Independent report on lone parent payments progressing – John Brady TD

Independent report on lone parent payments progressing – John Brady TD

Sinn Féin TD and Spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady has welcomed the opening of the tendering process for an independent report into the impact of changes to the One Parent Family Payment for lone parents.

Teachta Brady said:

“During the debate on the Social Welfare Act 2016, I was delighted that my amendment regarding lone parents was passed. This is the first time that a commitment has been made specifically around lone parents in a Social Welfare Act.

“This means that an independent report will be carried out examining the impact that the reforms and amendments to the One Parent Family Payment scheme have had on lone parents. The report will also explore the financial and social effects of all changes made since January 2012, taking into account poverty rates among lone parent families.

“Given the recently released CSO Survey on Income & Living Conditions figures which show an increase in consistent poverty among lone parent families, the reference to poverty rates in this report is crucial.

“I note that the successful tender will be given until August 2017 to complete this report. However, I would expect to see it completed before then. Having said that, I welcome the fact that this report will be published ahead of Budget 2018 and therefore, it is imperative that its findings are reflected in the Budget. This was absolutely necessary in calling for this report.

“Interested parties will have until April 4th to issue a request of tender to complete this report. I look forward to the progression of the report and I will be reminding Minister Varadkar that action must follow the publication of this report. There can be no further delay in recognising the need for targeted measures to assist lone parents and protect both them and their children from poverty.”

Report identifies options to tackle old municipal landfill being washed into Irish Sea in Bray - Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has welcomed a Tier 3 report outlining the options available to tackle the ongoing environmental risks posed by hazardous waste at the old Bray Municipal landfill which is located on the North Beach in Bray. This waste is currently being eroded into the Irish Sea.

Teachta Brady said:

“I welcome the Tier 3 report finalised by Fehily Timoney & Co. on behalf of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council detailing the options available to put an end to hazardous waste such as asbestos which has been identified on site being washed into the Irish Sea at North Beach beside Bray Harbour.

“I had first called for action to tackle this serious problem back in 2005 and I have been raising it consistently since then. I am happy to see progress being made to deal with this situation.

“The Tier 3 report puts forward six options to deal with the landfill with costs ranging from €10,000 to €12 million with the latter involving the removal of all waste. The dump contains more than 104,000 cubic metres of waste including, broken asbestos tiles, and excessive levels of ammoniacal nitrogen, potassium and manganese in the ground water.

“According to the report, the most viable option to prevent landfill material entering the sea and to prevent coastal erosion at the site is to protect the base of the exposed landfill with rock armour revetment and stabilise the cliff by regrading. The estimated cost of this is €2.3 million.

“This report has been sent to the EPA for their consideration and hopefully, action can be taken as quickly as possible once funding is in place for the necessary works to take place.

“Whilst this critical work needs to advance as swiftly as possible concerns have been expressed relating to a 6,000 year old pine forest known as a submerged forest, which can be glimpsed at low tide. So, this archaeological heritage must be considered in whatever plan is devised.”

Brady “bitterly disappointed” at lack of funding for Essential Works at North Beach Arklow

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has said he is “bitterly disappointed” that an application for funding for critical works at North Beach, Arklow has been rejected by the Government.

Teachta Brady said:

“Back in November last year, I wrote directly to the Minister for State at the OPW Sean Canney TD urging him to look favourably on an application made by Wicklow County Council under the Coastal Flooding Minor Works Scheme.

“I outlined clearly to him that works were absolutely necessary at North Beach in Arklow due to the significant damage caused to the area already and the further damage that will be caused if works are not carried out.

“I again contacted Minister Sean Canney in February of this year when an updated application for funding was made for the badly needed works.

“I am bitterly disappointed to have been informed that this application for funding has been rejected. It is particularly disappointing given that the former Minister with responsibility for the OPW Simon Harris had promised that funding for these works would be forthcoming and did not materialise.

“I met with Arklow Municipal District Engineer and Administrator this week to inform them of other possible funding streams available to them given the urgency that this work needs to be carried out

“I have sent further correspondence to Minister Canney at the OPW to outline to me the grounds on which this funding has been denied. I have asked him to review this decision and look at the case again.

“I am appealing to the Government to overturn this decision and I will be doing everything in my power to assist Arklow Municipal District in making this happen."

Important info regarding available funding for Community Groups and Organisations

Important info regarding available funding for Community Groups and Organisations

Applications are now out for the Wicklow County Council Community Grants Scheme 2017. The fund for 2017 will be available as grant aid to successful community groups and local organisations wishing to undertake community projects in their area. There are a number of funding categories available.

Community Grants (Maximum grant €2,000)
For small projects and group running costs.

Community Pride (Maximum Grant €10,000).
Groups or projects that make a significant impact and difference to the lives of the people in their communities under the following headings:
•Age Friendly
•Communities reaching out to new communities
•Youth Projects
•Community Enterprise

Town / Village Enhancement plan or Health Checks (Maximum grant €10,000)

Completed application forms should be returned to the Office of Community, Cultural & Social Development not later than 12 noon on Thursday 30th March, 2017.

If you need an application form or more info please let me know. Please share or tag anyone or group you think might be interested.

Action needed to address dump at Bray Harbour which contains Asbestos and other dangerous chemicals- John Brady TD

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has said that there can be no further delay in dealing with hazardous waste including, toxic asbestos at Bray beach flowing into the Irish Sea.

Teachta Brady:


“Waste from the old municipal landfill formerly, operated by Bray Urban District Council is being continually exposed as it is being washed into the Irish Sea. I first raised this issue in 2005 and called for an environmental report on the matter.


“The actual volume of waste is now expected to contain twice as much as was thought in the 2005 report. With this, we also have to consider the amount of waste that has been lost, washed into the Irish Sea over the past 12 years.


“This has been confirmed in a new report carried out on behalf of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council at the request of the EPA.


“The dump contains more than 104,000 cubic metres of waste including, broken asbestos tiles, and excessive levels of ammoniacal nitrogen, potassium and manganese in the ground water.


“Both Wicklow and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils along with the EPA have a responsibility to act without delay on the back of this report.


“I have been continuously raising this issue for the past 12 years and I will continue to do so at every opportunity until the health and safety of the public is no longer at risk and the environmental damage is no more. Having recently raised this issue with Minister Naughten, I will continue to give the issue priority until the site is secured and made safe.”

John Brady TD welcomes unanimous Dáil support to abolish mandatory retirement age

Sinn Fein Social Protection Spokesperson John Brady TD has tonight welcomed the Dáil's unanimous support for his Bill to abolish the Mandatory Retirement Age. Speaking from Leinster House this evening, Deputy Brady said; "I welcome the unanimous support of the Dáil to bring an end to what has been a long-standing practice of discrimination against people who are forced to retire against their will. "This Bill will address a multitude serious issues facing older people including the fact that many are made to retire at the age 65 and then forced onto a job-seekers payment for a year before they can receive their state pension. "It will also alleviate the unjust and disproportionate impact on people, particularly women, who may have taken time out of work to raise families or to care for a loved one and are now left in the vulnerable position where they cannot draw full pension entitlements because they have not built-up sufficient contributions. The abolition of the mandatory retirement age will allow those people to continue working in order to bridge that gap. "This Bill is fundamentally about giving the worker, and not the employer, the choice as to when they can retire. It is a progressive and significant development, which will be welcomed by many people and organisations who have been campaigning on this issue for a long time.
"It is important to our society that the Dáil has tonight realised the imperative of removing the mandatory age of retirement and I now look forward to the passage of the Bill through the remaining stages without opposition

Brady calls on Minister to ensure Family Income Supplement payments will not be stopped for striking Tesco workers

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has called on Minister Varadkar to ensure that no person engaging in industrial action will have their Family Income Supplement stopped.

Teachta Brady said:

“On joining with Tesco workers on the picket lines in recent days, I was concerned at the number of workers who had mentioned threats made to them regarding the loss of Family Income Supplement payments for participating in strike action.

“Tesco’s use of bully boy tactics and threatening workers who are on FIS because of the Tesco contracts is totally unacceptable.

“This is not just another tactic used by Tesco management in an attempt to break the ongoing strike but a threat straight from the Department of Social Protection rulebook.

“The Department expect employees to declare that they are engaging in industrial action for their FIS payment to be stopped and then re-applied for once they return to work.

“Workers are then left to wait up to 6 months for FIS to be awarded to them again and are therefore, left with this payment that they are already entitled to.

“Minister Varadkar needs to ensure that his Department remove this rule immediately. He also needs to give assurances that no worker engaging in industrial action will have their payment cut.

“No worker engages in industrial action unless they have no other option. The State must not play any role in discouraging industrial action through such a financial sanction as this.

“On raising this with Minister Varadkar today, he has committed to look into the matter and I will be following up on this with him