Wednesday, 20 January 2010 12:12

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan T.D. welcomes the twinning of fifty seven schools in Dublin with fifty two locally based companies which will give their students the business edge to help them develop their careers when they enter the workforce. The link was formally announced by the Minister for Lifelong Learning, Seán Haughey T.D. on 18 January.

Minister Lenihan is particularly pleased to see that local schools Blakestown Community School and Riversdale Community College are taking part in this innovative, Government-backed Schools Business Partnership programme by twinning themselves with the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown and IBM Ireland respectively.

The Schools Business Partnership plan aims to develop links between schools and local businesses in supporting inclusion in education.

Minister Lenihan acknowledged the tremendous support of Irish businesses and of both teachers and parents of the students involved in programmes such as the Schools Business Partnership which can help equip young people with valuable entrepreneurial skills as they prepare to enter the working stage of their lives.

Thursday, 14 January 2010 13:20

Information regarding water supplies

In light of the pressure on water supplies throughout the country, the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan TD, would like to remind people living in Fingal that they can find up-to-date information and advice, such as details of the affected areas and location of water tankers, on the website of Fingal County Council – www.fingalcoco.ie.

The Minister joins with Fingal County Council in appealing to water consumers to conserve available water supplies and especially asks consumers not to leave taps running as this wastes vast quantities of water.

The Health Service Executive has also issued advice to householders, schools, childcare facilities and catering businesses following disruption to water supplies in certain parts of the country. Environmental Health Officers are working closely with all affected communities to ensure that any disruption of water supplies does not pose a threat to public health. A range of advice for householders and businesses is also available on www.hse.ie.

Thursday, 14 January 2010 13:05

Minister for Finance welcomes extension of deadline for Enrolment in Free Preschool Year

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan TD, has joined with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, TD, in urging parents with children eligible for the free Pre-School year who have yet to register with their local pre-school service or County/City Childcare Committee to do so immediately.

The free Pre-School year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is a scheme designed to give children access to a free Pre-School year of appropriate programme-based activities in the year before they start primary school. The provision of a free Pre-School year to all children, irrespective of income or circumstance, will enhance the social and educational development of the children.

Children born between 2 February 2005 and 30 June 2006, an age range of almost 17 months, are eligible to participate in the ECCE scheme.

The original date for participating services to make an electronic return with the children’s details was January 22nd.  Recognising the recent adverse weather conditions, which have most likely delayed the start of the ECCE scheme for most services, the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has decided to extend this date to January 29th. This will give parents an extra week to register with service providers, which they are asked to do by January 20th.

More details about the extension of the deadline for enrolment and further information on the ECCE scheme itself are available on the website of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs – www.omc.gov.ie

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 18:09

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan T.D., welcomed the decision of Fingal County Council to reduce commercial rates and water charges as an important mearsure to assist local businesses in 2010. 
The Minister said:  “At a national level, the Government has adopted a budget that sustains and creates jobs.  This is the key objective of the Government and the budget included measures that support businesses by building consumer confidence.”
The Minister welcomed Fingal County Council following this lead:
“Fingal County Council’s decision to reduce commercial rates and water charges will feed through to lower costs for businesses and consumers.  This is an important example of our community working together to improve local competitiveness.
In addition, I am especially pleased to note that the Council is committed to maintaining services at current levels despite this reduction in rates.
I would urge other Councils throughout the State to follow the lead of Fingal County Council and take action to assist local businesses in becoming more competitive.  Improving the competitiveness of local businesses will be a win-win for all concerned:
◦    Local businesses can grow;
◦    Local jobs will increase; and
◦    County Councils will see an increase in their resources for supporting essential local services: including water and waste services, community development schemes, the provision of social housing, and the maintenance of roads.”

Tuesday, 05 January 2010 12:05

Statement by Brian Lenihan TD Monday, 4 January 2010

During the week before Christmas, I underwent tests in hospital which identified a blockage at the entrance to my pancreas. A stent was inserted and the pancreas is now functioning normally. Cancerous tissue has been identified in the material that has caused the blockage. My medical advice is that chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic treatment are required. I will begin the treatment later this week.

Notwithstanding this medical condition, I am feeling fit and well. Having discussed the matter with the Taoiseach and having consulted my medical advisers, it is my intention to continue to serve as Minister for Finance. I will not be accepting invitations for speaking engagements in the next few months. I will continue to fulfil the essential functions of my office. I will supervise the work of my Department and meet delegations relevant to this work. I will prepare for and attend Government meetings. I will make myself accountable to Dáil Éireann and carry out my parliamentary duties. I will convene and attend any meetings required for the implementation of Government policy. I will be available for media interviews about my work as Minister, as required. I will continue to represent the constituency of Dublin West to the best of my abilities.

The Government is determined to implement the plan for economic recovery set out in the last two Budgets. That plan has been endorsed by every member of the Government. With the full support of my colleagues I will continue to oversee its implementation.

I am well aware of the importance of the office I hold. My doctors have advised that I am fit to continue to fulfil my duties. If that position were to change in the course of my treatment, I would be the first to recognise it. At all times, I will act in the best interests of the country and in accordance with any medical advice received. I do not intend to issue any further statements about this matter.

I want to thank the very many well wishers who sent me messages of support following media reports of my illness. I have been overwhelmed by the goodwill shown to my family and myself from all sides.  I am aware that many have remembered me in their thoughts and prayers.  I thank them for it.  I hope I can repay this goodwill by continuing to serve to the best of my ability as I undergo treatment for my medical condition.

Friday, 20 November 2009 02:52

The Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Lenihan TD, announced today that the Castleknock Gate in the Phoenix Park will re-open to vehicular traffic from Monday 23rd November.

In addition, the Ashtown and Cabra Gates will revert to two-way traffic and the routes which were temporarily opened to accommodate traffic movement within the Phoenix Park will be closed.

The Minister would like to thank all of those affected for their patience and forebearance over the last eight weeks and acknowledge the inconvenience caused by the essential works which have been completed ahead of schedule. 

The Mountjoy Cross junction had one of the highest accident rates in the City for several years and in order to alleviate the dangers at the junction a temporary roundabout was installed in 2007. This has now been replaced by the permanent structure which will further improve the health and safety of all users.

The junction has been affected by severe flooding on a number of occasions resulting in its closure (for four days on the last occasion) and major remedial works on the drainage system have now been completed.

In addition to the aforementioned major construction projects,  An Bórd Gais has replaced damaged pipes along Chesterfield Avenue and through the centre of the Castleknock Gate.  This was necessary on safety grounds as the current pipe network was in need of modernisation.

The Office of Public Works, during this period, also carried out repairs to the Castleknock Gate as a result of damage caused by a large truck leaving the Park.

A gas structure will be installed in the centre of the Mountjoy Cross roundabout in January with no inconvenience to the general public.

Friday, 20 November 2009 02:44

Launch of €150m “smart schools” plan

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan TD has welcomed the launch by the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD of a new €150 million action plan for “smart schools” which means that every classroom in the country is to get a teaching laptop, software and digital projector over the next three years. 

The new action plan has been produced by the joint advisory group established by the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD. The advisory group was chaired by Paul Rellis, Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland. 

The Government recognises the need for continuing investment in this area and is committed to providing funding to support the integration of information communications technology (ICT) in teaching and learning in schools. Students, the education sector and ICT are all central to developing our “smart economy”, which will help this economy get back on the road.

Minister O’Keeffe will be issuing €22 million in grants to primary schools before the end of this year. Funding for post-primary schools will be made available early in the New Year. 

The plan is available at www.education.ie.

Friday, 20 November 2009 02:39

Further payment of grants under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Minister for Finance welcomes announcement of further payment of grants under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan TD has welcomed the announcement by John Curran TD, Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, of funding for a further 36 groups under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. 

This Scheme encourages and assists the community’s support, for those aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance, by means of a community-based grant to improve the safety and security of these older people. Funding is available towards the cost of, for example, installing monitored personal alarm systems, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and external security lighting. This Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary organisations with the support of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Over €1.5m has so far been approved this year under the Scheme with a total of 277 groups receiving funds.

Minister Lenihan is pleased to see that the Blanchardstown Inner City Home Care Association will receive over €3,000 of the additional €100,000 in funding that is being made available. 

The full list of beneficiaries is available on the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs website at www.pobail.ie.

Friday, 20 November 2009 02:37

Revised Work Placement Programme 
The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan TD has welcomed the announcement by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD, and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin TD, regarding the relaxing of the eligibility criteria for the Work Placement Programme.

The Work Placement Programme aims to ensure that people who cannot currently find employment can maintain their skills or secure work experience that will help their CV and assist them in getting a job, while at the same time retaining their social welfare entitlements. The Programme  is  now  aimed  at  providing  9 months work experience to 2,000 unemployed  individuals,  while  they  continue  to  maintain their social welfare entitlements.  

A review of the Programme’s operations and eligibility criteria has been completed and it has been decided to improve accessibility by amending its eligibility criteria for both unemployed participants and firms providing placements. 

The key changes relating to the eligibility criteria along with other details on the Programme are available on the FAS website – www.fas.ie

Friday, 20 November 2009 02:33

Latest processing times for Jobseekers claims

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan TD notes the recent publication, by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, of the most up-to-date processing times for Jobseekers Claims. In October, 3 out of every 4 claims for Jobseekers Benefit were processed within 3 weeks and 2 out of every 3 claims for Jobseekers Allowance were processed within 6 weeks.   

The current national average processing times is just over 3 weeks for Jobseekers Benefit and 7 weeks for Jobseekers Allowance. The average processing times in the Blanchardstown Social Welfare Local Office are just less than 2½ weeks for Jobseekers Benefit and just over 9½ weeks for Jobseekers Allowance.

In an effort to reduce some backlogs which do still exist, it is planned to extend to more offices over the coming months, the new process of the fast tracking of claims, which is currently being operated in 20 offices. This is in addition to other improvements which have been implemented in recent months, including the setting up of a new streamlined process for people who had a claim in the previous two years and improved procedures for those moving from Jobseeker’s Benefit to Jobseeker’s Allowance. 

Minister Lenihan welcomes the fact that there are greater numbers signing off. This is due to a range of factors including the taking up of employment, entering training or education, beginning self employment and outward migration.