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Frank O’Rourke TD  has welcomed confirmation that a second round of funding to finance critical pieces of infrastructure in counties like Kildare, such as a second bridge in Celbridge, ring roads around Maynooth and Clane, will be available.
 
“Last year, under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), Round 1, €14m was allocated for the construction of the Maynooth Ring Road linking the Dublin Road to the Celbridge road.”

“Since being elected, I have made repeated representations, and met the relevant Minister, to secure funding for the construction of a number of ring roads, including the construction of the Maynooth Ring Road, Clane Ring Road and a second bridge for Celbridge.”
 
“Funding from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), which I proposed in my Dail contribution, is an ideal way to ensure that we have a source of funding for critical projects. As more housing units are being developed in the area, we have to provide matching infrastructure, such as roads, public transport and schools.”

“Following a Parliamentary Question, I received confirmation that the Government will launch the second round of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), before the end of March, and this will give Kildare County Council an opportunity to seek funding for critical projects.”

“We must learn from the mistakes of the past. We must provide adequate infrastructure in line with development, rather than trying to retrofit the infrastructure subsequent to the development, as happened in the past.”

“I continue to raise the requirement for infrastructure of this nature, with the Department and Kildare County Council, for projects in Maynooth, Celbridge and Clane and I welcome the announcement of Round 2 funding under the (LIHAF),” concluded Deputy O’Rourke. Continue reading “”

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Meeting arranged with Minister about School Buildings For Celbridge

Frank O’Rourke TD has arranged a meeting with the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton TD, his officials, and Kildare County Council to press for permanent school buildings for Celbridge.

“In recent years, we are seeing the requirement for school accommodation grow in Celbridge. At the moment, we have temporary school accommodation for both St Patricks Primary School and Celbridge Community School. We need to put in place a plan to provide permanent school accommodation for both schools.”

“There is no good business case to have temporary accommodation as our school buildings. Our children and teachers deserve permanent structures, with supporting facilities, to cater for the long-term requirement of Celbridge.” Continue reading “Meeting arranged with Minister about School Buildings For Celbridge”

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O’Rourke welcomes NTA decision to review capacity

Frank O’Rourke TD has welcomed the National Transport Authority’s decision and Irish Rail have agreed to review their Rail Fleet capacity in light of the increased demand on our rail services at peak times.

“Since being elected, I have made repeated representations to have the level of service improved on both our rail and bus routes for commuters in North Kildare.”

“While we have received a commitment that there will be an increase off peak services on both the Maynooth and Kildare Lines, we need increased capacity at peak times. However Irish Rail’s fleet is now at maximum capacity at peak times.” Continue reading “O’Rourke welcomes NTA decision to review capacity”

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Better Homecare needed to tackle Hospital Overcrowding – O’Rourke

Frank O’Rourke TD says the Government needs to focus on making additional home care packages available to older people in order to resolve the hospital overcrowding crisis.

Deputy O’Rourke made the comments after receiving new information which shows that 589 people over the age of 75 were stuck on trolleys in Naas General Hospital in 2017.

Deputy O’Rourke said, “One of the key problems in hospitals right across the country is the lack of home care supports to help older people to return to their own homes. Many older people are stuck in hospital wards and are unable to return home after receiving the all-clear from their consultants due to the delays in sanctioning home care packages. This is a serious problem which is exacerbating the overcrowding crisis in our hospitals.” Continue reading “Better Homecare needed to tackle Hospital Overcrowding – O’Rourke”

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Progress on Liffey Bridge in Celbridge – Frank O’Rourke

Frank O Rourke TD has welcomed the appointment of a consultant to carry out a feasibility study on the options available for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Liffey Bridge and to select one.

“The National Transport Authority (NTA) have informed me that a consultant, Clifton Scannell and  Emerson Associates have been appointed to undertake a feasibility study which will identify the potential options to address the issues for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Liffey Bridge and recommend a preferred option.”

“I believe that the consultant will have their work completed by the end of Quarter 1 this year. I have made representations to provide a safer option for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the bridge and I am delighted that we are now seeing progress.” Continue reading “Progress on Liffey Bridge in Celbridge – Frank O’Rourke”