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Frank O’Rourke TD has pressed the Government for additional resources to support older people
Deputy O’Rourke made the comments following a meeting with his Party colleague and Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Social Affairs, Willie O’Dea TD.
“I know from my weekly clinics, the lack of home care packages and inadequate resources for the Fair Deal scheme among other issues are a real concern for older people.” Continue reading “O’ROURKE PRESSES FOR GREATER SUPPORT FOR OLDER PEOPLE”
Frank O’Rourke TD has been informed by Bus Eireann that an additional vehicle has been allocated to the 9am morning service on Route 115 for Kilcock commuters
This service will commence tomorrow morning and start from Kilcock each morning.
“An additional bus was required for this 9am service as the turnaround time for the existing fleet to return from Dublin for a 9am Kilcock departure was too challenging. This is welcome news for Kilcock Bus Commuters as the current service is falling well behind what is expected.”
Continue reading “O’ROURKE WELCOMES NEW BUS ON KILCOCK ROUTE”
Frank O’Rourke TD has again called for Government action on unacceptably high mortgage rates
Frank said “Irish Mortgage rates are noticeably higher than the average European rates and I’m calling on the Government to enlist the support of the EU. Irish banks are charging their customers double the EU mortgage rates. At a time when interest rates across the EU are falling, Irish Banks have increased the cost of taking out a mortgage.”
“My understanding from the Central Bank is that Irish mortgage rates are the second most expensive in the EU. The average interest rate on a new mortgage is around 3.pc compared with the average rate for the euro area of 1.7pc. To put this in real money terms, the average first-time buyer is paying an extra €154 a month for their mortgage, based on a loan of €225,000 paid back over 30 years. Parents and working families are in much need of this extra income to cater for their day to day expenses. In addition, as Brexit brings uncertainties, having this extra €154 per months available for the local economy will bring benefits to local businesses. “
“With our spokesperson on Finance, Michael McGrath TD, I continue to put pressure on the Government to deal with this inequality. I have repeatedly called on the Government to address the rising cost of living issues; such as Mortgage Rates and Insurance rates and they must get support from the EU to deal with this imbalance.”
“We also have a situation, where as the Taoiseach says our mortgage lending rules are ‘very tough’ when he cited situations where couples are trying to save for a deposit to buy a house but have to pay as much €2,000 in rent. We need to provide support to assist young couple buy their home.“
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.”
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,”