The single biggest inflationary pressure on our economic recovery is energy costs. Gas prices projected to rise by up to another 50% over the coming months and then settle at a rate about 10% higher than current prices in the second half of next year which will have a significant knock on impact on electricity prices. Electricity prices have already …
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 …
50% jump in number of long term children in asylum system
While the number of people in the Direct Provision asylum system has gone down over the last 11 months, the number of children spending more than 5 years in the system has increased by a whopping 50% to 165 children. This Minister for Justice has just provided these figures to me in the Dáil reply below. The Direct Provision system …
€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 …
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, …
238 additional places on local Community Employment and Tús schemes – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD, Cathaoirleach of the Dáil Committee on Social Protection, has confirmed the provision of 238 additional places on local Community Employment and Tús schemes across Roscommon and Galway. The Government has sanctioned 30 additional Tús places in County Roscommon and a further 170 in County Galway, east of the City, with a further 38 Community Employment positions …
We are facing the climate equivalent of Lehman Brothers
The front page of today’s Irish Farmers Journal exposes the nonsense of trying to calculate biogenic methane at national rather than international level. As Climate Minister, I pointed out to my EU and Government colleagues, that if we end up reducing dairy and beef production in Ireland, it will be replaced by agricultural production in South America. Beef production in …
Passengers marooned by Bus Éireann withdrawal say local Independents
Cllr. Evelyn Parsons, Cllr Tim Broderick, and Denis Naughten TD have condemned the decision to withdraw the Bus Éireann service between Galway, Ballinasloe & Athlone which has left those with a free travel pass without any service. The local representatives went on to point out the lack of any information whatsoever at the local bus stops informing people that the …
Supports for remote working among 45 recommendations in Oireachtas Committee’s pre-budget submission to Department of Rural and Community Development – Naughten
The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands has published its pre-Budget 2022 submission to the Minister for Rural and Community Development. Supports for remote working, changes to the funding framework of the voluntary and charitable sector, additional supports for communities and community organisations, improved transport links to the islands, including a new air service …