New figures show a 23% increase in unemployment in Clondalkin over last 24 months - Fitzgerald

23.35% increase in the number of people "signing on" at Clondalkin Social Welfare Office over the last 2 years

Local Fine Gael Senator and General Election Candidate, Frances Fitzgerald has said that a 23% increase in unemployment in Clondalkin over the last 24 months highlights the absolute and urgent need for a viable jobs strategy to get people back to work in the area and also the need for Government to look at ways of assisting families burdened by the stress and strain of unemployment.

Speaking after the latest unemployment figures showed an increase of 23.35% in the number of people "signing on" at the Clondalkin Social Welfare Office over the last two years, Senator Fitzgerald said, "It is clear that the burden of unemployment is causing stress and strain on many families in Clondalkin and the surrounding areas. Over the last two years more and more people in the area have experienced unemployment and the new figures show the extent of this problem. We now have a situation whereby 1 in 3 young men in this country cannot find a job. This is obviously leading to significant pressures for many families and highlights the urgent need for a real and tangible jobs plan to get people back to work."

Upgrade of water system is essential to prevent chaos reoccurring - Fitzgerald

Leaky, old pipes cannot be relied upon by residents of Lucan & Clondalkin

Local Fine Gael Senator and General Election Candidate, Frances Fitzgerald, has said that the water shortages experienced by households in the locality in recent days and weeks was the result "of a failure of the Government to invest in proper water infrastructure during the boom year and a complete reliance on an out of date system of leaky pipes no longer fit for purpose."

Senator Fitzgerald made her remarks after recent water shortages left homes in Lucan and Clondalkin under severe pressure and placed additional worries on families and local businesses already experiencing economic difficulties.

"It is quite clear that when this country was awash with money the Government neglected investing in our water infrastructure. As a result of this, our entire water network in Dublin is in need of urgent and radical upgrading. Fine Gael has put forward proposals for investment in our work network in our economic stimulus plan. Our country spends €1 billion a year on water, yet figures indicate that up to half of this treated water is lost through leaky pipes. This is madness!," said Senator Fitzgerald.

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Bank bonuses – yet another kick in the teeth for hard-working Lucan & Clondalkin families - Fitzgerald

No Christmas bonus for those in need of a helping hand yet secret culture of bonuses at upper-echelons of public sector and in bailout banks come to fore

Local Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald has said that at as the expensive time of Christmas comes about for families, it is “yet another kick in the teeth for hard-working local families to hear that the Christmas bonus will again not be paid to families on social welfare and in need of help – at the same time as news emerges about banks attempting to pay certain staff bonuses and very senior civil servants also being awarded bonuses.”

Speaking on this issue, Senator Fitzgerald said, “Last year Fianna Fail and the Green Party voted to scrap the Christmas bonus – a vital payment offered to individuals in need of a little help to buy essential food and clothes for the holiday period. We were told by Government that this had to be scrapped due to the need for cutbacks. Yet it now emerges that a secret culture of bonuses continues to operate within the top-ranks of the civil service and within the banks.”

Lucan & Palmerstown Bus Campaign Goes Online

Website and facebook campaign launched for bus commuters affected by Dublin Bus changes

Lucan and Palmerstown commuters are experiencing delays, chronic overcrowding and much confusion due to Dublin Bus’ schedule changes concerning routes 25, 25 a/b/x and 66x. Local senator, Frances Fitzgerald, has been inundated with calls from constituents on the issue and has launched an online campaign.

Senator Fitzgerald has begun an online campaign to highlight the concerns of many people in Lucan and Palmerstown. A website www.reversedublinbuschanges.com and a Facebook page ‘Get the 25 Back on Track’ are inviting constituents to submit their complaints and solutions online. Senator Fitzgerald will be reading all submissions and forwarding on concerns to Dublin Bus.

“This is providing unnecessary stress for a lot of people. It is hard to believe that urban commuters in 2010 are not being provided with an effective transport system” claimed Senator Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald calls on County Manager to Intervene on Tandy’s Lane

Local Objective of County Development Plan must be realised - Fitzgerald

Local Fine Gael General Election candidate Frances Fitzgerald this week called on the County Manager to intervene on the need to reopen Tandy’s Lane in Lucan.

Her comments come amid high level communications between the local Senator and the NRA and South Dublin County Council.

“I have been in ongoing contact with the NRA and South Dublin County Council in relation to the need to reopen this route,” said Frances Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald lashes out as carers hit twice by FF/Green Budget

Frances pictured with Clondalkin carers

Fitzgerald criticises Government as it cuts Carers' Allowance and Carers' Tax Relief - in a double whammy of cuts on the "unsung heroes" in Clondlakin and Lucan.

Fine Gael General Election candiate Frances Fitzgerald has slammed the Government for cutting carers in the Budget - not once but twice!

“Budget 2011 is a real "kick in the teeth" for carers in Clondalkin and Lucan. They are hit twice with cuts to both the Carers’ Allowance and the Carer’s Tax Relief,” said Senator Fitzgerald.

Reacting to these cuts, Fitzgerald said, "We all knew tough decisions had to be made in the Budget but it says a lot about the priorities of the Government when they chose to cut essential payments and tax reliefs which support the unsung heroes in our county and our country.”

Hobbs calls for strong new government with Fine Gael in Leading Role

At a packed public meeting on a snowy December evening, the night before a harsh budget was delivered in the Dail, economic guru Eddie Hobbs told Lucan residents that a new government, with a fresh mandate, needs to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the IMF bail-out. The meeting, organised by local Fine Gael Senator, Frances Fitzgerald heard from a number of experts in the economic field who gave their perspective on ‘What Next For Ireland?’. Leo Varadkar, a Fine Gael colleague of Frances Fitzgerald, explained their party’s proposals for economic recovery while Michael McLoughlin of Amarach, a locally based market research agency, spoke of the need for a new administration to revive consumer confidence. Hobbs urged Fitzgerald and Varadkar to play their part in ensuring that a new government does not push left wing policies that will prolong the current economic conditions.

Fitzgerald, who will be a candidate for the Lucan-Clondalkin area in the next general election, organised the event to give residents the opportunity to share ideas and opinions with these industry experts.

At the meeting, Eddie Hobbs, famed for his television series Rip Off Republic, stated that the fundamental problem with the proposed ‘bail out’ of the Irish economy is the interest rate and the cost to the exchequer of making repayments.

“The next government, which I hope will be Fine Gael led, needs to renegotiate new terms with the IMF,” said Eddie Hobbs at the event.

“People used to ask me is my money safe in the bank? Today they ask is my money safe in Euro? There are three possible negative scenarios. One, Germany, whose economy is actually doing very well at the moment, will leave the Euro weakening it substantially. Two, that the Euro will split into two currencies – the Euro Strong and the Euro Light. And thirdly, the growth of economic nationalism and hard-left policies. The ideal scenario, as far as I’m concerned, is that excess debt is centralised and supported by European bonds and this is something which is being discussed at the moment. The next few months are going to be crucial for the survival of the Euro ,” Hobbs explained to his audience.

“If the Euro breaks up, the EU is over. Political will is needed to get us through the next few months and sensible strategies.

‘We cannot tax our way out of this. We need sound economic policies coupled with job creation. 4 out of every 10 voters went into the ballot box last election and voted rogues into government. Politics shouldn’t be like the X Factor, it shouldn’t be about personalities, it should be about a cabinet team with integrity that can make the right decisions. I have four kids myself, so tonight I say to Leo Varadkar and Frances Fitzgerald, Fine Gael need to save them from having to leave this country,” said Eddie Hobbs.

Young people & local business must be protected from black market alcohol & cigarettes – Fitzgerald

Clondalkin Fine Gael Senator and Health Spokesperson, Frances Fitzgerald has expressed her concern that a leaflet has been dropped to many homes in Clondalkin offering sales of cheap alcohol and cigarettes.

Responding to this worrying development, Senator Fitzgerald said, “This seems to be evidence of the growth of the black market which we have heard so much about in the national media. It is vitally important that all the necessary steps are taken by An Garda Siochana and others to tackle this problem.”

Fitzgerald seeks more Community Employment Schemes for Clondalkin

Clondalkin Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald is urging the Government to introduce more community employment schemes for Clondalkin.

Speaking on the issue, Senator Fitzgerald said, “Community Employment Schemes in Clondalkin are enabling community projects, voluntary groups and local authorities gain much needs skills and assistance. They are also helping people get out of the lengthy dole queues.”

“Now more than ever, we need to see Government increasing the amount of Community Employment Scheme places available in our community. If Fine Gael is returned to Government in the imminent election, this is an issue I will be pursuing vigorously for Clondalkin,” stated Senator Fitzgerald.

New report on elder abuse is a cause for huge concern and needs Government action – Fitzgerald

Local Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald has expressed her concern at a new report on elder abuse which documents a significant rise in the number of older people reporting being abused.
Elder abuse can take a variety of forms including financial abuse.
Speaking on this issue in the Senate, Senator Fitzgerald said, “It is upsetting to think that older people in society who worked tirelessly for this country now have to endure financial abuse. I am calling on the Government to put in a place a strategy for tackling elder abuse and empowering older people and their families to tackle it.”

Housing decision on Liscarne is correct & respects the views of residents – Fitzgerald

Clondalkin Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald has welcomed the decision of South Dublin County Council to no longer proceed with their plans to convert local housing at Liscarne Gardens in Clondalkin.
Speaking about this decision, Senator Fitzgerald said, “Finally logic has prevailed and the Council has clearly recognised that this location was not appropriate for this provision. The failure of the local authority to engage in adequate and timely consultation with residents and the broader local community was regrettable and led to great frustration in the local area.”

Mental Health Services in Clondalkin and Lucan Will Not Survive Another Cut – Fitzgerald.

Fine Gael senator for Clondalkin and Lucan, Frances Fitzgerald, has signed an open letter to the Dáil supporting a campaign to protect the mental health budget – often described as the ‘Cinderella’ of the health services – from further cuts in Budget 2011.

"Speaking at the event organised by Amnesty, Senator Fitzgerald voiced her ongoing concerns about mental health services being affected by bad government decisions.

Regulations to protect people renting properties must be enforced – Fitzgerald

Fine Gael obtains new figures showing that of the 19,800 rental properties inspected in 2009, a staggering 4,306 failed to meet minimum legal standards

Local Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald has called on the Government to ensure that regulations regarding rental properties are adequately enforced to protect people renting houses and apartments.

Protecting services for people with disabilities must be a priority

Lucan & Clondalkin Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald, Spokesperson on Health and long-term disability advocate has said that protecting services for people with disabilities must be a priority as the Government prepares its next Budget.

“We have seen the most vulnerable people in our community suffer time and time again from cruel cutbacks introduced by Fianna Fail and the Green Party in Government. People with disabilities and special needs have been asked to shoulder an unfair proportion of the burden. They have been asked to bear cutbacks whilst defunct banks have been bailed out. This cannot continue. It is simply wrong,” said Senator Fitzgerald.

Locals Lodge Appeal on Controversial Clondalkin Project

Local Senator & Cllr Lead the Way in Appealing SIAC Decision

Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald and local residents, including Cllr Tony Delaney, have appealed South Dublin County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for a development on Monastery Road to An Bord Pleanala.
Senator Fitzgerald has held a number of public meetings to consult with residents affected by the proposals for the SIAC site which South Dublin County Council last month granted permission for.

“There were almost fifty objections to this planning application when it was first lodged,” said Senator Frances Fitzgerald.

“There is huge concern amongst residents in Clondalkin, particularly those in proximity to the site, about the scale and mass of the proposed development and the implications it will have on traffic flow,” said Senator Frances Fitzgerald.

“Clondalkin village itself must be revitalised and businesses in the village need to supported. At a time when the market is flooded with apartments and retail outlets are struggling to balance their books, any development needs to be a positive. New developments need to add to the character of Clondalkin village and the general feeling amongst residents is that this proposal does not do that,” continued Frances Fitzgerald.

Message to women – Cancer Won’t Wait, Everything Else Can

Women invited to fun filled coffee morning of massage, pampering and health awareness

Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown and Newcastle/Rathcoole women are being invited to pamper themselves in the name of Breast Cancer Awareness. This unusual form of coffee morning is being organised by the Marie Keating Foundation and local Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald who have oraganised a line up of lifestyle experts to inform, advise and pamper local women. The events which take place throughout Lucan, Clondalkin, Palmerstown and Newcastle/Rathcoole are being held to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). Each event will hear from a breast health care nurse, RTE nutritionist Aveen Bannon and Life Coach Brian Colbert.

“The focus of the event is health awareness,” explained Senator Frances Fitzgerald who is using her profile as a local politician to increase awareness of breast cancer, early detection and the importance of attending your mammogram appointments.

“Breast cancer affects one in eight women. It is a startling statistic and this month we are asking women to stand together and show solidarity as we create awareness of this dreadful disease that has affected so many women in our community. The events we have put together promise to be fun as well as educational and the Marie Keating Foundation have even organised taster massages for women who attend. We will also hear from lifestyle experts including Aveen Bannon and Brian Colbert as well as a breast health nurse. The emphasis of these events is on the importance women taking charge of their own health as much as possible,” said Senator Frances Fitzgerald.

Rathcoole Makes it into Guinness Book of World Records

Local Senator Unveils Plaque in Rathcoole Park to mark the achievement

Local Senator Frances Fitzgerald unveiled a plaque in the Rose Garden of Rathcoole Park at the weekend. The plaque marks the achievement of the 4 Districts – Rathcoole, Newcastle, Saggart and Brittas, who made it into the latest edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for their record breaking largest charity walk in 2009.

“It is a real honour to be part of this initiative which has already turned into an annual community event,” said Senator Fitzgerald who unveiled the plaque to mark the achievement last weekend.

“In 2009 Michael Ryan and his friends decided to attempt a world record and asked us all to walk a mile for charity. The new Guinness Book of World Records – hot off the press – features our fantastic achievement on page 100 so children all over Rathcoole, Newcastle and Saggart are already world record holders before they graduate from Primary School,” said the Senator who was joined by children from Holy Family NS, St Martin’s NS and St. Finians NS, as she unveiled the plaque in Rathcoole Park.

Fitzgerald Lends her Support to Towers Launch Campaign

Local Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald was on hand on Saturday night to support Clondalkin’s Round Towers as they launched their plans for a €700,000 development including a floodlit all weather pitch.

“I was delighted to be part of the launch on last weekend in Round Towers. It’s a really exciting venture that will be prove a fantastic resource for the local community as well as members of the club and young people throughout Clondalkin,” said Senator Frances Fitzgerald.

“The GAA Club has secured €450,000 from the National Lottery and the GAA Leinster Council but will need to raise another €250,000 in order to realise this ambitious proposal,” continued Frances Fitzgerald.

Enable Ireland Fly Their Kites in Griffeen Park

"Lucan’s Griffeen Park was transformed into a vista of kites in September as part of Enable Ireland’s No Limits Appeal," according to local Senator Frances Fitzgerald.


"The event was a fantastic success. The community really rallied round to show their support for this great cause and the stories from families affected by disabilities like this proved that people can truly live with no limits. To donate to this great cause log on to www.enableireland.ie/nolimit."