The Tholsel in West Street in Drogheda is to receive a welcome funding boost under the Civic Structures Conservation Grants Scheme according to local Fianna Fail Senator, James Carroll.
“The grants are designed to ensure the preservation of heritage structures. The Tholsel will receive €15,310.”
“I have lobbied the Minister for the Environment regarding the Tholsel as I feel very strongly in the importance of protecting and preserving these site which stands at the location of the first municipal town hall.”
“This funding and the preservation of the Tholsel and other heritage sites not only benefits the local communities but also helps to attract visitors to the area which has a positive knock-on effect for local businesses.”
“I would like to commend those groups and volunteers who work so hard locally to preserve the Tholsel and other sites. Their commitment and dedication benefits us all,” concluded Senator Carroll.
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According to the ESRI report today, the Irish economy is on the road to recovery as per http://www.independent.ie//independent.ie/editorial/todaysPaper/todayspaper20100413.pdf.
This echoes what the Central Bank said last week and what the government has been saying for some time.
The ESRI predicts that in 2011 GNP will grow by 2.75 per cent and GDP by 2.5 per cent, with the recovery led by a surge in exports.
The rate of unemployment will remain static, levelling out at 13% next year.
Key measures to tackle unemployment:
(1) The Enterprise Stabilisation Fund, which is designed to help viable but vulnerable firms, has been allocated €136m between 2009 and 2010.
(2) The €133 million Employment Subsidy Scheme is supporting 1, 670 companies and 100, 000 jobs.
(3) The Government has committed to investing €40 billion over the next six years in infrastructure that will provide jobs and support economic growth. At 5% of GNP this is twice the European average.
(4) This year, the Government is providing 157,000 training and work experience places for unemployed workers, including an extra 9,000 FÁS training places and 500 extra places on the community employment programme
(5) The Work Placement Programme has the capacity to provide 9 months work experience to 2,000 unemployed individuals, while they continue to maintain their social welfare entitlements.
ENDS
Fianna Fail Drogheda Senator James Carroll has said he is shocked and horrified by the overnight stabbing of seven people on West St. in Drogheda.
“These men were innocent victims of a senseless and random act of violence, which has no place in our society,” said Senator Carroll.
“I want to express my best wishes to those who have been injured, some very seriously. The community in Drogheda is in shock this morning.”
“There has been huge investment in CCTV in the centre of Drogheda. I know this can never be a guarantee that crime will be prevented but this investment is of huge assistance to the Gardai in their efforts to solve such terrible crimes.”
“I think it is also important to say that in July 2009, the sentencing limit for possession of a knife in a public place was increased from 1 year to 5 years and Gardai were given ’stop and search powers’ which heretofore, they did not have.”
“I have spoken to the Gardai in Drogheda and the Minister for Justice this morning and expressed my shock at this very serious incident. I also want to encourage any witnesses to come forward and speak to the Gardai,” concluded Senator Carroll.
ENDS
Last week’s recapitalisation of the banks brought good news for Louth’s small and medium sized business with the establishment of a new fund for increased credit facilities and a new Credit Review Body.
AIB and Bank of Ireland will be required to provide more than €3 billion each for new and increased facilities for the SME sector for 2010 and 2011.
Senator James Carroll said of these developments, “this is good news for sole traders, farmers and businesses in the Drogheda and Ardee areas because we do not want to see any more closing. Getting credit moving is vital to stopping Louth’s businesses closing because of a lack of sufficient credit to get them through the current economic downturn”.
Within the next 6 weeks, both AIB and Bank of Ireland must have submitted their SME lending plan to the Government.
The new Credit Review Group will be a body where small and medium sized businesses who have been refused credit or who have credit withdrawn, can apply for an independent review of the banks’ decision. If the review group decides that credit should be granted, the bank will have to comply.
Senator James Carroll commenting on this new body said that “this will provide an accurate, independent assessment of banks’ lending policies and procedures. My office in Drogheda has been contacted numerous times by businesses that have been refused credit or had their overdrafts withdrawn. This group will stop unreasonable bank action continuing which has been strangling local businesses.”
The website address for the Review Group is www.creditreview.ie and they can be contacted at 1850 211 789.
“With this Credit Review process in place, I believe we can be confident that credit for business is not being refused or withdrawn unreasonably”, concluded Senator Carroll.
ENDS
Credit Unions in Louth are to be given more freedom to help people who are under pressure to repay their loans.
At present each credit union must ensure that only 20% of the loans on their books are for five years or more. However, the Government is now extending that to 30%.
Senator James Carroll added “in recognition of the important role played by credit unions in our communities throughout Louth and in every county, the Government has decided to loosen the regulations which govern the loans they provide to families and individuals.”
The measure amounts to practical help while at the same time safeguarding the financial future of credit unions so as they can continue to helping local people into the future. Many credit union members are experiencing difficulty in meeting loan repayments due to unfavourable changes in their financial circumstances in the current economic environment.
Senator Carroll added “the move may appear technical but it is vitally important. It will allow credit unions to assist people who are facing difficulties in repaying their loans by giving them the space to reduce repayments over a longer period”.
“Increasing the lending limit for credit unions and formalising arrangements in the area of rescheduling of loans will facilitate credit unions in their wish to ease the position of these members,” concluded Senator Carroll.
ENDS
Contact Senator James Carroll, Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Dublin 2
Tel: 01-6184374
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