Archive for February 2014

Newport Playground

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Alan Kelly

I have been pushing the absolute need for a playground in Newport for some time now. It is completely unacceptable that there isn't a playground in Newport despite the years of development there and the number of young families that consequently now reside there.

That's why I brought senior North Tipperary Council officials to Newport on February 7th last to discuss this and other matters. I was assured then      by them and as recently as this Monday in a meeting with the Council County Manager Joe MacGrath that funding will be provided by the Council from their own resources to deliver this playground. This is fantastic news and I'm delighted we have taken this huge step.

It is now a case of locating an available and safe site for the playground and this is something I am working very hard on at the moment with the Newport Community Council and the Newport Playground Committee chaired by Fiona Bonfield

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Fab Lab

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Alan Kelly

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Friday morning last, I was pleased to open Ireland's first 'Fab Lab' in Cloughjordan. It's called 'We Create' and is basically an enterprise centre for SMEs and entrepreneurs. Key difference is that it offers its clients access to state of the art dig...ital fabrication equipment such as 3D scanners etc. Such equipment is quite expensive and not available to everyone so it's provision here gives capacity for SMEs and entrepreneurs to deliver products and technologies that they otherwise may never get a chance to. Its a co-operative in nature in much of its work but has the capacity to deliver hugely for all those who use it. Well done to Anthony Kelly and Ben Whelan who created the 'Fab Lab' and also to Leader, North Tipp Enterprise Board and the county council for their support.See More

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Labour Party Team for Local Elections 2014

Posted on February 07, 2014 by Alan Kelly

Labour Convention
Labour Convention
I am delighted to introduce the ten Tipperary Labour Party candidates selected on Friday night last in the Anner Hotel Thurles to run in the Local Elections in May. For the Nenagh electoral area, Labour selected four candidates, Fiona Bon...field from Newport, Nenagh-based councillors, Cllr Virginia O’Dowd and Cllr Lalor McGee while operation transformation’s Greg Starr completes the billing. All candidates spoke passionately about trying to improve the quality of life in their communities and to give the people of their area a voice to advance local issues. Fiona Bonfield, said that despite being new to politics, she was confident could represent her area on a new Tipperary local authority. For Fiona it is all about improving community life and building on much of the great work that is already being done locally. Cllrs Virgina O’Dowd and Cllrs Lalor McGee paid tribute to outgoing councillor Jonathan Meaney and both promised to build on their previous work on Nenagh Town council and North Tipperary County council with Virgina O’Dowd promising to pioneer local tourism projects if re-elected. Greg Starr thanked that people of Tipperary for supporting him through Operation Transformation and said he hoped to ‘return some of that support by way of actions that support communities’ For the Thurles/Templemore electoral area, Cllr John Kennedy and Roscrea-based Shane Lee will be flying the Labour banner. Cllr Kennedy paid tribute to outgoing Thurles town councillor, John Kenehen while the very popular Shane Lee told the crowd that he believed Roscrea had suffered from the lack of a local labour councillor. For the Tipperary/Cashel electoral area, retired council worker, Mick Byrnes was selected. Mick, who narrowly missed out on a seat at the last local election, said he was confident he could go one better this time. For the Clonmel area, Labour selected previous poll-topper and sitting councillor, Seanie Lonergan. Seanie said it will be tough but it is very enjoyable when you know you have helped someone or brought about a change to improve your community. For the Fethard/Carrick-on-Suir area, Cllr Michael Cleere, co-opted to the council last year will be seeking to retain the seat while running alongside him will be local Labour activist Liam Hayes.

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Sports Capital Grants

Posted on February 03, 2014 by Alan Kelly

I am encouraging all sports clubs across Tipperary to register for €40
million sports capital fund before 7th February.

The  2014 Sports Capital Programme is open for
applications since Friday 17 January, I urge all sports clubs across
the county to register as soon as possible to be in with a chance of
accessing funds. More than 1,000 clubs have already registered their
interested, and the closing date for registration is 5pm on Friday 7th
February.

The application process for grants has changed, and is now carried
out through a new online registration system. It means it is now
quicker and easier than ever before for sports clubs to apply for
grants, and will ensure a more streamlined and user-friendly service.
Any club interested in applying for the funding should go to
www.sportscapitalprogamme.ie to register and make an application.

Grants under this programme are available to sports clubs, voluntary
and community groups, national governing bodies of sports and local
authorities. I would be delighted to help any club with their
application.

“The two key dates that clubs should remember are 7th February when
all clubs must have registered their interest and 28th February, the
closing date for applications”.

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