Fitzgerald & Delaney Lodge Joint Submission on Boot Road to Bord Pleanala Critiquing Developers Claims

Local Fine Gael Minister Frances Fitzgerald and Councillor Tony Delaney have lodged a further detailed submission to An Bord Pleanla in relation to the decision on Boot Road. Their submission clearly critiques claims by the developers including their assertion that the site is adequately serviced by public transport.

Fitzgerald and Delaney previously described as ‘extremely disappointing’ the decision by the Bord not to allow an Oral Hearing into the Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the development of a five storey Primary Care Centre and an adjoining 80 bed nursing home on Boot Road, Clondalkin.

“We believe that the developers latest response exaggerates the suitability of the site for a centre like this. Their response claims that between the bus routes and Metro service the site on Boot Road is adequately served by public transport. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Plans for the Metro suspended, cutbacks on Dublin Bus routes have curtailed the services and no public transport links exist between this site and north Clondalkin or big residential areas such as Woodford. This site is far from ideal as a location for a service like this and our latest submission lodged this morning aims to show just that,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Welcomes Decision on Foxborough Planning Application as Victory for the Community

Local T.D and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed the decision by South Dublin County Council to refuse planning permission for the construction of a separate entrance and deli at the Centra premises in Foxborough. Cllrs. William Lavelle and Emer Higgins have also welcomed the decision and congratulated local residents on a successful campaign.

“I feel that this is the right decision for local residents,” said Fitzgerald.

“This planning application would more than likely have evolved into a takeaway. Such a facility would have led to an increase in late night noise and traffic in this residential area and an increase in anti social behaviour and late night loitering at this location,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald welcomes industry decision on children’s clothing guidelines

Local T.D. and Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed the decision by the industry group Retail Ireland, to prepare guidelines on the responsible retailing of childrenswear.

“At my initiation, the industry group Retail Ireland, have announced that they will prepare guidelines on the responsible retailing of childrenswear. This is an issue that is of concern to many parents throughout Lucan and I have been working on this for some time,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

Last month Minister Fitzgerald wrote to Irish fashion retailers inviting the sector to prepare guidelines to address growing concerns over the sexualisation of childhood and body-image, in particular among young girls.

Minister Fitzgerald Launches Growing Up In Ireland - New report on Children’s Social And Emotional Well-Being

Local Fine Gael Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, has launched the latest Growing Up in Ireland – The National Longitudinal Study of Children report on how families matter for children’s social and emotional well-being.

Growing up in Ireland - How Families Matter for Social and Emotional Outcomes of 9-Year-Old Children explores how children in Ireland are faring in terms of their social and emotional well-being.

“This report examines the links between what goes on within the family, and children’s social and emotional development. The report looks at the influence of parenting, the quality of the parent-child relationship, parental depression and marital satisfaction and the extent to which children’s outcomes differ according to family structure and social-class background,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald who invited An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the launch so he could be presented with the findings of the report.

Fitzgerald Welcomes Update on New Primary School for Lucan in 2013

Frances in one of the damp classrooms in St Andrews NS

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed news that Lucan is set to receive a new VEC primary school in 2013. This news comes at a time when ongoing works have begun at Gealscoil Eiscir Riada and progress is being made with respect to planned developments at Scoil Mhuire Woodview, St. Andrews N.S. and Esker Educate Together.

“I have spent years campaigning for extra resources for Lucan schools and am delighted that progress is being made by this Government. I welcome the announcement that a brand new VEC primary school is expected to open in Lucan in 2013, this comes at a time when progress is being made for a number of existing primary schools in the area, showing our commitment to provide school places in Lucan. This new school will be a positive addition to our community which already supplies so many top-quality primacy schools for children and parents throughout Lucan,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

Minister Fitzgerald was joined by local representatives in welcoming this news, which was part of a wider announcement by the Minister for Education Rurai Quinn, who revealed plans to create 20 new second level and 20 new primary schools in the next 6 years.

Fitzgerald Presents Cheque to Children’s Hospital on behalf of Siopa Lara

Minister Frances Fitzgerald was on hand to officially present a cheque on behalf of Siopa Lara to the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation. The funds, totally €3,230 were raised by Lara Darby of Siopa Lara at a recent fashion show held in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel.

Siopa Lara boutique is based in the Bawnogue Enterprise Centre and Lara asked that the funds be allocated towards Meningitis Research.

“Over the last year or so we have seen Lara Darby become a real influence in Clondalkin – and I don’t just mean in terms of fashion,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

“Lara opened her popular boutique almost a year ago and I was delighted to officially perform the opening for her. Since then she has organised two successful fashion shows for worthy causes and I was delighted to lend my support to her Christmas fashion show which has just contributed over €3,000 to the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Cuts the Ribbon on CUMAS Bus

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, officially launched a minibus service for CUMAS this week. The local Fine Gael T.D. made funding available for the purchase of the bus through her Department’s allocation of national lottery funding.

“I am delighted to be here on this sunny spring day to officially open a new service for CUMAS. This mini-bus means that more families will be able to access the services provided by this project. I have always been supportive of CUMAS and the work that you do in our community and am pleased to have been able to help you secure the funding to purchase this minibus. I know it will make a huge difference to the families you work so closely with. It’s great to be joined here today by members of the local school choir who have added a real sense of occasion to the event,” said Minister Fitzgerald at the official launch of the bus.

The CUMAS project, which empowers families from the Clondalkin area and aims to reduce the risks of drug misuse in young people throughout the area, will be using the minibus to facilitate children and families who wish to access their service. Staff and clients were joined by Minister Fitzgerald and members of St. Peter of the Apostle’s School Orchestra to celebrate the occasion.

 “I am very familiar with the work carried out by CUMAS who I know provide invaluable support to many families in our local area. In the past I have worked closely with grandparents from this group who are full-time care givers to their children and have met several of the young people who benefit from the programmes they run,” continued Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Encourages People to Use their Cúpla Focail

Local TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, is dusting off her cúpla focail for this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge. Running from the 3rd to the 17th of March, Seachain na Gaeilge has developed into a festival which aims to promote and support the use of the Irish language around the community.

“Seachtain na Gaeilge is a great boost to the language and can focus us all on using whatever Irish we have. We have an incredibly vibrant Irish–speaking community with Gaelscoileanna across Clondalkin, Lucan and Rathcoole as well the fantastic cultural centre, Áras Chrónáin,” said Fitzgerald.

In support of Seachtain na Gaeilge, Frances’s office, in the heart of Clondalkin, is turning itself Irish for the duration of the festival.

“During Seactain na Gaeilge, I will try to use the cúpla focal I have and my secretary Méagan will be taking phone calls and appointments either through Irish or English. We have already put up signs as Gaeilge around our Clondalkin office and have quick conversation guides available, which we will be encouraging people to take home with them,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Welcomes over €2.7 million for House Adaption Grants for Older People and People with Disabilities

Government awards €2,728,308 to South Dublin County Council for 2012

Local Minister and TD, Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed the provision of €2,728, 308 for South Dublin County Council. This capital will directly fund the improvement and adaptation of private homes of older people and people with a disability.

“These support grants have a major impact on the quality of life for the recipients, and I have seen first-hand how these grants have helped people throughout Clondalkin and Lucan,” said Fitzgerald.

The allocation is part of a capital provision of €67.75m to local authorities across the country announced by Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan. Announcing the allocations, Minister O’Sullivan said, “I am delighted to be able to secure this level of funding for the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability in spite of the severe constraints on the public finances in these challenging economic times”.

Pathways to Work represents common sense approach to supporting local jobseekers - Fitzgerald

Govt spend on supporting jobseekers has increased by €95 million to €977 million

Local Fine Gael TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed the Government’s new Pathways to Work initiative which aims to help 75,000 long term unemployed people move into the workforce by 2015.

“A large number of people across Clondalkin, Lucan, Newcatle, Rathcoole and Palmerstown have been affected by unemployment, either directly or through a friend or family member who has lost their job. Pathways to Work aims to stop the slide of people into long term unemployment (over 12 months) and to ensure that as many job opportunities as possible are filled by people who are on the live register. The State will engage with every jobseeker to make sure that their first day out of a job is also their first step on the pathway back to work,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald Welcomes €98mil investment in local business centre

Microsoft announce €98mil investment in Clondalkin and the creation of 400 construction jobs and 30 highly skilled jobs at new data centre in Grangecastle

Local Minister Frances Fitzgerald has welcomed the announcement by Microsoft, of a €98mil investment in a new data centre to be located in Grangecastle, Clondalkin. The move will create 400 construction jobs at the 112,000 square foot site, as well as 50-70 long term highly skilled positions. Fitzgerald recently gave a commitment to businesses in Grangecastle that Ireland’s attractive corporation tax rate would be maintained.

“This investment shows huge confidence in our skilled industry and will be a significant boost to the local economy. The creation of 400 construction jobs is a welcome move that will have a major impact on families throughout our area. It will also result in an increase in spin-off trade for local shops and services,” said Minister Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald Presents Awards to Clondalkin and Lucan’s Active Youths

Local Minister Frances Fitzgerald was in Admastown Community College this week to celebrate the activities and achievements of VEC youth clubs throughout County Dublin.

“I was bowled away by the young people who attended the Active Youth Award Ceremony and their exhibitions which decorated Adamstown Community College. The atmosphere was fantastic and it was just so encouraging to see so many young people from right around Dublin joining together to show-off their latest adventure and activity projects,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

High-Five-ing Taoiseach Greets Lucan Community College Students

There were high-fives galore on Friday in Lucan Community College as An Taoiseach and local Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, marked the 25th anniversary of the Lucan school. An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, amused students as he walked the guard of honour of 800 students lined up around the parameters of the school highfive-ing them and stopping to chat to teachers and pupils along the way.

Flanked by local Minister Frances Fitzgerald and politicians Deputy Keating, Deputy Tuffy, Deputy Dowds, Mayor Jones, Cllrs Tuffy, Lavelle and Higgins, An Taoseach officially opened the schools new garden and unveiled a monument celebrating the schools German exchange programme before giving a speech in the assembly hall.

“It was a fantastic celebration. I think The Taoiseach enjoyed the high-five-athon just as much as the students,” said Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

“The Principal, Diane Birnie, put together a great line-up for the event which included the opening of a lovely garden at the entrance to the school and a celebration of the relationship between the students here in Lucan and students in Germany who they visit as part of their German Exchange Programme. An Taoiseach and I were delighted to get the chance to meet Gavin Pacini, a student of Lucan Community College, who together with classmates created ‘Smash the Word’ – a language learning app. Gavin is a reminder of the talent and potential of every student here in Lucan and it fantastic to see him making such a splash on the modern market at the tender age of 15,” said Fitzgerald.

Minister Fitzgerald launches schoolgirls ‘THINK BIG’ mental health project

Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, was in St. Joseph's College, Lucan today to officially launch a mental health awareness project developed by student Maeve DeSay, with support from Think Big. Maeve’s project, entitled ‘Need a Hand’, saw her and members of the St. Joseph’s student council develop a hard plastic card featuring names and contact details of eight mental health organisations that they felt were relevant to young people. Maeve received funding and support for her project from Think Big, a programme designed by O2 and Headstrong, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, to enable young people to do projects in their community that will make a difference to young people’s mental health.

 

Minister Fitzgerald said of the project: ““I would like to congratulate Maeve and all her class mates involved in this fantastic initiative. This project asked young people throughout the country to ‘think big’ – and that’s exactly what happened here in Lucan. The ‘Lend a Hand’ card, developed by Maeve and her team, is a practical tool for young people in need of support. Teenagers in difficulty often turn to one another to seek support; and that’s why it’s crucial that our young people are mental health aware and know where to seek help when it’s needed. This handy card is the perfect guide. It provides direction on the next steps forward and I have no doubt that it will make a real difference to young people across the country.

Fitzgerald Welcomes Jobs Boost for Lucan

Local TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has welcomed the announcement of 150 research and development jobs as well as 130 technical and support roles in both Leixlip and Galway.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister Fitzgerald said “The expansion of Hewlett Packard is a direct result of the educated and motivated workforce they have found in Ireland. There are already many Lucan residents employed in HP’s base in Leixlip and hopefully more will now join.”

Fitzgerald Welcomes funding for Clondalkin and Lucan from NTA

Minister Frances Fitzgerald TD has welcomed the announcement of local funding from the National Transport Authority for public and sustainable travel.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister Fitzgerald said “It is fantastic news that these funds are to be released. The improvement of Saggart Village Junction has been long overdue and the Old Nangor Road has caused concern for student’s safety coming from Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain and Coláiste Chilliain."

Fitzgerald Presents Cheque to Children’s Hospital on behalf of Siopa Lara

Minister Frances Fitzgerald was on hand to officially present a cheque on behalf of Siopa Lara to the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation. The funds, totally €3,230 were raised by Lara Darby of Siopa Lara at a recent fashion show held in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel.

Siopa Lara boutique is based in the Bawnogue Enterprise Centre and Lara asked that the funds be allocated towards Meningitis Research.

“Over the last year or so we have seen Lara Darby become a real influence in Clondalkin – and I don’t just mean in terms of fashion,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

"Lara opened her popular boutique almost a year ago and I was delighted to officially perform the opening for her. Since then she has organised two successful fashion shows for worthy causes and I was delighted to lend my support to her Christmas fashion show which has just contributed over €3,000 to the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald supports Quiz Night in Lucan Sarsfield’s G.A.A to raise funds for James Casserly

Local TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs attended Friday’s Quiz Night held in in aid of young Lucan boy, James Casserly. The extended Casserly family are currently raising funds to help James (aged 6) receive surgery in Bristol. James, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when he was two years old, is set to receive the innovative Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy operation in April and it is hoped that it will greatly improve his quality of life.

Minister Fitzgerald has been supporting the Casserly’s attempts to receive HSE funding for James from the Treatment Abroad Scheme and was thrilled when he was finally approved before Christmas. The Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) procedure will allow the spinal roots send information to the muscle, allowing the dorsal spinal roots to transmit sensations from the muscle to the spinal cord.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald launches new National Play and Recreation Network

Minister addresses the National Local Authority Play and Recreation Network in Clondalkin

Local TD and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, launched the inaugural meeting of the National Local Authority Play and Recreation Network* last Friday in Bewley’s Hotel, Clondalkin. The Network, established by her Department and facilitated by South Dublin County Council, brings together for the first time Local Authority managers and staff responsible for play and recreation services across the country.

Launching the Network, Minister Fitzgerald stated: “As Minister, my message is clear. Whether it is through education or health outcomes, play and recreation is integral to children’s lives. It is essential to children’s development at all ages. This Network is about collaboration, both locally here in Clondalkin and Lucan and nationally, in order to make play & recreation a national priority.

Fitzgerald Welcomes Emergency Funding for Clondalkin Safety Forum

Local Fine Gael T.D. Minister Frances Fitzgerald has welcomed the decision by Minister Jan O’Sullivan to provide a once-off allocation of funds to the Clondalkin Safety Forum to ensure the work of this local service continues while the National Drugs Strategy Structures are being reviewed. The announcement came just days after Minister Fitzgerald called an urgent meeting with Minister O’Sullivan to show her support for the Clondalkin Safety Forum.

“I have been in close contact with the Clondalkin Safety Forum workers over the past number of weeks and requested an urgent meeting with Minister Jan O’Sulllivan this week to communicate their concerns to her. I was pleased to have had such a productive meeting with Minister O’Sullivan, where I voiced the concerns of the Forum and the local community I found Minister O'Sullivan very sympathetic towards the situation and explained to her how beneficial these projects are to local communities. I am delighted that she subsequently took the decision to allocate additional funds to this project. This money will ensure the continuation of the Clondalkin Safety Forum while the review of the structures of the National Drugs Strategy is being compiled,” explained Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

“At our meeting I lobbied strongly on behalf of the Clondalkin Safety Forum as I believe this organisation plays a valuable role in our community. The workers are trusted members of the communities of North and South West Clondalkin and voice the wider concerns of residents at Joint Policing Committees. They act as a bridge between communities and authorities such as the Gardai and the Council. Their work has been of huge benefit to our area in terms of tackling anti-social hotspots and drug problems as well as helping people from other areas and countries integrate into the local community,” continued Fitzgerald.