John O'Donoghue - Your TD in Kerry South

Achievements

21:46
5th February 2012

HEALTH

In 2010 Dingle Community Hospital opened with 43 residents at a cost of €16.4 million. The new unit was designed to provide residential care for people in the region as well as a wide range of community supports, including convalescent care, respite care, hospice care and direct GP admissions.
Letter of intent to award the design/build of the Kenmare Community Nursing Unit has been issued.
A new palliative care unit in Kerry Genera Hospital.
A high-dependency 20-bed unit in Killarney.
Extension to Valentia Hospital.
Tig an Oileán, residential and day facility for people with special needs from Valentia.
West Kerry Primary Care Team & Castleisland/Farranfore Primary Care Team established.
In collaboration with Primary, Community and Continuing Care, PCCC, Kerry General Hospital have initiated pilot Outreach Outpatient Clinics in Cahirciveen & Kenmare.
Work begun on new A&E for Kerry General Hospital.

EDUCATION

More than €79 million has been provided in capital funding for school building and modernisation projects in Kerry since 2002. This investment will ensure that your children receive the best education and have the best educational facilities available.

Over €41 million invested in Primary Schools in Kerry -

Knockaderry NS – Farranfore
Holy Family NS Rathmore
St. Gertrude’s NS – Killarney
Lissivigeen NS
Scoil Naomh Carthach - Firies
Faha NS
Knockanes Mxd NS - Headford
Gap of Dunloe NS
Scoil an Chuileannaigh – Beaufort
St. Francis Special School - Beaufort
Glounaguillagh NS – Killarney
Scoil Mhuire – Clonkeen
St. Olivers NS – Ballycashen
Aghatubrid NS – Killarney
Scoil Mhuire Agus N. Treasa - Currow
Muire Na Mainistreach - Cill Airne
Lauragh NS – Killarney
Coolick NS – Killarney
Tiernaboul NS – Killarney
Na Minteoga NS – Headford
Holy Cross Mercy School - Killarney
Gaelscoil Faithleann - Cill Airne
Fybough NS - Castlemaine
Kiltallagh NS - Kiltallagh Castlemaine
Milltown Monastery
Cromane NS
Glen National School Ballinskelligs
SN Cillin Liath Maistir Gaoithe
Scoil Bhréanainn Portmagee
Scoil Maria Assumpta Milltown
Scoil Mhuire Na mBraithre Cahirciveen
Scoil Mhuire Killorglin
Coars NS Cahirciveen
SN an Fhaill Mhor Cahirciveen
Bunscoil Naomh Iosaif – Cahirciveen
SN Naomh Mhichil - Baile An Sceilg
Cahir NS – Kenmare
Kenmare NS, Scoil Eoin – Sneem
Scoil Naomh Micheál – Sneem
SN Baile an Fheitéaraigh
SN A Ghleanna – An Daingean
SN An Chlochan
SN An Bhreac Chluain – Annascaul
Scoil Naomh Eirc - Baile an Mhoraigh
Curranes N.S. - Castleisland

Over €38 million invested in Post-Primary Schools in Kerry -

Coláiste Bhréanainn
St. Brigid’s Secondary School
Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra
Killarney Community College
Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine – Kenmare
Coláiste na Sceilge Cahirciveen
Community College Killorglin
Presentation Secondary School Milltown
Intermediate School Killorglin
Coláiste Íde
Meánscoil nua an Leitriúigh i gCaisléan a’Ghriaire
Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne

SN Uaimh Bhreanainn in Kenmare will be going to tender and construction this year for an extension and refurbishment, Kenmare National School will be preparing tender documents for a new school building and St. Oliver’s National School in Ballycasheen have been authorised to appoint a design team for the extension and refurbishment of the school building.
Over €33.7m has been invested in capital projects in the IT Tralee and a further €703,370 was granted in 2009 for small-scale building works.
In 2010 over €824,000 was allocated to 142 primary schools in Kerry as part of a programme to make technology part of the learning process.
In 2010 second-level schools across Kerry built before 2009 were awarded an essential funding boost for high-tech ICT equipment with grants of €1,700 and €6.45 per pupil.
In 2010 each school in Kerry awarded €5,500 and an additional €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil for minor works to be carried out in the school. Each primary school in Kerry awarded a basic grant of €1,000 and €10 per pupil, post-primary schools awarded a basic grant of €2,000 and €20 per pupil to purchase modern new PE equipment.

CHILDCARE

More than €32 million allocated to Kerry since 2000 -

Cordal Community Pre-school Playgroup - Castleisland
Ballyspillane Community Playgroup
Scamps and Scholars - Killorglin
Kerry Diocesan Youth Service - Killarney
Presentation Convent Afterschool – Castleisland
Aiseanna na hOige An Daingean
Rathmore Community Childcare Centre
Naoilain Solais – Milltown
Comhlacht Óige Lispóil Teo
Coiste Forbartha Fionntrá
Teeny Tots Nursery – Dingle
Sneem Community Development
Kilgarvan Childcare Action Group
Beaufort Special Needs Project
Listry Community Council
Scartaglin Pre-school Association
Holy Cross – Killarney
Firies Marian Hall Pre-school Committee
Iveragh Park Community & Family Resource Centre – Killorglin
Valentia Island Resource & Childcare Centre
The Village Montessori - Waterville
Puffins of Cahirciveen
Bernie Willis - Killorglin
Little Treasures of Cahirciveen
IRD Waterville Ltd

This investment will ensure that your children receive the best childcare and have the best childcare facilities available.

ARTS

€7.1 million has been provided for the arts in Kerry since 1997.

The following projects have been developed with this investment –

Cahirciveen Arts Centre
Tech Amergin Community Centre Waterville
Cill Rialaig Project in Ballinskelligs
CYMS Killorglin
Carnegie Arts Centre Kenmare
Muckross House Killarney
The O’Leary Monument Project

Under ACCESS II over €1.7m was allocated to -

ACT Dingle
Cahirciveen Community Resource Centre
Teach Siamsa na Carraig

In 2010 Muckross Traditional Farms received €7,260 for their A Folklife Exhibition and Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne received €4,500.

This investment has helped our Arts infrastructure in Kerry South and benefits both local people and visitors alike.

SPORTS

€28.4 million has been invested through the Sports Capital Programme in Kerry from 1998 to 2008.

In 2008 the following clubs and organisations in Kerry South received funding –

Annascaul Sports Centre - €50,000
Caherdaniel Rowing Club - €8,000
Castleisland Desmonds GAA - €80,000
Castlemaine Community Services Group Ltd - €30,000
Cordal Community Centre - €20,000
Cumann Peile Abha na Scail - €30,000
Killarney Athletic AFC - €30,000
Killarney Celtic Football Club - €200,000
Killarney Table Tennis Club - €5,000
Killorglin Gymnastics Club - €10,000
Listry G.A.A. Club - €45,000
Muckross Rowing Club Ltd. - €35,000
Sive Rowing Club - €14,000
Skellig Rangers GAA - €30,000
Sneem Rowing Club - €10,000
St. Agatha’s G.A.A. Community Centre - €15,000
Templenoe Community Centre - €8,000
Templenoe GAA Club - €70,000
Templenoe Rowing Club - €7,000
Kingdom Branch of the Irish Pony Club - €5,000
Workmens Rowing Club - €15,000

In 2010 Dingle Cycling Club received €10,000 and the Kerry Bicycle Festival received €10,000 to raise the profile of cycling in Kerry South.
New Sport & Leisure Centre for Killarney.

This investment has benefited you through the top class facilities that clubs and organisations in every parish in Kerry South now provide for you.

TOURISM

Since 2002 we have provided over €2.3 million for festivals and cultural events in Kerry South.

Under the Tourism Product Development Scheme launched in 2002 the following projects have benefitted -

Dingle Oceanworld - €435,398
Kerry and Dingle Ways - €75,000
Tomies to Old Weir Bridge Walk in Killarney National Park - €384,332
Kerry Walking Routes - €250,000

Under the Tourism Infrastructure Fund and Historic Towns Scheme since 2007 the following projects have benefitted -

Kerry Sea Angling Information Boards - €65,644
Lough Kilbrean Angling Programme - €18,750
Waterville Angling Programme - €52,275
River Laune Angling Programme - €22,500
Kerry County Beach Development & Management Project - €156,188
Killarney Hub Cycle Route - €75,000
Kerry Beach Management - €128,200
Carrauntuohill Route Project - €213,750
Maharees Beach Management Project - €187,500

Significant Funding For Cork Swansea Ferry.
Significant funding through Fáilte Ireland for the 2010 3 Irish Open which was held in Killarney Golf Club. This event generated significant international media coverage and brought substantial benefits for tourism in Kerry South and the wider Kerry economy and is set to return in 2011.

This investment has made an important contribution to our local economy by attracting large numbers of overseas visitors and domestic tourists to Kerry South.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Almost €168 million invested in national roads in Kerry since 2004 –

N21 Castleisland Bypass
N21 Castleisland/Abbeyfeale
N21 Ballycarty to Tralee
N22 Kerry Road - Bealagrellagh and Gortalea
N22 Gortatlea to Farranfore
Killarney Bypass
N22 between Lissivigeen to the Cork County Boundary

N22 Tralee Bypass - Preliminary Design - €500,000 allocated in 2010
N22 Farranfore to Killarney - Preliminary Design - €100,000
N23 Castleisland to Farranfore - Constraints Study
N86 Tralee to Dingle – Planning/Design - €950,000
N70/N71 Kenmare Bypass - Planning/Design - €300,000
N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom Bypass - €1 million to Cork County Council in 2010 for the proposed scheme – currently awaiting the approval of An Bord Pleanala before it can proceed

Major improvements to N70 – Ring of Kerry Road, N71, N72, N86 and Conor Pass Road.

Over €158 million invested in Non National roads in Kerry since 2004 –

R559 Slea Head, R561 Castlemaine/ Annascaul, Gaddagh Bridge, Owroe Bridge, Lissatinnig Bridge, Poolgorm Bridge, Bunnow River Bridge, Derrynane Beg Bridge, Keal’s Stream Bridge have all benefitted

Over €40m invested in improving the Kerry train line since 1999. A new Bus Station in Killarney Outlet Centre.

Under the Rural Transport Programme - Kerry Community Transport has received over €2.1m since 2006.
Under the National Broadband Scheme coverage has been rolled out to nearly all areas that previously had no Broadband access in Kerry.

ENTERPRISE

At the end of 2009 there were 14 IDA Ireland supported companies in Kerry employing approximately 1,407 permanent staff.
At the end of 2009 Údarás assisted companies provided full-time employment for 760 in Kerry Gaeltacht.
At the end of 2009 Kerry County Enterprise Board had approved grant aid of -

€500,637 to 40 micro enterprises which had the potential to create 62 full time and 20 part time/seasonal jobs. This helped to retain an additional 70 jobs in supported businesses.
47 businesses received grant aid totaling €482,093 in 2009.
Kerry County Enterprise Board also spent €413,856 to provide a range of business supports to over 1,000 individuals.

Under Community Enterprise Centre Scheme in 2008 -

Iveragh Co-op Farmers Mart - €184,543
Listry Community Council - €135,000
Comhlacht Forbartha Phobal Anascaul Teo - €147,600

In 2010 a €1.4 million management training fund was setup to train managers in the SME sector which will help firms realise their potential.
In 2010 an Employer Job Incentive Scheme was established to help reduce unemployment while also providing a boost to local businesses who participate.
In 2010 €12 billion in credit facilities for business was approved for AIB and Bank of Ireland. All businesses refused credit will be able to appeal to the Credit Review Office which will examine the credit application.
Introduction of new bill to have Architects recognised so as to prevent hundreds of working architects from losing out on their official status because they pursued a different route to qualification.

DECENTRALISATION

In 2008 Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and 79 members of staff moved to Killarney.
In 2002 45 posts in the Legal Aid Board transferred to Cahirciveen.

AGRICULTURE & MARINE

Kerry farmers received over €59.2 million under the Single Payment Scheme in 2009.
Kerry Farmers received over €17.2 million under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in 2009.
Kerry farmers received over €2.5 m under the Suckler Welfare Scheme in 2009.
Contributory pensions for elderly farm women reinstated.
Dairy Compensation Fund worth €11.5 million established in 2010.
New Agri-Environment Scheme with payments of up to €5,000 for farmers to undertake certain environmental measures.
Organic Farming Scheme which provides annual payments of up to €212 per hectare during the two year period it takes for a new entrant to the sector to achieve full organic status.
€8 million provided for Sheep Farmers under a new sheep fencing and mobile handling scheme.
In negotiations for the 2011 fishing quotas -

Whitefish quotas worth some €116 million were delivered, including the protection of Ireland’s €54 million prawn fishery.
There will be a 10% increase in quota for Ireland’s €75 million mackerel industry
A two thirds share, worth approx €4 million, for Irish fishermen of the new boarfish industry.

Major investment in Dingle Harbour and its designation as a Fishery Harbour Centre.
Major investment for -

Knightstown Pier Project
Cé Bhaile na nGall
Cé Árd Na Caithne
Cé Bhréanainn
Scraggane Pier
Baile an Sceilg Pier
Bun a’Bhaile Pier
Cromane Pier
Renard
Cahirciveen
Kells Piers
Tahilla

In 2008 our harbours and local piers received €2.5 million which will be of benefit to local communities and particularly local fishermen who are dependent on quality safe harbours for their livelihood.
Retention of Valentia Coast Guard Service Station.
Pilot Salmon Fishery in Castlemaine Harbour.

COMMUNITY & GAELTACHT

Garda Numbers in Kerry have jumped from 226 in 2002 to 330 in 2010
Garda Youth Divisions in Kerry -

An tOileain, Castleisland received €249,125 and
Bapade, Killarney received €319,566 since 2007

New Garda Station for Castleisland underway.
Under Community Supports €514,014 in grants have been awarded to community and voluntary groups in Kerry to encourage and assist them in improving the security of vulnerable older people in their own homes since 2004.
Funding approved for CLÁR areas in Kerry from 2002 is over €8.6 million
An Blascaod Mór – Rinne an Rialtas cinneadh i 2005 gur cheart don Stát mórchuid na ngabháltas ar An Blascaod Mór a cheannach. Tá an sprioc sin bainte amach anois.
Cumann Sláinte Intinne Chorca Dhuibhne, Castlemaine Community Service Group Ltd and Cahirciveen Social Services received funding to purchase buses.
Funding of €422,100 for Coiste Halla na Feothanaí, Baile na nGall in 2009.
In 2010 Foilmore Community Centre received a grant of €404,553.
In 2009 Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne received funding of €70,000 to provide extra assistance for school pupils to improve their Irish.
Funding of €45,000 for Sneem Castlecove Development Company in 2009.
Between 2000 and 2006 close to €15 million allocated to support a range of local projects in Kerry under the LEADER programme. Under the current Rural Development Programme €22.9 million has been allocated to support projects and initiatives in Kerry
Launched Skillnet Training Initiative in Kerry.
Breis is €11.2m do Bhóithre Straitéiseacha Gaeltachta agus do dheisiú/feabhsú ar Bhóithre Áitiúla Grád III agus do shoilse shábháilteachta ómra gealánacha do Scoileanna i gCiarraí ó 1996.
Introduction of new legislation for Unclaimed Winnings to assist projects aimed at helping the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged, the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged and persons with a disability

LOCAL GOVERNMENT & ENVIRONMENT

KCC’s 2010 Local Government Fund General Purpose Grant allocation was €25.57 million, a decrease of 3.3% over their 2009 allocation and an increase of 199% over their 1997 allocation.
KCC’s 2010 Social Housing Investment Programme allocation was €25.37 million.
From 2002 to 2007 over €109.7 million provided to KCC in Housing Capital Allocations.
Under the Grants for Older People over €4 million was allocated to KCC in 2010 compared to €2.95 million in 2009.
KCC received €33.96 million under the Water Services Investment and Rural Water Programmes in the period 2004 to 2008. The Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 in Kerry was over €121 million. KCC was allocated €1.885million under the 2010 Rural Water Programme.
A new two bay Fire Station for Kenmare.
A New Town Centre constructed in Killorglin.