PAT DEERING TD Working for Carlow, Working for you...

Constituency Offices: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow.Church Road, Bagenalstown. T. 059 9173446 M. 087 9470736 F. 059 9164680 E. pat.deering@oireachtas.ie W. www.patdeering.ie

GOOD NEWS FOR CARLOW SCHOOLS THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED FUNDING FOR WORK TO CARLOW SCHOOLS UNDER VARIOUS SCHEMES:

MAJOR PROJECTS:Bennekerry – new school.Carlow Educate Together – new school.Carlow Vocational School – new school (2015)Tullow Community School – substantial extension (2014)Knockbeg College – new school with protected facades retained.

SMALLER PROJECTS / PORTACABIN REPLACEMENT: Grange NS – one add. classroom and one Autism unit, portacabin replacement.

Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Tullow – three portacabins replaced.

St. Leos – six new classrooms including resource room, portacabins replaced.

Clonegal NS – two mainstream classrooms.

Ballon NS – classroom extension.

Ballymurphy NS – two mainstream classrooms.

Leighlinbridge NS – one classroom.

St. Marys CBS – Science Lab, Woodworking, Technology & Machinery room and preparation areas.

Pres De La Salle, Bagenalstown – four classroom extension.

Queen of the Universe, Bagenalstown – Special classroom.

Summer 2012

PAT DEERING TD Working for Carlow, Working for you...

Constituency Office: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow. Tel: 059-9173446 or Mobile: 087-9470736 Email: pat.deering@oireachtas.ie

The service involves the installation of standard energy efficiency measures appropriate to the eligible household subject to SEAI survey, budget allocation and available capacity. The service is provided at no cost to the household.

The measures currently available under this scheme are: Attic insulation, Draught proofing, Lagging jackets, Low energy light bulbs, Cavity wall insulation, Energy advice.

This scheme is available to homes which meet the following criteria:

• Owner occupied, non-Local Authority homes • Constructed before 2002• The owner is in receipt of one of the following:

- Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme- Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and with children under 7 years of age- Family Income support

Landlords can avail of grants from Better Energy Homes if they have tenants in, or at risk of, energy poverty. See www.seai.ie/BetterEnergyHomes for more information. For further information please contact the BEWH helpdesk on 1800 250 204 or email warmerhomes@seai.ie.

BETTER ENERGY WARMER HOMES SCHEME:

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR IRISH BUSINESSStarting your own business:

• SEED CAPITAL SCHEME: Claim back up to €100,000 in income tax paid and invest into a company subscribed as shares,

• THREE YEAR CORPORATE TAX EXEMPTION: Offers tax relief for new start-ups,

• BACK TO WORK ENTERPRISE ALLOWANCE (SELF-EMPLOYED): Retain your social welfare while starting up,

Growing your business:

• EMPLOYMENT INVESTMENT AND INCENTIVE SCHEME: Tax relief for investment in certain corporate trades. Get 30% relief on €150,000 investment,

• R&D TAX CREDIT: Set 25% tax credit against corporation tax liability.

• INNOVATION VOUCHERS: Apply for a €5,000 innovation voucher to help you explore a business opportunity or problem,

• ACCELERATED CAPITAL ALLOWANCE: Gives tax relief for energy efficient companies,

Recruiting:

• REVENUE JOB ASSIST: Take on someone who has been on the live register for 12 months and claim a double write off of the wages and PRSI for 3 years,

• EMPLOYER JOB (PRSI) INCENTIVE SCHEME: Take on someone who has been unemployed for 6 months and pay no PRSI for 18 months.

• JOBBRIDGE: offers an internship of 6-9 months to a person who has been signing on as available for work and getting a payment or credits for at least three months,

• SUCCEED IN IRELAND Introduce a company to the IDA that creates

sustainable jobs and claim a finder’s fee.

Accessing Credit:

• MICRO-FINANCE FUND: loans of up to €25,000 are available to commercially viable proposals in new or growing enterprises across all sectors,

• CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME: loans to small and medium sized business where companies lack the required collateral,

• CREDIT REVIEW OFFICE: Sole traders, small business and farmers who have been refused credit up to €500,000 can apply,

• CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BUISNESS LENDING TO SMEs: A clear set of procedures and guidelines to be followed.

For further information visit www.djei.ie

The GatheringNext year will see the biggest tourism event in Irish history taking place, a year-long event celebrating Ireland and everything Irish. The gathering is a tourism initiative aimed at reaching out to the Irish Diaspora all over the world and bringing them home for a visit. Every town and village across the country is being asked to get involved. Participating in the Gathering could provide your area with huge benefits. For more information on how to get involved contact Carlow Tourism on 059 9130411.

Working for Carlow, Working for you...

Constituency Office: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow. Tel: 059-9173446 or Mobile: 087-9470736 Email: pat.deering@oireachtas.ie

GOVERNMENT ACHIEVEMENTS IN YEAR ONE✓ Published the Jobs Action

Plan and implemented the Jobs Initiative

✓ Economy returned to growth (GDP up 0.7% in 2011)

✓ 80% reduction in the number of people waiting more than a year for an operation;

✓ Funding provided to extend medical cards to people with certain long-term illnesses;

✓ Dedicated Department of Children established;

✓ Met and exceeded Budget deficit target (9.4% against target of less than 10.6%);

✓ Payment of ‘Anglo’ Promissory Note has been deferred;

✓ Live Register (numbers drawing the dole) lower than when we took office;

✓ Tourist visitor numbers rising (up 6% in 2011);

✓ Cut in minimum wage imposed by the last government has been reversed;

✓ Interest rate on debt owed to the EU/IMF has been lowered, saving €10bn.

✓ Exempted 300,000 low-paid, part-time and seasonal workers from the universal social charge;

✓ Longer Dáil hours, shorter Dáil recess, stronger Oireachtas committees, and more influence for back-benchers;

✓ Fewer government agencies (quangos) and public service staff numbers have been reduced;

✓ All State board positions are now advertised and board Chairpersons vetted by the Oireachtas;

✓ Sports Capital (lottery) grants have been restored.

STABILITY TREATY REFERENDUMI want to thank the People of Carlow for saying YES to the Stability Treaty Referendum last May, all who voted yes and all who canvassed and worked to ensure that we got this very important issue over the line.

Ireland’s yes vote in the referendum is a very positive step as we focus on keeping our economy on a sustainable track to recovery. I am glad the public responded positively to a hard fought campaign.

By giving a strong endorsement to the Stability Treaty, we have put a crucial part of the jigsaw in place as we rebuild a working Ireland. The result will help bring about the certainty needed for recovery and growth.

The Yes vote is a very positive move for Ireland on a number of fronts. We are sending out a strong message to international investors that Ireland is a great place in which to invest and create jobs. There have been thousands of jobs created by foreign companies here since the beginning of the year. I believe this result will help us maintain this stream of investment.

The yes vote also ensures we have access to Europe’s new emergency fund, the ESM, should we need it. This gives us security about how we will fund ourselves as a country, and how we will pay our doctors, teachers and nurses in the years ahead. And finally, it will also ensure that future governments - no matter who is in power - will have to adhere to sensible budget rules. I strongly believe this is in our best interests as a country, as we gradually reduce our debt levels over the next two decades.

Recent meetings in Europe have led to a significant breakthrough on our banking debt. This is a major step forward for Ireland as we are breaking the link between bank debt and public finances. The Taoiseach and the Government have been pushing for this on a consistent basis and Europe has now listened to what we have been saying.

The finer details have yet to be worked out over the next two months or so but we will get a better deal and the taxpayer won’t be saddled with the huge cost of bailing out the banks. This will help us get back into the markets as planned and put us on a sustainable footing to return to growth. Growth is key to creating jobs and jobs are key to sorting out our finances.

GOVERNMENT SECURES BREAKTHROUGH ON BANK DEBT

Locals turn out to meet Pat Deering TD and Minister Michael Ring during their recent visit to Muinebheag Swimming Pool.

Pat Deering TD with Minister Michael Ring at the official opening of Pat’s new office on Church Road, Bagenalstown.

The sign over my new office on Church Road, Bagenalstown

Michael Abbey, 32 Green Road, Carlow. 059-9131721/086-8582179

Fergal Browne, Church View, Rutland, Bennekerry, Carlow. 059-9135356/087-9884113

Denis Foley, 1 Chestnut Court, Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. 059-9721802/086-2626483

Joe Manning, Market Square, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. 059-9722030/087-2558033

Tom O’ Neill, 146 JKL Ave, Carlow. 059-9130152/086-3864486

Tommy Bambrick, Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. 087-2254180

Michael Doran, Main Street, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. 059-9721184/087-2152788

Fred Hunter, Raheen, Tobinstown, Co. Carlow. 059-9161173/087-2148172

John Murphy, Glisheen, Boggan, Kilbride, Co. Carlow. 059-9159238/087-2125275

Pat O’ Toole, 12 Shillelagh Grove, Tullow, Co. Carlow. 059-9151940/087-8115722

Eileen Brophy, 39 Idrone Park, Tullow Road, Carlow. 059-9143851/087-2648929

Wayne Fennell, 19 Beechwood Park, Pollerton, Co. Carlow. 059-9134770/087-9241331

Tommy Kinsella, Kilcumney, Goresbridge, Co. Carlow. 059-9775398/087-9377386

Your Local Fine Gael Team in County Carlow

PAT DEERING TDWorking for Carlow, Working for you...

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People of East Carlow Ignored AgainI was very disappointed when the Constituency Commission recommended that East Carlow (Rathvilly, Hacketstown & Clonmore) should remain as part of the Wicklow Constituency. Carlow is such a small county with a population of only 55,000 it makes no sense that 5,000 of these are represented by politicians from another county. These are Carlow people who are aligned to Carlow or Carlow / Kilkenny for everything else in their lives, VEC, HSE, Garda District, local authorities etc., We made a good submission, got good local support but unfortunately it didn’t happen for us on this occasion.

Carlow to Kilkenny Cycle Route & ‘Active Travel’ FundingThe Government has recently announced almost €1.5m funding for two local projects. Just under €1m has been allocated for walking and cycling routes around Carlow town and Graiguecullen. The proposals will link the whole town of Carlow with schools, shops, leisure faciliites, colleges and transport hubs.

Almost €500k has also been allocated to provide a cycle

track form Carlow to Kilkenny. As well as these been part of a more cycle and walking friendly culture the investment and jobs that are created are also a great boost to the local economy.

Household ChargeFirstly, may I take this opportunity to thank all the people in Carlow who have already paid their household charge. Over €1m has been collected to date.

Secondly, I would encourage everyone who has not yet paid the charge to do so, as penalties are accruing all the time and, if left unpaid, the charge will ultimately remain attached to the property.

In Northern Ireland property tax is almost €1,000 per house (average) and Sinn Fein who are so opposed to the tax here seem happy enough to be part of a Government collecting it north of the border!

All the money collected in the county will stay in the county. In fact this week Carlow County Council has been advised by The Department that their funding will be cut by €985,000 (original allocation €8.5m) because we as a county have undersubscribed to the charge. This adjustment will result in

€246,000 (25%) been deducted in the next quarter. This cut will undoubtedly affect services in the county, so again I encourage everyone who hasn’t paid the charge to do so and spread the burden evenly.

Septic TanksAll privately owned septic tanks must be registered. €5 is the reduced registration fee if paid before end of September, it will be €50 in October. This is not a tax, this is about ensuring we have clean water for ourselves and for our children. It will also improve our prospects of attracting foreign investment if we can guarantee a clean supply of water. Only approximately 10% of tanks will be inspected and these will mostly be in high risk areas near rivers, lakes and tourist areas.

It’s in all our interest to make sure our septic tanks work effectively and efficiently, do your bit to make this happen – start by registering your tank now and avail of the reduced fee.

Bagenalstown OfficeI’m delighted to have opened an office on Church Road, Bagenalstown. I hope it will be of value to the people of the town and surrounding areas

as well as the whole south of the county. Opening hours are Monday 4.30 to 6.30 PM, Tuesday and Friday mornings 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM. Either Michael Meaney or I will be there to meet you and deal with your queries.

Advice ClinicsMy summer month clinics are slightly different than in winter. I will spend more time knocking on doors and I’ll also be available to meet you privately or in groups. I will still hold my monthly drop-in clinics in Tullow, Ballon and Borris. I’ll be available on Saturday mornings in my Carlow office and whenever I can during the week either in Carlow, Bagenalstown or wherever suits. Please phone my office 059 9173446 to arrange.

Sports Capital GrantsIt’s great to see the Government bringing back the Sports Capital Grants after four years break.

This year there is €30m for distribution but unfortunately there are over 2,150 applications seeking €224m. From Carlow there are 44 applications proposing to spend over €3m. Best of luck to all groups that have applied but unfortunately there isn’t enough in the pot to meet the huge demand.

Constituency Offices: 16 Old Dublin Road, Carlow. Church Road, Bagenalstown. T. 059 9173446 M. 087 9470736 F. 059 9164680 E. pat.deering@oireachtas.ie W. www.patdeering.ie