English encourages communities to apply for CCTV funding

–          Up to 60% of total capital cost available, up to maximum
grant of €40,000
–          Scheme remains open with funding of €1m available each year

Thursday, 26th April 2018

The Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, and Meath West Fine Gael
T.D. Damien English, has encouraged groups in Meath and Westmeath to
apply for the Community based CCTV grant-aid scheme established by the
Justice Department to assist communities in the establishment of CCTV
systems in their local areas. Under the scheme, community groups can
apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a
proposed system, up to a maximum grant of €40,000.

Minister English stated: “I am very anxious to ensure that all
interested groups, in both rural and urban areas of Meath West, take
advantage of the availability of this grant-aid scheme. Full details
of the grant aid package are available to download from the Justice
Department website www.justice.ie and officials in that Department are
available to provide additional guidance on the application process
should that be helpful.”

The scheme was developed in line with a commitment in the Programme
for a Partnership Government to support investment in CCTV systems at
key locations along the road network and in urban centres. The scheme
is currently due to run until April 2020 with funding of some €1
million being made available each year.

Minister English added: “The investment represented by the
community-based CCTV grant-aid scheme reflects the value that
communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV as a means of
deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders. I am
conscious too that An Garda Síochána have reviewed the effectiveness
of CCTV systems and indicated that it utilises CCTV in almost every
criminal investigation, during major public events and sporting
occasions, in the investigation of road traffic incidents and in many
other areas requiring police action.  Community-based CCTV systems
have therefore proven to be of significant assistance in the
prevention and detection of crime throughout the State.”

The grant-aid scheme is intended to supplement the existing network of
CCTV systems.  For example there are some 35 Garda CCTV schemes in
operation throughout the State comprising in excess of 500 cameras.
There are also some 45 Community-based CCTV schemes in operation,
established under a previous grant-aid scheme funded by the Department
between 2005 and 2013, encompassing some 367 cameras to which An Garda
Síochána have access. Regarding the road network, services under the
Garda Safety Camera contract commenced in May 2017 and provide an
annual minimum of 90,000 hours of monitoring and surveying vehicle
speed across 1,031 designated safety camera zones. Further expansion
of the use of technologies including CCTV and Automatic Number Plate
Recognition is included under the Garda Commissioner’s Modernisation
and Renewal Programme 2016-2021.

ENDS

Note for editors:

Application forms and guidance documents can be downloaded at
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Community-Based-CCTV

The rules governing establishment of community CCTV schemes are
provided for in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, and in the
Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006. This legal framework requires
proposed community CCTV schemes to:

–          have the prior support of the relevant Local Authority,
which must act as data controller in respect of the system;
–          be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee; and
–          have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner in
accordance with Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

English thanks emergency services, local Councils and most importantly community spirit and human kindness

Monday, 5th March 2018

As the thaw well and truly sets in, and normal life begins to return
for the majority of our people, it would be wrong not to reflect on
the week gone by and thank those who did so much locally and
nationally during the most raw demonstration of nature’s power in our
generation.

I want to acknowledge and thank the exceptional work of local
emergency services like An Garda, Fire Services, Defence Forces and
Reserve Defence Forces, Ambulance and Hospital staff last week. i also
want to thank Meath and Westmeath County Councils – their staff, elected members and
contractors, and all of those who kept our roads open when safe to do
so, and who kept water and power supplies going or helped to restore
them if lost. As a once in a generation event Storm Emma really pushed
the resources of the State nationally and locally, and as a result so
many local people, especially our local farming community stepped into
the breach to our offer their expertise, experience and community
spirit in clearing local roads and local estates.

Community groups like Meath River Rescue joined the Civil Defence, Order of Malta, Red Cross, Gardai and many others in delivering emergency workers, carers and
home helps safely to work, and helping meals and wheels and other vital services to do their work with the oldest and most vulnerable in our society.

Local media  like LMFM, Midlands Radio, the Meath Chronicle and Westmeath Examiner online, and Social Media platforms were all crucial in keeping people informed.

As a member of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group I saw how the work of our emergency services, communities and media nationwide was equally exceptional. I also saw first hand the quality of the research and modelling done by Met Eireaann, who are second to none in Europe. Their early warnings early last week gave people time to organise supplies and make all necessary preparations.  We thank them for that too.

The work of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group was mirrored in every County by similar local groups, and Meath and Westmeath County Councils are to be congratulated for their leadership and team work of this group locally along with all the members groups and agencies.

The danger with saying thanks is that someone is left out, but that
never happens on purpose.  The gratitude of Meath West and the whole
country goes out to those who went above beyond the call of duty last
week, and put themselves in harm’s way in helping their community and
country.

Please continue to use common sense during the thaw and heed the
warnings on local media. Please watch out for potential flooding on
our roads and continue to stay safe.

ENDS

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.”

ENDS

€586,186 vote of confidence in Meath West towns and villages – English

Wednesday, 4th October 2017

8 Meath West projects to benefit under 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme

The Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, and Meath West Fine Gael
T.D. Damien English has today welcomed news that 8 rural towns and
villages across the Meath West Dáil Constituency are set to benefit
from over €900k in funding under the 2017 Town and Village Renewal
Scheme. The scheme is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for
Rural Development.

Commenting on the success of the 8 Meath and Westmeath rural town and
villages Minister
English stated: “Fine Gael in Government have placed a particular
emphasis on projects in rural Ireland which have the capacity to
support the economic development of rural town and villages as well as
their neighbouring townlands.  This scheme will also support
improvements to public amenities in town and village centres, to help
make them more attractive places in which to live and work and to
visit. I congratulate the local community groups concerned in
achieving this funding, and the local Councillors and Meath and Westmeath County
Council officials whom they and I liaise with to ensure this vital
funding for local communities. Congratulations again to all concerned”
concluded Minister English.

The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which was launched in April
this year, focuses on projects which can help to enhance and develop
rural towns and villages, with a particular emphasis on stimulating
economic development.

The full list of projects funded in the Meath West Dáil Constituency
are set out below:

Athboy Convert Community Centre €100,000.00
Ballinacree Village Enhancement €29,200.00
Ballivor New Playground €90,000.00
Oldcastle Walkway Improvements €78,986.00
Dromone Village Enhancement €72,000.00
Collinstown Develop Village Centre €72,000.00
Delvin Signage,Surface dressing of Laneway,Improve lighting, Provide
Parking. €68,000.00
Killucan/Rathwire Improvement enhancement Town Park,Restoration of
Mass path,Address high level of derelection. €76,000.00

Meath West Dáil Constituency Total: €586,186

ENDS

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

Meath to receive over €130k for heritage projects– Minister English

Friday, 12th May 2017

New funding for Meath under the Structures at Risk Fund & the Built
Heritage Investment Scheme

Damien English T.D., Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal and Meath
West Fine Gael T.D. has announced that heritage projects in Meath are
to benefit from over €130k in funding.

“New funding totalling €131,140 has been granted to Meath for heritage
projects here.

“Providing funding under these schemes is a commitment in Fine Gael’s
Action Plan for Rural Development, ‘Realising Our Rural Potential’.
This funding for Meath is part of an announcement by my colleague,
Minister Heather Humphreys of €4.8 million for 569 heritage projects
across the country.

“Through the Structures at Risk Fund and the Built Heritage Investment
Scheme a large number of public and private heritage buildings will
benefit from support, including €9,150 for St. Patrick’s Cathedral in
Trim, €2,970 for Loreto Navan Convent Chapel, €3,300 for Donaghpatrick
Parochial Hall, €2,500 for the Old School House at Agher, €2,500 for
Athboy Parochial House, and €2,500 for St Mary’s COI Navan, amongst
many other local examples.

“This funding will allow for the conservation and repair of protected
structures across Meath. These buildings and structures are so
important to our heritage and identity as a county, and maintaining
and repairing them is a crucial part of the regeneration of our
communities.

“The funding is also very important in terms of developing our tourism
offering and helping to attract visitors to Meath with all the
benefits that can bring.

“Nationally, it is expected the schemes will leverage more than €11
million in private funds. It is also important to note that the works
on these protected structures will generate significant employment in
the conservation and construction industries, which is good news for
local job creation.”

ENDS

€20 million in funding available for rural towns and villages – English

Friday, 14th April 2017

The Government has announced €20 million in funding for rural towns
and villages as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development

Damien English T.D., Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, and Meath
West Fine Gael T.D. has said this will bring tangible benefits to
people and revitalise rural communities in Meath.

“The funding announced this week by Minister for Arts, Heritage,
Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, is great
news for rural Ireland and I strongly encourage Meath County Council
to apply.

“The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an initiative under the
Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development, Realising our Rural
Potential, and is part of a package of national and local support
measures to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland.

The Scheme will be funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage,
Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and administered by the Local
Authorities.

“Fine Gael in Government, is using the resources created by our strong
economy to deliver real benefits to people and communities all across
the country.  The Government’s new Action Plan for Rural Ireland
contains over 270 targeted actions that will help to deliver these
benefits to people here in Meath.

“Up to 300 towns and villages will benefit from funding under the 2017
Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will be made available through
Local Authorities over the next 15 months to support rural
regeneration.

“The scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages with
populations of less than 10,000. Applications from towns can range
from €20,000 to a maximum of €100,000. Funding of up to €200,000 will
also be considered for a limited number of projects which can deliver
exceptionally strong economic benefit to a town and its outlying
areas.

“A number of towns and villages across Meath were badly affected by
the recession of recent years and part of Fine Gael’s Action Plan will
review planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant
commercial properties in rural towns and villages. I hope to see this
having an impact on our local towns and villages.

ENDS

English encourages local community groups to apply for newly available CCTV funding

Thursday, 13th April 2017

Meath and Westmeath communities are set to benefit from a new grant
scheme for community CCTV.That’s according to Minister for Housing and
Urban Renewal, Damien English T.D. who was informed by the Minister for
Justice and Equality, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, that her Department
has announced a grant-aid scheme to assist community groups with
establishing community-based CCTV systems.

“Under the scheme, eligible community groups can apply for grant-aid
of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up
to a maximum grant of €40,000. Upon approval of the grant, the
applicant will receive an up-front payment of 50% of the grant with
the balance to be paid when the system is fully operational.

“Some of the key objectives of the Scheme are to enhance existing
policing provision within the community, to assist in the prevention
and reduction of local crime, disorder and anti-social activity and to
increase community involvement in the provision of legitimate,
integrated responses to prevent and reduce crime in local areas in
association with appropriate agencies.

“These CCTV systems will act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour
and enhance existing policing provision here in Meath and Westmeath.
It is intended that the scheme will run for 3 years with funding of €1
million being made available each year.

“I am delighted to see the Government following through on the
commitments set out in the Programme for Government.

“Fine Gael is committed to continuing to strengthen and update
Ireland’s laws to tackle new and emerging crime trends.

“We will also continue to work with Garda management and the Policing
Authority to implement reforms that will provide greater confidence,
protection, transparency and efficiency to crime reduction, detection
and prosecution, here in Counties Meath and Westmeath.

ENDS

Speech at Retrofit Insulation Masterclass in Athboy

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Opening address by Mr. Damien English, T.D.

Minister of State at the Department of the Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government at the Retrofit Insulation Masterclass

on Tuesday, 25 October 2016 at 09:30 a.m. at

Ecological Building Systems, Athboy, County Meath.

Introduction

• Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here this morning in this
state of the art knowledge centre to address the Retrofit Insulation
Masterclass. I understand the absolute importance of such training
events not just from the perspective of my current role as Minister for Housing and Urban
Renewal but also from the perspective of my previous role as Minister
for Skills, Research and Innovation at the Department of Education.

• At the outset I would like to thank MacCann & Byrne and Ecological
Building Systems for giving me the opportunity to be here with you
today. Recent changes to the Building Control Regulations have put a
strong emphasis on improving the competence and quality of the
construction industry. That is why I fully support today’s event and
other training events such as the Qualibuildconference which I have
also spoken at.

Rebuilding Ireland / Social Housing Retrofitting

• The Government and I have made it our number one priority to resolve
the housing and homelessness crisis and under “Rebuilding Ireland” we
have set out a broadly based and comprehensive set of actions to do
just that.

• A core objective of “Rebuilding Ireland” is delivering quality and
energy efficient housing in a way that meets current needs while
supporting sustainable communities and maximising the contribution of
the built environment to addressing climate change.

• Furthermore under the Social Housing Investment Programme my
Department is providing, via local authorities, funding of up to
€15,000 euro per dwelling for necessary works such as attic and wall
insulation, the replacement of windows and external doors and the
fitting of energy-efficient condensing boilers.

Building Control Framework & Construction Industry Register Ireland

• As you are all aware, we are in the middle of a severe housing
shortage and the delivery of quality housing in a short timeframe and
at an affordable price is critical to meeting the demand for
residential accommodation that has built up in our major urban areas
as the recovery in our economy is sustained and continues to grow.

• To ensure the delivery of quality homes a trained and skilled
workforce is required that can deliver dwellings built to high quality
standards, at scale and in a consistent and repeatable manner at a
reasonable cost.

• The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (or S.I. No. 9 of
2014 as they are known) require greater accountability in relation to
compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory
certification of design and construction by registered construction
professionals and builders, lodgement of compliance documentation,
mandatory inspections during construction and validation and
registration of certificates.

• In tandem with the commencement of S.I. No. 9 of 2014, the
Construction Industry Federation established Construction Industry
Register Ireland (or CIRI) as a voluntary register of builders,
contractors and specialist trade persons.

• To date over 800 Building and contracting entities are currently
included on the voluntary CIRI register and my Department will shortly
bring a Memorandum to Government for approval to begin drafting a Bill
to place the CIRI register on a statutory footing.

Climate Change & S.R. 54

• The latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) report on building energy
ratings has advised that “57% of dwellings built since 2010 are “A”
rated.” This is a significant improvement in terms of new dwellings.

• However retrofitting of existing dwellings can make a significant
contribution to meeting climate change targets as 25% of all energy
use occurs in dwellings.

• My Department worked closely with the Department of Communications,
Climate Action and Environment, the Sustainable Energy Authority of
Ireland and the National Standards Authority of Ireland to produce
Standard Recommendation 54 – S.R. 54 – Code of Practice for the Energy
Efficient Retrofit of Dwellings.

• This provides technical guidance on the energy efficient retrofit of
dwellings based on the most recent standards and technical guidance.

• While there are many challenges currently facing the housing sector,
the Government remains fully committed to its climate change and
energy efficiency targets and retrofitting is an important element of
achieving them.

• The delivery of construction skills training programmes such as this
in the area of retrofitting is an important contributor to achieving
our climate change targets and delivering quality housing.

EPBD/NZEB & Major Renovations

• The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires that
all new buildings will be Nearly Zero Energy Buildings by the end of
December 2020 and that new buildings owned and occupied by public
authorities will be nearly zero energy after the end of December 2018.

• The Directive defines a Nearly Zero Energy Building or NZEB as a
building that has a very high energy performance where the nearly zero
or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very
significant extent by energy from renewable sources including energy
from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby.

• However what is of particular interest from a retrofitting
perspective is that the Directive will also apply to major renovations
where more than 25% of the surface area of the building envelope
undergoes renovation.

Conclusion

• While there are many challenges facing the housing sector, overall
the economy continues to improve and a robust Building Control
Framework is in place to ensure quality and competence in
construction. This new framework has created an increased demand for
training and it is heartening to see how enthusiastic many of you here
today are about improving standards.

• As William Butler Yeats once said “Education is not the filling of a
pail, but the lighting of a fire” and that is why it is important that
training events such as this are organised as they provide an
opportunity for an exchange of views to take place, increase
innovation and highlight best practice in the industry.

• Thank you.

Minister English congratulates O’Growney N.S., Athboy on new extension

Monday, 17th October 2016

Log on to my Facebook to see some pictures from the event: https://www.facebook.com/damien.english.10/posts/656554431184975

“It was a pleasure as a local T.D. for Meath West, and as a recent
former Minister of State in the Department of Education with an
interest in this project, to attend at the blessing of the new
extension to O’Growney N.S. Athboy by the Most Rev. Bishop Michael Smith.
The staff team led by Principal John Brennan and Deputy Principal Mary
Kearney, the voluntary Board of Management, Parents’ Association and
their students are all to be complimented on seeing through a
fantastic project which will benefit and uplift the whole community of
Athboy” stated local Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien
English T.D. after attending the blessing of the new O’Growney N.S.
Athboy extension last week.

The project at O’Growney National School consisted of the construction
of a new 16 classroom school and ancillary accommodation and
equipment/furnishings, part demolition of the existing school building
and retention of the protected part of the existing building. The
project commenced on site on 18th May 2015 and the school building was
handed over on 21st June 2016 with all external work completed by the
19th September 2016 for its official opening last week.

ENDS