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O’ROURKE WELCOMES PROGRESS ON NEW BRIDGE IN CELBRIDGE

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Frank O’Rourke, has welcomed the news that the tender is been advertised today which will lead to appointing the consultants to take the second bridge in Celbridge from concept through to the design and tender stage.

“I have been informed that Kildare County Council are going to tender today which will lead to the appointment of the consultants, to bring the propose…d 2nd bridge in Celbridge from concept through to the Design and Tender stage. The consultants should be appointed within three months approximately. This is very positive news and as a result of the funding that I fought to have allocated to Kildare County Council for this important project in recent months. This project is now progressing.”

“I have been in regular contact with the various Departments and Kildare County Council over recent years to highlight the need for a second crossing over the river Liffey in Celbridge. This is a much needed piece of infrastructure and Celbridge has waited too long for it.”

“Traffic congestion in Celbridge is a major issue. We are making progress on increasing the capacity of the Liffey Bridge but congestion will only be substantially relieved when a second bridge is provided with the associated link roads for Celbridge. This is important also for the future development of the town.”

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O’ROURKE WELCOMES FUNDING FOR ABBEY COMMUNITY SERVICE

Frank O’Rourke, has been informed by the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Catherine Byrne TD, that Celbridge Abbey Community Project is to receive additional funding of €35,000.
Frank had made strong representations and had many meetings on their behalf to have funding approved.

“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.”

 

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O’ROURKE SEEKING BIKE LOCKERS FOR CELBRIDGE AND KILCOCK

Frank O’Rourke has made representations to the National Transport Authority to have bicycle lockers installed in Kilcock and Celbridge Rail Stations.

Frank commented, “I have asked the NTA and Irish Rail to install Bicycle Lockers at Hazelhatch and Kilcock Rail stations. We need to encourage people to use public transport and cycle to the rail station if possible. Irish Rail is now considering my proposal and I have been given an assurance that once funding is available and it is physically feasible, Bicycle Lockers will be provided at these two stations.”

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O’ROURKE PRESSES FOR FUNDING FOR THE ABBEY COMMUNITY PROJECT

Frank O’Rourke TD has met with Minister Catherine Byrne to press the Government for funding for mental health and addiction services in Celbridge.

Frank is seeking the funding for the local Abbey Community Project, as the demand for their services have increased dramatically.

Frank explained, “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 has now been submitted to the Department for their consideration, a proposal that I fully support and is much needed.”

“The Abbey Community Project is providing a very valuable service for the people of North Kildare. It started off as an addiction service and is now providing a much needed mental health service with dual diagnosis.”

“The 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”

 “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.”

“There are currently over 80 patients in Kildare that are travelling to Dublin to avail of drug treatment services and I am pursuing the urgent need for a drug treatment facility in north Kildare.”

“I raised this issue 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 provided me with an update on the situation.”

“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. A new National Drugs Strategy is expected to be published later this year and I will be keeping the pressure on to ensure Kildare gets adequate drug treatment services,”

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O’ROURKE AND COLEMAN WELCOME NEW SCHOOL BUS SHELTER

Frank O’Rourke TD and Cllr Michael Coleman have welcomed the construction of a Bus Shelter at St. Wolstans School in Celbridge

Frank commented, “I’m delighted to see the Bus Shelter installed on the Clane road beside St. Wolstans school. This was an issue that myself and Cllr Michael Coleman has been working on for some time at the request of all those that use public and school transport. This Bus Shelter will now give an improved standard for all those people waiting to get the Bus at this location.”

“I will continue to make representations for further Bus Shelters to be installed at the appropriate locations in North Kildare. I want to thank the NTA and Kildare Co Council for their assistance in delivering this Shelter.”