Senator Mary Moran

Senator Mary Moran

Tuesday, 19 May 2015

Canvassing For A Yes Vote Today On Grafton Street





Delighted To Welcome Ardee Traders To Leinster House Today


Attended Excellent Exhibition Hosted By Women's Aid Dundalk in Louth County Museum Monday Evening

Women's Aid Dundalk launched Andrea Zipoli's photographic exhibition in support of Safe Ireland MAN UP Campaign and will host the exhibition in Louth County Museum from 18th-31st May.  

Andrea Zipoli is a photographer who has worked with the MAN UP campaign to highlight the positive role of men in the lives of women and children through photographs.    The MAN UP campaign highlights the positive role that men can play in ending domestic violence.

I was delighted to attend the launch of the exhibition in Louth County Museum Monday last.  I would like to commend Women's Aid Dundalk on hosting important exhibition locally and their ongoing excellent work in the community.



Monday, 18 May 2015

I Have Received Confirmation SJOG Respite Service Will Re-Open 2nd June

I have received confirmation from Teresa Mallon, Regional Director that the Saint John of God's Drumcar respite service will re-open on 2nd June.

Since the closure of the respite service I have been in ongoing negotiations with Saint John of God's management and following a meeting with Teresa Mallon this week I received confirmation that the respite service will re-open on 2nd June and that parents and family members would be informed.  I have been seeking clear communication from Saint John of God to parents throughout this situation with a demand that parents be advised of the definite date the service would re-open and inform families of respite dates for the coming months.  

I have spoken with many parents and family members in the last couple of days who are delighted to have received communication on the respite service re-opening and upcoming respite dates for their loved ones.  All family members should have received confirmation at this stage that the respite service will re-open on 2nd June.

I have been in constant communication with St. John of God management regarding the significant effect of the respite service closure and the difficulties the late notice presented to families.  

While I am disappointed that the respite service will be closed for six weeks, I am delighted that following my meetings with Saint John of God in recent weeks parents have received clear communication and assurances that the service will re-open 2nd June.

Excellent Video from Teachers For Marriage Equality Urging Yes Vote On Friday


Delighted to Officially Open Special Olympics Athletics Event in Bush on Saturday

I was delighted to officially open the Special Olympics Track & Field Games event which took place in Bush Post Primary School on Saturday last.  Well done to all of the athletes.















Friday, 15 May 2015

Showing My Support for Dunnes Stores Workers This Morning With Mandate & Decency For Dunnes Workers Campaigners


Delighted to Attend Dundalk Chamber Business Expo Today in Marshes Shopping Centre


Encouraging People To Vote On 22nd May

I am urging people to use their vote on Friday next, 22nd May. The people will be asked to decide on two separate matters in the upcoming referenda: marriage equality for people regardless of their sex and reducing the eligibility age for Presidential candidates from 35 years to 21 years.

I am encouraging people to get out and have their say on Friday, 22nd May. The people are being presented with two very important questions next week. Marriage equality has been one of the most pressing issues in recent times with various viewpoints advocated with great passion in this referendum campaign. I would continue to call for respectful debate in the last days prior to polling day.

I will be supporting the marriage equality referendum and voting yes next week as I feel strongly in favour of this issue. I believe that all citizens of this country should be treated and valued equally and particularly when it comes to the institution of marriage. I was proud to be part of the Constitutional Convention where we discussed the issue of marriage equality at great length and I am pleased that the matter is now being put to the people of the country. 

The second issue to be voted on is the reduction in the age of eligibility for presidential candidates from 35 to 21 has not received the same attention in the media. While I appreciate that there are many 21 year olds that may be mature enough to hold a high office, on a personal note I feel that the age for eligibility to run for president should not be lowered. I believe that the role of president befits someone with a wealth of experience, maturity and knowledge, who represents our country on the world stage.  I feel the present eligibility age has not caused problems to date and has suited our choice of more mature candidates. 

I would like to commend the many thousands of people who have become involved in these referendum campaigns on their dedication and tireless efforts over the last few weeks. I hope to see a strong voter turn-out on Friday next.


USI Operation #VoterMotor




Union of Students in Ireland are working to drive voter turnout in the upcoming referendums on Friday, 22nd May.  

USI #VoterMotor campaign objective is to get people to carpool, offer lifts and talk about how you'll be getting to the polling station this Friday.

USI will publish a tool to help people plan their journey home shortly.

Dunnes Workers Solidarity Day Taking Place In Dundalk Today


Friday, 8 May 2015

242 New Springboard+ Places For Louth


Local jobseekers got a boost this week with news that an extra 242 free places are being provided in Dundalk Institute of Technology.

The new places, which are part of the Springboard+ programme, were confirmed by Labour Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan this week and welcomed by Senator Mary Moran.

The free places will be provided in DkIT and the courses on offer span Manufacturing, ICT and Constructions Skills. (Full list of places and courses on offer provided below). 

This is a hugely positive development for those in our local community who are seeking work and are looking to upskill.  DkIT continues to do excellent work in ensuring students leave their institution ready to step into employment.

Springboard+ has proven to be very effective in supporting people expand their skillset. Data from the Department of Social Protection shows that 74% of Springboard+ participants from between 2011 and 2014 are now no longer on the Live Register.

I have been working with my colleagues in Government to ensure more jobs are created in Louth.  Programmes such as Springboard+ play a key role in helping people up skill and find employment.  

Further information on Springboard+ courses and eligibility is available on www.springboardcourses.ie or by ringing the Freephone Guidance line 1800 303 523.   

Those interested may also call my office on 042 932 9052 for further information and I would be happy to assist them.


Thursday, 7 May 2015

9,000 Free Higher Education Places Made Available Through Springboard+ 2015


I welcome the announcement this morning by Minister Jan O'Sullivan that up to 9,000 free part and full time higher education places are being made available for jobseekers through Springboard+ 2015.  Springboard is in it's fifth year and Springboard+ 2015 will provide for 285 courses at 42 higher education institutions in the country with a focus on ICT, Manufacturing, Construction, Entrepreneurship, Cross-Enterprise Skills and International Financial Services.

It is crucial we continue to provide in-demand training and courses for jobseekers looking to up-skill in our current employment market.  DkIT continues to do excellent work in ensuring students leave their institution ready to step into employment.

We remain committed to ensuring that jobseekers have the opportunity to avail of relevant training courses and the up to 9,000 places announced today represent a €27 million investment from the National Training Fund with €85 million having been invested since 2011.

Further information on Springboard+ courses and eligibility is available on www.springboardcourses.ie or by ringing the Freephone Guidance line 1800 303 523.   Those interested may also call my office on 042 932 9052 for further information and I would be happy to assist them.

Delighted To Support YesEquality Louth Even In Drogheda Last Night


I was delighted to attend and support the YesEquality Louth 'I'm Voting Yes Ask Me Why' event in Drogheda last night.

Delighted To Welcome Tricia Malowney To Leinster House Today


I was delighted to meet with Tricia Malowney today in Leinster House to discuss the National Disability Strategy and disability issues overall.  Tricia has been awarded the Ethel Temby Research Grant to travel from Australia to Ireland to look at the National Disability Strategy and bring any findings back for the Victorian State Disability Plan.

Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Dundalk Positive Mental Health Forum Distribute Green Ribbons & Bookmarks at Dundalk FC Match on Monday



Dundalk Positive Mental Health Forum received a great response to our distribution of bookmarks and green ribbons encouraging people to talk openly about mental health in Oriel Park on Monday last.  Many thanks to Dundalk FC  for their continued support. 

Tuesday, 5 May 2015

Information on HSE National Lottery Grants 2015 - Closing Date Friday, 29th May 2015



The HSE has been allocated National Lottery funding for community-based groups and voluntary organisations under the following terms:

-Respite Care Grant Scheme
-National Lottery Grant Scheme

Applications are being invited from groups/organisations involved in the provision of Health and Personal Social Services for once off funding for viable projects which can be completed within a reasonable time period.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 29th May 2015.

Click here for further information on applying and to access application forms.

Louth Gets House-Building Boost


I am delighted that 13.7m worth of public house-building has been approved for Co. Louth.  

It will deliver 75 units in total with 20 units in Boice Court Phase 3 Drogheda, 35 units in Coxes Demesne Dundalk and 20 units in Father Finn Park Louth Village. The new construction units are expected to be in place by 2017.

The move is part of a construction kick-off announced by Labour’s Environment Minister Alan Kelly which gave the green light to over 100 social housing projects and an investment of €312 million throughout the country today.

This is the first major house-building programme in Co. Louth for many years and the first phase of the Government’s Social Housing Strategy. It is great to see it now begin to trickle down to local areas and deliver tangible results. 

The news will create construction jobs throughout the county. We have an excellent skill-base of builders in our local areas so this should provide a welcome boost.

Housing remains a major priority and I will continue to work with Tánaiste Joan Burton and Minister Alan Kelly to ensure that people in Co. Louth continue to benefit from both the economic investment and the provision of housing once it comes on stream.

Delighted to Visit St. Colmcille's Clubhouse & Discuss Their 'How Are You Feeling Today?' Initiative


Meeting with St. Colmcille's representatives, HSE Area Manager Dermot Monaghan and Dr. Niazi




Delighted to Officially Open the O'Fiaich Institute of Further Education Art Exhibition in the Marshes Shopping Centre



I was delighted and honoured to officially open the O'Fiaich Insitute of Further Education Art Exhibition in the Marshes Shopping Centre on Thursday last.  
I would like to commend all involved on their dedication and excellent work.







Friday, 1 May 2015

Free Course On Managing Stress Starts Wednesday, 6th May from 7.30pm-9pm in DkIT

A Practical Course To Tackle Stress



A free six week course on managing stress delivered by the HSE will begin Wednesday, 6th May from 7.30pm-9pm in Room M128 (Main Theatre), School of Nursing in DkIT.

The course will be delivered by HSE clinical psychologists, Dr. Mark Harrold and Dr. Ciaran Wynne and will be comprised of six sessions each consisting of a talk on different aspects of stress.

This a free course on managing stress with all interested members of the public welcome to attend.