Louth County Council are to receive a funding boost to assist them with the costs of running their bring banks and other recycling facilities according to local Fianna Fail Senator, James Carroll.
“Louth County Council will receive funding of just over €213,450 from the Government’s Environment Fund to help to meet the costs of running the recycling facilities including bring banks around the county.”
“The Environment Fund exists as a result of the plastic bag and landfill levy. It is important that everyone can see that these levies go directly back to helping the environment.”
“It is essential that everyone plays their part in protecting the environment and recycling household waste goes a long way. The provision of accessible and convenient recycling centres is vital if people are to be encouraged to recycle so I am delighted that this extra support is being given to Louth County Council for this.”
“I would like to commend all of the staff at the recycling centres in Louth who provide this excellent service,” concluded Senator Carroll.
Apprentices should be mobilized in a national effort to help people whose homes and businesses have been damaged by the current flooding, according to new Fianna Fáil Senator James Carroll.
The proposal for a Community Rebuilding Project from the Louth Senator would benefit apprentices who need further work experience to qualify in their chosen trades and it would also provide them with invaluable on the job experience.
Apprentices training to be plumbers, electricians, and carpenters should be organised in the project that will benefit the worst areas affected by flooding, he says.
Senator Carroll explained:
“I have submitted my proposal to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD and I am calling on her to adjusting the terms of the Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme as part of Government’s response to the flooding crises, while also assisting redundant apprentices.
Senator Carroll said the amendments that he has proposed would allow registered trainers working in the flood-impacted regions take on increased numbers of redundant apprentices under the scheme.
The Employer Based Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme, which is run by FÁS, was introduced by the Government to give redundant apprentices the opportunity to complete the on-the-job phase of their apprenticeship. Under the scheme, the Government supports employers to take on a redundant apprentice when the employer’s existing apprentice has been released to attend a scheduled off-the-job phase of apprenticeship. Senator Carroll has asked the Tánaiste to amend the scheme rules to allow employers who are FÁS registered trainers take on additional numbers of redundant apprentices with Government support.
Senator Carroll said, “Thousands of apprentices have been made redundant over the past two years and many are unable to get the required on-the-job work experience to qualify. It is clear that in the flood impacted regions there will be significant demand for carpenters, plumbers and other trades people as communities set about repairing their homes and businesses. A change in the rules could allow the Government support more apprentices get their papers and ease the pressure and costs associated with the repair work that is already getting underway”, concluded Senator Carroll.
“The Athlone FAS office for instance should use local Athlone apprentices so that the scheme is benefiting as many local people as possible, that is, both local apprentices and the victims of flooding.”
Senator Carroll likened the proposal as an opportunity for people to recreate the Trojan effort put in by Irish people every year abroad as part of the Niall Mellon Township Trust.
“Irish people travel in their hundreds every year to help build houses as part of the Niall Mellon Irish Township Trust and they can build 200 houses in one week.”
“We have tens of thousands of apprentices out of work and wishing to qualify right now and I think this is an ideal opportunity to get them out working, in the interests of the people in their own communities.”
ENDS
Commuter Survey reveals serious concerns
Cllr James Carroll’s survey of commuters highlights key areas that need to be addressed by Iarnród Éireann if they are to keep customers
Ahead of the re-opening of the Belfast to Dublin rail line on November 16th, new Louth County Councillor James Carroll conducted a survey of Drogheda and east Meath commuters which revealed major concerns and issues that must be addressed in the short term if Irish Rail are to retain their customers.
“The main findings of my survey reveal that CIE customers want key areas improved; namely the need for additional evening express services, the requirement for a seat like they get on the bus at present and the overall level of customer service from cleanliness to being informed of delays to becoming a customer-centred company in the true sense of the word”, Cllr Carroll added.
“A recurring theme throughout this survey is that rail- commuting for too long has been stressful; whether that stress is struggling to find parking spaces to rushing on and off platforms to being forced to stand half way to Drogheda. This quality of life issue needs to be tackled if Iarnród Éireann are to retain their customers.”
“I must, however, put on record my thanks to Drogheda Station Master Des Howard and the staff in Drogheda Train Station who have been both courteous and helpful during this three month major headache for them as much as the commuters. They can only work with what they have got. CIE chiefs need to sit down and review the entire commuting structure for the north east”.
“As a commuter to Dublin myself, I can empathise with the findings in this survey and I will be forwarding my survey document to CIE senior management and the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey. These are the people that can make the key decisions to improve the rail service and the quality of life of thousands of north-east commuters,” Cllr Carroll added.
In conclusion, I am calling for:
(1) A complete overhaul of their timetable. The current stagnation of the timetable is no longer acceptable in 2009. Changes to the timetable are needed to take account of demand and passenger convenience. For example, we need at least two new evening express train services from Dublin to Laytown and Drogheda.
(2) A re-analysis of the pricing structure whereas Drogheda and Laytown customers are forced to pay higher than Balbriggan customers even though they share the same train whereas Bray customers get the Dublin rate. Alternatively, if Louth and Meath commuters are forced to pay this higher price, they should get a superior service (ie) let the DART service until Balbriggan Station and have Commuter Train’s first stop be Gormanston/Laytown.
(3) Strict standards to be in place regarding late trains and informing customers of when late trains are due.
(4) Increase capacity so more seats are available. Irish Rail need to investigate the European model of having longer carriages for the platform to guarantee a seat to fare paying customers.
(5) Open up new points of entrance/exit from the platform in Drogheda, instead of people crushing through a single door in the evenings.
(6) This crisis has revealed the complete lack of a public transport option to and from Drogheda train station. People have no option but to drive there.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Cllr James Carroll at 087-7535653
Survey Results
| Alternative Irish Rail Service |
50% |
| Bus Eireann Service |
13% |
| Private Bus Service |
25% |
| Private Car |
10% |
| Other |
2% |
| Better |
70% |
| Worse |
12% |
| No difference |
18% |
| Timetable |
62.00% |
| Can get to work/home quicker |
62.00% |
| Morning Express Service |
49.00% |
| Evening Express Service |
53.00% |
| Comfort and condition of seats |
76.00% |
| Ability to get a seat |
91.00% |
| Internet acess |
9.00% |
| Other |
9.00% |
4. What would Irish Rail need to do to persuade you to go back onto the train (ie) any improvements required? (This was an open question with a blank comment box)
| Introduce an evening express service |
49% |
| Introduce another morning express service |
40% |
| Have longer trains with more carriages |
46% |
| Have warmer and cleaner trains |
20% |
| Analyse pricing structure/courtesy rebate for last 3 months |
25% |
| Improve customer service |
18% |
| Introduce integrated ticket for use on rail and bus |
15% |
| Force CIE senior management to commute Drogheda to Dublin for a period of time |
14% |
| Other |
6% |
Contact Senator James Carroll, Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Dublin 2
Tel: 01-6184374
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