Jack Wall TD

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1. Insulation grants will continue in 2010 - Deputy Jack Wall
   Issued : Tuesday 16 February, 2010
   Deputy Jack Wall has welcomed the news that the financial support to homeowners under the two Insulation schemes funded by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will continue in 2010. Speaking following the receipt of replies to parliamentary questions asked of the Minster , Deputy Eamon Ryan, T.D, Deputy Wall learned that in 2009, 906 homes in Kildare had services provided to them under the warmer home scheme and 669 homes in our county had work done under the Home Energy Scheme.The qualifying criteria for the first grant, the warmer home scheme, is that you own your own home and are in receipt of the National Fuel allowance or similar type payment for example. Qualifying will allow you to insulate your attic and your cavity walls, along with draught proofing measures for free or at a token cost.The second grant, the Home Energy Scheme, are for those who own their own homes and the house was built before 2006, this grant will provide 40% of the cost of insulating works, should you qualify.Throughout the state, 16,240 homes benefited under the warmer home scheme and 36,454 applications were approved for grant aid under the home energy scheme of which 18.183 had completed their works by the end of the year.“ This is a tremendous scheme and one that should be widely welcomed, commented Deputy Wall, the fact that over 1500 homes in our county have improved the level of heating in their homes is to be applauded. Not alone is this scheme securing people in their homes, but it is the type of thinking that will allow badly affected construction workers the chance to get back to work. I welcome the fact that the grant will be available again in 2010 and I look forward to assisting people with their applications.I want to also welcome the news that €50 million will be provided for a National Energy Retrofit Programme, which will shortly be the subject of public consultation”concluded Deputy Wall.
2. Good news for Clonmullion Retirement Village
   Issued : Tuesday 16 February, 2010
   Deputy Jack Wall has welcomed the news that South Kildare Community Transport will provide transport for the Resident’s of Clonmullion Retirement Village. Deputy Wall was speaking following a meeting he had arranged with the Residents and officials of South Kildare Community Transport.“Clonmullion retirement village is an excellent facility in Athy, which provides all year round care for its Residents. Many of the Residents are unable to access the nearby town due to various medical and age related conditions, the news that SKCT will provide that vital link will be welcomed by all the Residents of the village and I want to thank the Officials of SKCT for their support for this project. The importance of this link will be increased in the coming months with the news that some 30 units are to be allocated in the village to those in a defined category on the Athy Town Council housing list. SKCT continue to provide an invaluable service to rural Kildare and by expanding its services to areas such as the Clonmullion retirement village, it will continue to play an important part in our communities. Such services need to be protected and I look forward to playing my part in supporting SKCT into the future, concluded Deputy Wall. To discuss this issue further, please contact Jack on 087 2570275
3. Positive news from Tegral , concerns in relation to Greencore– Jack Wall T.D.
   Issued : Saturday 13 February, 2010
   Deputy Jack Wall has welcomed the news that Tegral have received planning permission for the development of their site at Shrowlands, Athy. This is very positive news for Athy, Tegral continue to be one of the biggest employers in the town.There value to the town cannot be underestimated and at a time when an Athy man, Paddy Kelly, leads the company, this is a very positive news. Considering the down turn in the construction industry in Ireland in the past number of years, a commitment from Tegral to build such a modern plant would send out the right signals to the industry and once again put the Athy facility on the map. The news that Greencore have entered into a conditional agreement with Axereal to sell its malt business in the UK, Ireland and Belgium will be a worry for those employed at the Athy plant. Like Tegral, Greencore and previously Minch Malt have a long and proud association with our town. The new company have a tradition in the Malting business and if this deal goes through I am informed that they will become the fifth largest global malting company. It would be my wish that the experience and indeed expertise of those in the Athy plant will be retained, ensuing that the Athy plant will continue to play its part in the malting industry of this country, allowing local farmers to continue and even expand their current level of planting to the benefit of everybody in South Kildare.
4. FALLOFF IN SPORTS PARTICIPATION A REAL CONCERN
   Issued : Friday 12 February, 2010
    The findings of the Irish Sports Monitor report indicating that participation in sporting activities dropped last year, is a serious concern. Sport has a vital role to play in all parts of the country, not just in terms of the health of individuals, but also with regard to building and maintaining communities. The Govt has a responsibility to promote involvement in sport, but just how this will happen in the context of swingeing cuts as announced in last week’s budget, is not at all clear. The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme has been closed to new participants since 2000 and the Sports Capital Programme has been closed indefinitely. Grants for sporting bodies  through the Irish Sports Council are down 14 per cent on the 2008 figure. In the context of an overall cut in govt spending of about three per cent, it would seem that sport has been singled out for special treatment. There are many initiatives that the govt could take, without breaking the bank. For instance, we believe that PE could be made an exam subject for the Junior and Leaving Certificates, giving it points status for third level entry. New areas of sports funding should be identified, such as revenue from gambling. The role of the Sports Council should be reformed. The Sports Council should take on board responsibility for developing and promoting recreation activities and should work more closely with local authorities. At the same time the development of policy and decision making should be devolved back towards the Department.  Labour also believes that as part of a job creation scheme, we should be investing in a schools building programme that could include the construction of sports halls and other facilities for communities around the country. The positive role that sport plays in society at a personal and community level is not in doubt. That sports participation is falling at a time of recession is a very serious issue. Previous ESRI studies have shown that those on lower incomes are less likely to be involved in sport. It is time for the Government to act to keep Ireland active.
5. General - Jack Wall accuses IBEC of pursing old and bitter agenda
   Issued : Monday 19 January, 2009
   Labour T.D. for Kildare South, Jack Wall, has joined with the Leader of the Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore TD, to criticise the call made by IBEC for cuts in public service pensions and he has accused the employers' organisation of pursuing an old and bitter agenda."Within the past few weeks we have calls from IBEC for cuts in public service pay and massive cuts in the numbers employed in the public service. Now IBEC has decided to target public service pensioners."The National Minimum Wage is in their sights and I have no doubt that if the government does impose wage cuts, the next IBEC target will be social welfare rates, on the grounds that there will then not be a sufficient differential between social welfare rates and reduced rates of pay."It seems to me that IBEC have made a conscious decision to take advantage of our very real economic difficulties to try to turn the clock back and to reverse the advances that have been made for workers in both the public and private sectors over recent decades."I have acknowledged that public sector pay constitutes a very significant part of public expenditure and must be in the mix in terms of any remedial measures to deal with the current crisis. However, we should not allow public service workers or pensioners to become soft targets for the comfortable bosses in IBEC."Some of the IBEC suggestions have been ludicrous, including the call to cut 70,000 public service jobs. Such a purge of public sector workers would devastate virtually every public service including those on which IBEC members depend."If we are to overcome the current crisis it will need a cooperative effort from unions, employers and politicians. The sort of narrow, partisan agenda being pursued by IBEC is doing nothing for this effort."
6. General - Some good news for Kildares Home Helps
   Issued : Monday 19 January, 2009
   Deputy Jack Wall has welcomed the news, in a reply from Minister for Health Mary Harney, that some 120 Home Helps have finally got their travel expenses.In the reply the Minister stated that, following Deputy Walls representations, the Minister had instigated an enquiry and had found that Home Helps in Kildare/WestWicklow are paid through the Eastern Community Works. Furthermore the HSE has processed details in relation to insurance and HSE indemnification for all home helps who are entitled to be paid a travel allowance. "Bands of travel" have been determined for each individual claim and payments have been processed.The reply went on to state that there are currently 500 home helps in Kildare/ West Wicklow of which 120 are entitled to claim travel allowance. The difficulty involvingthe processing of these payments did not apply to other areas, however the Minister reported that all travel allowance claims for home helps, based on a banded system,has recently been finalised for Kildare/West Wicklow and all appropriate payments had been made.Deputy Wall concluded "I have been making representations upon behalf of Kildare's Home Helps for some time now, they continue to save this state countless thousands of euro's by caring for individuals in their homes, thereby reducing the numbers that need long stay in our hospital. The length of delay in this case was totally unacceptable and we need to ensure that such matters do not arise in the future, especially for those who deserve it most" concluded Deputy Wall.
7. General - Welcome for developments on Warmer home schemes
   Issued : Sunday 11 January, 2009
   National Scheme for warmer homes- Cut in FundingDeputy Jack Wall has welcomed the news from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, that he will shortly make an announcement on a national scheme for warmer homes following a successful pilot scheme, however he expressed disappointment that only €20million of the €100 million promised for the National Scheme will now be targeted at the scheme.In his reply to Deputy Wall, Minister Ryan, stated that that data gathered during the pilot scheme confirmed that there is an attractive return on investment from upgrading efficiency measures in older homes, both for the exchequer and the householder.Such efficiency measures in the pilot scheme have saved up to €700 per year for each house. The Scheme involves an initial assessment by a Building Energy Rating (BER) assessor, for which the Government provide two thirds of the cost. This assessor then gives the home a BER rating and advises on the works that need to be carried out to improve energy efficiency. A grant of up to €2,500 or 30% of the cost of the works is then available from the Government to carry out these works. Works included in this programme, include attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets and cavity wall insulation.Commenting on the reply Deputy Wall, stated "The thinking behind such a scheme is to be very welcomed, however it is with regret that we learn that €80 million is now, not to be made available to the initial national roll-out. Such work provides an ideal opportunity to re-employ those unfortunate workers from the Construction Industry, who have lost their jobs in the current climate. However, while welcoming this scheme, I am also calling on the Government to launch a similar scheme for those on low incomes and for our older population who simply could not afford 70% of the costs of such work. The recent news that Kildare County Council does not have any further money available to process their Housing Aid grants, mean that such a scheme, which would allow our Older Population in particular to continue to live in their homes is urgently required. The time has come to look at schemes which will be of benefit to the exchequer and to the individual and schemes such as those that encourage warmer homes and indeed will provide warmer homes need urgent attention" commented Deputy Wall.
8. General - Urgent Review required for the sake of our older population
   Issued : Monday 5 January, 2009
   Deputy Jack Wall has urged the Minister for Environment to urgently provide additional funding to Kildare County Council following news from the Council that funding for the grants for 2008 has ceased completly.Deputy Wall added "Once again this Government has deserted those most in need in our society. Yes times are hard, but is there anybody counting the cost that will incur to the state when this essential work is not carried out and those unfortunate enough to find themselves in this situation, have to leave their homes for hospitals and Nursing homes.Unfortunately, I currently have cases where this has already happened, where constituents are in hospital or nursing homes and but for the sake of a stairlift, low level shower or indeed some minor alterations to their homes, they could still be living at home. Once again we could be using this economic downturn to employ the many building workers who have lost their jobs, in this type of work instead of allowing them to join the ever-expanding dole que's.What makes the situation all the more frustrating is the fact that many of these applicants have been waiting on news of their grants for over a year, during which time their health and indeed the continued support of their loved ones has been tested, time and time again.How long more can we continue to believe a government that promises to protect the most vulnerable only to desert them in their hour of need" concluded Deputy Wall.
9. New website for all your local news
   Issued : Friday 29 February, 2008
   The Kildare South Labour Party have launched a new Websitewww.kildaresouth.comThis website will include:All press releases from JackLocal News from each areaAsk a parlimentary question Local Council NewsContact any of the following info@kildaresouth.compq@kildaresouth.comSend your news to news@kildaresouth.com Phone the office on 059 86 32874/33156
10. Newbridge - New Council Tenants to be left in the cold
    Issued : Friday 1 February, 2008
    Deputy Jack Wall has called on the HSE and the Ministers for Health and Environment along with Kildare County Council to immediately investigate the concerns that the new Council Residents of Rickardstown , Newbridge have in relation to getting their heating turned on.The residents, many of whom are in receipt of Social Welfare Payments, have to pay a Bond of €500 to Bord Gais, to allow for the switching on of the gas Heating in their new homes. Deputy Wall has been contacted by new residents who simply cannot afford to pay such a bond and now they face the situation of living in a brand new Council home without any form of heating.Deputy Wall continued "Many of these residents are in receipt of Social Welfare Payments which as we all know simply does not allow them afford such a large Bond as is the one that is required by Bord Gais. It is imperative that we allow these families develop new homes for themselves and a compromise must be reached with Bord Gais in this situation. We do not want a situation where these new residents, many of them with young families have to live in such conditions, in many cases they have waited many years to get their Council homes and begin their new family life, it is important that everything is done to allow them achieve this new start." Concluded Deputy Wall.