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O’ROURKE CALLS FOR INCREASE IN HAP PAYMENTS

Frank O’Rourke TD has called on the Government to increase the Housing Assistance Payments as the costs of renting increases.
“The low level of the supply of the housing units, is fuelling the rising cost of renting a home, and means that the current level of HAP funding is not enough, in many cases, for those seeking accommodation.”
“I know from my weekly clinics that our social housing list is rising most months. Kildare County Council’s housing waiting list has increased by nearly 1800 people in the last 12 months. The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. However, the level of funds under this scheme is not enough.”

Continue reading “O’ROURKE CALLS FOR INCREASE IN HAP PAYMENTS”

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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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LAWLESS WELCOMES SALLINS BYPASS BUDGET

James Lawless has welcomed allocated funding for the Sallins Bypass Project in the recent budget

“I was delighted to see that Minister Donohoe has taken on my submission to the Capital Infrastructure programme and provided funding in the Budget for the Sallins bypass and the Osberstown interchange.”

“This funding commitment is announced weeks after the contract was awarded to widen the M7 motorway, deliver the Sallins bypass and the Osberstown Interchange. I have been working and campaigning for this project to progress since moving to Sallins, as both a councillor on Kildare County Council and as a TD in Dáil Éireann.”

“I will continue to put pressure on the Government to see these vital pieces of infrastructure delivered for Sallins, Naas, and the wider area.”

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O’ROURKE – KILDARE NEGLECTED IN RURAL RENEWAL SCHEME

Frank O’Rourke TD has stated that the Government has neglected Kildare in its Town and Village Renewal Scheme, as it has only secured a fraction of the funding available.

Frank pointed out that the Government announced over €21 million in funding under the 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, but Kildare has only secured €416k, the third lowest allocation in the country.

Frank said, “As I said in April when this scheme was advertised, counties like Kildare are often left out of the debate about the challenges that rural Ireland experience.  As I know from my clinics, in Johnstownbridge, Derrinturn, Carbury, Newtown, Prosperous, Clane, Ardclough and Kilcock, Kildare has rural Ireland challenges as well. We must fight for increased resources for our rural communities in Kildare.”

“The recession had a severe impact on many smaller towns in Kildare. As we recover, it is important that Kildare secures its fair share of resources under schemes, such as the Town and Village Renewal scheme.”

“Ardclough is only village in Kildare North that has received funding. Ardclough Multicultural and Craft educational centre will receive €76,680.00, and this is a welcome development.”

“However, many other towns in North Kildare merits consideration for funding under this scheme. This Government has totally neglected these towns.”

“In recent years, I have worked with many community and business groups in relation to Shop Front / Town Centre Improvement Grant Scheme with Kildare Co Co. We have seen the benefits of this scheme for many towns in the county and Kildare deserved better treatment from this Government under the town and Village Renewal scheme,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

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LAWLESS SEEKS FUNDING FOR NEW CELBRIDGE BRIDGE

James Lawless TD has made representations seeking funding for a much-needed second bridge in Leixlip

James Lawless said, “I have sought additional sources of funding for a second bridge in Celbridge by engaging with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Simon Coveney to secure finances from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF). The fund is currently closed but the Minister will consider reopening the fund following lobbying. You can read the full parlimentary question here.”

“The Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund main purpose is to alleviate infrastructural blockages with view to delivering houses to an area. Currently at peak times Celbridge Main Street comes to a standstill as commuters try navigate over the one bridge in the town, often taking a half hour or more to get to the Dublin Road from the Clane Road.”

“This is particularly important in the case of the context of the Celbridge Local Area Plan, currently under discussion, and on which I have attended a number of public meetings with concerned residents. It is apparent that the quantum of new housing being proposed for Celbridge would require a serious infrastructure upgrade, as already the town struggles.”

“I have called on the Minister to use the local infrastructure housing activation fund in conjunction with Kildare County Council to progress the second bridge in Celbridge. I understand the council did submit for funding in the Celbridge area however this was not approved by the Department at the last round of applications.”

“Following my representations the Minister will consider reopening the fund to allow for additional applications. I will continue working with the Department and the council to support any application for a second bridge when the fund reopens.”

“I have also included funding for the second Celbridge river crossing in a recent submission I made to Minister Pascal Donohue on the Capital Expenditure Program 2017-2022.”