High-speed Broadband the key to future development in Ireland

The recent announcement by Minister Pat Rabitte TD, Minister for Communication, Energy and National Resources that there will be major developments in the provision of high-speed Broadband to rural areas across Ireland is very welcome news. There is no doubt that many areas across the country are lagging behind in the availability of high-speed Broadband and that this has major implications for businesses and industry as well as for the domestic user.

Since the publication of the National Broadband Plan in 2012 the commercial sector has responded strongly in urban and semi-urban areas, offering competitive high speed services to consumers over multiple technology platforms, and they are now investing approximately €2bn in Ireland.  Companies such as Eircom, UPC, Sky, the ESB and various mobile operators have been engaged in rolling out high speed services. 

This has been possible because the networks on which they are based have a strong fibre component. This model cannot be replicated commercially in many rural areas because the fibre networks do not exist and population densities are small. The Government has confirmed that it intends to ensure that rural Ireland enjoys similar opportunities by ensuring an end to end market intervention with fibre as a core component. In committing to a fibre build-out at the heart of this strategy, it is recognised that broadband is the key infrastructure of the 21^st century. 

To date over 1,000 rural communities have already been identified as target areas for the proposed fibre based connections. It is envisaged that telecommunications operators will be able to offer multiple services off the fibre network.  So far the areas identified in Co Louth are Baltray, Beaulieu, Blackrock, Dromin, Grangebellew, Greenore, Jenkinstown, Kilcurly,,Monasterboice, Mullincross, Newtown Monasterboice, Readypenny, Smarmore, Stabannan, Stifyans. This is an initial list and further locations may be identified as the mapping process continues. 

This strategy will definitively address the connectivity challenges faced by rural Ireland in a meaningful and sustainable way. It will deliver a solution which is future proofed and capable of responding to new technology developments and increasing demand for decades to come.

2 day conference to mark the 25th anniversary of European Multiple Sclerosis Platform

Save the date: 8th of May

European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) Celebrates 25 years



‘Care where it counts as you journey with MS’

http://emsp.org/events/spring-conference-2014

8th/9th of May in the Gibson Hotel Dublin

This two-day conference marks the 25th anniversary of EMSP. To celebrate progress on the European stage and also plan for the road ahead, we will be bringing together people with multiple sclerosis (MS), carers, experts and professionals from across Europe to offer you a dynamic mix of presentations, interactive sessions and debates.

You are invited to attend the workshop on the 8th of May hearing about a new e-learning training curriculum for nurses providing clinical support to people with Multiple Sclerosis. (MS NursePRO which is accredited by on Bord Altranis Category 1 approval)

11.30 - 1pm MS Nurse PRO in Ireland

This workshop will be of particular interest to nurses providing clinical support to people with MS

To register for this workshop contact aidanl@ms-society.ie

To register for the conference log on to
http://emsp.org/events/spring-conference-2014

(There is a daily fee but if you wish to only come for this workshop there is no charge)

Do you have an innovative idea? IOTA can help

Do you have an innovative business ideanor product youbwould like to develop but don't know where to start?
Innovation can take many forms from creating new products and services or simply trying something new in your own business.eg On- Line marketing, extending your product offering, introducing new systems.
Whether you are in the "thinking about" stage or you have an established business iOTA can offer local support to help you develop your ideas, improve products/services and explore new markets.
Participants can avail of a personalised Action Plan which will set out a road map for innovation development,then you can progress to an Innovation Clinic, Training Course, Workshop,Master Class or Bespoke One to One Mentoring.

Recruitment is now taking place for the iOTA training programme which will be delivered in Creative Spark in Dundalk in May and June 2014.

The course will cover topics such as Idea Generation,Product/ Service Development, IP, Marketinf, Accessing Funding, Social Media in Business and many more.

The iOTA preogamme is being delivered locally in Louth and Monaghan through the Louth and Monaghan Local Enterprise office.

Please see the Local Enterprise website for more details or log on to wwww.iota programme.com

Contact
Sarah Mallon. 042 9327099
Or
Sarah.Mallon@Leo.louthcoco.ie

Extension of book rental scheme will help more parents with costs

Senator Mary Moran has welcomed the announcement by Minister Ruairí Quinn TD that all primary schools are to be offered funding from the €15 million School Book Rental Scheme capital fund.

“Following representations from schools currently operating the school book rental scheme who quite rightly, in my opinion, felt aggrieved that they were being penalised for having the scheme already, I lobbied the Minister, Ruairí Quinn, on their behalf. I am delighted that Minister Quinn has responded to my request and has now agreed to allocate €8.3 million over 2 years (2015-2016). This funding will give recognition to these schools for the work they have put in while establishing their book schemes and allow them to expand their scheme or replace books in use. These schools will receive €18 per pupil in non-DEIS schools and €20 per pupil in DEIS schools in addition to their annual book grant.

Schools seeking to establish new book rental schemes were invited to apply for funding last October and to date the Department has received 400 applications. In the next few weeks €5 million will be distributed to schools to establish their schemes in time for the next academic year.

“The balance of €1.7 million will be distributed to qualifying schools in 2015. The funding will be allocated as follows: DEIS schools will receive €150 per child and non-DEIS schools will receive €100 per child in seed capital funding over the next two years to establish book rental schemes. This is in addition to the €15 million book grant which is already paid to all schools.

“We recognise that many parents struggle with the cost of equipping their children for school, and enabling schools to set up book rental schemes should go a long way towards tackling these costs.

“I am delighted that thirteen schools in my constituency have been allocated a total of €300,000 to support the setting up of their book rental schemes. As a former teacher I have always advocated in favour of book rental schemes for schools and I am delighted that all primary schools can operate a book rental scheme which will further reduce the back to school costs for parents.”

Private Members business on End of Life and Bereavement

Speaking in the Seanad regarding an issue of social housing provision in Dundalk with Minister Jan O Sullivan

Speaking in the Seanad on the lack of psychiatric and mental health services for adolescents