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Don’t Offload Loads To Vulture Funds – Frank O’Rourke

Frank O’Rourke TD says that the proposed sale of a vast swathe of loans by Irish banks to unregulated and unaccountable vulture funds should not proceed.

Deputy O’Rourke said, “It is evident that banks have shown very little willingness to work through their non-performing loan book. Instead of selling their loan book and outsourcing their dirty work to vulture funds, the banks should be providing sustainable and reasonable solutions for customers willing to cooperate with them.”

“It is clear now that vulture funds are lining up to buy portfolios of loans from the main banks in Ireland. It is expected that these portfolios will involve SME loans and buy-to-let investment properties. However, the Government has allowed these funds to go completely unregulated in Ireland.” Continue reading “Don’t Offload Loads To Vulture Funds – Frank O’Rourke”

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Frank O’Rourke TD  has welcomed confirmation that a second round of funding to finance critical pieces of infrastructure in counties like Kildare, such as a second bridge in Celbridge, ring roads around Maynooth and Clane, will be available.
 
“Last year, under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), Round 1, €14m was allocated for the construction of the Maynooth Ring Road linking the Dublin Road to the Celbridge road.”

“Since being elected, I have made repeated representations, and met the relevant Minister, to secure funding for the construction of a number of ring roads, including the construction of the Maynooth Ring Road, Clane Ring Road and a second bridge for Celbridge.”
 
“Funding from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), which I proposed in my Dail contribution, is an ideal way to ensure that we have a source of funding for critical projects. As more housing units are being developed in the area, we have to provide matching infrastructure, such as roads, public transport and schools.”

“Following a Parliamentary Question, I received confirmation that the Government will launch the second round of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), before the end of March, and this will give Kildare County Council an opportunity to seek funding for critical projects.”

“We must learn from the mistakes of the past. We must provide adequate infrastructure in line with development, rather than trying to retrofit the infrastructure subsequent to the development, as happened in the past.”

“I continue to raise the requirement for infrastructure of this nature, with the Department and Kildare County Council, for projects in Maynooth, Celbridge and Clane and I welcome the announcement of Round 2 funding under the (LIHAF),” concluded Deputy O’Rourke. Continue reading “”

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O’Cearuil outraged at Irish Water failure jeopardising new development

Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil has expressed his outrage at the claim that plans by developer Cairn Homes to build 400 homes in Maynooth could be in danger due to Irish Water’s lack of supply capacity.

It has been reported at the weekend that Irish Water only has the ability to cater for 40 homes rather than the anticipated 400 in the housing scheme.

Naoise said, “This shows complete ineptitude on behalf of Irish Water and the Government.”

“Powers over water were removed from the County Councils and given to Irish Water and this shows their inability to deal with those functions.”

“We are crying out for more housing in Maynooth and the entire future development of the town, including the Ring Roads is based on these future developments. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe needs to step in here if he is serious about the Government’s Rebuilding Ireland programme.”

The Fianna Fail politician continued, “The people of Maynooth and surrounding areas need more housing urgently and the lack of supply has increased rent levels to those on par with Dublin.”

“The situation is going from bad to worse and Irish Water needs to up it’s game in helping solve this country’s housing crisis.”

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Meeting arranged with Minister about School Buildings For Celbridge

Frank O’Rourke TD has arranged a meeting with the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton TD, his officials, and Kildare County Council to press for permanent school buildings for Celbridge.

“In recent years, we are seeing the requirement for school accommodation grow in Celbridge. At the moment, we have temporary school accommodation for both St Patricks Primary School and Celbridge Community School. We need to put in place a plan to provide permanent school accommodation for both schools.”

“There is no good business case to have temporary accommodation as our school buildings. Our children and teachers deserve permanent structures, with supporting facilities, to cater for the long-term requirement of Celbridge.” Continue reading “Meeting arranged with Minister about School Buildings For Celbridge”

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O’Cearuil outlines concerns about Harbour Field

Cllr Naoise O’Cearuil has outlined his concerns about plans for a car park in the Harbour field.

Naoise said, “There has been quite some interest around the possibility of a car park in the Harbour Field. I highlighted in the February edition of the Maynooth Newsletter my concerns with the proposal.  I also raised my concerns at the recent Maynooth MD meeting. Cllr McGinley and I were the only councillors to raise objections to the proposal.”

Naoise’s comments in the newsletter were as follows : “My biggest concern is that the Harbour Field is made any smaller. It is the most important green space we have in the town and it belongs to the people of Maynooth. While there is a need for additional parking in Maynooth, I wouldn’t like to see us impeding on one of the greatest assets we have as a town.”