Additional teaching places for Agricultural Colleges are Welcome in Meath

Deputy Regina Doherty TD today welcomes the announcement made by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney that six extra teachers will be appointed to Teagasc Agricultural Colleges.

Over the past few years there has been a surge in the number of people applying to agricultural colleges. This surge has led to an exception to the Moratorium on hiring in the public sector and the Minister creating and prioritising six new teaching posts in Agricultural Colleges in Ireland.

Teachers will be allocated based on the needs of the colleges and class sizes.

“This is great news for those wishing to pursue a career in farming in Meath. Although Warrenstown College is now closed, the fact that there will be additional teachers available in other colleges throughout Ireland to cater for those interested in Agriculture is a welcome decision. The availability of educated skilled workers is key to the success and sustainability of the agricultural industry in Ireland.”

“The Food Harvest 2020 Bill has set ambitious targets for growth within the Agriculture and Agri-food sector and decisions like the one made today by the Minister for Agriculture will make these even more feasible than before.”

Doherty Welcomes the Minister For Children’s Vision for future

Meath East Deputy Regina Doherty, following today’s Oireachtas Committee meeting on Health and Children has welcomed Minister Frances Fitzgerald’s ambitious plans for the future of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Plans and priorities for the future of the Department were discussed in detail at today’s meeting where members of the Committee were introduced to the new Secretary General of the department, Mr. Jim Breslin.  Deputies also posed questions to the Minister regarding her proposals for the future of the Department.
“Today’s meeting was hugely positive and it is clear from the ministers’ enthusiasm for her new role that we will see serious changes in the way we deliver services to children in Ireland.”
“My particular interest is in how we deliver services to children with special needs that span across several departments eg OT, Speech Therapy, Counselling Services etc.. Child centred services must be employed, as it is no longer acceptable that children and their parents be pushed from pillar to post when trying to get help for their child.  We must also support the families of children with special needs, as the stress they experience is profound and often find they have no-one to reach out to in their time of need.  The new Child & Family Support Agency that this Minister is proposing is very welcome.  Finally, we have some joined up thinking by politicians.”
Some of the other topics that were discussed were the status of the Children’s Referendum, the placing of the Children’s first guidelines on a statutory footing and the progress that has been made so far in relation to transferring the responsibilities for children and youth affairs from the Department of Health.
The meeting clearly outlined the importance being attached area of Children and Youth Affairs. The meeting enabled the Minister to clearly outline how she intends to progress schemes like Early Childhood Education Scheme and a new childcare policy in Ireland.

Govt to review interconnector project

Meath East TD Regina Doherty has very much welcomed the Government announcement that it is to review the case for a north/south electricity interconnector.

An international expert commission will be established to review the project with a view to reporting back within six months.

The Minister for Energy, Pat Rabitte, has said he will finalise and announce the composition of the three-person expert Commission within the next few days.

"It is vital that the terms of reference for this review are wide enough and do not just concentrate on financial costs. I want to thank the minister for his attention to this issue issue since his appointment"

"There is deep frustration in rural communities on this issue and how it has unfolded over the past few years and this is an opportunity to right some wrongs"

Future of Meath is Reliant on Our Infrastructure

Irish Rail publishes new draft timetable reducing commuter train services from the M3 Parkway at Dunboyne to Dublin.

Meath East TD, Regina Doherty has written to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar highlighting this issue and seeking assistance to rectify this situation on behalf of Meath residents.

According to Doherty “it is evident from the proposed new timetable Irish Rail are proposing to reduce the frequency of its train service from September 2011. Furthermore there is no proposal from Irish Rail to introduce peak-time commuter services arriving or departing from either Connolly or Pearse St Dart Stations. ”

In her letter to the Minister, Deputy Doherty went further to request the Ministers assistance in conveying her message to Irish Rail in the hopes that they will review their draft timetables. She believes “there will continue to be lack of patronage for this service if this change is allowed to occur.”

Doherty went further to warn that “Should this change become permanent it would have a considerable negative impact on the financial viability of extending the Dunboyne M3 Parkway service to Navan.”

Doherty is 100% convinced of the importance of the M3 Parkway service to County Meath and for the need to continue the service to Navan.

“This Train Service is a vital piece of infrastructure for County Meath and the future development of this County and I know the Minster will assist in conveying this important message to Irish Rail.”

195 Additional BTEI Places for Meath under Government’s Jobs Initiative

Deputy Regina Doherty is pleased with the announcement this morning from the Minister from Education and Skills that an extra 195 Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) places have been announced. These places will be made available the Meath VEC under the Governments Jobs Initiative which was announced last month.

These places will commence in September 2011 and brings the total number of BTEI places in Meath to 449 part-time flexible learning opportunities.

Speaking of this welcome addition Deputy Doherty states “This is a great opportunity for people in Meath to re-skill, up-skill and re-enter the workplace as quickly as possible.”

“These part-time places will provide people with further education and specific vocational skills. It also enables Meath VEC to increase and build on their important role in providing educational opportunities to those individuals who wish to improve their employment prospects”

“Individuals interested in taking part in the BTEI should contact Meath VEC for their course that begins in September” states Doherty.

New Secondary School for Ashbourne

Announcement is part of a plan to establish 40 schools nationally.

Fine Gael Deputy for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has welcomed the Government announcement to establish a new second level school in Ashbourne County Meath.

“This announcement is very good news for parents and young people in Meath East. I am delighted that the needs that exist in Ashbourne have been recognised and will be addressed sooner rather than later. ”

“This is part of a plan of a plan to build 40 new primary and secondary schools nationally in the next six years and is a very clear articulation of the Government’s commitment to focus on key areas such as education, despite limited resources.”

“By building these schools the Government is responding to increased pressure in the education system as a result of the growing school going population. The Department of Education is predicting an increase of over 45,050 primary pupils and 24,900 post-primary pupils by the start of the 2017/18 school year.”

“Seventeen of the new schools will be in the Dublin area with a further 12 in the computer belt of Wicklow, Kildare, Meath and Louth. Six new schools will be established in Cork, three in Galway and one in each Cavan and Wexford. These new schools will be in addition to the seven new primary schools opened nationally in autumn 2010.”

“Many of the new schools will be sixteen-classroom primary schools and post-primary schools and post primary schools that can cater for up to 1,000 students. The new schools are estimated to cost approximately €380million and the programme of delivery will include some PPP projects. There will also be additional school extension projects which have been necessitated by growing school population”

Doherty Calls on Toibin to resign as Chairperson of The Save Navan Hospital Action Group

Meath East Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty has written to Deputy Peadar Tobin to ask him to step down as Chairperson of The Save Navan Hospital Group for the sake of the integrity of the group.
“I am very disappointed by the Sinn Fein deputy’s scare mongering tactics and emotive language he used in both a press release and media interviews this morning.  All along people were concerned that confusion could creep into our hospital campaign by having a political activist leading the committee.  Some people even went as far as to say that it was being high jacked as a political platform with which to fight the last election.
“I disagreed with most people, as I felt that Peadar Tobin was different and publically congratulated him on the campaign back last October.  I am sad to say today, that I was wrong.  It is very disingenuous to go on radio and release statements claiming one thing, when you know the reality is different. That’s playing politics and I for one think the 10,000 people who marched on Navan last October (of whom I was one), deserve more from their publicly elected representatives.
“As a new TD Peadar has a platform with which to hold this current government to account.  I feel that the campaign to save our hospital should be above politics as we are all looking for the same thing – a vibrant hospital in the heart of our community. That is my priority and I will continue to fight for that aim.”

Doherty Urges Students to apply as soon as possible for Student Grant Schemes

TD for Meath East Deputy Regina Doherty has today urged students of Meath to apply for Student Grant Schemes as soon as possible.

This statement comes as a result of an announcement made by the Department of Education and Skills of the Student Grant Scheme for 2011/2012.
It was announced in May that there would be an over-haul of the student grant scheme. In the first major step towards this the existing four grant schemes have been replaced by one unified grant scheme this year.
“This is the announcement that students have been waiting for. Almost 38,000 students, well over half of the expected number of applicants will be able to apply on line this year.”
The grants online facility has been rolled out to an extra 24 grant awarding bodies giving a total of 35 in all now using the system. The system is available through www.studentfinance.ie
Deputy Doherty wishes to inform those students attending college next year that “Meath VEC and Meath County Council are two such bodies that are included in the grantsonline facility”
For those students who have to wait a little longer, next year is when a single grant awarding authority will become operational in all of Ireland. CDVEC was recently announced as the authority that will after a competitive process.
Deputy Regina Doherty urges all those finished their Leaving Cert who think they may be eligible for a grant next year to apply online now.
“Early applications can prevent delays in receiving maintenance grants. Previously those who have waited until very late in the process, frequently until after the CAO offers were out, have experienced major delays. I would also urge those individuals to ensure that the forms are correctly completed and that they send in all the corresponding paperwork”
The Department have stated that in some cases 60% of applications have to be returned for incompleteness or there are errors.
“With Meath VEC being one of the grant awarding bodies involved in the grantonline scheme this will go a long way to preventing those problems for students of Meath as the programme used checks the data for errors as you enter it.”
There has been little change elsewhere in the grant scheme only in reference to the change introduced by the previous Government under Budget 2011. This reduces the qualifying distance criterion for non-adjacent rate from 24km to 45km.
“I would urge all Leaving Cert Students and potential college goers to log on to www.studentfinanace.ie an complete their applications asap.” 

Doherty welcomes Jobbridge, The National Internship Programme

Deputy Regina Doherty  has welcomed the launch of the Government’s new internship scheme, which will provide 5,000 places for people who are unemployed and are struggling to access the jobs market.

“JobBridge, the new National Internship Programme, is a hugely welcome initiative, which will help thousands of people who feel stuck on the live register gain access to the jobs market. Hundreds of companies have already expressed interest in the programme, ranging from semi-state bodies to multinational corporations.”

It has been announced that about 300 organisations have indicated that they will take on 1,000 interns between them.

Deputy Doherty states “This is a hugely positive start and a strong indication that the interest in the scheme will be quite significant. Any person who has been on the Live Register for at least three months is eligible to apply for the scheme.”

Internships are set to last for a period six or nine months and the interns will receive an allowance of €50 a week, on top of their existing social welfare entitlements. This top-up will be covered by the Department of Social Protection, meaning there will be no additional cost for employers. This Scheme will last for a period of two years and there are safeguards put in place to ensure that employers do not exploit interns.

For job seekers, the programme offers invaluable hands-on real experience and access to contacts and references that can only open doors to the possibility of securing full time employment. And for the companies involved, the scheme allows them to bring talented and enthusiastic individuals into their organisation.

“Following the announcement of the Jobs Initiative last month this scheme is another measure that has been introduced by the Government to combat the state of unemployment in this country. The creation of good quality internships, spread throughout the country is a great way to support both small companies ensuring that they have access to well trained, experienced people who are ready to take up full-time job opportunities when they are created.”

From this Friday, prospective interns will be able to go online and check out the range of places up for grabs. Interested parties can log on to www.jobbridge.ie  now for more information.

Doherty Supports Government announcement of pay ceilings for CEO of Semi States and Senior Public Sector Posts

Meath East TD Deputy Regina Doherty welcomes the announcement made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin TD, to introduce and implement pay ceilings for higher posts across the public service and for CEO posts in Commercial State Companies.

Deputy Doherty states that “It is necessary for those that hold high offices across the public sector show leadership in the severe economic times we face. I believe that this legislation is an example of that. It is a testament to the public that this Government are not going to shy away from the tough decisions needed to get our public finances back on track and that we will do so in a fair and equitable manner .”

“I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach along with all cabinet members have already led by example, by reducing their salary rates on entering office.”

The implementation of pay caps, which were announced but never introduced by the previous government, will mean that a general pay ceiling of €200,000 will be introduced for future appointment to higher positions across the public service. There will also be a pay ceiling of €250,000 for future appointments to CEO posts within Commercial State Companies.

For those that already hold these positions the Government has decided to seek voluntary waiver of salary of 15% or by a lesser amount if the application of the full 15%reduction would bring the salary levels of those individuals to below the proposed pay ceiling of €200,000. This waiver will include organisations such as NAMA/NTMA.

Doherty Welcomes the Cabinet Decision to opt into EU Directive on Victims of Crime

Deputy Regina Doherty welcomes the decision by the Cabinet to opt into an EU Directive (published on the 18th May 2011) on the victims of crime which will establish minimum standards on rights, support and protection of these victims.

This directive will be put before both Houses of the Oireachtas in the form of the Victims Bill for approval by the members.

Deputy Doherty states that “By opting into this Directive it will mean that Ireland will have the opportunity to play a full role in shaping the Directive in negotiation over the next 18months.”  

This Directive and thus this Bill will create a broader concept of what constitutes the victim of a crime, to encompass family members of victims that have died as a result of a criminal act; to ensure that victims receive sufficient information in a form that they can understand to enable them to participate as fully as possible in the criminal process; to ensure that they are recognised and treated in a respectful, sensitive and professional manner, put in contact with any public authority, victim support or restorative justice service.

“This is a positive step in the right direction to protect the victims of crimes and to treat them with the respect and sensitivity they deserve to allow them to seek justice for criminal actions perpetrated against them.”

Meath East Town Named Irelands Best Kept Town

Meath East TD Regina Doherty today (21st June) congratulates Moynalty, County Meath for winning Irelands Best Kept Town award. The announcement was made at Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park Dublin by Minister of State at the Departments of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Fergus O’Dowd.
Deputy Doherty states “An award like this is testament to the pride that the people of Moynalty have in their town. It is a great achievement that will make the town more attractive for all in the community and indeed visitors to enjoy. ”
As well as winning the overall award for being Ireland’s best kept town, Moynalty was also awarded the Best Kept Village category. These awards are highly sought after and are a step up from the Tidy Towns competitions that have been running for the past number of years. To qualify for the Best Kept Town competition the town must have done very well in their Tidy Towns competition, which are judged on cleanliness, the outward appearance of buildings, the presentation of roads and public facilitles and the natural environment
“The Tidy Towns competition have, for years served as a platform for households, shops, schools and other groups in the community to come together and take part in an event that will benefit all residents. Receiving this award can only encourage the residents of Moynalty to keep the town looking as good as it does now. I want to congratulate all those who took part and put in such a great effort to win this award, it is a wonderful achievement.”

Doherty welcomes €367,000 in funding for Meath improvement works

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has welcomed funding of €367,000 for road improvement works across Co Meath which has been approved by the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar.
“This funding of €367,000 will be used for a range of projects that should make a positive difference to local people in towns and villages across Co Meath, such as pedestrian crossings, cycle routes and improvements to footpaths.

“Most of the works will focus on improving pedestrian routes, which should help to encourage local people to get out and about and walk to work, school and the shops. Cyclists will also benefit from an improvement to routes. For example in Enfield €39,000 is being provided to upgrade footpaths and cycle routes, while in Slane €30,000 will be spent on improving the school pedestrian crossing.

“This funding is being made available as part of the Government’s recent Jobs Initiative, which includes allocations totalling €75 million for shovel-ready transport projects with the aim of supporting 1,000 jobs.”

‘Bulk Drink Promotions a Disgrace’ - Doherty

Regina Doherty TD has today criticised alcohol promotions especially in the lead up to this June Bank Holiday weekend. This statement follows revelations that a large supermarket chain are selling trays of 24 cans of beer for €24.
Doherty is hugely critical of this type of promotion on alcohol as she believes that the price at which you can buy this alcohol will lead to over consumption, health and mental problems, an increase in anti-social behaviour and directly increase drink related criminal activity.  This blatant below cost selling and under-cutting of pricing is adversely affecting independent off-licences and the pub industry resulting in more people joining the dole queues.
Speaking today Regina says “It is not my intention to be a kill-joy in any way as I enjoy a social drink as much as the next gal but I wholeheartedly believe that as a country we have gone from being able to have a sociable drink at the weekends to this type of anti-social drinking.  These types of promotions are encouraging and enabling people to buy in bulk for increased consumption at home.”
“I completely understand that in the harsh economic times we are facing people do not have the disposable income to go to the pub every weekend but I do believe that large chains of supermarkets are exploiting this for their own economic benefit and I myself find that abhorrent. I think any retailer selling alcohol (independent off-licence or large supermarket) has a duty to their customers to act in a responsible manner when it comes to the sale and promotion of alcohol and I believe that the cut-price promotions like the ones available this week are completely irresponsible. ”
I believe that the government owes it to the people of Ireland to introduce stricter policy to deal with the cut-price sale of alcohol.
“If the same bulk promotion applied to the sale of cigarettes in large supermarkets I guarantee the general public would be disgusted and up in arms. Why can’t we have the same ban on the promotion of alcohol? The health problems related to over consumption of alcohol are just as serious as those related to smoking and we are ignoring it.”
Another issue highlighted by Deputy Doherty are the licencing fees paid by those independent off-licences versus the larger multiples. Licencing fees for Joe Blogs in a small town are the same price as the licencing fees for those larger supermarkets. Doherty believes that this needs to be tackled by Government.
“The fact that larger supermarkets are paying the same price as the independent retailer is disgraceful. I propose that licencing fees should be based on the volume of sales and the revenue generated by this increase in fees should be ring-fenced and spent on those issues resulting from the over-consumption of alcohol.  Mental health issues, domestic violence (towards both men and women) alcohol awareness & addiction programmes are all area in dire need of funding  and I believe increased fees could  assist in their efforts.
There is a litany of alcohol related diseases and we are spending hundreds of thousands of euro in medical care every year to deal with the effects of alcohol, and yet we still allow promotions like this. What sense does it make? It is like continuously pouring water into a bucket with a hole at the bottom-a futile exercise if we do not try and tackle the source of the issue!”
“I am serious about tackling this issue. Today I have made a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority under section 7.1, 7.7 and 7.8 of their guideline charter. As a government, we need to work to say goodbye to these type drink promotions for the good of our health, for the pub and independent off-licence industry. ”

Inter Trade Ireland Business Ambassadors event

Picture of Meath TD's Regina Doherty, Dominic Hannigan, Damien English and Ray Butler at the Inter Trade Ireland Business Ambassadors event at Mansion House in Dublin.

The event was to to highlight the achievements of Small and Medium Enterprises throughout Ireland. In attendance were representatives from  a number of Meath companies, including Carton Brothers from Clonee, Chieftain Fabrics from Trim, Shanette Sheds from Kilbeggan and Skyway SAE from Kells.

Nokia Comes to Navan-Positive move says Doherty

The Nokia Care Point (Kennedy Place) in Navan officially opened its doors for business on Tuesday (17^th) of this week and Deputy Regina Doherty (Meath East) was the ribbon cutter on the evening. Deputy Doherty was honoured to be invited by Michael Gibson and his wife Aisling to open their new business venture.

The store opening is a result of the hard work and dedication of Michael Gibson and the very positive business reputation that precedes him. The contract for this type of store in the Meath/Louth Area was put out to tender and after much consideration was awarded to Michael based on this previous business experience. Nokia Care Navan is the only fully accredited and approved Nokia Care & Repair Store in North Dublin/Meath/Louth Area.

Deputy Doherty admires the business confidence and entrepreneurial skills of Michael and the hard work he has put into the store so far. Doherty believes he has great support behind him and wishes him every success and best wish for his new venture.

“The attendance of the Head of Nokia in Ireland and the Nokia UK to the opening of The Nokia Care Point is testament to the belief and confidence that Nokia have in Michael Gibson and his new venture.”

As well as a positive business move for Michael and his family there is good news for employment in the area. The Nokia Care Point has been approved for the FÁS Work Placement Programme with the business initially being approved to take on a trainee. This programme is likely to lead to full-time employment when the store is fully up and running.  

“With the governments focus on job creation the opening of Nokia Care Point Navan is a very positive step in the right direction for this Meath Town. I, as a member of the Fine Gael party during General Election promised to support small businesses and individuals like Michael Gibson who show the entrepreneurial drive and I as a member of Fine Gael in Government am committed to delivering on this promise. “

Changes to the grant system will mean less stress for students

New measures will result in less financial pressure on students and their families.

Third level students can at last look forward to a more efficient and student friendly grant system which will relieve financial pressure on them and their families, Fine Gael TD for Meath East Regina Doherty has stated today (Thursday). This announcement follows confirmation from the Department of Education that a single grant awarding authority will be established in 2012.

“As soon as the Leaving Cert results are out there are numerous enquiries from families of students and the students themselves attending third level regarding the grant system and how they might access it? When a student establishes if they are entitled to grants they can, in some instances, be waiting a full term to receive their grant payments due to delays in the process. This delay completely nullifies the purpose behind the grant system in my opinion.”

“Under the current system, the assessment and payment of third level education grants is a matter for local VECs, of which there are 66 around the country. This means that the timing of payments varies widely between all 66 VECs, and depends on issues such as volume of applications and staffing resources.

The Minister for Education, Rurai Quinn, has announced that he will move ahead with plans to introduce a single grant awarding authority from 2012 onwards. The City of Dublin VEC will be designated as the single grant awarding authority. This change will operate on a transitional basis accepting all new applications from 2012/2013 academic year. The 66 awarding bodies currently in operation will continue to process grants for 2011/2012 academic year.

It is envisaged by the Department of Education, that in the next few years that there will be one grant awarding body, all students will be able to apply online for maintenance grants and the current system of collecting grant cheques will be abolished with the monies being transferred directly into student bank accounts.

“The proposed changes to the grant system are very welcome. It is of the utmost importance that we make third level education as accessible to as many young adults as possible and making the grant system more streamlined and easier to navigate is one element of this.”

New laws will speed up investigations into white collar crime

New laws being brought forward by the Government will help speed up investigations into white collar crime and bring those guilty of banking offences to justice, according to Fine Gael Meath East TD Regina Doherty.

“The public has been left bewildered and frustrated over the last few years over the length of time it’s taking to bring white collar criminals before the courts. We have seen our economy crippled by reckless actions, and yet it seems no one is being held responsible. People have understandably felt that those people behind the crimes are untouchable. We are determined to put an end to that situation.

“Fine Gael has long been calling for reforms in this area, and now in Government we are delivering on our pre-election promises. The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter last week published a Bill that will give the Gardaí greater powers and help to quicken the pace of current and future investigations. The proposals target a range of complex and serious offences, including crimes in the areas of banking and finance, corruption, money laundering and cybercrime.

“The powers of investigation of the Gardaí will be strengthened on a number of fronts. New procedures will make it easier for officers to gain access to the documents and information they need to bring forward successful prosecutions. A new offence relating to the withholding of information means people will be compelled to co-operate with the Gardaí. A changed approach to detention periods will make it possible for a suspect’s detention to be suspended, so further investigations can be carried out.

“These measures are badly needed, and the speed with which they are being brought forward is proof of the high priority this Government is giving to tackling the issue of white collar crime. I am confident that this Bill will greatly aid the Gardaí in the course of their investigations, and will ultimately lead to white collar criminals facing the full rigours of the law.”

Doherty Welcomes Summer Works Additions

Deputy Regina Doherty today welcomes the announcement of additions to the School Summer Works Programme 2011.
Earlier this year it was announced that the Summer Works programme funding would be confined to the categories of Gas, Electrical and Mechanical works; However with yesterday’s Jobs Initiative announcement came more positive news regarding the Programme. It was announced that a further €30 million is being made available to schools in Ireland to improve facilities for our children.
There are four additional categories that are to be included in the Works Programme 2011, these include projects to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils, toilet facilities, roof works and window projects.
Doherty believes ‘This is great news for the schools in Ireland and moreover for the 15 schools in Meath that are to benefit from this funding.’
Another positive element to this announcement is that the responsibility for procurement of building & contractor services falls in the hands of the school authorities. This hopefully will mean that local business and contractors will benefit from the funding. Deputy Regina Doherty believes that this will have a positive domino effect.
‘There is no question that the pupils that attend the schools will benefit from this funding, whether they know it or not; but the fact that the school authorities have the discretion to put the project out to tender for local businesses to bid and benefit from is a really positive move. It means that the whole community can benefit.’
‘I would urge local contractors to keep their eyes and ears open for the possibility of bidding for a School Summer Works Programme contract’ 

Fine Gael Serious about Road Improvements - Regina Doherty TD

It has been announced today, as part of the Job’s Initiative that County Councils are being provided with an additional €60 million for a Regional and Local Roads Investment Programme.
Deputy Regina Doherty welcomes this investment as it will mean improved roads and job creation. Under this Programme, County Councils have submitted a 3 year programme (period 2011-2013) identifying roads most in need of improvement in their area. This Programme aims to improve approximately 650km of regional and local roads throughout the country.
With today’s announcement comes great news for Meath as the Meath County Council has been granted over €2.3million in additional funding for road improvements. This increases the road improvement fund to over €6million. With roads like the R194 in Moynalty & R125-0 in Clonee among the roads cited under the programme for improvement, this is really great news.  
‘For a time now, residents in towns and rural areas in Meath have been complaining about road conditions in their area and with good reason. The bad weather over the winter months really exasperated the situation leaving many roads nearly impassable. The County Council have been doing their utmost within their constraints to keep the roads in good condition but unfortunately in some places these efforts are not reflected. This announcement today will mean that road improvements scheduled for 2012 can now be brought forward and commenced in 2011.’
A list of roads to be improved under this programme is available from the Dept. of Transport, however this is a provisional list and there will scope for Meath County Council to prioritise the roads most in need of immediate improvement. One thing for certain is that for residents of rural areas that have been putting up with sub-standard road conditions this will be welcome news.
Further good news comes with this announcement as it is estimated by Minister of Transport, Leo Varadkar that somewhere in the region of 1,000 jobs will be created through this €60million investment Programme.
‘Positive news is always welcome and in the current difficult economic climate we are in, job creation and improved safer roads is a double bounce’ says Deputy Doherty.