eDundalk Is Hosting An International Networking Dinner & Celebration on Saturday, 14 February 7pm in the Crowne Plaza Dundalk

Joint Committee on Education & Social Protection Meeting - Discussing Information Technology in Schools with Camara Education

 

Speaking in the Seanad Wednesday on the Private Member's Universities (Development & Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015

Speaking in the Seanad Commencement Debate Tuesday on WALK PEER Funding

Speaking in the Seanad Order of Business Tuesday

 

Louth Designers Impress At Showcase 2015

 

I visited Louth exhibitors at the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland Showcase 2015 in the RDS on Tuesday. Ten business owners from Co. Louth displayed their excellent designs and products at this years' annual Showcase-Ireland's Creative Expo: Branigan Weavers Drogheda; Charles Gallen Irish Linen Termonfeckin; Corona Silver Readypenny; Garrett Mallon Jewellery Carlingford; Green Gorgeous Muirhevnamor, Dundalk; Marie Fay Inspiration Ravensdale; Martina Scott Carlingford; Orla Barry Art Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk; Sarah McKenna Ceramic Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk; and Tinnakeenly Leathers Ltd. Carlingford.

I was truly impressed with the quality and unique craftsmanship of the Louth exhibitions at this years showcase. We were well represented this year with ten Louth exhibitions from all corners of the county. Almost 500 exhibitors unveiled their latest collections with products ranging from jewellery, linen, ceramics, homewares and fashion.

This years showcase was officially opened by President Michael D. Higgins and marks an exciting start to Irish Design 2015. It is expected that over 5,000 attendees from all over the world will visit the showcase this week. I am delighted that new buyers have been attracted from China following President Higgins' state visit in December with sales orders in excess of €20 million expected over the 4 days.

I was delighted to meet with each of the exhibitors and see first hand the exciting crafts and designs being produced right here in our county. I would like to congratulate and commend each person on their hard work, dedication and truly excellent products.

 

Humphrey Murphy of Tinnakeenly Leathers Ltd.

 

Orla Barry of Orla Barry Art located in Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk

Martina Scott from Carlingford

Marie Fay of Marie Fay Inspiration Ravensdale

 

George and Niall Gallen of Charles Gallen Irish Linen Termonfeckin

 

John Branigan from Branigan Weavers Drogheda

Garrett Mallon of Garrett Mallon Jewellery Carlingford

 

Sarah McKenna from Sarah McKenna Ceramics located at Bridge Street Studios, Dundalk

Minister of State Ann Phelan TD with Paula Stapleton and Linda Sheridan of Green Gorgeous located in Creative Spark, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk

Dorothy Corona Mathews of Corona Silver in Readypenny

 



Speaking In The Seanad Today On Improving The Quality Of Early Years Education

Speaking In the Seanad On Tuesday On WALK PEER Funding and Louth Exhibitions At Showcase-Ireland's Creative Expo 2015

 

Visit To Dundalk Youth Centre & The House Cox's Demesne

I was delighted to visit Dundalk Youth Centre and The House Cox's Demesne on Friday afternoon following the recent allocation of Department of Children and Youth Affairs capital grant funding. These organisations provide an excellent service in our local community and I fully support the great work of those involved.

(L-R) Ian Walker, Youth Officer LMETB; Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick; Kevin Moran, Dundalk Youth Centre  at Dundalk Youth Centre

I Endorse Jobs Cabinet Strategy For Full Employment in 2018

I fully supports the reforms that were agreed at the Jobs Cabinet meeting held earlier this week, and welcomes the prospect of more jobs in Co. Louth.

I particularly welcome the planned action to support more job creation outside of the main urban centres and new strategies to support tourism which will benefit towns and villages throughout this county. This is good news for people in Louth and I will continue to work to ensure more jobs come to our community.

To date, 80,000 new jobs have been added to the economy since the Government launched its Action Plan for Jobs which, together with other measures, has reduced the unemployment rate to 10.6%, down from the crisis peak of 15.1%.

I am determined to ensure the benefits of the economic recovery are spread to every town and village across the country. I am delighted to see that unemployment was down by 8.27% in Louth in 2014. This government has made jobs its number one focus and we are committed to ensuring more jobs are created in 2015.

The strategy is committed to ensuring 40,000 additional jobs in 2015 and that unemployment falls below 10% this year. I believe these are achievable targets and I look forward to working in delivering on our commitment to get people back to work.

HIQA Report On Louth SJOG Service Raises Serious Concerns

　

 

I have raised concerns following the Heath Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Report published yesterday regarding St John of God Community Services Centre in Co. Louth. The HIQA inspectors carried out an unannounced inspection on 11 November 2014.

The unannounced inspection took place in a unit of nine residents with major care needs. The findings of the HIQA report are not only concerning but raise a number of very serious and fundamental questions including the number of staff on duty in the unit, supervision, staff training and skills, and issues regarding individualised care and supports among others.

I understand that a response to the findings was compiled by Saint John of God and forwarded to HIQA in early December with the proposed timescale in addressing many of the issues before the end of 2014 or early in 2015. Following the publishing of this report yesterday, I believe it would be useful for St John of God Community Services in Co. Louth to provide an update on their progress in responding to the issues outlined.

From experience, I am aware that many of the staff in Drumcar provide excellent and appropriate care but some of the findings of this report should have been recognised and dealt with long before the unannounced inspection. It is essential that HIQA continue to make announced and particuarly unannounced visits to centres in order to monitor and improve the quality of care afforded to each person across the country. The residents and their families deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and provided with the highest standard of care possible in what essentially is their home.

 

Significant Improvements Made In Reading & Maths Amongst Primary Students in 2014

I welcome the results of the 2014 National Assessments of English Reading and Mathematics in Primary Schools prepared by the independent Educational Research Centre. The assessment results show that the overall performance of Second and Sixth classes nationally was significantly higher in the areas of reading and mathematics when compared to 2009.

The results published today are the first significant improvements in standards in reading and maths in over thirty years with improvements last being noted in 1980 when compared to data from 1972.

The assessment results show that at primary level we have now met the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy overall targets published by Government in 2011. Budget 2015 sought continued investment in the strategy by providing an additional €6 million which raised the annual budget to €13.8m.

It is imperative that we do not now become complacent and I welcome Minister Jan O'Sullivan's announcement that a 2015 interim review of the strategy will be carried out in order to examine new targets and goals for the coming years. While all overall targets have been achieved, there are of course areas for further development and these will be included on the agenda going forward .

The overall targets for the Literacy and Numeracy strategy at primary level have exceeded expectations three years after its' introduction. This is truly a testament to the many dedicated teachers, students and families across the country.

 

Congratulations To All Who Participated In The 2015 BT Young Scientist Exhibition

Congratulations to Dundalk student, Rachel Ní Dhonnachadha on winning the Best Individual Award and the Perrigo Student Award at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition 2015.  I had the pleasure of meeting with Rachel on Thursday last and she explained her excellent project 'Brap: Boxers handwrap, preventing wrist injury in boxing.'

Rachel Ní Dhonnachadha, winner of the Best Individual Award and Perrigo Student Award

 

I would also like to commend Rachel's brother Martin O Donnachadha whose project 'Wearable TMO System' won the 2nd-Junior Individual Award in the Technology category; Elle Loughran who won the Intellectual Ventures Special Award for her project 'To develop and functionalise a grapheme-based biosensor to measure attractin, a protein biomarker for high-grade gliomas'; and Conor Begley who won the Analog Student Award for his project 'QuickCom--A communication aid for the physically disabled' and will be travelling to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

 

Congratulations to everyone who took part, their teachers and families.

 

Conor Begley, winner of the Analog Student Award

Martin O Donnachadha, 2nd-Junior Individual

Elle Loughran, winner of the Intellectual Ventures Award

 

 

 



Co. Louth Well-Represented At BT Young Scientist 2015

 

I visited Co. Louth students participating at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition 2015 on Thursday last. Co. Louth was well-represented at this year's exhibition with seven schools participating and fifteen projects being exhibited by students. Co. Louth was represented by Bush Post Primary School, Coláiste Rís, De La Salle College, Dundalk Grammar School, O Fiaich College, Our Lady's College-Drogheda and St. Vincent's Secondary School.

 

I have had the pleasure of visiting the BT Young Scientist Exhibition and meeting Louth pupils over the last three years. Each year I am very impressed with the excellent and interesting presentations from our young Louth scientists. 

 

The local projects at this year's competition were of a very high quality with many students reporting they had spent many months developing and investigating the work they had presented.

 

The BT Young Scientist Exhibition is an event that captures the terrific work of young people across the country and allows us to look forward to the many interesting developments that are sure to come from this bright and dedicated group of young people.

Bush Post Primary School students Chloe Finley and Caoilinn Dunne

Coláiste Rís student Conor Begley

Conor Begley and Paula Cain of BT

St. Vincent's Secondary School students, Ciara Babington, Caoimhe McEvoy Warr and Amy McArdle

O Fiaich College teacher Ken Rea and students Laura McGahon and Molly McShane

Dundalk Grammar School pupils Zoha Khan, Penny Morris and Roisin Murphy

Dundalk Grammar School students Zoha Khan and Roisin Murphy

Bush Post Primary School students David Finnegan and Stephen Gartlan

Bush Post Primary School students David Finnegan and Stephen Gartlan

Our Lady's College-Drogheda student Niamh Kelly

Our Lady's College-Drogheda students Órla Molloy and Neasa Early

Our Lady's College-Drogheda students Órla Molloy and Neasa Early

St. Vincent's Secondary School students Alexandria Smyth, Anna Turley and Hannah McGivern

De La Salle College student Martin O Donnachadha

De La Salle College student Martin O Donnachadha

Our Lady's College-Drogheda student Elle Loughran

St. Vincent's Secondary School student Rachel NíDhonnachadha

St. Vincent's Secondary School students Aoife O'Malley, Aoife McLoughlin and Ciara McLoughlin

 

INTREO Offices Now Accepting Applications For New Family Dividend

Local Intreo offices in Louth are accepting applications for the new Back to Work Family Dividend from this week onwards.

The new Dividend helps parents move from welfare to work by allowing them to retain the €29.80 Qualified Child Increase payment that they previously would have been lost in the event that they secured work.

This is a real example of how we are making it easier for people to return to the workplace, and making the recovery real for people in Louth. I am pleased that, as of this week, INTREO offices are accepting applications so that local parents can begin to avail of this crucial financial support.

The Back To Work Family Dividend was introduced in Budget 2015 by Joan Burton as a means to give unemployed parents a greater incentive to go back to work. Jobseekers who secure employment retain the full payment for the first year and it continues on a phased basis thereafter.
 

For a family with one child, its means that over two years, they will receive additional support of €2,324 to supplement wages. A family with two children will receive €4,649, those with three children will get €6,973, while those with four or more will get €9,298.

It is a key priority for me that people in our community start to feel the effects of the economic recovery in their pockets. The Dividend is one such example of how we are attempting to achieve this, while others include the increase to Child Benefit, and the cut of 1% in the top rate of income tax – both measures which take effect this month. It’s important that we continue to help people share in this hard-won recovery. 

In the meantime, I would encourage any local parent who has gained employment and will qualify for the Dividend to call their local INTREO office so that they can avail of this crucial support.

Local INTREO Centres:

 

Intreo Centre Dundalk
Area Covered: Dundalk, Dromiskin, Blackrock, Knockbridge, Omeath, Carlingford
Address: Government Buildings, St. Alphonsus Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Telephone: 042-9392600
Fax: 042-9392695
Opening Hours: 9:30 to 16:00 (10:30 on Thurs)

Intreo Centre Drogheda

Area Covered: Drogheda, Termonfeckin, Duleek, Bettystown, Julianstown, Bellewstown, Dunleer (part of), Clogherhead, Mornington

Address: Custom House Quay, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Telephone: (041) 9871130
Fax: (041) 9836675
Opening Hours: 9.30-16.00

　

Social Welfare Branch Office, Ardee
Area Covered: Ardee, Annagassan, Castlebellingham, Collon, Drumconrath, Tallanstown, Dunleer(part of)
Address: Moore Hall, Ardee, Co. Louth
Telephone: (041) 6850950
Fax: (041) 6856677
Opening Hours: 9:30 - 12:00, 14:00 - 16:00

Mourne Cooley Gullion Geotourism Accepting Applications for Research Bursaries Until 30 January 2015

Mourne Cooley Gullion Geotourism is accepting applications from individuals currently conducting research into geology, archaeology and related subjects in the Mourne, Cooley and Gullion regions for research bursaries to assist with financial costs up to the value of £2,000. 

Closing date for applications is 30 January 2015.

Further information can be found on:  Mourne Cooley Gullion Geotourism Website

Building Commences On New St. Mary's College School Building

 

 

 

I welcome the announcement by Minister Jan O'Sullivan and Brendan Howlin today regarding the commencement of the construction of the new school building for St. Mary's College Dundalk this week. The announcement made this morning that building has commenced on four post-primary schools throughout the country this week, including St. Mary's College Dundalk, under the Schools Bundle 4 of the Public Private Partnership Programme is welcome to ensure that schools are equipped for the growing numbers of young people in our secondary school system which are expected to grow until 2026.

 

I am delighted  that work has commenced for the new school building which will provide a quality learning and teaching environment for students and teachers at St. Mary's College. There have a been a number of welcome announcements recently for Co. Louth in relation to school building projects. Prior to Christmas, Minister O'Sullivan announced that St Patrick's NS in Drogheda  will be getting a major new extension; while St Buite's in Dunleer has been allocated a new school building; as has Gaelscoil an Brhadáin Feasa in Mornington Co. Meath. 

These recent school building announcements also come on the heels of 73 primary schools in Louth receiving a total of €727,415 under the Minor Works Grant scheme. This scheme enables schools to pay for basic running costs and the maintenance of grounds, buildings and equipment.

This further investment in our educational infrastructure not only benefits pupils and teachers but reverberates throughout the local community in the form of jobs during the building process.

I look forward to the positive effect that the new school building for St. Mary's College will have on the school community.

Three Co. Louth Primary Schools Included in Major Building Announcement

I welcomed the announcement by Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, T.D, that 70 school projects throughout the country are scheduled for construction in 2015.

The five-year capital investment programme launched in March 2012, worth €2.2 billion, gave details for 275 new major school building projects which commenced in 2012. In 2013 a further 28 major school projects were added to this list and these proceeded to tender and construction.

This announcement includes a further 16 school building projects and I am delighted that three of these are primary schools in Co Louth: Scoil Padraig Naofa in Bothar Brugha Drogheda which will get a new extension: Scoil Tigh an Iubhair in Tenure, Dunleer which has been allocated a new school building, as has Gaelscoil an Bhriadán Feasa in Mornington.

In total, 70 major projects are scheduled to proceed to construction in 2015 and these include:

 

· 44 new schools at primary level
· 11 extensions at primary level
· 5 new schools at second-level
· 8 extensions at second-level
· 2 new special schools

In addition, the Minister confirmed that a total of 42 major school projects have now reached substantial completion in 2014. The provision of school places to cope with the demographic challenges is at the fore of this Government’s educational policy. Not only do we need to push ahead with building new schools to ensure every child has a place, we also need to constantly upgrade and renovate aging and unsuitable buildings to make them fit for purpose in the 21^st century.

The aim is to provide 100,000 school places during the course of the five –year plan. Total pupil enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by almost 70,000 pupils between now and 2017 - over 44,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary - and will continue to grow up to at least 2026 at second level.

These major building projects will also provide much-needed employment in the construction industry with 5,000 jobs expected in direct and 3,000 in indirect employment in 2015.

€2.21M To Be Spent On Co. Louth Roads

I welcome the announcement that Co. Louth is to receive a substantial allocation for local roads. Over €2.21m has been allocated by the National Roads Authority to Louth County Council for road improvements and maintenance. Of this allocation €1million has been earmarked for the section of the N53 Barronstown to Hackballscross which will see major improvements in this stretch of road which carries a very heavy volume of cross-border traffic.  A further €224,000 has been allocated for the Barronstown to Newtownbalregan stretch of the N53.

At Blakestown Cross road improvements to the tune of €600,000 will be carried out. This is a very busy junction where the R165 meets the main Dublin-Derry route on the N52. Work will also take place on the Ardee by-pass .

€260,000 has been allocated to Louth County Council for Maintenance Works which include ordinary maintenance, lighting and winter maintenance.

4727,415 Invested In Louth Primary Schools Through Minor Works Grant

　

73 primary schools in Louth will benefit from the Minor Works Grant scheme.

I am delighted that a total of €727,415 is being invested in schools in the county under the scheme. 

Primary schools received payments prior to Christmas with rates payable of €5,500 per school plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil. The grant is worth €6,425 for a 50 pupil school and more than €11,000 for a 300 pupil school.
 
There are 73 schools in Louth that have benefitted by the €727,415 investment. This necessary funding will enable schools to pay for basic running costs and the maintenance of grounds, buildings and equipment. Principals can utilise the investment to improve or replace mechanical and electrical services, to purchase standard furniture and physical education equipment, and to purchase IT related equipment.

I am delighted that 73 schools in Louth have benefitted from the Minor Works Grant. I regularly meet with parents, teachers and principals and this funding will be put to very good use by primary schools in our county. Minister O’Sullivan has indicated her hope to use savings in her Department’s spending to also fund a minor works grant next year.

　

I look forward to additional funding and investment from the Department of Education and continuing my work with Minister O'Sullivan to provide each child in Louth with a dual quality educational experience, in terms of the standard of teaching and the educational environment that is provided to students.