Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed the announcement that approvals are now beginning for all qualified applications received under tranche 23 of the TAMS scheme.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “With 100% of qualified applications submitted under tranche 23 being approved, TAMS continues to be a hugely successful and beneficial scheme. Payments of over €326 million have now been issued in respect of 24,141 applications for completed investments since the opening of TAMS II.

“This brings the total payments in respect of TAMS II investments made to date in 2021 to €61 million.The priority now is to continue to issue payments to applicants who have completed their approved works and these payments will continue to issue on an ongoing basis.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “I would encourage all farmers who have completed approved works and have payment claims outstanding in relation to TAMS II to submit them to the Department’s online system as soon as the works are completed to facilitate the prompt issue of payments. 

“With over 45,500 approvals issued since its launch, there are a considerable amount of outstanding approvals out there with farmers and I would urge them to conclude their approved investment and submit their payment claim as soon as possible to facilitate the prompt issuing of payments,” concluded Deputy Brendan Smith.

The current tranche of TAMS II closes on 14 January 2022. Tranche 25 will open on 15^th January 2022.

ENDS

13/12/2021

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has stressed the need to continue maximum support of CAP for the beef, sheep, dairy and tillage sectors.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “The Common Agricultural Policy has been of huge importance to our farming and agrifood sector, to the rural economy and to the overall national economy. Thankfully we have record levels of drink and food exports today and they are critical to the creation and maintenance of employment throughout the country.”

Raising this issue with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin during Parliamentary Questions, Deputy Smith stressed that it is important when finalising the Common Agricultural Policy, we take cognisance of what has worked for the Irish farming and agrifood sector over the years.

The Deputy said, “I have said for many years that there has been a lazy and at times ill-informed narrative on farming and its importance, as well as its contribution to environmental standards. Our farmers work to extremely high and demanding standards, and rightly so, both from an environmental point of view and also from the point of view of farming practices, as do our processing sectors. The necessary support that has been provided over the years must continue.”

An Taoiseach, in response to Deputy Brendan Smith, emphasised the importance of food security and Ireland’s carbon efficient production system.

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, stated, “The Deputy is right about the need to do everything we possibly can to focus on what works and on food security in particular, which will remain a big challenge globally. That must be reconciled with the climate issues. Food security is still important and Ireland is probably one of the most carbon efficient production systems in Europe, both in dairy and beef. That should not be forgotten.”

10/12/2021

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed a suite of new Covid-19 measures to support the early learning and childcare sector.

The measures will include: a €10 million Grant Programme for Improved Ventilation and Other Measures to Reduce Transmission; Student Temporary Employment and an Updated Covid-19 Resource Pack.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “These new supports are at the core of vital work to ensure the well-being and health of our children. This grant programme will improve ventilation and make these critical services safer for children, their families and the early learning and childcare workforce, who have performed brilliantly during the extremely difficult challenges of the Covid-19 restrictions.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “The temporary employment arrangements for students also announced today will help colleges facilitate students of early learning and care education programmes to work in settings until the end of January 2022. This will help to relieve current staff supply pressures owing to the pandemic.

“This important information along with the new digital pack of resources on responding to Covid-19 is being issued to early learning and childcare services nationally”.

€10 million Grant Programme for Improved Ventilation and Other Measures to Reduce Transmission

The objective of this once-off exceptional Grant Programme is to support services to improve ventilation, given the need to mitigate risks associated with Covid-19 in line with the current National Public Health guidance. HEPA filters will be among eligible items under this Programme. The Grant Programme will also enable providers to introduce other measures to reduce Covid-19 transmission.

Student Temporary Employment Arrangements

On a temporary basis Further and Higher Education Institutions will, where possible, facilitate the temporary release of students (until end January 2022) who are undertaking relevant studies and who meet eligibility criteria to work in early learning and childcare settings.

To enable students to work temporarily in the sector to assist with the Covid-19 response, on a temporary basis, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has introduced an accelerated process for assessment of eligibility to work in the sector for students who are currently enrolled on a recognised level 6, 7 or 8 course and have completed the equivalent of a level 5 award. Details will be available at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/000073-recognition-of-an-early-years-qualification/

In addition, a facility for advertising temporary posts will be available on www.myccc.ie, week commencing 13 December. Early learning and childcare services that wish to advertise a temporary post on this site should contact their local City / County Childcare Committee.

Updated Covid-19 Resource Pack

An updated Covid-19 Resource Pack will be disseminated to support early learning and childcare providers, including childminders to raise awareness among staff and parents of the current public health guidance.  It will also signpost services to additional Covid-19 supports available to the sector.

Today’s announcement follows the recent announcement to restore the enhanced rate of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) until the end of January. Since August 2020, registered early learning and childcare employers have been eligible to access the EWSS without having to demonstrate the 30% reduction in turnover required of other employers. 

EWSS at enhanced rates amounts to an investment of €34 million per month in the sector and is estimated to cover, on average, 80% staff costs and 50% operating costs.

Further measures, including the introduction of an antigen testing programme for early learning and childcare services (similar to the programme in schools) will be announced in the coming days.

ENDS

13/12/2021

€2.23 million for Cavan/Monaghan schools

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the allocation by his colleague Norma Foley TD Minister for Education of €1.23 million for primary and second level schools in Cavan and €1.00million for Monaghan schools under the minor works grant scheme. 

“This payment will be made to schools at an early date.  This is a welcome development and will support ventilation improvements, maintenance and small scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. This is part of additional support for schools in the context of covid -19 and each school decides on the work to be undertaken”,  stated Brendan Smith T.D.

13/12/2021

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the initial allocation of €1 Million to St. Christopher’s Hospice, Cavan by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, TD, towards the development of a new hospice facility in Cavan which is at present in the planning stage.

“Recently I was glad to accompany Minister Donnelly to St. Christopher’s Hospice where we had a very worthwhile meeting with the Committee and HSE staff members. Great credit is due to the St. Christopher’s Hospice Committee over the years for their work in providing this very important facility and also their strong advocacy for a new hospice.  I will be glad to continue to support their work”, stated Deputy Brendan Smith.

10/12/2021

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the government funding of €100,000 to Cavan County Council and €100,000 to Monaghan County Council in  respect of the development of a Town Centre First Policy. 

“Bailieborough and Carrickmacross are the 2 towns chosen under this policy. This initiative will focus on tackling dereliction, vacant properties and enhancing town centres and make them more attractive locations for people to work and live. 

This funding is being provided under the governments “Our Rural Future”.  Each local authority will work along with local community groups and businesses in each town to ensure progress to its own town plan”, stated Brendan Smith TD

ENDS

This funding will support Ireland’s economy in managing the impact of Brexit and will provide vital support to the border areas who have been impacted most by the Brexit process focusing on the protection and creation of jobs, enhancing businesses and protecting local communities.

6/12/2021

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomes the allocation of € 40,061 for 15 community groups throughout Cavan and Monaghan under the government’s – “Our Rural Future” and “National Social Enterprise Strategy”.

“These small scale grants will assist some social enterprises throughout both counties to upgrade existing premises or purchase a range of equipment.  Among the items included are kitchen equipment, laptops, printers, training equipment and CCTV.  Local Community Development Committees will administer these grants which will assist groups in delivering important local services.

I compliment each group on submitting successful applications and wish them every success with their work”, stated Deputy Brendan Smith.

CAVAN

Swanlinbar Development Association Ltd                  €3,500

Killinkere Development Association                           €2,500

Happy Days Childcare Servicesq                               €3,000

Virginia Show Centre Ltd                                            €2,031

The Cottage Market Cavan                                        €2,750

St. Kilian’s Heritage Trust                                           €2,750

Belturbet Heritage Railway                                         €2,031

Ballyjamesduff Communty Council                            €3,500

MONAGHAN

Aghabog Development Association                           €2,100

Castleblayney Community Enterprise                        €3,000

Migrants Advocacy, Training & Integration Centre     €3,000

Mullyash Community Centre                                      €2,560

Phoenix Centre                                                          €2,439

Scotshouse Childcare                                                €1,900

Farney Community Development                               €3,000

ENDS

6/12/2021

Brendan Smith, Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan welcomes the allocation by my Party colleague and Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD., of €1.6 Million for ICT infrastructure for all primary and second level schools in Cavan and Monaghan.

“This substantial funding will enhance digital infrastructure for schools and will address concerns in relation to educational disadvantage that can arise through the digital divide.  This programme will be a direct benefit to all schools and their students and will assist in using digital technologies in teaching and learning.  Access to modern technology is today a basic requirement for all schools of teaching and learning”, stated Brendan Smith TD.

76 Primary Schools in Co Cavan will receive €642,502 and 10 Second Level Schools will receive € 280,365 totaling € 922,867. 

62 Primary Schools in Co Monaghan will receive €500,106 and 11 Second Level Schools will receive 254,106 totaling €754,266.

6/12/2021

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed advance payments of €256,770 to 353 sheep farmers in Cavan and €145,663 to 190 in Monaghan as part of the Sheep Welfare Scheme announced today.

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “This funding is very important to the 543 sheep farmers across Cavan and Monaghan, providing a welcome financial boost for individual farmers and for the wider rural economy of both counties.” 

Announcing the advance payments today, Deputy Brendan Smith’s party colleague, Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue stated, “These payments reflect the change to the reference year, bringing the reference year to the higher of either the farmers’ existing reference number or their 2017 sheep census return. For those who joined as new entrants the reference year is being updated to 2019.

 “The change to the reference year better reflects the level of activity on participants’ farms given the passage of time since the introduction of the scheme in 2016. It will mean an increased payment for 11,500 farmers under the scheme and no-one will see their payment being reduced because of this change. The extension of the scheme into 2022 and the change to the reference year reflects both my and this Government’s commitment to the long-term viability of our sheep sector”. 

The Minister further noted, “These advance payments at a rate of 85% of the full annual payment are an important support to sheep farmers in the delivery of key welfare actions and provides a financial boost to the individual farmers and the wider rural economy. The balancing payments for the scheme will issue in the second quarter of 2022.”

The Minister added: “I am also happy to confirm that in the recent budgetary process, I secured funding for an additional year of the Sheep Welfare Scheme, which will open in February 2022.  As in previous years, there will be an opportunity for new entrants to sheep farming to join the scheme.”

In concluding, the Minister urged any farmers with outstanding queries to respond to the Department immediately in order to facilitate payment. 

ENDS

26/11/2021