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Fine Gael TD and Minister of State, Brian Hayes has said that the Action Plan for Jobs launched by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, the Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton, and the Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore, contains progressive measures that will help get Dublin South West back to work.
“The Action Plan for Jobs will make it cheaper and easier to do business and to create jobs. It will support existing Irish businesses and new
start-ups, while helping to attract inward investment from overseas. The Plan will set the environment to achieve the Taoiseach’s aim of having 100,000 more people working and making Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business by 2016. “The Plan changes the way Government interacts with business, by cutting costs and red tape. It contains 15 key actions to make it easier to do business and grow jobs. Under a key element of the plan, County Enterprise
Boards will be replaced by a new One Stop Shop micro enterprise structure. support Through a new network of Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities, Enterprise Ireland will provide expert help to start-up businesses at a local level. “We want to encourage firms in Dublin South West to sell their products abroad in lucrative export markets. Enterprise Ireland will identify a wider group of potential exporting companies under a new Potential
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Exporters Division. The corporation tax exemption for start-ups will be extended to 2014, and a new Development Capital Scheme will help fund mid-sized indigenous companies with major growth potential. credit “Accessing remains a major challenge for many firms in Dublin South West; this will be directly addressed by the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Micro Finance Fund, which will help
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resiDents encourageD to get Down anD DirtY
Cllr. Emer Higgins has urged local residents to get involved in the Tidy Towns competition and Spring Clean campaign Fine Gael’s Councillor Emer Higgins has urged
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residents to roll up their sleeves and help clean up their village. Her call comes ahead of an information evening organised by South Dublin County Council for residents interested
in entering their town or village in the Tidy Town 2012 competition.
“Lucan is the only village in our County which enters the annual Tidy Towns competition. They have a fantastic team of local volunteers who make a huge effort to ensure the village is kept in tip top condition and they always do well in the national competition. But Lucan isn’t the only tidy village in our area and there is no reason why villages such as Palmerstown, Clondalkin, newcastle , Rathcoole and Saggart cannot be recognised in this competition,” said Cllr. Emer Higgins. “I have spoken to residents in Palmerstown, newcastle and Rathcoole and urged them to come along to the information night the Council are running to promote the
initiative. If the idea of entering the Tidy Towns competition seems a bit daunting, then your community might instead be interested in organising a Spring Clean,” suggested Cllr. Higgins. “During the month of April An Taisce offers support and resources to estates and communities who roll up their sleeves and cleanup their area. South Dublin County Council also offer Social Credits to local groups who tidy their villages – so the benefits are twofold,” continued Cllr. Higgins. “If you are interested in finding out more about how to get involved in the Tidy Towns Competition or the national Spring Clean get in touch with the Council or contact me directly and I’ll do all I can to support your community,” concluded Higgins.
Jobs pLan wiLL heLp ........ FroM page 1
businesses struggling to get loans. To help indigenous firms grow their business here public procurement will be made more accessible to SMEs and it will be easier for small businesses to win contracts with large multinationals. Funding will also be increased for mentoring and development programmes for SME managers. “A range of initiatives will target sectors that
“This Plan is a working document and its targets will be closely monitored and updated on a quarterly basis.
Every Government department must play its part. By restructuring the banks, reforming our employment and training services, establishing newERA and introducing a more sustainable taxation system the Government has already taken the steps necessary to rebuild our broken economy. This Plan will build on this progress with the ultimate aim of getting Ireland back to work.”
A new regulation being introduced by the French Government that will require motorists to carry a breathalyzer in their car at all times whilst travelling in France have been
acknowledged by Irish Ferries as a positive measure that will help reduce road accidents and make travelling in France even safer for Irish holidaymakers. To that end, the
company confirms that breathalyzers will go on sale on board their Ireland/France cruise ferry Oscar Wilde ahead of April when the new regulations come into force.
have high potential for growth including manufacturing, cloud life-sciences, computing, digital gaming, agri-food and tourism. This sustainable model will consign the bubble-economics policies of the previous Government to history.
new French breathaLYZer Law ‘a positiVe Measure’
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DowDs caLLs on goVernMent to hoLD strong on aLcohoL abuse pLan
Labour T.D., Robert Dowds has called on the Government not to lose its nerve in relation to tackling alcohol abuse. “As a member of the Oireachtas Health committee which recommended tough legislative action to tackle the scourge of alcohol abuse prevalent in the country, I am a firm supporter of Minister Róisín Shortall and her dedicated effort to get to grips with the extent of the alcohol problem in Ireland, and protect children from exposure to alcohol marketing. "Due to the widespread and serious alcohol
abuse in Ireland, it is high time the Government held its nerve and did what previous Governments did not have the courage to do, and that is to protect the physical and mental health of the public. "In the past, Governments have taken the easy option and abdicated their responsibility in this regard, even though alcohol abuse is the most prevalent form of drug abuse in Ireland. "The list of the ways in which alcohol is damaging Irish society is a very long one, but the single fact that
2,000 hospital beds are being occupied every night because of alcohol-related injuries and illnesses speak for itself. "It is essential we put in place practices to discourage excessive use of alcohol, and for that reason I fully support measures outlines in the national Substance Misuse Strategy such as the of introduction minimum pricing to prevent supermarkets using alcohol as a loss leader, and the need to curtail or ban alcohol advertisement. "Clearly, there are major forces who are
coming out against this change, not least of which is the well financed drinks industry. However, for the sake of our people's health, we must change our deeply destructive relationship with alcohol. The profits of the drinks industry simply cannot come before the health of the Irish people. "We must strive to get to a place where we treat alcohol responsibly, and that is a place where we, as a people, can socialise with one or two drinks without getting hammered out of our minds."
carbon MonoxiDe warning caMpaign
Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte has welcomed the beginning of a two-week publicity campaign to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. “I am very pleased to see that good advice on this silent killer is being given to the public in such a high-profile manner. I am particularly pleased to note that the campaign includes advice on how to select a suitable carbon monoxide alarm from the many currently available. It is my hope that people will pay attention to this, and that we can prevent any more tragic deaths
from occurring. I commend Bord Gais networks on this important work”, said the Minister. Press, television and radio messages providing information about how to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning have been prepared by Bord Gais networks. The campaign is supported by the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland, the national Standards Authority of Ireland, the Irish LPG Association and the Commission for Energy Regulation. Further information is available on www.carbonmonoxide.ie
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Loss oF bin waiVer wiLL cost FaMiLies €200 per Year Your FREE Local Newspaper
Sinn Fein Dublin Mid-West representative Eoin Ó Broin has said that ‘the loss of bin waivers will cost low income families €200 per year and will lead to increased financial hardship, poverty and illegal dumping.’ The comments come after Greyhound has started contacting households with bin waivers outlining the
cost of their service when the waivers cease at the end of March 2012.
O Broin said that “Last year South Dublin County Council sold their bin collection service to Greyhound. The private company made it clear that while it would honour the waiver for 12 months.
“Greyhound has now started contacting some of its customers currently covered by the waiver inviting them to meetings to outline what happens after March. “Customers are being told that their waiver ends in March and that if they want to remain with Greyhound they must pay up to€200 a
soLVing Mortgage Debt crisis
Fine Gael TD, Derek Keating, has said that the Personal Insolvency Bill is a key step in solving our mortgage crisis. The Bill has been published by the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, and the for Finance, Minister Michael noonan. This draft Bill puts forward a range of options that will provide much needed relief for those struggling with personal debt. This is an extremely complex area and one of national importance. However, it is affecting many families in the Dublin Mid-West Constituency and affecting many young families who may have returned to live with their parents because
their of situation.
insolvency
A key part of the Government strategy is dealing with mortgage arrears. However, the write down of small debts up to the value of €20,000 will be made possible through what is called a Debt Relief Certificate. These two schemes will directly help thousands of people and I welcome it. The final and crucial element of this legislation is the reforming of the bankruptcy arrangements which reduce the period of time that a person would be considered bankrupt from 12 years to 3 years. Derek Keating says “this Bill
is an excellent start and it will now go before the Joint Oireachtas Committee for consideration and I am positive that it will be published and that we will see it implement in this term of the Dáil.
year. A number of payment options are being offered including a €40 annual fee and either a set lift charge for black and brown bins or a charge by weight. Some customers are also being offered a €189 flat charge for the year to cover all lifts. “Whatever option one looks at it, the bottom line is that low income families, already struggling to make ends meet, will have to pay out an extra €200 per year.
“Many of the families affects are already living on the breadline, they have had social welfare payments cut and in some instances also have to pay the household charge. “An extra €200 a year or more to these families is a severe blow, which will have a very significant impact on the household budgets concerned. “It will lead to increased financial hardship for many and increased poverty for
However, I want to hear your views on this matter and I am determined to chart a way out of this crisis with the Government by helping young people who have been caught up in the financial circumstances that this Government has inherited and that they have to live with as a result of the previous administration’s mishandling of our finances”
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some. It will also lead, to an unfortunately, increase in illegal dumping, the bill for which will ultimately be borne by the Council and the taxpayer. “There is an urgent need for the Government to intervene and replace what was the local authority bin waiver with a new centrally funded scheme to ensure that families are not forced to make impossible choices of paying for food, heat or bin collections.”
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“caught in the web”
an older & bolder report on older people’s battle with bureaucracy
The Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has launched ‘Caught in the Web’ - an Older & Bolder report which shines a spotlight on the difficulties older people have in accessing vital information about access to public services.
“Isolation, sensory problems, lack of access to the internet, the failure of some service providers to offer adequate or appropriate information about their services all create barriers between the older person and what they need and are entitled to in order to get the most from their lives,” Ms. O’Reilly said.
Director of Older & Bolder Patricia Conboy called for a simpler system to be adopted to avoid the real hardship people are experiencing throughout the country.
“One man interviewed in the report waited a long time for a wheelchair and then got two on the same day. Older people should not have to battle with bureaucracy. They should be able to make a telephone call and have their query tracked through a central tracking system the same way you can if you buy a book on Amazon or buy a flight or send a registered letter in the post. This would not entail enormous expenditure and indeed may say money in the long run.”
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FitZgeraLD takes on operation transForMation chaLLenge
Local T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald was among those who participated in The Operation Transformation 5k Fun Run in The Phoenix Minister Park. Fitzgerald was joined by Operation Transformation host Kathrine Thomas and Clondalkin women Karen and May Shields at the hugely succesful event.
“There was a fantastic atmosphere at the 5k challenge. It is so encouraging to see people turning to exercise and fitness in an effort to improve their lifestyle. I am delighted for the leaders who have been an inspiration to so many people throughout the country as well as here in Lucan and Clondalkin – they were thrilled to have completed the challenge,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.
“In my position as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am working hard to encourage children and young people to take up sports and physical activities. My is Department represented on the government’s new Special Advisory Group on obesity and we are currently working on a number of initiatives, in conjunction with other government departments, to improve healthy eating and rates of physical activity among children and young people. I am fully supportive of the GAA, FAI and IRFU and the work they do both nationally and locally here in Lucan and Clondalkin,” said Fitzgerald. "Childhood obesity is a major concern. Research from the ‘Growing-Up in Ireland’ national longitudinal study contains some very worrying data showing that nearly a quarter of Irish children
are either overweight or obese. These findings pose a serious challenge which requires a and determined multi-faceted response. Improving rates of play and physical activity among children is a critical part of this response,” continued
Fitzgerald “I would like to congratulate all of those who followed the Operation Transformation programme and encourage people to be more health and fitness conscious. I know how hard it is to fit a fitness
into your regime schedule, but its time we as a nation, prioritised our health and well-being. I have tried many of Dr. Eva's dishes myself and am hoping to be able to healthier continue eating,” concluded Fitzgerald.
Minister Fitzgerald pictured with Operation Transformation Host Kathrine Thomas and Clondalkin women Karen and May Shields
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igb announce new Marquee sponsorship with betFair For sheLbourne park Huge boost for entrants as new Betfair 600 classic to have increased prizemonies, with Final to be televised live on RTE
Greyhound racing received a huge boost when the IGB announced the entrance of Betfair into the Irish greyhound racing sponsorship world for the first time. The online betting firm will sponsor one of the greyhound calendar's marquee events at Shelbourne Park which will now be known as the Betfair 600. The new sponsorship brings a number of new additional positive facets to this year's event as a result of Betfair coming on board: 1) The final will be televised live on RTE on Saturday 12th May as part of an hour long broadcast. 2) In conjunction with the event, 5 regional trial stakes will be run (venues listed below) with the winners
receiving complimentary entry to the main event at Shelbourne. 3) Total prize money for the event including regional trial stakes will be over €51k (41% increase on 2011 with winners prize alone rising 25% to 25k from 20k). Increased prize money throughout the event.
IGB CEO Adrian neilan said "It's great news to have Betfair as a high profile sponsor at Shelbourne Park for this classic event, coming off the back of several positive announcements in recent weeks regarding last year's figures, increased prize money, the SIS deal and the new sponsorship agreement for the SIS Live Gold Cup. We are expecting the Betfair 600 to produce some
fantastic racing over the 4 week period at Shelbourne Park and Betfair's involvement ensures that the trend of an increase in prize money for all our major events continues at Shelbourne Park in 2012. This is another ringing endorsement of the popularity of Greyhound racing in Ireland and given we had over 750,000 visitors to our stadia last year I am very confident that Betfair will see a significant return for their investment in this industry".
Graham Ross, Regional Manager for Betfair in Ireland commented "Betfair is delighted to be associated with such an historic and significant race in the Irish Greyhound racing calendar. In light of the popularity of greyhound racing across our local and international business, we are pleased to be in a position to partner with the Irish Greyhound Board to promote our brand within the industry. Following the successful launch of our Global Operations office in the adjacent Watermarque office building in May 2011, this sponsorship represents an ideal opportunity to work with Shelbourne Park, an important part of our local community. We look forward to involving our 85 (and growing) staff in delivering what should be a memorable sporting occasion".
Patrick Flynn, Sales Operations and Commercial Manager of Shelbourne added "Greyhound racing in Ireland's flagship stadium where pictures and content are beamed far and wide gives Betfair the perfect platform to increase their customer base. I would also like to recognize the support of the Hegarty family who have sponsored the event for the last two years but sportingly accepted the additional benefits that the Betfair sponsorship and involvement would bring in helping increase further the profile of this prestigious event and greyhound racing".
Betfair 600 Schedule: First rd heats Saturday 21st April / Second rd heats Saturday 28th April / Semi-Finals Saturday 5th May / Final Saturday 12th May
Prizemoney: Winner €25,000 Second €6,000 Third €3,000 Unplaced €1,500 Unplaced semi-finalists €500 each: Heat Winners €150 each: Unplaced second round €100 each:
Trial Stakes: Will be run at Limerick, Cork, Tralee, Harolds Cross & Galway with the winner of each along with the winner of the Gain Feeds Irish Cesarewitch at Mullingar all receiving €500 and free entry to the Betfair 600 at Shelbourne Park and lining up in the opening round heat on Saturday 21st April
Top Models Roz Purcell and Daniella Moyles were first out of the traps at Shelbourne Park to help the Irish Greyhound Board announce an exciting new sponsorship with Betfair. The online betting firm, will sponsor one of the greyhound calendar's marquee events at Shelbourne Park, which will now be known as the Betfair 600.
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10
caLLs For Jobs task Force as Lucan & cLonDaLkin uneMpLoYMent rises again
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Speaking in response to the third consecutive rise in live register figures for Lucan and Clondalkin Sinn Féin Dublin-Mid West representative Eoin Ó Broin has called for the creation of a “jobs task force” for the area to “tackle the growing
unemployment crisis”. Ó Broin said:“January’s live register figures for Lucan and Clondalkin make for depressing reading. While the state wide figures show a marginal drop for the third month in a row, Dublin Mid-West unemployment
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continues to rise. “This is the third consecutive rise in the Lucan and Clondalkin live register figures. 8,968 people were signing on in January. Twenty per cent of these were under 25 years old.
“And of course these figures do not include the hundreds of formerly self-employment people now out of work or the hundreds of local young people forced to emigrate in search of work. “More people are signing on in Dublin Mid-West today than when Fine Gael and Labour took office. “Without urgent action Lucan and Clondalkin are going to lose an entire generation to unemployment and emigration. We are also likely to see concentrated pockets of long term and
intergenerational unemployment across the constituency as we had in the 1970s and 1980s.
“In the coming days I will be writing to community, business and statutory leaders in Dublin Mid-West seeking to meet them to discuss the need for a dedicated jobs task force in the area. The purpose of the task force would be to bring together key players in the local economy to lobby for increased support for business and increased investment in job creation.
“Enda Kenny has repeatedly said that getting people back to work was his number one priority. What the unemployed people of Dublin Mid-West Want is more action and less words from the Taoiseach.”
MassiVe spring saLe now on!
11% increase in contacts to the nationaL criMe VictiMs heLpLine
There was an increase of 11% in the number of people contacting the Crime Victims Helpline in 2011. Over 6000 calls were dealt with by volunteers operating this much needed service. This includes calls received from those affected by crime and calls made by volunteers to provide assistance to these people. Over 17% of the calls received related to physical assaults. Unprovoked assaults, especially on the streets late at night, continue to be a feature of many calls to the Helpline. In the case of such an unprovoked assault it can be very difficult for the Gardaí to trace the perpetrator/s. If there is no CCTV footage and if no witnesses come forward, the attacker/s may not be brought to justice.
Maeve Ryan, Co-ordinator of the national Crime Victims Helpline said today, “There is no specific reason why the number of calls increased over the past 12 months. It may simply be that there is a greater awareness of the service. Our confidential service assists all those who call, irrespective of the reason why the person is affected. Some people for example, find that they feel afraid and vulnerable following a crime; some are upset by their experience with the criminal justice system and others face financial difficulties as a result of the crime. Crime Victims Helpline volunteers provide support and information to help each caller deal with the very individual problems that arise for them as a result of crime. This includes advising callers of the availability of other specialist services for victims of crime.”
Maeve Ryan went on to say, “We encourage anyone who has become a victim of crime to talk about the incident to someone - and if some independent assistance is required the Crime Victims Helpline can help. Every day we help people who are experiencing emotional and practical difficulties, as a result of a crime.” The national Crime Victims Helpline provides an opportunity for people who are feeling isolated, anxious, angry, sad, nervous and afraid as a result of a crime to find emotional support on the phone, while others may have questions about the justice system, or require information on local services for victims of crime in their area.
The national Helpline numbers are Free Phone 116 006 and Call Save 1850 21 14 07. The number for texts is 085 1337711
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90% think DiY shouLD be taught in our schooLs
The vast majority of people in Ireland would be in favour of basic DIY skills being added in some shape or form to the Irish secondary school curriculum according to a poll carried out by the AA.
The AA has a first-hand interest in the subject having just launched a new subscription based service for home emergencies such as burst pipes, broken down boliers and faulty electrics called AA Home Emergency Response. Of a group of 11,000 people polled by AA Home Emergency
Response, 90% either completely or somewhat agreed that the valuable life skills should be taught to pupils with many suggesting transition year as a good opportunity to do so. Just 2% of those polled said they were strongly opposed to the notion.
“It is amazing how many of us don’t have the first clue about how to carry out a simple task like changing a tap-washer or bleeding a radiator.” Says AA’s Conor Faughnan. “Even wiring a plug is very simple when you know how to do it but
impossible and even dangerous if you don’t.”
A quarter of all respondents polled said they’re completely clueless about DIY. While in the minority compared to the 60% of respondents who described themselves as either somewhat or very good at DIY, further poll results generated by AA Home Emergency Response suggest that it could be a dying art among younger generations.
One of the major barriers identified by those poll participants
under the age of 35 vis à vis DIY was having no one to teach them the basics according to AA Home Emergency Response. A third of those within this age category who cannot do DIY said it’s because they’ve never had the opportunity to learn compared to 14% of those over the age of 65 and 19% of those aged between 55 and 65 years. The under 35s were however also quicker to admit that laziness and a general lack of interest were to blame for their nonexistent DIY skills.
LaVeLLe urges iDa inVestMent in cLouD-coMputing inDustrY
Cllr. William Lavelle, Fine Gael councillor for Lucan has welcomed the Government’s new Action Plan for Jobs and its particular commitment to developing Ireland’s cloud computing sector. At today’s meeting of South Dublin County Council, Cllr. Lavelle proposed a motion calling on IDA Ireland to prioritise West Dublin; and in particular Grange Castle
International Business Park, for targeted investment in developing a cloud computing centre-of-excellence. Cllr. Lavelle said that last year a high-level report commissioned by Microsoft estimated that by 2014 the cloud computing industry in Ireland could be worth €9.5billion and employ 8,600 people.
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to the cloud-computer sector is the provision of data centres. This is an area where South Dublin County Council is already to the fore in attracting data centers to the county. Microsoft established its first ever data centre outside the USA in Grange Castle Business Park and has now commenced construction of Phase 2. Google last year also announced that it is to invest €75m in the provision of a data centre, also at Grange Castle. “But I think this is only the tip of the iceberg. I feel we can attract even more investment and jobs, in particular to Grange Castle given its ideal location and the all-important availability of a secure power supply to the business park. “In light of today’s announcement of the Government’s new Action Plan for Jobs and the priority focus on cloud computing, I am calling on IDA Ireland to prioritise West Dublin for further targeted investment in developing the cloud computing industry. I feel Grange Castle could become a global centre-of-excellence for cloud computing. This will require proactively promoting the business park and building-up links with
higher education institutions to develop the associated potential for spin-off IT enterprises built on cloud computing technology. In response to Cllr. Lavelle’s motion, the County Manager reported: “It is the Councils intentions to be at the forefront of seeking to have Grange Castle Business Park become a world centre of this important new industry. To this end the Council in partnership with ESB and others recently completed a major project to provide an additional 110KV circuits from Inchicore to Grange Castle. Looking to the future and to ensure the availability and security of power supply the Council have been in discussions with Eirgrid and ESB to promote and ensure the construction of a new 220KV station in the Adamstown area at an early date. The IDA has been aware of the Councils aspirations and our capacity to meet the requirements of those involved in Cloud Computing services.” Cllr. Lavelle concluded: ““The ‘cloud’ presents many opportunities for job creation. It is important that we grasp these opportunities.“
11
open DaY For pLc anD aDuLt courses
12
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coLLinstown park coMMunitY coLLege
An open day will be held in Collinstown Park Community College on Thursday 8th March 2012 from 9.30am – 130pm and from 7.00pm – 8.30pm for all those interested in attending a full / part-time Adult Education or Post Certificate Leaving course. Collinstown Park Community College is located on the neilstown Road in Rowlagh, Clondalkin about five minutes from the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. Courses are available in Early Childhood Care Education, and Computers and Business Studies, Payroll and Bookkeeping, F.I.T Information Technology (Specialising in PC Maintenance), Hairdressing and Beauty, Youth Work, Health Care Support, Pre-nursing Studies,
ECDL, ECDL Advanced, Return to Learning/ General Studies, English for Speakers of other Languages, Special needs Classroom Assistant, After School Support Skills, Beauty Care, nails and Massage or Reception Skills. The college particularly welcomes adults who have left school some time ago and who wish to increase their skills and gain a qualification. Courses are available on a full-time and part-time basis and are open to school leavers and mature students. There are a number of supports available to adults on Social Protection payments who wish to study at Collinstown Park Community College including VTOS and Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). The VTOS scheme allows
adults who have been in receipt of a social protection payment for more than six months to keep their benefits while attending a full time course. Students eligible for VTOS do not pay fees and receive other supports such as books, meal and travel and a allowance contribution towards childcare for pre-school children, those who have been unemployed for more than twelve months also receive an additional payment. The Back to Education Allowance provides people on Social Protection payments an opportunity to return to education while continuing to receive their normal benefit and includes a once off payment to cover the costs involved returning to education. One of the most successful courses in
Collinstown Park Community College is the Information Technology (Specialising in PC Maintenance) course, this course is run as part of the FIT – Fast Track to Information Technology Programme. The course is aimed at people who have an interest but no formal training in this area and follows a highly specialised programme to provide learners with a standard of technical skill and general education to meet the growing demands of the industry. Park Collinstown Community College also offers a broad range of part time courses. These flexible options allow students to achieve a specific qualification such as ECDL, or a FETAC Component certificate in one year or to
a Major complete FETAC Certificate over a longer period. Part-time courses are provided as part of the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) allowing people on protection social payments to study while retaining their
benefit. Many of these courses are particularly suitable for people who left school without a Leaving Certificate who would like to gain a qualification. The Open Day on the 8th of March will give all those with an interest in studying at
Park Collinstown Community College a chance to find out more about individual course content and talk to the course Tutors. More information is available on the College website www.collinstownpark.i e or contact the school at 01 4572300.
Collinstown Park Community College offers a broad range of courses including Computers and Business Studies
Co Dublin Vocational Educational Committee
COLLInSTOWn PARk COMMunITy COLLEGE Rowlagh, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
OPEn DAy Adult and Further Education / PLC Courses DATE : THuRSDAy 8th MARCH 2012 TIME : 9.30am - 1.30pm & 7.00pm – 8.30pm
• • • •
• • • •
COuRSES AVAILABLE
Early Childhood Care and Education FETAC Level 5 & 6 Computers and Business Studies FETAC Level 5 Payroll and computerised Bookkeeping FETAC Level 5 F.I.T (Fast Track to Information Technology) FETAC Level 5 Hairdressing and Beauty FETAC Level 5 youth Work FETAC Level 5 Health Care Support FETAC Level 5 Pre-nursing Studies FETAC Level 5
• • • • • • •
Special needs Classroom Assistant FETAC Level 5 After School Support Skills FETAC Level 5 Beauty Care, nails and Massage FETAC Level 5 Reception Skills FETAC Level 5 ECDL, ECDL Advanced Return to Learning/ General Studies FETAC Level 4 English for Speakers of other Languages FETAC LEVEL 4/5
FOR FuRTHER DETAILS SEE OuR WEBSITE : www.collinstownpark.ie / Telephone : 4572300 The college is only five minutes from the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre
Buses 40 / 76 /76A / 76B / 210
Students who are in receipt of Social Protection payments may be eligible for VTOS/BTEA (full-time courses) or BTEI (part-time courses)
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Kick start your business!
13
14
The Legal Column Your FREE Local Newspaper
which have undergone initial processing, the person who carried out such processing or;
e) Any person who, by putting his name, trademark or other distinguishing feature on the product or using his name or any such mark or feature in relation to the product, has held himself out to be the producer of the product or;
In this edition of the paper, Romaine Scally Solicitor, of Romaine Scally & Company, Solicitors, Main Street, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Telephone 01-4599506 email legal@scally.ie deals with the question of product liability and where it crosses over with medical negligence. Q. My daughter had breast implants inserted a few years ago now. She seems extremely concerned about the procedure and I feel that they may have been those French silicon implants which are now considered defective. Would she have any cause of action?
A. This is a huge worry for many women throughout Europe who had these defective implants inserted. It seems to be the case that these implants contained industrial grade silicone, more usually used in furniture manufacturing, rather than medical grade as required. It becomes a complex situation as to whether or not it is a case of product liability under the LIABILITy FOR DEFECTIVE PRODuCT ACTS, 1991 or Medical negligence. What is most important is that, if your daughter intends to take the matter further, she should do so as soon as possible as there are two years only from the DATE OF knOWLEDGE in which
to pursue a claim. Remember also, that a medical report would have to be obtained to substantiate a claim confirming that the products inserted were defective and should “for health reasons” be removed. It can take some considerable time in which to obtain these reports and therefore, speedy action is imperative.
Broadly speaking however under the Liability for Defective Products Act 1991, a producer (of a product) shall be liable for damage caused wholly or partially by a defect in his product where a producer is defined as:
a) The manufacturer or producer of a finished product or;
b) The manufacturer or producer of any raw materials or; c) The manufacturer or producer of a component part of a product or;
d In the case of products of the soil, stock farming, fisheries and game,
f) Any person who has imported the product into a member state from a place outside European the communities in order, in the course of any business of his, to supply it to another or; g) Any person who was liable as producer of this product pursuant to sub-section 3 of this section.
As you can see from this wide definition, it covers within its remit both importers and those who re-brand and re-package a product. In the recent case of the French Manufacturing Company, Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) whose products were also sold to a Dutch Company, this Act would establish the Dutch Company as a PRODuCER even though they are more strictly a re-distributor or a supplier in business terms. This would mean that the producer of the product would or should be sued under the Liability for Defective Products Act. A further aspect of the above definition is the provision which imposes potential liability on ALL WHO SuPPLy A PRODuCT however, liability is provisional in that it only renders suppliers liable in circumstances where that supplier fails to identify a person higher up the chain of liability as a producer. The section therefore turns a supplier into a producer for the
purpose of imposing liability if the following conditions are satisfied:
a) The producer cannot be identified by taking reasonable steps;
b) The injured person requires a supplier to identify someone from the list; c) The request is made within a reasonable time after the damage occurs;
d) The suppliers failed to comply with the request or to identify the producer;
As you can appreciate therefore, any Solicitor who is entrusted with this case will have a lot of work to do to identify the correct Defendants and all of this must be done within the required time under the statute of limitation in order that the case is not statute barred. The question also arises as to whether or not the surgeon who undertook the surgery should be included as a potential Defendant. In a case such as this, there is an unusual crossover between professional negligence on the part of the surgeon and product liability on the part of the producer/supplier and the question arises as to who is liable in circumstances where the products are sourced and supplied as a part of a medical package where the consumer i.e. your daughter, has no real say in the choice of product used. In other words, your daughter did not have the choice as to which implants she wanted to use. The subject probably never came up during the course of any pre-surgery consultation. Again, this question adds complexity to any case, particularly in circumstances where, as with some modern cosmetic clinics, they have distributing rights
to be the sole provider of a particular product or specialised procedure. In such circumstances, the patient is not only availing of that particular clinic but also the clinic’s choice of product. The line between therefore product liability and the liability of the person promoting or supplying the product, i.e. the cosmetic clinic, is blurred. These are important why your reasons daughter should seek legal advice sooner rather than later as, a great deal of work would need to be done on the part of the Solicitor prior to the issue of proceedings where the clock stops in terms of the statute of limitations.
Q. I had a hip replacement back in 2009 which was one of those DePuy Hip Products. I have been fearful about doing anything about it since and wonder if I still have time to take any action?
A. The DePuy Orthopaedics recall of their Acetabular Hip Replacement system was publicly announced in August 2010 and was due to the high failure rates of the implants. The statute of limitations starts to run in medical negligence cases from the DATE OF knOWLEDGE. This can be a difficult date to ascertain. Previously, under the terms of a High Court decision, the relevant date was “when the Plaintiff received medical advice from another consultant in relation to the procedure that it was faulty”. However, the decision of this particular case in question was appealed to the Supreme Court and the date of knowledge was changed in the Supreme Court and was held to be the date when THE PLAInTIFF BECAME AWARE THAT
by Romaine Scally THE PROCEDuRE WAS unnECESSARy OR FAuLTy WHICH (In THIS PARTICuLAR CASE On APPEAL TO THE SuPREME COuRT) WAS HELD AS THE DATE WHEn THE BECAME PLAInTIFF AWARE OF THE SCAnDAL In THE MEDIA. Applying this the present to situation, where a defective product receives WIDESPREAD MEDIA COVERAGE a potential Plaintiff is LIkELy TO BE AFFIxED WITH knOWLEDGE AS OF THE DATE OF THE (MEDIA) COVERAGE. In your case, the problems with this hip replacement system became public knowledge in August 2010. Even if you personally were not aware of any problems with your hip joint at that time, the nonetheless, widespread media coverage attributed to this problem will more than likely be attributed to you as your date of knowledge. This would mean that you have until August of this year in which to consider bringing a claim. Remember also, however, that to successfully bring a claim, your legal team will have to have a medical report from an Independent Medical Consultant confirming that the product was defective and what steps need to be taken to remedy the situation. Legal Practitioners must be very careful about the huge costs implications for clients and cannot mount actions without a favourable report identifying the correct Defendants whether they be the producer of a product or the physician carrying out the procedure or both. This is obviously a core consideration as having an Order for Costs against a client as a result of suing an incorrect Defendant could be catastrophic. Medical negligence costs tend to be
extremely high. If you are considering taking the matter further, I would suggest that you take legal advice immediately. My husband Q. has had to have further surgery because the clip used to pin his heart during surgery was defective. Seemingly this product was by a supplied particular laboratory and recalled in May 2011. I feel very with the upset surgeon. Would my husband have any right of action against the surgeon?
A. This is a difficult question. Basically, physicians can legally distance themselves from the products they use where the physician is relying on representations made by the producers as to the safety of the product. In a case such as you describe, the hospital where the surgery was carried out and the physician who actually carried out the procedure, are unlikely to be attributed with blame for the choice of product. This however becomes significantly more blurred when it comes to cosmetic surgery. In some instances, cosmetic surgery clinics have the sole right to a particular product and, as such, the physician/surgeon in that case could possibly be attributed with choosing a faulty product as it might be the only product used for that particular procedure by the particular clinic. In a case such as you describe, any action is likely to be under the Liability for Defective Products Act and not as against the physician. Again, I would refer you to the earlier replies regarding the time limits involved in taking any such action.
Romaine Scally is the principal in the firm of ROMAINE SCALLY AND COMPANY SOLICITORS Main Street Tallaght, Dublin 24 TEL 4599506 FAX 4599510 email: legal@scally.ie
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DowLing coach DriVe a new entrY into the transport anD tourisM inDustY
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Dowling Coach Drive is a new entry into the passenger transport
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industry. The business was recently formed by Mr. norman Dowling
who has many years experience within the transport and tourism industry. The business is 100% Irish Family owned. Dowling Coach Drive offers a professional and quality service in Mercedes Mini Coaches with qualified owner/driver guides. Dowling Coach Drive provide the following services in 15/25 seater mini coaches. Airport Transfers, Corporate Private Hire, Business Events, Traditional Irish nights, Greyhound Racing nights and School Tours. Within the Tourist Industry Dowling Coach Drive provide the following tours, with Failte Ireland Approved Guides, and are available for Private Hire. Tours to Glendalough, Wicklow, Old Medevial City of Kilkenny, Dublin City Tour, Rock of Cashel,
Trim Castle/Monasterboice/ Mellifont Abbey, Clonmacnoice and Kilbeggan Distillery tour. Lunch can be arranged if required.
Dowling Coach Drive also provide transfers to all Major Cities around Ireland for a group weekend away to name but a few. Cork, Galway, Limerick, Rugby weekends, Belfast, and many more. As stated Dowling Coach Drive provide a range of services for all your needs so why not arrange a night our, a weekend away or a day trip to any of the above sites. Dowling Coach Drive as a new entry to a competitive market, would be delighted to quote on any of the above or a tour of your own choice. norman says he looks forward to the challenge in a very
competitive market, but would like to point our that it's not always about price, but above all it's about offering a professional and quality service, which Dowling Coach Drive aspires to.
The aim of Dowling Coach Drive is not to set standards but to create them.
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LocaL priMarY schooLs encourageD to participate in bLue star prograMMe Your FREE Local Newspaper
Dublin South West TD, Brian Hayes, has welcomed the launch of the Blue Star Programme, a new pilot programme for primary school pupils, which aims to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it affects our lives. Minister Hayes stated, “I was delighted to see the Blue Star programme being launched by the Government. At a time when the
European Union is facing difficulties, especially with regard to its single currency, it is important to remind ourselves of the value and benefits of the “European project”, both currently and historically. I think the Blue Star programme provides a perfect opportunity to provide young people with a perspective of Europe and Ireland’s role in it.” Minister Hayes continued, “From my own
experience of visiting schools across Dublin South West to discuss our democracy and political system, I believe this initiative will greatly enhance for young people their understanding of the European Union movement. The benefits of European unity to the wider European citizenship are manifold and include the creation of the common market; equality for women and minority
substance Misuse report weLcoMe, now is tiMe to act anD prioritise Young peopLe’s LiVes oVer inDustrY proFits will reduce their sales and profits, however, now is time for the Government to put the public health and well-being of children and young people ahead of any private or corporate interests” continued Mr Doorley. “The problem here is not young people, but the environment we have created where alcohol is cheap, easily available and heavily promoted: with alcohol readily available in almost every corner store and cheaper than bottled water, it is hardly surprising that children and young people in Ireland under 18 have among the highest levels of alcohol consumption and risky drinking in western
Europe.” “We support the recommendations in this report in relation to the issues around the price, availability and advertising of alcohol in particular. In relation to the introduction of a minimum unit price per gram of alcohol: all the independent evidence clearly demonstrates that the children and young people under 18 are price sensitive and that cheap drinks are particularly associated with binge drinking and heavy drinking. While in relation to availability, the reality is that we have a vastly greater number of outlets selling alcohol than before, making it much easier for young people under 18 to access
greater quantities of alcohol and more frequently.” “This report lays out a number of practical actions which the evidence shows can be taken to address these, and other related issues, resulting in a measureable reduction in alcohol related harm and deaths among young people.” “We cannot afford to wait any longer: the sooner we act, the more young people we can save from unnecessary alcohol related harm, the more families we can protect from unnecessary disintegration, and the greater the benefit to our economy and society as a whole,” concluded Mr Doorley.
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The national Youth Council of Ireland (nYCI) welcomed the report of the national Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group, but emphasised the need to act on its recommendations. “The practical, evidence-based measures outlined in this report present a great opportunity for Ireland to reduce alcohol misuse and to address alcohol related harm in particular among children and young people,” said James Doorley, Assistant Director of nYCI speaking at the launch. “We know that there will be resistance from the drinks industry to any measures which
groups including people with disabilities and implementation of standards on production & safety in the work place.” Minister Hayes concluded “I encourage all primary schools across the constituency to apply to participate in the programme and this can be done by emailing bluestar@europeanmovement.ie. Further information is also available from my office.”
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get on Your bike!
2012 will see members of the Laurels Charity Crew get on their bikes and cycle from Galway to Dublin again, all in aid of a great cause. The local charity organisation commenced its fundraising efforts a few years ago and since then has raised over €100,000 in vital funds for the children’s medical & research foundation (CMRF) based at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital. Straight Ahead: After learning about the great work that the charity organisation ‘Straight Ahead’ were doing through the CMRF the Laurels Charity Crew decided that in 2012 all money raised would go towards enabling this charity to carry out vital surgeries. Through the work carried out by Straight Ahead and the fundraising efforts of the laurels charity crew, children and young adults with severe spinal injuries are able to have life changing surgeries. The surgeries are performed free of charge by the team of surgeons involved and they’re completely reliant on charity support to fund the cost of these important procedures. Each surgery costs approx €15,000 and in 2012 the charities hope to raise enough money to cover the costs of 10 operations. The Road from here: Already, over 150 volunteers have signed up to cycle from Galway to Dublin over the course of two days in April. The training program has commenced and
south DubLin stuDents encourageD to enter coMpetition pathwaY into ‘ireLanD’s Most exciting inDustrY’
These X-Rays were taken within hours of each other the cyclists are dusting off their helmets in preparation. The laurels charity crew chairperson Denis McCarthy says “there’s a great sense of camaraderie between everyone that takes part. The cycle isn’t easy but it’s very rewarding when you get to the finish line, and of course it’s all for a great cause”. For the next few weeks the laurels charity crew will concentrate their efforts on raising more money, aiming to beat the 2011 total of over €60,000. As well as the cycle, there will be a women’s 10k walk, and auctions that have some money can’t buy prizes plus lot’s more. If you would like to donate money to this great cause or learn more about the fundraising efforts you can visit www.laurelscharitycrew.com
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The gaming industry offers South Dublin students some of the most viable and exciting career opportunities in Ireland today. That’s according to Dr. Stephen Brennan, Director of Marketing and Strategy with the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA), who was speaking earlier this week at the launch of the Irish leg of Dare to be Digital. Dare to be Digital is an international video games development competition for third-level students. In Ireland, it is coordinated by the DHDA, and supported by the north-South Cooperation Unit at the Department of Education and Skills.
“This competition offers students from South Dublin – and throughout Ireland – a foot in the door of the gaming industry, which – without doubt – is one of the most exciting and booming industries in the country,” said Dr. Stephen Brennan. “not only is it bucking the trend by creating jobs at a time of national recession, it is also continuously evolving in response to new technological developments. “Many of the jobs on offer in gaming today
didn’t even exist four or five years ago. And it’s not just those with technological or mathematical skills who should consider gaming as their choice of career – in addition to coders and programmers, it also presents opportunities for artists, designers, sound engineers, translators, marketers and animators. “The Government’s newly published Action Plan for Jobs names digital games as one of the industries that will receive support to double in size over the next two years. This means thousands of new jobs for those ready to take their place in this new workforce.”
Teams of five students – usually a mix of artists, programmers and audio specialists – can apply. Successful applicants will spend nine weeks at Abertay University in Scotland in summer 2012, developing prototype video games and receiving mentoring from industry experts. Participating students receive a weekly stipend of £150 each, free accommodation at the University’s halls of residence, and a team budget of £200. At the end of the competition, the
students’ prototypes are displayed at talent showcasing event Dare ProtoPlay. The general public and industry experts get to play and vote for the games. The three highest-scoring teams receive prizes of £2,500 and the chance to attend the BAFTA Video Games Awards to compete for the coveted ‘Ones to Watch’ award.
“This is a very real opportunity for South Dublin based students to make a name for themselves within the games industry,” said Dr. Brennan. “At Abertay, participating teams get to meet and work with mentors from some of the biggest names in gaming – companies like Sega, Sony and Rockstar. In terms of career development, participating in this competition is invaluable – not only do students get fantastic networking and mentoring opportunities, but they also get to develop a prototype game, which for many of them goes on to present a viable business opportunity.” Further information about Dare to be Digital is available at: www.daretobedigital. com.
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Jamie McCormick, Marketing Manager with Gala Networks Europe, Dr. Stephen Brennan, Director of Marketing and Strategy with the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA), “Angry Bird” (Student Shane Kavanagh), “Pacman” (Student Jason Yu), Alan Boyce, Chief Operating Officer at Nevermind Games, “Sonic the Hedgehog” (Student Cillian Bellew). Photographer Marc O'Sullivan
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19
haYes weLcoMes auDit oF speeD LiMits 20
Local Fine Gael TD and Minister of State, Brian Hayes has welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD that he is to conduct a nationwide audit of speed limits. Minister Hayes stated, “I welcome the announcement by the Minister. This audit is long overdue and is
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vital to ensure that all speed restrictions are both safe and sensible. The aim of the audit is to start overhauling the inconsistencies between different counties and regions and put and end to among confusion drivers. Although this process is expected to take some time, the audit will be a crucial
first step.” Hayes Minister continued, “Recent road safety measures like speed cameras and new drink driving laws have gone a long way towards improving road safety, however, we need to ensure that the right speed limits are in operation on the right roads. We all know of cases where speed
limits are inappropriately low or inappropriately high. There can be some confusion among about the drivers various speed limits which should and do apply, as well as the approach to speed limit signage on national, regional and local roads.” Hayes Minister
concluded, “Speed limit bands are set by the Minister for Transport, however, specific limits applied on particular roads are determined by local authorities, in consultation with the Gardai and in respect of national primary and secondary roads with the nRA. This audit will be conducted by the
nRA and local authorities in consultation with the Department of Transport and I would
encourage residents in Dublin South West to highlight their concerns to South Dublin County Council”
Minister Brian Hayes at the N81
are You reaDY For the uLtiMate chaLLenge?
DiscoVer Your iq as Mensa oFFers test in DubLin
Mensa are offering the people of Dublin the opportunity to attend a Mensa IQ Test session. Everyone who scores within the top two per cent of the population will be invited to join Mensa. new members would join the other 110,000 members of The High IQ Society based around the world; with over 22,500 Mensans based in the British Isles. A Mensa supervised IQ test session has been organised on Saturday 24 March (1.45pm) at St Conleth’s College for anyone interested in finding out their own IQ score for just €20.50. To reserve a place on the test you can book online by visiting the IQ Test section of the Mensa website at www.mensa.org.uk. Alternatively you can contact Helen Oliver on +44(0)1902 772 771 (option 1) or email bookatest@mensa.org.u k for more information. More information about Mensa and IQ testing can be found via the Mensa website at www.mensa.org.uk. Chris Tyler, Chairman of
British Mensa, says “there are a variety of reasons why people take the IQ test, whether it is simply curiosity or for the challenge, but many people are pleasantly surprised by their IQ score. A high IQ can also be beneficial when applying for university or for progression in the job market; it can make you stand out as a candidate.’’ Mensa currently has 1,000 members in Ireland and 75 members in Dublin. The society welcomes people from all walks of life, with the objective of enjoying each other’s company and participating in a range of social and cultural activities.
The society’s aims are to provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members; to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity; and to encourage research into the nature, characteristics and uses of intelligence.
to aDVertise in in anY oF our pubLications contact our saLes teaM on 01 451 3822 www.newsgroup.ie
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sociaL weLFare ‘Debit carD’ couLD heLp to cut Down on FrauD
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iMMigrant counciL’s Mentoring prograMMe LauncheD
Fine Gael Catherine noone said that the Government should consider introducing an electronic payment card, which would function like a debit card for those on social welfare. Senator noone added that such an approach could help to cut down on fraud within the social welfare system.
“We need to be looking at all possible options to reduce our social welfare bill, and cracking down on fraud is key to this. Under the
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague, launched a new Immigrant Council of Ireland mentoring programme which is aimed at supporting teenagers from migrant backgrounds. The new programme – ‘Ambassadors for Change’ – will be run by young people, for young people. Under the programme, volunteers aged 18 to 30 – who are, themselves, from migrant backgrounds – will be trained as ‘ambassadors’ and will then be matched with participating secondary schools. In these schools, they will be available to provide informal advice, guidance and support to students from migrant backgrounds – and to encourage them to do well, both in an academic and a social context. Anybody interested in volunteering with the ‘Ambassadors for Change’ programme – or any Dublin schools that would like to get involved – should contact the ICI on 01-6740202, Email: info@immigrantcouncil.ie.
system I am proposing, social welfare payments could be put directly onto a debit card, which could be used just like a laser card to buy goods and services. “The Government is hoping that fraud control measures will amount to savings of €625 million this year. Social welfare fraud is not a victimless crime; it undermines public confidence in the system and it means tax payers’ money is going to those who do not deserve it.
“By switching to a debit card system, it would be easier for the Government to ensure that State funds are being directed at those who need them most. To allow for a certain degree of flexibility, the system could allow a set amount of money to be withdrawn from an ATM each week. “A debit card system would ensure that those residing outside the State could not falsely claim welfare. It would also help to cut down on the black economy, by ensuring that most
social welfare funds are spent on legitimate goods and services.
“The debit card system could be implemented as part of a range of anti-fraud other initiatives being implemented by the Government, including data matching, identity checks and regular entitlement reviews. I would urge the Minister for Social Protection to introduce the social welfare debit card on a trial basis, to explore whether there is merit to the system.”
FunDing For cLonDaLkin anD Lucan FroM nta
Minister Frances Fitzgerald TD has welcomed the announcement of local funding from the national Transport Authority for public and sustainable travel. Speaking at the announcement, Minister Fitzgerald said “It is fantastic news that these funds are to be released. The improvement of Saggart Village Junction has been long overdue and the Old nangor Road has caused concern for student’s safety coming from Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain and Coláiste Chilliain." The national Transport Authority has released €426,000 in funding for local projects as part of a wider grant of €1.681 million for South Dublin County Council. Projects included in the Clondalkin and
Pictured at the launch were Irish-born Chinese woman Eva Pau; Hailuu netsiyanwa, who moved to Ireland from Zimbabwe when he was 14 and children’s TV presenter Diana Bunici, who is originally from Moldova (Pic: Marc O’Sullivan)
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Lucan area include part funding for the upgrade of Station Road and Saggart Village crossroads, improved pedestrian safety and traffic management on the Old nangor Road, the completion of permeability routes in Corkagh Park and access routes into Grange Castle Business Park. “I am especially pleased to see that €175,000 has been allocated to the design and planning of a new quality bus corridor into Grange Castle. This new route will be a significant boost and will further enhance the business park’s reputation, particularly as a key strategic investment site for the IDA.” concluded Fitzgerald.
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