Pat Deering tD Working for Carlow, Working for you...

Local Clinic Times (no appointment necessary for local clinics)

HacketstownCullen’s of The Hill Friday 2nd December 5pm – 5.45pmCullen’s of The Hill Friday 6th January 5pm – 5.45pm

TullowTara Arms Friday 2nd December 6pm – 8pm Tara Arms Friday 6th January 6pm - 8pm

BorrisThe Step House Friday 9th December 5pm – 5.45pm The Step House Friday 13th January 5pm – 5.45pm

GlynnJohn A’s Friday 9th December 6pm – 6.45pmJohn A’s Friday 13th January 6pm – 6.45pm

BallonTraining Centre Friday 16th December 5pm – 5.45pmTraining Centre Friday 20th January 5pm – 5.45pm

KildavinConways Friday 16th December 6pm – 6.45pmConways Friday 20th January 6pm – 6.45pm

ClonegalOsbornes Friday 16th December 7pm – 7.45pm

FenaghKearney’s Friday 9th December 7pm – 7.45pm

Old LeighlinCommunity Centre Friday 13th January 7pm – 7.45pm

TinrylandParish Hall Friday 20th January 7pm – 7.45pm

LeighlinbridgeDoran’s Shop Friday 27th January 5pm – 5.45pm

BagenalstownEstoria Friday 27th January 6pm – 8pm

GraiguecullenSacred Heart Hall Thursday 26th January 8pm – 8.45pm

Constituency Office: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow059-9173446 or Mobile 087-9470736Email:pat.deering@oireachtas.ie

Alternatively you can visit me at my office every Saturday morning 11.30am to 1.00pm except Saturday 24th and Saturday 31st December,2011. Please make a prior appointment by phoning 059-9173446.

I would like to take this opportunity to

wish you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.

Pat Deering tD Working for Carlow, Working for you...

Education Since my Summer News Letter there have been major developments in the County regarding Education.

a) The newly merged Vocational Education Committee for Carlow and Kilkenny will have its headquarters in Carlow Town.

b) Tullow Community School is to get an extensive refurbishment and extension. When work is completed the school will cater for more than 1,000 Secondary School Children. Work is expected to commence in the second half of 2012.

c) Technological University of the South East. There is extensive work going on in the Region and at Government Level in relation to the establishment of a multi campus technical university in the South East. This would include IT Carlow and its Wexford Campus as well as Waterford IT. I believe for any University proposal to succeed and have the support of all in the South East its Governance and Management Structures must be based upon a joint ownership model which ensures equality and inclusion.

d) Knockbeg College will at long last get its “New School”. The project will retain the original listed buildings and involves extensive refurbishment and extension works. Work on this project should commence in 2013.

Better Energy Homes SchemeThe Government wishes to encourage people to improve the energy performance of their homes by incentivising the cost of installing various upgrade measures.

OBJECTIVES• Support homeowners

in making choices to improve the energy performance of their home.

• Reduce energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Build market capacity and competence by driving contractor standards and quality.

• Stimulating market innovation.

All Home owners of houses and dwellings built before 2006 may apply. Homes built since 2006 should not require significant upgrades.

Eligible Measures:Attic Insulation, Cavity Wall insulation ,External Wall insulation, Internal Dry Lining, High efficiency Boiler upgrades, Solar heating.

Apply on line at www.seai.ie /betterenergyhomes or call 1850-927000 to request a form

There is also funding available for energy efficiency improvements in the homes of the elderly and vulnerable, making their homes more comfortable, healthier and more cost effective to run. This is called ‘Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme’ and is provided at no cost to the household provided the owner is in receipt of Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme, the house was constructed before 2002, is owner occupied and is a non-local authority house.

This scheme covers:Attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, low energy light bulbs, cavity wall insulation and energy advise.

Email warmerhomes@seai.ie or call 1800-250204.

Get ready for the Winter As winter approaches we all hope it will not be one with temperatures as low as the last two, but one thing for sure is we can do nothing about the weather only prepare for it.

The Government has allocated €11.25 million to assist local authorities with their winter maintenance costs and to keep important roads clear. Salt supplies purchased by the NRA (Nation Roads Authority) are the same as in previous years but this year the Government has purchased an additional 60,000 tonnes.

We have no way of knowing at this stage whether it will be a harsh winter or not but we ourselves need to be prepared, stay safe and look after your neighbour.

Constituency Commission A Constituency Commission has established under section 5 of the Electoral Act 1997 (as Amended) to report in relation to the Constituents for (a) the election of members to the Dáil and (b) the election of members of the European Parliament.

1. In relation to Dáil constituencies, the Commission is required, in observing the relevant provisions of the Constitution, and the provisions of the Act of 1997 as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011, to have regards to the following:

(a) The total number of members of the Dáil, subject to the Article 16.2.2 of the Constitution, shall be not less than 153 and not more than 160;

(b) Each constituency shall return 3, 4 or 5 members;

(c) The breaching of County boundaries shall be avoided as far as practicable. The reference to county boundaries shall be deemed not to include a reference to the boundary of a city or any boundary between any 2 of the local government counties of Dun Laoighre-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin;

(d) Each constituency shall be composed of contiguous areas;

(e) There shall be regard to geographic considerations including significant physical features and the extent of and the density of population in each constituency; and

(f) Subject to the above matters, the Commission shall endeavour to maintain continuity in relation to the arrangement of constituencies.

2. In relation to European Parliament Constituencies, the Commission shall have regard to the following:

a) In accordance with the provisions of the Nice Treaty, the total number of members to be elected in the State to the European Parliament shall be 12;

b) There shall be reasonable equality of representation as between constituencies; and

c) the matters specified at (b) to (f) of paragraph 1 above.

The Commission invites written submissions in relation to matters which should be considered in reporting on constituencies. Submissions should be addressed to The Secretary, Constituency Commission, Room 1.65, Custom House, Dublin 1 or by Email to Constituency.commission@environ.ie

I feel strongly about the part of County Carlow that is included in the Wicklow/East Carlow Constituency. I will be doing all in my power to get this part of our County back into the Carlow/Kilkenny Constituency where the people can be represented by Carlow Representatives. I encourage you to make appropriate submissions and the closing date for submission is 10th January, 2012.

Constituency Office: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow. 059-9173446 or Mobile 087-9470736. Email: pat.deering@oireachtas.ie

Working for Carlow, Working for you...

Capital Budget - Enterprise The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, announced that his Department has secured an increase in its capital budget, from €508million to its highest ever level of €514million in 2012, reflecting the priority accorded to job-creation by this Government.

The 5 year capital programme announced recently will allow: ■ 4% increase in the Enterprise Ireland capital budget in 2012 ■ 10% increase in the number of high potential start-up Irish companies supported in 2012 ■ 20% increase in the number of Innovation Partnerships ■ 18million spend on Innovation Fund Ireland in 2012 to further improve the Irish venture capital

industry ■ New technology centres in Cloud, E-learning and Financial Services to be commenced in 2012 ■ Delivery of the Partial Loan Guarantee Scheme ■ Full protection of the IDA capital budget over the period of the programme, to enable delivery of

the “Horizon 2020” strategy ■ Full support in 2012 for the SFI research community of over 3,000 researchers, including research

teams working with over 500 industry partners ■ Maintenance of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions ■ Doubling the number of Technology Innovation Development Awards to 200 in 2012 ■ Full maintenance of the County Enterprise Boards’ budget

The Minister also announced that he has secured agreement on key changes to the way capital budgets are managed in his Department, in line with reform policies he has developed over recent years. ■ There will be greater autonomy to carry over unspent capital allocations from one year to the next,

as part of the battle against the crazy end-of-year “spend it or lose it” practices that we have seen in the past;

■ There will be greater freedom to reinvest the proceeds of the Department’s own resources – for example, IDA’s income from rents on properties, Enterprise Ireland’s proceeds from sales of stakes in companies – creating an increased incentive for managers to invest wisely in funds, companies and research projects;

■ Multi-annual budgeting will play a larger role in my Department’s planning, reflecting international best practice and common sense.

The Government has to make some very tough decisions in this Budget about where to allocate reduced resources. However we are determined that alongside austerity we must bring about economic recovery and jobs. That is why we are saying unashamedly that job-creation is at the very top of the government’s agenda, and why we are prioritising the Enterprise capital budget at this very difficult time. I firmly believe that these are grounds for believing that, if we continue with our plan, we will see the beginnings of the recovery in economic growth and job-creation we so badly need.

Capital Budget – Agriculture Publication of the capital budget for each Department shows that the agri-food industry has been recognised as an important economic driver by this Government.

The increase in the allocation for capital 2012 -2016 shows a recognition by this Government that the previous National Recovery Plan figures for agriculture published by the last FF led Government were totally inadequate. Fine Gael and Labour have recognised that additional capital is required to drive Food Harvest 2020 and to continue export led growth in the agri-food industry.

Under Fine Gael and Labour the capital allocation for 2012 has increased by €18m. In addition, the capital allocation will remain consistent at €168 m through to 2016, €28m more annually than was allocated by the last Government.

In total this Government will spend €130m more on capital investment programmes in Agriculture over the 2012- 2016 period than Fianna Fail had planned.

While the capital allocation for 2012 reflects a fall in expenditure from 2011, a drop in expenditure will occur due to schemes such as the Farm Waste Management Scheme ending and discussions are also ongoing with the Department of Finance and PER on next year’s overall agri-food programme of expenditure.

Constituency Office: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow. 059-9173446 or Mobile 087-9470736. Email: pat.deering@oireachtas.ie

Carlow VEC 2011 Grant Allocation

Girl Guides €3200Scouts €4200

Macra Na Feirme €800Foroige €1900

Youth Activity Clubs €4521Polish Youth Club €550

No Name and Youth Clubs €1650

Carlow Swimming Pool Grants

Two Carlow Swimming Pools have received substantial funding to provide

access for people with disabilities and to promote and improve energy efficiency. Graiguecullen €290,000

and Bagenalstown €130,000.

Jobs Initiative SchemeThree more small projects were

approved under the jobs initiative scheme which is designed to provide

employment as well as benefitting the Community.

1) Pedestrian Crossing at Hacketstown Dispensary

2) Footpath from Ballyellen to Goresbridge

3) Pedestrian Crossing at Tullow Community School.

Sports Capital FundingFour projects in Carlow were approved for funding as part of a Capital Grant

Scheme for local authority backed sports projects.

BAGENAlSTOwN TOwN PArk – outdoor gym equipment €23,000

Oakpark Forest Park - outdoor gym equipment €23,000JOHN SwEENEY PArk – Ashgrove -

pitch development and fencing €17,000TullOw TOwN PArk –

outdoor gym equipment €23,000

Michael Abbey, 32 Green Road, Carlow. 059-9131721/086-8582179

Fergal Browne, Church View, Rutland, Bennekerry, Carlow. 059-9135356/087-9884113

Denis Foley, 1 Chestnut Court, Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. 059-9721802/086-2626483

Joe Manning, Market Square, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. 059-9722030/087-2558033

Tom O’ Neill, 146 JKL Ave, Carlow. 059-9130152/086-3864486

Tommy Bambrick, Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. 087-2254180

Michael Doran, Main Street, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. 059-9721184/087-2152788

Fred Hunter, Raheen, Tobinstown, Co. Carlow. 059-9161173/087-2148172

John Murphy, Glisheen, Boggan, Kilbride, Co. Carlow. 059-9159238/087-2125275

Pat O’ Toole, 12 Shillelagh Grove, Tullow, Co. Carlow. 059-9151940/087-8115722

Eileen Brophy, 39 Idrone Park, Tullow Road, Carlow. 059-9143851/087-2648929

Wayne Fennell, 19 Beechwood Park, Pollerton, Co. Carlow. 059-9134770/087-9241331

Tommy Kinsella, Kilcumney, Goresbridge, Co. Carlow. 059-9775398/087-9377386

Your Local Fine Gael Team in County Carlow

Pat Deering tDWorking for Carlow, Working for you...

Tommy O’Neill It was with a deep sense of sadness and shock that I learned of the sudden death of Carlow GAA County Secretary Tommy O’ Neill. I have known Tommy for over twenty years and have worked closely with him during my time as fixtures Chairman and Chairman of the County Board. As Secretary Tommy was always available to me no matter when I called, day or night.To his family I extend my deepest sympathy. He will indeed be missed by all Carlow Gaels as by his family. Ar dheis de go raibh a ainm.

Constituency Office: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow059-9173446 or Mobile 087-9470736Email:pat.deering@oireachtas.ie

Tidy Towns Congratulations to all our Tidy Town Participants on achieving yet again more great results in the competition. All our entrants achieved a higher score than the previous year – 2010 with three Gold Medal Winners, Leighlinbridge, Carlow Town and Clonegal with Old Leighlin receiving the Endeavour Award and Clonegal named as County Winner.

Congratulations to all and keep up the good work.

The Gathering “The Gathering” is a project announced by the Minister for Tourism Leo Varadkar, it is intended to run as a year long programme of events attracting tourists to Ireland in 2013. The aim of this event is to showcase the best that Ireland has to offer. If we all play our part in coming up with ideas it is estimated that an extra 300,000 visitors will be attracted to Ireland. For more details or to register your interest visit www. gatheringireland.com

Sugar Factory Its early days yet but there have been two very detailed feasibility studies prepared in relation to the Sugar Industry. Both are very positive and with sugar quotas due to be abolished in 2015 there is a real chance that this once ‘jewel in the crown’ industry may return to our country and county. There is still a lot of work to be done, it’s still a few years off – but wouldn’t it be sweet !

Pat’s TeamCatherine Kealy - Secretarial Assistant Michael Meaney - Parliamentary Assistant.

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