Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North Frank O’Rourke says more resources are needed to support the roll-out of An Garda Síochána’s renewal and modernisation programme.

Deputy O’Rourke made the comments after meeting with senior Garda management for the Kildare division in which he expressed support for the efforts being taken to promote community policing in the region.

Deputy O’Rourke said, “Last week I met with senior Gardaí to discuss the rollout of a number of community policing initiatives in the county.  I was encouraged by the information I received, including confirmation that 10 probationary Gardaí will be assigned to Kildare from July this year. Further Gardaí are expected to be transferred to the Kildare Division as the year progresses. Fianna Fáil pushed for increased Garda recruitment under the Confidence and Supply Arrangement and it’s positive to see that this is beginning to have a positive impact on the ground in communities right across Kildare.

“At the meeting I emphasised the importance of tackling the scourge of burglaries in the county alongside the occurrence of anti-social behaviour. I also pointed out the importance of maintaining a strong and adequately staffed Garda Drugs Unit in the region. The meeting also discussed road safety measures and I highlighted the need for additional resources for the Garda Traffic Corps in Kildare, especially when you consider some of the busiest roads in the entire country pass through the county.

“I was particularly impressed by the proposals brought forward by Chief Superintendent Roche and his team in regards enhancing community policing in Kildare. I have been assured that there will be increased Garda visibility in towns such as Celbridge, Maynooth, Leixlip and Kilcock in the months ahead. People will also be given a constant point of contact within the service who will take ownership of community policing in particular areas. I’m also encouraged by the measures being taken to enhance community policing in and around Maynooth University.

“It’s important to recognise that An Garda Síochána’s renewal and modernisation programme, which is leading to new community policing practices, can only be successful if it is backed up by adequate resources. The service has been subject to severe cutbacks in recent years and it’s clear that targeted investment is needed to ensure Gardaí on the ground are given the tools they need to carry out their duties,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

Local Fianna Fail TD, Frank O’Rourke, has stated that permanent sites in Celbridge are required for St Patricks NS and Celbridge Community College and must be made a priority. Deputy O’Rourke made the comment after raising the issue with the Department of Education.

“We need to secure permanent educational facilities for St Patrick’s NS and the newly established post-primary school, Celbridge Community School, which opened in temporary accommodation in 2015.”

“The Department of Education has confirmed to me that it is pursuing a site for these two schools now. Initially lands owned by Kildare Wicklow ETB located at Hazelhatch, Celbridge were acquired to accommodate these two schools. However, given the difficulties encountered with that site, due to flooding, these plans did not go ahead.”

 “I continue to raise the requirement for additional school places that are required in Celbridge to cater for current and future demand arising from the proposed residential units outlined in the local area plan.”

“As I have said before, we must provide infrastructure in tandem with development rather than try and retrofit infrastructure after development takes place. This is the case for public transport, roads including a new bridge in Celbridge, water and of course schools” stated Deputy O’Rourke.

“Our immediate focus must be to secure permanent educational facilities for St Patrick’s NS and the newly established post-primary school Celbridge Community School. I will continue to make representations to the Department and Kildare Wicklow Educational Training Board to secure planning and construction on the appropriate site as soon as possible.”

 “Given the projected needs for school places, the Department of Education has confirmed to me that it has requested that the reservation on the KWETB lands on Hazelhatch Road, for educational use, be retained so that when the flood risk issues are addressed, this site would be available to serve future educational needs. I am delighted that the Department is planning adequately for the future, but we need action on the ground now for St Patricks NS and Celbridge Community College” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

Local Fianna Fail TD, Frank O’Rourke, has welcomed the allocation of €3m to Kildare County Council by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government, Simon Coveney TD, for Housing Adaptations Grants for Older People and People with a Disability living in private houses.

“Last year, I raised the requirement for increased funding for Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with Disabilities. Given the projected increase in the number of older people in Ireland, it is important that we put in place policies 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.”

“Under the Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes, grants of up to €30,000 are available for an adaptation, up to €8,000 for housing aid for older people and up to €6,000 for mobility aids” stated Deputy O’Rourke.

“Apart from improving the quality of life for people and facilitating people to continue the independent occupancy of their own homes, there are other benefits from the Government’s expenditure on Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes. These include; a stimulus package for small local construction companies, more local employment and increased business for local building material suppliers, and either improve the Government’s 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” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

Best of luck to all the Leaving Cert & Junior Cert students starting their exams tomorrow!

Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North, Frank O’Rourke says he is disappointed with the lack of progress being made in appointing a new primary care psychologist to North Kildare.

Deputy O’Rourke made the comments after raising the issue with Minister for Health Simon Harris. The HSE subsequently contacted Deputy O’Rourke to confirm that North Kildare has been left without a psychologist.

Deputy O’Rourke said, “The lack of progress being made in assigning a primary care psychologist to Kildare is deeply disappointing. I have raised this issue with Minister Harris on a number of occasions but the reply I have received from the HSE indicates that little progress has been made on this issue.  

“The presence of a primary care psychologist is important for ensuring we have a proper functioning mental health service in Kildare. The HSE have confirmed to me that there is a significant gap in existing services in Kildare and this has been the case for many months now. The HSE has committed to implementing a revised model of care for psychological services but it doesn’t seem as if much progress is being made in relation to this on the ground in communities.

“The need for properly staffed mental health services has never been greater. How can we expect to encourage people to use our mental health services when they are unable to properly meet the needs of patients? It’s simply not acceptable for the Government to just pay lip service to the problems facing our mental health services. Appointing a new primary care psychologist to North Kildare should be a relatively straight forward process once the will is there to deliver on this commitment.

“I’ll continue to raise this issue with the Government until it’s satisfactorily resolved. North Kildare urgently needs a primary care psychologist to help improve our mental health services,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.