CREED WELCOMES SECOND APPLICATION OPPORTUNITY FOR FARMERS TO ENTER GLAS

Cork North West TD, Michael Creed has this morning welcomed the announcement by Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney TD, that a second round of GLAS applications will be invited from the autumn. Commenting on the announcement Deputy Creed said:

“It is anticipated that 25,000 farmers will have registered for the first round of applications and a further 10,000 will be welcomed from autumn until the end of the year with view to commencing on the scheme on January 1st 2016.

“The second application process will give farmers in Cork North West who have not yet subscribed to the scheme to apply. The Minister confirmed that there has been interest from all farmers, including those with the “priority environmental assets (PEAs) identified by his Department. GLAS is structured along three distinct tiers, with priority entry to farmers in Tier 1 (that is those with PEAs such as farmland bird habitats, commonages and high status water areas), followed by Tier 2, with Tier 3 farmers being allocated places last.

“The period for formal submission of applications is expected to open very shortly. I would advise all farmers applying to the scheme to ensure that they have reviewed in detail their applications, as once it has been submitted by their advisors, no amendments will be accepted. This is why the Department has provided a long lead-period for the preparation of applications on-line. The Minister also announced that he is giving additional time to Commonage GLAS planners to get their commonage plans completed and submitted.

“There will also be a new extended date for the completion of the commonage plans, this date is now 31st August. Farmers with commonage will still have to make sure they lodge their individual GLAS applications by the 22nd May.”

CREED WELCOMES €130,585 IN EXTRA FUNDING FOR SCOIL NAOMH MHUIRE FARRAN

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has welcomed the allocation of an extra €130,585 by the Department of Education to Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Farran, Co. Cork. Commenting on the allocation Deputy Creed said:

“I am pleased that the Department of Education has made this significant extra allocation to Scoil Naomh Mhuire to support and facilitate the construction of classrooms for the provision of special classes as sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education. Other works include the construction of a water treatment system, significant additional ground works, a link corridor between the existing building and new extension, works to increase the size of the Principals office, staff accessible WC and soft play area.

“This allocation brings to €466,463 the total investment being made by the Department in the school. I would like to commend the Principal, the staff, the board of management and the parents of Scoil Naomh Mhuire for their commitment to this project. Developments on the scale of the expansion in Scoil Naomh Muire require meticulous planning and hard work to bring to fruition.

“Spending in Education has been a key priority for this Government and I am extremely gratified as a local TD, that during our most difficult economic period in the history of the State, that there has been record levels of investment in our schools locally”.

CREED WELCOMES SUPPORT FOR CORK NORTH WEST SCHOOLS UNDER THE SUMMER WORKS SCHEME

Cork North West T.D. Michael Creed has today welcomed the inclusion of fourteen schools from the Cork North West Constituency in the Summer Works scheme for 2015. Scoil Fionnbarra, Ballingeary, S N Mhuire Kiskeam, S N Naomh Eoin Baiste, Ballincollig, Rockchapel NS, Togher NS, SN Achadh Bolg, Canovee Mixed NS Shandrum NS, Newtownshandrum, Inchigeela NS, SN Cill Mhuire, Macroom Convent NS, Scoil Na mBraithre, Charleville, SN Naomh Lachtin Donoghmore, and Mannix College, Charleville will all receive money to improve and upgrade existing school buildings. This first round of funding will allow schools to carry out small and medium scale building works.

“The recommencement of the Department of Education’s Summer Works Scheme is significant in that it marks a return to normal funding of our Educational infrastructure following the economic crisis. The Summer Works scheme was one of the first schemes to be cut during the recent economic crisis and I am encouraged to see it restored and developed under this Government”.

“The Scheme provides support for schools to undertake important upgrading and maintenance work during the summer months. While the sums of money involved are modest, this support is hugely beneficial to each and every individual school. Furthermore this scheme empowers school management to engage local contractors to carry out the works and therefore is a boost to the local economy”.

MACROOM RE-SURFACING WORKS TO COMMENCE FROM MARCH 23RD – CREED

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has confirmed that the resurfacing of the N22 through Macroom town is due to commence on the week beginning March 23rd. Commenting on the proposed works Deputy Creed said;

“I welcome the commencement of the much needed resurfacing of the N22 in Macroom town. The road surface has been in a very poor condition for some time now and is badly in need of repair. Road users, pedestrians, residents and traders have all suffered the adverse effects of the damaged surface.

“However it is important to point out to all frequent users of the road, residents and business people in the town that we are in for a difficult number of weeks in terms of congestion and delays while the works are being carried out. Sadly these delays are unavoidable. I’ve appealed to the authorities responsible for the project to make every effort to engage positively to minimise disruption for all”.

CREED WELCOMES FRESH START FOR CARRIGRUA RESIDENTS

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has welcomed the commencement of works in Carrigrua Estate, Ballinagree, Macroom, Co. Cork on Monday next February 16th. Commenting on the works Deputy Creed said:

“I am delighted for all the residents of Carrigrua in Ballinagree that there is finally an end in sight to their difficulties with having their estate and its infrastructure brought to a safe and acceptable condition. I have been informed that contractors will be on site from next week for an eight week period.

“There is great credit due to the residents in how they engaged with all stakeholders to ensure that this matter was dealt with. It is important to acknowledge also the contributions of Cork County Council, the receivers Ernst & Young and the The Department of the Environment who provided funding to progress the required works.

“However the real heroes in this story are the residents of Carrigrua for their resilience patience and positivity in facing up to, and dealing with a very difficult situation. I was delighted to have been able to work with them to ensure their houses could indeed become their homes”.

FACTS BETRAY MYTH IN RURAL IRELAND DEBATE

SCHOOL CLOSURES, POST OFFICE CLOSURES AND JOB LOSSES HIGHER UNDER FIANNA FÁIL

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has hit back at accusations that this Government has had an anti-rural bias. Commenting on the matter Deputy Creed said:

“There has been much rhetoric of late suggesting that this Government has been bad for Rural Ireland which has been based more on fiction than fact. The truth of the matter is that Fianna Fáil in Government, even during the Celtic Tiger era, did far more to erode services in Rural Ireland than this Government has done in the midst of an economic crisis.

“Figures provided to me from the Minister for Education reveal that Fianna Fáil in Government oversaw the closure of 10 schools in County Cork between 2006 and 2010 while only three have closed since this Government has taken office. The fact is that this Government made it clear from the outside that any decisions on school closures would be left with schools own boards of management and not forced by the Department. These figures betray suggestions by some that this Government have been closing schools in every village while the opposite is the case.

“Post Office closures have also been pointed to as an area where this Government has been hard handed. Figures provided by An Post show that between 2005 and the end of 2010, during Fianna Fail’s reign in Government 31 Cork Post Offices shut their doors while only three have been closed since this Government took office and 2014.

“On the jobs front the figures are also revealing. From the time the 2007 Fianna Fáil Government took office to the time it left in 2011 the numbers on the Live Register increased by 264% in Newmarket and 277% in Macroom. Since Fine Gael took office in 2011 the numbers on the live register have tumbled by 27% in both Newmarket and Macroom.

“I believe that is important that the public are made aware of the facts behind some of inane and inaccurate sound-bites that have been doing the rounds in recent times. There is still much work to be done by this Government to right the wrongs of its predecessor. It is important that Governments be judged on their record”.

CREED CALLS FOR DÁIL DEBATE ON FUTURE OF AER LINGUS

Cork Heathrow Routes of Strategic Importance to South West Region

Cork North West TD, Michael Creed has today called for a Dáil debate to be held regarding the future of Aer Lingus amidst speculation that the airline is the subject of a proposed takeover by IAG. Having raised the matter during the order of business in the Dáil Deputy Creed said:

“The future of Aer Lingus is of strategic national importance and should be debated at this time when speculation is rife that the airline is about to be acquired by IAG. As a 25% shareholder the Government has a say on the future direction of the airline. It is appropriate that the Oireachtas is afforded the opportunity to discuss this matter in order to tease out how best our strategic interests can be met.

“One of Aer Lingus’ key assets are its Heathrow slots. Aer Lingus carried 2.75 million passengers between Irish airports and Heathrow last year and it is estimated that slightly more than 900,000 of them were connecting to or from other flights. These figures illustrate how crucial the Heathrow slots are for Irelands’ access to the world and vice versa. Any suggestion that IAG may attempt to impede on this access for commercial gain must by resisted if at all possible. As a parliament we have a duty to discuss such matters urgently”.

CREED MOVES TO ALLAY FEARS OVER FUTURE OF MACROOM & MILLSTREET HOSPITALS

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has dismissed suggestions that Macroom and Millstreet hospitals face closure. Commenting on a Sunday newspaper article on the matter Deputy Creed said:

“The article in yesterday’s paper was sensationalised and unhelpful in that it raises fears for residents and staff of the facilities mentioned. The truth of the matter is that closure of these facilities is certainly not on the agenda. It is the case that these units require investment to update their structural condition. HIQA have identified this and the HSE is actively engaging in addressing this matter.

“As is the case with all health care facilities – throughout the Country – the ultimate penalty or sanction for failure to comply with regulations is closure. However it is purely false to suggest any facility faces closure. I have contacted the Ministers office and the HSE on this matter and I am satisfied that his Department and the HSE are working towards addressing the issues highlighted by HIQA. There are challenges facing Macroom and Millstreet hospitals – closure is not one of them

CREED WELCOMES CORK BOUNDARY REVIEW BUT CAUTIONS AGAINST CITY COUNCIL LAND GRAB

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has today (Thursday) welcomed the appointment of a statutory committee by the Minister for the Environment Community & Local Government Alan Kelly TD, to review the Cork City boundary and local Government arrangements in Cork. Commenting on the committees work, Deputy Creed said:

“I welcome any initiative that will put forward solid achievable proposals towards the future development of Cork City and County economically and socially and I hope that this statutory committee can suggest an appropriate framework to provide a basis for this type of planning. I have worked in the past as a member of the local authority on joint initiatives with the City Council such as the Cork Area Strategic Plan to bring about a holistic and cohesive approach to development in Cork.

“I would however caution against a mere redrawing of boundaries which would see the City Council assume areas of Cork County territory which have benefitted and grown through successive County development plans and are of strategic and financial importance to the County authority. The review Committee’s proposals must resist placing the emphasis on urban development and ensure that interests of citizens in Rockchapel are balanced with those of residents in Blackrock”.

€2,000 in National Lottery Grants awarded to St Finbarrs Pipe Band Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh

“Young people in Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh are set to benefit from €2,000 in National Lottery Grants which have been awarded to St Finbarrs Pipe Band” says Fine Gael TD Michael Creed for Cork North West after the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, James Reilly TD announced the allocation of National Lottery funding for 2014.

“The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has a National Lottery Discretionary fund which provides once-off grants to community groups and voluntary organisations involved in providing services for children and young people.

“The funding announced today is part of a national programme which will see €910,000 allocated towards providing services for young people. This year the scheme is particularly targeting small scale projects and it focuses on activities that involve culture and play, young people led initiatives, healthy lifestyle and those that provide access for marginal groups to extra circular activities.

“I would like to congratulate St Finbarrs Pipe Band who were successful in securing funding and encourage other organisations to consider applying for this once off grant in 2015.”