Author Archives: Administrator
Calleary urges Govt to address surge in gas & electricity cut-offs
Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary has called on the government to address the alarming rise in the number of gas and electricity disconnections in Mayo and across the country. New figures released by the Energy Regulator show that nationally, more than 20,000 homes had their electricity or gas cut off last year because they cannot pay their bills. According to Deputy Calleary, this signals a ‘growing crisis’ among lower and middle-income families who have recently found themselves unable to pay their basic bills. “Last year alone, there was an 82% increase in homes that had their gas supply cut off. In addition to this, 14,650 households across the country had […]
Cost Plus Sofas news another blow to retail sector
The sudden announcement by Cost Plus Sofas of impending store closures and job cuts is causing alarm among staff and customers of 23 Irish stores, according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary. Deputy Calleary has criticised the company’s method of announcing such a major ‘restructuring’ of its business in Ireland, which is likely to result in sweeping cuts. The Fianna Fáil Deputy said, “Customers attempting to contact Cost Plus Sofas today are being stone-walled with a blunt message on the company’s website and phone-lines. Many have tried to contact their local store and have been unable to. “What is of greater concern is how the hundreds of workers […]
Mayo left out of new school works list – Calleary
Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary has said he is ‘dismayed’ that Co Mayo has been left entirely out of a new list of school building projects. The government today announced 50 million in additional funding today for 28 new school building projects, but none of them are in Co Mayo. Deputy Calleary said, “I find it very difficult to comprehend how Mayo based schools at both primary and post-primary level have failed to secure any funding under this investment plan. “There are a number of schools projects that were commenced under the previous government that have been inexplicably stalled by this government. These schools are badly in need of investment […]
Read MoreMayo families facing double blow on back to school costs – Calleary
Families across Co Mayo are facing an extremely difficult autumn as education costs soar and the Back to School Allowance is cut, according to Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary. Deputy Calleary said many low-income families will suddenly be hit by the €50 cut in the Back to School Allowance this summer, while the latest inflation figures show a 5% increase in education costs over the past year. “It has slipped many people’s minds that the government slashed the Back to School Allowance in the Budget, and that the cuts will kick in this summer,” he explained. “The allowance is being cut by €50 per child for the new school year. […]
Calleary welcomes his local school to Leinster House
Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary today welcomed his former primary school St. Oliver Plunkett’s to Leinster House. Deputy Calleary, who attended the school in the 1980s, hosted the students and their teachers, who were treated to a guided tour of Leinster House, including a visit to the Dáil Chamber and to the Senate. Deputy Calleary said, “I was delighted to meet the boys and girls of my own primary school, St. Oliver Plunkett’s, at Leinster House today. The students enjoyed a very informative tour of the building and hopefully learned a little about how work is carried out in the Houses of the Oireachtas. This is a very worthwhile […]
New FF policy launched to keep town centres at heart of community
Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo, Dara Calleary, says the party’s new policy document on keeping Irish towns alive has all the ingredients necessary to restore the importance of the town centre. Deputy Calleary said the launch of ‘Streets Ahead’, which is the new Fianna Fáil policy document setting out a fresh vision for the future of Irish towns, would ensure that towns again become the fulcrum of the community. “Towns like Ballina and Castelbar face continuing challenges just to survive. The commercial rates system is outdated and favours out of town shopping centres. It has led to an exodus of shoppers away from town centres; where retailers are finding it […]
Read MoreCalleary seeks clarity on pay & conditions for REA workers
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs and Enterprise Dara Calleary has sought clarity on the pay and conditions of workers currently covered by Registered Employment Agreements (REAs) Deputy Calleary commented, “This Supreme Court ruling affects tens of thousands of workers who have been covered by REAs until now. There is still confusion over whether those currently covered under existing contracts will see a forced reduction in pay and conditions as a result of this decision. “I welcome a move beyond outdated employment agreements that were set decades ago, in the absence of other protections for workers. However, we cannot allow a free-for-all for employers as a result of this ruling. I […]
Read MoreRelief for B&Q staff but threats to retail sector remain – Calleary
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs and Enterprise Dara Calleary has welcomed the news that 640 jobs will be saved at DIY chain B&Q, but has cautioned that the ongoing threat to retailers cannot be ignored. “This is a huge relief to the 640 workers at B&Q and their families. It is also a relief to the chain’s loyal customer base in Ireland and to the communities in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Athlone and Naas that benefit from these stores keeping their doors open,” said Deputy Calleary. “The deal to save B&Q includes a substantial investment from its parent company and a significant reduction in rents. While it is welcome that a […]
FF Dáil motion calls for action on fodder crisis
Fianna Fáil is calling for the establishment of a dedicated unit within the Department of Agriculture to co-ordinate the response to the fodder crisis. The Dáil will this week will discuss a Fianna Fáil motion criticising what the party claims was a slow and inadequate response to a crisis which has been devastating for hundreds of farmers across the West of Ireland. Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary explained, “I and my colleagues spent weeks in the early stages of this crisis appealing to the Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to see what was going on, and take decisive action to prevent unnecessary hardship for families. Unfortunately, it took several weeks […]
FF vow to protect future of Mayo’s small schools
A very large crowd attended a public meeting in Bangor Erris on Thursday night on the need to protect small schools that are under threat of closure. The meeting was the first in a series of meetings as part of the Fianna Fáil ‘Save Our Schools’ campaign. The party’s Education Spokesperson Charlie McConalogue was joined by Mayo TD Dara Calleary, other local representatives, and members of the Erris Save our Schools Committee for the meeting in The Talk of the Town, Bangor Erris, which was hosted by the local Fianna Fáil organisation and chaired by John Cosgrove. Deputy McConalogue said many communities across the West of Ireland are becoming increasingly […]
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