21 May 2013
“It was a great joy and privilege to witness the energy and talent of both our own Clondalkin Youth Band and Ohio University’s Wind Ensemble and Marching Bands. Ohio’s Marching Band got us off to a lively start and both Bands played a beautiful programme on the night. It was also particularly apt to welcome Ohio to Clondalkin in this, the year of the Gathering,” said Fitzgerald.
“Clondalkin Youth Band has been an integral part of our community for 27 years. They bring great pride to Clondalkin every time they play, whether it is at Championships, the St. Patrick’s Day parade or hearing them practice around the Village. In recognition of all the work they do, I was pleased to approve a €5,000 grants last year to them for musical instruments.
Local Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed news that Microsoft look
set to purchase lands at Grangecastle for the development of further datacentres
on a 112.5 acre site. In a report, due to come before Councillors at next week’s
Council Meeting, the County Manager recommends the disposal of a 112.52 acre
Council-owned site at Grangecastle to Microsoft in what would be an estimated
€13.4million deal.
“It looks likely that South Dublin
County Council will next week approve the disposal of 112.5acres of land at Grange Castle, to Microsoft for the development of further data centres. This
investment comes only two months after Microsoft announced plans to develop
datacentres on a 3 hectare site in the expanding business park,” said Minister
Fitzgerald.
“In what is estimated to be
a €13.4 million deal with the Council, if approved, this will be yet another
important investment and jobs boost for the Lucan and Clondalkin area. The
Government’s Action Plan for jobs names attracting data centres as a key pillar
of for economic growth and I am delighted that Grangecastle has been the
beneficiary of a number of data centres. Microsoft are a leader in this growing
industry and it is a vote of confidence for our local economy and our skilled
workforce, that they have selected their site Grangecastle for such
massive-scaled expansion and investment,” concluded Fitzgerald.
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald this
week launched a new child and adolescent service run by Clondalkin woman
Catriona Kearns. The service based in the Village Counselling Service in
Killinarden was opened on the twentieth anniversary of the tragic murder-suicide
of the Gorman family in Saggart. The new therapy room has been dedicated to the
memory of Sarah-Jane who died under tragic circumstances at eight years of
age.
“It is so heartening to see such this proactive and positive
initiative opening its doors to children and teenagers in the wider Tallaght
area. The provision of good quality mental health care for young people has been
a key priority for me and I have no doubt that this service will make a crucial
difference to thousands of families,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.
“I want to commend the fantastic staff including Marcella Finnerty
and Catriona Kearns from Clondalkin and all the volunteers who make this service
possible. All volunteers receive intensive training from the staff of the Centre
and their time and expertise volunteered means that there is an accessible and
professional service available to anyone who needs it in the Tallaght and
Greater Dublin area. It is vital that services are accessible when people need
them most and with no waiting lists and late night and Saturday appointments
available,” concluded Minister Frances Fitzgerald.
The Village Counselling service and appointments are
available Monday to Friday from 8am to 10pm and Saturdays from 8am to 8pm.
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