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.

Water Shortages - Dunshaughlin Area Tanker Locations

Due to water shortages in Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunshaughlin, Meath County Council are providing water tankers at the following locations:

Dunshaughlin:  Ardlea; Hillview; Grange Hall; Council Offices.

Ashbourne: Racehill Crescent; Brindley Park.

Ratoath: Meadowbank Hill. 

If anybody needs any help or assistance please do not hesitate to call me 087 2680182

Ratoath Meals on Wheels ....

Last November I along with the help of some great volunteers set up Meals on Wheels for Ratoath and the surrounding area. We deliver hot meals, 3 times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday to people who need them. I have to admit it is one of the more enjoyable roles that I carry out each week.
We recently held a Church Gate Collection in Ratoath and I was overwhelmed with the response as we collected €1,523, so a very big Thank You to all our supporters and to Fr. Gerry and Fr. Patrick.
If you know anybody who might benefit from our Meals on Wheels service, please get them to call me on 087 2680 182.

Government needs to set up Welfare Fraud Bureau with immediate effect

Cllr. Regina Doherty is calling on the government to set up a Welfare Fraud Bureau to tackle the outrageous problem of deception and fraud that prevails within our Social Welfare system. With 100’s of our highly experienced Gardai currently retiring early we should be setting up Special Units with special powers to harness their experience to solve this major issue once and for all.

The Prime Time investigates programme highlighted just how under resourced the Dept. of Social Welfare is; quite simply they are not equipped to handle an issue of this size. I have spoken with department employees and they feel intimidated and threatened when they are asked to carry out investigations. This is not the way to handle a €3billion fraud problem.

A bureau similar to that of CAB, staffed by Gardai and Social Welfare employees, should be based in local units and given special powers of surveillance, They would have access to local knowledge through their existing relationships with local Gardai and could act like pit bull terriers to root our the culprits of this major problem and bring them to justice with such a speed that it would dispel that image that “easy money” can be made from the Irish Welfare System.

It goes with out saying that in the current economic climate that of the government is truly serious about how they spend our taxes then this should be given serious and an immediate priority.

Water Supply in Ratoath and Ashbourne disrupted

Due to a problem at the inlet to Cushinstown pumping station at around midnight last night (15/11/09) no water was delivered to the Windmill Hill reservoir overnight. Caretakers solved the problem circa 8.00am but at that stage the Reservoir was almost empty. This will result in reduced supply to Ratoath today with lower pressure than usual and supply may not reach some of the higher areas. Parts of Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin will also experience lower pressure as MCC try to supply as much of Ratoath as possible.

MCC plan to supply as much water as possible into the area during the day and tonight they will curtail supply to the area to allow the reservoir to recover. The situation tomorrow should be greatly improved on today and by Wednesday normal supply should be fully restored.

FF treating older people like fools

FF treating older people like fools with dishonest statement on Community Support Scheme –


Fine Gael Councillor Regina Doherty, has accused the Fianna Fáil Government of spinning words on the community support scheme for older people which has been effectively closed since 21st October. Cllr. Doherty said Minister of State John Curran is only engaging in spin by claiming the scheme is open.

“The Fianna Fáil Government is treating older people like fools just like they have treated the whole country like fools for over a decade. Minister John Curran can play around with words as much as he likes but the fact remains that applications made to the scheme after the 21st October will not be funded.

“This keeps up his performance on this scheme, which provides security support for older people. It was announced on the 6th April then dropped after the Budget the following day and put under review. That review resulted in it being re-opened for all of 11 working days. Now the scheme is under review again, allegedly for re-introduction in 2010. That’s nothing to look forward to if the result of this review is anything like the last one.

“The truth is that the Government has been shamed into responding to this issue by Fine Gael. Of course because they’re Fianna Fáil their response is spin, not action. I can promise that I’m not giving up until I do get action and that’s the retention of this scheme for older people. The hole in the public finances is not going to be filled by shutting down low-cost supports for older people and it certainly won’t be solved by treating them like fools."

GaelScoil Rathto reaches final hurdles

With over 60 people in attendance at a public meeting last night (Thursday 12th) in the GAA Club, Ratoath, the Establishing Committee of GaelScoil Rathto updated parents on the progress made to date in setting up a new Gaelscoil in Ratoath.


“Based on the 2006 census, Ratoath has the youngest population in the country as a village/town and has seen its population increase approximately ten fold over the last decade said Cllr. Regina Doherty”.

The Department have carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there maybe a requirement for additional school provisions in primary levels over the coming years. This study indicated that a requirement for additional primary provision was greatest in 43 locations across the country. Ratoath was identified.

The forward planning section of the Department of Education having identified these locations think it prudent to plan for the establishment of new schools to commence operations in September 2010 and have invited all existing patrons to put forward there interest in patroning any new schools. We have applied under the patronship of Foras Patrunachta”

Although we are very close to achieving the establishment of a Gaelscoil in Ratoath we all recognise that we still need the final approval from the Department which we do not expect the hear from for a few weeks yet, but we are very hopeful that all our hard work will be rewarded.”

When we are successful it will see Gaelsoil Rathto added to the already superb providers of education we have in Ratoath; Ratoath Junior & Senior National School, St Pauls National School and Rathbeggan National School.”

Deirdre Donnolly. Avril McCarthy, Sean O Buachalla, Anita She[herd & Cllr. Regina Doherty

Shameful FF Govt closes older people’s scheme only 11 days after it opened

Fine Gael Cllr Regina Doherty, has condemned the Fianna Fáil Government for setting the closing date for the Community Support for Older People Scheme as just 11 working days after it was re-opened. “They are just trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes by pretending they’re committed to the scheme when its quite clear that they are not”


“This scheme has been messed around with by Fianna Fáil from day one. Further grants under the scheme were announced by the Community Minister on the 6th April only for it to be dropped after the Budget the following day. Then it was under review until Minister Curran announced on the 6th of October he was lifting its suspension. What he failed to say in that statement is that the closing date for applications is just 11 working days later on the 21st October. Who do they think they’re fooling?

“The hole in the public finances is one thing but it is certainly not going to be filled by messing around with the Community Support Scheme for Older People which costs very little but can mean a lot to older people who often feel unsafe in their own homes. This scheme improved their security in a number of ways including monitored alarms and panic buttons.

“Yet again this jaded government this its ok to target the vulnerable in our communities, well we have had enough and I am calling on the Minister to reopen this scheme immediately in order to protect the elderly across Ireland.”

Chairperson for Meath Joint Policing Committee calls for suggestions and input into coming years Work Program

At the first committee meeting of Meath’s Joint Policing Committee Fine Gael Cllr. Regina Doherty was appointed as Chairperson. “Its is a great honor for me to Chair the first Joint Policing Committee for Meath.” The JPC’s were established by the Minister of Justice as part of The Garda Síochána Act 2005.


The Minister is strongly of the view that that policing our society is best achieved through a partnership process involving the Garda Síochána and the democratically elected representatives of the communities which the Garda Síochána serves and with the participation of the community and voluntary sector.

Each of these partners has its own distinct perspective and inputs to offer, and each has its responsibilities in ensuring that our society’s policing needs are effectively met – the local authorities as much as the Garda Síochána – so as to ensure safe and secure communities.

“We are currently compiling our Work Programme for the coming year and I would ask that anybody who would like to make a contribution or has any input to please contact me at my constituency office at 2 Glebe Park, Ratoath Co Meath or on my mobile on 087 2680 182.”