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O’ROURKE WELCOMES NEW RULES ON MOTOR INSURANCE

Frank O’Rourke TD has welcomed the Central Bank rules requiring insurers to give customers more information when renewing their policies which come into effect today

However Frank said more needs to be done to reduce the cost of insurance.

“Insurance companies will now have to provide details such as the premium paid the previous year with an upfront comparison. They will have will also have to provide the cost of different levels of cover, a comprehensive quote, a third party fire and theft quote, and one for third party only cover.”

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O’ROURKE SEEKS BUS SHELTER FOR RATHCOFFEY

Frank O’Rourke TD has called on the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Kildare County Council to provide a Bus Shelter at Rathcoffey

“After working with the communities in Rathcoffey and Clane to secure Orbital Bus Route 139 linking Naas to Blanchardstown via Clane, Rathcoffey, Maynooth and Leixlip, it is now important that we provide adequate supports to support bus commuters, as passengers numbers grow.”

“Passenger numbers on Route 139 reached a peak of 11,500 per 4 week period, in late 2018 and early 2019. I have seen myself at first hand the numbers grow. The Route, since last month, now allows a link to the Sallins train station which is an important link for those using this service and should lead to further growth in passenger numbers.”

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O’ROURKE WELCOMES ADDITIONAL HOME SUPPORT HOURS

Frank O’Rourke TD has welcomed the one million additional home support hours which was announced in Budget 2020 but stated that more needs to be done to tackle long waiting lists for Home Care hours

“Leading up to Budget 2020, our Fianna Fáil negotiating team pushed hard to secure additional home help hours. The additional one million hours will go some way towards easing waiting times but more is needed.”

“Families seeking home care packages contact me on a weekly basis. There has been an increased in the number of people seeking home care packages and we need extra resources to meet the demand.

“Fianna Fáil introduced the Home Care Package in 2006 and fully appreciates its value. Enabling care for people in their own home is a win win for everyone. It is generally the preferred choice for older people and their families and it save the Government money. “

“A crisis in home care supports has escalated over the past year. The service has been unable to keep pace with the demand and while the additional hours announced in the budget is a welcome step in the right direction, we need to see more resources for home care packages.”

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LAWLESS : GOVT MUST ADDRESS BROADBAND PLAN CONCERNS

James Lawless TD spoke in the Dáil this week during the debate on the National Broadband Plan

“As vice chair of the Committee on Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, our committee conducted a detailed scrutiny of the plan and found the current tender is massively over budget and overly complex. The department of public expenditure has also found that the cost benefit analysis is not positive. The cost of the plan has been escalating while the number of homes requiring intervention reduced constantly due to ever more installations and technology adaptions by the private sector. Imagine are already offering broadband to 80,000 houses and Eir to 300,000 that were due to be subsidized by the exchequer. Rather than ignoring the concerns surrounding the NBP, the Government should address them before committing billions of euro of public money.”

You can watch James speak here

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O’ROURKE CALLS FOR INCREASED HALLOWEEN GARDA PRESENCE

Frank O’Rourke TD has called for increased Garda Patrols over the Halloween period to address the concerns of residents throughout North Kildare in relation to anti-social behaviour.

Frank said he had made representations to have increased Garda Patrols in North Kildare over the Halloween period in local parks and open spaces and that the Garda Commissioner needs to provide the Garda with the resources needed.

“Increased Garda patrols to tackle Public Order issues with particular emphasis placed on our local parks and open areas to prevent and minimise anti-social and criminal activity over the Halloween period.”

“The Halloween period can be a disruptive time for the community with increased anti-social behaviour taking place. We need to protect the community from the negative effects of this behaviour and increased Garda patrols will assist.”

“While Halloween can be fun time, unfortunately it can be a nightmare for some, due to the actions of a few. Older people, pets and families can be most vulnerable to the anti social behaviour of a few.”

“I know that many are concerned about bonfire materials being stockpiled in advance of Halloween. The Air Pollution Act 1987 prohibits the disposal of waste by uncontrolled burning. This law should be a deterrent for such activity.”

“Halloween is the busiest night for the fire brigade and emergency services, increased Garda activity and patrols will, in my view, minimise the anti-social behaviour element of Halloween and allow more people enjoy this time of year.”