Creed welcomes award of contract for Macroom Resurfacing Works

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has today welcomed the awarding of the contract for the resurfacing of Macroom town. Commenting on the signing of the contract with Priority Construction LTD, Deputy Creed said:

“I am delighted that Cork County Council have finalised plans to resurface the N22 through Macroom Town. The works scheduled to commence in early March will take approximately 7 weeks and will see the road from the Coachford cross to the Coolehane junction in Macroom resurfaced.

“The road surface through the town has been in dreadful condition with many years and has been in need of remedial repair works on an ongoing basis. I am satisfied that this overlay project will ensure that the road will hold up to future traffic and adverse weather events.

“I will be working to ensure that the resurfacing works will be completed in as quick a timeframe as possible and that disruption will be kept to a minimum”.

Number on the Live Register in Macroom down 29% and Newmarket 41% since Government took Office

Latest CSO figures show more people are at work as the economy recovers

Fine Gael TD Michael Creed has said that the 41% drop in the Live Register figure in Newmarket and 29% drop in Macroom since the Government took office shows that the economy is recovering and that the Government’s plan to create jobs is working.

“Nationally the latest CSO Live Register figures show that the unemployment rate has dropped to 10.7% from a high of 15.1% in 2012. Too many people are still out of work but we are moving in the right direction.

“In Macroom, the numbers on the Live Register have fallen from 1,722 to 1,223 and in Newmarket from 1,916 to 1,123 since the Government took office in 2011. Nationally, almost 80,000 jobs have been created, the recovery is broadening across the country, including Cork North West.

“Thanks to the sacrifices people have made, it is now possible for the Government to cut taxes to help people in work. Every household with somebody in full-time work will be a bit better off from January. We’re committed to reducing personal taxation, to putting money back in people pockets and to growing the economy.

“This Government has made great strides, as is evident from the Live Register figures, but the current high rates of personal taxation need further reform. We need to continue to make work pay and ensure that people in all parts of the country feel the benefit of the growing economy in their pockets and in their lives. That is what we intend to do next year and into the future.

“These figures give us confidence that if we stick with the plan, we can ensure that people’s sacrifices are not wasted, and that we can deliver a consistent, sustainable jobs recovery in Cork North West and right across the country.”

EU COMMISSION TO INTERVENE ON STATES FAILURE TO ACT ON HEN HARRIER ISSUE

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has today warned that the EU Commission are about to intervene to ensure that farmers whose lands have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation for the protection of the Hen Harrier, are compensated for their loss of income due to the prohibition of farming activity in these areas. Commenting on the possible intervention of the EU in the matter Deputy Creed said:

“This issue has been long fingered for some time by successive Ministers who have failed to devise a suitable compensatory measure for farmers in Hen Harrier protected areas. I have been working closely with the Irish Farmers with Designated Land groups and individual farmers in my Constituency who have been working in a vacuum for some time on this issue.

“Sources in the EU Commission have now brought to my attention that the Commission is about to compel the State to finally act on this matter. It is regrettable our Government have not been able to act on this matter to this point and that the EU have had to intervene to ensure farmers are compensated.

“I am pleased that farmers whose land has been deemed unworkable because of the designation will finally receive compensation for their sacrifice to the conservation of the Hen Harrier. I would now call on the Government to be proactive and engage with the Commission and farmers positively to ensure a fair package for both the farmers and the taxpayer”

CREED WELCOMES NEW CLASSROOM AND RESOURCE ROOMS FOR CANOVEE N.S.

Cork North West TD, Michael Creed has today welcomed the provision of funding for the construction of a new 80m2 classroom and two 16m2 resource rooms for Canovee National School. Speaking on the announcement Deputy Creed said:

“I recently visited Canovee National School and saw first-hand the over-crowding evident in the school. Therefore I am pleased that the Department has acted to provide the funding required, to build a new classroom and two new resource rooms. This extra accommodation will provide facilities for the delivery of a better working environment for teachers and pupils. I am particularly pleased with the provision of two resource rooms which will help students with special learning needs receive the educational support they require.

“This funding is further evidence of this Governments commitment to investing in education. I am pleased that we are now in a position to see more projects getting the go-ahead to proceed and that the economy is now in a position to support such initiatives”.

NATIONAL LOTTERY ALLOCATION OF €38,000 FOR TWO CORK NORTH WEST FACILITIES

Cork North West T.D. Michael Creed has today warmly welcomed the allocation of €38,000 by the Department of Health of National Lottery funds to two important Cork North West Organisations. Commenting on the allocations Deputy Creed said:

“I am pleased to see two very worthy organisations in this constituency being supported with allocations from the Department of Health of National Lottery funding. Balance in Ballincollig who provide a six week summer camp for adults and children with special needs are to receive €8,000 towards their invaluable work.

“Our Lady of Good Counsel Special School, also in Ballincollig has been awarded €30,000 for the purpose of installing sports and play facilities including a running track at the school. This would be a wonderful facility for the school and I hope that this grant can go some of the way to seeing the project commence

MINOR WORKS SCHEME TO BE PAID TO CORK NORTH WEST SCHOOLS NEXT WEEK

Cork North West TD, Michael Creed has welcomed the announcement that The Minor Works Grant will issue to all primary schools in Cork North West, with permanent recognition, next week. Commenting on the provision of €28 million nationally Deputy Creed said:

“This grant will provide much needed investment in local schools starved of finance in recent years. Many schools have had to lean on parents to help pay for vital structural projects across the constituency.

“The fund is focused on improving the physical infrastructure of schools and investment in equipment and furniture. The rates payable are €5,500 per school plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil. The grant is worth €6,425 for a 50 pupil school and more than €11,000 for a 300 pupil school.

“The works that can be undertaken under the Minor Works Grant include improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, and the purchase of IT related equipment. The grant issuing to all primary schools with full recognition allows schools to carry out minor works without needing to deal directly with the Department

CREED WELCOMES JUSTICE MINISTER TO MACROOM IN PUSH FOR NEW GARDA STATION

Cork North West TD, Michael Creed welcomed his colleague the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald TD, to Macroom on Saturday (22nd November) to discuss the urgent need for a new Garda station in the town. Commenting on the meeting Deputy Creed said:

“I was pleased to get the opportunity to show the Minister first- hand the poor facilities Gardaí are working with in the Macroom station, in order to underline the urgent need for development of the proposed new Station in the town. Fortunately, the purchase of a site for a new station, has reached the conclusion phase. In the pursuit of capital funding to take the project to construction phase, the opportunity to bring the Minister to Macroom to engage with Garda representatives in the area was most welcome. I am committed to ensuring that this matter is a priority issue for Minister Fitzgerald for the remainder of her term in office”.

CREED WELCOMES €100 WATER CONSERVATION GRANT FOR HOUSES WITH PRIVATE WELLS AND SEPTIC TANKS

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has welcomed the inclusion of those with private wells and septic tanks in the eligibility for the €100 Water Conservation Grant. Commenting on this measure Deputy Creed:

“I am pleased that those who have invested heavily in installing their own private water infrastructure will now receive financial assistance for the upkeep of their wells and septic tanks and are being acknowledged for their contribution to water conservation and environmental protection.

“Under the new grant available to all households €100 will be made available to all households who register with Irish Water, regardless of whether they will be customers or not. This grant will be paid by the Department of Social Protection. I would advise all households to register with Irish Water before the closing date of February 2nd 2015.

“This grant is particularly welcome in Cork North West, where a significant number of households have their own private water source and waste water treatment systems. These systems come at a significant initial cost as well as an ongoing maintenance and running cost.

CREED WELCOMES CONSENSUS LED SOLUTION TO BEEF CRISIS

Establishment of Producer organisations key to safeguarding farmers interests

Cork North West TD Michael Creed has welcomed the agreement reached early Thursday morning at the round table Beef Forum. Commenting on the agreement Deputy Creed said:

“I am pleased that engagement and dialogue has led to an agreement which hopefully will provide some relief for beef producers who have suffered the brunt of deflated beef prices throughout Europe. I am particularly pleased for beef producers in my constituency who I have been meeting with and who have despaired at the market conditions over the past year. I hope that this agreement and the commitment to further engagement in January will lead to a sustainable future for the industry for all stakeholders in the industry and specifically the primary producers.

“I would urge beef producers to hasten the development of producer organisations in order to give farmers a solid standing in future engagement with other stakeholders. An organised dynamic network of producer organisations can only help to provide farmers with a stronger hand in future negotiations

“The key threads of the agreement include:
• Weight Specifications – no price penalties based on weight up to 31st December 2015.
• Age Specifications – engagement with the retail sector and third country markets with the objective of increasing age specification for premium beef from 30 to 36 months.
• Quality Payment System (QPS) – no dual base pricing for breed, age or weight
• Quality Payment System – Review of current QPS by the middle of 2015
• Quality Assurance – processors to provide a price incentive for all steers and heifers from Quality Assured farms with effect from 1st January 2015
• Farm movements – clarification and harmonisation of the system for counting the number of farm residencies for determining eligibility for the QPS in-spec bonus. Any barriers to movement through marts will also be examined.
• Price Transparency – new market index to be developed based on the different beef categories on the main markets served by Irish product
• Price Transparency – harmonised remittance document for farmers showing base price, bonuses and any other factors contributing to final price.

“I’d like to congratulate Minister Coveney for his role in brokering this agreement, his officials in the Department of Agriculture as well as farm leaders, and processors for positively engaging in this process which hopefully will reap rewards for the sector from this point on”.

THERE IS MORE TO THE STORY OF THIS GOVERNMENT THAN IRISH WATER

Jobs & Economic success must no longer be overshadowed by water issue

Cork North West TD Michael Creed today highlighted the significant progress that has been made by this Government in restoring the economy to significant growth and easing the crisis in unemployment. In a letter to the Taoiseach, Deputy Creed outlined five measures relating to Irish water which need to be addressed in order to return Government focus to ending the jobless crisis and ensuring economic growth reached the regions. Deputy Creed said:

“This week we have seen Ireland ranked as Europe’s fastest growing economy. The number of people on the Live Register fell by 37,882 to 358,630 in October 2014, a reduction of 9.6% on the corresponding month last year. Yesterday marked the sale by NTMA of €3.75 billion of 15 year bonds. This 15 year bond is the first longer-dated bond issued since 2009. The yield of 2.487% is a record low yield and provides a huge vote of confidence in Ireland from investors. Total tax revenue of €31,976 million was collected to end-October, an increase of €2,734 million (9.4%) on the same period last year. In addition, cumulative tax revenues are €1,092 million (3.5%) ahead of target.

“All the key economic indicators are pointing in the right direction. The Government have successfully guided the Country out of Troika programme without requiring a back-up option – a situation thought impossible in 2011 when this Government took office. There have been dramatic reforms in local Government, the public service and in the Oireachtas itself. Yet now as the outlook for the future is beginning to look positive for the first time since 2008, the Government is floundering.

“I attribute much of this malaise to the ad-hoc manner in which Irish water has been established. This debacle has eroded much of the public’s confidence in the Government and its capacity to lead. Therefore I have today written to the Taoiseach and asked him to take the following measures in order to take control of the situation:

· Dismissal of the current Board of Irish Water.

· Dismissal of the Chief Executive Mr. John Tierney.

· The bonus payment structure for Irish Water must be abandoned.

· Every effort short of Referendum must be made to convince the public that Irish Water will remain in public ownership

· Address concerns about affordability, particularly for those where there are multiple adults in the household. This may involve a flat fee for an appropriate time to facilitate the roll out of the necessary infrastructure for metering.

“The Government still has a significant programme of work to complete in order to continue the momentum being generated in the economy. I do not see any viable political alternative to this Government emerging which can put together a Programme for Government which can build on and expand economic recovery to all corners of the country. It is imperative that the Taoiseach now acts to finally resolve the outstanding issues pertaining to Irish Water and move on”.