Wicklow County Council to hold a Special meeting to discuss the Housing Crisis in the County

Wicklow County Council is set to hold a special meeting on Monday to
discuss the Housing Crisis in the County which has seen an all-time
high of 4,154 families looking for social housing from Wicklow local
authorities.

Cllr Brady stated "I am glad that the housing crisis that’s affecting
so many people in Wicklow is at last getting the recognition that it
deserves at council level. I have been speaking about the problem with
housing for a long time now and unfortunately it has fallen on deaf
ears. The current housing policies of Fine Gael/Labour are compounding
the problems for families who are on housing lists with the local
authorities in Wicklow. The Government has adopted a policy of
building no more council houses and the level of funding provided to
local authorities for housing related purposes has been slashed. In
2009 Wicklow received €15m for Housing projects, this year the
allocation is just €2.4m and the Housing Adaptation grant for people
with disabilities has been cut by 40% from €954,794 last year to
€567,117 in 2013."

Cllr Brady continued "Applicants on the housing list are soaring for a
number of reasons. The main reason being the failed housing policies
which the government is perusing, also because of the age structure of
the population. The cuts to the rent allowance is also forcing people
out of private rented accommodation. There are 2,700 people in receipt
of Rent Supplement in Wicklow at a cost of €16.3m which is paid to
private landlords. The amount paid to people has been slashed, however
private landlords have not dropped rents to reflect this and the
shortfall has to be made up by the tenants which is causing huge
difficulties."

Brady went on to say "What we need is action to tackle the housing
crisis. We have 4,154 families on waiting lists, 2,700 on Rent
Supplement and 490 on the Rental Accommodation Schemes. This state is
in a continuing housing crisis which is leaving the worst off in our
society sleeping on couches and raising their children in unhealthy,
damp and crowded conditions. The government is turning a blind eye to
this, more interested in paying someone else’s bank debt than
providing for the rights of its people."

Brady concluded "We need a Social Housing Initiative which will
stimulate the building and construction industry, both through funding
additional dwellings and increasing expenditure on repairs and
maintenance. This will help stimulate businesses which supply
construction materials and help to retain jobs in the industry. The
state must use the Pension Reserve Fund, the European Investment Bank,
incentivised investment from the private pension sector and social
housing bonds to raise funds to start to end this crisis finally.
According to CSO figures there are 5,422 vacant dwellings in Wicklow,
these also need to be utilised as an emergency way of dealing with the
housing list of which over 25% are waiting 5 years or more to be
housed. I will be raising all these issues at the special Council
meeting on Monday and also seeking a meeting with Minister for Housing
Jan O'Sullivan." Ends

Action needed as Child injured by a Horse in Bray Housing Estate

Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady is calling for action to be taken by
the local authorities in Wicklow to deal with the issue of horses
within housing estates. This follows a recient incident in a housing
estate in Bray where a child was kicked by a horse.

Cllr Brady stated "On Monday last a child who was walking across
public open space in the Fassaroe estate in Bray was kicked by a horse
that was being kept in the area. Thankfully the child was not
seriously injured, however it is only a matter of time before someone
is seriously injured if immediate action is not taken by the local
authorties in Wicklow to deal with this problem that has dramatically
increased over the last number of years."

Cllr Brady continued "I have been contacted by residents from across
Wicklow in relation to horses that are being kept within housing
estates, it has become a very serious and dangerous problem
particularly in urban areas. There are problems with the horses
straying, roaming, causing danger on roads and being ridden without
proper restraint by underage riders. Under the Control of Horses Act
1996 the County Council is responsible for the control of horses
within their area. Wicklow County Council has the power to appoint
authorised persons to deal with any problems relating to the control
of horses. Authorised persons have the power to seize and impound
horses, impose an on-the-spot fine and take court proceedings against
owners."

"I don't have any problems with responsible people keeping horses once
they have the proper facilities to do so. Keeping them within housing
estates is totally inappropriate and dangerous and has to be stopped.
It is creating huge problems not only with regards to public safety
but also for animal welfare. Local authorities must tackle this
problem before a child is seriously injured or worse." Ends

Letter to the Editor in relation to comments made by Wicklow Fianna Fail PRO Stephen Kearon following the death of Margaret Thatcher

A chara,

I feel compelled to write this letter out of total disgust at a number of Tweets that came from Wicklow Fianna Fáil PRO and former Government Advisor to the rejected former Minister Dick Roche, Stephen Kearon following the death of Margaret Thatcher. On Monday last following the death of former British Conservative Prime Minister Maggie Thatcher the Fianna Fáil mouth piece posted a number of disgraceful tweets saying “Thatcher deserves our gratitude for ensuring Provo thugs & criminals who didn’t like prison food deservedly died painfully” he followed this with another message saying “Sands is now burning in the eternal fires of hell, just what his kind deserves”

These messages are obvious references  to the 10 Hunger strikers who died in the H-Blocks in 1981 at the hands of Thatcher. I think these messages coming from the PRO of Wicklow Fianna Fáil and former Government Advisor give us a good insight into the thinking of the so called ‘Republican Party’ that is Fianna Fáil.

We should be mindful of the legacy that Margaret Thatcher leaves behind and the hurt and pain that Thatcher inflicted on the Irish and British people during her time as British Prime Minister. Her role in international affairs was equally belligerent whether in support of the Chilean dictator Pinochet, her opposition to sanctions against apartheid South Africa; and her support for the Khmer Rouge. She also brought huge amounts of pain on ordinary working people in Britain through her Poll Tax and her prolonged attempts to destroy both the Unions and the Coal Mining industry in Britain.

Here in Ireland her espousal of old draconian militaristic policies prolonged the war on our island and caused great suffering. She embraced censorship, collusion and the killing of citizens by covert operations, including the targeting of solicitors like Pat Finucane, alongside more open military operations and refused to recognise the rights of citizens to vote for parties of their choice. Her attempts to criminalise the struggle for Irish freedom will be what she will be most despised for here in Ireland. This British policy was fought in the prisons in the 6 Counties by republican prisoners who engaged in the Blanket protest and the Dirty Protest. Unfortunately these protests culminated in the Hunger strikes of 1980/81 which seen 10 Irishmen die painful deaths at the hands of Thatcher and her Government.

Margaret Thatcher died on 8th April the day before the 32nd anniversary of the election Of Bobby Sands as an MP for Fermanagh, South Tyrone, he received 30,492 votes in contrast to the 57 votes that Wicklow Fianna Fáil mouth piece Stephen Kearon received when he went before the people of Wicklow in the Local elections of 1999.

It is no wonder consecutive Irish Governments abandoned the people of the 6 Counties when you have anti-Irish, Thatcherite apologists such as Stephen Kearon giving advise to them. I think the irony of the fact that Kearon is a member of the Erskine Childers Fianna Fáil Cuman goes right over Kearon’s head. Was Childers a ‘Criminal’ or a ‘thug’ for his involvement in the fight for Irish Freedom or for his involvement in weapons smuggling on the Asgard. Surly if you follow the twisted logic of Kearon, Thomas Ashe and Terence McSweeney who both died on hunger strike where also ‘criminals’ or ‘thugs’ is he also glad that they died painfully at the hands of the British.

Thankfully due to the peace process Ireland is a changed place and the vast majority of Irish people are working hard to build a better Ireland. Unfortunately there are still some bitter twisted people living in the past. I am calling on Fianna Fáil grassroots members to disassociate themselves from the comments made by Stephen Kearon. I believe the insight given by Kearon takes us deeper into the thoughts of Fianna Fáil at the highest levels. Fianna Fáil failed the hunger strikers much the same way as they have failed the people of the 6 Counties since the partition of our Country. They need to stop flying the ‘Republican’ flag of convenience, because for as long as they have Thatcherite, Anti-Irish, Right Wing Conservatives in their ranks such as Stephen Kearon they will be little more than west Brit lackies implementing the same failed policies of Maggie Thatcher.

Is mise le meas

Cllr. John Brady

63 Kilbride Grove

Bray

Co. Wicklow

087-0666780

Wicklow County Council adopts The Katie Taylor Bursary Sports Scholarship scheme

Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has welcomed the adoption of the Katie Taylor Bursary sports scholarship by Wicklow County Council. The bursary is intended to provide an opportunity to study at third level to persons who may not be in a position to undertake a course of study, because of serious disadvantage. The scholarship is aimed at marking the huge achievement of Katie Taylor at London 2012 by winning a gold medal.

Speaking after the adoption of the sports scholarship scheme Cllr Brady said "After the extraordinary achievements of Katie Taylor at the London 2012 Olympics by winning a gold medal i proposed that Wicklow County Council mark the achievement by putting in place a sports scholarship as a lasting memory of Katies fantastic achievement. In the past Katie has been given the freedom of Wicklow and numerous civic receptions by the County Council. I felt that it would be fitting that something would be put in place to help other people out that may have an outstanding sporting ability but may find it difficult to go on to third level education due to their circumstances."

Cllr Brady continued "My proposal was taken up by the protocol committee and a lot of work was done on the issue by Lorraine Gallagher to get it to this stage. At the council meeting on Monday i was delighted to formally propose the adoption of the Katie Taylor Scholarship which was subsequently unanimously adopted by the council. The bursary will see an award of €1000 to the successful applicant for each academic year over a 3 year period, each year a new applicant will be selected. The primary aim of the bursary is to assist students who face significant barriers to progress in education and is intended for students with outstanding sporting ability." 

Cllr Brady concluded "I believe this is a great initiative that not only marks the achievement's of Katie Taylor at last years Olympics in London but it will help ensure that young people can follow their dreams and ambitions through sport."

Brady tells Bray Town Council not to be hypocrites and to secure their site on Killarney Road

Wicklow Sinn Fein councillor John Brady has told Bray Town Council to secure their site at Kilbride Lodge, which is on the Killarney road. The site is owned by the council and is currently being used for high levels of antisocial behaviour.

Cllr Brady said "I am calling on Bray Town Council to immediately move to secure the old Kilbride Lodge site which is currently being used for antisocial behaviour. The activities on the site are effecting neighbouring houses in both Glenthorn and Ballywaltrim Cottages. The council secured the site a number of years ago under Part V of the Housing Act and had planned on using it for badly needed social housing. Unfortunately the current policies of the Fine Gael, Labour Government have put an end to the construction of new council housing by all local authorities."

Cllr Brady continued "Since the council secured the site it has lay in a state of dereliction and it is currently used for the keeping of horses, drinking parties and illegal dumping. It is also being used to target the nearby houses of Glenthorn and Ballywaltrim Cottages and the residents lives are being made a living hell by the activities on site."

"I am calling on Bray Town Council to immediately have their site secured and cleaned up. The council cant be hypocrites on issues such as this. In the past they have taken action against private landowners under the Derelict Sites Act for having their sites in similar conditions and the council need to lead by example and set standards that they want private landowners to follow."

Cllr Brady concluded "Ultimately i want to see the site developed to meet the high demand for social housing that exists right across Wicklow and i will continue to put pressure on both Fine Gael and Labour to reverse their crazy no build policy. In the past the problem in Bray was the lack of council owned land to develop social housing, that has changed, the council has over the last number of years acquired a number of land banks for that purpose. Whilst we are waiting for a change of policy to allow these sites get developed for the purpose they where obtained, the council need to ensure that their land is not impacting negatively on the community. The council should explore the possibilities of allowing the site to be used by the community in the interim period, it has been suggested that this would make an ideal community allotment and this should be explored." Ends 

Brady calls for an emergency extension to the fuel allowance payment

Wicklow Sinn Fein County Councillor John Brady has called for an
emergency extension to the fuel allowance payment for the elderly and
those in receipt of social welfare payments. Brady wants the
government to reverse the cut of 6 weeks to the payment which was
introduced in Budget 2012.

Brady stated “The fuel allowance payment to the elderly and those on
social welfare is an essential payment of €20 a week to help cover the
cost of heating the family home. The Fuel Allowance season was reduced
by 6 weeks in Budget 2012 from 32 weeks to 26 weeks for all
recipients; it’s now paid for 6 months from mid-October to mid-April.
The last payment is due in two weeks; however there is no end in sight
to the cold weather”

Brady continued “The reduction of 6 weeks for the payment coupled with
higher fuel prices and the coldest March in 50 years has left
vulnerable people struggling to heat their homes.”

Brady went on “It has been estimated that 3,000 excess winter deaths
of people aged over 65 were recorded in Ireland between 2005 and 2009,
over 400 were directly linked to the temperature inside their homes. A
survey released in December found that more than half of older people
in Ireland go without food or clothing in order to meet the costs of
heating their homes. Almost one in ten older people surveyed said they
use their ovens to provide extra heat during cold snaps.”

Cllr Brady concluded “I am appealing to the Minister for Social
Protection Joan Burton to provide an emergency extension to the fuel
allowance. I am also calling on Wicklow Labour TD Anne Ferris to come
out of her self imposed exile and take a stand on this issue. Ferris
had been very vocal on this issue in the past and very critical of the
previous government. However there has been nothing from her in
relation to the cut of 6 weeks to fuel allowance that her government
imposed, she can now make amends for that by demanding an emergency
payment to the most vulnerable.”

Sinn Féin in government will repeal the Family Home Tax – Brady

Sinn Féin in government will repeal the Family Home Tax – Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has welcomed the Sinn
Fein bill to repeal the Family Home Tax that was introduced to the
Dail this week and said his party is committed to repealing the tax if
in government after the next general election.

Speaking after the launch of the Financial Local Property Tax Repeal
Bill Councillor Brady said:

“This bill is a key part of Sinn Fein’s alternative to austerity for
lower and middle income families. These families have borne the brunt
of austerity budget after austerity budget under Fianna Fáil and Fine
Gael/Labour.  They need a break.

“This tax was signed off on by Fianna Fáil and has been taken up by
the Fine Gael and Labour. There are a wide range of alternatives as
Sinn Féin has consistently pointed out.

“The method of collection of this new tax is brutal. Those who are
accepted as being unable to pay face a 4% penalty next year while
those who can’t pay but are not recognised as being unable to pay face
a 8% penalty. The government will raid salaries, social welfare
payments and pensions to extract this tax on the family home.

“We know the reality that one in four mortgages are in distress yet
these same households who may be in negative equity and have paid
stamp duty now face this extra tax. That is blatantly unfair.

“We saw in last week’s list of exempted ghost estates just how few
exemptions will be tolerated.

“Sinn Féin in government will repeal this tax. Our bill would refund
the tax paid by citizens for the year in which it is scrapped.

“This bill which has been introduced on the floor of the Dáil this
week and will be debated during our Private Members’ Time at the
earliest opportunity.

“We will continue to campaign across the state to win support for this bill.”