Archive for July 2014
Contract Signed to Bring Gas to Nenagh
Posted on July 21, 2014 by Alan Kelly
This is the largest infrastructural development for Nenagh and surrounds in 40 years
I was delighted to attend the signing of the contract for the delivery of gas to Nenagh this morning. This is a hugely significant development for the town, it is the single largest investment in Nenagh in many decades.
The plan involves an upgrade of the current East Limerick pipeline that runs to Birdhill and serves Ballina and Killaloe. The pipeline will then be extended to Nenagh with the proposal to run it along the old N7 route. The pipeline will be comprehensive covering every artery in and out of the town and every street in the town.
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Government announces capital funding for community childcare providers
Posted on July 16, 2014 by Alan Kelly
The government have announced that €2.5 million in capital funding has been allocated to 163 grantees. The 2014 Early Years Capital programme was open to community not-for-profit services, reflecting the government’s commitment to securing the sustainability of community services, particularly in disadvantaged areas. In addition to the capital funding associated with this approval a further €5 million has been made available to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in the current year under the Phase 4 Infrastructure Stimulus which is being introduced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
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Shannon records 15% increase in passengers in first half of year
Posted on July 15, 2014 by Alan Kelly
Shannon Airport’s year has taken-off emphatically with the 16 service enhancements, including nine new Ryanair routes, for the summer season resulting in a 15% increase in the first half of the year in terminal passenger numbers. The bulk of the increase has been driven by the nine new services - to Munich, Paris, Faro, Warsaw, Krakow, Nice, Poitiers, Berlin, Fuerteventura - launched by Ryanair in April.
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€489,000 allocated to Tipperary to tackle vacant housing issue
Posted on July 14, 2014 by Alan Kelly
I welcome the second round of funding to support the vacant unit programme. I am delighted that this week my colleague Minister Jan O’Sullivan has allocated €15m in funding to bring back into use 1008 vacant local authority units. Tipperary will receive€489,000 which will allow 37 units around the county return to beneficial use. This funding brings total investment to €30m already this year in relation to this important programme. This is a positive programme that increases social housing supply quickly. This investment will also create and sustain hundreds of jobs in the construction area.
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Tipperary to benefit from Better Energy grants
Posted on July 14, 2014 by Alan Kelly
The government has announced that 83 community energy projects will receive €28m in financial support, resulting in substantial improvements in homes, community buildings, local authority premises and sports facilities throughout Ireland.
I can confirm that €2,832,123 will be invested around Tipperary under this scheme. This year the Better Energy programme will provide almost €60m for retrofitting, more than in 2013. Organisations around the country are alert to the high cost of energy in their facilities and that every euro saved can be diverted back into valuable services for the community. Today’s announcement signals this Government’s continued commitment to energy retrofitting.
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CLEAR ASSURANCE FROM MINISTER ON TRAVEL PASS
Posted on July 14, 2014 by Alan Kelly
I welcome categorical assurances from Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton that there is no threat to the free travel pass for older people in the upcoming Budget.
The free travel pass is a prized possession for older people, and enables them to get out and about in their daily lives. The pass has recently been targeted by opposition and other groups for the purposes of shameless scaremongering, with suggestions being put out that the free travel pass is somehow under threat.
Having protected the pass during three consecutive budgets, the government has made it clear that it will be further protected in this year’s Budget.
Groundless claims have been given a clear and direct response by Tánaiste and Minister Joan Burton on the floor of Dáil Éireann this week – there is no threat to the free travel pass.
Those groups, inside and outside the Dáil, who have sought to whip up the fears of elderly people should welcome this assurance by Minister Burton, and rethink their publicity campaigns around this issue.”
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