Today, I highlighted a discrepancy in the way that Covid 19 infection information is managed in schools which potentially exposes people who are immunocompromised. While the Chief Medical Officer’s advice earlier this week stated that a Public Health Risk Assessment will still be carried out to protect vulnerable children in special schools, no such assessment will be carried out …
Online LPT system not accessible to all – Naughten
As people across the country start to receive letters regarding their Local Property Tax liabilities, Denis Naughten TD has reiterated his call for An Post to provide Government services for those who are unable to access online applications. “The letters arriving from Revenue this week in relation to LPT assessments state that returns must be done online through the Revenue …
Employment services must focus on individuals – Naughten
Today, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection discussed the procurement of PEmployment Services with SIPTU, Fórsa and Department of Social Protection. Officials have now confirmed that existing services will be provided with a 6 month extension. Here are my opening remarks as Cathaoirleach: Watch the full discussion here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/video-archive/committees/4677 PRESS RELEASE Social Protection Committee to discuss Public Employment Services …
One in 5 local children in supersized classes – Naughten
The fact that some children are still in classes of 30 pupils or more means many of them are being subjected to huge educational disadvantage which has negative, long-term consequences, claims local TD Denis Naughten. Questioning the Minister for Education in the Dáil, Denis Naughten pointed out: “If you spread the marmalade too thin on a slice of toast, you …
Plans to address broadband bottlenecks mothballed since project started – Naughten
The Mobile Phone & Broadband Taskforce, established to address key bottlenecks in the delivery of vital broadband infrastructure across the country, has failed to meet since the contract with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) was signed in November 2019. This, in part, has contributed to the significant delays in the project delivery, claims Denis Naughten TD. “Based on current estimates from …
€11,000 for local forest access – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD, Cathaoirleach of the Dáil Rural & Community Development Committee, has welcomed the allocation of €11,000 to improve access to Coillte forests in Ballygar and Correen outside Ballinasloe. A sum of €7,000 has been allocated to replace the foot bridge in Aghrane/Ballygar forest with the provision of a new trail to the children’s burial ground. A further €4,000 …
Family successors must act now to avail of nursing home farm relief – Naughten
Delays could cost 0.14% of farm value weekly Denis Naughten TD has urged families to ensure they are in a position to designate the farm successor within the next six weeks to avail of the three year cap on farm or business assets due to changes under the Fair Deal Nursing Home Support Scheme. Changes in the law introducing …
3100 rural homes in Ballinasloe & South Roscommon can now order broadband – Naughten
National Broadband Ireland is currently completing construction of its fibre optic broadband network in the rural areas surrounding the town of Ballinasloe in both counties Galway and Roscommon with companies now taking pre-orders for connections, says local TD, and architect of the National Broadband Plan, Denis Naughten. There are approximately 3100 premises in the Ballinasloe area such as Ballydangan, Creagh, …
Housing for All plan takes on Naughten proposals
Denis Naughten TD has welcomed the publication of the Government’s Housing for All plan, pointing out that many of his proposals on measures dealing with vacant properties across the country are now included in the new plan. “There are whole streets in our cities, towns and villages that have not had a football kicked on them in a generation. While …
Marine planning must be strategic and not just developer led
There are two things we have in abundance in Ireland, one is grass and the other is our ocean. Ireland has a sea area of 900,000 square kilometres, 10 times as big as our island, so as a country we are far more blue than green. As a result, we have some of the best offshore renewable energy resources in …