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James Lawless TD has lent his support to the Kill and Sallins Road Safety groups who turned out to support each other at the march for a crossing in Kill today.
James commented, “It defies belief that the council erected a temporary crossing in Kill village (and then took it away) at a cost of €20,000 rather than putting a permanent crossing in place for not much more. I am seeking a meeting with Kildare County Council to escalate this issue and get action.”
James Lawless TD has claimed that the decision by the NTA to remove double decker buses from the 120 and other commuter coach services in Kildare has caused huge problems with a service that already was under pressure.
Double decker buses have been transferred to Go Ahead as they prepare to take over the operation of the routes.
James commented, “Services at peak times simply do not have enough capacity and the decision by the NTA to transfer double deck buses to Go Ahead and not make arrangements to alleviate the inevitable problems is frustrating and just not good enough.”
“I wrote to the NTA and asked that increased capacity is provided and the NTA has informed me that Bus Eireann has put in place an operational plan to mitigate the problems.”
“Passengers cannot be expected to continue to pay for a lower quality service when we are not even sure of when the route will be transferred to Go Ahead and capacity levels will return to normal. It is expected by the end of this year, but we do not have a date or timetable and alternative arrangements to deal with short term capacity problems should be made by the NTA and Bus Eireann.”
James Lawless TD has criticised the further delay in the provision of an Underground car park in Sallins Train Station
James said, “I recently wrote to the Group Secretary of CIÉ about the ongoing delay in opening the planned underground carpark at Sallins Train Station. The response, which is below, has confirmed that it is now not expected to open until spring in 2020. Geraldine Finucane, Group Secretary of CIÉ, outlined that Irish Rail are very close to agreeing terms with the agents on a lease for the underground carpark which would include the necessary remed…iation works. The site has suffered flooding in the past and requires substantial repairs to bring it up to the required standard.” Continue reading “LAWLESS CRITICISES DELAY IN SALLINS UNDERGROUND CAR PARK”
Councillor Carmel Kelly has expressed her bitter disappointment at the recent vandalism in the new Sallins Playground which has resulted in the closure of the facility
Carmel said, “I’m really sad that our playground is closed. There are some out there who just do not appreciate how long we have waited for this fabulous facility. The re-opening date unknown at this time.”
James added, “It is very disappointing that a small group of people would sabotage their own area. The community in Sallins waited a long time for a facility like the playground and it is incredibly frustrating that it would be deliberately damaged. Anti-social behaviour at the playground has been an issue since it opened in June and it is important that secure fencing is now provided ahead of the official opening in November so that it can be an amenity for Sallins for years to come.”
“Earlier this year, I met with the Board of the Abbey Community to discuss the requirement for funding for 2019. We had secured some additional funding towards the end of 2018. An extensive proposal for funding was submitted to the Department for their consideration. I fully supported this proposal.”
“I have now been informed that funding of €35,000 is now approved for Celbridge Abbey Community Project.”
“The Abbey Community Project is providing a very valuable service for the people of North Kildare. It is providing a much needed mental health service with dual diagnosis for many people.”
“Given that the state is referring people to the Abbey Project in Celbridge, it is only right that state funding be provided to the Project. The reality is if the Abbey Community Project didn’t exist or closed its doors tomorrow, the state agencies wouldn’t be able to deal with the high demand for the services.” stated Deputy O’Rourke.
“The Celbridge Abbey Community Project opened in 2007, the staff is very passionate about the services that they provide through the Project. I know that through the Project’s valuable work, lives are being saved.”.
“I raised the requirement for funding in the Dáil with the Taoiseach and I was subsequently contacted by the Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy Catherine Byrne TD , who has now confirmed this additional funding.”
“The provision of treatment services in Kildare has been identified as a priority by both the Government and the HSE. It is now time that the state financially supports the Abbey Community Project.”