Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has welcomed the news that almost €1 million has been approved for Meath County Council to improve or adapt the homes of older people and people with a disability. Deputy Doherty said that the improvements will make a huge difference to those who benefit from the grant aid.
“This funding is being made available as part of an overall national allocation of €67.75 million by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan. It is specifically aimed at making improvements to the homes of elderly people or those with a disability.
“This will be very welcome for many residents in Meath, who have been badly in need of some small remedial or improvement works that will make a big difference to their daily lives. I think the most positive aspect of this funding is that it allows people to remain in their own homes, rather than being forced to move into long term residential care.
“I also find it very encouraging that, despite our economic difficulties, the Government has chosen to prioritise these grants. The works carried out under the grants will also provide a welcome boost to the local economy in Meath, by boosting activity among suppliers and tradespeople.
“Allowing people to live independently in the community is one of the central planks of the Government’s new Housing Strategy for People with a Disability. It sets out a framework for the delivery of housing to people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy, to help them stay in their own homes.
“The grants under this scheme will allow for a range of works to be carried out. Mobility Aid Grants, of up to €6,000, can be used to install facilities such as stairlifts. Up to €10,500 can be granted for older people who need to have repairs or improvements carried out in their homes, while up to €30,000 can be secured for improvement works and extensions to facilitate a person with a disability.”
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
EU Treaty will help ensure economic recovery continues
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) said that ratifying the European Stability Treaty through a referendum will help to ensure Ireland continues on the road to economic recovery. Deputy Doherty was speaking after the Government confirmed that a referendum will be held, following advice from the Attorney General.
“The Irish people will be asked to ratify the European Stability Treaty through a referendum later this year. By doing so, we will be sending out a clear message that Ireland is determined to continue on the road to economic recovery.
“We have made considerable progress over the last year, with a major improvement in international confidence in the Irish economy. We now need to build on this progress by implementing a set of rules that will help to stabilise the Eurozone and ensure the mistakes of the past will never be allowed to happen again.
“Ratifying the Treaty is a key step to full economic recovery. We have restructured the banking sector and re-negotiated the EU/IMF deal. The Government has developed a comprehensive jobs strategy which tackles the issues facing both the domestic and export sectors. This approach, and the improvement in sentiment to Ireland since the Government took office, is already bearing fruit, with thousands of jobs announced in recent weeks.
“Ireland has benefitted hugely by being a small, open economy, at the heart of the Eurozone. The Treaty gives the Irish people the opportunity to reinforce their commitment to remaining an integral part of the single currency.
“This is about economic recovery and stability. Before any discussions had begun on the Treaty, the Government was committed to enacting stronger fiscal rules to ensure our domestic deficit is never allowed to spiral out of control again.
“The Government is taking the right steps to return our economy to a sustainable level of growth. Ratifying the European Stability Treaty will ensure this progress is not put in jeopardy.”
“The Irish people will be asked to ratify the European Stability Treaty through a referendum later this year. By doing so, we will be sending out a clear message that Ireland is determined to continue on the road to economic recovery.
“We have made considerable progress over the last year, with a major improvement in international confidence in the Irish economy. We now need to build on this progress by implementing a set of rules that will help to stabilise the Eurozone and ensure the mistakes of the past will never be allowed to happen again.
“Ratifying the Treaty is a key step to full economic recovery. We have restructured the banking sector and re-negotiated the EU/IMF deal. The Government has developed a comprehensive jobs strategy which tackles the issues facing both the domestic and export sectors. This approach, and the improvement in sentiment to Ireland since the Government took office, is already bearing fruit, with thousands of jobs announced in recent weeks.
“Ireland has benefitted hugely by being a small, open economy, at the heart of the Eurozone. The Treaty gives the Irish people the opportunity to reinforce their commitment to remaining an integral part of the single currency.
“This is about economic recovery and stability. Before any discussions had begun on the Treaty, the Government was committed to enacting stronger fiscal rules to ensure our domestic deficit is never allowed to spiral out of control again.
“The Government is taking the right steps to return our economy to a sustainable level of growth. Ratifying the European Stability Treaty will ensure this progress is not put in jeopardy.”
Monday, February 27, 2012
Work continues on Navan rail link – Doherty & English
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, and Meath West Deputy, Damien English, have welcomed confirmation from the National Transport Authority (NTA) that work is progressing on the design and planning of the rail line extension from Pace to Navan. The NTA says the project has been postponed, not cancelled, and remains part of the overall draft Transport Strategy for the region.
Deputy Doherty said: ‘It was very disappointing for many residents of Co. Meath that the planned rail extension to Navan had to be delayed under the Government’s Capital Spending Plan, due to the severely reduced budgets each department must function under. However it is very encouraging to receive confirmation from the NTA that Irish Rail has been instructed to complete the design and planning work up to the preparation of a draft railway order’.
“This project has been suspended, it hasn’t been scrapped. This is a very important distinction. I am hopeful that as the economy recovers, and Exchequer funding improves, the Navan rail link can become a reality.”
Deputy English said: ‘I have been pursuing this project for a number of years now, and I am glad to receive reassurance from the NTA that it remains on the agenda. The Government had no choice but to scale back infrastructure projects over the next couple of years, due to the huge gap in spending that needs to be narrowed. But the Navan rail link remains a longer term objective’.
“The rail link will make a massive difference to the lives of thousands of people in Navan and its environs. The NTA is currently preparing guidance documents for Meath County Council to make sure the identified rail corridor remains free from development. This will ensure that the project will be able to progress without delay when funding becomes available.”
Deputy Doherty said: ‘It was very disappointing for many residents of Co. Meath that the planned rail extension to Navan had to be delayed under the Government’s Capital Spending Plan, due to the severely reduced budgets each department must function under. However it is very encouraging to receive confirmation from the NTA that Irish Rail has been instructed to complete the design and planning work up to the preparation of a draft railway order’.
“This project has been suspended, it hasn’t been scrapped. This is a very important distinction. I am hopeful that as the economy recovers, and Exchequer funding improves, the Navan rail link can become a reality.”
Deputy English said: ‘I have been pursuing this project for a number of years now, and I am glad to receive reassurance from the NTA that it remains on the agenda. The Government had no choice but to scale back infrastructure projects over the next couple of years, due to the huge gap in spending that needs to be narrowed. But the Navan rail link remains a longer term objective’.
“The rail link will make a massive difference to the lives of thousands of people in Navan and its environs. The NTA is currently preparing guidance documents for Meath County Council to make sure the identified rail corridor remains free from development. This will ensure that the project will be able to progress without delay when funding becomes available.”
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Mains Flushing to Dunshaughlin Water Supply - Wednesday 22nd February to Wednesday 29th February 2012 (incl.)
Public Notice
Mains Flushing to Dunshaughlin Water Supply
Meath County Council will carry out watermains flushing Dunshaughlin Water Supply network from Wednesday 22nd February to Wednesday 29th February 2012 (incl.).Mains flushing is being undertaken to improve the quality of water supplied to our consumers. Consumers in areas where flushing will take place may notice temporary discolouration to their water but this discolouration should clear when allowed to run for a few minutes.
Water users in Dunshaughlin and Environs may experience a reduced level of service for the duration of these works.
Meath County Council regrets any inconvenience caused.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Lawnmower/Strimmer and Amenity Grant Scheme 2012
Meath County Council is making available grants under the above headings to Community Groups and Residents Associations.
Applications forms for the above Grants are available on the Council’s website at http://www.meath.ie/ or from the Environment & Water Services Section, Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co Meath.
Separate Application Forms will be required for each grant applied for and each form should be e-mailed to amenitygrants@meathcoco.ie or lawnmowergrants@meathcoco.ie or returned to the Environment & Water Services Section, Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co. Meath on or before 4pm on Friday 30th March 2012.
Applications forms for the above Grants are available on the Council’s website at http://www.meath.ie/ or from the Environment & Water Services Section, Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co Meath.
Separate Application Forms will be required for each grant applied for and each form should be e-mailed to amenitygrants@meathcoco.ie or lawnmowergrants@meathcoco.ie or returned to the Environment & Water Services Section, Meath County Council, County Hall, Railway Street, Navan, Co. Meath on or before 4pm on Friday 30th March 2012.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Meath must benefit from IDA targets – Doherty
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) said that Meath must benefit from the target set by IDA Ireland to have 50% of foreign direct investments based outside Dublin and Cork. In response to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Deputy Doherty, the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton, said that IDA Ireland has been marketing a number of large towns, including Navan, as key locations for such investments.
“Tackling the jobs crisis is top of the Government’s list of priorities. The Action Plan for Jobs launched earlier this week will help companies in Meath to do business and create jobs. The Plan will improve access to finance for small businesses, reduce costs and red tape, and improve supports for exports, management and innovation.
“I was very encouraged to learn that employment continued to grow in the 172 Enterprise Ireland supported companies based in Meath last year. More than 5,100 people work in these companies and I hope this number will continue to grow this year. Since 2007, funding of over €20m has been approved by Enterprise Ireland to companies based in Meath, helping them to retain and create employment. Last year, businesses supported by Meath County Enterprise Board created 358 full-time jobs and 120 part-time or seasonal jobs.
“The reforms introduced in the Action Plan for Jobs will make it easier for companies and entrepreneurs in Meath to get the support they need to start up and expand. A new ‘one-stop-shop’ micro enterprise support structure will be established by dissolving County Enterprise Boards and replacing them with Local Enterprise Offices in each local authority. This will give firms an enhanced service with direct access to Enterprise Ireland’s expertise and the broader business services of the local authority.
“At the moment, 16 IDA Ireland supported companies in Meath employ about 1,300 people. I am determined to see this number grow. According to Minister Bruton, the agency is encouraging these companies to continue to re-invest within the region. I will be pursuing this issue with the agency, to ensure Meath receives its fair share of potential investment.”
“Tackling the jobs crisis is top of the Government’s list of priorities. The Action Plan for Jobs launched earlier this week will help companies in Meath to do business and create jobs. The Plan will improve access to finance for small businesses, reduce costs and red tape, and improve supports for exports, management and innovation.
“I was very encouraged to learn that employment continued to grow in the 172 Enterprise Ireland supported companies based in Meath last year. More than 5,100 people work in these companies and I hope this number will continue to grow this year. Since 2007, funding of over €20m has been approved by Enterprise Ireland to companies based in Meath, helping them to retain and create employment. Last year, businesses supported by Meath County Enterprise Board created 358 full-time jobs and 120 part-time or seasonal jobs.
“The reforms introduced in the Action Plan for Jobs will make it easier for companies and entrepreneurs in Meath to get the support they need to start up and expand. A new ‘one-stop-shop’ micro enterprise support structure will be established by dissolving County Enterprise Boards and replacing them with Local Enterprise Offices in each local authority. This will give firms an enhanced service with direct access to Enterprise Ireland’s expertise and the broader business services of the local authority.
“At the moment, 16 IDA Ireland supported companies in Meath employ about 1,300 people. I am determined to see this number grow. According to Minister Bruton, the agency is encouraging these companies to continue to re-invest within the region. I will be pursuing this issue with the agency, to ensure Meath receives its fair share of potential investment.”
Monday, February 13, 2012
Road works to facilitate East West Interconnector
Road works to install the East West Interconnector will be taking place in the Ashbourne area.
The Interconnector cables will come ashore at Rush North Beach, Co. Dublin, and then continue underground to Woodland in Co. Meath.
EirGrid has liaised with Meath County Council to ensure traffic disruption is kept to a minimum.
Week commencing 13th February 7am to 7pm and is expected to take 7 days
Rath Roundabout (Marriott Hotel)
Single Lane traffic management towards the roundabout from the Slane direction and also within the roundabout including single lane traffic management towards the Ashbourne direction.
The L22091
A full road closure commences on Thursday the 2nd of February on the Rainstown lane (L22091) from the R147 (Old N3) to the L2209 just outside Batterstown.
Ballymadun to Ashbourne road
Traffic management will be in place locally between Ballymadun and the Ashbourne road.
Project Hotline 1890 36 46 56
To receive text updates on works in the Meath area in general, text Meath to 51500.
The Interconnector cables will come ashore at Rush North Beach, Co. Dublin, and then continue underground to Woodland in Co. Meath.
EirGrid has liaised with Meath County Council to ensure traffic disruption is kept to a minimum.
Week commencing 13th February 7am to 7pm and is expected to take 7 days
Rath Roundabout (Marriott Hotel)
Single Lane traffic management towards the roundabout from the Slane direction and also within the roundabout including single lane traffic management towards the Ashbourne direction.
The L22091
A full road closure commences on Thursday the 2nd of February on the Rainstown lane (L22091) from the R147 (Old N3) to the L2209 just outside Batterstown.
Ballymadun to Ashbourne road
Traffic management will be in place locally between Ballymadun and the Ashbourne road.
Project Hotline 1890 36 46 56
To receive text updates on works in the Meath area in general, text Meath to 51500.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Get your household charge forms in on time
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, is encouraging local residents in Ratoath and others from across Co. Meath to pick up their household charge forms at her office, if they have not already registered for the charge.
“You have until the end of March to register your details and pay for the household charge. For those who haven’t yet done so, and who find the prospect of going online daunting, I will have hard copies of the necessary form in my office.
“I know this isn’t a popular charge and it isn’t easy for people to stomach. The Government plans to put a fairer system in place next year, and in the meantime we are asking homeowners to pay this charge to fund local services like roads, emergency services and lighting.
“We’ve tried to incorporate some flexibility into the scheme, so if you cannot afford to pay upfront there are instalment options, to allow you to pay in four instalments of €25. If you want to use this method, you need to register your details by the end of this month.
“We are one of the last countries in Europe that does not fund local services through locally-based property charges. The introduction of a charge is also required under the terms of the EU/IMF agreement.
“Many people are exempt from the charge, including those in council and social housing. There are also waivers for people receiving the mortgage interest supplement, and people living in designated unfinished housing estates.
“Late payment fees and interest penalties will apply to those who fail to pay the charge by the due date. I am encouraging Ratoath residents to get their forms filled out now, and get the charge out of the way.”
“You have until the end of March to register your details and pay for the household charge. For those who haven’t yet done so, and who find the prospect of going online daunting, I will have hard copies of the necessary form in my office.
“I know this isn’t a popular charge and it isn’t easy for people to stomach. The Government plans to put a fairer system in place next year, and in the meantime we are asking homeowners to pay this charge to fund local services like roads, emergency services and lighting.
“We’ve tried to incorporate some flexibility into the scheme, so if you cannot afford to pay upfront there are instalment options, to allow you to pay in four instalments of €25. If you want to use this method, you need to register your details by the end of this month.
“We are one of the last countries in Europe that does not fund local services through locally-based property charges. The introduction of a charge is also required under the terms of the EU/IMF agreement.
“Many people are exempt from the charge, including those in council and social housing. There are also waivers for people receiving the mortgage interest supplement, and people living in designated unfinished housing estates.
“Late payment fees and interest penalties will apply to those who fail to pay the charge by the due date. I am encouraging Ratoath residents to get their forms filled out now, and get the charge out of the way.”
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