New initiative to generate jobs strategy for rural Ireland

Pat Spillane to Head Up New Commission

The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, announced today (5.11.2012) that Pat Spillane will be the Chairman of the new Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA).

Minister Hogan said: “Getting people back to work remains this Government’s number one objective. Building on the Action Plan for Jobs, Jobsbridge and the new initiatives I announced inPutting People First which empowers Local Government to drive economic development and create jobs at a local level, I am now establishing a new Commission that will generate a jobs strategy for rural Ireland. Too often policy is created at central government, I believe it is the people on the ground, who often have the answers to the challenges we are facing. The Commission will examine the non farming, “outside the farm gate”aspects of economic development in rural areas and undertake an extensive public consultation on the future economic potential of rural Ireland and how best to channel funding and resources between 2013 and 2025.”

“The differential degree of economic development and the variable impacts of the economic downturn between urban and rural areas will be examined in detail by the Commission in order to ensure that appropriate measures are identified to inform the development of strategies that support rural Ireland into the future. This new Commission is particularly relevant given that unemployment has increased more in rural areas particularly in small towns since the economic crisis began.”

A number of commitments relating to economic development contained in the Programme for Government, in particular, commitments to encourage job creation and sustainable enterprise development, are reliant on the ability of all parts of Ireland to contribute to economic growth going forward.

The Commission will involve 3 stages:

• A nationwide consultation of rural stakeholders including employers, unions, farm bodies, community organisation and the public sector
• Research and analysis of economic factors affecting rural areas
• The preparation of a report supporting the medium-term economic development of the Rural Areas for the period to 2025

Commenting on the appointment of the Chairman, Minister Hogan said: “Pat Spillane is the ideal candidate to act as Chairman of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas. He has been a leader throughout his life, whether it be on the sporting field, where he won 9 All-Star awards, in his professional life as a School Principal in St. Gobán's College, Bantry or in his media career. Coming form a rural area Templenoe in County Kerry, where he lives with his wife and three children, and helping since his childhood days in running the family pub business, he has direct experience of the challenges facing rural Ireland. He is a passionate, enthusiastic and non-partisan champion of rural issues. Pat will do a great job in working with the Commission to deliver recommendations to create jobs in rural Ireland.”

Welcoming the CEDRA, Minister Simon Coveney TD, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine said: “The Government is determined to pursue policies that can keep young people in their Communities in rural Ireland. This Rural Commission is about talking and listening to people living in rural parishes across the country as the basis of policy development to maximise the potential for jobs and rural communities. We have a very clear development and growth plan for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food sector but there are other areas that need to be supported and developed in rural Ireland- that’s what this Commission is all about.”

Pat Spillane on accepting his role said:“I am delighted to be able to accept this important appointment. The unemployment situation is the real national crisis, affecting people deeply, the length and breadth of the land. It has particularly affected young people, who are struggling to get employment, many of whom are being forced to emigrate, decimating the fabric of rural society. I look forward to working with the members of the Commission to try to come up with ideas that will help to alleviate this situation.”

The Commission is established under the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and will be supported by an Executive led by Prof. Cathal O’Donoghue, Head of the Teagasc Rural Economy and Development Programme in collaboration with officials in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Western Development Commission for the research and consultation process.

Commenting on his lead research role, Cathal O’Donoghue said: “Teagasc and I are honoured to be able to support the Commission. We in Teagasc have previous experience in providing research support to the Food Harvest 2020 Committee that developed the Agri-Food Strategy. Together with our partners, we will provide whatever support we can to facilitate the mission of the Commission. The work of the Commission is particularly relevant for our stakeholders as Farm households have been particularly affected by the down turn with the off-farm employment rate of farmers falling back to late 1990’s levels. On the other hand the Food Harvest 2020 strategy for the Agri-Food sector has a target to generate 25000 new jobs and thus the sector can make a substantial impact on rural job creation.” The focus of the Commission’s work will be on “outside the farm gate” dimensions of economic development.

A practical contribution of the Commission will be the recruitment of a group of interns under the Job Bridge programme, who will train with the Commission and get skills in Event Management, Research, Web technology, Media, Administration and Project Management.

The Commission has a defined remit and timeframe and its main output will be a report that aims to inform medium term economic development of rural areas for the period to 2025. The report will be short and specific and will take a multi-sectoral approach. The Public Consultation process will include 17 public meetings to be held all over the country in January, March and April of 2013. The full Commission will also meet each month (except March) until October 2013 when it is planned to publish the report. Outside of the public consultation process there will also be a number of individual stakeholder meetings with civil society organisations representing among others, Youth, Farmers, Women, Older people, Academic Institutions and Government Departments and relevant state agencies.

The Minister will announce the membership of the Commission later in the week. The membership will represent a broad set of people from different backgrounds, with significant experience and expertise in the Rural Economy. The membership comprises both public and private sectors, bringing practical, government and research experience.

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Taking the next step with education

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement of the Education Open Day on Friday 9^th November at the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan. “If you are wondering what to do next or thinking about going to college or returning to education, this open day is the ideal opportunity to receive valuable information and advice on the next steps, including guidance on CV/s, careers and rights and entitlements”. All the top Universities, Colleges and Institutes of Technology will be at this event and on the day attendees will be able to meet and chat with the Colleges and Institutions, find out about all the courses they offer; discover the special HEAR and DARE entry routes for eligible candidates and find out about the CAO application process.

Taking the next step with education

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement of the Education Open Day on Friday 9^th November at the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan.

“If you are wondering what to do next or thinking about going to college or returning to education, this open day is the ideal opportunity to receive valuable information and advice on the next steps, including guidance on CV/s, careers and rights and entitlements”.

All the top Universities, Colleges and Institutes of Technology will be at this event and on the day attendees will be able to meet and chat with the Colleges and Institutions, find out about all the courses they offer; discover the special HEAR and DARE entry routes for eligible candidates and find out about the CAO application process.

EMERGENCY ROAD CLOSURE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT: The Bellewstown Bridge

EMERGENCY ROAD CLOSURE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT: The Bellewstown Bridge - Closure is due to structural concerns about Bellewstown Bridge.

Emergency Road Closure: Bellewstown Bridge

The L-56172-0 Road has been closed to through traffic at Bellewstwon bridge. The emergency closure is necessary due to structural concerns regarding Bellewstown Bridge. The road will remain closed as a precautionary measure until further notice.

Meath County Council would like to thank road users for their cooperation.

Alternative Route:

North Bound Traffic – Take the L-5617-10 eastward, at the next crosswords turn left onto the L-1615-0, head north along this road until you reach the R-150-109, this is the end of the diversion

South Bound Traffic – Travel in an eastwardly direction along the R-150-109, at the next junction turn right onto the L-1615-0, heading south along this road until the reach the next crossroads at this point turn right onto the L-5617-0, travelling in a westwardly you will reach the junction of the L-56172-0, this is the end of the diversion.

Daly needs to get her facts straight about JobBridge success

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) called on Clare Daly to get her facts straight in relation to the success of the JobBridge programme which has seen over half of those who completed the programme gain paid employment. Deputy Daly’s remarks in the Dáil on Wednesday (October 24^th) claiming that ‘not too many people’ had gained employment are wholly inaccurate.

“Deputy Daly should do her homework and get her facts straight about JobBridge and the amount of people who have found gainful employment on completion of the programme. Misleading the public is irresponsible and demonstrates a preference for spouting incorrect information simply to bolster their populist profile.

“The clear facts are that JobBridge has been a highly successful initiative. Since its introduction in July 2011 by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, a total of 11,246 have taken part in JobBridge and there are currently 5,145 people currently participating in the programme. An Indecon report published this week shows that 52% of those that completed JobBridge are currently in paid employment since finishing their internship; 51.6% of non-graduate interns have secured employment; and 89.3% of interns felt that JobBridge had given them new skills. The findings of this report clearly show that JobBridge has achieved its goal of getting people off the live register and into gainful employment.

“These figures clearly show that more than ‘a few hundred’ people have gained employment as claimed by Deputy Daly. I cannot understand where she got her figures from and how she can stand by them when an independent review clearly highlights how successful the programme has been. I hope that Deputy Daly will pay more attention to the facts as they stand in future.”

Monster energy drinks should be removed from shop shelves immediately

Caffeine-laden drinks should only be available in off licence section of shops

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) called for an immediate removal of Monster energy drinks from shop shelves, following the death of a 14 year old girl in the US who consumed two 24-ounce cans over a two-day period, containing 480mg of caffeine in total.

“Following the news that a fourteen year old girl died after consuming two of the high caffeine cans of energy drink Monster, and that a further four cases are being investigated in the US, I am calling for the immediate removal of these drinks from shop shelves across the country so that children and young people do not have easy access to them. They should instead be sold in the off licence section of the shop.

“I have written to the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD, and the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, requesting that immediate legislation be drawn up to protect our children from these types of drinks. The rise in consumption of soft drinks and junk food in general in this country is extremely worrying, especially among children, and there is an onus on us, as legislators, to ensure that we are protecting our children from having easy access to these types of drinks.

“A typical can of Monster contains 160mg of caffeine which is an obscene amount of caffeine contained in one drink, and there are many more similar such drinks on the market that young people have easy access to. Not only does excess caffeine pose a serious health risk, the sugar and other ingredients in these drinks are extremely unhealthily. With the ever increasing levels of diabetes, heart disease and obesity in this country, it is imperative that we tackle this problem immediately before it gets any worse.”

Doherty welcomes comments from Down Syndrome Ireland on impacts of ‘Yes’ vote in Children’s Referendum

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Monday) welcomed the comments from Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) in relation to the positive impact of a Yes vote in the Children’s Referendum. DSI has launched an easy to read guide on the Referendum, and is encouraging all of its members to get out and vote.

“I was very glad to hear DSI Chief Executive, Pat Clarke, say that there are distinct advantages for children with disabilities and their families if there is a Yes vote in the Children’s Referendum. The Referendum will enshrine children’s rights in the Constitution for the first time. By voting Yes, we will be making a clear statement as a nation that we value all of our children.

“I also welcome the fact that DSI is encouraging all of its members to make their voices heard by voting on November 10^th. So far, the public has been responding positively to the proposed changes put forward in this Referendum, with very little opposition emerging. So what is essential at this point is that everyone recognises how important it is to vote. We want this Referendum to pass, and to pass convincingly, to show we are serious about vindicating and protecting the rights of our children.

“A Yes vote on Saturday, November 10^th will help to protect vulnerable children from abuse and neglect, and it will help to support families by underpinning early intervention. It will also address shortfalls in our adoption law, ensuring all children can be treated equally in adoption. I commend DSI for producing this easy to read guide, and for encouraging their members to vote. Political decisions affect us all; so I would encourage everyone to get informed before you cast your vote on Saturday, November 10^th.”

Action on securing financial redress for pyrite homeowners welcome

Fine Gael Meath East Deputy, Regina Doherty, has welcomed the action taken by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, to ensure that financial redress is secured for the owners of the homes that have been affected by Pyrite.

“Minister Hogan has given the stakeholders involved in the pyrite scandal, that has devastated countless homeowners across the country, ten days to provide a solution which will see financial redress being awarded to the homeowners affected.

“The Minister has given those at the centre of this controversy every chance to bring things to a satisfactory conclusion. By clearly stating that he will impose a levy to deal with the financial fall-out of the situation if the relevant stakeholders do not come together and get things sorted, the Minister is putting the onus on the stakeholder to work things out. And fast.

“The stakeholders, including the developers and quarry owners, have been dragging their feet on this issue for too long now. This comes at the expense of the homeowners, many of whom paid over inflated prices for their houses, buying as they did during the boom.

“It is time to let people get back on with their lives. If in ten days’ time a financial solution to sourcing the necessary funds to carry out remedial works is not resolved, the Minister will take matters into his own hands by impose a levy. This will ensure that a system of redress is properly in place, with or without the agreement of stakeholders.

“Minister Hogan is currently finalising the terms of reference to establish the Resolution Board and to provide the relevant stakeholders with these details. It is in everyone’s interest to come to the table and to bring this sorry saga to an end. The people of Meath and beyond have suffered enough. If adequate redress is not forthcoming, Government sanctions to deal with the matter certainly will.”

A Yes vote will help bring about a culture that hears the voice of children

Speaking after the shocking story of ‘Maggie’ on RTÉ Radio 1’s Drivetime programme this evening (Thursday), Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, said that the upcoming Children’s Referendum will help bring about a cultural change to ensure children are seen and heard.

"It is essential that we have a Constitution and a culture that hears the voice of children. This Referendum is a key opportunity for Irish people to come out and make a statement in support of children; children who have been abused and children who have been ignored.

"If we vote Yes to this Referendum, we will be making a clear statement that children have Constitutional rights that must be vindicated by the State. A Constitutional change of this nature would be a clear direction to legislators, the judiciary and everyone who works with children on behalf of the state that we must protect and cherish children in Ireland.

“This Referendum alone will not address all of the issues affecting children, and it is just one part of the Government’s Programme for Change for Children. But the provisions set out in the Referendum will help to support families, ensure the safety and welfare of children at risk and ensure child protection services can respond proportionately to child protection concerns.

“For too long, children have gone unheard in this country. We can change this on Saturday November 10^th. I am urging people to make sure they come out and vote.”