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Mayor Robert Power welcomes Digital Hub announcement for Naas

Cllr Rob Power has expressed delight at the approval of Enterprise Ireland funding for a digital hub in Naas. The Mid East Regional Innovation Think Space (MERITS) is a new build project that will cluster Irish and international new technology companies in a collaborative space in Naas town centre.

Rob said, “I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve secured the funding for this project. Establishing a Digital Hub in the town not only secures short and long-term employment in the local area but puts Naas on the map internationally as a place to start and grow a digital business.”

Enterprise Ireland has granted €2M toward the Digital Hub which will be matched by Kildare County Council. The project which was drawn up by the Kildare Local Enterprise Office, is expected to pay for itself within three years. The proposal will see Kildare County Council design and build the facility on a section of state owned lands adjacent to the council Headquarters at Aras Cill Dara, Naas. .”

“I’m really optimistic about what the Digital Hub means for Naas. Ten to fourteen years ago the Irish tech sector was a very niche industry confined to Dublin. But as the industry matures so too does the workforce. Where once companies worried about locating in the city centre to attract younger workers, the sector is now witnessing an increasing demand for housing and quality of life for families. Over the next decade, I’m confident that Naas can take on any town in the country in this respect – and win.”

“I’ve been calling for a project like this since 2015 when I wrote a proposal to establish funding for hubs in every county across the country. That proposal was subsequently included in the Fianna Fail election manifesto in 2016. In March of this year I also made a direct call for Kildare County Council to begin the process of seeking funding for a Digital Hub in Naas.Congratulations are due to Kildare County Council CEO Peter Carey, Head of Kildare LEO Jacqui McNabb and their teams for the outstanding work to date on this project. The ambition they’ve shown in identifying Naas as a regional leader in digital enterprise will play a vital part in the towns future

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LAWLESS SLAMS CLOSED HOSPITAL BEDS

At a time of major overcrowding crisis in our Emergency Departments, there are hundreds of hospital beds closed in the health service

James said, “In Naas General Hospital there are staff shortages reducing the capacity of inpatient hospital beds. 172 beds were lost to the health system for a variety of reasons. Worryingly 33% of the bed closures were as a direct result of staff shortages. In our own hospital in Naas there are currently two beds down due to staff shortages.”

“Despite a lot of hot air from successive Fine Gael Health Ministers, little or no progress has been made in stemming the flow of nursing and medical graduates out of the Irish health system, and even less progress made on attracting those professionals who emigrated from Ireland.” Continue reading “LAWLESS SLAMS CLOSED HOSPITAL BEDS”

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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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LAWLESS WELCOMES EXTRA HALLOWEEN GARDAI

James Lawless TD is pleased to confirm that extra Gardaí will be assigned to Monread Park, Naas over the Halloween period

Monread Park and the surrounding area have been added to the list of ‘hot spot’ areas which will see increase patrols over the bank holiday weekend.

James said, “I have been engaging with local Garda to represent residents who have witnessed antisocial behaviour in the park over recent weeks.” Continue reading “LAWLESS WELCOMES EXTRA HALLOWEEN GARDAI”

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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.”