Just over 600 farmers in Co Louth will start to receive payments under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme this week, according to local Fianna Fáil Cllr James Carroll.
“Over €1 million will be paid to Louth farmers under the Scheme.”
“The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, has confirmed to me that the Disadvantaged Area Payments will start this week.”
“The Scheme is worth in the region of €220 million to more than 100,000 farmers across the country.”
“Payments in the region of €800 million will also start to be issued under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme on October 16, a full six weeks earlier than is provided for under the rules of the Scheme.”
“As well as earlier payments, the level set for the amount of the advance payable is an unprecedented 70 per cent.”
“Agreement for the advance payment was negotiated Minister Smith with his colleagues in the EU in order to facilitate farmers cash-flow difficulties following the bad weather this summer, as well as other factors.”
“The 30 per cent balancing payments will begin to be issued from the start of December.”
“Any farmers who have received correspondence from the Department of Agriculture should respond to any outstanding issues as soon as possible because their applications cannot be cleared until all issues are resolved,” concluded Cllr Carroll.
ENDS
A chara, I am encouraging you to vote YES to Lisbon.
The voting for the Lisbon Treaty Referendum is on from 7am-10pm on Friday, October 2nd. I am urging you to Vote Yes because:
(1) Irish neutrality…Secured
For Ireland’s troops to be used in any peace-keeping mission, the Irish government, the Dáil and the UN must support it. The EU has given an absolute commitment that Ireland’s neutrality will not be changed at all.
(2) Taxation…Secured
Nothing on the Treaty can be used to impose new taxes. In over 50 years of European Treaties, all such guarantees have been fully honoured.
(3) The Irish decide on social/moral issues…Secured
Never has the EU once interfered in the social or moral issues of a country. For any group to say that the EU could force abortion or euthanasia on the Irish people is ridiculous. Proof of this is Bishop Noel Treanor on behalf of the Hierarchy saying on September 18th that “a Catholic can, without reserve and in good conscience, vote Yes for the Lisbon Treaty”.
(4) Irish Commissioner…Secured
This was one of the main arguments of the No side the last time. The Irish government listened to the people and have secured the retention of an Irish Commissioner. If we vote No, we will lose our Commissioner under the terms of the Nice Treaty.
Finally, the EU has been good for:
- women (equal pay and maternity leave emerged from EU legislation).
- the environment (EU directives on tackling air and water pollution).
- workers’ rights are stronger (EU has legislated against discrimination over promotions in the workplace because of your age, sex or disability).
Many groups including the Irish Hotels Federation, Special Olympics Ireland CEO Mary Davis, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary along with all major companies, trade unions and women’s groups are urging a Yes vote. I urge you to VOTE YES TO LISBON and say YES TO EUROPE.
Regards,
Cllr James Carroll
Older people and people with disabilities will receive assistance from the Government from this week to help them meet the cost of their fuel bills during the winter months, according to local Fianna Fáil county councillor James Carroll.
“More than €400 million will be spent by the Government this winter supporting those most in need people in our communities with their fuel bills,” Cllr Carroll said.
“The fuel allowance will start to be paid this week to more than 334,000 long-term social welfare recipients across the country.”
“Among the people who qualify for the payment are State pensioners, widows, and people with disabilities, all of whom can be vulnerable to the effects of harsh winter weather.”
“The Government extended the payment by two weeks this year to 32 weeks, and the rate was also increased by €2 to €20 per week.”
“Many people will also benefit from the electricity allowance or the payment towards gas usage costs.”
“Anyone who thinks they may be eligible for the fuel allowance or one of the other fuel assist payments can contact the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The relevant form is called a NFS 1 and it is available on line at www.welfare.ie and from all local post offices,” Cllr Carroll concluded.
ENDS
The Higher Education Access Route is now available to students attending all secondary schools in Ireland, according to new Louth VEC member, Cllr James Carroll.
“Up until now the Higher Education Access Route has only been available to students attending DEIS schools but it is now available to students in the 730 secondary schools around the country,” Cllr Carroll said.
“This scheme broadens access opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds in County Louth wishing to go on to third level education. It has been working very effectively since 2000 and the numbers of participating students have increased from 175 in its first year to 682 this year.”
“This expansion of the scheme is in recognition of the fact that education disadvantage affects a cross section of people across our local communities and cannot be confined to certain areas.”
“Under the Higher Education Access Route, the seven universities, DIT and the seven colleges of education allocate a quota of places on a reduced points basis across all academic areas. Students who secure one of these places are offered a range of academic and personal supports while at college.”
“This year for the first time school leavers who wish to apply for the scheme can do so online as part of the CAO application process. Applications open from November 1 and a dedicated website www.accesscollege.ie has also been launched to provide information about the scheme.”
“I am delighted that this scheme is now open to all students. I hope that it will benefit many students from Louth in years to come”, he added.
ENDS
Local County Councillor James Carroll will attend Wednesday’s Oireachtas Transport Committee which is due to discuss the collapse of the Dublin-Belfast train line’s viaduct at Malahide.
The chairman of CIE John Lynch and other Iarnród Éireann officials are due to appear in front of the transport committee next week to answer questions about the incident.
“I have been informed that the line will re-open at the end of November. We will wait and see if this timetable can be delivered,” said the new local councillor who is a commuter himself.
Original plans not to re-build the fourth pier, the one that collapsed, and instead replacing with a span between piers three and four, have been scrapped in favour of rebuilding it. The weir underneath the piers is currently being repaired. A crack allowed the water flow to be disturbed which, in turn, undermined the pier that eventually collapsed.
Piles as deep as 20 to 30 metres will be driven to support the rebuilt pier and the other piers will be strengthened.
“The Summer’s heavy rain could have been a factor in the viaduct’s collapse and it is could be a serious cause for concern elsewhere and I will try to get some of my questions answered so that we can ensure that disruption is minimised and normal service can resume as soon as possible,” Cllr Carroll added.
ENDS
Contact Senator James Carroll, Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Dublin 2
Tel: 01-6184374
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