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O’ROURKE URGES GOVERNMENT TO ACT ON MORTGAGE RATES

Frank O’Rourke TD has again called for Government action on unacceptably high mortgage rates

Frank said “Irish Mortgage rates are noticeably higher than the average European rates and I’m calling on the Government to enlist the support of the EU. Irish banks are charging their customers double the EU mortgage rates. At a time when interest rates across the EU are falling, Irish Banks have increased the cost of taking out a mortgage.”

                                Frank O’Rourke TD

“My understanding from the Central Bank is that Irish mortgage rates are the second most expensive in the EU. The average interest rate on a new mortgage is around 3.pc compared with the average rate for the euro area of 1.7pc. To put this in real money terms, the average first-time buyer is paying an extra €154 a month for their mortgage, based on a loan of €225,000 paid back over 30 years. Parents and working families are in much need of this extra income to cater for their day to day expenses. In addition, as Brexit brings uncertainties, having this extra €154 per months available for the local economy will bring benefits to local businesses. “

“With our spokesperson on Finance, Michael McGrath TD, I continue to put pressure on the Government to deal with this inequality. I have repeatedly called on the Government to address the rising cost of living issues; such as Mortgage Rates and Insurance rates and they must get support from the EU to deal with this imbalance.”

“We also have a situation, where as the Taoiseach says our mortgage lending rules are ‘very tough’ when he cited situations where couples are trying to save for a deposit to buy a house but have to pay as much €2,000 in rent. We need to provide support to assist young couple buy their home.“

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O’ROURKE WELCOMES ADDITIONAL BUS ON 67X ROUTE

Frank O’Rourke had been campaigning for additional resources for some time

Frank O’Rourke TD has welcomed the news that four additional 67X services are on the way for Celbridge commuters. From November 5th, two additional 67X Bus morning and evening services will be in place.

Frank commented, “These additional direct services are needed for Celbridge commuters. I have campaigned for some time to have additional direct bus services provided for Celbridge commuters. I debated this with the Minister for Transport in Dáil Éireann in April and I had many meetings with the NTA and Dublin Bus to secure these much needed additional services for Celbridge, which has a population of 22,000 people.”

“The 67X is operating at capacity and we need to increase the capacity and frequency to cater for current demand, and these additional services are a step in the right direction. We are making progress on the 67X and the 67 service. 67X is a direct Celbridge/Dublin service providing commuters with a relatively high speed connection to and from Dublin City Centre.”

“As the college students return, this improved service will ease some of the pressure on the route. I will continue to campaign for better public transport services for Celbridge commuters”

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O’ROURKE SLAMS A+E WAITING TIMES FOR OLDER PATIENTS

Frank O’Rourke TD has reacted angrily to the news that 690 patients Over 75 enduring 24-hour waits in the Accident & Emergency Department of Naas General Hospital

Over 10,000 waited longer than 24 hours in an Emergency Department across the country so far in 2019 

Frank O’Rourke TD has said that the statistics are unacceptable and that waiting a full day in an emergency department is gruelling for a person in the full of their health let alone an elderly person who is experiencing ill-health.

                                                Naas Hospital

Frank explained, “Across the country more than 10,000 over 75’s have been forced to wait over 24 hours before being admitted or discharged from an emergency department so far in 2019. In Naas General Hospital alone this figure stands noticeably high at 690.”

“As we approach the winter months it’s inevitable that this number will only continue to rise. A lack of basic bed capacity is a fundamental problem in health care in Ireland and if the Minister can’t get to grips with even the basic problems, three years into his tenure, then we are going to see thousands more over 75’s languish in A&E’s across the country.”

“Stories of elderly patients being left lying in pain in emergency departments with no privacy are becoming all too frequent. The HSE’s own target of admitting or releasing all patients over the age of 75 within 24-hours is being breached literally thousands of times.”

“This is causing hardship to the patients, their families and to the nurses and doctors who are trying their best to cope with overflowing A&E’s. It’s totally unfair”

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O’ROURKE SEEKING BIKE LOCKERS FOR CELBRIDGE AND KILCOCK

Frank O’Rourke has made representations to the National Transport Authority to have bicycle lockers installed in Kilcock and Celbridge Rail Stations.

Frank commented, “I have asked the NTA and Irish Rail to install Bicycle Lockers at Hazelhatch and Kilcock Rail stations. We need to encourage people to use public transport and cycle to the rail station if possible. Irish Rail is now considering my proposal and I have been given an assurance that once funding is available and it is physically feasible, Bicycle Lockers will be provided at these two stations.”

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O’ROURKE CRITICISES DELAY IN TENANT PURCHASE SCHEME REPORT

Frank O’Rourke has called on Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to swiftly publish a report on the future of the tenant purchase scheme.

His calls come as correspondence received by Fianna Fáil shows further delays in publishing the report which was due to be completed in 2017. The 2016 Tenant Purchase scheme enables local authority housing tenants to buy their own homes at a discounted price subject to significant conditions. A report on how the scheme was functioning was due to be completed 12 months following its establishment.

Frank commented, “Over two years on since the report was due to be published and we are still waiting on it, this is despite repeated calls from Fianna Fáil for the Minister to prioritise its publication.This new correspondence proves that instead of publishing the report and allowing the Dáil to debate its recommendations and set out a path forward for the scheme the Minister has put it on the long finger. “

“Why is the Minister keeping the report hidden? Instead of being open about it he is delaying it for political reasons and clearly intends to swamp it as part of a new social housing announcement over the coming months – yet another example of cynical spin by the Government. Its past time for the Minister to show a bit of honesty and publish the report. Tenants have been waiting far too long and the Dáil needs to debate it as soon as a matter of priority,”