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.”     

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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.

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.