Category Archives: News
Calleary calls for an end to job uncertainty at Elverys
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary has called on NAMA to give serious consideration to the bid by Elverys management to take over the retail chain. There are currently 6 parties interested in Elverys. It’s understood that the management bid, which has not been allowed to proceed to date, would save all 654 jobs at the company across the country. “The uncertainty about the future of this iconic Irish retailer has been going on far too long. It is crucial that the need to save all 654 jobs is not lost amid the tussling between bidders,” said Deputy Calleary. “Elverys is in 56 communities across the country. The loss […]
Read MoreGovt washes its hands of SMEs as economy starved of credit
Fianna Fáil Jobs Spokesperson Dara Calleary has accused the Government of washing its hands of SMEs as new figures show the economy is being starved of credit. The figures from the Central Bank show that lending to SMEs dropped by 6.2% last year. Gross new lending to SMEs amounted to €1.9billion. The outstanding amount of credit advanced to SMEs dropped by 5.5% last year, while SME non-financial credit fell by 5.1%. “These figures show across the board reductions in all types of credit available to SMEs in all sectors last year. It’s clear that the credit crisis is deepening, with banks restricting the working capital available to viable businesses and […]
Read MoreJobs Action Plan all about spin, not delivery
Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary has expressed concern that the latest Jobs Action Plan is more about spin than delivery. Deputy Calleary has raised concerns that Government policy is leading to a two-tier recovery in this country, with unemployment in the Midlands, South East, West and border region all significantly higher than in Dublin. Alarmingly, the unemployment rate in the South East is almost 4% higher than the national rate. “Once again this Jobs Action Plan is long on rhetoric and short on detail. Unfortunately our experience to date is that this process has been more about self-praise than real job creation. It’s a clever PR campaign, with […]
Read MoreHSE refuses to provide extra ambulance for Mayo – Calleary
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary has expressed his shock and disappointment at the HSE’s failure to recognise the severe ambulance shortage in Co Mayo. Deputy Calleary questioned HSE management at length at the Oireachtas Health Committee this week about the major gaps in resources for emergency services in Co Mayo. He outlined a number of cases where patients in need of emergency medical care were waiting far too long for an ambulance to reach them. Speaking afterwards, Deputy Calleary said it’s clear that the HSE has no understanding of the impact in Co Mayo of a new policy to reduce direct ambulance cover in the county. “The new policy to send […]
Read MoreThreat to post offices another attack on rural Ireland – Calleary
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary has raised alarm about the threat to the future of more than 550 community post offices. It comes amid warnings that more than half of the country’s post office could face closure over the next three years if the Department of Social Protection moves to electronic issuing of social welfare payments. Deputy Calleary said widespread post of closures in Co Mayo would be devastating for the communities affected. “We are talking about the threat to the very existence of our post office network. This is extremely serious. The local post office is a focal point for many Mayo communities and its loss would have an enormous […]
Taoiseach must immediately clarify future of maternity services in North West
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary has called on the Taoiseach to immediately clarify reports that maternity services could be removed from Mayo General Hospital, Sligo General Hospital and Roscommon County Hospital. A review of maternity services in the West/North West Hospital Group is reported to call for a rationalisation of maternity services in the region, resulting in the closure of three maternity units. All maternity services in the region would be provided by just two hospitals – University Hospital Galway and Letterkenny General Hospital. “This news is causing great shock and distress right across the region. The notion that expectant mothers would have to travel from Mayo to Galway for maternity […]
Read MoreCalleary dismisses Pylon review as ‘political stunt’
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary has dismissed the new ‘review’ of EirGrid’s pylon plans in Mayo and Roscommon as “nothing more than a political stunt”. Deputy Calleary said the study, announced by the Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte yesterday, is not fully independent, does not include a health expert and does not go far enough. “All this does is push the issue down the road a few months for political gain. This is more about getting the Government parties through the local elections than listening to the serious concerns of people across Mayo and Roscommon,” said Deputy Calleary. “Over the past number of months, anger has been mounting about plans to […]
Read MoreMayo schools left high & dry as Govt refuses to open up school book scheme
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary has slammed the Government for refusing to open up the school book rental initiative to all schools in Co Mayo. The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn confirmed to Fianna Fáil in the Dáil this week that he will continue to exclude 76% of schools from the new school book rental initiative. It means the none of the new funding whatsoever will be available to schools in Co Mayo that have any type of book rental scheme, regardless of how under resourced it is. “The Minister is punishing schools in Co Mayo that took the initiative to establish a book rental scheme at great expense to parents, […]
Read MoreLess than three weeks for Mayo clubs to register for Sports Capital Grants
Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary is reminding the clubs and organisations across Co Mayo that there are less than three weeks left to register to be in for the Sports Capital Programme this year. Applications can still be made until February 28th but the deadline for registration is Friday, February 7th at 5pm. Deputy Calleary said, “Any clubs that are applying for grants from the €40m Sports Capital Programme this year must be registered online to make their applications. Applications can be lodged until 5pm on February 28th but there is cut-off for registration. All clubs must register at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie by 5pm on Friday February 7th. “I am urging as many […]
Read MoreCalleary urges Govt to seek EU Solidarity Funding for flood damage in Mayo
Fianna Fáil Mayo TD Dara Calleary has called on the Government to apply for regional funding to help communities pay for some of the devastation caused as a result of the recent freak weather conditions. Deputy Calleary said communities throughout Mayo that were affected by the high winds and floods face considerable repair costs. “I attended a community meeting organised by the IFA this week, where the extent of the damage caused was outlined. There are a number of measures that can be taken to ease some of the burden on those affected. “I am calling for the suspension of all Department of Agriculture inspections within the areas that were […]
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