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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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O’ROURKES URGES GOVT TO TACKLE PENSION EQUALITY

Frank O’Rourke TD has called on the Government to review the gap in State Pension pay between men and women, which is currently unfair, and a road map should be proposed for dealing with this inequality.

Frank explained that the current State Pension Scheme hampers women’s ability to qualify for the State Pension. He said that only 16% of women qualify for the full pension and are receiving around €35 less per week in their pensions.

Frank said, “The 2012 band changes, made by the previous Government, to how State Contributory Pensions are calculated have had a detrimental effect on over 35,000 people, including 23,000 women.”

“Time taken out of the workforce and careers, by women, to care for their children or their loved ones, is time lost paying into a pension. This is an unfair situation.”

“I have received many calls to my constituency office in relation to this issue. The Government must now set out a road map to end this unfair situation. The desired impact of our Dail motion last week is quite clear – equality of treatment between men and women in relation to pension contributions.”

“There is now an urgent need to provide an incremental pathway to address the pension anomalies through the Social Insurance Fund. Men and women should be treated equally in terms of their State Pension payment. I will continue to liaise with my colleague Deputy Willie O’Dea our Spokesperson on Social Affairs on this issue,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

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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.”

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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.