Author Archives: Administrator
Bonniconlon FF to host CAP Reform Information Meeting
Bonniconlon Fianna Fáil is hosting a public meeting on CAP Reform and its effects on North Mayo and South Sligo farmers on Tuesday April 16th in Bonniconlon Community Centre. This meeting will address the many concerns of local farmers with regard to CAP Reform 2013 and will be attended by Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture Eamonn O’Cuiv T.D. as well as Mayo Fianna Fáil T.D. Dara Calleary and local Councillor Annie May Reape. Deputy Dara Calleary is urging all farmers in the region to attend. “This is an ideal opportunity for farmers in the North-east Mayo and South-west Sligo region to arm themselves with information relevant to the ongoing CAP […]
Read More8,000 DAS payments outstanding
Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary is calling for the Minister for Agriculture to immediately ensure the payment of all outstanding Disadvantaged Area Scheme (DAS) monies owed to farmers. Fianna Fáil has recently been informed that of the 102,090 applications for the DAS, 8,000 have not yet received payment. “It is not acceptable that 8,000 farmers have been waiting since September for their DAS, which many are depending on. The delay has been caused by the retrospective stocking density requirement that was imposed by the Minister last year; it saved virtually no money and managed to add an extra layer of bureaucracy to the scheme for both farmers and the […]
Read MoreTeachers concerns must not be dismissed
Fianna Fáil has urged the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn not to dismiss genuine concerns of teachers and parents about the severe impact of cuts to frontline education services. Mayo TD Dara Calleary said, “Our Spokesperson on Education Charlie McConalogue attended this week’s National Conferences of the ASTI, TUI and INTO and reports that teachers are angry about the litany of broken promises on education from the Labour Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn and his government. “They feel the Minister has failed to take on board their genuine concerns about cuts to frontline education services, cuts to supports for children with special needs, cuts to small schools, cuts to guidance […]
Read MoreNew insolvency rules causing distress among Mayo families
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary has said the Government’s incoherence over new personal insolvency rules is creating great distress among Mayo families who are crippled by debt. The Fianna Fáil Deputy has also criticised the Taoiseach for washing his hands of the exorbitant cost of childcare – an issue that is putting thousands of families in an impossible position. “There is still much confusion over just how far families will have to go to resolve their debt issues under new personal insolvency arrangements introduced by the Government,” said Deputy Calleary. “While the Taoiseach has said no-one will be forced to quit their job, he stopped short of stating that childcare costs […]
Read MoreFF puts families first in new mortgage proposals
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary has said new proposals on tackling the mortgage crisis published by Fianna Fáil this week will put homeowners back in the driving seat instead of giving all the power to the banks. The Mortgage Resolution Bill 2013 establishes an independent office to resolve personal debt issues, rather than essentially giving the banks a veto as Fine Gael and Labour have done. It builds a series of proposals published by the party over the past two years to support people in serious mortgage difficulty and protecting the family home. Deputy Calleary explained, “One of the biggest barriers to growth and recovery is the number of families and […]
Rheumatology services are to be provided at Mayo General Hospital
Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo Dara Calleary has been informed that Rheumatology services are to be provided at Mayo General Hospital from July. The issue of providing Rheumatology services at Mayo General Hospital was once again raised by Ballina-based Cllr Annie May Reape at this week’s Regional Health Forum. Cllr Reape, a long-standing campaigner for Rheumatology services at Mayo General, has been making representations on behalf of the hundreds of adults and children suffering from arthritis on County Mayo for some time now and is delighted to report that an appointment is imminent. “Following questioning of the HSE West at last week’s forum by Cllr Annie May Reape, assurances have […]
Read MoreCalleary calls for Govt response to Bewley’s judgement
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Enterprise Dara Calleary has called for a response from the Government to today’s High Court ruling in favour of a challenge taken by Bewley’s on Grafton Street against exorbitant rent increases. Deputy Calleary has welcomed the High Court decision. “This is a very significant judgement, not just for Bewley’s but potentially for all of those High Street retailers that are stifled upward only rent contracts,” said Deputy Calleary. “This case further demonstrates the crippling unfairness of upward only rent contracts and the enormous difficulties experienced retailers locked in those contracts. “Today’s ruling could mark the start of a breakthrough in the fight against upward only rents. […]
Read More57 ghost estates in Mayo now eligible for Property Tax – Calleary
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary called on the Government to explain why it is forcing property taxes on homeowners in at least 57 ghost estates across Co Mayo. Homeowners in these estates were rightly exempt from the household charge last year, but the Government has now said they are eligible to pay property taxes. Just 5 estates across the entire county will still be exempt. Deputy Calleary said said, “It was only right that all of these unfinished estates across Co Mayo were exempt from the household charge last year. Many of the residents are young families who paid way over the odds for what is now a seriously devalued home. […]
Read MoreMobility Allowance cut to hit 160 people in Mayo
Mayo Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary has revealed that approximately 175 people with severe disabilities in Co Mayo will see a 20% cut in State supports from July. According to new figures obtained by Fianna Fáil, 160 people with disabilities in Co Mayo who have been in receipt of the Mobility Allowance will see a dramatic reduction in their income from July. It follows the Government’s decision last month to axe the scheme. In addition to this A further 15 people will be hit by the cut to the Motorised Transport Grant. Deputy Calleary described it as a ‘savage cut’ that will have an enormous impact on people with disabilities […]
Read MoreMSD job losses a major blow to Wicklow & pharmaceutical sector
The Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary has called for an urgent response from Minister Richard Bruton to the closure of a major pharmaceutical plant in Rathdrum Co Wicklow. Deputy Calleary has said the loss of 280 high-quality jobs comes as a major blow to the local economy and to the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland. “This is devastating news for the 280 workers and their families. MSD has been a major employer in Wicklow for decades and many of the staff members have invested years of hard work in this plant,” said Deputy Calleary. “I am calling for an immediate response from the Jobs Minister Richard Bruton. We need […]