Anthony Lawlor TD - Working for the people of Kildare North

Anthony Lawlor’s Newsletter

I am most grateful to the people of Kildare North for

electing me to represent them in Dáil Éireann. I am

honoured to be in this position and intend to do my

best for the people and area of Kildare North. I have a

constituency office in Naas, which is open daily, and I

am holding a clinic in Celbridge every Thursday evening

so I encourage you to drop in or contact me if you wish

to raise an issue. I would also be more than happy to

organise tours to Dáil Éireann for individuals, groups or

schools. After all it is your parliament! Please do

not hesitate to give my Dáil office a call on 01 6183007

or email me at anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ie to

arrange a tour.

I look forward to meeting with you.

A message from Anthony

Government is Winter Ready To avoid the chaos which arose last year as a result of severe winter weather conditions, the Government recently launched its Winter Ready Information Campaign to give the public advice on how to prepare for the coming winter. I would encourage everyone across Kildare North to read the practical advice that can be found on the new website www.winterready.ie. The purpose of this new website is to ensure that the public know where to find advice if they need it, and to reassure them that arrangements are being put by the Government to ensure a coordinated response is launched if needed.

The gritting of roads was a major problem last year. This should be considerably alleviated thanks to additional salt stocks – there’s a total of 200,000 tonnes available to cover national, regional and local roads. This also includes a strategic reserve stock of 40,000 tonnes for priority routes in the event of a prolonged cold spell. Local authorities have been issued with guidelines on the spreading of grit, to ensure a consistent approach.

The following contact details will be helpful to people from the Clane area during periods of severe weather:

Clane Area Transportation 045 892695 Office - Email: roads@kildarecoco.ie

Council Waterworks Office - 045 431364 Email: watersection@kildarecoco.ie

Council Emergency Number - 1890-500-333

Street LightingAirtricity have recently announced a new scheme whereby members of the general public can report a fault with street lighting. If you encounter such a problem, simply log onto www.airtricitysolutions.com and click the ‘report a fault’ button on the home page. By reporting a fault in this manner, you can also track the progress of the repair. Airticity have also issued a service guarantee that faults will be completed within a maximum of 10 days. This new scheme should provide a more effective and efficient street lighting service.

Presidential InaugurationI was honored to recently attend the inauguration of our new President, Michael D. Higgins, on Friday 11th November. I was particularly delighted to learn that the skillfully crafted, contemporary chair which was used during the ceremony by President Higgins was produced by Kildare Man, John Lee of Pagestown, Maynooth. This was a great honour for John and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

JobBridgeI am satisfied that all efforts are being made to prevent employers from exploiting participants of the JobBridge Internship Scheme having received assurances on the matter from the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton.

I am aware that concerns have been raised that the JobBridge scheme could be open to abuse, and that employers could use it in an exploitative manner. I raised these concerns with the Minister and she has given me comprehensive assurances that checks and balances are in place to ensure the scheme is being fairly run.

• Each placement is based on a Standard Internship Agreement, which must be signed between the intern and the host organisation. This acts as a contract and clearly sets out the terms of the internship.

• The JobBridge team is closely monitoring internships. Monthly compliance reports must be completed and random site visits will soon begin as part of the process.

• The Scheme also contains a whistleblowing feature, which allows anyone who suspects an internship may be in breach of the rules to raise their concerns by ringing the National Call Centre.

I am urging anyone who is unemployed and seeking re-entry to the workforce to put aside any concerns and apply for an internship at http://www.jobbridge.ie/. To date approximately 2,800 organisations had advertised positions on the Scheme with a total of 5,600 internship opportunities being made available. The assurances I have received from the Minister should alleviate any concerns and I hope this will encourage more people to use the scheme to take their first step back into the workforce.

Medical Cards Since 1 July all new medical card applications and reviews are processed centrally. This new system involves an online application process (www.medicalcard.ie) and guarantees a 15 day turnaround for complete applications which means, when the means test requirements are met, that medical cards will be issued immediately. You can also track the progress of your application online.

Government Creation of Jobs to date

✔ Extra 15,900 places for further education and training programmes

✔ New National Internship Scheme providing 5,000 work experience places

✔ Lower rate of employers’ PRSI halved✔ VAT on tourism-related services cut by a third

under the Jobs Initiative✔ Reversal of minimum wage cut✔ Extra €75m for shovel-ready transport projects

to create/sustain 1,000 jobs✔ Extra €40m for 2011 Summer Works Scheme for

453 schools to create 2,400 jobs✔ New support programme for home energy

retrofitting to create 2,000 jobs✔ Rolling out the last phase of the National

Broadband Scheme

ANThoNy LAWLoR TD • Tel: 045 888488 • Email: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ie • www.anthonylawlor.ie

The Gathering The Gathering was recently announced by the Minister for Tourism, Leo Varadkar. It is proposed that a year-long programme of events will be planned for 2013 aimed at showcasing the best that Ireland has to offer. While major festivals will play a huge role, there will also be a focus on gatherings organised by local community groups and organisations. And that’s why I’m calling on people in Kildare North to get involved.Now is the time to start coming up with ideas and for local individuals, clubs and groups to put their thinking hats on. An event could be anything from a family reunion to a sporting event or a local festival. It’s all aimed at getting the Irish abroad and anyone with an interest in Ireland to come to these shores in 2013.The Gathering could attract an extra 300,000 visitors to Ireland, with huge economic benefits. This is something the whole country can share in. If you are a member of a club or an organisation, why not get together now and think about how you can make your mark. There’s a huge reserve of talent and goodwill right across the country that is just waiting to be tapped into. So I am encouraging local people in Kildare North to talk to neighbours, family, colleagues and club mates and get on board for The Gathering. You can register your interest by submitting an email address to www.gatheringireland.com.

Dáil rEfOrm

i welcome the package of reform for Dáil

Business, which have been effective since

September 2011. Among the measures,

the Dáil now sits earlier on Tuesdays and

on the first friday of every month; Topical

issue Debates have been introduced

giving backbench TDs more speaking

time; leaders Questions are now taken

by the Tánaiste on Thursdays and TDs

can raise issues regarding replies to

Parliamentary Questions.

Dáil SPEEChES

Since the resumption of the

Dáil in September i have spoken

on a number of issues such as

the closure of army barracks;

reform of veterinary practices,

the European financial Stability

and Euro Area loan and the irish

Social Welfare System.

Dáil Business

ANThoNy LAWLoR TD • Tel: 045 888488 • Email: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ie • www.anthonylawlor.ie

CongratulationsI would like to extend my congratulations to Loretta Weld on winning the TV3 Ireland AM ‘Most Stylish Boutique” Award recently. It is wonderful that a local business has been given national recognition and I wish Loretta and all her staff the very best of luck in their future business endeavor.

Dáil QuESTiONSi have tabled a number of Dáil Questions and received very worthwhile answers from Government ministers in relation to the JobBridge Scheme; Social Welfare fraud; allocation of Overseas Aid; reforming how death certificates are issued for irish people who die abroad; the introduction of Septic Tank inspections; the process of Judicial review, and aftercare services for people who self-harm.

Dáil COmmiTTEES

i am a member of the

Oireachtas Committee on

Jobs, Social Protection and

Education. The work of this

committee is instrumental

in getting ireland back on its

feet and i am looking forward

to the challenge ahead.

Recognition of Clane Tidy EstatesLast month a number of estates in Clane were commended at a local ceremony for their high standards as recognized at the national Tidy Towns Competition. Mainham Wood earned the award for the Best Small Estate in Clane; Parkview won the award for the Best Medium Estate, while Central Park and Churchfield were awarded with the Best Large Estates. From an overall perspective, I would like to congratulate the members of the Clane Tidy Towns Committee on a six point increase from last year in the national competition and wish them all the best for the year ahead.

Scoil Mhuire Evening ClassesEnrolments are now taking place for the Spring Term in Scoil Mhuire, Community School for a variety of evening classes. These classes provide a wonderful opportunity to socialize within the local community whilst also learning a new skill or hobby. If you are interested in enrolling, contact the school on 045-868255 or www.clanesm.com

Clarification on new drink driving limitsSince the recent introduction of the new drink driving limits, a number of constituents have contacted me in relation to the new lower limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood for professional drivers, tractor drivers and private cars towing a trailer. There appears to be some confusion in particular about people towing a private trailer. I have had this matter clarified by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, and I can assure people who tow a trailer that they will only be subjected to the lower limit if in fact they are towing a trailer at the time the offence is recorded.Currently in order to tow a tractor, one must have an EB category licence and are considered under the law as a ‘specified person’. The new lower limits are applicable to all ‘specified persons’ under the categorisation of driver licences. However, it has been made clear to me by the Department that an individual with a ‘specified person’ categorised licence, will only be subjected to the new limit if at the time they are driving the ‘specified vehicle’ as determined by their licence. Otherwise, the new lower limit of 50mg per 100ml of blood, reduced from 80mg, will apply. This new limit brings Ireland in line with European levels.

Promotion of tourism in KildareI was delighted to learn that the County Kildare Fáilte Interim Group has recently been established to focus on and develop a plan for tourism in County Kildare. This group comprises of experienced and successful members of the local tourist trade such as representatives from the restaurant and accommodation industry, Newbridge Silverware and John Osborne of the National Stud, who was recently commended for his role in bringing Queen Elizabeth to the County during her visit to Ireland last May. I am encouraged by the establishment of this group and confident that they will be successful in their goal to develop tourism in the County. The great thing about the Irish tourist industry is that everyone can play their part in making it a success and consequently aiding in Ireland’s economic recovery.

Competition Time! For the opportunity to win a tour to Dáil Éireann followed by a meal in the Dáil Restaurant for two people, email me the answer to the following question:

Q .Who is the current Minister for Children?

All correct answers to anthony.lawlor@oir.ie. Deadline for receipt of entries 16th December 2011.

Useful numbersKildare County Council 045-980200 Clane Community Library 045-892716North East Doctor on Call 1850-444 600Fire Station, Newbridge 045- 431370Clane Garda Station 045 - 868262Clane General Hospital, Prosperous Rd. 045- 868004Naas County Hospital, Naas 045- 897221

ANThoNy LAWLoR TDEmail: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ieConstituency Office: 56 South Main Street, Naas, Co. KildareContact Number: 045 888488Opening Hours: 9am -12am & 3pm – 5pm

Councillor Seamus Langan Cllr. Senan GriffinAddress: Clonkeeran, Carbury Contact Numbers: 045-9553058 (h) 087-2871347

Councillor Brendan Weld Email: bweldmcc@eircom.netAddress: Painstown, Donadea, Naas Contact Numbers: 045-869340/087-7828649

0612

Celbridge Clinic: Every Thursday 7pm – 8pm

Venue - Kildrought Inn, Main Street, Celbridge

Website: www.anthonylawlor.ie

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New websitei recently launched my ‘new look’ website page www.anthonylawlor.ie. if you are interested in how i spend my time in the Dáil and my opinions on various matters, log onto the website to see my speeches, responses to Dáil Questions and Press Statements. As your public representative in the Dáil it is important that you know of my activities.