Fitzgerald Launches South Dublin County Council Frontline Services Directory

Local Fine Gael T.D, Minister Frances Fitzgerald was on hand to help officially launch the new Frontline Services Directory. Compiled by South Dublin Children’s Services Committee, the directory includes information and contact details on Government Departments and other agencies who are involved in the safeguarding of children and families health and wellbeing.


Speaking at the launch, Minister Fitzgerald welcomed the publication as “a necessary and vital tool for frontline staff as they work to protect and support children and families throughout our area. This pilot publication details the support services in place in Tallaght and Clondalkin and will act as a bible for childcare professionals and community workers throughout these areas.

“As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I want to facilitate a more transparent and responsive system. Anything that helps community workers support children is positive and I expect this directory will be essential in those efforts” said Minister Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Celebrates 30 Years of Citizens Information in Lucan

Local Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, helped celebrate the 30th birthday of Lucan’s Citizens Information Centre this week.

The facility, located in the Ballyowen Community Centre, has been providing information and advice to Lucan residents for 30 years now.

“Citizens Advice Centres are a hugely valuable service for any local community and we are luck to have in Lucan a team of highly experienced and competent community workers. Under the guidance and leadership of the national Citizens Information service, the Lucan Centre provides important information and advice to residents throughout this area,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Cuts Ribbon on Brand New Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald T.D., officially opened a new pedestrian and cycle route along the Grand Canal. The route, an extension to the existing walk and cycle way will now be linked to Lucan by a pedestrian and cycle bridge.

“I was delighted to officially open this new route which offers a connecting bridge between Lucan and the fabulous walkway and cycle track along the canal. The bright red bridge stands out against the green landscape and I certainly hope it will entice more cyclists and walkers down to this amenity,” said Minister Fitzgerald who cut the ribbon on the bridge.

“As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I have a particular interest in encouraging families and young people to be active and with a cycle track and path like this on our doorstep I hope that families from right across Lucan and Clondalkin will come and avail of this amenity.

Frances Fitzgerald Opens Clondalkin’s Newest Bookstore 'The Wise Owl'

Minister Fitzgerald, helped out by children from St. Joseph’s school, was on hand to help officially open Clondalkin’s new bookstore ‘The Wise Owl’.

“It is a real honour to have been asked by store owner Eoin Murphy to officially open Clondalkin’s newest bookshop,” said Minister Fitzgerald at the official opening.

“Schools are winding down for the summer holidays but parents know that holidays mean new booklists and uniforms. I am delighted that we now have, on our doorstep, a brand new book shop which specialises in school books and stories for children,” continued Minister Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Visits Pfizer Plant in Grangecastle & Pledges Government Support on Corporation Tax

Local Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, speaking at a site visit to the Pfizer Plant in Grangecastle has reiterated the Governments support to maintaining the current corporation tax rate. Grangecastle is Pfizer's largest facility in Ireland and employs 1,200 people in the campus based just outside Clondalkin.

“I was invited out to visit the Pfizer facility in Grangecastle and meet staff and management at the plant. The Biotech Development, here in Clondalkin, is Pfizer’s largest investment in Ireland and one of the biggest biotech campuses in the world. We had some very useful discussions on the industry and how Government can best support multinationals like Pfizer who are such a big local employer,” explained Minister Fitzgerald.

“I was delighted to tour the campus and a get a real sense of the cutting edge production that happens here on our doorstep. It was fantastic to meet so many people from the area working in the campus and to have such a productive, positive meeting with Pfizer management.

Minister meets with local residents to discuss concerns re proposed Primary Care Centre on Boot Road

Minister Frances Fitzgerald has expressed concern at a planning application for the development of a five-storey Primary Care Centre and a privately run Nursing Home on Boot Road, Clondalkin.

Speaking about the application, Minister Fitzgerald said, “Many people in the locality have expressed to me their serious concerns about the scale, height and traffic implications for this proposal.”

“The proposed development would seem to be excessively high and over-scale for such a residential location. No traffic analysis has been conducted, meaning that the traffic implications for the local area cannot be properly assessed. The plans also propose intruding on the public footpath and roadway which is wholly unacceptable,” continued Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald unveils Graffiti Wall Mural at Moyle Park College

Minister Frances Fitzgerald this week took an unusual stance on graffiti. Whilst politicians can often be heard asking the Council for additional resources to help eliminate graffiti, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was this week pictured unveiling a graffiti mural in Moyle Park College.

The initiative, organised as a project by art teacher Pertina Shortt and supported by Clondalkin’s Credit Union, saw students decorate a school wall in a graffiti mural that tells the story of Clondalkin village.

“I am delighted to be here today to acknowledge the effort and talents of the students of Moyle Park,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald welcomes move to keep 68 & 69 buses running to city centre

“I am delighted that the 68 and 69 bus routes from Newcastle and Rathcoole will continue to link the villages to the city centre,” said Minister Fitzgerald who strongly opposed proposals from Dublin Bus to terminate these routes in Clondalkin.

“This great news comes after the results of the public consultation process were analysed by Dublin Bus. It is a response to the huge local concern at proposals for terminating these bus routes in Clondalkin,” explained Minister Fitzgerald.

The proposals to terminate these routes in Clondalkin were put forward by Dublin Bus as part of their Network Direct changes. A public consultation meeting was held in Clondalkin Library and hundreds of residents sent through submissions to Dublin Bus on this controversial plan.

Minister Presents St Joseph's College with ECO UNESCO Award

Local Minister Frances Fitzgerald presented an ECO UNESCO Young Environmentalist award to pupils in Lucan.

"I was delighted to open the ceremony for the ECO UNESCO Young Environmentalist awards in the Mansion House and pleased to see my own area represented among the winners," said Frances Fitzgerald who is the Minister for Children.

"Students from Lucan’s St Joseph’s College were presented with an award in recognition of their efforts to make Ireland a greener country. The Young Environmentalist awards are a great way of creating awareness of the need to be more environmentally friendly and as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I look forward to supporting this initiative," concluded Frances Fitzgerald.

Frances Fitzgerald addresses Russian Irish Adoption Group in Lucan

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald marked Russian Children’s Day (Sunday May 29th) in Finnstown House Hotel, Lucan at an event organized by the Russian Irish Adoption Group.

Minister Fitzgerald began by paying tribute to the Russian Ambassador Mr Mikahil Timoshin who passed away suddenly and was involved in planning the event held in Finnstown House Hotel.

Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention and in order for adoptions from Russia to continue a bilateral agreement is required.

Minister Lights Candle of Hope in Bawnogue

Frances Fitzgerald delivers moving key note address at special service in Bawnogue

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald delivered this years key note address at the annual service of commemoration and hope in Bawnogue’s Church of the Transfiguration.

Frances said that this is an event she has attended for the past number of years and always finds a moving occasion. This year she was invited to deliver a key note address to the congregation in her new capacity as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

Minister Congratulates Lucan Lions and their chosen beneficiaries

Minister Frances Fitzgerald was on hand this week to help the Lucan Lions celebrate as they distribute funds to local organisations.


“I was delighted to attend the Lucan Lions Club awards night in the Spa Hotel. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we were all gathered in the Spa to celebrate the Lions Gala fundraiser and it was great to be back to see the monies raised from that night distributed to local community groups and organisations,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Welcomes Establishment of Clondalkin Festival

Local Minister Frances Fitzgerald has welcomed the development of a Clondalkin Festival. A week of events and activities, funded by South Dublin County Council, has been organised for the community of Clondalkin.


“I am delighted that South Dublin County Council is launching a Clondalkin Festival. It is something I have been campaigning for and I believe it will be a huge boost to the area. The successes of the Lucan Festival have proved how valuable local community festivities are and the establishment of a Clondalkin Festival it is great news for the people of Clondalkin, our community centres and local organisations,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Opens Adamstown Community College

Minister Frances Fitzgerald has officially opened Admastown Community College. “It is a great privilege for me to have been invited to officially open Admastown Community College. At a time of difficulty in our nation’s history, it is immensely optimistic to be opening a venture of this size and complexity. Adamstown Community College is a wonderful project which incorporates all that is good and progressive in our society at present, and we should be thankful that it has got off to such a promising start,” said Minister Fitzgerald in her address at the schools opening.

The opening ceremony heard from Dr. Marie Griffin of the VEC, Principal, Des Newton, the Deputy Principal, Shane Foley as well as representatives of the Bord of Management, Parent’s Council, staff and student body. Members of the schools choir and dance class were on hand to provide the music and entertainment and the Minister paid special tribute to their creativity.

Minister Opens STREAT Cafe in Mill Centre

Locals were toasting their freshly made coffee this week at the officially opening of Streat Cafe in the Mill Centre. Minister Frances Fitzgerald was on hand to officially open the venue which has been trading for the past number of weeks.

  “It is a real honour to have been asked to officially open Clondalkin’s newest cafe. I’m delighted to see so many locals here today because without your help and support I wouldn’t be here today in this capacity and neither would this brand new local business,” said Minister Fitzgerald at the official opening.

  “Today has been a fantastic boost to the local economy and I’d like to pay tribute to the hard work and initiative of Amanda and Stephen who have opened this cafe and developed it into such an attractive and friendly space,” continued Minister Fitzgerald.

 

Collinstown Video Takes Young Social Innovators by Storm – Fitzgerald

Minister Presents Award at celebrations of 10^th year of YSI

Minister Frances Fitzgerald has paid tribute to the students of Collinstown Park College who were involved in a project showcased at the national Young Social Innovators conference held in City West this week.

“As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I have attended many conferences but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the Young Social Innovators conference is by far the most fun conference I’ve been to,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald who presented an award at the event.

“The enthusiasm and the participation from the kids was palpable and as a representative of Lucan and Clondakin I was delighted that so many local schools took part in this initiative,” continued Frances Fitzgerald.

Bawnogue in Fashion for Barnardos – Fitzgerald

Minister Frances Fitzgerald has congratulated the Bawnogue Community Centre and local businesses from the Bawnogue Enterprise Centre which put on a hugely successful fashion show in aid of Barnardos children’s charity recently.

“I was delighted to attend the Fashion Show in aid of Barnardos which was held this weekend in the Bawnogue Community Centre. A huge amount of organisation and preparation went into the show and it was fantastic to see so many people support this great community event,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

“At a time when so many families and businesses are under financial pressure it was really heartening to see the generosity of the local community and local shops including Envy Hair Studio, Bawnogue Style & Cut, Wayne Sebury Catering and Bawnogue’s newest clothing and accessories shop Siopa Lara,” continued Frances Fitzgerald.

Frances Sends Adoption Authority to Vietnam in the hope of making progress for families

Minister asks Adoption Authority to visit Vietnam to give clarity to Irish families hoping to adopt from Vietnam

Local Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has asked the Chairman of the Adoption Authority to visit Vietnam. Many Irish families wishing to adopt have chosen Vietnam as their country of origin but adoptions from Vietnam have been suspended since May 2009.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald and the Authority agreed that, in view of the fact that Vietnam hopes to ratify the Hague Convention in June, it would be appropriate for the Authority to visit Vietnam.

“I have met many people throughout Lucan, Clondalkin and Palmerstown who are anxiously awaiting progress with Vietnamese authorities so adoptions can begin again,” said Frances Fitzgerald.

Minister asks for views of children in Lucan & Clondalkin during Consultation Week (4th-8th April)

Local Minister, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has launched a consultation to discover the issues of most importance to children and young people to inform development of the new National Children’s Strategy (2012-2017). The consultation will take place in the week Monday, 4th to Friday 8th April. Speaking at the launch, Minister Fitzgerald said: ‘my Department will lead action across Government in relation to children and young people and take decisions in the be-st interest of children across Dublin Mid West and across Ireland.

Minister’s First Official Visit in Lucan

Frances Commits to Supporting U3A Group

Newly appointed Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, this week attended her first official engagement. The event, which was hosted by the U3A group, took place in La Banca restaurant in Lucan village.

“I was delighted to have been invited to the U3A dinner in Lucan to mark their ninth anniversary. The U3A Group was set up to promote life long learning. I have always been a supporter of this group and their ethos,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

“Life Long Learning U3A is built on the idea that generations need to be integrated to ensure that people of all ages can learn from one another. Last year I addressed a class which was comprised of a combination of older and younger people who were working hand in hand to learn together. The exchange of information between different age groups and generations is huge societal value,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

“I am delighted to be here to celebrate Lucan’s life long learning initiative and look forward to supporting this organisation in the future,” concluded Frances Fitzgerald.