Speaking on the Order of Business 25.06.13

Here I welcome news of Minister Quinn's reversal of his planned decision to reduce the number of hours of special education for the coming academic year.

I applaud Minister Quinn's to reverse this decision upon listening to my concerns  relating to the negative impact these cuts may have had and I applaud his courage of conviction in this matters and how he re-iterates his support and dedication to Special Education at this time.

Speaking during SUSI's update during Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection

SUSI updated the committee on their plans ahead of the next academic year in relation to  the Third Level Education Student Grant Scheme.

Speaking on the Further Education and Training Bill in its Second Stage

Welcoming the Further Education and Training Bill 2013 in its second stage last week as Minister Ruairí Quinn presented it to the house.

Health Screening in the Marshes Shopping Centre in aid of My Home Care adn the Jack&Jill Foundation TODAY

Make the most of this great opportunity to get a quick check-up at the charity health screening taking place in the Marshes Shopping Centre in aid of My Home Care and the Jack & Jill Foundation today 20 June 2013.
All tests are carried out by registered general nurses and each test costs only €1.00.

Tests that will be carried out today for:
Blood Sugar Levels
Cholesterol Levels
Lung Function and
Blood Pressure.

Don't miss this great opportunity to support two very worth charities.

Don't forget: €1.00 per test - all day, Marshes Shopping Centre Dundalk.

Music Generation Louth Summer Workshops

Music Generation Louth will run a series of Summer Workshops for children over the summer holidays. Venues for the workshops are Dundalk, Cooley, Ardee, Dunleer and Drogheda.

If you think your child would enjoy making music with other children and learning from some expert tutors then this might be a very worthwhile experience!
Bookings are being taken on 042-9364635, or email music generation@louthvec.ie
You can also visit the website on www.musicgenerationlouth.ie to see what has been happening in Music Generation up to now.

Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is making €125,000 available to non-profit organisations

The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund are accepting applications from charities and community groups across  the island of Ireland and will be donating €125,000 to support some top community projects in your area.
Projects seeking support to develop  new and innovative ways to keep our communities living balanced, healthy and active lives are invited to consider preparing an application. This Year The Fund will target interesting adn innovative new projects that promote a new approach to nutrition and physical activity, and which could be replicated and applied in other communities across the country.

The overall winner will receive €25,000 and a further ten organisations will will receive €10,000 each. Last year, the overall winner of the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund was the Irish Olympic Handball Association, which submitted plans to introduce 10,000 more people to the sport through the training of 200 teachers and youth group leaders.

For a chance to win up to €25,000 for your community, download an application form from www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou. Entries are open until 19 July 2013.

 The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is supported by the Federation of Irish Sport, The Wheel and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA).

Speaking in the Seanad on Tuesday on Youth Unemployment during Private Members' Business

It's that time of year again...Make sure you have a valid EHIC before taking off to Europe this summer

Formerly known as the E111 form, the European Health Insurance Card will ensure easy access to public healthcare and medical services should you or a loved one become ill while in the EU.

If you should become ill or injured while abroad, simply go to the nearest public treatment centre and present your EHIC. Treatment in a private setting is not covered under the EHIC. You can also download the EHIC app on your smart phone which helps holiday-makers make contact with their nearest medical centre.

If you already have an EHIC, be sure to check that it's still valid on www.ehic.ie before you make your way to the Departures hall, where you can easily renew or make a new application for you European Health Insurance Card. You can also drop into the HSE's Local Health Office or Health Centre and fill out an application form. The HSE advises hpliday-makers to apply for their EHIC at least one month before departure, however, if you are leaving a short notice a Temporary Replacement Certificate can be made available from your HSE Local Health Office.

And don't forget that your EHIC is completely free of charge!

For more information, to apply for a card, to renew a card, or to get the EHIC smartphone app, go to www.ehic.ie or call the HSE infoline on 1850 24 1850
 

Welcoming news of Narrow Water Bridge Go Ahead

I was delighted to hear that Northern Ireland's Finance Minister ahs given the green light to fund the Narrow Water Bridge - the first bridge to connect Northern Ireland with the Republic. As a native of Dundalk, I hope that this new development will bring a great number of jobs to the area while the project is being built, and will boost the tourist industry in the north Louth-south Down area.

DPE Camera Club visits Leinster House

I was really thrilled to welcome some familiar faces from Drumcar Park Enterprises Camera Club to Leinster House last week. It was a great opportunity to catch up with some old friends and past pupils from St. Mary's School, Drumcar.

The visitors took a tour of Leinster House, then they showed off their skills in front of the camera outside on the plinth.

My colleague Senator Paschal Mooney was so impressed by the camera club he got in on the action too and stepped into a few photos with the group.

The visitors rounded off their day out with a hearty lunch before heading home.

Speaking in the Seanad on Supports for Students with Special Education needs

Minimarathon for LauraLynn House. A great day out!

I was delighted to run the Flora Minimarathon this year for LauraLynn House, Ireland's first children's hospice which provides care for children with life-limiting conditions.

I received great moral support from my two daughters Sadhbh and Deirbhile who ran with me and as the sun shone all day, we had a wonderful time.

Also lending her support to LauraLynn House was my colleague in the Seanad, Senator Jillian van Turnhout.