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LAWLESS – NAAS CAN THRIVE

Last February I wrote a piece for the Leader outlining the challenges facing Naas as a retail town and highlighting some of the projects that were underway to address those

Six months on some of those projects are beginning to come good and it an apt time to update on where it is all at.

“Changing technology, habits and lifestyles mean people shop and live differently now than they used. With it now being possible to buy a pint of milk in a garage or order a pizza from your iPad, people no longer need to “go up the street” on a daily basis. This challenge faces many towns around Ireland and at a recent meeting I held with Retail Excellence Ireland shopping habits were summed up succinctly as “midweek convenience, weekend experience”. In other words that people will shop online or in bulk midweek but want to enjoy leisure and recreation at weekends. “ Continue reading “LAWLESS – NAAS CAN THRIVE”

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O’ROURKE CALLS FOR MORE SUPPORTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Frank O’Rourke, has again highlighted the need to provide supports for older people, as CSO figures show a significant increase in the number of older people acting as carers for their loved ones and relatives.

Between 2011 and 2016, there has been nearly a 20% increase, from 24,746 to 29,311, in the number of people, aged 65 years or older, providing care for their loved ones.

“Since being elected, I have highlighted the need to prepare for the change in demographics.  In 2006, there were 468,000 people aged 65 or older in Ireland, but by 2041, the number of people in this country aged 65 or older will be 1.4 million.” Continue reading “O’ROURKE CALLS FOR MORE SUPPORTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE”

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O’ROURKE CRITICISES GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO RURAL BROADBAND

Frank O’Rourke TD has said that broadband must be delivered to rural parts of Kildare as soon as possible, as he criticised the Government’s lazy approach to the Broadband Roll-out Plan

There are many locations throughout North Kildare, even within a few kilometres of one of the world’s best known IT companies, where access to broadband is limited or even non-existent.

“High quality broadband is crucial for small businesses, and for many families and young people where there is an increasing opportunity to work from home or a requirement to access the internet for educational needs,” stated Deputy O’Rourke. Continue reading “O’ROURKE CRITICISES GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO RURAL BROADBAND”

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LAWLESS RAISES BUS DELAYS IN THE DAIL

James Lawless TD raised the delays and inconsistencies which have plagued Bus Éireann passengers in Kildare in recent weeks in the Dáil today

“In north Kildare, in particular, places such as Kilcock, Clane and Prosperous, buses are literally not turning up in the morning to collect people. When they do turn up they are delayed, but people are being left stranded at the bus stop.”

“I have engaged with the stakeholders, the National Transport Authority, Bus Éireann and other authoritative sources. There appears to be an unofficial industrial dispute, a form of blue flu, amongst the drivers. I put it to the Minister for Transport who has fobbed it off to the NTA.”

“Commuters trying to travel to work, hospital appointments, college or school are being left stranded in towns were Bus Éireann general is the only mode of public transport. The Taoiseach must direct the Minister to take action and show leadership in this crisis.”

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Frank O’Rourke TD has again pressed Irish Rail to increase the capacity on the Kilcock rail line, following a meeting earlier this week with Kilcock commuters

“Iarnrod Eireann recently gave me a commitment that it will review the level of service on the line. Having met with commuters in Kilcock, it is clear that extra services are needed at peak times.”

“In September, the capacity on the 08:01 service from Kilcock to Connolly has been increased to the pre summer level capacity. However, Irish Rail need to increase the fleet and improve the service at peak times, as passenger numbers grow.” Continue reading “”