Additional funding for Seniors Alert Scheme in Meath West after applications quadruple nationally – English

Additional funding is available for the Seniors Alert Scheme in Meath West following an upsurge in applications nationally for the free personalised alarms for people over 65, local Minister for Housing and Urban Development Damien English T.D. has said. He is urging local older people to sign up and avail of the funding.

The objective of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.

Minister English’s colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, initially allocated €2.3 million for the Seniors Alert Scheme in October. The rate of applications for personal alarms quadrupled nationally in November after Minister Ring widened the eligibility criteria for the scheme and launched a nationwide publicity campaign, leading the Minister to also allocate an additional €400,000.

Minister English, the Fine Gael T.D. for Meath West said “It’s very positive to see a good uptake for this scheme nationally, but we need to see more older people in Counties Meath and Westmeath be made aware of it and to avail of this important scheme.

“We need to make sure that as many of our older people avail of this scheme as possible, which is why I am encouraging everyone reading this to get the word out there as widely as possible.

“All you have to do is make contact with your local Seniors Alert group. You can find out about your local group by logging on to http://www.pobal.ie or phoning 01 5117222.

“The community groups that are supporting its delivery are providing a valuable service and deserve great credit.

“This measure exists with the support of local voluntary groups and if users feel in danger or require immediate assistance they can activate the device which will alert designated members of their community who can then assist them.

“There is free personal monitoring of the alarm for the first 12 months after which the person pays a small fee. This measure contributes greatly to the safety and wellbeing of senior citizens in their homes.

“This funding for Meath West seniors demonstrates this Government’s commitment to the safety of older people in our community,” the Minister for Housing and Urban Development said.

“The best New Year’s resolution you can make is to get an older relative or neighbour to sign up for free a personalised alarm, or help them to do so.

“I want to urge people to keep an eye on their elderly neighbours at this time of year. The Winter months can be a challenging time for some older people. Small gestures can make a big difference for someone who is living alone. Reaching out to an older person in your community can help brighten up their New Year, whether it’s popping in for a chat, or lighting the fire or bringing someone some food.”

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Families across Meath West get help with the cost of medication in 2018 – English

Families across Meath West will benefit from a reduction in prescription charges in the New Year, local Minister for Housing and Urban Development Damien English T.D. has siad.

It was announced in Budget 2018 that the charge will reduce from €2.50 to €2 per item from January 1^st, 2018 and there will be a reduction in the monthly cap from €25 to €20.

The Meath West Fine Gael T.D. and Minister said: “I am delighted that families across Meath West and all across Ireland will benefit from reduced prescription charges in the coming weeks.

“The new measure means all medical card holders will only pay €2 per item, with a maximum cost of €20 a month.

“This means Meath West Medical Card holders under the age of 70 will save up to €60 in 2018 from the reduction in the prescription charge”.

And in another boost for families, more savings will come into force from January 1^st on the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS).

“This year local families will also save up to €120 a year in medication costs with a reduction of €10 in the monthly threshold for Drug Payment Scheme

“Budget 2018 provided for a reduction in the DPS monthly threshold from €144 to €134, with effect from January 1^st.

“The DPS is intended to protect people and families who don’t have a medical card against excessive health costs, through a monthly cap on approved medicine costs. It also applies to those who have a GP visit card.

“Reducing the cost of medicines for families is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and, building on the progress in 2017 where Fine Gael in government reduced the prescription charge for over 70’s, we are delighted to now be in a position to further reduce the cost of medicines from the 1st of January 2018.

“In line with the Sláintecare recommendations, and subject to available resources, it is our intention to build upon these initiatives in future years and continue to reduce the cost of medicines for families.

“Fine Gael in Government is committed to supporting you and your family and building a sustainable future,” Minister English concluded.

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Vacant shops could be turned into homes to tackle the housing shortage across Meath and Ireland – English

Friday, 15th December 2017

Vacant shops could soon be turned into homes to help tackle the
housing shortage in Meath and Ireland.

This is the proposal of local Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal
and Meath West Fine Gael T.D. Damien English which was brought forward
to Government during the week so that vacant commercial premises can
be made into housing without the need for planning permission.

Minister English said: “These draft regulations, if approved by the
Oireachtas, will allow the conversion of certain vacant commercial
premises here in Meath such as empty retail units and “over the shop”
type spaces to homes without the need for planning permission.

“This will have the dual benefit of creating urgently needed housing
supply in high demand areas, while at the same time breathing new life
into our towns and urban areas- many of which have been adversely
affected by the economic downturn.

“Fine Gael in Government, and myself and Minister Murphy in our
Department are fully committed to bringing as many vacant properties
as possible back into use and maximising the use of existing
resources.”

“These new regulations, brought forward by myself and my colleague
Minister Eoghan Murphy, will make it easier for property owners to
re-imagine the use of vacant and under-used buildings without having
to go through the planning process.

“These are the first of a series of measures being developed by my
Department to streamline the various regulatory requirements relating
to the conversion of vacant spaces for residential use”.

“We want to once again show how the planning system can be responsive
to current needs and demands, by removing the need for planning
consent where appropriate and thereby provide greater efficiencies in
the system.

“All elements of the three sets of proposals brought forward today
have the potential to have a very real and positive impact on the
people of Meath and beyond.

“The Joint Oireachtas Committee will discuss these proposals in early
2018 so that the new provisions can be brought into operation as soon
as possible” concluded Minister English.

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Note to Editors:

The Planning Act provides that the Minister may make regulations to
provide that certain classes of development shall be exempted from the
requirement to obtain planning permission.  The three sets of draft
exempted development regulations now proposed relate to exemptions
for:

Ø  development by Irish Water related to the provision of water
services and the undertaking of normal day to day activities relating
to same, such as maintenance type works,

Ø  the change of use, and any related works, relating to the
conversion of vacant commercial premises for residential use (subject
to certain limitations), on foot of the commitment in Rebuilding
Ireland in this regard, and

Ø  amending existing provisions relating to certain works by statutory
undertakers in providing telecommunications services, to support the
rollout of the National Broadband Plan and extended mobile phone
coverage.

English welcomes news of €47,000 for new Meath Sports Partnership project

Friday, 15th December 2017

Meath one of 11 Counties to benefit from Urban Outdoor Adventure
Initiatives under Dormant Accounts Fund

Meath West Fine Gael T.D. and Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal
Damien English has welcomed news from the Department of Rural and
Community Development and the Department of Transport, Tourism and
Sport, that Meath Sports Partnership is to benefit from €47,000 in
funding under the Dormants Accounts Fund.  Meath is one of 11 Counties
chosen to benefit from ‘Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiatives’.

The successful Meath Sports Partnership project is a kayaking
programme that will run in Navan and Trim. The project seeks to create
new opportunities for traveller community with training provided to
participants in kayaking. There will be investment in equipment
necessary for this project. Equipment will be also utilised by local
clubs, schools, and youth groups and on other programmes after this
initiative is complete. “This means it is an investment both now and
for the future for Navan, Trim and Meath” stated Minister English.

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Paddy Dunne is 90 years young

Wednesday, 13th December 2017

Birthday Boy meets An Taoiseach in Government Buildings

In picture: Walter Waldron and Jim Nevin, Carnaross Branch, An
Taoiseach Dr. Leo Varadkar T.D., Paddy Dunne, Minister Damien English
T.D., Cllr. Sarah Reilly, Frank Mullan, Carnaross Branch and Cllr. Joe
Fox.

Long standing Fine Gael member from Carnaross, Paddy Dunne, celebrated
his 90th birthday last Wednesday 13th December 2017, reaching the age
of 90.

As part of the celebrations Meath West Fine Gael T.D. and Minister for
Housing and Urban Renewal Damien English organised a visit for Paddy
to both the Dáil and Government Buildings to mark the special day.

Paddy met with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D. along with Cllr. Sarah
Reilly, Cllr Joe Fox and members of Fine Gael Carnaross Branch – Frank
Mullan, Jim Nevin and Walter Waldron.

Later that night the Carnaross Branch of Fine Gael, and Kells District
Executive of Fine Gael met in the Carnaross Inn for speeches and
presentations to Paddy, who showed no signs of tiring of the long
day’s events and festivities.

Minister English stated: “Paddy is a member of Fine Gael in Carnaross
and Meath since 1954. He has been a loyal member of the Carnaross
branch of Fine Gael for sixty-three years. He first canvassed for the
party in the General Election of 1954 when Patrick Giles (elected),
Denis Farrelly and Patrick Dillon stood for Fine Gael. Paddy has an
impeccable record of canvassing in 18 General Elections, 11 Local
Elections, 8 European elections and 6 Presidential Elections.  We wish
him well on his 90th birthday, and hope that there are many more years
of good health and fruitful political activity ahead!”

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Minister English welcomes €28.8m Minor Works Grant for Primary Schools

117 Meath Primary Schools to receive money, 77 in Co. Westmeath

Local Meath West T.D. and Minister for Housing and Urban Development
Damien English T.D. has welcomed the news from the Minister for
Education and Skills, that the Minor Works Grant will be paid to all
primary schools throughout Meath West and the country next week.

All primary schools will receive a flat rate Minor Works Grant of
€5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs
pupil attending a special school or special class. The grant is worth
€6,425 for a 50 pupil school and over €11,000 for a 300 pupil school.
There are 117 Primary Schools in Co. Meath, and 77 in Co. Westmeath.

Schools can use the grant for a variety of school works, including
improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or
replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of
standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of
floor coverings and window blinds, and the purchase of IT related
equipment.

Minister English said:

“I am pleased to announce that a 2017/2018 Minor Works Grant will
issue to primary schools throughout Meath West next week.  I am aware of
the importance of the Minor Works Grant to schools. I would like to
take this opportunity to pay tribute to the excellent work done by
Boards of Management on a voluntary basis as well asa by School
Principals in using the Minor Works Grant effectively to improve
school infrastructure and upgrade the furniture and equipment
available for teaching and learning.”

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