Sheep welfare payment should be doubled Budget 2021 must deliver for suckler farmers by introducing a new Suckler Cow Environmental Scheme paying €200 for the first 20 cows as well as doubling the payment to farmers under the Sheep Welfare Scheme, according to Denis Naughten TD. “The agriculture proposals which as Regional Independent TDs we have put forward in …
Local colleges to receive over 1,800 laptops to assist students with online and blended learning – Naughten
Third level and further education colleges across Roscommon and Galway have secured €1.64m, from a €15m national fund, to provide over 1,800 laptops to assist with online learning. The local institutions that will benefit from the Government fund are: Athlone IT, Galway Roscommon Education & Training Board, Galway Mayo IT and NUI Galway. As a result of this funding the …
Private school buses could spur next Covid-19 clusters as operators left without guidance – Naughten
Many private school bus operators are being left without any guidance on the Covid measures they need to put in place to provide a service in just two weeks’ time, according to Denis Naughten TD. “While private contractors operate approximately 90% of school transport services, a substantial number of students who avail of services outside the formal school transport system …
Rethink needed on “supervised playgrounds”
Today I have asked the Government to reconisder its advice on the opening of “supervised playgrounds”. As parents we all know that supervised playgrounds simply do not exist except perhaps in attractions where an entrance fee is paid, which is beyond the reach of many people at present and which also cannot be attended on a regular basis. We …
Covid supports must not be paid to accommodation providers who refuse student refunds – Naughten
Limerick University should have public funding stopped until it refunds its students Denis Naughten has called on the Government to ensure that no student accommodation provider should be able to avail of financial support from the State if it has not refunded students forced to leave college early due to Covid-19. “This is not just private providers of accommodation because …
UL remains only university accommodation that has not refunded students
Universities and private accommodation providers MUST refund those forced to leave college due to Covid-19 The Minister for Education has confirmed that the University of Limerick remains the only University in the country that has refused to refund students who were forced to leave their accommodation due to Covid-19, says Denis Naughten TD. “In recent weeks I have been …
Postponement of the Leaving Cert
Leaving Certificate students who do not accept their calculated grades can appeal them. We were told at a briefing with the Department of Education that they will also have the chance to sit one or all of the exams in November & get a revised higher grade or hold their existing grade. While this will be too late to get …
€17k to improve local playgrounds – Naughten
Local TD Denis Naughten has welcomed the allocation of €17,247 from Minister Katherine Zappone to upgrade four local playgrounds in Ballinasloe, Ballyforan, Lecarrow and Monksland. “The funding, which has been provided to Galway & Roscommon County Councils, is to upgrade existing playgrounds which require investment and will be a welcome amenity for local children as the Covid-19 restrictions are …
Student accommodation providers MUST refund those forced to leave college due to Covid-19
In recent weeks I have been contacted by several students raising concerns that places like UL Campus Living in Limerick and several private providers of student accommodation in Galway will not refund rent for accommodation they have been forced to leave due to Covid-19. There are numerous reasons given for refusing to provide refunds but the fact is this …
Naughten welcomes measures to assist those working from home
Measures by the telecoms industry aimed at helping those working from home as well those who may be isolating have been welcomed by local TD Denis Naughten. “I am delighted to see that the industry – which includes all the major telecom providers – has made a number of commitments to enable people to keep in touch with both work …