Deputy Noel Coonan has welcomed the news that €500,000 has been allocated to Clare County Council to allow the Shannon Crossing Project to go to An Bord Pleanála stage. This announcement was made by Fine Gael Transport Minister Leo Varadkar yesterday.

“I am delighted Minister Varadkar has responded positively to intense lobbying that Cllr. Phyll Bugler and I have been making for advancement of this important project. This vital piece of infrastructure will link the West to the South and the Midlands and it will have a very positive impact on development on Ballina and Killaloe,” said Deputy Coonan.

“Our focus now is to advance the scheme and continue to lobby Minister Varadkar to ensure it will remain part of the national development plan and not become a victim of the austerity measures being implemented at present,” concluded the local Fine Gael TD.

Deputy Noel Coonan has welcomed the news that several North Tipperary road safety projects and upgrades are to benefit under the National Road Authority’s programme of works for 2012.

“Despite the strained state of our economy, the Government continues to invest in worthwhile North Tipperary projects and I will continue to lobby for additional investment in our area to improve road safety and upgrade local road projects.

“I am, along with local Cllr. Ger Darcy, particularly delighted that the N52 Congar/Ballylusky realignment project is included on the NRA’s programme of works as we had been putting considerable pressure on the Transport Minister and also the NRA to advance this project.

“North Tipperary bridge rehabilitation projects that are included in the programme of works are Turtulla Bridge, Killough Bridge, River Nore Bridge, Balyeiragh Bridge, Drish River Bridge and the River Suir Bridge.

Local Authorities will be advised by the NRA during the course of this week the exact amount of each individual allocation and I very much welcome this news,” said Deputy Coonan.

“The Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar announced €100 million worth of funding for new road safety and upgrading projects at locations across the country in 2012 and the works are set to support work levels equivalent to around 1,200 jobs,” concluded Noel.

Fine Gael TD for Tipperary/South Offaly Noel Coonan has welcomed a good news story to kickstart 2012 with the announcement that four animal welfare organisation in Tipperary have been allocated funding. Deputy Coonan said the organisations are more than deserving of these monies for the charitable and loving work they do in the area of animal care and welfare services.

“I am pleased to see that Roscrea SPCA has been allocated €11,000 and PAWS Animal Rescue has been awarded €18,000 in funding. Alongside this, Tipperary SPCA will receive €10,000, Tipp Friends of Animals SPCA will benefit from €4,000 and €10,000 will be allocated to Cottage Rescue,” said Deputy Coonan.

“This is a good news story for the local groups who carry out very commendable and largely voluntary work in caring for animals. These local allocations are a portion of the €1.235 million that was granted nationwide,” continued Noel.

As part of the allocation of funds, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney is recommending a new code of practice for welfare organisations which aims to promote sound welfare and management practices to assist organisations achieve high standards of animal welfare. The code outlines the Five Freedoms which provide an overall concept of animal welfare and aims to underpin animal welfare best practice at all organisations.

The code will be issued to all recipients of ex-gratia funding and will be available on the Department’s website.

Deputy Coonan also welcomed the news that, as well as announcing details of the new code of practice to be observed by welfare organisations, Minister Coveney said his Department is enhancing the procedures currently in place for reporting of suspected cases of animal cruelty/distress. A dedicated e-mail address is now operating and a help-line will be set up in January for members of the public to report incidents of animal cruelty. The code will be part of the Animal Health and Welfare legislation which will be published early in the New Year.

Fine Gael TD Noel Coonan for Tipperary/South Offaly has welcomed the announcement by the Department of Education of a national school building and refurbishment programme which includes six schools in the constituency.

“Scoil Mhuire Presentation Secondary School in Ballingarry has been included as one of 11 post primary schools that have been approved to go to construction in 2012 for their extension and refurbishment works,” said Noel. “This is very good news for staff, parents and pupils in Ballingarry and I am glad the Government has found the resources to progress this project even in difficult economic times.”

“Also included under the programme of works is a new school at Silvermines NS and refurbishment extension works at Ursuline Convent Thurles, Borrisokane Community College, Nenagh Vocational School and Scoil Ruain, Killenaule. These projects will advance into 2012,” continued Deputy Coonan.

“Meanwhile, SN Cronain Naofa at Dromakeenan was one extension project that was completed this year.

“This announcement will improve facilities for everyone at the schools and I want to compliment all those who campaigned vigorously for the works,” continued Deputy Coonan.

In all, €430m will be spent on educational infrastructure next year, representing the first phase of a €2 billion five-year plan for major school building projects.

Total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by around 70,000 over the next six years.