2020 Wish List

A lot has been achieved in 2019,however as we face into a new year and a new decade there are a few things that i hope to work towards over the next 12 months. My 2020 wish list is achievable with a bit of hard work, commitment and a new government.

Housing however is still currently the biggest issue in the County and will continue to be in 2020. Unfortunately, homelessness is continuing to grow, in the month of October alone, 43 families in Wicklow presented to the Council as homeless. This consisted of 100 adults, and 71 children. There are currently 4,388 people on the Council list for housing support, that’s up from 3,941 in November 2018. Renters in Wicklow have also seen a 11.9% increase in rents in the last year and the average price of a home in Wicklow is up 3.1% in the same time period. It is clear that Rebuilding Ireland has failed, we need new policies to address this crisis, however it is clear that only a new government can actually start to deal with the crisis.

Wicklow has largely been ignored and forgotten by this government. There has been no investment in our rail network and critical road infrastructure like the upgrade of the N81. In 2020 we need considerable investment in our public transport system in Wicklow. it is not sustainable only to focus on increasing the N11 to a 6-carriage motorway, it is also not sustainable for people to have to wait until 2027 before any decision is taken to end the nightmare facing motorists on a daily basis. I don’t believe that further destruction of the Glen of the Downs to widen the N11 is the solution to the congestion on it. The entire process of tackling the issue needs to be fast-tracked and public transport needs to be central to it. We also need the inclusion of the N81 and a light railway to Blessington in the National Development Plan.

Unfortunately, more jobs have been lost in Arklow with the recent announcement that Rondo Foods was going to close in the town. Wicklow Town and Arklow have higher levels of unemployment than other areas in Wicklow. We immediately need an Unemployment task force to be established to help bring jobs to Arklow and Wicklow Town.

In the New Year I would also like to see moves to address to need for more public amenities across the County. Blessington needs to get its badly needed swimming pool, a home needs to be found for Vartry Rowing Club and we need to progress the development of a Sports Campus in Bray.

Our health service is failing our citizens badly, waiting list are growing and more and more citizens are lying on hospital trollies. In 2020 we need to put in place a health service that is fit for purpose, one that doesn’t force organisations like Purple House Cancer Support or St.Joseph’s Dementia Care Home to have to mount public campaigns to try securing the funding they need to continue doing the fantastic work they do. Funding must be provided to Purple House and St Joseph’s and we need to see the long-awaited Primary Health Care Centre in Arklow proceed.

With Brexit now, a reality I believe it will have negative repercussions for our Island. I now think the case for Irish Unity is stronger than ever. We need to start planning for the reunification of our Country, in 2020 the debate needs to start, and plans need to be made for a referendum.

Finally, it looks inevitable now that the long-awaited General Election will be held early in 2020. I was honoured and indeed humbled to have been elected in 2016 to the Dáil to represent Wicklow. Over the last 4 years I have worked hard for Wicklow and have given workers and families a strong voice in the 32nd Dáil. I’m delighted to have been chosen again as a candidate to contest the upcoming election and I look forward to talking to people from right across Wicklow in the coming weeks and months to seek their support again.

Public consultation launched on proposal to deal with Wicklow dump that is getting washed into Irish Sea

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has welcomed the public consultation process that has commenced by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on plans to address the Old Bray landfill on the North Beach in Bray that is being washed into the sea. The consultation process is taking place prior to the detailed design and construction of the coastal protection project.

Welcoming the consultation process Teachta Brady said “I’m delighted that after campaigning for the last 13 years to get a resolution to the serious environmental problem at the old landfill at North Beach in Bray, things are now progressing. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has opened a consultation process which is taking place prior to the detailed design and construction of the coastal protection project. The council has chosen a preferred option and this is now on public display.”

“The old dump contains more than 104,000 cubic metres of waste including, broken asbestos tiles, and excessive levels of ammoniacal nitrogen, potassium and manganese. Due to coastal erosion the old landfill has been getting washed into the Irish Sea, causing an environmental disaster.”

“The proposed work consists of the placing of an armourstone revetment at the toe of the cliff at the landfill and stabilising the cliff face above by re-grading to a long term stable slope. The work will prevent contaminated material reaching the foreshore. It is proposed to maintain beach access by means of a path along the cliff top and a set of access steps down through the revetment at the northern end.

Bray Sinn Féin representative Grace McManus said “Addressing the environmental disaster at the old Bray landfill has been a priority for Sinn Féin for many years. It’s a huge achievement to get plans to address the erosion at the dump to this advanced stage. The public consultation process is open until December 14th and people can view the proposals on the website for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, https://dlrcoco.citizenspace.com/infrastructure-climate-change/coastal-protection-measures-at-the-former-bray-lan/. It’s critical that once the plans are approved that work commences as quickly as possible.”

Teachta Brady concluded “It’s been a long process to get to this stage. We need to finally close the destructive environmental chapter. I will continue to lobby the Minister to ensure that the funding is in place to allow the work proceed without delay once the plan is approved. “Ends

Brady welcomes agreement on use of premises for Wicklow rough sleepers for cold weather initiative

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has welcomed the news that Wicklow County Council has finally secured the use of a premise that will be used over the winter months for rough sleepers in the County.

Teachta Brady welcomed the news and said “This is welcome new and brings an end to many months of hard work to get agreement on the use of the premises. Full credit must go to the housing staff in Wicklow County Council who have worked tirelessly on this issue. The premises in Bray will be used as part of the cold weather initiative for the Counties rough sleepers. This is something I’ve worked closely with the council on as it’s badly needed as the number of rough sleepers continues to grow.”

“It is anticipated that it will be open in the next couple of weeks, however with the weather getting colder it’s important that it will be done as quickly as possible.“
Teachta Brady continued “This is good news and a big well done to the council for working on this and securing the premises. Rough sleepers will be referred to the premises which will have a team in place to manage it. I would also like to pay tribute and thank all the groups across the County working with our homeless people particularly all the team in the Bray Area Rough Sleepers Support group (BARSS) for all the work they do for rough sleepers in the Bray area.

“We need now to put emergency accommodation in place permanently for the homeless and I will continue to work with the council on this as there is a chronic shortage of suitable emergency accommodation in Wicklow.”

Teachta Brady concluded “Wicklow Sinn Féin will again this year be holding our annual Christmas homeless shoe box appeal for homeless people in the County. Boxes can be dropped into either the Bray or Arklow Sinn Féin office anytime between now and Dec 21st, or by contacting any of the Sinn Féin team across the County, these will be then distributed to homeless families and individuals.”

Concern as National Transport Authority confirm they are proposing to privatise the 133 Bus Éireann route

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has expressed serious concerns about the 133 Bus Eireann route after the NTA confirmed to him that the route is on a list that may be privatised. The NTA have informed the Sinn Féin TD that they are proposing that route 133 be included in a package that will be removed for Bus Éireann’s contract and be competitively tendered

Speaking after receiving the news from the NTA Teachta Brady said "I am very concerned for the future of the 133 Bus Éireann route. In correspondence I received back from the NTA they inform me that they are proposing that the 133 be included in a package of routes that will be removed from Bus Eireann’s contract and competitively tendered”.

“In October the NTA said that they intended on to tendering out another 10% of Bus Éireann routes with the intention of Direct Award Contracts for public bus services from December 2019”.

“Recently we have seen the straightening out of the 133 route, the bus no longer goes through Bray town centre, nor does it stop at places like Barrindarrig. I warned that the changes were being made so the route would be more attractive for the private sector; it certainly wasn’t done for the public. Unfortunately that prediction now seems to be becoming a reality”.

Wicklow East Sinn Féin representative Muireann Dalton said "Handing over millions of taxpayers money to private Corporations whilst at the same time paying workers a pittance is nothing less than a State supported race to the bottom".

“The determination of the NTA, supported by the Thatcherite ideology of the Fine Gael-led Government, to aggressively attack semi-state jobs cannot be allowed to go unchallenged by those from across the political spectrum that profess to oppose the privatisation of State services”.

Teachta Brady said “Sinn Féin is completely opposed to the privatisation of our public transport services. As part of the consultation process which is currently underway we submitted a comprehensive submission outlining our opposition to the privatisation of more Bus Éireann routes”,

Muireann Dalton concluded “I have organised a public meeting to oppose the privatisation of the 133 route and to discuss other issues within our public transport service. It will take place on Thursday 22nd November in the Parkview Hotel in Newtownmountkennedy at 7pm and all are welcome”.

Brady says that the vacant Wicklow District Hospital could be used temporarily as an alternative to the Grand Hotel for refugee accommodation

Speaking in the Dáil today Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady sharply criticised the expansion of the Direct Provision system by opening a new accommodation centre in the Grand Hotel, Wicklow Town. He also said that the vacant Wicklow District Hospital in Wicklow Town could be used to provide temporary accommodation if needed, whilst the Direct Provision system is dismantled. Teachta Brady has called on Wicklow TD and Minister for Health Simon Harris to work with the Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration David Stanton to make it happen.

Teachta Brady said “Since I broke the news about the Grand Hotel being used as a Direct Provision Accommodation centre, it has angered a lot of people about the impact the loss of the hotel would have on Wicklow Town and the tourism industry. Today I raised the issue directly with the Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration David Stanton in the Dáil and offered him a temporary solution whilst the Direct Provision system is dismantled. ”

“I outlined my opposition to the shameful and totally unacceptable Direct Provision system and that it needs to be dismantled. I also outlined the concerns about the loss of Wicklow Towns only hotel and the impact it will have.”

"Whilst criticising current Government policy and the opening of the Direct Provision centre in the Grand Hotel, I also provided the Minister with a temporary solution to provide accommodation to refugees if there are capacity issue in the current system.”

“The government forcibly closed the doors to Wicklow District Hospital in Wicklow Town in 2010, citing a dubious report. The vacant premises is in State ownership, close to all services and I believe that it could be brought on stream very quickly. A small amount of work may be required, but this could be done cheaply and quickly, and it would ensure we don’t lose our only hotel.”

“Minister Stanton has given a commitment that he would explore my proposal. Wicklow TD Minister for Health Simon Harris needs to immediately work with the Minister Stanton on this proposal and make sure it happens, ensuring that Wicklow Town’s only Hotel remains open.”

“Direct Provision is the incarceration of innocent people; it’s often called the Magdalene Laundries of our time and with good reason. The proposal I have given the Minister would mean moving away from paying for accommodation from the private sector, but also allow us to develop secure, safe, publicly provided accommodation that is suitable to the needs of asylum seekers.”

Teachta Brady concluded “We also need to ensure that the process for seeking asylum is not so long and torturous, and that asylum seekers can have their applications processed within a reasonable timeframe. This in turn would free up accommodation.”

Opening of Direct Provision accommodation centre in the Grand Hotel, Wicklow Town is a retrograde step-Brady

A number of Wicklow Sinn Féin public representatives have voiced serious concerns regarding plans from the Reception and Integration Agency to extend the Direct Provision system and open a new accommodation centre in the Grand Hotel in Wicklow Town. They describe Direct Provision as “basic denial of human rights” and have called for the system to be “dismantled”.

Speaking after receiving news that it has been proposed by the Reception and Integration Agency to open a new Direct Provision accommodation centre in the Grand Hotel, Wicklow Town, Sinn Féin TD John Brady said “I am deeply concerned that rather than trying to dismantle the shameful and totally unacceptable Direct Provision system, this government is expanding the number of centres that are currently operated.”

“Direct Provision is incarceration of innocent people, most of whom are at the most vulnerable points in their lives. We hear daily more stories of cramped, hostile and sometimes dangerous conditions within these centres. The average stay in Direct Provision is 2-3 years with many staying much longer. For the Department to open another centre in the Grand Hotel in Wicklow Town in the midst of public outrage at the system is to show utter contempt for public opinion and refugees rights alike.”

Muireann Dalton who is the Sinn Féin representative for Wicklow Town said “There are 35 accommodation centres operated across the State and the plan to open a new centre in the Grand Hotel in Wicklow Town is a retrograde step and it reflects an attitude which in previous years created the dreadful Magdalene laundries and the industrial schools.”

“People seeking asylum are welcome in County Wicklow. Our party policy is to end Direct Provision and to provide more humane, human rights based approach to supporting refugees. The department's latest move on this is in stark contrast to this position. Those with responsibility must deliver for those seeking refuge in our County.”

Bray Sinn Féin representative and member of the North Wicklow says No to Direct Provision group, Grace McManus said “Direct Provision is often called the Magdalene Laundries of our time and with good reason. Centres are often referred to as ‘holding camps’ and ‘sites of deportability’. Similarly, the Free Legal Advice Centre states that these privately owned centres, administered by this Government, constitute a ‘direct provision industry’, which makes a profit on direct provision.

“It's a privatised system, initiated by Fianna Fáil, run by highly profitable private companies making over €50m a year. There remains no accountability or transparency and no clear process of tendering for these centres. There are no support services or expertise amongst staff working on sites.

Deputy Brady concluded “The system of Direct Provision is a basic denial of human rights. The system has been in place for 17 years. It was originally intended to accommodate asylum seekers for six months, but the reality is that many people have had to grow up in Direct Provision.”

“The International Protection Act which was meant to solve this catastrophic system appears now to have been nothing but a Trojan horse. It has put Direct Provision on a permanent footing. Direct Provision must be scrapped. There are other models which can be looked at and which NGO’s such as the Irish Refugee Council, Doras Luimní, and Nasc have been proposing. We need to introduce a new system which treats people humanely; a system we can be proud of rather than feel shameful of.”

“The opening of a new Direct Provision centre in Wicklow Town will not serve the vulnerable people arriving in Ireland seeking International protection, nor will it serve the recently launched Wicklow tourism strategy. The only people it does serve are those private entities making millions out of this system and it needs to be scrapped.”

Irish Rail need to immediately remove barrier to new schools-Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has called on Irish Rail to immediately reopen public access from the Bray Harbour area to the new Coláiste Ráithín and Ravenswell schools that are located on the old Bray Golf Clubs lands.

Teachta Brady said “Access to the new Coláiste Ráithín and Ravenswell schools from the Bray harbour area for pupils is a critical part of the overall plans that were approved for the construction of the schools. Irish Rail need to immediately remove a palisade they erected blocking the access under the railway line to allow students and teachers get to school.”

“There has always been public access under the railway line at this location. It was temporarily blocked off during construction of the Dargle flood protection scheme, with the intention of having it reopened. Having access to the new schools from this location was a critical part of the planning permission that was granted for the Coláiste Ráithín and Ravenswell schools. Provision was made for pedestrian and bicycles along with restricted vehicular access. This was deemed necessary to alleviate any potential traffic problems on the Dublin Road due to the relocation of the two schools.”

Teachta Brady continued “Unfortunately when access at this location was temporarily restricted to the public during construction of the schools, Irish Rail erected a palisade fence across the newly constructed footpaths and roadway. Students who could use this entrance have to make a long detour to get to the schools on the old golf club lands. It’s also estimated up to 70 students could be dropped off to the harbour area to walk from there to school if the access was open. This would result in up to 70 less cars using an already busy Dublin Road.”

“I have been in contact with Irish Rail, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Wicklow County Council on this issue over the last few weeks with a view of having this issue resolved. Whilst Irish Rail needs to ensure that the railway line is protected, I believe that the measures that have been put in place in the area are more than adequate to ensure that this is the case. The current situation is crazy, a new roadway along with footpaths and cycle lanes have been constructed on both sides of the fence which was erected by Irish Rail. They need to remove the fence and open the critical artery to the schools immediately.”

Important milestone in addressing chronic traffic congestion on M11 as ARUP consultants appointed-Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has welcomed as an important milestone the appointment on Tuesday of ARUP consultants start the design process of the M11 upgrade project. The appointment of the consultants follows the needs assessment report that was published in 2017. The report recommended the upgrading of the M11 to 3 lanes.

Speaking after discussions with the National Roads Design Office Teachta Brady said “The appointment of ARUP consultants to start the design process of the M11 upgrade is an important milestone and will be warmly welcomed by the many thousands of road users caught in lengthy and growing traffic jams along the M11 on a daily basis. The appointment of ARUP on Tuesday starts the design process that will see the M11 upgraded to 3 lanes.”

“Over the coming weeks a dedicated project website is to be set up to keep people informed of the project. A public consultation day is also to be organised, this will be held locally and it’s anticipated that it will happen in December. It’s important that people engage at the early stages of the design process, and I urge people to attend this consultation day once the date is set.”
“It’s important that this critical project progresses as swiftly as possible, and the government need to ensure that funding is ring-fenced to ensure that once the design and planning process is exhausted that it can proceed to construction without delay.”

Brady continued “I also welcome the progress on the developing the parallel service road in Kilmacanogue. It’s hoped to move to the tendering stage with that project in the coming weeks, this will hopefully see the appointment of a contractor to carry out the works over the coming months. This will finally address the lethal situation at the service station on the southbound lane on the M11 in Kilmac. There are issues regarding pedestrians using the M11 that need to be addressed however.”

Teachta Brady concluded “The traffic congestion on the M11 is having a big negative impact on Wicklow and its citizens and the upgrade of the M11 is crucially important to allow the County develop economically and socially. The road upgrade is not the panacea to all the traffic problems however; we also need to see progress on extending the LUAS to Wicklow and ultimately the Metro. We also need urgent movement on the N81 upgrade scheme that has been shelved and I will continue to lobby the Minister on the project.” Ends

Time for Fianna Fáil to put up or shut up on Donard Post Office-Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has said that he is disappointed with the decision to go ahead and close Donard Post Office by the independent reviewers. Brady also questioned the independence of the reviewers and said that it’s now purely a political decision that will keep open or close Donard Post Office.

Speaking this week after An Post confirmed that following the review or a substantial number of appeals to the independent review body the closure of Donard post Office will now go ahead at the end of December Teachta Brady said “Whilst I’m deeply disappointed with the decision taken by the review group to go ahead with the closure of Donard post office, I’m not surprised. The review group just looked to ensure that the criteria that was laid down by An Post was adhered to when the decision was taken to close the post office. It didn’t look at the social or economic impact the decision would have, nor did it look at alternatives such as community run post offices.”

“Unbelievably it was An Post that informed the many people this week by post that the decision to close Donard post office was upheld and not the independent review body where the many appeals were sent to. It was a standard template reply that didn’t address the individual points that were made; I believe that the entire review process lack credibility and calls into question the independence of the entire process. The full review document, detailing how each point we made was dealt with, in particular the points about population and distance for over one third of the community from the replacement post office should now be made public.”

Teachta Brady continued “From the outset it was apparent that only government action would save all 159 post offices earmarked for closure in this round of cuts. Despite all the talk from Fianna Fáil TDs about keeping the post offices open, it was surprising not to see any provision in the recent Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil negotiated budget to ensure Donard and the other post offices remain open. With a change of Minister and the commencement of discussions on the Confidence and Supply arrangements between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, this is now where the focus will be. It is now time for Fianna Fáil to stop trying to ride two horses, they need to put up or shut up and ensure that Donard and the other post offices remain open”.

Teachta Brady concluded “The Government must act to save these post offices, they can’t be silent bystanders and allow the heart be ripped out of rural Ireland. I look forward to welcoming members of the Save Donard Post Office Group to the Dáil next Tuesday when they will take their protest to the Minister for Communications Richard Bruton, arriving with a convoy of tractors and 4x4’s.”

Decision to deport Bray child 8,000 miles must be revoked-Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has said that common sense must prevail in the case of 9 year old Bray native Eric Zhi Ying Mei Xue who is facing deportation to China.

Speaking after raising the issue again with the Justice Minister Teachta Brady said “For over a year now I have been working on this case for Eric and his mum, it’s devastating to think that having spend his entire life in Bray that someone can make a decision to up heave him and send him over 8,000 miles to the other side the earth. Eric was born in Ireland, and has gone through school here, all his friends are here. He is Irish and knows nothing else”.

“I have made numerous appeals to the Justice Minister over the course of the last year for him to revoke the deportation order on humanitarian grounds. It’s fantastic now to see the entire community row in behind the campaign for Eric to stay here in his home, nearly 37,000 people have signed a petition that was launched only a few days ago”.

“Clearly there is something wrong with the system that allows something like this to happen. In 2004 Sinn Féin and I campaigned against the Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution which was introduced by the Fianna Fáil–Progressive Democrat coalition and supported by Fine Gael. The change resulted in children born on the island of Ireland to parents who were both foreign nationals no longer had a constitutional right to Irish Citizenship. I opposed that change then because it was inevitable there would be serious repercussions”.

“I have again appealed to the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to see common sense here and revoke the deportation and allow Eric to become an Irish citizen and stay in his home with his friends and family.”

Slow progress made in meeting educational needs in West Wicklow

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has welcomed progress that has been made in providing a new extension onto Blessington Community College in West Wicklow; he however said that the process needs to be fast-tracked to meet the educational needs of the area.

Teachta Brady said “The current situation with Blessington Community College is totally unacceptable. The school has been awaiting a badly needed extension now for a number of years. A large number of pupils are taught in prefabs, many of which aren’t fit for purpose. The educational needs of the area are also growing at a rapid pace, putting more pressure on the school.”

“I’ve had a number of meetings with the Kildare Wicklow Educational Training Board (KWETB) about Blessington Community College. The Schedule of Accommodation which lays out the needs of the school into the future have been signed off. The approval of a design team for the new extension is now awaited.”

“As this is a lengthy process the KWETB has agreed to replace some of the older prefabs that aren’t fit for purpose with new modern ones. They will also provide four additional classes to cater for the expanding needs of the school. A planning application to Wicklow County Council is to be made in the coming weeks for the new prefabs. An application to the Dept. of Education for funding to carry out essential works in the school is also to be made.”

Teachta Brady “Blessington Community College is a fantastic school with fantastic teachers; unfortunately the facilities aren’t to the level they should be. I welcome that action is now finally been taken to address the educational needs of Blessington. I however don’t believe that any child should be taught in a prefab, so the entire process needs to be fast-tracked. If not it could be another 3 years before the badly needed extension is finally delivered.”

Teachta Brady continued “I will continue to engage with the Department of Education and the KTETB to ensure this critical educational project is delivered for Blessington.” End

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has described Budget 2019 as “a Budget for booming banks and vulture funds”.

Teachta Brady said the government is attempting to buy the votes of the people with the scraps from the table while the real prizes have been given to landlords and those profiteering from the housing crisis. Today’s Budget represents a major let down. Minimal additional supports have been offered across the health, education, welfare and housing areas.

Teachta Brady said: “Despite the hyped up Fianna Fáil rhetoric that Budget 2019 would be a Housing Budget, the figures indicate that only a paltry additional €120m has been allocated for capital investment in housing for 2019 above existing commitments.

“This will only deliver just 490 additional new social homes on top of what was already committed to. The government real social housing target for 2019 is now only 7,900 and falls well short of what is needed.

“We need a target of at least 10,000 new social homes very year. Which Sinn Féin has provided for in our Alternative Budget.

“Meanwhile, 19,430 subsidised private rental tenancies will be used to meet social housing need. 70% of the governments social housing targets for 2019 are subsidised private units, once again confirming their over reliance on the private rental sector.

“As for the €89m announced for affordable housing via the site services fund, €75m of this is carry over from 2018. This means just €14m in additional funding is being allocated for affordable housing in 2019. Despite all the boasting from Fianna Fáil in recent days, all they will have delivered in their budget negotiations is a paltry 350 affordable homes above what was already committed by Government.

“The budget also contained paltry increases for traveller specific accommodation and adaptation grants. There was also no mention of a latent defects fund to assist those living in badly built properties bought during the boom years.

“The Government also ignored the needs of struggling renters. They have granted an unnecessary tax relief to landlords while doing nothing to reduce rents or halt rent increases.

“This Budget is just a continuation of the failed housing policy of Rebuilding Ireland and the government’s over reliance on the private rented sector in particular to deliver insecure social homes.

“Today, they could have sided with the tens of thousands of people unable to access secure or affordable housing. They could have stood with the homeless, those on Council waiting lists or those struggling to rent or buy. Instead they turned their backs on those in need making it clear that the cosy coalition of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are unwilling or unable to tackle the housing crisis.”

Sinn Féin motion of no confidence in the Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy will be debated in the Dáil on Tuesday September 25th.

Sinn Féin motion of no confidence in the Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy will be debated in the Dáil on Tuesday September 25th.

Speaking ahead of the debate Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady said “Fine Gael’s housing policies are not only failing to tackle the housing crisis, they are actually making things worse. They have been in office for seven years and during that time homelessness has reached unprecedented levels. During their first term of office they slashed investment in social and affordable housing and cut staffing levels in Council housing Departments.

“Their current flagship housing policy, Rebuilding Ireland, has been in place for two years and the crisis shows no sign of abating. The plans underinvestment in social and affordable housing and over reliance on the private sector to meet social and affordable housing need repeats the mistakes of previous Fianna Fáil administrations with the same disastrous results.

“Eoghan Murphy has been Minister for Housing for 15 months. During his tenure, homelessness has increased 25%, child homelessness has increased 34% and pensioner homelessness has increased by 40%. Rents and house prices continue to rise well beyond affordable levels. Tens of thousands of homes lie vacant across the state. Real social housing output in 2018 will actually be lower than in 2017. Not a single affordable home has been delivered by any Government scheme under his watch. And private sector supply is in the main overpriced and unaffordable.

“Meanwhile, the Minister responsible attacks Local Authorities, local councillors, and opposition parties in the Dáil for the failures of his Government. During his months in office, he has opted for spin over substance and, crucially, has not been willing to accept that his policies are failing.

“The true test of a Minister is that, when Government policy is not working, they have the courage to go to cabinet and propose a change of course. Instead, Minister Murphy continues to defend the indefensible. He is so out of touch and out of his depth that he doesn’t even realise that what he is doing is making the crisis worse.

“In light of all of this, Sinn Féin believes that he must go, but so too must Rebuilding Ireland. Our motion of no confidence makes clear that we need a change of Minister and a change of policy. Without both of these things, the housing crisis will continue to get worse.

“It is disappointing that Micheál Martin has so far refused to support our motion. If Fianna Fáil are content to allow a failing housing plan and failing Housing Minister to remain in place, that is a matter for them, but their support for Minister Eoghan Murphy and Rebuilding Ireland will come at a cost; increased homelessness, every greater number of peoples locked out of secure and affordable homes, ever growing social housing waiting lists, and rising government expenditure on subsidising social housing tenants in the private rented sector. Given that this was Fianna Fáil policy from 2007 to 2011, maybe it is not so surprising that they are willing to back Fine Gael on this issue.”Ends

For more information contact: Teachta John Brady 085-8546464

Note: The Motion of No Confidence will read as follows:

This Dáil notes that

Fine Gael have been in office for seven years and during that time homelessness has increased to unprecedented levels, house prices and rents have spiralled out of control, and tens of thousands of households are unable to access secure and affordable homes

Rebuilding Ireland has been in place for two years and has clearly failed to address the causes of our housing crisis. Underinvestment in social and affordable housing and over reliance on the private sector has exacerbated the crisis

Eoghan Murphy has been Minister for Housing for 15 months and, on his watch, homelessness has increased 25%, child homelessness has increased 34%, pensioner homelessness has increased 40%; rents have increased 7% and house prices 6%, and social housing delivery remains glacial, not a single affordable home has been delivered by any central government scheme, private sector output in the main is overpriced and unaffordable, and vacant housing stock remains higher than the norm in comparable countries.

This Dáil

Does not have confidence in Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy and calls for him to be removed from office

Calls on the Government to accept that Rebuilding Ireland has failed and to urgently introduce a new housing plan that will meet social and affordable housing need through an ambitious programme of public housing provision and tackle homelessness through a greater focus on prevention and reduction of the length of time adults and children spend in emergency accommodation.

Community of Donard vow to fight closure of local Post Office

Over 120 people attended a public meeting in Donard organised by Sinn Féin TD John Brady and have vowed to fight to save their local post office. The post office in Donard is one of 159 named by An Post to close in the coming months.

Speaking after the meeting Teachta Brady said “I was delighted to see over 120 people pack the Donard Community Hall. Members of the community and I had organised the meeting to discuss the planned closure of the Donard post office by An Post.”

“It was a very positive meeting and many speakers outlined how important the Post Office is to Donard for social and economic reasons. It is a vital lifeline for the village of Donard and the wide catchment area that it serves.”

Teachta Brady continued “There was unanimous support that we would fight to retain the vital service. The Donard Post Office Action Group was set up and a number of events are planned in the coming weeks. A submission will be made on behalf of the community to the Independent Review body established to deal with the planned closure of the 159 post offices across the State. Members of community will be also encouraged to make submissions before the deadline of 28th September.”

“Over the coming week’s pressure will also be put on the Government and Government TD’s. The Government must act to save these post offices, they can’t be silent bystanders and allow the heart be ripped out of rural Ireland. Is this part of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 plan to develop rural Ireland, by destroying rural communities and increasing rural decline with the removal of local services? ”

Sinn Féin representative for West Wicklow Aidan Kinsella said “If Minister Naughten is serious about reversing rural decline then he must intervene to save these post offices from closure. A plan must be put in place to allow that post office remain in its own premises or for another local business to take it over.”

Teachta Brady concluded “I would encourage all communities facing a post office closure to appeal to An Post through their review mechanism which can be done in writing to review@anpost.ie or Independent Reviewer, An Post GPO, Dublin 1.”

Public meeting to be held in Donard to oppose closure of local post office

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD in conjunction with the local community of Donard have organised a public meeting to discuss the proposed closure of the local post office. The post office in Donard is one of 2 Wicklow post offices out of 159 rural post offices that face closure by An Post.

Teachta Brady said “An Post’s retirement deal is a very worrying development for rural communities and will no doubt lead to further decline of services in rural Ireland. Under An Post’s plans for Wicklow, the post offices in Donard and Coolboy face closure. I have been working alongside the community in Donard since An Post’s plans were first leaked a number of weeks ago. We are not prepared to sit back and allow a vital lifeline in Donard close.”

“As a first step in the campaign to save our rural post offices we have organised a public meeting. It will take place in Donard Community Hall on Thursday 30th August at 8pm,”

“An Post has an integral role in servicing communities, Donard and Coolboy will be seriously impacted as a result. The Government must act to save these post offices, they can’t be silent bystanders and allow the heart be ripped out of rural Ireland. Is this part of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 plan to develop rural Ireland, by destroying rural communities and increasing rural decline with the removal of local services?”

Sinn Féin representative for West Wicklow Aidan Kinsella said “If Minister Naughten is serious about reversing rural decline then he must intervene to save these post offices from closure. A plan must be put in place to allow that post office remain in its own premises or for another local business to take it over.”

“I would encourage all communities facing a post office closure to appeal to An Post through their review mechanism which can be done in writing to review@anpost.ie or Independent Reviewer, An Post GPO, Dublin 1.”

Teachta Brady concluded “Our post office network is a vital piece of social, community as well as business infrastructure which must be protected if rural Ireland is to thrive. I would encourage members of the community to attend the meeting on Thursday evening to discuss the planned closure. A further public meeting is the be held in Coolboy area to make plans to fight the closure of the post office there.”

Statutory planning notice for Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant to be published on 5th September-Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has welcomed confirmation that Irish Water is to publish the statutory planning notice for the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant. It is intended to be published on the 5th September in both a local and national newspaper. The application will be subsequently lodged directly to An Bord Pleanala.

Speaking after receiving confirmation from Irish Water Teachta Brady said “The news that we are at a very advanced stage in the planning of the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant is great news for Arklow. Following my ongoing engagement with all the agencies responsible for delivering the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant, Irish Water has confirmed to me that they intend on publishing the statutory planning notice on the 5th September. The planning notice will be published in a local and national newspaper.”

“This is an important milestone for this critical infrastructural project that has unfortunately held Arklow’s full potential back for 20 years. The plan will involve the construction of the Wastewater Plant on the site of the old Wallboard factory on North Quay, Ferrybank for a planned equivalent population of 36,000. Once the statutory planning notice is published on 5th September, the application will be subsequently lodged directly to An Bord Pleanala. It is intended that the application will be available to the public for inspection from approx. 20th September for a period of 7 weeks.”

Local Sinn Féin councillor Mary McDonald also warmly welcomed the news and said “Since I was first elected as a councillor the sewage treatment plant has been one of my top priorities, I welcome the news which has been a long time coming. There is however some concerns locally regarding plans to carve off sections of the river bank along South Quay. Irish Water has also informed my colleague Teachta Brady that their application doesn’t include these proposals. These plans however may still be included in the proposed Flood Relief Scheme and we are still trying to get clarification.”

Teachta Brady continued “Recently I launched a substantial report into unlocking Arklow’s full potential. The report found that the key for unlocking Arklow's potential is the construction of the Waste Water Treatment Plant. I believe Wicklow County Council should now start granting planning applications that had been previously turned down due to a lack of a sewage treatment plant. Arklow needs housing along with industrial and commercial development; these applications can be conditioned on the actual delivery of the Sewage Treatment Plant.”

Brady concluded “I hope that people engage with the planning process and that any concerns that people may have will be addressed. The delivery of the Sewage plant is top priority to unlock Arklow’s full potential and cater for the needs of the town now and into the future.”

Carillion saga set to end for Coláiste Ráithín as students start school term in new school-Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has expressed delight in the news that after a delay of more than 10 months, the pupils of Coláiste Ráithín will finally get to enter their new school next Tuesday 28 August, when the new school term starts.

Speaking after receiving confirmation that Coláiste Ráithín will finally get to move into their new school next Tuesday Teachta Brady said “This is fantastic news for the pupils, teachers and everyone associated with the school. This not only brings an end to the terrible saga which arose with the collapse of Carillion in January, it also brings an end to the 20 year campaign by Coláiste Ráithín for a new school.

“The handover of the new Coláiste Ráithín and Ravenswell schools on the Old Bray golf course was due to take place last October. This was pushed back to December and then we seen the collapse of Carillion in January and the subsequent collapse of Sammon. This led to 8 months of uncertainty and frustration.”

“I’m further informed that it is hoped that Ravenswell will move into their new school later in September.”

“Whilst this will hopefully bring an end to this saga for the schools, it doesn’t end it for the many subcontractors that remain to be paid. They have done nothing wrong in this saga, but face possible ruin because of the collapse of Sammon. The new contractor, Woodvale needs to engage with the subcontractors. We can’t have a situation where we have these new schools in use by the State, while the builders who built them face bankruptcy or liquidation.”

Brady continued “It has also been confirmed to me that an interim facilities management appointment is now in place for the schools and that discussions are still ongoing regarding the long term facilities management arrangements.”

“Full credit has to go to all involved in the parents association of Coláiste Ráithín, the teachers, staff, students and parents who ensured the pressure was kept on the government and all responsible for ending this disgraceful saga. Particular credit has to go to former school principle Gearóid O’Ciaran. Gearóid led the campaign for a new school for 20 years and ensured pressure was kept on when the plans were derailed in January.”

Teachta Brady concluded “There however needs to be a message in this saga for the government and their use of Public Private Partnerships. There needs to be an immediate review by government of the effectiveness of PPP’s for capital projects such as schools.”

Need for upgrade of N81 pressed upon Minister for Transport during visit to West Wicklow

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has described the Minister for Transport Shane Ross’s visit to West Wicklow as ‘Useful’ and that he hoped the Minister took something from his visit to look at the safety concerns along the N81. The Minister also met with locals and heard their concerns.

Teachta Brady said “I welcome the Ministers visit to Blessington on Monday to look at the many safety issues along the N81. The visit was arranged as part of the ongoing campaign to have the decision to reverse the cut of funding for the N81 upgrade.”

“The Minister met with a number of public representatives and locals. All pressed upon the Minister how critical the upgrade of the N81 is for road safety and the growth of West Wicklow.”

Teachta Brady continued “The Minister was very noncommittal; he said that the €271m needed for the upgrade wasn’t easily found. I pointed out that you can’t put a price on a life and that too many lives had been lost on the N81. ”

West Wicklow Sinn Féin representative Aidan Kinsella said “The N81 needs to be made a political priority. In Wicklow we have four Government TD’s, two of which are Ministers. When Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil sign off on their agreed budget for 2019, they need to substantially increase funding for Transport Infrastructure Ireland to allow this critical project to proceed.”

Teachta Brady concluded “The safety, growth and economic development of West Wicklow can’t be put on the long finger. We have been told that it will be 2027 at the earliest before the project is relooked at. Hopefully the Minister learned something from his visit to West Wicklow and that he seen firsthand how important the upgrade is.”

Government must act immediately to acquire Luggala Estate lands

Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has called on the State to acquire the 4,000 acres of uplands surrounding the Luggala Estate to ensure that the area continues to be open to the public for recreational use.

Teachta Brady said "I believe that its in both the national and public's interest that the State acquire the Luggala Estate that is on the market for the last year.The Luggala Estate is bordered on three sides by the Wicklow National Park. Over the last number of weeks up to 10 signs have appeared along the roadside stating that the Luggala Estate lands are "private property". This has again raised serious concerns that public access on the lands of the estate will be curtailed if a private sale of the land occurs, so there is now a sense of urgency that the Government act immediately to acquire the lands."

"The Luggala Estate has been on the market with a quoted price tag of €28 million since last year, when it first came on the market I called on the Government to purchase the estate. The National Parks and Wildlife Service also recommended that the State purchase 4,000 of the estate. I believe that a the upland within the estate could be negotiated for a greatly reduced amount."

Teachta Brady concluded "The Luggala Estate has been widely used by the public and has some fantastic walking routes, including one to Lough Dan. The Government and Minister Madigan must act immediately before this jewel that would be a fantastic addition to the Wicklow National Park is lost."

242 respite care sessions cut in Wicklow - Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow John Brady has said that he finds it utterly unacceptable that after all the debate and all the promises made by the government in 2017 to improve and increase respite care that less respite care is being provided so far in 2018 compared to last year.

Teachta Brady said:

“Respite care is one of the most important services provided by the health service. Those who avail of respite services will tell you that it is precious in providing their loved one and their family with much needed rest.

“Last year in the aftermath of the RTÉ Primetime broadcast “Carers in Crisis”, which highlighted the difficulties for those who provide care for a family member or loved one face in the absence of adequate respite care being provided, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health promised improved and increased provision of respite care.

“Therefore, it is utterly unacceptable that despite rising requests and need that less respite care is being provided in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same time last year.

“Figures released to my colleague Deputy Louise O’Reilly through a Parliamentary Question show that there were 1,714 less respite care sessions provided in quarter one of 2018 compared to last year with Wicklow seeing a reduction of 242 sessions. Indeed, these cuts come on the back of close to 15,000 sessions of respite care being slashed last year.

“This situation is completely unacceptable. These respite sessions provide respite and relief to parents and families who have a person in the household with a disability; they are some of the hardest pressed and struggling families in the state, and the evidence shows that this government is failing them.

“We need to see year on year increases and investment in respite services in order to provide for those who currently need care as well as for those who will need it in the future. You cannot slash respite care sessions by thousands of hours and expect things to work the same. The cutting of these respite sessions has real life implications for families across the State and it has to be reversed as a matter of urgency.”