The Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party Chairperson, Brendan Smith TD has called for a debate in the Dáil on the passage of the UK legacy bill. 

The Cavan-Monaghan TD said: “This flawed legislation will deny justice to families bereaved during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. These families, who have campaigned over the years with great grace and dignity for the truth to be established, continue to endure the pain of loss and to express their desire for accountability, and justice and truth. It is essential that avenues remain open for this.” 

“However, the UK government has unilaterally closed down those avenues – despite the unanimous opposition of all political parties on the island of Ireland.” 

“I believe it would be appropriate for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to bring forward a Dáil motion expressing its total opposition to what the British government has forced through its parliament.” 

“I know that the Tánaiste has sought legal advice about a challenge to the legislation in the European Court of Human Rights – and we await the outcome of that.”

“However, I strongly feel that Dáil Éireann should formally record its opposition to this atrocity amnesty. No-one, whether in the IRA, the INLA, the UVF, the UFF, the RUC or the British Army should escape justice for committing heinous crimes. It is very important that Dáil Éireann sends that message. 

“” 

Fianna Fáil has always been committed to helping those that need it most.

From September 25th, the Fuel Allowance will be paid every week until the start of April, to help with heating your home.

For more info 👇
http://tinyurl.com/taeuetav

Inreasing supply remains key in addressing the challenges in housing.
In Fianna Fáil, we have prioritised supply of social and affordable homes, along with cost rental and private homes.
We are delivering and the positive impact of supply is starting to show #Housingforall

I welcome the Constituency Review Report with particular reference to the Cavan/Monaghan constituency.

I made a detailed submission to the Commission last May stressing the need to retain the entirety of both counties of Cavan and Monaghan as one constituency.

I also proposed that the part of North Meath, in our constituency at present, should be returned to County Meath for electoral purposes.  The 2022 Census clearly showed that we had sufficient population in Cavan/Monaghan to retain a 5 seat constituency on our own. 

A large part of West and South Cavan was transferred to the Sligo/Leitrim/Donegal constituency in the 2012 boundary review.  After the publication of the census of population in 2017 I led a campaign, strongly supported by The Anglo-Celt and local organisations, to have Cavan reunited as one unit with County Monaghan for Dáil constituency purposes. 

That campaign was successful and I strongly believe that there should be minimal breaching of county boundaries.  My submission to this Commission strongly emphasised the need to retain Cavan/Monaghan as one unit for constituency purposes and again I outlined that many public services are delivered on this two county configuration.  Over the years there has far too often been breaching of county boundaries often resulting in communities feeling disenfranchised.

30/08/2023

I welcome the statement by Minister Jack Chambers that he has made it clear to the Road Safety Authority, which has statutory responsibility for the provision of the NCT services, that people who do not have access to online or other electronic payment systems will continue to have other options to pay for the NCT service. This is a welcome statement by the Transport Minister of State.

A statement in regard to the NCT going cashless was made by NCT Ireland and understandably caused a lot of concern. I raised these issues directly with Minister Chambers and all statutory Agencies and public utilities must be conscious that cash is an important element of the payments system in this country and indeed internationally as well. Government should make that clear to all agencies under the remit of government departments and also to large organisations that are delivering public services on behalf of the State.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed funding worth more than €480,000 for energy efficient improvements to childcare services in Cavan and Monaghan.    

A total of 151 childcare services across the country have been awarded grants worth €9 million under the Building Blocks Improvement Scheme for “greener, warmer” childcare services.  

The scheme is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme which aims to meet current and long-term early learning and childcare infrastructure needs.  

Grants awarded range from €35,000 to €75,000 across two separate strands: Green Energy and Retrofit.  

The Green Energy Strand supports the Climate Action Agenda and the Programme for Government, which aim to transition to a carbon neutral economy by the end of 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. Under this Strand, grants are being provided to help services to increase their energy efficiency by utilising renewables, where feasible, through the installation of solar panels heat pumps, and insulation.    

The Retrofit Strand is supporting existing services in need of upgrading. Eligible works include kitchen refurbishment, upgrading of sanitary facilities for children and adults, roof repairs, and the replacement and upgrading of flooring.  

Deputy Smith said: “I’m delighted that grants worth a total of €9 million have been allocated to 151 childcare services across the country. These grants will be used to install solar panels and insulate buildings.    

“The funding will ensure the buildings are warmer and more energy efficient. It will also mean reduced energy costs for early learning and childcare providers.    

“I’m glad that three childcare servicesin Cavan will receive a total of €214,132, while four services in Monaghan have been included in the list of successful applicants. They will receive over €267,000.   

“This funding will significantly improve the buildings and will benefit both the children and the service providers.    

“Fianna Fáil in Government is committed to reducing carbon emissions, in line with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, and this funding will assist in that aim, while also meeting current and long-term early learning and childcare infrastructure needs.  I believe that we need a very comprehensive childcare capital programme over the next number of years to meet the demand in upgrading existing services and providing more childcare accommodation.”

Please see below a list of successful applicants in Cavan and Monaghan:  

St Brigid’s National School, Killoughter, Redhills

” I welcome the decision of my colleague Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, to give approval for the proposed extension and refurbishment of St. Brigid’s National School, Killoughter to proceed to tender.

This is a very welcome development which will entail the provision of substantial additional accommodation and upgrading of existing accommodation.

I wish the Principal, her staff colleagues, the Board of Management and the Parents’ Association every success with this important work for the Killoughter school community and I am glad to have supported their project”, stated Brendan Smith TD.

ENDS

17^th August 2023 

Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo 

COVID-19 Children’s vaccination clinics for those aged 6 months to 11 years continue in Cavan Monaghan 

Vaccination clinics for children aged six months to four years and five to eleven years are continuing in Cavan Monaghan. 

Primary and first booster clinics for those 12 years and over will wrap up until the autumn this week, while clinics for children will continue. 

COVID-19 vaccines are recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) for children aged 6 months to 4 years who have a health condition that puts them at high risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19.  

For all children in this age group, the recommendation of NIAC is that the benefits of vaccination are greater than the risks from the vaccine, meaning this age group can be offered the vaccine.  

The benefits include avoiding getting COVID-19, and extra protection from the rare risks of serious illness from COVID-19.  

Vaccinating children could also reduce transmission to others in the household, for example, those with a weak immune system. Children who are vaccinated will be less likely to miss school and other activities because of COVID-19. 

This age will need three doses of the vaccine for the best possible protection against COVID-19. Your child will get their second dose three weeks after the first dose, followed by a third dose eight weeks after the second dose. 

COVID-19 vaccines are also strongly recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) for children aged 5 to 11 years who:  

• have a health condition that puts them at high risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19  

• live with a younger child or adult who is at risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19 e.g. another child with complex medical needs, or an immunocompromised adult For all children in this age group, the recommendation of NIAC is that the benefits of vaccination are greater than the risks from the vaccine.  

They will need two doses of the vaccine for the best possible protection against COVID-19. Children will get their second dose eight weeks after the first dose. 

Sinead McConnell, General Manager, COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, CH CDLMS said “We are encouraging parents/guardians of those aged 6 months to four years and those aged 5 to 11 years in Cavan Monaghan to take advantage of the opportunity to get their children vaccinated in the coming weeks. Appointments can be made online at https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/booking/” 

Children’s COVID-19 clinics will take place in Cavan Monaghan at the below times: 

Cavan Monaghan COVID-19 Vaccination Base, St. Davnet’s Campus, Monaghan, H18 ED80 

Friday August 18^th 

10am to 11am- 6 months to 4 years 

11am to 12pm- 5 years to 11 years 

Ballinagh Health Centre, Ballinagh, Co. Cavan, H12RK12 

Friday August 25^th 

10.30am to 11.30am- 6 months to 4 years 

11.30am to 12.30pm- 5 years to 11 years 

ENDS 

Need information and advice on COVID-19? Go to www.hse.ie/coronavirus

Local Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed that more than 17,900 children in Cavan and Monaghan will benefit from free schoolbooks, workbooks and copy books from September under an initiative introduced by Minister Norma Foley TD. 

This has been made possible through the provision of over €1.727 million worth of funding. A total of 10,098 pupils in Cavan will benefit from €969,408 of funding, while 7,896 children in Monaghan will receive free schoolbooks thanks to €758,016 of investment. 

Nationwide, more than 558,000 pupils enrolled in over 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from the scheme. This scheme will significantly ease the financial burden facing families during back to-school time.

Over €50 million has been made available to support this scheme, including an administrative grant for schools rolling out the scheme.

Deputy Smith said: “This is a landmark moment for Irish education, and one which will provide significant benefit for families around the country.

“Back-to-school time can be a challenging time for parents and families, and I welcome Minister Foley’s commitment to easing the burden. We in Fianna Fáil believe in the power of education, and we believe in making education truly accessible for all. This is yet another positive step forward, which I wholeheartedly welcome.

ENDS 

14/08/2023

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith has said every effort must be made to ensure the delivery of a new refuge for victims of domestic abuse in Cavan and Monaghan, without delay.

Deputy Brendan Smith said, “Tusla have confirmed to me again that Cavan/Monaghan is a priority area for the development of refuge accommodation and they state that every effort will be made to ensure this happens as speedily as possible.

“Last June, the Government launched Zero Tolerance, the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. One of the overarching goals is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and over the lifetime of the strategy, the Government intends to double the number of refuge spaces.

“The Government’s ambitious strategy is to be welcomed as it is paramount that there are robust supports in place so that victims of domestic violence can access the services they need.

“Unfortunately, we all know of the increased violence over the last number of years, particularly against women. In my constituency work, I encounter families who are going through terrible torment and a very difficult time.

“I understand that a group of stakeholders has met a number of times this year, with a view to beginning plans to establish the refuge in Cavan/Monaghan. Key statutory bodies, including Tusla, the Department of Housing, the Department of Justice, Cavan and Monaghan County Councils and An Garda Síochána have been engaged in these meetings, along with the local domestic violence organisation, Tearmann/Safe Ireland.  Steps have been taken through engagement with the two County Councils to identify a suitable site.

“I also understand that the Government will establish a new Domestic Violence Agency in 2024. This Agency will play a lead role in ensuring that plans for refuges are delivered over the coming years. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.”

Deputy Brendan Smith concluded by saying that the utmost urgency must now be attached to the provision of this much-needed accommodation for people who find themselves in an awfully difficult position.

-ENDS-

27/07/2023