Author Archives: Administrator
Calleary drives home the “Ireland for All” message at FF Ard Fheis
Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo and the party’s spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise & Employment Dara Calleary told hundreds of delegates at the 77ú Ard Fheis that Fianna Fáil is the only party which will ensure fairness and equality after the General Election. In a passionate and rousing address, Deputy Calleary outlined Fine Gael’s failure to spread the recovery to the regions, its failure to support entrepreneurs and its failure to invest in local infrastructure. “Enterprising communities need to be the heart of the recovery; however Fine Gael and Labour have driven a two-tier geographic divide, with 94% of all jobs created in 2014 in the Greater Dublin Region. It took […]
Read MoreCSP programmes entitled to additional financial support – Calleary
Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has welcomed confirmation that arrangements whereby individual Community Service Programme Companies will be able to access additional financial resources for the increase in the minimum wage are being put in place by the Department of Social Protection. Deputy Calleary received the news in reply to a Parliamentary Question that he placed to the Minister in the Dáil before Christmas. “I have been in contact with all the CSP Companies in Mayo for the last number of weeks since the increase in minimum wage was announced. This increase in minimum wage, while welcome, would place extraordinary strain on the resources of the individual companies who […]
Read MoreGP Rural Practice Allowance must be fully restored – Calleary
Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has warned that Government cutbacks to the Rural Practice Allowance are resulting in the erosion of GP care in rural Ireland. Deputy Calleary pointed out that if the current trend of GP retirements continues then many rural communities face the prospect of having no GP cover in the years ahead. “Communities in rural Ireland are feeling increasingly isolated as a result of the policies pursued by the Government. The Rural Practice Allowance was originally put in place to support GP care in rural Ireland. However the Government has targeted this scheme for cutbacks since coming to office, and this has resulted in a decline […]
Read MoreKnock Airport commitments still up in the air under Fine Gael
Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo Dara Calleary has hit out at Fine Gael for refusing to commit to a long term financial programme for Ireland West Airport Knock. Despite local Government TDs consistently patting themselves on the back, the fact of the matter is Fine Gael has done nothing to secure the long term security of the airport. Deputy Calleary commented, “Before the last General Election Enda Kenny promised to ‘do whatever he needed for Knock’ if he became Taoiseach, however, five years later that pledge has fallen flat. The Fine Gael leader has largely taken a back seat when it comes to bolstering the future of Knock Airport, only […]
Read MoreFianna Fáil to support SMEs through creation of State Enterprise Bank
– New entity will lend directly to small and medium businesses – Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Dara Calleary says the party will continue to put forward innovative policies to encourage and incentive job creation, including the establishment of a State Enterprise Bank to lend to small and medium businesses. Deputy Calleary explained, “Fianna Fáil has a proud history of promoting pro-enterprise policies that will boost business and increase employment. SMEs are the lifeblood of the economy and without easy access to credit, we risk cutting out the oxygen that sustains and grows our indigenous sector. We have consistently set out proposals for the establishment of a […]
Read MoreFitzgerald in Denial on Rural Crime – FF
Fianna Fáil’s Dara Calleary TD has accused the Justice Minister of being in a state of denial about the extent of rural crime and the impact of Garda station closures, following a media interview published this morning. Deputy Calleary commented, “It is increasingly clear that this government is actually beginning to believe its own spin. The scale of this disconnection with reality is clear this morning in an Irish Examiner interview with Minister Frances Fitzgerald, where she seeks to play down the issue of rural crime. “Denying the impact of Garda station closures on soaring crime rates and community decline, she reverts to Alan Shatter’s discredited promises of ‘smart policing’. […]
Read MoreUrgent support needed for Crossmolina community following flooding
– Calleary Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo Dara Calleary is calling on the Government to urgently implement a special package of supports for homeowners and businesses affected by flooding in Crossmolina. Deputy Calleary made the comments following a weekend of severe flooding in the town which has caused extensive damage to homes and businesses. “Crossmolina has suffered another damaging flood with many homes and businesses being hit for the second time in just three weeks. Those affected by the flooding are in desperate need of urgent support from the Government,” said Deputy Calleary. “The Department of Social Protection needs to open up access to the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme for those […]
Read MoreBeef farmers being held to ransom by processors – Calleary
Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo Dara Calleary is warning that beef farmers are facing another price crash this winter as processors introduce new penalties on Irish stock. It’s just over a year since farmers were hit with massive price cuts as factories began changing specifications and refusing to slaughter cattle. Deputy Calleary commented, “Beef farmers are only beginning to get back on their feet having survived the beef crisis. Now they’re being hit with an unfair raft of cuts by British processors who are discriminating against Irish producers. These big factories have reverted to the practices which led to the crisis two years ago and are putting farmers in an […]
Read MoreFunding for Community Action on Dementia Project must be found – Calleary
– Solid commitments, not vague assurances needed – Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo Dara Calleary says he’s encouraged by comments by the Minister for Mental Health Kathleen Lynch about funding for the Community Action on Dementia Project. Funding for the pilot programme, which has been extremely successful over the past three years, is due to run out next month, but the Minister says the HSE is considering extending the funding into 2016. Deputy Calleary commented, “The Community Action on Dementia Project has been a vital resource for hundreds of families across Co. Mayo, providing community based, one-to-one care which sees people treated in their own homes rather than having to […]
Read MoreJobs Action Plan a major let down for Mayo – Calleary
– Ballina and Erris excluded, Ireland West Airport Knock given token platitudes without any financial commitments – Fianna Fáil Jobs Spokesperson and TD for Mayo Dara Calleary says the Government has delivered more of the same with its latest regional Action Plan Jobs, which is full of vague ideas without any tangible targets. It’s the fifth such plan launched by Minister Richard Bruton, and is as superficial as its predecessors. Deputy Calleary commented, “This plan claims that it will get the West back to work but has completely abandoned Ballina, Erris and East Mayo. While the “plan” includes specific actions for Castlebar and Westport is has failed to outline any […]
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