Mini-Marathon for LauraLynn. I'll be there!

I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the LauraLynn Sunshine Home today .LauraLynn is Ireland's only Children's Hospice where children and their families receive the most wonderful care at a very difficult time in their lives.
I met with Jane Flynn and Philomena Dunne, and they are hugely excited about the up-coming Mini Marathon this weekend

Jane said " The child and their family is at the heart of what we do. Unfortunately we cannot change a child’s diagnosis but we can change the quality of a child’s life and their families. Thanks to the support of our 700+ Mini-Marathon ladies last year LauraLynn raised an incredible €108,000 which is a wonderful extra 137 respite days!! And this year we hope it will be extra special with almost 1200 ladies signed up!!"

Mary with Senator Marie Moloney and Philomena Dunne, CEO of LauraLynn

Dundalk Chamber launches Louth Business Awards 2013

Dundalk Chamber has just launched the Louth Business Awards for 2013. You can enter your own business or nominate other businesses who you feel deserve an award in one of the 15 categories below.
The aim of the awards scheme is to recognise the achivements of companies and individuals in promoting excellent services and products in a top class manner. They also encourage companies large and small to continually improve their business.
The Awards have been running for 8 years now and new sponsors have been secured which sees over 20,000e worth of mentoring, market research and advice to be won.

Companies can nominate themselves or another company in 4 of the 15 categories. These include:
 

Best Customer Service Award Independent Retailer sponsored by The Argus.

Best Retail Premises for both exterior and interior visual impact sponsored by Dedco.

Special Community Group sponsored by Dundalk Credit Union.

Age Friendly Award sponsored by Myhomecare.ie

Business Growth Award sponsored by Vhi Healthcare

Best Exporter of the Year Award sponsored by Enterprise Ireland.

Best Pub/ Bar Award sponsored by Diageo.

Best New Business under 3 years sponsored by the School of Business & Humanities DKIT.

Best Training Initiative sponsored by FAS.

Best Tourist Attraction sponsored by The Crowne Plaza Dundalk.

Dundalk’s Best High Growth SME sponsored by Louth County Enterprise Board

Best Business Website sponsored by The Fairways Hotel.

Best use of Internet Technology sponsored by Fastcom.

Corporate Responsibility Award sponsored by Prometric.

Best Hair Salon Award sponsored by L’Oreal Professional Products Division.

 

You can make an on-line entry at www.dundalk.ie/awards

 

 

The Awards will be presented to the winners at the Chamber Gala Black Tie Dinner in the Fairways Hotel Dundalk on Sat Oct 19th 2013

 

If you would like a hard copy of the nomination form call Brenda in Dundalk Chamber on 042-9336343 or email her at brenda@dundalk.ie

 

 

Last day to register for the Local Property Tax

By midnight on Monday of this week 1.35 million people had filed their returns to Revenue for registration of the Local Property Tax.
With only hours left before the deadline you can either register online at revenue.ie or by calling the helpline on 1890 200255 which will remain open until midnight tonight.

www.revenue.ie

Muslim Community Seminar in Dundalk

I was delighted to receive an invitation from the Muslim Community in Dundalk to be a guest speaker at their Seminar held last weekend.

Having met with members of the Muslim Community on several occasions over the past number of months I was honoured to accept the invitation from the Imam/Chairman, Mr Nooh A Buye.

 

“EDUCATION, DISABILITY, EQUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH IN IRELAND” WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR MINORITY GROUPS TO ACCESS THEM?

This was the topic which the Community requested me to speak on and a very interesting and lively debate ensued on these very important issues.

 

I would like to thank the Muslim Community in Dundalk for extending this invitation to me and  for welcoming me with such warmth and enthusiasm.

 

Mary with members of the Muslim Community and her daughter Tara.

 

Welcome for Tánaiste's announcement of 1.5million euro in grants to support community organisations north and south of the border

 

Senator Mary Moran has welcomed the announcement by Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore T.D., that over €1.5 million has been allocated in grants to support community organisations working on both sides of the border.

“As a member of the Committee for the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, I am delighted that a total of 74 reconciliation and anti-sectarianism projects will receive funding following today’s announcement. Amongst the groups receiving an award under the funds is Co-operation Ireland, which receives the largest award, for its work both with at-risk young people and in marginalised communities.

Support is also being provided to Mediation NI for training to enable community leaders in Ballymena, Limavady and Omagh to deal with contentious issues in their communities, and to Greenore Greencastle Community Association for its development of cross-border links between counties Louth and Down.

“These examples demonstrate the broad reach of the funds across communities in Northern Ireland and the border region. Even though it is fifteen years since the referendum was held north and south of the border to ratify the Good Friday Agreement, there is still a huge amount of work to be done in supporting communities to build relationships built on mutual respect and tolerance. There is wonderful work being done at community level to support various initiatives and I am very pleased that many organisations will benefit from this funding.”

Speaking in the Seanad on Thursday in an Adjournment Debate regarding the Treatment Abroad Scheme

 

http://youtu.be/opGUCxZTIOQ

 

Click here to view the video

Alzheimer's Tea Day a great success. Thank you!

Some photos (courtesy of Tom Brophy) from our Alzheimer's Tea Day event in my constituency office at Williamson's Mall Dundalk on May 10th.
 Many thanks to everyone who called in for a cuppa and a bun/scone. Particular thanks to those who supplied the fabulous food and spot prizes for the raffle.

The Home Bakery
Callum Quinn
The River Cafe (The Marshes)

Antoinette and Mary

The Hair Shop

Irene Mary and Noreen

Madeleine

Mrs Ralph, Tara Mary, Mrs Moran and Mrs O Connell

Visitors from Rehab Care

Visitors on Tea Day

Domestic violence in Ireland. Speaking in the Seanad on Wednesday

Speaking in the Order of Business in the Seanad on May 7th regarding the School Leavers Report

Tea Day for Alzheimer's. This Friday, May 10th in my Dundalk office. 10.30-12

Alzheimer's Tea Day - A Day to Remember.

                      

Tea Day is a social occasion where thousands of people - friends, family, work colleagues, neighbours - come together to drink tea and raise money for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. This year we want to make it a real Day to Remember.

 

Every cent raised goes to provide funding for local projects which support families affected by Alzheimer's such as Day Centres, Drop-In Centres, support clubs, social clubs, home care services and the national helpline.
Please come along to my office in Williamson's Mall on Friday, May 10th between 10.30 and 12 o clock for a cuppa and a bun. Your contribution will make a difference!