Your TD for Kildare North
Thank you for visiting my site. I am a Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North. I was first elected to the Dáil in 2016 and Continue Reading →
Sallins Bypass and M7 Upgrade Latest (September 2015)
The announcement of capital funding for the long awaited Sallins by-pass and M7 upgrade projects is welcome. Having campaigned strenuously for years on this issue, these road projects will bring a dramatic improvement to the lives of people living in Sallins and travelling through as well as the thousands who use the M7 everyday. A by-pass for Sallins was first talked about in the late 1990s. After many stop-start attempts at the much needed project, I welcome the announcement today of funding for this. However, as we’ve seen many times before, we won’t be sure until the actual roadworks under way. The Government had already stalled this project at the start of the year.
Public Meeting: Childcare – Challenges, Costs, Solutions
I am hosting a public meeting on Childcare to discuss the challenges, costs, and solutions of providing safe, secure and affordable arrangements for working parents. I will be joined on the night by Robert Troy T.D. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children. I would delighted if you can join me in the Westgrove Hotel, Clane on Tuesday 29th September at 8pm.
Motion for Concession Rates for Main Street Upstairs Residential Use
I have put forward a motion calling for Kildare County Council to consider a scheme whereby rates concessions be granted to retail main street properties where upstairs floors are used for residential use. I think concession rates for those living in the upstairs of main street properties would encourage more people to live on our main streets and breathe some life back into town centres, particularly Naas town, if we were to encourage people to convert vacant space into residential space.
I grew up above a shop myself where my father had a local business so I know the concept well. I believe this type of scheme may also contribute to the housing crisis by freeing up vacant space for residential accommodation in central locations. Ultimately the response from the Council was disappointing. Whilst the council could consider it, the scheme would have to be approved by the Minister for Local Government and no Minister since 1970 has approved any council rates schemes.
Motion To Enquire Into Social Housing Funding For Naas
I have questioned the council to confirm whether finance has been received yet from central Government for the construction of social housing in the Naas Municipal District and if so, what plans exist. There is a lack of urgency in the social housing need in Kildare. In our county we have the third highest social housing waiting list, only behind Dublin and Cork. Many months ago Minister Alan Kelly repeatedly announced grandiose plans that each local authority would be allocated funds to deal with the housing crisis that has taken over the country. The council did confirm to me that work has begun and vacant and private properties have been purchased for the purpose of social housing. Separately I have called for a meeting with the Director of Housing to discuss the plans for the Naas area. I will continue to work with my council colleagues to make sure the work to alleviate the social housing crisis in being carried out in a timely manner.
Kildare Commuters Lose Out As DART Underground Axed
Tuesday 22nd September 2015 is a sad day for Kildare commuters, and indeed commuters from across the Greater Dublin Area. Minister Paschal Donohue has axed the plans for the DART Underground project which would see the Kildare commuter line directly connected to the city centre via an underground line from Heuston to Pearse. Despite evidence based research indicating that it would be of major benefit to the economy in the Greater Dublin Area, the Government have allowed the project to lapse which had already passed design and planning stages (at a cost of €40m).
It marks a depressing absence of vision to hear the Government announce that the DART Underground project will not proceed as currently designed. The project offers enormous benefits for commuters and businesses across the entire Greater Dublin Area. The decision made by Fine Gael and Labour means that opportunity will now be lost.