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Last Updated: April 30, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Vote YES on Marriage Equality Referendum on 22nd May

The Marriage Equality Referendum will be held on Friday, 22nd May.

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, launched Fine Gael’s campaign calling for a Yes vote in the Marriage Equality Referendum on Friday, 22nd May.

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny said: “Equal marriage is all about enriching the everyday lives of ordinary men and women. It’s that equality in marriage that I believe will bring great happiness and joy not alone to couples but to their families, their siblings, parents and grandparents. By voting Yes on May 22nd, we will ensure that all couples can share the benefits of civil marriage. We will ensure that people will be treated equally no matter who they love.”

Please be advised that the closing date for additions to the supplementary register is Tuesday, 5th May.

With Monday being a bank holiday, intending voters will need to post their application by Friday, 30th April in order for their name to be included on the register.

The required RFA2 form can be downloaded at this link

Intending voters need to get their form stamped by a Garda and then send it to the Franchise Department of their local authority.

Every vote counts. Please register and vote YES on Marriage Equality on Friday, 22nd May.

Posted: April 23, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Have your say on the issue of childcare and early education

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. James Reilly, T.D., is inviting submissions from interested parties, including parents and practitioners to inform the work of his recently established Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education Services.

The Inter-Departmental Group is hard at work examining issues related to childcare and early education. It is tasked with exploring ways of ensuring that current and future investment delivers more affordable, accessible and high quality early years and school-age care and education.

To help this Group develop the strongest set of options, its work will be informed by research and evidence of best practice, as well as current policy commitments, including those set out in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. But it’s very important that we hear the views of all relevant stakeholders especially from parents.

Minister Reilly said “As part of this public consultation process, I want to find out what is working well and learn where I can best direct investment to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of Ireland’s early years and school-age care and education services over the coming years”.

There are two separate consultation forms available for online completion – one for all stakeholders with an interest in the field (including policy-makers, practitioners, providers, advocates and academics) and one specifically for parents and guardians.

The closing dates for submissions from the early years sector is Friday 1st May and the closing dates for submissions from parents and guardians is Monday, 4th May.

Further details and links to theses consultation forms are available on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs website at: www.dcya.gov.ie

Last Updated: April 16, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Applications Now Open for Early Years Capital Programme 2015

Dr. James Reilly T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has today announced the launch of capital funding totalling €7 million for Early Years services. This new scheme of capital funding for early years services demonstrates the on-going commitment of this Government to developing quality childcare provision in Ireland.

€5 million has been made available for grants specifically for community/not for profit childcare services. This funding will provide grant aid, in the region of €500,000, for significant upgrades of community and not-for-profit childcare services, such as major refurbishment or relocation to new premises. Also under this strand of funding, grants of up to €50,000 will be available for essential maintenance, or works undertaken to improve the energy performance of childcare facilities.

The Minister stated: “I am committed to securing the sustainability of community and not for profit childcare services, particularly in disadvantaged areas. There is clear evidence that, while all children benefit from access to quality early years provision, those from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit to the greatest extent”.

The remaining €2 million in capital funding is being made available for both private and community childcare facilities to access grants of up to €500 for quality improvement measures, specifically in the area of upgrading IT facilities.

Further information on the EYC2015 programme and information on how to make an application can be found on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie Applications for funding can be made from the 29th April. I would encourage all community and not-for-profit childcare services to apply today.

Last Updated: April 30, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Fine Gael Launch Small and Family Business Campaign

“Fine Gael is standing up for small business and the self-employed”, says Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor

“Fine Gael is the pro-enterprise party and we want to support small businesses to prosper and continue to create jobs, to help meet our target of full employment by 2018. We’re beginning a national conversation with small businesspeople and the self-employed to see how we can work together to take advantage of the potential offered by the economic recovery that is beginning to take hold.

“Central Bank research shows that start-up companies in their first five years of existence account for two thirds of all new jobs created in Ireland. So it is really crucial that we support entrepreneurship and small businesses. In February, five start-ups were created every day in Ireland, an increase of 7% compared to the same time last year.

“We know that despite the progress made, we can do more for small businesses. It is clear that small businesses feel their contribution to the economy is not fully recognised.

“The key issues identified by the small business community include:
· Tax discrepancy between the self-employed and PAYE earners,
· Training and development support, such as mentoring,
· Business succession; easing the transition of business ownership down through the family generations.
· Lack of awareness of existing State supports, including the SME online tool.

“Now all members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party will engage directly with businesses all over Ireland to seek their views the best way for them to realise the potential offered by the recovering economy.

“I have been very encouraged by the Taoiseach’s recent comments in relation to the tax treatment of the self-employed. It’s simply not fair that the self-employed continue to pay more tax than PAYE earners on the same income. This is one of the many legacy issues we inherited from Fianna Fáil and I want to see this addressed in next year’s budget.

“Fine Gael in Government has drastically cut red tape for business and the ‘Supporting SMEs Online Tool’ brings together over 80 Government business supports into one website to help small business navigate and avail of the supports available to them. One of the most important elements of the Action Plan for Jobs is the new mentoring services for start-ups, including a national database of mentors. Mentoring gives entrepreneurs and small businesses an 80% greater chance of success and growth opportunities, and is a crucial ingredient in driving business.

“Fine Gael is standing up for small businesses, an integral part of keeping the high streets in small towns and villages alive and thriving.”

If you would like to discuss further what Government business supports are available, please contact Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD at mary.mitchelloconnor@oir.ie / or her Blackrock Constituency Office at 01 210 9161. Alternatively, please visit https://www.localenterprise.ie/

Posted: March 24, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Long-overdue resources for children with Down Syndrome

“I am delighted to learn that children with Down Syndrome and mild learning disabilities will now have access to the teaching resources they require,” says Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire.

“It is wonderful news that 30 minutes per day of teaching resources per week for children with Down Syndrome and mild learning disabilities will now be allocated with immediate effect.

“I have been campaigning strongly for this change and have raised it directly with the Taoiseach and made a presentation to him.

“I have first-hand experience of this issue as a former school Principal and I know the difference this decision will make to the lives of the families involved.

“Last Saturday, I launched a photo exhibition that offers people the chance to see children with Down syndrome for the unique individuals that they are. Today’s announcement will help children with Down Syndrome realise their own educational potential.

“This decision is effective immediately and the posts will be advertised immediately.”

Posted: March 16, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

National Spring Clean 2015 Comes to Dun Laoghaire

An Taisce’s National Spring Clean is now in its 17th year and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is encouraging everyone to do their bit to make it even bigger and better! Local residents can once again play a part in keeping their community tidy by participating in the Annual Spring Clean which runs through the month of April.

The Council is supporting this important campaign by providing litter pickers and gloves, and will be arranging extra resources to pick up waste from weekend clean-ups in April. Groups who wish to be involved in the National Spring Clean should nominate a particular weekend in April for their area so that the Council can schedule a pickup on the following Monday or Tuesday.

Participating groups must register in advance with the Council and can only use the clean-up bags that are provided by the Council, which will be registered to your clean-up team. Waste presented in bags that are not provided by the Council will not be collected. Green waste is not eligible for collection.

All you have to do to register your community clean-up is email or ring the Council with your choice of weekend: environ@dlrcoco.ie or 01 205 4817. You can choose from April 5th / 6th, 11th / 12th, 18th / 29th or the 25th / 26th.

Don’t forget

Participants can only use the clean-up bags that are provided by the Council which will be registered to your clean-up team. If waste is presented and it is not in blue Council bags – the Council will not collect this waste.

Green waste (grass cuttings, leaves, hedge trimmings, branches, etc.) – the Council will not collect this waste.

Last Updated: March 16, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Local Events in DLR Urged to Apply For Community Tourism Grants

Community Tourism Diaspora Initiative – Application Form (pdf -103kb)

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has today announced that applications for funding are now being sought under the Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora. The initiative, launched last year, builds on the community involvement legacy of The Gathering 2013 and is a joint partnership between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, IPB Insurance and Fáilte Ireland.

Now in its second year, the scheme provides a national fund of €1m to support local community-based events and festivals each year.

Administered locally by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the application process for 2015 is now open and will close on March 31st 2015. Interested parties are advised to contact William Morton, 2047942 or email: wmorton@dlrcoco.ie to apply.

Community Tourism Diaspora Initiative – Application Form (pdf -103kb)

Announcing this year’s funding, Richard Shakespeare from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council emphasised:

“We all witnessed the benefits from The Gathering and this scheme gives us an opportunity to build on its legacy. The Community Tourism Initiative allows us to sustain many of the grass roots networks which sprang to life during The Gathering in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and sustain an infrastructure of events and relationships which will have long term tourism and social benefits for this region for many years to come.

For that reason, I would urge anyone out there with a good idea or interesting event, which would help us to reach out to the diaspora, to get in touch with us and make an application”.

Local authorities throughout the country are now accepting applications in order to determine those local events with the best potential to have the impact and long-term potential to make a difference. The initiative is being administered at local level with the grant applications and awards being decided in accordance with agreed national criteria.

Last Updated: March 10, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

2015 Sports Capital Programme Now Open for Applications

The 2015 Sports Capital Programme is now open for applications and the deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 24 April 2015. Registrations will close at 5pm on Friday 10 April 2015.

The programme allocates €40m of funding to sports infrastructure around the country and applications from clubs can be made online at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie before 24 April.

Among the facilities funded by the scheme are natural grass sports pitches; tracks and courts (including pitch drainage); floodlighting, artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas; security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts, hurling walls/handball alleys; building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets; building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms; non-personal sports equipment including lawn mowers and defibrillators – anything set in the ground (such as goal posts) is not considered equipment; and any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance.

Useful Links.

The 2015 guide to filling out the online application form, including the terms and conditions.

The Sports Capital Programme YouTube channel has guides to the registration and application processes.

A blank sample application form is available for download.

Last Updated: March 9, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

We need to turn off the tap of cheap alcohol

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, today (Thursday) said that a new initiative supporting the Government’s Public Health (Alcohol) Bill is a welcome addition to the national debate on the harm caused by alcohol abuse.

“Alcohol abuse is a public health issue that requires the input from many parts of society. It is great to see the people behind Alcohol Action Ireland taking such a proactive approach.

“The Alcohol Health Alliance, which was set up by The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, and Alcohol Action Ireland, will bring together a wide range of public health campaigners including medical professionals, NGOs and charities whose mission is to reduce the damage caused to health by alcohol misuse.

“Yesterday there were 1,500 people in hospital beds due to alcohol related illnesses. We need to turn off the tap of cheap alcohol and the minimum unit pricing measures contained in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill will contribute towards that goal.

“This Government is serious about tackling Public Health Issues. We did not back down on plain packaging and similarly will not about minimum unit pricing

Last Updated: March 4, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

After school care can cut childcare costs

Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, said today (Wednesday) that keeping schools open before and after classes could significantly reduce the childcare costs of working parents and provide an important extra dimension to the primary education system.

“An Afterschool facility within the school can provide a fun and safe environment for children while parents work. Children are supervised by a team of experienced and qualified childcare staff who would ensure both the children’s safety and also enjoyment by offering activities including arts and crafts, board games, team sports, party games and outdoor games, and even movie time.

“I have proposed this childcare alternative to the Taoiseach and Minister for Children, James Reilly TD and have invited them along with the recently established Interdepartmental Group out to see the successful working example of after school care in the Harold School in Glasthule. I launched this childcare alternative in 2009 while I was Principal and it has gone from strength to strength. It now even offers a pre-school club called the Rise and Shine Club.

“After-school care is currently provided by one in six primary schools, but the programmes are not coordinated on a national level. Only six percent of primary schools are owned by the State and the vast majority are in private ownership. The arrangements would need the cooperation of principals, teachers, management and parents groups.

“Hard-pressed parents would greatly benefit from this practical plan which could quite easily be trialled on a nationwide basis. It is simple, community led and cost effective.

By providing the after school care in the school facility we are eliminating additional travel, costs and stress on the parents and children.”