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.”
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow john.brady@oireachtas.ie
Thursday, 11 August 2016
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.”
Government trying to lock workers out of receiving pension entitlements - Brady
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has said that there is nothing positive or progressive about increasing the threshold for part-time workers in order to receive the contributory State pension.
Speaking this morning, Teachta Brady said:
“This new Budget proposal looks to increase the threshold to qualify for the contributory State pension from €38 to €70 per week.
“The Government are telling part-time workers to earn more in order to receive their State pension on retirement. So, how do the Government suggest workers go about doing this?
“One in four workers are part-time workers, there has been a huge increase in zero hour contracts and precarious employment in recent years. The idea that part-time workers are simply able to increase their wage by €32 is ludicrous but not at all surprising.
“To even consider this move is just another reminder of the ever growing distance between the Government and the people on the ground.
“Only a few weeks ago, Sinn Féin brought forward a bill that sought to give protections for low-hours and zero-hours workers. This is what the Government should be looking at instead of trying to lock workers out of receiving their pension entitlements.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael once more joined forces to block this progressive legislation aimed at protecting ordinary workers.
“Sinn Féin is strongly opposed to this proposal. The Government should work harder at moving people away from low-paid, precarious employment and towards a living wage with proper pension entitlements for all workers.”
Speaking this morning, Teachta Brady said:
“This new Budget proposal looks to increase the threshold to qualify for the contributory State pension from €38 to €70 per week.
“The Government are telling part-time workers to earn more in order to receive their State pension on retirement. So, how do the Government suggest workers go about doing this?
“One in four workers are part-time workers, there has been a huge increase in zero hour contracts and precarious employment in recent years. The idea that part-time workers are simply able to increase their wage by €32 is ludicrous but not at all surprising.
“To even consider this move is just another reminder of the ever growing distance between the Government and the people on the ground.
“Only a few weeks ago, Sinn Féin brought forward a bill that sought to give protections for low-hours and zero-hours workers. This is what the Government should be looking at instead of trying to lock workers out of receiving their pension entitlements.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael once more joined forces to block this progressive legislation aimed at protecting ordinary workers.
“Sinn Féin is strongly opposed to this proposal. The Government should work harder at moving people away from low-paid, precarious employment and towards a living wage with proper pension entitlements for all workers.”
Brady welcomes Wicklow National Park extension
Sinn Féin TD John Brady has welcomed the news that the State are finalising the purchase of lands in the Wicklow Mountains.
Teachta Brady said:
“I welcome the news that the Government are in the final stages of purchasing the almost 5,000 acres of land in the Wicklow Mountains.
“I had called on the Minister and the Government to purchase these lands from NAMA to ensure that they would be held by the State and to secure the extension of Wicklow National Park.
“This is very positive news for the people of Wicklow and particularly, those living nearby who were concerned about these lands being sold to a private entity for possible development.
“I am delighted that Minister Ring has also confirmed that this land will be added to Wicklow National Park, Ireland’s largest park.
“This purchase will mean that Wicklow National Park will become one of the largest national parks in Europe.
“This purchase provides a unique opportunity for further tourism potential in the area. I commend the Minister for moving quickly to secure these lands without delay.”
Teachta Brady said:
“I welcome the news that the Government are in the final stages of purchasing the almost 5,000 acres of land in the Wicklow Mountains.
“I had called on the Minister and the Government to purchase these lands from NAMA to ensure that they would be held by the State and to secure the extension of Wicklow National Park.
“This is very positive news for the people of Wicklow and particularly, those living nearby who were concerned about these lands being sold to a private entity for possible development.
“I am delighted that Minister Ring has also confirmed that this land will be added to Wicklow National Park, Ireland’s largest park.
“This purchase will mean that Wicklow National Park will become one of the largest national parks in Europe.
“This purchase provides a unique opportunity for further tourism potential in the area. I commend the Minister for moving quickly to secure these lands without delay.”
Parents continue to struggle under burden of ‘free education’ –Brady
Commenting on the latest figures of back to school costs issued by Barnardos, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has said parents continue to struggle financially under the burden of so-called ‘free education’.
Teachta Brady said:
“There is no such thing as free education. The Government may not be aware of this but parents, who are the ones actually paying, are only too well aware.
“The annual Back to School costs survey carried out by Barnardos is evidence of this fact. Parents right around the country are feeling enormous pressure preparing for this time of year.
“The findings of the survey show that to send one child to primary school costs €340 and to secondary school costs €775. These costs are huge and for parents with more than one child of school going age these costs are crippling.
“It is not about buying a school uniform and school books and that’s the end of it. There are additional costs that add to this and they vary from one school to another such as the use of iPads or the emphasis placed on voluntary contributions.
“The Government are driving people further and further into debt and into the arms of loan sharks who charge massive interest rates. With that, the Government are also placing huge pressure on voluntary organisations such as St. Vincent de Paul to assist families with additional costs. These organisations are left to spend millions annually to fill the gap left by Government cuts.
“I have asked the Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar during Priority Questions to increase the Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance as one measure to help struggling families at this time of year. He gave no commitment but with Budget 2017 approaching pressure needs to be put on the Minister and Government TDs to ensure that the Budget does this.
“Barnardos have said that investment by the Government of €103 million would provide all primary school books, remove the voluntary contribution and classroom resources fees, restore the capitation rates back to 2010 levels and provide free transport for those using the School Transport Scheme. This would take some of the financial strain off parents who have children starting out at primary level. It would be a start.
“The cuts made to Education by Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil before them has led to these increased costs. In many cases, schools are left relying on voluntary contributions from parents year on year to help run the school.
“Sinn Féin has proposed a number of measures, including the restoration of the Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance, the extension of the School Meals Programme by 15%, increased capitation to primary and secondary schools by 10% over a Dáil term and an increase in the Schools Book Grant by 30%.
“The Government need to wake up to the reality on the ground for parents and the actual costs of sending children to school in the real world. Budget 2017 must show action on these costs and not empty words.”
Teachta Brady said:
“There is no such thing as free education. The Government may not be aware of this but parents, who are the ones actually paying, are only too well aware.
“The annual Back to School costs survey carried out by Barnardos is evidence of this fact. Parents right around the country are feeling enormous pressure preparing for this time of year.
“The findings of the survey show that to send one child to primary school costs €340 and to secondary school costs €775. These costs are huge and for parents with more than one child of school going age these costs are crippling.
“It is not about buying a school uniform and school books and that’s the end of it. There are additional costs that add to this and they vary from one school to another such as the use of iPads or the emphasis placed on voluntary contributions.
“The Government are driving people further and further into debt and into the arms of loan sharks who charge massive interest rates. With that, the Government are also placing huge pressure on voluntary organisations such as St. Vincent de Paul to assist families with additional costs. These organisations are left to spend millions annually to fill the gap left by Government cuts.
“I have asked the Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar during Priority Questions to increase the Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance as one measure to help struggling families at this time of year. He gave no commitment but with Budget 2017 approaching pressure needs to be put on the Minister and Government TDs to ensure that the Budget does this.
“Barnardos have said that investment by the Government of €103 million would provide all primary school books, remove the voluntary contribution and classroom resources fees, restore the capitation rates back to 2010 levels and provide free transport for those using the School Transport Scheme. This would take some of the financial strain off parents who have children starting out at primary level. It would be a start.
“The cuts made to Education by Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil before them has led to these increased costs. In many cases, schools are left relying on voluntary contributions from parents year on year to help run the school.
“Sinn Féin has proposed a number of measures, including the restoration of the Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance, the extension of the School Meals Programme by 15%, increased capitation to primary and secondary schools by 10% over a Dáil term and an increase in the Schools Book Grant by 30%.
“The Government need to wake up to the reality on the ground for parents and the actual costs of sending children to school in the real world. Budget 2017 must show action on these costs and not empty words.”
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