First Time Buyers get new purchasing option says Brady
Thursday, November 20th, 2008 | Aine Brady Fianna Fáil | No Comments
Deputy Aine Brady has this week urged Kildare First Times Buyers to check out the new Government Initiative, the Home Choice Loan, which is designed to assist first time buyers get on the property ladder. Deputy Brady was speaking after a meeting with the Minister for Housing Michael Finneran TD.
‘Home Choice Loan is a mortgage provided on a regional basis through a number of Local Authorities for First Time Buyers who cannot get sufficient finance from a bank or building society, particularly in these credit crunch times.’ stated Deputy Brady.
‘The loan will provide upto 92% of the market value of the property, with the maximum loan amount been €285,000, for new built homes with the mortgage term been for a maximum of 30 years.’
‘There are some other conditions including that the buyer must earn in excess of €40,000, and it will operate as a separate scheme to the existing local authority mortgage scheme with normal credit assessment procedures will apply.’ stated Deputy Brady.
‘The scheme will be operated with support from the Affordable Homes Partnership and information on how to apply for a Home Choice Loan will be available in the coming weeks. The scheme is been funded through the Housing Finance Agency. Further information on the scheme can be obtained by phoning 1 890 252 842 or www.homechoiceloan.ie .’ concluded Deputy Brady.
Maynooth Traffic Flow raised with Kildare Co Co
Thursday, November 20th, 2008 | Aine Brady Fianna Fáil | No Comments
Deputy Aine Brady has made representations to Kildare Co Co to have the traffic management systems analysed with a view to seeking an improvement to the flow of traffic through Maynooth.
‘Since the turning on of extra traffic lights on the Straffan, I did feel that the traffic flow had slowed and this was raised with me by many residents in Maynooth.’ stated Deputy Brady.
‘Following my representations, the council has assured me that signalised junctions are included on the scoot traffic system and are currently under extensive monitoring via CCTV and Loops. Apparently, there were some problems caused by the ESB excavating at the Celbridge / Straffan Road Junction which destroyed some loops and these will be replaced next week.’
‘I have been assured that significant resources are being allocated to the Maynooth area to minimise the timescale between the start-up and when the system is working in a satisfactory manner.’ concluded Deputy Brady.
New Leixlip Garda Station to be Headquarters and 24 hour says Brady
Thursday, November 20th, 2008 | Aine Brady Fianna Fáil | No Comments
Deputy Aine Brady has been informed by An Garda Siochana that the new Leixlip Garda Station will be the headquarters for new Leixlip Policing District and will also continue to be a 24 hour station.
‘Given the population increase in Kildare by over 40% since 1996 and almost 14% between 2002 and 2007, it was important that the whole area of policing was reassessed. The new divisional boundary changes, which were announced recently, established a new Leixlip District Division which will take in the sub-districts of Celbridge, Maynooth, Kilcock and Carbury. Leixlip will be now be the Headquarters for this new division and will continue to be a 24 hour station.’ stated Deputy Brady.
‘The newly opened station is a welcome resource for the area and I will continue to highlight the requirement for increased Garda numbers for the Leixlip District.’ concluded Deputy Brady.
Truck driver killed in M4 collision
Thursday, November 20th, 2008 | News | No Comments
A man in his 40s has died in a collision between two trucks on the M4 in Co Kildare this morning.
The man was driving one of the trucks involved in the crash, which happened at around 9.30am on the westbound section of the road between Celbridge and Maynooth.
The second driver was rushed to hospital but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
Gardai said the men were driving alone and no-one else was injured.
The M4 southbound is expected to be closed for the rest of the day as officers carry out a forensic investigation.
Diversions are in place at the Leixlip East exit and the Celbridge interchange. Motorists were warned to expect long delays on the motorway.
67X Service to be extended to Clane Road
Thursday, November 20th, 2008 | Aine Brady Fianna Fáil | No Comments
Deputy Aine Brady has been informed by Dublin Bus that their 67X service will be extended to provide a service along the Clane Road in Celbridge
‘Over the past number of months, I have made repeated representations to Dublin Bus to try and fill the gap in service that was left void in July when Morton’s service ceased.’
‘Dublin Bus are currently in the process of getting Bus Stops erected along the road and the new service along the Clane road should be in service in the new year.’ concluded Deputy Brady.
Public Meeting in Maynooth re: Education Cuts
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 | Upcoming Events | No Comments
The Parents’ Associations of the five schools in Maynooth, St. Mary’s BNS, Presentation Girls’ Primary School, Gaelscoil Ui Fhiaich, Maynooth Educate Together National School and Maynooth Post Primary
School have come together to give parents and guardians an opportunity to meet their public representatives and voice their opinions on these cuts. LET YOUR CHILDRENS’ VOICES BE HEARD.
This is a unique opportunity as all of our local TDs and County Councillors will be present to hear how we, their electorate, feel about the education cuts. We, as parents and guardians, have a duty to
protect our children and stand up for their rights. These cuts are an infringement of our children’s rights.
AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF EVERY HOUSEHOLD SHOULD ATTEND TO SHOW OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES THAT WE CARE.
We all have choices to make. The government chooses where to make the cuts. We, the people, choose whom we elect to govern us.
OUR DEMANDS ARE SIMPLE – THE WITHDRAWAL OF THESE CUTS AND THE
RESTORATION OF THE INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION PROMISED DURING THE
ELECTION.
Venue: The Glenroyal Hotel
Date: Thursday, 27th November 2008
Time: 8:00pm
Postponement of decision on Devondale Planning Application, Donaghcumper Demense.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 | Cllr Catherine Murphy | No Comments
Kildare County Council have postponed the decision on applications for planning permission made in relation to Donaghcumper Demesne.
Planning guidelines, in this case introduced under Article 33(3) allow the Local Authority to agree to a postponement not exceeding 3 months where an Environmental Impact Statement is involved.
The applications are being closely monitored by the Celbridge community, many of whom lodged objections and submissions.
Kildare Garda Division changes to become operational from 1st January
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 | Aine Brady Fianna Fáil | No Comments
The new Garda Division for Kildare is currently being established and will come into force on the 1st of January according to local Fianna Fail TD Áine Brady.
“A three District Division has been approved by the Garda Commissioner. Naas District will be realigned to comprise of Naas, Clane, Robertown, Kilcullen, Kill and Ballymore Eustace.”
“Kildare District will include Kildare, Newbridge, Athy, Rathangan, Monasterevin, Castledermot and Balitore. This District will loose Carbury to Leixlip and Robertown to Naas but will take over Athy and Castletowndermot sub-districts from Carlow.”
“Leixlip District will be made up of Leixlip, Celbridge, Maynooth, Kilcock and Carbury. This is a new district in Kildare.”
“I am confident that these changes will ensure a more effective policing service for Kildare.”
“It was necessary to change the way in which Kildare was policed as the population has grown so quickly in recent years. Population has increased by over 40% since 1996 and almost 14% between 2002 and 2007.”
“While these District changes are welcome, I have also written to the Commissioner to request that Leixlip station be open on a 24 hour basis to reflect the population there and the local need. I have lobbied for this change over a long time and remain convinced that it must happen as a matter of priority,” concluded Deputy Brady.
Setback for Sean Dunne as planners reject €70m commuter town project
Monday, November 17th, 2008 | Kilcock News | No Comments
Sean Dunne’s Mountbrook Property Group has been refused planning permission for a €70m mixed development in the Co Kildare commuter town of Kilcock.
Bord Pleanala’s refusal came as a surprise following the approvals, from Kildare County Council and the board’s own inspector. A spokesman for Mountbrook expressed disappointment with the decision.
"We had strong interest from a number of retailers who were interested in locating in Kilcock. We are still considering the decision," he added.
Located on the Zed Candy chewing gum factory site, the project was designed to range in height up to seven storeys and would have included a shopping centre, office space and 186 apartments — aimed at commuters seeking to avail of Kilcock’s rail link to Dublin.
Bord Pleanala acknowledged that the site would be suited to the uses Mountbrook proposed. However the board "did not accept that the quantum of development proposed for this site would not seriously injure amenities of the area". In particular the board was concerned at the impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre.
Public water supply for Kilcock estate
Monday, November 17th, 2008 | Kilcock News | No Comments
KILDARE County Council is to connect a Kilcock housing estate to the public water mains.
The Ryebridge estate in Kilcock will soon be connected to the public water mains, thus ending the practice of providing water from an on-site well.
The decision was welcomed by Labour TD, Deputy Stagg and the party’s Kilcock representative who raised this issue with Kildare Council Council last December.
At the time the Council said it was not possible to connect Ryebridge to the public mains because of water supply shortage in the Greater Dublin Area.
Kildare gets 95% of its water supply from the Dublin regional authorities and that water supply from the onsite well was regularly monitored by the Health Service Executive.
President uncovers famine records
Monday, November 17th, 2008 | News | No Comments
President Mary McAleese uncovered poignant records that show her starving ancestor was forced to ask for food from a notorious landlord during the famine.
Papers from the Strokestown Estate in Co Roscommon show her relatives relied on meal handouts to survive the devastating potato blight of the 1840s. Ms McAleese said the documents brought back the tragic stories she was told as a child by her grandfather about her family roots. Documents saved from the estate, which was owned by the Anglo-Irish Mahon family, have been brought together in a new state archive.
Among them is a record of a request from the President’s direct ancestor Mary Lenehan pleading for food while in the grip of the famine. Ms McAleese isn’t exactly sure of her link with Ms Lenehan, who was a widow at the time, but is confident of the direct lineage, according to her spokeswoman. The President was shown the documents for the first time as she launched the Strokestown Estate Archive at the new Office of Public Works and NUI Maynooth Archive and Research Centre at Castletown House, Celbridge. The Strokestown archive brings together around 6,000 documents from the estate as a unique glimpse into the life of Anglo-Irish aristocrats during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Kildare continues to be cheated of fair share of funding
Monday, November 17th, 2008 | Cllr Catherine Murphy | No Comments
According to Cllr Catherine Murphy, Kildare Local Authorities have received just €29m to run services, for its 186,335 inhabitants, in coming year. This contrasts poorly with counties such as Mayo and Donegal who received €41m and Donegal €44m respectively; Mayo has a population of 123,839 while Donegal’s population is 147,264.
Inadequate funding has a direct bearing on the extent and quality of public services such as street cleaning and maintenance of open spaces, waste management including recycling; road/footpath repair; traffic management / traffic calming etc. “The minimum the citizens of Kildare should expect is a fair transfer of the national cake – even in hard times.”
“The €29m received by Kildare is significantly less than the county received in 2006, it falls far short of what is needed, and will impact on the ability of the Council to maintain services to the public.”
The method of deciding what each County receives is deeply flawed according to Murphy, with a failure to provide for counties that have been to the forefront of population expansion. Kildare led the charge over that past 25 years with a whopping increase of 44% in its population; the County now has the 4th largest population in the Republic, overtaking the combined Limerick City/County for the first time in 2006.
Even in the good times there was no real effort to increase the local government fund in line with population increases. That trend has continued in the most recent allocations, which in the opinion of Cllr Murphy, is simply cheating citizens of an equal share of the available resources.
Labour News December 2008
Friday, November 14th, 2008 | Cllr John McGinley Labour | No Comments
Maynooth Labour News
The Dreaded Traffic Lights at The Glenroyal.
At the Area Meeting on 24 October Cllr. McGinley again demanded that the traffic lights at The Glenroyal be switched off in order to get traffic moving again. He stated that the distance between the Glenroyal, Doctors Lane and Main Street was too short to make traffic lights work no matter how modern the system. He pointed out that the €150,000 spent on Doctors Lane had been wasted because cars cannot get out of it at peak time because of the Glenroyal lights.
The engineer stated "that the system is still being monitored. However, due to damage caused by utilities the full impact of the new system is not clear yet."
Teenage Activity Area & Fitness Zone at The Harbour Field
Work began on the two projects on 7th November and Cllr. McGinley was advised that work should be completed before Christmas.
Flooding at Laraghbryan Cemetry
The Area Engineer has advised Cllr. John McGinley that due to a backlog of works the laying of the pipe across the road cannot be done until next year. John stated that this news was very disappointing and he asked that a private contractor be employed to carry out the work now.
The Process of Preparing a Local Area Plan for Maynooth:
The first step in preparing a new Local Area Plan (LAP) for Maynooth was taken on the 5th June 2008 when the Council sought Pre-Draft Submissions from members of the public. Cllr. John McGinley made the following submission:
"The Kildare County Development Plan 2005 to 2011states:
"Given the level of land currently zoned for housing ( 2,700 acres in the county) it is not anticipated that any further housing/residential zoning will be necessary during the period of this plan. This however does not preclude additional such zoning in specific locations where the council is satisfied that a clearly established need for such zoning is evident."
There are 3,800 housing units occupied in Maynooth at present.
There is enough land already zoned residential to build a further 2,010 units, 1,117 of which have already got planning permission.
So the size of Maynooth can increase by more than 50% without any further rezonings.
In my opinion it would be planning madness to rezone any further land for housing in the Proposed Maynooth Local Area Plan."
At the first stage of the preparation of a new LAP, it is the Planners who prepare the draft, having regard to the submissions received at the informal pre-draft consultation and having regard to the proper planning
and sustainable development of the area, regional planning guidelines, county development plan, national spatial strategy, retail planning guidelines, county strategy and any other national or local policies.
The Council has advised Cllr. McGinley that the Planners will have a Draft of the Maynooth LAP ready in early 2009.
The Planners will discuss the details of the Plan with the 4 Area Councillors before it goes on Public Display and the Councillors can recommend changes. However, the Planners need not include these changes as it is still the Managers Plan at this stage.
When the Draft is published, the public have 6 weeks to make submissions, the Planners have 6 weeks to write the Manager’s Report on those submissions and
all 25 Councillors have a further 6 weeks to consider the Manager’s Report. In reality it is the four Area Councillors who will make the changes and it now becomes the Councillors Plan rather than the Managers. We can decide to accept the draft
LAP as published, accept or reject some or all of the Manager’s
recommendations arising out of the submissions and propose changes of our
own. If we change the draft LAP in any material way, within 3 weeks of that decision, the proposed changes go back out on public display for a period of not less than 4 weeks for a second round of consultation. The Manager has another 4 weeks to prepare a report for the members on the submissions received and the Full Council have a further 6 weeks to make a Final Decision on the Plan.
As can be seen from the above it can take 35 weeks from the time that the Draft Plan is published to approve it and as the Draft Maynooth Plan will not be published until January or February it won’t be completed until September/October 2009.
Proposed Extension of the 66 and 67 Bus Routes
Cllr. John McGinley was informed by the Council that Dublin Bus have yet to confirm the route extension and when the Department of Transport issues the licence that the council will make contact with Dublin Bus. John asked that Dublin Bus and the Department of Transport be invited to the next meeting and that in the meantime that the Roads Department of the Council check the proposed routes for suitability of the bus extensions.
Safe Route to the Soccer Pitches on The Rathcoffey Road
Cllr. McGinley was advised that the Council have not yet finalised a design for the project.
Taking in Charge of Silken Vale/The Arches:
As a result of Cllr. John McGinleys motion The Councils ,Willie Hannigan, was due to give a report on the completion of Silken Vale at the October Area Meeting, however he was unavailable on the day. John asked that in view of the failure of the developer to complete the estate that Court procedures be considered. He also asked that the process for taking the Main Road in charge be started immediately. It was agreed that Willie would be at the next Meeting on 21 November.
Provision of a pedestrian crossing on the Rathcoffey Road
Cllr. John McGinley submitted the following motion to the October Area Meeting:
"That a pedestrian crossing be provided on the Rathcoffey Road, Maynooth from the Castledawson side, where the footpath ends, to house number 75 Cluain Aoibhinn, as there is no footpath on the left hand side from there to Bond Bridge and that funding be taken form the ‘09 Deficit in Infrastructure Fund."
Council Officials stated that they would examine the proposal and report back to the November meeting.
Motion on Removal of Medical Cards:
Cllr. John McGinley has submitted the following motion for the consideration of the Council:
"That this Council condemns the recent government budget decision to remove medical cards from over 70year olds and the refusal to reverse this decision in total."
Captains Hill DunCarraig and Riverdale flooding report.
Thursday, November 13th, 2008 | Cllr Catherine Murphy | No Comments
A report I got from the Council today as to the origins of the flooding in Dun Carraig/Riverdale/Captains Hill. Currently there is a soak hole behind the large retaining wall, surface water drains through the wall and into Dun Carraig gardens (houses). The flooding on the crest of the hill and entrance to Riverdale back up because the water cannot get away fast enough.
Check out the files ( Click on files for a Larger View )
- Traffic Management in Maynooth
20/Nov/08 - 6:54 pm - Maynooth Community Council
05/Nov/08 - 10:48 am - Adult Exercise Park
04/Nov/08 - 12:19 pm - Tesco - Carton Park
03/Nov/08 - 10:10 pm - Straffan Wood Development
03/Nov/08 - 8:14 pm
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