My weekly advice clinics are now running every Monday.  See times & venues below.  All clinics are a walk-in service, with no appointment needed.

Well done to all involved in organising the 5K Arthur’s Way Run in Ardclough on Saturday July 2nd. It was another great event and I was delighted to be able to attend to support everyone taking part.

Well done to Deirdre on her finish time……!!!! Congrats to everyone.

Local Fianna Fail TD Frank O’Rourke has been informed by broadband supplier Eir that their FTTH (Fibre To The Home) rollout scheme, ideal for rural areas, will include Newtown and Timahoe.

‘Recently, I met with Eir to outline to them the importance of providing broadband connection to rural areas of North Kildare such as Newtown, Timahoe, Eadestown and Kilteel.’

‘The work to provide Newtown and Timahoe with FTTH is provisionally planned for the period 2017 to 2020. However, the precise rollout programme has not yet been determined.’

‘I strongly believe that we need to firm up the roll out and I have asked Eir to consider my proposal to have this work completed next year, and effectively fast track their plans. These areas have waiting too long for a reliable broadband service.’

‘I know from meeting businesses and residents in areas of Kildare the negative impact of not having adequate or reliable Broadband access. Having reliable and a consistent broadband service enhances businesses ability to trade, and gives residents the opportunity to work from home or assist in students accessing their educational needs.’

‘The Fiber to the Home (FTTH) technology, which is a fibre cable connection from the telephone exchange direct to the customer premises, is the ideal technology, particularly for rural areas. It is speedy and reliable. Details of the rollout programme can be obtained from www.fibrerollout.ie,’ stated Deputy O’Rourke.

‘92% of Kildare premises are currently broadband enabled. By the end of this year or certainly by the end of Q1 2017, over 3000  additional rural Kildare premises will be connected to broadband by the Fibre to the Home (FTTH) technology. 400 rural premises in the Maynooth area, 370 in Kilcock, 480 in Donadea, 520 in Straffan, 1110 in Roberstown and 470 in Carbury are examples of the planned rollout for this year in rural Kildare.’

‘I intend meeting Eir again in the near future to make further representations to fast track the FTTH for rural Kildare,’ concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

The government’s creation of Irish Water has left the Irish taxpayer €59 million worse off this year, than if it had not been set up.

On 28th June, I spoke in the Dáil about Irish Water & the burden it has become for families in Ireland.

I was pleased with my colleague Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin to have facilitated Kildare Carers Focus Group to give a briefing today in the AV room in Leinster House for all elected member of the Oireachtas. The briefing covered issues in Kildare and across the country.
The briefing given by parents was excellent and outlined the concerns with “Progressing Disability Services” and the areas that needs and requires additional resources and supports. It is very important that we have full engagement with a partnership approach between the service provider, service user and the depts.

I want to thank those who attended and the Kildare Carers Focus Group for giving the briefing and their personal stories which highlights the pressure the parents/carers are under on a daily basis.  I look forward to continuing to work with this group and others to resolve the issues which exist.

Extra resources for Housing Adaptation Grants, administered by the Local Authorities, are needed to assist with independent living, says local Fianna Fail TD, Frank O Rourke, after meeting a number of older people in his clinic in Kilcock.

‘Given the projected increase in the number of older people in Ireland, it is important that we put in place polices and supports to deal with this reality.  In 2006, there were 468,000 people aged 65 or older in Ireland, but by 2041, the number of people in this country aged 65 or older will be 1.4 million. The over-80s population is projected to rise from 128,000 in 2011 to between 470,000 and 484,000 in 2046.’

‘With this in mind, the requirement for extra funding, over the medium to long term, for Housing Adaptation grants for older people needs to be taken into consideration,’ stated Deputy O’Rourke.

‘Older people prefer to live in their own home. Making their physical home environment more suitable for their needs is a key enabler to assist with independent living. I see myself  first hand the benefits of such grants for older people in my constituency. I am determined to make continued representations to have additional resources allocated for Housing Adaptation Grants.’

‘Works under the scheme include home improvements such as; structural repairs , dry-lining, repair or replacement of windows and doors, the provision of water, sanitary services and heating, cleaning and painting, radon remediation, re-wiring, and any other repair or improvement work considered necessary; all of which could provide a significant improvement for older people living in their home.’

‘Other benefits are also derived from Government expenditure on Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes such as; a stimulus package for small construction companies, more local employment and increased business for local building material suppliers, all either improve Government tax take or reduce social welfare payments. In addition, it is clear that it costs the state less to facilitate older people living in their home rather than in residential care’.

‘Following a parliamentary question that I put to the Minister for the Environment, I established that in 2009, Kildare received €2m from the Department of Environment for the Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme. This has dropped to €700k in 2014. When looking at expenditure in this area, we need to carry out a more holistic cost benefit analysis and capture all the benefits which expenditure in this area attracts.’

‘I gave a commitment in the general election campaign that I will fight for extra resources to be made available for older people and I will continue to campaign on their behalf,’ concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

It was great to welcome Dairine and Aoife to Leinster House this week. They are taking part in the job shadow project by working with and assisting the staff in my office. They enjoyed the trip and the tour of Leinster House. It’s great having the additional help so thanks Dairine and Aoife. Thanks as always to Lynda, the ushers and staff in Leinster House. Great Team..!!!

I was delighted to have facilitated Diabetes Ireland in attending the AV room in Leinster House on Wednesday June 22nd with my colleague Deputy Mary Butler to brief all members. This was an excellent presentation given by four speakers which outlined the difficulties and where additional supports and services are required. While acknowledging the improvements, there is still a job of work to be done. I hope yesterday’s briefing to all members from Diabetes Ireland will positively assist in their great work. Thanks to you all for attending and it was great to meet with Diabetes Ireland.