SUSI are still accepting third level grant applciations/ SUSI fós ag glacadh le hiarratais cúrsaí tríú leibhéil

by | Sep 2, 2016 | Press Releases |

This is a reminder for all third level students commencing studies in 2016-2017 that SUSI are still accepting grant applications. Students can apply online at www.susi.ie. I would advise students to apply as soon as possible. If you require any assistance or further information, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (091)562846. I wish you continued success in your future studies.

Ba mhaith liom meabhrú do mhicléinn a bheidh ag freastal ar chúrsaí tríú leibhéil go bhfuil SUSI fós ag glacadh le hiarratais do dheontais tríú leibhéal don scoilbhliain 2016-2017. Ba chóir do mhicléinn dul ar suíomh idirlín SUSI ag www.susi.ie chun iarratas a dhéanamh. Mholfainn duit iarratas a dhéanamh chomh luath agus is féidir má tá tú ag dul i mbun staidéir. Má tá aon chúnamh nó eolas breise ag teastáil uait, ná bíodh drogall ar bith ort teagmháil a dhéanamh le m’oifig ag (091)562846. Guím chuile rath agus ádh ort i do chuid oideachas sna blianta atá amach romhat.

Éamon

 

Public Meeting Notice/ Fógra Cruinniú Poiblí

by | Jul 19, 2016 | Press Releases |

I will be hosting a public meeting regarding refuse charges and the collection process in the Station House Hotel, Clifden on Monday the 25th July 2016 at 8:30pm.
A representative from Barna will be in attendance. This is an excellent opportunity for the community to outline their concerns and to get further clarity on this issue.
Other public representatives are welcome to attend this meeting.
Tá cruinniú eagraithe agam maidir leis na táillí bruscair agus an próiseas bailliúcháin in Óstán Teach an Stáisiún ar an gClochán, Dé Luain, 25ú Iúil 2016 ag 8:30i.n.
Beidh ionadaí ó Barna Waste i láthair ag an gcruinniú ar an oíche. Is deis iontach atá anseo don phobal tuilleadh eolais agus ceisteanna a chur maidir leis an gcóras dramhaíola.
Tugtar cuireadh d’ionadaithe poiblí eile a bheith i láthair ar an oíche.

by | Dec 4, 2015 | Press Releases, Uncategorised |

I have tried once again yesterday to get the Dáil to reject the proposal of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, to down-grade Galway Port from a Nati…onal Port, when the Report Stage of the Harbours Bill 2015 was discussed in the Dáil on yesterday.

It is proposed in this Bill to reduce the status of Galway Port from a National Port to a Port of regional significance, which will not be in the in the interest of the development of the Port.

However I put down an amendment to the bill to delete this section but it was defeated- The Minister has been adamant that he is going to proceed with this section of the Bill. However the Minister in response to Deputy John O’Mahony did state that he would not commence this section for 18 months. I welcome this very much as it will give the people of Galway a chance to voice their opinion on this proposal in the forthcoming election and to reject outright the denial of national port status to Galway.

Galway Port Company has major plans for the development of the port, but it would be absolutely vital for the success of these plans, that the status of the Port would be retained as a National Port.

“If the Minister’s proposals goes through and if the status of Galway Port is changed, there will be no National Port from south of Limerick around the very long western coast to Derry. This would leave all of the national ports in the country between Dublin and Foynes, with the west coast left bereft of a national port. Once again Connaught is being treated as the Cinderella province.

The potential for Galway Port is immense with the opportunities to both export materials through Galway Port and import necessary raw materials through the port as well as an enormous possibility of developing the cruise trade to Galway.

The plan for the port was to relocate it outwards into the harbour, freeing up the inner-harbour area for redevelopment, for commercial, residential, recreation and cultural use, which is centrepiece of the inner-harbour being used for marine leisure.

 

Fianna Fáil hosts public meeting on Crime Prevention in Our Community

by | Nov 25, 2015 | Press Releases |

Fianna Fáil General Election candidates in Galway West John Connolly, Cllr. Mary Hoade and Éamon Ó Cuív TD will host a public meeting on crime prevention next Monday 30th November in the Galway Bay Hotel. The party’s Community Affairs Spokesperson Bobby Aylward will chair the meeting and keynote speakers include Sergeant Pat Flanagan from An Garda Síochána Crime Prevention Unit and Bernard Kearney from Múintir na Tíre. “Every community across Co. Galway has felt the effects of this crime wave that is sweeping across the country. Garda numbers have decreased significantly over the past five years under this Government, and despite commitments on Garda recruitment, it will take years before we see more boots on the ground. The fact of the matter is that the Gardai need more resources now, not in a few years’ time. Not a week goes by without media reports about the latest burglary or robbery and people are becoming increasingly fearful in their own homes, especially those who are elderly or living on their own”, said Mr. Connolly. Cllr. Hoade added, “People are really worried about their security, in both rural and urban communities. There is real concern about burglaries and many feel a greater sense of isolation than they did a number of years ago. Since 2013, ten Garda stations in Galway have closed leaving communities across the county more exposed and vulnerable. Garda numbers have also been slashed, from 601 in 2010 to 564 in February this year. Criminals are taking advantage of these depleted resources and we have had a number of high profile robberies, being carried out by organised gangs. Deputy Ó Cuív explained, “There needs to a radical rethink about how we tackle crime. Fianna Fáil has put forward a 7 point plan aimed at clamping down on this crime spree – it will be one of the issues up for discussion at the meeting. I’m delighted that we will be joined by Sergeant Pat Flanagan and Bernard Kearney who will be giving a unique insight into the problems being faced by communities in Galway as well as measures which can be taken to deter criminals. “Fianna Fáil is determined to make the fight against crime a top priority and we are anxious to hear from members of the public about their experiences. The party is holding a series of meetings across the country to listen to the concerns of people who are worried about crime. We want to see more initiatives to strengthen the Gardai while making it tougher for criminal gangs to target communities”. The meeting will take place in the Galway Bay Hotel on Monday 30th November at 8pm.

Reorganisation of Local Authorities in Co. Galway – Ó Cuív

by | Nov 25, 2015 | Press Releases |

Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív has been informed by the Minister for the Environment, in Parliamentary Reply of the 17th of November, 2015, that despite the instruction given in relation to the report regarding the re-organisation of the local authorities in Co. Galway, that he has not yet received this report. It is of urgent importance now that this report would be provided in the near further and that it would be published before any decision would be made on it or any recommendation made either in this regard.

 

Furthermore, I believe that no change should take place in relation to the local authorities in Galway, without a plebiscite of the people of Galway taking place. I once again call on the Minister to expedite this affair and bring certainly to the running of the local authorities in Galway.

 

 

Ó Cuív condemns changes to GLAS scheme

by | Nov 12, 2015 | Press Releases |

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture Éamon Ó Cuív has condemned recent changes to the GLAS 2 Scheme, which will see payments to farmers significantly reduced.  New restrictions will have a major impact on average payments, with many farmers predicting that they will only qualify for grants of around €3,000. Deputy Ó Cuív commented, “The roll out of this scheme has been extremely disappointing, with the number of applications well below the targets set out by Minister Coveney.  The changes, which are being introduced as part of the second tranche of this programme will impact negatively on family farms and payments are expected to be substantially below the €5,000 average per farmer which has been budgeted for.  In fact it’s thought that payments will only average around €3,000 under round 2 of the programme.   “This is a major blow to farmers who rely on this payment to maintain their business.  Not only will they see significant reductions in their payments, some farmers will no longer qualify for the payments as a result of the new restrictions being brought in.  Farmers across the country are unhappy with the current GLAS scheme, which is evidenced in the low take up numbers. “The whole programme is in urgent need of a serious review to establish how it can be improved and made more attractive for farmers.  Minister Coveney has a track record of underspending and I have serious concerns that the €1250m designated for the scheme will not be fully expended.  It is essential that all funding earmarked for agriculture and rural schemes is utilised to improve the environment and provide financial assistance to hard pressed farmers”.