Minister needs to fully implement Child Protection Report - Troy

Posted by Robert Troy TD 27/07/2012

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  Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children, Robert Troy TD, has called on the Minister with responsibility for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD, not to cherry pick but fully implement all 47 recommendations of the 2011 Report of the Special Rapporteur for Child Protection.
  Deputy Troy commented: “While I welcome the publication of the report and the sterling work put in by its author Dr Geoffrey Shannon, I find it disturbing that the Minister has held onto the report for six months before publishing it.

  
  “The Minister has cherry picked certain recommendations contained in the report and ignored other ones. It is disingenuous of the Minister to say a number of these recommendations are already being implemented, she delayed the report’s publication while she got her house in order. Why did it take six months to publish the report that was completed in February? Minister Fitzgerald needs to implement the report in its entirety.
  “The Minister needs to implement a coherent plan and strategy to ensure that all 47 recommendations are implemented.
  
  “In the Minister’s statement on the report, she has omitted three priority areas that should be addressed. Firstly, the Minister seems to have overlooked the key recommendation in the report, that is to amend the Childcare Act 1991 so as to enable any person to apply to the court seeking an order or direction in respect of a child who is not the subject of proceedings under the Child Care Act 1991 or the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, but who has been brought to the attention of the HSE, where there are reasonable grounds for believing that the child inquestion is not receiving adequate care and protection.
  
  “ Secondly, the Minister is ignoring the fact the report is highly critical of the existing support network for families. More needs to be done to protect and help struggling families.

New child protection standards must be backed up by resources – Troy

Posted by Robert Troy TD

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children Robert Troy has called on the Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald to commit to providing the necessary resources for the full implementation of new child protection standards.
Deputy Troy has warmly welcomed the standards published by HIQA today, but has raised concerns that the current under-resourced social worker system may not be equipped to fully implement them.

“These new standards are a very welcome step towards enhancing child welfare, and the Government will have the full support of my party in implementing them. However, if the standards are to achieve their aim of reaching children at risk who are currently falling through the cracks of the system, and responding to institutional abuse quickly and thoroughly, then they must be backed up by the necessary resources.

“There are still gaping holes in our social worker system and front-line social workers are stretched to their limit. We have less social workers in place now than last year. Minister Fitzgerald has promised that front-line social worker posts are exempt from the public service recruitment embargo, but a leaked internal HSE memo identifies mental health workers and primary care workers as the only HSE staff exempt from the embargo. There is no mention of social and family services.

“I am calling on Minister Fitzgerald to commit to a strict timeline for the filling of social worker posts. The new child protection standards spell out a real opportunity for meaningful improvements in child protection in Ireland, but they will only work if they are backed up by the necessary resources.”

Troy calls for common sense approach for school transport fiasco

Posted by Robert Troy TD 25/07/2012

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children, Robert Troy TD, is calling on the Government to intervene and use common sense with plans to restrict free school transport.

The Longford Westmeath TD said: “I have been contacted by numerous parents in the past week who have been told that their children will not be eligible for free school transport from September because of new criteria introduced. The Government needs to take a common sense approach with this latest fiasco.”

Under the rules, children are only eligible for State supported transport if they attend their nearest school. This is an issue which affects both primary and secondary schools.

“I believe this is an approach that makes no financial sense. In most cases the school bus is already travelling from these town lands but new pupils will not be entitled to a place without paying a concessionary charge and can only travel if there is spare capacity on the bus. As a result, some children starting school in September will find they are not allowed to travel on the same bus as their older siblings while families with medical cards will still have to pay these costs.

“The changes will also mean that many children would have to attend a school in another parish because the school is technically closer. Also it means that many students who attended preschool are no longer able to attend primary school with their young friends. Some primary schools would historically be seen as feeder schools for secondary ones which is also been overlooked.

“The matter has been raised with Minister Ciarán Cannon on several occasions but he has so far refused to consider the impact of his decision on families in Westmeath, Longford and across the country.

“As parents now start thinking about budgeting for September, I am appealing to the Minister to reconsider before it’s too late. Before the election many current Government TD's were bending over to emphasise that measures such as these would be avoided if they were in Government. It is now time to live up to the pre-election talk,” said Deputy Troy.

Troy calls on Minister to guarantee Custume Barracks future

Posted by Robert Troy TD

Fianna Fáil TD for Longford Westmeath, Robert Troy TD, has called on the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter to reiterate his commitment to retain 1,000 personnel of Custume Barracks in Westmeath is secure.

Deputy Troy commented: “The Minister has already abolished the Western Brigade, downgrading Custume Barracks where the Brigade has been headquartered. Today’s announcement that Custume Barracks will lose 4 field CIS Company, 4 Field Engineer Company, 4 Calvary Squadron, 2 Field Artillery Regiment as well as the brigade headquarters is hugely worrying.

“The Minister has promised that Custume Barracks will retain a 1,000 strong force but with so much capability now being lost, I fear for many jobs at the barracks. The Minister needs to be upfront on this and say if he is planning more cutbacks of personnel at Custume Barracks.

“The least the army personnel at Custume Barracks deserve is the truth as to what the future holds for them.”

Reaction to Defence Forces realignment and Custume Barracks, Athlone. Cllr Aengus O'Rourke

Posted by Cllr Aengus O'Rourke 18/07/2012

• A short 4 weeks ago Alan Shatter came to Athlone in a cloak of secrecy, following that visit it was clear that the 4th Western Brigade was to be disbanded. On Monday he came again to Athlone and true to form, like the Grim Reaper, soon after we learn that up to 200 soldiers will be relocated as a result of changes to some units following the recent downgrading.

   So the story spun to the media at the time of a core compliment of 1000 soldiers being retained will already be broken come November when for example the Signals Corp, all 67 of them are relocated along with others.

   The arrogance and disregard this Minister and Fine Gael are showing for Defence Forces personnel is shocking. I am 4 weeks looking for a meeting with Enda Kenny and Eamonn Gilmore to discuss the downgrading issue and still they refuse to meet the Council Delegation that I organised. 

   I stand over my prediction from the start, we have a job on our hands to keep Custume Barracks open while Fine Gael are in Government. The rot has started, we all need to be as vocal as possible on this issue and reject moves to further diminish the numbers and morale in our barracks.

  
  

  

  
  

Skate Park For Mullingar Public Consultation Process

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn 17/07/2012

Today on my proposal Westmeath County Council commenced the public consultation process to select the location for the provision of a Skate Park in Mullingar. The process will involve public engagement in selecting the right site
and also invite submissions for any other potential site not currently selected by the Council. It is hoped that come the September meeting the Council will be in a position to select a location which will allow them at that stage to seek funding for the project.
The five locations selected are as follows:
1-Town Park
2-Fairgreen Large Green area
3-Large green area along canal near old Grange Motors site.
4-Behind Childcare Centre on lands in Robinstown where the proposed regional sports centre has been planned.
5-Green area behind Council Buildings at rear of car park known as Bleach Yard.
These locations can be added to and the Council will welcome submissions suggesting any other potential site. Drawings will soon be available to view on the Westmeath County web site which will allow you see the exact locations. As soon as I have dates for the commencement of the consultation process I will post here immediately. Additionally these sites are only proposals and no definite decision will take place until after the process has been completed.
Additionally on my proposal €10,000 was allocated to the design work for this project and I today also proposed that substantial monies from paid parking be made available for the Skate Park in the next year’s budget estimates.

Troy expresses disappointment at closure of Mullingar Harvey Norman

Posted by Robert Troy TD 10/07/2012


Longford Westmeath TD Robert Troy has expressed his huge disappointment at the announcement that Harvey Norman will close its store in Mullingar.
Deputy Troy commented: “It was with huge regret that I heard of the impending closure of the Harvey Norman in Mullingar. This is yet another blow to Westmeath which has experienced job losses and business closures over the past number of years.

“While it is hoped to redeploy the 45 employees at the store, the loss will be felt by the town of Mullingar. Much needed finance and consumer spend will be lost to the town as the retailer expands its operation in Dublin.

“This news is very disappointing and it just goes to show the difficulties so many businesses are facing at the moment with high rents and rising production costs. The Government needs to take immediate action to halt the rising number of businesses across Westmeath closing. The reneging of the promise to tackle the problem of upward only rent reviews has contributed to the problems many businesses face.

“The Government’s failure to amend legislation and change the valuation act to deal with crippling commercial rates is another huge problem for businesses. Our IDA park remains empty and while the IDA fails to promote Westmeath with potential investors.

“Mullingar has lost Columb Barracks in the past few months and the promised decentralisation to Mullingar, which hundreds had signed up to will also not go ahead.

“Harvey Norman says Lakepoint Retail Park has underperformed and is no longer viable for several reasons including high rents, prolonged vacancies in the retail park, and migration of shopping back to Dublin. We need to be proactive in our response and Mullingar must again be promoted as an excellent town in which to do business without the hassle of shopping in the capital.

“I am calling on the Minister for Enterprise to step in and make a concerted effort to promote Mullingar as a town to invest in.”

Accountability and transparency needed in Shannon flood warning system – Troy

Posted by Robert Troy TD 3rd July 2012

Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has called for a new protocol to be agreed between the agencies responsible for alerting the public to potential flooding along the Shannon.

Deputy Troy said: “Flooding in the Shannon basin has been a regular occurrence over the decades and little is done to prevent damage. There appears to be confusion about acting on early warning systems. Currently the OPW, Waterways Ireland and the ESB are charged with monitoring the Shannon. No single agency is accountable or in charge of taking action when early warning signs are put in place. It’s is time for the Government to put in place a protocol as a matter of urgently to ensure that actions are streamlined and implemented.

“As part of this it is important that water levels are reviewed urgently and a protocol should be put in place for the opening of gates down river when there is heavy rainfall.

“Farmers along the Shannon in Longford and Westmeath maintain that summer flooding is becoming more frequent and severe. We know that this June was been the wettest on record. This is seriously affecting farmers and their ability to manage grazing and access to fodder. Farmers in the region are genuinely concerned about costs and about being able to provide for their families.

“It is essential that one agency is responsible and accountable on this issue. Hundreds of farmers and thousands of acres have been affected by flooding for the last several weeks. The Minister for Agriculture should also be taking a leading role in this matter and engaging with the farming community with a view to providing assistance to affected areas.”

Banks should not be allowed to dictate progress in Personal Insolvency – Troy

Posted by Robert Troy TD 3rd July 2012.

Westmeath & Longford residents need assurance that new law will be balanced if they need it.



Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has described the new Personal Insolvency legislation as a major opportunity to address the debt crisis facing thousands of people, but has questioned the decision to allow banks dictate progress.

Deputy Troy said: “This legislation is long overdue. It has taken six months for the Government to progress this vital issue while the scale of the personal debt crisis facing thousands of people has worsened. I know from my own constituency that many people in Westmeath and Longford are feeling under enormous pressure with debt and mortgage payments. We welcome the decision to reduce the bankruptcy discharge period to bring it into line with the European norm.

“There is a unique opportunity for the Government to break the hold the banks have over borrowers and the State, but on first reading this opportunity appears to have been missed. The Bill as published requires that creditors holding 65% of a person’s debt agree with the proposed debt settlement arrangement or personal insolvency arrangement. For the vast majority of people, this will mean their bank is still in control. There will be great unease about this in the midlands. The banks cannot hold an unfair balance of power in this process.
“We need to ensure in this legislation that there is an appropriate balance of power between financial institutions and borrowers. When read alongside the decision to restrict access to Mortgage Interest Supplement relief, there is a real danger that the Government’s response to the mortgage crisis is increasingly relying on the good faith of bankers.

“We will study this Bill in detail and we will be engaging with interest groups and bringing forward amendments to the legislation. Ireland is not going to get another opportunity like the one that exists now to comprehensively deal with this social and economic crisis.

“We are concerned that the Government appears paralysed by the scale of the mortgage crisis with 10.2% of all private residential mortgages now in arrears of more than 90 days. The banks have not stepped up the mark to date in tackling this issue and have similarly failed to support the SME sector to stimulate the domestic economy.

“Our view is that, where a person’s total debt level is clearly unsustainable, the best way of dealing with that is through a comprehensive assessment of that person’s financial position by an independent statutory non-judicial debt settlement office. We have brought forward sound legislation to allow such an office, but the Government has refused to examine the proposal.

“If we are to learn anything from this crisis it is that the banks cannot be left to progress these issues as they see fit. This is not a banking issue. It is a social and economic issue that must be addressed by Government and driven by an independent body. The new Insolvency Service of Ireland must be well resourced and I am concerned that the Government is not dealing with this crisis with the speed necessary to give confidence to borrowers in difficulty.”

Mullingar Town Council Questions Update - Cllr Ken Glynn

Posted by Cllr Ken Glynn on 02/07/2012

2.5 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council when works will commence on the large green area and the boundary wall in Ardleigh Vale, as the wall in particular is causing major problems for local residents.

Reply: A contractor has been appointed and works have commenced on the green area at Ardleigh Vale. The boundary fence has been repaired by the Council on numerous occasions at considerable expense. A more permanent solution needs to be found to resolve this issue to the benefit of residents both sides of the fence. This solution can only be brought about with the involvement of residents from Ardleigh and Woodlands.

This situation is ongoing and I am in daily contact with the Council in relation to both these matters. I will give this guarantee that any suggestion to have a permanent access point along this boundary will be totally opposed by myself and I have received a verbal assurance from the Council executive that this will not happen.

2.6 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council to establish who is responsible for the overgrown area behind The Moorings and carry out necessary works which will help to alleviate any potential anti social behaviour.

Reply: This is a privately owned site and ownership details are being established.

Once the council has established the owners they will request them to tidy this site and ensure it is correctly secured and locked up.

2.7 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council to complete the fencing at the front of The Moorings, as currently the unfenced part at the trees, which leads onto a busy road, is used as a short cut.

Reply: This estate is not in charge of the Council. Therefore, it is a matter for the Residents Association to complete the fence.

I have since received assurances from the Council that they will visit this area and investigate what fencing is required with a view to find some funding to complete the fence.

2.8 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council to prioritise major refurbishment works for Ennell Community House which are long overdue.

Reply: The Council’s Housing Section has carried out an inspection of this premises. It was noted that the damage caused is the result of vandalism, e.g. some roof slates have been damaged.

Funding is being sought by the Council’s Community and Enterprise Section for an extension to the Ennell Court community house to provide separate ground floor meeting room accommodation for the use of the community.

This will be completely separate from the child care facility and will be suitable for disabled use. It is proposed to refurbish the existing house as part of this funding stream and the necessary repairs to the roof will also be carried out as part of these works.

This is fantastic news and will provide long overdue upgrade works as well as a new meeting room which will be available for the local community to use.