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Noel’s Private Discussions with Justice Minister Lead to Extension of Garda Vetting Contracts

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Noel Coonan TD has welcomed the news that the Government will extend for a further six months the contractual arrangements of staff that were to lose their jobs in the Garda Vetting Unit.

“Minister Alan Shatter has informed me that there were ongoing contacts throughout the week between the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Expenditure Reform and as a result the Government will extend employment for a further 6 months and the appropriate contractual arrangements are to be finalised in the coming days,” said Deputy Noel Coonan.

“Last week I spoke to the Minister for Justice of difficulties concerning temporary workers contracts in the Garda Vetting Unit and as a result his officials raised the matter immediately with Minister Howlins officials as the Minister for Justice believed there was a need to retain the temporary workers for a further period.

Speaking in the Dáil last Wednesday, Minister Shatter said he “accepted the case” that Noel had made “in private” with him in relation to employment issues at the Garda Vetting Unit and he had noted the points raised.

“The Minister outlined to me early last week that he was in contact with Brendan Howlin TD, Minister for Public Expenditure in relation to the Vetting Unit staffing issue,” said Deputy Coonan, “and he would revert to me upon conclusions of discussions with Minister Howlin.”

“I am pleased that the Minister has honoured his commitment to me and acknowledged the huge amount of work completed throughout the year by the Vetting Unit which has resulted in the average time for vetting of an individual being reduced from 12 weeks when the Minister took up office to now less than 5 weeks,” concluded Deputy Coonan.

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Extra Staff Allocated to Process Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Applications

Friday, September 16th, 2011

Deputy Noel Coonan has welcomed the news that an additional eight members of staff have been allocated to clear the backlog in Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 2011 applications.

The local Fine Gael TD has been making representations to the Minister for Social Protection asking that the situation be alleviated as it is putting huge pressure on families in North Tipperary and South Offaly who are still awaiting a decision weeks after their children return to school.

“In response to my representations, Minister Joan Burton has informed me that 38 staff were originally provided to process the claims with an additional 14 staff assigned in mid-August bringing the staff complement to 52. This number has now been increased to 60 staff with overtime also being worked,” said Deputy Coonan.

“Staff are working hard to clear the claims as quickly as possible and I am pleased to see that extra staff have been allocated which will undoubtedly speed up the process and provide answers for many constituents,” concluded Deputy Coonan.

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13 North Tipperary Schools to Benefit under Summer Works Scheme

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

Deputy Noel Coonan has welcomes the good news that 13 North Tipperary schools will have works carried out under the Summer Works Scheme 2011. The local Fine Gael TD said the funding will provide for long-awaited extensive roof, toilet and window repairs.

“Thirteen North Tipperary schools have been successful in their applications and will see major improvements this Summer and I’m pleased to see my representations in this regard have helped many of these the projects come to fruition. This is an increase on the number of successful applications in 2010. Schools such as Scoil Mhuire, Thurles, St.Sheelan’s Templemore and St. Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh will now be able to carry out essential improvement and maintenance works over the Summer period.

“Not only will this funding give great relief to staff and students at the 13 schools; it will also create much-needed employment in the same breath. However, I will be making further representations on behalf of those schools that were not successful and also those who have contacted me regarding their application under the Emergency Works Scheme because there are still schools throughout the constituency in need of repair works and they too must be prioritised,” concluded Deputy Coonan.

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Good News for Borrisokane Day Care Centre – Deputy Coonan receives assurances that construction will commence in September

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Deputy Noel Coonan has warmly welcomed the good news that construction is to start this September on Borrisokane’s Day Care Centre. The local Fine Gael TD has been relentlessly pressing the Minister for Health for this project to commence as a matter of priority and is “thankful that the persistence has finally paid off”.

“Mr. Brian Gilroy, Director of Estates in the HSE informed me that the project will go to tender by end of July 2011 with construction to start in approximately September 2011 and an anticipated completion date before end of June 2012,” said Deputy Coonan.

“The procurement process for the design team has been completed and contract documents have been issued to the design team for formal appointment. The first project meeting with the design team took place at the end of January and the expectation is that a planning permission application will be lodged before the end of March 2011. Following that, the project will go to tender by end of July 2011,” continued the local Fine Gael TD.

“I wish to again acknowledge the vital role played by the Borrisokane action committee in continuously pushing for the progression of this important facility and for displaying patience during the many dark days after the false dawn. As the only local Opposition TD, I was happy to work with the committee to keep the project alive.”
Deputy Coonan concluded by saying: “This day care centre will thankfully take pressure off the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles and the Dean Maxwell Home, Roscrea where there is a large demand for residency.”

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Deputy Coonan Receives Assurances Regarding Templemore’s River Mall Drainage Scheme

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Deputy Noel Coonan has received fresh assurances from the Office of Public Works (OPW) that funding for the Templemore’s River Mall Drainage Scheme has been provided in their financial plan with work to commence during the latter part of the year. Currently, documents for the main site investigation contract are at a final review stage.

The local TD said: “Before the Dáil resolved, I raised this issue with Minister Martin Mansergh who confirmed to me in the Dáil chamber that funding has been provided in the OPW 2011 budget for the Templemore scheme to commence this year. However, the Minister has now confirmed this in writing to me.”

“Over the years the area around the Mall River has flooded extensively with many properties badly affected and I’ve been lobbying hard for preventative measures. This scheme will protect the area minimizing flood risk into the future and all the local people and I are understandably eager for the scheme to be implemented as a matter of priority,” said Deputy Coonan.

Minister Mansergh has informed me that documents for the main site investigation are at a final review stage with the OPW engineering design section. The main Site Investigation contract tender process will commence once this review is complete. It is hoped to have the Site Investigations completed during the second quarter of 2011, after which a Detailed Design for the scheme will be drawn up. Once the final decision regarding the choice of route for the main culvert has been made, the aim is to commence work on the Flood Relief Scheme during the latter part of the year.

The Templemore proposal involves the building of embankments and walls, regrading and widening parts of the channel, construction of road ramps, and the construction of a bypass culvert through the town.

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