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O’ROURKE SEEKS PERMANENT SITES FOR CELBRIDGE SCHOOLS

Frank O’Rourke TD has stated that permanent sites in Celbridge are required for St Patricks NS and Celbridge Community College and must be made a priority

Deputy O’Rourke made the comment after raising the issue with the Department of Education.

“We need to secure permanent educational facilities for St Patrick’s NS and the newly established post-primary school, Celbridge Community School, which opened in temporary accommodation in 2015.” Continue reading “O’ROURKE SEEKS PERMANENT SITES FOR CELBRIDGE SCHOOLS”

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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.”

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LAWLESS SUPPORTS ST CATHERINE’S PARK MARCH

James Lawless TD attended today’s Protest March against the planned inclusion of a road through St Catherine’s Park in Leixlip

James said, “There was a big turn out for the march to save St. Catherine’s Park bordering Leixlip and Confey. The park sits between three local authority areas, namely Kildare, Fingal and South Dublin. This makes planning complicated and especially when one of those councils have put a line on a map indicating a potential road link through the park in future. People turned out today to show their support for the park and ensure that a road will not be welcomed cutting through the middle of it.”

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LAWLESS WELCOMES NEW RENT PRESSURE ZONES IN KILDARE

James Lawless TD has welcomed the extension of Rent Pressure Zones to large towns in North-East Kildare

“When this scheme was first proposed in December Fianna Fáil were supportive in theory however we did feel it was essential the Greater Dublin area and other urban zones should be covered. In particular I advocated strongly for Kildare North given the massive housing and rental crisis the constituency faces” said Deputy Lawless.

“I am pleased that the pressure has led to these towns now being included as Naas, Sallins, Celbridge and Leixlip are all now certainly experiencing serious rental pressures – all major commuter towns also. However I am disappointed at the omission of Maynooth, Clane and Kill and will continue to make the case for these. Clane in particular has experienced major rent increases in recent years and Maynooth has the added complication of the student demand each autumn.”

“This is a necessary and welcome extension of the rent pressure scheme but ultimately supply side measures are the only way to solve the housing and rental crisis. We need new homes, both social and private, we need lots of them and we need them as soon as possible”

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O’ROURKE SECURES COMMITMENT ON HAZELHATCH FLOOD ALLEVIATION

Frank O’Rourke TD has received a commitment from the Minister for OPW, Mr. Sean Canney TD that together with Kildare County Council, plans will be prepared to design and implement flood alleviation works on the Hazelhatch Road in Celbridge

‘Flooding along the Hazelhatch Road has had a serious effect on the community in that part of Celbridge. Celbridge GAA, Celbridge Tennis Club, the School and 700 houses have been badly affected and we need to get a permanent solution to minimise the risk of further flooding in the area.’ Continue reading “O’ROURKE SECURES COMMITMENT ON HAZELHATCH FLOOD ALLEVIATION”