Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has today been responding to the newly released Eurostat figures on youth unemployment.
Teachta Brady said:
“These Eurostat figures are extremely worrying and are in no way in line with the Government’s rhetoric of the economic recovery. Figures show that the number of young people not in education, employment or training stands at 19.7% that is compared to 11.9% in 2006.
“One of the first austerity measures taken by Fianna Fáil was to target young people by cutting their social welfare payment. They sent a clear message to young people to leave their families and their communities and to emigrate. They were not wanted.
“While this Government continue to pat themselves on the back for reducing unemployment figures, they are clearly not doing enough. There are almost 40,000 young people on the live register with 16,000 of these on the register for one year or more.
“The options for these young people are to either live on €100 per week or to emigrate. The current work schemes and programmes where a young person receives an extra €50 on their Jobseekers Allowance for working up on 40 hours per week is nothing but slave labour.
“While Fianna Fáil were quite successful in driving hundreds of thousands of young people out of this country, some still remain. These young people need to be in receipt of the full adult rate of €188 per week to allow them to have some kind of life while seeking employment. They should not be discriminated against because of their age.
“Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party have let young people down.
“Sinn Féin will continue to expose flawed work schemes as we have done with JobBridge and we will continue to call for the full restoration of social welfare payments for under 26s.”
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow john.brady@oireachtas.ie
Thursday, 18 August 2016
Wednesday, 17 August 2016
Katie Taylor is still the People's Champion
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has stated that Wicklow Olympian Katie Taylor is still the peoples champion and said that it’s not the last we will see of her.
“I want to pay tribute to Katie for representing us in the Olympics. I, like so many people are bitterly disappointed that it didn’t go her way. It does raise serious questions about the judging, but that’s for another day. Katie is in my mind the best ever Irish Athletes winning 5 World Championships, 6 European Championships, 5 European Union Championships and of course an Olympic gold in London, to name but a few”.
“Katie first won the European Championships back in 2005, so to stay at the top of her sport over such a lengthy period says it all about her calibre. Whilst things didn’t go her way in Rio, she is still the peoples champion and always will be. I know that with Katie’s hard work and dedication this is far from the last we’ve seen of her as she still has so much to offer”.
Teachta Brady concluded “Katie is a fantastic role model for so many young aspiring athletes and I know that she will still get a hero’s welcome when she arrives back home.
“I want to pay tribute to Katie for representing us in the Olympics. I, like so many people are bitterly disappointed that it didn’t go her way. It does raise serious questions about the judging, but that’s for another day. Katie is in my mind the best ever Irish Athletes winning 5 World Championships, 6 European Championships, 5 European Union Championships and of course an Olympic gold in London, to name but a few”.
“Katie first won the European Championships back in 2005, so to stay at the top of her sport over such a lengthy period says it all about her calibre. Whilst things didn’t go her way in Rio, she is still the peoples champion and always will be. I know that with Katie’s hard work and dedication this is far from the last we’ve seen of her as she still has so much to offer”.
Teachta Brady concluded “Katie is a fantastic role model for so many young aspiring athletes and I know that she will still get a hero’s welcome when she arrives back home.
Sunday, 14 August 2016
Brady urges people to have their say in setting the Property Tax rate in Wicklow
Sinn Fein TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady is urging local people to contact Wicklow County Council to request that the Council votes to decrease the Local Property Tax by the 15% amount allowed for in legislation.
Teachta Brady said that there is a window of opportunity between now and the end of August for local people to write in to the council requesting the reduction:
“The deadline for submissions is 12 noon on Friday 26th August. The council will then meet in September and take a decision on the LPT rate. In the past, Sinn Fein has been to the forefront in securing reductions to Local Property Tax rates across the Country but last year our efforts were thwarted when Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the majority of independent councillors on Wicklow County Council actually voted to increase the charge. We will be lobbying hard to convince fellow councillors in other parties and independents to support us this time out, however if the public join us by writing in to the council calling for a decrease, it will be much harder for those parties vote down our proposal.”
Teachta Brady said that homeowners have an opportunity to impact on a decision that will affect their pockets:
“A 15% reduction in the LPT could save some families as much as 100 euro depending on the value of their homes. At the very least, all home owners stand to benefit even a modest amount should the reduction be approved. This is money that could be spent in the local community on services, or spent in local businesses; many of whom are still struggling to survive. You can contact the council and have you voice heard by writing directly to - LPT Consultation, c/o Finance Department, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow Town or lptconsult@wicklowcoco.ie”.
The Wicklow/East Carlow TD concluded by saying “Sinn Féin is commitment to abolishing the Local Property Tax (LPT), it’s an unfair tax, not only is it unfair, it is also not working. Local authorities such as Wicklow County Council are struggling to provide basic services, leaving many people wondering where exactly their hard earned money is actually going”.
Teachta Brady said that there is a window of opportunity between now and the end of August for local people to write in to the council requesting the reduction:
“The deadline for submissions is 12 noon on Friday 26th August. The council will then meet in September and take a decision on the LPT rate. In the past, Sinn Fein has been to the forefront in securing reductions to Local Property Tax rates across the Country but last year our efforts were thwarted when Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the majority of independent councillors on Wicklow County Council actually voted to increase the charge. We will be lobbying hard to convince fellow councillors in other parties and independents to support us this time out, however if the public join us by writing in to the council calling for a decrease, it will be much harder for those parties vote down our proposal.”
Teachta Brady said that homeowners have an opportunity to impact on a decision that will affect their pockets:
“A 15% reduction in the LPT could save some families as much as 100 euro depending on the value of their homes. At the very least, all home owners stand to benefit even a modest amount should the reduction be approved. This is money that could be spent in the local community on services, or spent in local businesses; many of whom are still struggling to survive. You can contact the council and have you voice heard by writing directly to - LPT Consultation, c/o Finance Department, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow Town or lptconsult@wicklowcoco.ie”.
The Wicklow/East Carlow TD concluded by saying “Sinn Féin is commitment to abolishing the Local Property Tax (LPT), it’s an unfair tax, not only is it unfair, it is also not working. Local authorities such as Wicklow County Council are struggling to provide basic services, leaving many people wondering where exactly their hard earned money is actually going”.
Thursday, 11 August 2016
Ten Million Euro Investment in Rural Ireland is a Poor Start.
Sinn Fein TD for Wicklow East Carlow has said that government plans to invest ten million Euro into rural development is a poor start:
“The government has announced an investment programme of ten million Euro for rural Ireland. While all monies directed towards reinvigorating the rural economy is to be welcomed, this announcement suggests that the government really need to wake up to the realities of decline affecting rural towns and villages all over the country. Minister Heather Humphreys has accepted that this funding is not the ‘Silver Bullet’ needed to solve the challenges faced by rural Ireland. On this we agree – in fact, it is not even a wooden pellet never mind a silver bullet.”
Teachta Brady said that citizens deserve better than to be fobbed off by token gestures:
“Similar to the government’s paltry three euro increase to pensioners recently, this latest initiative is another example of delivering insults rather than results. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail together have proven to be a double whammy of ineffective and underfunded miscalculations. It is now an accepted reality that urban areas such as Dublin are disproportionately benefitting from our slow, unequal so-called recovery. Counties like Wicklow and Carlow are seeing little or no benefit, despite being on the capitals doorstep. This urban focus is exacerbating rural decline meaning small towns and villages in this constituency and across the country are left with boarded up businesses and a continued brain drain as younger people move away.”
“Sinn Fein have been calling for serious investment for years and have produced detailed costed plans covering everything from providing adequate medical and ambulance services, decent transport services, village and town investment plans to broadband and Infrastructure. If we are going to invest, let’s do it properly and in a way that will have a real impact. Ten million Euros might sound like a lot of money but when it is divided up between 200 villages and towns, it will barely cover the cost of cutting the grass on village greens.”
“The government has announced an investment programme of ten million Euro for rural Ireland. While all monies directed towards reinvigorating the rural economy is to be welcomed, this announcement suggests that the government really need to wake up to the realities of decline affecting rural towns and villages all over the country. Minister Heather Humphreys has accepted that this funding is not the ‘Silver Bullet’ needed to solve the challenges faced by rural Ireland. On this we agree – in fact, it is not even a wooden pellet never mind a silver bullet.”
Teachta Brady said that citizens deserve better than to be fobbed off by token gestures:
“Similar to the government’s paltry three euro increase to pensioners recently, this latest initiative is another example of delivering insults rather than results. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail together have proven to be a double whammy of ineffective and underfunded miscalculations. It is now an accepted reality that urban areas such as Dublin are disproportionately benefitting from our slow, unequal so-called recovery. Counties like Wicklow and Carlow are seeing little or no benefit, despite being on the capitals doorstep. This urban focus is exacerbating rural decline meaning small towns and villages in this constituency and across the country are left with boarded up businesses and a continued brain drain as younger people move away.”
“Sinn Fein have been calling for serious investment for years and have produced detailed costed plans covering everything from providing adequate medical and ambulance services, decent transport services, village and town investment plans to broadband and Infrastructure. If we are going to invest, let’s do it properly and in a way that will have a real impact. Ten million Euros might sound like a lot of money but when it is divided up between 200 villages and towns, it will barely cover the cost of cutting the grass on village greens.”
Fianna Fáil continue to go against their own commitments – Brady
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has said that Fianna Fáil labelling themselves as the ‘main party of Opposition’ is laughable.
Teachta Brady said:
“Fianna Fáil announcing themselves as the main party of opposition in the papers today is bizarre. If Fianna Fáil actually see their party as leading the way in the opposition they are doing a very poor job.
“What are they in opposition with to Fine Gael? They are following in their footsteps in everything they do be it the water charges, rent certainty or bin charges to name but a few.
“Fianna Fáil are not in opposition to the Government in fact, they may as well be in Government. The clear position they held on opposing water charges in the run up to the election is a distant memory for them. The rent certainty they called for as part of their own party policy is no more. Again and again, they have gone against their own commitments, their voters and party policies to join forces with Fine Gael.
“Sinn Féin is the only actual opposition party in the Oireachtas. We are standing up for ordinary working people, we are standing over the mandate we were given be it the strong message of abolishing water charges or the need for rent certainty for struggling families.
“Fianna Fáil were reckless in Government and as the so-called ‘main party of opposition’ they are no better.”
Teachta Brady said:
“Fianna Fáil announcing themselves as the main party of opposition in the papers today is bizarre. If Fianna Fáil actually see their party as leading the way in the opposition they are doing a very poor job.
“What are they in opposition with to Fine Gael? They are following in their footsteps in everything they do be it the water charges, rent certainty or bin charges to name but a few.
“Fianna Fáil are not in opposition to the Government in fact, they may as well be in Government. The clear position they held on opposing water charges in the run up to the election is a distant memory for them. The rent certainty they called for as part of their own party policy is no more. Again and again, they have gone against their own commitments, their voters and party policies to join forces with Fine Gael.
“Sinn Féin is the only actual opposition party in the Oireachtas. We are standing up for ordinary working people, we are standing over the mandate we were given be it the strong message of abolishing water charges or the need for rent certainty for struggling families.
“Fianna Fáil were reckless in Government and as the so-called ‘main party of opposition’ they are no better.”
Little Bray Floodplain development must be halted
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow and party spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady has called on Minister of State Sean Canney to do his job in relation to high density buildings being developed on a floodplain at the Dargle River in Little Bray, County Wicklow.
Speaking today, Teachta Brady said:
“The community group SWAP in my constituency have been working tirelessly against proposed high density buildings being developed on a floodplain at the Dargle River in Little Bray.
“The idea of such a vast development being put in place on a floodplain is madness and defies basic common sense.
“As the site is currently owned by NAMA and they are actively selling off their portfolios, there is a real pressure on SWAP to reach the desired and proper outcome.
“It is important to say that this community group are not opposed to development in the area they simply want the high density development to be built on the higher ground away from the floodplain at the same site.
“SWAP are campaigning to prevent development on this floodplain for years. They have experienced flooding on numerous occasions in the past and are extremely worried about it reoccurring. This community is largely made up of older people and people with disabilities. These are some of the most vulnerable people in our community who are simply trying to protect their homes.
“Having been unsuccessful in receiving any reply from Minister Canney up to now, I am calling on him to engage with the community group.
“I have put this request in writing to the Minister today and I hope I will not be left waiting as this group have.”
Speaking today, Teachta Brady said:
“The community group SWAP in my constituency have been working tirelessly against proposed high density buildings being developed on a floodplain at the Dargle River in Little Bray.
“The idea of such a vast development being put in place on a floodplain is madness and defies basic common sense.
“As the site is currently owned by NAMA and they are actively selling off their portfolios, there is a real pressure on SWAP to reach the desired and proper outcome.
“It is important to say that this community group are not opposed to development in the area they simply want the high density development to be built on the higher ground away from the floodplain at the same site.
“SWAP are campaigning to prevent development on this floodplain for years. They have experienced flooding on numerous occasions in the past and are extremely worried about it reoccurring. This community is largely made up of older people and people with disabilities. These are some of the most vulnerable people in our community who are simply trying to protect their homes.
“Having been unsuccessful in receiving any reply from Minister Canney up to now, I am calling on him to engage with the community group.
“I have put this request in writing to the Minister today and I hope I will not be left waiting as this group have.”
Lone Parents' access to education must be improved - Brady
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has called on the Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar to reverse changes made by his predecessor Joan Burton TD that deny lone parents access to education.
Teachta Brady said:
“The barriers created for lone parents by Fine Gael and Labour has been highlighted this weekend by Erica Fleming, a homeless lone parent who has been refused the Back to Education Allowance after securing a place in Trinity College.
“Last year, those in receipt of One-Parent Family Allowance with children over the age of seven lost the payment. Erica Fleming was just one of these people and was transferred to Family Income Supplement. Under the One-Parent Family Allowance Erica would have been entitled to Back to Education Allowance under Family Income Supplement she is not.
“As a part-time worker receiving Family Income Supplement lone parents do not qualify for the Back to Education Allowance. In fact they need to be unemployed for 234 days to receive the allowance.
“As a direct consequence of changes made to lone parents last year Erica Fleming is being denied the opportunity to be educated because of the social welfare payment she receives. Her social welfare payment is preventing her from accessing education and this must be rectified immediately.
“The Back to Education Allowance should do just that, it should be an incentive to return to education instead, welfare policies for lone parents are barriers to employment and to education.
“It makes no sense whatsoever that access to education is only available to lone parents who lost their One Parent Family Payment if they are unemployed for 234 days.
“Both my office and Deputy Louise O’Reilly’s office are working on this matter. We have contacted Minister Varadkar directly this morning and we await his reply.”
Teachta Brady said:
“The barriers created for lone parents by Fine Gael and Labour has been highlighted this weekend by Erica Fleming, a homeless lone parent who has been refused the Back to Education Allowance after securing a place in Trinity College.
“Last year, those in receipt of One-Parent Family Allowance with children over the age of seven lost the payment. Erica Fleming was just one of these people and was transferred to Family Income Supplement. Under the One-Parent Family Allowance Erica would have been entitled to Back to Education Allowance under Family Income Supplement she is not.
“As a part-time worker receiving Family Income Supplement lone parents do not qualify for the Back to Education Allowance. In fact they need to be unemployed for 234 days to receive the allowance.
“As a direct consequence of changes made to lone parents last year Erica Fleming is being denied the opportunity to be educated because of the social welfare payment she receives. Her social welfare payment is preventing her from accessing education and this must be rectified immediately.
“The Back to Education Allowance should do just that, it should be an incentive to return to education instead, welfare policies for lone parents are barriers to employment and to education.
“It makes no sense whatsoever that access to education is only available to lone parents who lost their One Parent Family Payment if they are unemployed for 234 days.
“Both my office and Deputy Louise O’Reilly’s office are working on this matter. We have contacted Minister Varadkar directly this morning and we await his reply.”
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