and supported by Government, something which the present administration is clearly failing to achieve.
I am convinced that the Fine Gael approach to the economy is the correct one, recognising that, at the heart of the problem
is the need to create new jobs and protect the ones we still have.
Please feel free to contact me at any time. Very best regards
Regina

Ratoath Riverwalk & Bridle Lane at Jamestown Park

The latest update on the river walk and Bridle Lane is that the OPW have agreed as part of their ongoing works to dredge the river this year. This is very welcome as it has been allowed to deteriorate
badly over the past few years.
We have also reached agreement with the contractor
who is currently resurfacing the Bridle Lane at Jamestown Park, that when they are finished they will landscape the lane way thus making it a more pleasant walkway for us all. I have also requested that Meath County Council erect street lighting along

People 4 People

People 4 People Ratoath is a voluntary organisation that we set up in November 2008. Our aim is to lend a helping hand to people in our community who might need it.
If you feel there is something we can do to help, just call us. We may do a good turn for you today, you may join us as a volunteer in the future. The P4P telephone number is 086 032 5795.
Special thanks to all those who supported our recent “Mothers Day Cake Sale” where we raised much needed funds.

Ashbourne & Dunshaughlin Water Supply

Meath County Council will carry out watermains flushing to the Ashbourne & Dunshaughlin Water Supply networks from Monday 1^st March 2010 to the 31st March 2010. Mains flushing is undertaken to improve the quality of water supplied to our consumers. Consumers in areas where flushing will be taking place may notice temporary discolouration to their water but this discolouration should clear when allowed to run for a few minutes.  

Water Supply to the Ashbourne & Dunshaughlin towns and surrounding areas may experience reduced levels of service for the duration of these works.

 Meath County Council regrets any inconvenience caused. 

GUTTED as DES refuse to recognise Gaelscoil Rathto

Fine Gael Cllr. Regina Doherty has today expressed her deep concerns at the decision taken by the Department of Education & Science to refuse recognition to GaelScoil Rathto for 2010.

“We currently have 33 children on our register for 2010, we have an established committee who have worked extremely hard over the past 18 months, we have a school site and we have our own funds. What we lack is the follow-through on the promise by this government to offer diversity in education to the Irish public.”

“Gaelscoileanna around the county are turning hundreds of children away, as they do not have the capacity to cope with the volume of applicants.

It is a problem that there is just not enough spaces to meet the demand of people who want their students taught through Irish,"

“Coupled with this the Department itself recognised Ratoath’s growing population and education needs by short listing us back in November to receive a new school.  Now with no explaination we are refused and left high and dry.” 

I am calling on Minister Batt O Keefe to seriously reconsider this decision and to grant temporary recognition to Gaelscoil Rathto and allow our children to be education “as gaelige” as is our right.”     

Fine Gael Pub Quiz

For further information or Tickets contact 087 2680182

Half-Way House Update

Following numerous communications with Justice Minister Dermot Ahern, on 4th March I finally received the following communication by email from his office regarding the half-way house in Ratoath –
“Dear Councillor
I am directed by the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D. to refer to your recent letters regarding the use of certain accommodation in Ratoath to accommodate the post release management of a released prisoner.
I wish to advise that work with higher risk offenders (including sex offenders) following release from prison is done on the basis of risk assessments and all relevant information to assist in the post release management of the particular offender. This work is done in partnership with other relevant agencies including the Garda Síochána and the Probation Service. As you will appreciate all such work is aimed at enhancing community safety by focussing on preventing re-offending and promoting rehabilitation.
The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a comprehensive set of provisions aimed at protecting children and other persons. The Act makes persons convicted of a range of sexual offences subject to notification requirements under Part 2, including notification of changes of address and the Gardaí are the only agency with any authority to hold and manage such notification information in all cases.
Furthermore when an offender is under any form of supervision by the Probation Service, that Service is governed by the Data Protection legislation and must work within the strict parameters of that legislation in communicating relevant information to other partner agencies in the management of any particular offender.
In relation to the specific accommodation address in Ratoath, I can advise that the accommodation option sourced in that area has been returned to the landlord. I can also confirm that that address will not be used again for the post release accommodation of any released person.
I trust this clarifies the position for you. Yours sincerely, Barry O’Donnell, Private Secretary . 4 March 2010”
The outcome of this particular incident is indeed a happy one but I genuinely believe that we should have far more transparency with regard to the post release arrangements of particular prisoners and I will continue to campaign for a “Megan’s Law” type scenario in Ireland.

Reduced Water Pressure - Dunshaughlin, Ashbourne and Ratoath

Due to a burst water main at Staleen Water Works, Dunshaughlin, Ashbourne and Ratoath area’s may experience reduced water pressure this evening.

The burst water main is currently being repaired.  Meath Co. Council urges customers to conserve water.

Normal supply will be restored as soon as possible.

149% increase in youth unemployment since election

Young Irish people now fear a future of unemployment & emigration

Fine Gael Cllr Regina Doherty has warned that youth unemployment has shot up by 149% since the general election, and is having a devastating impact on young people.

“The latest CSO live register figures confirm that unemployment is the single greatest challenge facing us as a nation. Youth unemployment continues to be a major problem that will have long-term consequences if it is not tackled now.

“Since the Fianna Fáil/Green Government came into office in June 2007 unemployment among under-25 year olds has jumped from 33,872 to 84,398. The Government has become obsessed with the banking and fiscal crises and is ignoring the jobs and competitiveness crisis.

“Youth Work Ireland published their Voices of Youth Poll in December showing the impact this is having on young Irish people. The poll of 1,029 young people between the ages of 12 and 18 revealed that 59.8% expected to be unemployed after finishing their education while 47.6% expected to emigrate after finishing their education.

“Fine Gael is the only Party to offer plans to tackle youth unemployment:

• Our NewERA stimulus package, employment-focused tax cuts and support for small businesses will help reduce unemployment across all age profiles;
• Our Hope for a Lost Generation policy will directly target youth unemployment with workshare schemes like those in Germany and the US, a National Internship Programme and by increasing the number of places available on further education and retraining programmes.

“An entire generation of young Irish people now believe that unemployment and emigration lie in store for them in the future. This is the real legacy of Brian Cowen and his Fianna Fáil/Green Government. If the prospect of long-term youth unemployment and emigration is to be avoided the Government must adopt policies like those proposed by Fine Gael.”

Emergency Water Notices – 15th January – 12.00noon

All areas in Co. Meath may experience intermittent disruption and localized problems over the coming days.

Meath Local Authorities’ overall strategy is to increase water levels in our reservoirs and there has been some recovery in the past 48 hours.

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Slane area has water but low pressure in, Painstown and Beauparc. Detection of leaks underway in order to reduce demand. People are requested to report leaks, and check any agricultural connections.

2 Tankers of water available at Yellow Furze Church.

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Dunshaughlin and surrounding areas – Supply restored to all areas but low pressure in some areas.

Ratoath and surrounding areas - Water in all areas but low pressure may be experienced.

Ashbourne and surrounding areas - Most areas should have a normal water supply but low pressure may be experienced in higher areas i.e. Race Hill, as system recovers.

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Navan and surrounding areas – Pressure restriction was lifted this morning and supply restored to all outlying areas.

Due to a mechanical failure at the Kilcarn Water Treatment Plant this morning the following areas were without water:

Johnstown, Oakleigh, Kilcarn Court, Swan Lane, Athlumney Abbey, Athlumney Wood, Johnstown Shopping Centre, Carn Hill, Millbrook, Cill Foireann, Spire View, Johnstown Wood, Bailis Manor, Athlumney Hall, Chestnut Court, Johnstown Village, Springfield Glen, Limekiln Wood, Old Balreask Wood.

Supply will be restored by late morning.

No water in Robinstown due to the presence of air locks in the system – work ongoing to resolve this problem. Water Tankers available at Robinstown Church.

Please note that the public water supply in Navan Town & Area shall experience low water pressure from 9pm tonight Friday 15th January 2010 until 6am the following morning, Saturday 16^th January 2010.

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We would once again appeal to all members of the public to conserve water, check all water supplies for evidence of leaks and where appropriate arrange for any necessary repairs to be carried out immediately.