Following the Minister for Education’s response in the national media to an advertising campaign on the lack of school accommodation and facilities in the county, Fine Gael candidate Cllr Richard Daly has said that he is committed to any campaign which can improve the plight of student, parents and teachers in what is becoming an education “black spot” in the country
“The fact that the Minister can “light heartedly” refer to what is a most serious situation in South Kildare shows how little of a grasp she has on the situation. Does she not realise that the public INTO meeting in Newbridge was less than pleased with the staffing of schools in the county?. Has she no understanding of the parents who had places in primary school deferred last year and the many other who will have to accept prefabricated classrooms on a second level car park because the Department of Education did not respond to the warning signs six years ago! Does she not remember the Taoiseach planting a tree at the site of the new Community College in Athy in 2000 and promising speedy delivery of this project?
It is not the Minister who should be taking personal umbrage at the failure of educational delivery it is the students, the parents, the teachers and the communities who are starved of deserved resources.
I even wonder how many of the party faithful who paid €1000 a table at the fundraiser appreciated Minister Hanafin “light – hearted” reference to their own constituency’s lack of education facilities. Minister Hanafin would have served them better by announcing some new building rather than jocosely alluding to the lack of them.
I, personally, would not even be involved in politics today but for the lack of delivery by the Department of Education and Science which has not yet laid a block eight years after the sanction of the school which I work in. It is I, and the parents and pupils of this and other schools who should be comparing the advertised product with the reality.
Overcrowded classrooms, thousands of students still being taught in prefabs, unbuilt schools and shrinking resources are among the hallmarks of this government which flamboyantly spent on PPARS and e-Voting machines.
I passionately believe in prioritising education in this county and I’m afraid Minister, I don’t get the joke.”
ENDS
Monday, March 26, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Minister Hanafin should show more respect for the school population of South Kildare - Daly
The Minister for Education continues to fail the school population in Kildare South and makes light of it at party social occasions according to Fine Gael candidate Cllr Richard Daly.
“At a function in the constituency recently Minister Hanafin "jokingly referred to a politician as being "a thorn in her side" in his promotion of education projects in South Kildare"
This trite and supposedly humorous reference to education accommodation in South Kildare does no justice to a Minister who has presided over a situation which has failed to deliver buildings at primary and post primary level throughout the county.
I personally take exception to the Minister's comments while I, our school staff and students are waiting our eighth year since sanction for a fast-tracked building. Parents in Newbridge take it very seriously that there has been no realistic response to the dearth of school buildings and overcrowding in the classrooms.” Said Cllr Daly
“Each night on the doorsteps throughout Kildare South the residents talk of the scandal of the lack of school buildings and the number of pupils in primary classes. Parents have commented on the irony of Irish volunteers going to Third World countries to build permanent schools while our own primary pupils are being taught in outdated prefabs in football club grounds and car parks.
To Minister Hanafin this may be material for jest at party functions but to the parents who are wondering whether their four year old has gained a school place the joke may be ill timed and ill placed.
Minister, the thousands of "thorns" in Kildare South would like to know when, where and how many will be in the long promised buildings. Not the repeated mantra telling undecipherable "stages" which have no time limits. Parents need to know how soon schools will be built - real dates not imaginary speculation.
The failure to deliver schools and teachers is no joke and the parents in Kildare South are not laughing.”
ENDS
“At a function in the constituency recently Minister Hanafin "jokingly referred to a politician as being "a thorn in her side" in his promotion of education projects in South Kildare"
This trite and supposedly humorous reference to education accommodation in South Kildare does no justice to a Minister who has presided over a situation which has failed to deliver buildings at primary and post primary level throughout the county.
I personally take exception to the Minister's comments while I, our school staff and students are waiting our eighth year since sanction for a fast-tracked building. Parents in Newbridge take it very seriously that there has been no realistic response to the dearth of school buildings and overcrowding in the classrooms.” Said Cllr Daly
“Each night on the doorsteps throughout Kildare South the residents talk of the scandal of the lack of school buildings and the number of pupils in primary classes. Parents have commented on the irony of Irish volunteers going to Third World countries to build permanent schools while our own primary pupils are being taught in outdated prefabs in football club grounds and car parks.
To Minister Hanafin this may be material for jest at party functions but to the parents who are wondering whether their four year old has gained a school place the joke may be ill timed and ill placed.
Minister, the thousands of "thorns" in Kildare South would like to know when, where and how many will be in the long promised buildings. Not the repeated mantra telling undecipherable "stages" which have no time limits. Parents need to know how soon schools will be built - real dates not imaginary speculation.
The failure to deliver schools and teachers is no joke and the parents in Kildare South are not laughing.”
ENDS
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Fine Gael supports Rabbittes opposition to Private hospitals on public land – Daly
Following yesterday’s expressed opposition of the construction of private hospitals on public land by Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, Cllr Richard Daly, Fine Gael candidate for Kildare South has confirmed that this is also the view held by Fine Gael.
“On my canvass of South Kildare health concerns are a major issue at the doorstep. The failure of the current health system to meet the needs of the average citizen will only be compounded by the expansion of a two tier system which puts private and public hospitals in competition. Fine Gael have promised to scrap the Harney plan which proposed the building of private hospitals on public land.
Another health benefit under Fine Gael will be that GP only cards will be given to all under five years of age. Over the past few weeks I have met several parents for whom this will represent a major bonus and will ease the pressure on the decision of whether or not to take their child to the doctor for what may be a trivial complaint.
Fine Gael and Labour have agreed a series of joint health proposals which include the above and already they are being favourably received on the doorsteps” said Cllr Daly
“On my canvass of South Kildare health concerns are a major issue at the doorstep. The failure of the current health system to meet the needs of the average citizen will only be compounded by the expansion of a two tier system which puts private and public hospitals in competition. Fine Gael have promised to scrap the Harney plan which proposed the building of private hospitals on public land.
Another health benefit under Fine Gael will be that GP only cards will be given to all under five years of age. Over the past few weeks I have met several parents for whom this will represent a major bonus and will ease the pressure on the decision of whether or not to take their child to the doctor for what may be a trivial complaint.
Fine Gael and Labour have agreed a series of joint health proposals which include the above and already they are being favourably received on the doorsteps” said Cllr Daly
Department of Transport have a scheduling problem in Kildare - Daly
The holding of an information meeting on Transport 21 by the Department of Transport during the working day is being criticised by Fine Gael General Election Candidate for Kildare South, Cllr Richard Daly
“The Department of Transport is showing how out of touch it is with the plight of commuters when it has scheduled an information meeting for stakeholders on Transport 21 for Thur 22n March at 11 am in Naas.
Does the Minister not realise that commuters are the most affected by the developments of the plan but will all be at work at that time. Among the Minister’s advisors surely there must have been one person who realised that a commuter is a person who leaves home in the morning and does not return until usually late in the evening.
Rail commuter groups have lobbied hard and have represented the views of hard pressed colleagues throughout the length and breadth of the county. They are the ones whose livelihood and lifestyle are most altered by the implementation of Transport 21 yet they are the ones who have been ignored in the timing of this information campaign.
I have been attending some of the meetings held by Rail User Groups and feel that they are the ones who should be targeted by the Department of Transport in delivery of this information” said Cllr Daly
“The Department of Transport is showing how out of touch it is with the plight of commuters when it has scheduled an information meeting for stakeholders on Transport 21 for Thur 22n March at 11 am in Naas.
Does the Minister not realise that commuters are the most affected by the developments of the plan but will all be at work at that time. Among the Minister’s advisors surely there must have been one person who realised that a commuter is a person who leaves home in the morning and does not return until usually late in the evening.
Rail commuter groups have lobbied hard and have represented the views of hard pressed colleagues throughout the length and breadth of the county. They are the ones whose livelihood and lifestyle are most altered by the implementation of Transport 21 yet they are the ones who have been ignored in the timing of this information campaign.
I have been attending some of the meetings held by Rail User Groups and feel that they are the ones who should be targeted by the Department of Transport in delivery of this information” said Cllr Daly
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Junior infant class sizes in Newbridge to rise to 30 by 2010 under Fianna Fail - Daly
Despite the INTO’s campaign against overcrowding in primary schools, junior infant class sizes are set to rise to 30 by 2010 in Newbridge, according to Richard Daly, Fine Gael candidate for Kildare South in the upcoming general election.
In 2002 a programme for government agreed by Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats promised to reduce the average class size for children under 9 to below the international best practice guideline of 20 pupils to one teacher.
Currently in Newbridge the class sizes for junior infants average 28:1 in the 15 classes available.
Richard Daly says, “In Newbridge 447 children were baptised in 2006 and assuming the current average of 20% for children not baptised, 536 children will be joining junior infants in 2010 in Newbridge. This excludes the impact of any increase in the population in the meantime.
The government solution is 3 new pre-fabs in the vocational school car park this September, making 18 classes available for junior infants. That is an average of 30 per class, up from the current level of 28. To bring the average to the required 20, a further eight classes would be needed and this would not allow for any additional newcomers to the area.
These numbers prove that Newbridge requires two new primary schools immediately, something that the local providers have been stressing to the department of education since 2001, but their pleas have landed on deaf ears.
Daly added, “The difference between what the government is proposing and what needs to be done is a measure of the lack of investment undertaken in the last 10 years, at a time when billions were squandered on large capital projects
In the past this government didn’t have the vision to plan for the impact on the school system of forecasted population growth, and now it still hasn’t got the management skills to solve the problem. It is hard to believe that two of the last three ministers for education are teachers themselves, and allowed this deterioration to unfold.”
ENDS
In 2002 a programme for government agreed by Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats promised to reduce the average class size for children under 9 to below the international best practice guideline of 20 pupils to one teacher.
Currently in Newbridge the class sizes for junior infants average 28:1 in the 15 classes available.
Richard Daly says, “In Newbridge 447 children were baptised in 2006 and assuming the current average of 20% for children not baptised, 536 children will be joining junior infants in 2010 in Newbridge. This excludes the impact of any increase in the population in the meantime.
The government solution is 3 new pre-fabs in the vocational school car park this September, making 18 classes available for junior infants. That is an average of 30 per class, up from the current level of 28. To bring the average to the required 20, a further eight classes would be needed and this would not allow for any additional newcomers to the area.
These numbers prove that Newbridge requires two new primary schools immediately, something that the local providers have been stressing to the department of education since 2001, but their pleas have landed on deaf ears.
Daly added, “The difference between what the government is proposing and what needs to be done is a measure of the lack of investment undertaken in the last 10 years, at a time when billions were squandered on large capital projects
In the past this government didn’t have the vision to plan for the impact on the school system of forecasted population growth, and now it still hasn’t got the management skills to solve the problem. It is hard to believe that two of the last three ministers for education are teachers themselves, and allowed this deterioration to unfold.”
ENDS
Monday, March 12, 2007
Athy Youth Café moves forward to next stage – Daly
Athy Youth Café has now moved to Part 8 which is the equivalent of Planning permission, or the stage prior to tender and construction, according to Action for Youth Chairperson, Cllr Richard Daly.
Conversion of the old Dispensary on Meeting Lane has already secured funding of €200,000 for its conversion because of prioritisation by the RAPID committee and staffing of the Café is being finalised.
The Youth Café will benefit from having a town centre location and will offer a drop in location for young people in a safe environment. Young people and parents have been requesting such an alcohol free venue for many years and we are delighted that we seem to have overcome all of the obstacles which delay such projects.
ENDS
Conversion of the old Dispensary on Meeting Lane has already secured funding of €200,000 for its conversion because of prioritisation by the RAPID committee and staffing of the Café is being finalised.
The Youth Café will benefit from having a town centre location and will offer a drop in location for young people in a safe environment. Young people and parents have been requesting such an alcohol free venue for many years and we are delighted that we seem to have overcome all of the obstacles which delay such projects.
ENDS
Safer roads and better public transport would safeguard Kildare pedestrians - Daly
Higher risk for walkers is unfortunate fall-out from drink driving clampdown
Fine Gael Kildare South General Election candidate, Cllr Richard Daly, has called for meaningful public transport to be provided in suburbs and rural areas, and for a nationwide safety review of all roads, after new Garda figures showed as many pedestrians as drivers have died on the roads this year.
A total of 21 pedestrians have died on the roads in 2007, with 21 drivers also dying. Eight car passengers and two cyclists have also been killed on Irish roads this year.
“The higher number of pedestrian fatalities may be an unfortunate fall-out from the drink driving clampdown, with more people walking home from pubs in both suburbs and rural areas, placing themselves at risk, particularly from those stupid enough to drink and drive,” said Cllr Daly, who is a spokesperson of the Kildare Road Users Group, which campaigns for better road safety in the county.
"Pedestrians are sitting ducks on many roads which make absolutely no provision for foot traffic. Many of these pedestrian deaths take place in suburbs, towns and villages where footpaths are often in poor condition or non-existent, where roads are badly lit, and the signage for both traffic and pedestrians is appalling.
“The danger is that some people may feel they are safer using their car, even after a few drinks, than risking a walk home along dangerous or narrow roads. It is essential that some form of alternative transport is provided in rural areas and suburbs, and that roads are made as safe as possible for pedestrians and traffic. Fine Gael wants:
A nationwide survey of road conditions, road signs and street lighting to ensure that all areas are brought up to international safety levels;
Bus licences to publicans to encourage them to provide a courtesy bus service;
Liberalisation of the bus market to allow private operators to provide bus services in towns and housing estates that currently have little or no service.
"Unfortunately the FF/PD Government's proposals to extend the rural transport initiative will apply to rural areas only, and the Government is itself split over these proposals. Minister Éamon Ó Cuív has now rolled back on his plans to extend the initiative, describing the measure as 'modest'.
"With the Government divided, there is little chance of any measures being introduced before the General Election. However, Fine Gael's proposals are workable and would not provoke the controversy arising from the Government's measures. Many people in rural areas are starting to feel like prisoners in their own homes. They will feel even more isolated if they are further confined because the roads have become even more dangerous for pedestrians. However, I would urge anyone walking the roads to ensure they make themselves highly visible, particularly to oncoming traffic."
Fine Gael Kildare South General Election candidate, Cllr Richard Daly, has called for meaningful public transport to be provided in suburbs and rural areas, and for a nationwide safety review of all roads, after new Garda figures showed as many pedestrians as drivers have died on the roads this year.
A total of 21 pedestrians have died on the roads in 2007, with 21 drivers also dying. Eight car passengers and two cyclists have also been killed on Irish roads this year.
“The higher number of pedestrian fatalities may be an unfortunate fall-out from the drink driving clampdown, with more people walking home from pubs in both suburbs and rural areas, placing themselves at risk, particularly from those stupid enough to drink and drive,” said Cllr Daly, who is a spokesperson of the Kildare Road Users Group, which campaigns for better road safety in the county.
"Pedestrians are sitting ducks on many roads which make absolutely no provision for foot traffic. Many of these pedestrian deaths take place in suburbs, towns and villages where footpaths are often in poor condition or non-existent, where roads are badly lit, and the signage for both traffic and pedestrians is appalling.
“The danger is that some people may feel they are safer using their car, even after a few drinks, than risking a walk home along dangerous or narrow roads. It is essential that some form of alternative transport is provided in rural areas and suburbs, and that roads are made as safe as possible for pedestrians and traffic. Fine Gael wants:
A nationwide survey of road conditions, road signs and street lighting to ensure that all areas are brought up to international safety levels;
Bus licences to publicans to encourage them to provide a courtesy bus service;
Liberalisation of the bus market to allow private operators to provide bus services in towns and housing estates that currently have little or no service.
"Unfortunately the FF/PD Government's proposals to extend the rural transport initiative will apply to rural areas only, and the Government is itself split over these proposals. Minister Éamon Ó Cuív has now rolled back on his plans to extend the initiative, describing the measure as 'modest'.
"With the Government divided, there is little chance of any measures being introduced before the General Election. However, Fine Gael's proposals are workable and would not provoke the controversy arising from the Government's measures. Many people in rural areas are starting to feel like prisoners in their own homes. They will feel even more isolated if they are further confined because the roads have become even more dangerous for pedestrians. However, I would urge anyone walking the roads to ensure they make themselves highly visible, particularly to oncoming traffic."
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