Author Archives: Administrator
Surge in education costs highlights growing pressure on Mayo families
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary has said the latest Consumer Price Index revealing yet another surge in the cost of education highlights the growing pressure on Mayo families. According to the figures released by the CSO, the cost of education is 4.8% higher than it was this time last year and is one of the main contributors to the increase in inflation. Deputy Calleary commented, “The cost putting a child through school and college is one of the greatest expenses facing any family. These latest figures show it has become even more expensive this year. “One of the main reasons for the increase is yet another hike of €250 in the […]
Road funding for Inishbiggle Island
Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has welcomed news that funding of€45,000 has been allowoacted towards essential road maintenance on Inishbiggle Island. Deputy Calleary received confirmation of the funding from Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley this week having brought the matter to his attention in July. “The Minister, in reply to representations made by me in July which I made on behalf of the residents of Inishbiggle, has confirmed that he has approved a grant of €45,000 (or 75% of the cost) for works to be carried out on LS5457 on Inishbiggle Island, County Mayo. Mayo County Council will fund the […]
415,000 reasons for a pro-jobs budget
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs, Dara Calleary TD, says the latest CSO job figures reinforce his call for a pro-jobs budget next month. Figures releases by the CSO reveal that 415,000 people in Ireland were on the Live Register at the end of August. “The latest CSO statistics highlight the importance of jobs and job creation in the budget. We need to see practical job creation measures introduced by Minister Richard Bruton next month. “It is also imperative that the capital budget is not only protected in the budget but expanded. Investing in capital projects will result in immediate job creation in the construction sector, which we all know has […]
Read MoreSwinford Day Care Service must be restored
Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary is calling upon the Government parties and the HSE to commit to the future of Day Care Services at Swinford District Hospital. Deputy Calleary said that he was disappointed that services have been postponed and appealed to the powers that be to have the situation rectified without delay. “I am calling upon the HSE to provide an immediate alternative for users of Day Care Services in Swinford, for them to commit to the future of Day Care Services in Swinford, and for intervention at the highest political level to support the retention of Day Care Services in Swinford,” he said. “The reality is that […]
Employment growth welcome but recovery under threat from mortgage crisis and lack of SME lending
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs and Enterprise Dara Calleary has warned that the limited progress that has been made in getting people back to work will be further hampered by the ongoing credit squeeze for small businesses as well as the mortgage crisis. Deputy Calleary commented: “I welcome the figures from the Central Statistics Office today which show the number of people in employment rose by almost 34,000 in the year to June. Any progress in easing the jobs crisis has to be welcomed. However alongside this news today we see figures from the Central Bank which show lending to small businesses fell again in the second quarter of this […]
Read MoreGovt Continues to Bury its Head in the Sand over Crisis in Retail Sector – FF
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Dara Calleary TD, says the government continues to ignore the growing crisis in the retail sector. Deputy Calleary was reacting to the announcement today by retailer Marks and Spencer that it will close four of its stores nationwide with the loss of 180 jobs. “My thoughts are with the 180 staff at Marks and Spencer and their families at this difficult and challenging time,” said Deputy Calleary. “In the past number of months we have seen multinational retailers like HMV, B&Q and Homebase close stores throughout the country. These companies are globally profitable and there must be serious questions asked as to […]
Read MoreMayo must benefit from pledge on Garda recruitment
Mayo TD Dara Calleary has said comments by Justice Minister Alan Shatter that Garda recruitment was recommence next year must be delivered upon. Deputy Calleary said extra gardaí were needed for patrols across the Midlands as the force has been starved of resources. The Fianna Fáil deputy commented: “Minister Shatter previously committed to lifting the ban on garda recruitment this year but he abandoned that commitment at the first possible opportunity. This latest pledge to reopen the Garda Training College at Templemore next year must become a reality. The gardaí in Mayo and across the country have been starved of resources by this government. We need more gardaí in the […]
Read MoreHomebase examinership highlights lack of Govt action on retail sector
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Dara Calleary TD, has reacted to the news that an interim examiner has been appointed to the retailer Homebase. Deputy Calleary commented: “The news that Homebase has entered into examinership again highlights the very precarious position retailers of all sizes are in. Businesses throughout the country are struggling to survive and the Government has continuously failed to provide the adequate supports needed to help them. “My thoughts are with the 558 staff at this difficult and uncertain time and I hope the interests of the workers will be central to the examinership process. “The retail sector is absolutely critical to our economy. […]
Read MoreCalleary appeals to Mayo TDs to oppose special needs cut
Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary is appealing to the Fine Gael TDs in Mayo to oppose another dramatic reduction in teaching supports for children with special needs. The Dáil is to debate a Fianna Fáil motion this week, calling for a full reversal of upcoming cuts to resource teaching hours. Deputy Smith is urging the Fine Gael Deputies in the Mayo constituency to ‘do the right thing’ and ensure that this damaging cut, which will hit every school in the constituency, does not go ahead. “Under a decision taken by the Education Minister Ruairí Quinn, resource teaching hours for children with special needs will be slashed by a further 12% […]
Govt attack on children with special needs must stop
Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary has accused the government of treating children with special needs as an ‘easy target’ for budget cuts. Schools in Mayo and right across the country are to be hit with yet another dramatic reduction in resource hours from September. This follows a 10% cut in June 2011 and a further 5% and cut in June 2012. Overall, resource hours for children with special needs will be down 25% in the lifetime of this government. Deputy Calleary has described it as an outrageous decision that will have an impact right across the school system. “This is very distressing news, particularly for parents of children with special […]