Category Archives: Uncategorized

Death of Garda Golden a shocking tragedy

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Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, says the murder of Garda Tony Golden is a shocking tragedy.

“I am deeply saddened by the death of Garda Golden in County Louth.
“Garda Golden had been stationed for a time in Cabinteely, here in South Dublin, where he served the local community with distinction, before he transferred to Louth.

“Garda Golden’s death is yet again a stark reminder that members of the Gardaí face risks every day as they carry out their duty. He bravely laid down his life in the line of duty and displayed great courage in protecting the community he served.

“I would like to extend my sympathy to his wife and children, his family, his colleagues and everyone who knew and loved Garda Golden. We all stand with Garda Golden’s family and An Garda Síochána at this very tragic time.”

Sports Capital Programme 2015 Funding Annoucement

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I am delighted to confirm that the following organisations received funding from the Sports Capital Programme 2015 today:

12th Port Sandycove Canoeing Club
Blackrock College Rugby Football Club
Cuala GAA
Curragh Sub Aqua Club
Dalkey Scubadivers
Dalkey United AFC
De Vesci Lawn Tennis Club
Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club
Sailing in Dublin Club
St. Michael’s Rowing Club
The National Yacht Club
The Royal St. George Yacht Club
Trojan Gymnastic Club

It is very welcome that once again, Sports Capital funding is being provided to clubs and local organisations here in Dun Laoghaire and around the country.

The economic recovery allowed this Government to re-instate the Sports Capital Programme, after it was closed by Fianna Fáil during the recession. We understand the importance of sport to communities around the country and the imperative to fund it. Money spent on sport, is money saved on healthcare down the road. According to the Department of Sport, 90% of Sports Capital recipients say it has helped them to increase the numbers of people involved in sport.

Fine Gael is keenly aware of the impact the economic downturn has had on communities throughout Ireland and we are working to ensure that the economic recovery spreads to all parts of Ireland. This Government is committed to supporting local communities, with actions and funding like these Sports Capital grants.

Congratulations to each of these dedicated clubs on this welcome funding. I look forward to continuing to support the efforts of sports organisations in the Dun Laoghaire community.

 

 

Local Enterprise Offices back Start Up Gathering with over 90 Enterprise Events across Ireland

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The network of Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), as part of their Autumn/Winter Training & Development Schedules, is hosting over 90 events to support the Start-Up Gathering 2015, which aims to increase the level of Start-Ups in Ireland. Over 300 events will take place between 5th-10th October in Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway and across the country, with the aim of increasing the level of Start-Ups in Ireland by 2020.

Since the establishment of Local Enterprise Offices in 2014 as part of the Local Authority Network, they have worked in synergy with a number of organisations, in order to achieve real results on the ground with the creation of over 4000 jobs during 2015, as well as spearheading a number of local, national and international initiatives. These have included Food Academy, Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur, Trading Online Vouchers and a myriad of other Local, Regional and National Supports.

Head of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, (LEO), Eibhlin Curley, outlined the events occurring locally in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, which include:-

Start-up Gathering Network Event (Killiney) – Monday, 5th October 2015

Venue:                Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel, Killiney, Co. Dublin

Date:                  05/10/2015

Time:                  6:30pm – 8:30pm

Category:            Seminar

If you would like to leave your nerves behind, make those useful contacts with other business people in the county, grow your business and your professional brand – then join us for this free event and hone your skills with the expert Sean Weafer.

Networking is the single most powerful tool to grow your business, yet many of us are uncomfortable doing it.

This workshop will share real, practical networking psychology and skills to help you and your team become masters of any gathering – anywhere and at any time – and learn how to create new business relationships, influence key stakeholders and build a business profile that demands attention…and it’ll be a lot of fun!

Sean Weafer helps ‘technically smart’ businesses become more ‘emotionally smart’ to attract excellent clients and grow high-performing teams. As a conference speaker, author, coach and workshop leader he helps technically excellent professionals master the skills of High Trust engagements with their clients, stakeholders and teams to drive greater performance and growth. His clients have included BT, Grant Thornton Accountants, Jelf Pensions Group, Daiichi Sankyo, the ACCA, Institute of Financial Planners, Mazars, the Financial Times and Acelity. Sean coaches and consults with business executives, practice partners and their businesses on maximising their brand and communications, their business development potential and client/team engagement dynamics.

Free of charge. Places are limited and early booking is advised.

https://www.localenterprise.ie/DLR/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/Events/Start-up-Gathering-Network-Event-Killiney-Monday-5th-October-2015.html

For further detail on the Start-Up Gathering, log onto www.startupgathering.ie or log onto https://www.localenterprise.ie/DLR/

Extension of Home Renovation Incentive scheme is improving homes and creating jobs in Dun Laoghaire

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Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor has said that the extension of the Home Renovation Incentive Scheme has been good for the local economy, in that it is improving people’s homes and also creating jobs in Dun Laoghaire.

“The Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) scheme, allows homeowners who carry out qualifying renovation works to apply for and claim an income tax credit.

“Since the Scheme was introduced in October 2013, 17,488 number of works have been registered with the Scheme in Dublin, at a total value of €312.49 million. This is a real boost to the local economy, considering the jobs created by the Scheme and also the spend by people renovating their homes.

“There is also a real tangible benefit for the participants in the Scheme, considering the increased value of their homes after completing the renovation works. Of the high value works taking place, the majority were home extensions. Other popular works under the Scheme are window replacements, kitchen renovations and bathroom improvements. Not only do these sorts of works increase the value of your home, but work such as window replacements can greatly reduce your energy bills.

“The Home Renovation Incentive Scheme is just one small part of the overall strategy to secure the economic recovery in this country and ensure that its benefits spread to all parts of the country. We are now the fastest growing economy in Europe and we are creating over 1,300 new jobs a week, yet we know that not every family has felt the benefits yet.

“Schemes such as this are great for boosting economic activity in Dun Laoghaire and creating local jobs, which then has a positive knock on effect on other small businesses in Dun Laoghaire. We want every person and family to feel the benefits of the recovery and enjoy a better quality of life.”

Invitation – Educating our Children for the Future Public Meeting

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I hope you had a restful and relaxing summer.

I would like to invite you to a Public Meeting on Educating our Children for the Future. This meeting takes place in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney on Thursday, September 17th. It promises to be an interesting evening.

It will start at 7pm sharp and finish at 8.30pm. There will be a Q+A session after the guest speakers’ presentations. If attending meeting please RSVP to mary.mitchelloconnor@oir.ie by Tuesday, September 15th.

Mozart Opera Gala, September 19th at 7.30pm

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DLR Glasthule Opera is here again promoting Irish singers, conductors and directors. The casts are drawn from singers who are in various stages of their career and development from international names to those aspiring to be professional singers.

DLR County Council is committed to supporting the arts and continues to do so even in these dark days of economic gloom. We gratefully acknowledge their support.

September 2015 is their big date for a spectacular bill of Mozart at his best. They welcome back some of Glasthule’s favourite singers – Sinead Campbell Wallace, Doreen Curren, John Molloy and introduce soprano, Maria McGrann and tenor David Lynn with the one and only David Brophy – our favourite conductor.

Visit www.paviliontheatre.ie

Trading Online Voucher boosting recruitment across the country

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Fine Gael TD, for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has welcomed the results of the Growing Small Business Through Online Trade report, showing that SMEs who availed of the Government’s Online Trading Voucher, are growing.

“We know that 67 per cent of all of the new jobs created in Ireland are created by start-ups in their first five years of business so it is essential that we do everything we can to support these business and to drive them into the future. This is why Fine Gael launched the Standing Up for Small Business campaign and why the Government introduced the Online Trading Voucher.

“The Growing Small Business Through Online Trade report shows that over 70 per cent of small businesses that took part in the Government’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme expect to recruit more staff.

“The Trading Online Voucher Scheme was launched in 2014 to boost the number of small firms trading online. It offers small businesses a grant of up to €2,500, as well as training, mentoring and networking support to help them develop their online trading capability.

“Small business is the cornerstone of a sustainable economy and these local businesses support many jobs here Dun Laoghaire. In Ireland, €700,000 is spent online every hour. That is a staggering statistic and I want Dun Laoghaire businesses to benefit from this trend.

“Some 225 companies received the Online Trading Vouchers and they have experienced a huge jump in inquiries and a 21 per cent increase in sales. The scheme is administered by Local Enterprise Offices and I would encourage any interested business owners to get in touch.

“The Online Trading Voucher has proven a great success for SMEs, but having consulted with local business through our Standing Up for Rural Ireland campaign, we know that one of the biggest issues is the need to standardise the tax treatment of the self- employed and PAYE workers, as well as the need for continued reductions in the general tax burden.

“Fine Gael TDs and Senators are working to ensure that these issues are addressed in the upcoming budget.”

Major re-development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital to go ahead

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Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, says today’s announcement of extra funding of €15 million for the re-development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital is great news, especially for all the patients who use the service.

“This €15 million funding boost for the NRH in Rochestown Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, which has been announced today by the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, will see the existing ward accommodation replaced by a new 120 bed facility.

“This re-development is something that has been badly needed for a long time, by both patients and staff. It is something that I have raised with the Minister for Health and have worked for, along with my constituency colleagues.

“The National Rehabilitation Hospital provides vital treatment and rehabilitation to patients from across Ireland and is one of the country’s most important health facilities, helping improve the patients’ quality of life.
“This new development will be purpose built to accommodate the needs of patients requiring complex specialist rehabilitation services and will comply with best international practice and guidelines. The facility will include integrated therapy spaces, hydrotherapy and sports facilities on the NRH Campus.

“This is great news for the patients and staff at the National Rehabilitation Hospital. I would like to pay tribute to the staff for their outstanding professionalism and also to the Board of the National Rehabilitation Hospital.”

New local authority homes to benefit elderly and disabled people in Dun Laoghaire

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The provision of 42 new homes in Dun Laoghaire for elderly people and those with intellectual or physical disability will greatly benefit these individuals and their families according to Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor. Mitchell O’Connor was speaking following the announcement by Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Alan Kelly, and Minister for State for Housing, Planning & Construction, Paudie Coffey, of a major nationwide programme to provide housing to vulnerable individuals.

“This is fantastic news. It will directly benefit these individuals and their families and will greatly help to reduce the pressure on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Furthermore it will provide us with a legacy of improved housing stock for those who are unable to provide for themselves. It is extremely welcome that we will have these new dedicated social housing units to provide these supports to those who find themselves in need of housing support.

“This announcement comes on the back of the announcement by the Government in May of increased funding for local authorities to undertake adaptations to houses to support people with a disability and the elderly.

“The investment, which comes to over €151 million nationally and €7,432,700 in Dun Laoghaire, will be given to Approved Housing Bodies, to assist those with specific needs such as elderly people, persons with intellectual or physical disability and homeless persons. The newly acquired homes will be ready for people with housing needs this year while the newly constructed homes will be completed by 2017.

“The construction and upgrading of these housing units will also help create local employment, the benefits of which will be felt by businesses in our community.”

Leopardstown Link Road Contract – Traffic Information

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On Wednesday 22 July 2015 from 10am there will be a new road layout on Leopardstown Road East in the environs of the Leopardstown Roundabout. The new Leopardstown Link Road will provide access to Leopardstown Race Course, Leopardstown Park Hospital and South County Business Park.

Existing access to South County Business Park and Leopardstown Park Hospital off Leopardstown Roundabout will be closed as will existing access to Leopardstown Race Course.

Road users should be aware that:-

Traffic accessing the New Link Road from Leopardstown Road East/N11 will:

– Turn left at the new traffic lights

Traffic accessing the New Link Road from Brewery Road will:

– Take the first exit on Leopardstown Roundabout

– Turn right at the new traffic lights

Traffic accessing the New Link Road from Burton Hall Road will:

– Take the second exit on Leopardstown Roundabout

– Turn right at the new traffic lights

Traffic accessing the New Link Road from Leopardstown Road West/M50 will:

– Take the third exit on Leopardstown Roundabout

– Turn right at the new traffic lights

With the exception of closing the access/egress to South County Business Park & Leopardstown Park Hospital, the Leopardstown Roundabout will operate as normal.