English: Ramparts Navan and Girley Bog Loop to benefit from Rural Recreation Projects funding

Monday, 31st July 2017

“i am delighted to learn from Minister Michael Ring this morning that
Navan Ramparts (€10k) and Girley Bog Loop (€6k) in the Meath West Dáil
Constituency are to benefit under the 2017 Outdoor Recreation
Infrastructure Scheme” Minister for Housing and Urban Development and
Meath West Fine Gael T.D. Damien English has stated.

The Scheme is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural
Development and provides funding for the development of new outdoor
recreational infrastructure and the maintenance, enhancement and
promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in Ireland.

“Recreational tourism is a growing sector in Ireland’s tourism
offering, and we have seen an increase in the number of Irish and
overseas visitors enjoying our local tourism and heritage offering in
Meath. This investment in the Ramparts in Navan and the Girley Bog
Loop will further enhance our outdoor recreational offering for both
locals and visitors alike” Minister English concluded.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Navan Ramparts and Girley Bog Loop fall under Measure 1: Small
maintenance/promotion of existing infrastructure (maximum grant
€10,000)

The scheme will primarily be run by Local Authorities and State
Agencies, and funding will be provided to a maximum of 80% of total
project costs, with the balance to be provided from Local Authority or
other sources.

English urges Meath West Community Youth Groups to prepare to apply to €4m Capital Fund

Local community youth groups can apply from late September

Monday 31st July 2017

Meath West community youth groups are set to benefit from a €4m
capital fund being established by Government, Minister for Housing and
Urban Development Damien English T.D. has stated.

The money is being made available to allow clubs buy equipment which
will support their work with young people, and applications open in
late September. The Meath West Fine Gael T.D. is urging local
community youth groups to begin thinking about and preparing for their
application.

Minister English stated: “Nationally, over 1,500 volunteer led clubs
will be eligible to apply, reaching practically every community in the
country. I want to see Meath West getting its fair share. I encourage
Meath West clubs to examine which sports, arts, adventure or other
equipment they need the most and be ready to apply.’

Minister English saluted the youth group volunteers, stating: “These
volunteer led youth clubs do so much good work on the ground. They are
in the frontline providing young people with indoor and outdoor
activities to prevent them falling into trouble. They also improve
health, wellbeing and build team spirit in our communities.”

“The value of this work is not under-estimated by Government, hence
this new fund.The Application process for the funding is expected to
open in late September. I am happy to help local community youth
groups with their applications” concluded Minister English.

ENDS

€250k extra funding for childcare services in Westmeath – English

19^th July 2017

Childcare services in Westmeath are to receive €246,731 in extra funding, Meath West  Fine Gael TD and Minister of State, Damien English has said.

The financial boost comes at a key moment in Ireland’s move to accessible affordable quality childcare.

Minister English said: “I am delighted to confirm that 13 local childcare services in Westmeath will share in funding of more than €250,000 in extra funding.

“The money will be used to provide more new childcare places, maintenance and building work as well as outdoor play areas and is available for immediate draw-down by providers here in Westmeath.

 “I hold the provision of quality, affordable and accessible childcare as a very highest priority, ensuring local children get the very best start in life.

“My Government colleague, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, said €8.4m  in capital funding has been allocated through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to 683 pre-school providers nationwide; an increase in €4,4m on the amount announced for this programme in March 2017.

“This funding will benefit children, families and providers under our Early Years programmes, and will contribute to the development of an infrastructure that is ready to meet the radical new approach to subsidising childcare outlined in Budget 2017.

“Since first entering Government, Fine Gael has prioritised hard pressed working families; the people who bore the brunt of the economic recession. A major part of this has been to reduce the cost of childcare for working parents.

“We introduced the free pre-school year, and subsequently extended it to a second year. It is estimated the extended scheme provides an average saving of €4,000 per child.

“We also recently introduced paternity leave for the first time ever. Dads are now entitled to two weeks’ paid leave.

“From September an estimated 70,000 children nationwide will get extra supports. This will really benefit families in Westmeath.

“Families will benefit in two ways. First there is a universal support for all children aged 3 and under then there are supports for those families who need it most.

“The second targeted support is based on income and also for those parents who have had to turn down jobs, training and education because they cannot afford childcare.

“I encourage parents in Westmeath to take the time to study the increased supports which are available and prepare for the autumn, by checking out the new website www.affordablechildcare.ie  or by talking to staff at your local childcare centre.

ENDS

€444k extra funding for childcare services in Meath – English

19^th July 2017

€444k extra funding for childcare services in Meath – English

Childcare services in Meath are to receive €444,983 in extra funding, Meath West  Fine Gael TD and Minister of State, Damien English has said.

The financial boost comes at a key moment in Ireland’s move to accessible affordable quality childcare.

Minister English said: “I am delighted to confirm that 35 local childcare services in Meath will share in almost €450,000 in extra funding.

“The money will be used to provide more new childcare places, maintenance and building work as well as outdoor play areas and is available for immediate draw-down by providers here in Meath.

 “I hold the provision of quality, affordable and accessible childcare as a very highest priority, ensuring local children get the very best start in life.

“My Government colleague, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, said €8.4m  in capital funding has been allocated through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to 683 pre-school providers nationwide; an increase in €4,4m on the amount announced for this programme in March 2017.

“This funding will benefit children, families and providers under our Early Years programmes, and will contribute to the development of an infrastructure that is ready to meet the radical new approach to subsidising childcare outlined in Budget 2017.

“Since first entering Government, Fine Gael has prioritised hard pressed working families; the people who bore the brunt of the economic recession. A major part of this has been to reduce the cost of childcare for working parents.

“We introduced the free pre-school year, and subsequently extended it to a second year. It is estimated the extended scheme provides an average saving of €4,000 per child.

“We also recently introduced paternity leave for the first time ever. Dads are now entitled to two weeks’ paid leave.

“From September an estimated 70,000 children nationwide will get extra supports. This will really benefit families in Meath.

“Families will benefit in two ways. First there is a universal support for all children aged 3 and under then there are supports for those families who need it most.

“The second targeted support is based on income and also for those parents who have had to turn down jobs, training and education because they cannot afford childcare.

“I encourage parents in Meath to take the time to study the increased supports which are available and prepare for the autumn, by checking out the new website www.affordablechildcare.ie  or by talking to staff at your local childcare centre.

ENDS

Increase in minimum wage will benefit lower paid workers – English

18th July 2017

Increase in minimum wage will benefit lower paid workers – English

The Low Pay Commission is recommending an increase to the minimum wage
of 30 cents, bringing it to €9.55 per hour.

Fine Gael Minister of State for Meath West, Damien English TD,
believes this and other supports will greatly benefit lower paid
workers here in Meath West.

“Increasing the minimum wage is just one tool in a wider Government
programme to help the lower paid and incentivise people into work.

“Affordable Childcare is on the way this September, which will see up
to €1,040 per year for children in full time childcare.

“The latest data from the Central Statistics Office shows that show
that that Ireland is becoming more equal and that poverty is
decreasing.

“Fine Gael in Government recognises that higher levels of public
investment in social and economic infrastructure in Meath West, will
improve skills, childcare, and empower our communities.

“These are the building blocks for more inclusive, fairer and
sustainable patterns of economic growth in our society.

“The latest CSO Household Budget Survey shows that our economic
recovery is being used to reduce inequality across the country

“The ‘Household Budget Survey’ found that the gap between the highest
and lowest income households narrowed between 2009-2010 and 2015-2016.

“Economic and social progress go hand in hand. Only a strong economy
supporting people at work can pay for the services needed to create a
fair society.” Minister English said.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said: “The Government welcomes the
recommendation from the Low Pay Commission to increase the national
minimum wage by 30c to €9.55 per hour. It would work out as a €12
increase in a full 40 hour week.

“This would be a modest increase but it’s ahead of the rate of
inflation and average increases in earnings. It would be the fourth
increase in the minimum wage since 2011, and the second under this
Government, and a further step towards the Programme for Government
commitment for a minimum wage of €10.50.

ENDS

English urges Parents to look into Affordable Childcare Supports

11th July 2017

New website affordablechildcare.ie

Damien English, Meath West Fine Gael TD and Minister for Housing and
Urban Renewal is urging Parents in Meath West to look into the new
childcare supports that can help them financially from September.

There have been over 173,000 page visits to an information website –
affordablechildcare.ie – in the past month alone as more and more
parents look into the supports available to them.

Minister English said, “I strongly encourage all parents here in Meath
West to log on to the website and get informed of the supports
available to them.

“Up to 70,000 children will have extra supports negotiated in this
year’s budget come into force at the start of the pre-school year,
with some children will receive childcare benefits up to €7,500. This
will really benefit families in Meath West

“We are enhancing existing targeted childcare supports by as much as
50%. There will be improved access to subsidies for providers – with
the traditional Community Childcare Scheme (CCS) being extended to
both community and private providers.

“Overall total spending on child care programmes this year is €466m –
representing a 79% increase on figures in 2015. Now we must ensure
that families receive the benefit of this.

“Families will benefit in two ways. Firstly, the changes will see a
universal benefit for every child under 3-years old. Universal
subsidies, of up to €1,040 per annum, which will be available for all
children aged between 6 and 36 months in full time childcare.

“The second targeted support is based on income and also for those
parents who have had to turn down jobs, training and education because
they cannot afford childcare.

“As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone has
said, this is the first big step, but there is still much work to done
in this area. I am assured that the Minister is focused on quality of
childcare, accessibility and also recognition for the workers who
provide services.

“Since first entering Government, Fine Gael has prioritised hard
pressed working families; the people who bore the brunt of the
economic recession. A major part of this has been to reduce the cost
of childcare for working parents.

“We introduced the free pre-school year, and subsequently extended it
to a second year. It is estimated the extended scheme provides an
average saving of €4,000 per child.

“We also recently introduced paternity leave for the first time ever.
Dads are now entitled to two weeks’ paid leave.

“I will continue working to ensure that parents across Meath West can
avail of high quality and affordable care for their children when they
need it. Fine Gael will continue to ease the financial burden on hard
press working families.”

ENDS

Minister English welcomes approval of extension to St Mary’s Convent Primary School, Trim

Friday, 7th July 2017

“As a local T.D. and Minister I welcome the news this week that St
Mary’s Convent Primary School, Trim has been given approval for
additional accommodation of 1 x 96m2 mainstream classroom with
ensuite toilets and 1 x WC for assisted users & 2 x 15m2 Special
Education Teacher/support rooms” Minister for Housing and Urban
Development Damien English has said.

Minister English, a former Minister of State at the Department of
Education went on to say: “i congratuldate the Principal and staff
team, the voluntary Board of Management, and the Parents’ Association
on securing a fantastic project which will benefit the children of
Trim and the wider community as well.”

The Meath West Fine Gael T.D. concluded: “During the bad times, and
now in the better times, Fine Gael in Government has prioritised
school building and school extension projects, especially in Meath
with its younger and fast growing population.  Education remains the
foundation stone of our economic and our social recovery, and will
ensure we remain competitive as a country for many years into the
future as well.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

No details are given of the amount of funding approved by the School
Building Unit, as the publication of the amount of grant aid
sanctioned could prejudice the tendering process for an individual
project.

The School Building Unit will issue detailed letters on the relevant
projects directly to the school authorities and these letters will
inform the school authorities of the amount of grant aid sanctioned by
the Department.