Dear commuter,
I have been in regular contact with Des Howard, Drogheda Train Station Master over the last two days and he has informed me of the following plans for this week coming:
If you have any feedback or advice on how to improve these alternative services, please do not hesitate to call, email or text me at 087-7535653 or at james.m.carroll@gmail.com
Regards,
Cllr James Carroll
Following the Friday 21st August 2009 Dublin-Belfast trainline collapse at Malahide, Iarnród Éireann have come under pressure from new local county councillor James Carroll to take decisive action to accommodate commuters.
New Fianna Fáil county cllr James Carroll, who is a commuter to Dublin himself, has called for an investigation which Iarnród Éireann have committed to starting.
“A number of issues need to be addressed urgently, namely accommodating the huge numbers of daily commuters from Drogheda to Dublin. Regular, good-quality buses in the short-term are a must. A three month delay in fixing the line is totally unacceptable”, Cllr Carroll added.
“Further issues are the fact that people have purchased annual tickets. Iarnród Éireann must look into the possibility of giving a rebate to these commuters for this huge inconvenience.”
“The longer days for commuters are going to become even longer now. The car-parking charge of €2 per day in Drogheda Train Station should probably be suspended for the duration of this commuting crisis as a good-will gesture to alleviate the problems that will arise as a result of this.”
“I will be keeping this on the agenda until solutions are provided. With students returning to schools and colleges in the coming two weeks, the users of the train line will rise dramatically so a coherent plan which takes into account the mass inconvenience being visited on commuters must be formulated and then, explained swiftly,” Cllr Carroll concluded.
ENDS
New County Councillor James Carroll has contacted both the Ministers for Transport and Finance urging them to retain funding for the Rural Transport Schemes throughout Louth.
“Ministers are being asked to bring forward proposed spending cuts by September 11th to the Department of Finance. A huge number of people have contacted me in the Togher and Monasterboice areas as well as other areas to oppose An Bord Snip Nua’s recommendation that the Rural Transport Scheme should cease. The rural transport bus is an excellent weekly and reliable service that is used to get people to collect their pensions, medication and shopping.”
“Furthermore, the quality of life of the passengers of the rural transport buses throughout County Louth has been improved significantly by this service as it gives them dignity, independence and a social outlet. The closure of numerous rural Post Offices to the centralisation in the towns of the country has led many older people needing a transport service to get themselves to our towns.”
The current Programme for Government makes clear the belief that “vibrant rural communities are vital to the future of our nation.” Also, at European Union level, one of the EU’s main objectives in supporting rural development is that of “improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of the rural economy.” The Government’s White Paper on Rural Development sets out that “The Government is committed to ensuring the economic and social well-being of rural communities.” “Older people have received their best treatment under Fianna Fáil-led governments. I would hate to see us take this retrograde step.”
“I appreciate that very difficult decisions must be made in relation to the public finances but I feel that this service is irreplaceable to its users and the rural transport bus service throughout the country must continue to receive funding as it is a vital service for sustaining our rural communities.”
ENDS
New Louth VEC Board member, Cllr James Carroll has welcomed the report that shows rents are falling throughout the country.
“The report says that the typical student renting a double-room in Dublin city centre can expect to save about €1,000 over the course of the coming academic year, compared to last year. This is about the same amount that two students renting a two-bedroom property in Galway or Limerick might expect to save also,” the 25 year old Fianna Fáil county councillor added.
“When I was President of UCD Students’ Union 4 years ago, the cost of renting was the number one problem for so many students. Today’s report will be a welcome relief for many new students and their parents, many of whom are under financial strain at this time.”
“In early 2008, the average rent in Dublin was over €1,300. In the eighteen month period until July 2009, that had fallen to just over €1,000.”
“In the week that many students received their college options, having the knowledge that rents are lower will mean that students have more choice and bargaining power with landlords than any time in the last 10 years.”
ENDS
EU gender legislation is leading the way in tackling workplace discrimination, according to local Fianna Fáil county cllr James Carroll.
A report has been published by the European Commission this week highlighting the progressive role different EU legislation is playing in tackling discrimination and protecting workers rights in Irish workplaces, he said.
“The report identifies the main problems and good practices in implementing a European directive which aims to promote equal treatment for men and women in access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions,” Cllr Carroll said.
“According to the report, EU legislation has benefited workers through broader protection against discrimination based on gender and clearer definitions of discrimination. Types of discrimination, direct and indirect, including the banning of sexual harassment in the workplace, have been clearly identified and defined for the first time.”
“It also provided for protection against workers who are pregnant or on maternity leave, meaning women have a right to return to their job or to an equivalent post on terms and conditions which are no less favourable to them.”
“Each Member State must designate a national equality body in, which will assist victims of discrimination and otherwise promote, analyse, monitor and support equal treatment.”
“The Report concluded that victims of discrimination are more likely to turn to an equality body than make use of traditional litigation, highlighting the key role that national equality bodies play in progressing equality.”
“There has been some notable progress in implementing the recommendation a across Europe, but the Report also states that the Commission has had to take action against some national governments yet to bring their laws and procedures into line with the Directive.”
“Since joining the EU in 1973, the number of women in the workforce has risen from 27% in 1973 to more than 42% today.”
Cllr Carroll concluded that “It is crucial that we continue to work with our EU partners to implement and enforce this important directive in order to ensure men and women have equal access to the workplace.”
ENDS
“This announcement approves funding to RAPID areas, which are the areas designated as the most disadvantaged in the country,” said Cllr Carroll.
“The communities most in need will benefit from the Dormant Accounts Fund.”
Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund target three broad categories of persons: those who are economically or socially disadvantaged, those who are educationally disadvantaged and persons with a disability. Funding will be provided for a wide range of projects in disadvantaged areas including training, counselling services, refurbishments, after-school supports and equipment purchases. The measure was also tailored to ensure that at least 15% of funding is targeted for purposes associated with youth / sport / recreational activities.
Cllr Carroll added “I am delighted with the continued significant levels of Dormant Accounts spending that will go directly to projects dealing with disadvantage and additional investment in our children’s education. These allocations will have a measurable impact in supporting a range of worthy projects that significantly benefit the people who need it most.”
ENDS
Local Fianna Fáil County Councillor James Carroll has welcomed the confirmation that the income limit to qualify for the student maintenance grant has been increased.
This will lead to more students in Louth being awarded the grant for the coming college year, according to Cllr Carroll, who is a new member of Louth’s VEC and who is a former President of UCD Students’ Union.
“The income limit to qualify for the full standard rate maintenance grant and payment of the student services charge where there are fewer than four dependent children in a family has been increased from €39,760 to €41,110.”
“Parents or guardians with fewer than four dependent children can earn up to €51,380 without having to pay the student services charge which this year will be up to €1,500 depending on the third-level institution.”
“This top income threshold of €51,380 has been increased from €49,690 last year.”
“The changes in the income thresholds announced by my colleague the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD, are being introduced in order to ensure that students from families on low to middle incomes will continue to get financial help from the Government in covering the costs of third-level education.”
“There have been changes in the average industrial wage in recent years and it is only right that the grant is adjusted accordingly to ensure that it still applies to the families that need it most.”
“The annual income threshold for students getting the higher special rate of maintenance grant is being increased from €20,147 to €22,308 in line with the relevant social welfare comparators. This is to bring the payment into line with increases in social welfare.”
“So students from families on the lowest incomes will continue to qualify for maximum rates of grant. Almost two out of five third level students are now getting some sort of financial support from the Government for third level education. It is so important that we continue to invest in our young people and their education. Ireland has one of the best educated workforces in the world and that continues to attract foreign investors here,” Cllr Carroll concluded.
ENDS
Additional notes:
Minister O’Keeffe has also announced a number of further changes to grant eligibility will be introduced for the 2010/11 academic year. Some social welfare allowances will be included as income in assessing eligibility for student grants from next year and the income tax adjustment for farm stock relief will be disregarded in the calculation of income for means-testing.”
Students will have to be living in Ireland for three out of the past five years, instead of one year as it currently stands, and the duration of the break in studies required for re-entry as an independently assessed mature student will be increased from one year to three years.
The increase in threshold being brought in this year and the changes announced for next year are being introduced to ensure that there is better equality. It is more important that ever now that the Government focuses the country’s resources at the people who need them most.
ENDS
Cllr James Carroll has welcomed the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Barry Andrews annoucement that he is extending the eligibility to the new free pre-school year.
“Approximately 4,000 pre-school services have applied to enter the new Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme with a capacity to provide some 93,000 pre-school year places, well in excess of the places required.”
“As a result, it has been decided to allow for greater parental choice and flexibility in the case of children who just miss out on the age eligibility of the scheme by a matter of weeks. The effect will be that children born on or between 2 February 2005 and 30 June 2006 will be eligible to enter the scheme in January 2010.”
Cllr Carroll added “this is wonderful news for the huge number of parents of children born between February 2005 and 30 June 2006 who were originally excluded from the scheme”.
“A large number of parents had been in contact with me who just missed out on the scheme’s original cut-off point by a number of days or weeks and this is great news for them and especially, their children,” he added.
“In addition, the Minister is introducing a higher rate of capitation for sessional playschool services with highly qualified staff. Minister Andrews also announced that he had received confirmation from the Valuation Office that sessional services participating in the scheme, which defray their costs wholly or mainly from State funding, will be exempt from commercial rates under the Valuation Act. While this will not impact on full-day crèches, whose main income will remain parental fees, it will reduce the running costs of many participating pre-school services. This is a concrete example of the Government being flexible and fair at these most tough of economic times,” the young cllr concluded.
ENDS
Contact Senator James Carroll, Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Dublin 2
Tel: 01-6184374
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