O’ Donovan praises Limerick’s Young Scientists

Added January 17th, 2013

Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has praised the students of Co. Limerick that have taken part in the BT Young Scientist Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin. Speaking after attending the exhibition, Patrick O’Donovan said that the range of projects, on display and the number of schools that were present clearly prove the level of interest in Science in Co. Limerick.

“These students from Limerick are excellent ambassadors for their schools, communities and county. They made their presentations in a very professional and articulate manner. I was delighted to see the different type of project on display from Co. Limerick schools, ranging from practical inventions with commercial potential to studies of human behaviour and attitudes that could help inform decision makers in the future.”

Patrick O’Donovan added that the importance of the BT Young Scientist Exhibition could not be over stated, especially in the current economic climate. “Ireland’s economy needs young people to continue to thinking about careers in the area of science and technology so that our place as a world leader in the sector can be further developed. That progress will depend on the numbers of second level students who decide to study subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Technology, Technical Graphics and Maths, and based on the numbers of students at the RDS it is clear that the level of interest in the area is growing rapidly.

“I have spoken on a number of occasions in Dáil Éireann about the importance of ensuring that the number of students taking science subjects to Leaving Cert level is boosted and encouraged if we are to produce the graduates that the economy will need in the near future. This exhibition proves that the interest and talent of our young people is clear to see and is something that I believe we need to promote even more in order to attract foreign and direct investment into Ireland so that job opportunities can be created for our young people. “

Patrick O’Donovan paid tribute to the parents, teachers, principals and school managers that had encouraged participation in the BT Young Scientist Exhibition. “This is like an All-Ireland Final for these students, and the exhibition is their stage on which they can show their talent to others. We can all be very proud of the way that they have represented themselves, and ensured that Limerick was one of the best represented counties in terms of the numbers at the exhibition.”

O’ Donovan welcomes provision of thousands of new training places for long-term unemployed

Added January 17th, 2013

Limerick Fine Gael TD, Patrick O’ Donovan, has welcomed the announcement that free educating and training places are being provided for up 6,500 people who are long-term unemployed. The MOMENTUM programme is a new Government initiative, which has been launched by the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn TD, and the Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon TD.

“Creating job opportunities, particularly for the long-term unemployed, is a key aim for this Government. We are completely rebuilding what was a broken economy, and a crucial part of this process is ensuring that our workforce has the right skills to meet the challenges of tomorrow. These 6,500 new education and training places are particularly focussed on giving jobseekers access to areas of the economy where there are opportunities.

“Under this initiative, a huge range of programmes will be provided by 36 education and training providers in the public and private sector. They will be spread right across the country, and will focus on the expanding employment areas of ICT, digital media, healthcare and social services, the green economy, food processing and sales and marketing. In Limerick, there are a range of courses available including Healthcare Support, Early Childhood Care and Education, Warehousing and Logistics and Employment Skills.

“The courses will be specifically tailored to meet the needs of the long-term unemployed, using international best practice to suit the Irish context. For younger jobseekers, a range of activation projects will also be available for those aged under 25 to help them get into the workforce.

“As a Government, we are determined to get people back to work. We have already seen some progress in terms of employment figures; the number of people on the Live Register has fallen by more than 12,000 over the last year. Private sector employment is growing for the first time in four years, with thousands of jobs being created in the exporting sectors and in IDA-supported companies. We need to ensure our workforce has the right skills to maximise these emerging opportunities.

“Helping unemployed people access high quality and economically relevant training opportunities will help to turn around our jobs market. MOMENTUM places an emphasis on strong labour market opportunities including significant work placement as an integrated part of courses. Funding will only be provided for courses that supply needed skills; ensuring people are getting the training they need to get back to work.”

O’ Donovan congratulates Adare Manor on global award

Added January 17th, 2013

Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’ Donovan has offered his congratulations to the Adare Manor who has been named ‘World’s leading Boutique Golf Resort’, this is the first time an Irish property has won a World Travel Award at global level.

“I would like to congratulate Anita Higgins, the Adare Manor general manager and her dedicated team for winning this prestigious and globally recognised award and the award has even great significance as the Adare Manor is the first ever Irish property to win a World Travel Award at global level.”

“The winning of this award will no doubt greatly promote the tourism potential of the Manor and Adare, but will also have a positive effect on Limerick as a whole.  The award has placed Adare and Limerick on the global stage as the leading destination for golfing enthusiasts.”

€394,146 funding approved under the Rural Development Programme for two projects in Co Limerick – O’ Donovan

Added January 17th, 2013

Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’ Donovan has welcomed the news that Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, today has given sanction for Ballyhoura Development Ltd to approve funding of €194,146 to Fedamore Community Hall Group for the refurbishment of Fedamore Community Hall and funding of €200,000 to Doon Community Council to refurbish Doon Community Centre under the Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population measure of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

“These funding announcements will be of immense benefit to Fedamore and Doon with their respective total project costs of €258,862 and €266,667. There is no doubt that these projects will improve the quality of life and will strengthen the social and economic fabric of these areas.”

“I welcome the allocating of this funding to two very deserving projects in the County Limerick. Everyone knows that Government finances are very restricted, but I am delighted that the government is ensuring targeted funding like LEADER mains, focused on the development of micro-enterprises, rural services, rural recreation and rural tourism. It is hoped that, by focusing on these services, the Programme will lead to sustainable development, which in turn will ensure prosperity for the rural areas.”

Budget protects farm incomes and supports growth – O’ Donovan

Added January 17th, 2013

Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’ Donovan, has said that the 2013 Budget  announcement by Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, has managed to provide extra support for farmers which will enable them to grow their businesses in line with the targets for Harvest 2020 and increased milk quotas.

 “In his Budget speech, Minister Noonan emphasised the point that small businesses are the backbone of the economy and that farmers are a vital part of the small business sector. This Government has consistently promoted the agri-food sector and will continue to support farmers. The growth focused measures in this Budget will help generate wealth and increase rural employment.

 “In line with projections of a 50% increase in milk output, arising from the abolition of quotas in 2015, Minister Coveney has provided €10 million under TAMS (Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme) in support of dairy farm modernisation. The Government is keen to support this growth and grants provided under this measure will enable dairy farmers scale up their operations in order to meet the increased quotas.

 “I welcome the provision of €10 million for a new support programme for suckler beef farmers. This will provide a significant boost to a sector which has come on massively in recent years. I believe that this funding will help further improve the quality of animals produced from the suckler herd.

 “The budget contains key taxation measures which will provide direct financial support for the agri-food sector. These include the retention of the general stock relief and 100% stock relief for young trained farmers; the retention of the 100% stamp duty relief on land transfers for young trained farmers and a new farm restructuring initiative to allow consolidation of land parcels. This will help improve the overall efficiency of the combined holdings.

 “It is important to note that Minister Coveney’s increase in the overall ceiling for the sector is in stark contrast to Fianna Fáil’s budget submission which, if fully implemented, would have seen €53m spent on agriculture. This would have had serious implications for existing schemes and payments.

 “This budget is about fairness, stimulating jobs and supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including farmers. We are building on the progress made to date in in restoring Ireland’s economic stability. The agri-food sector is to the fore in leading Ireland’s economic recovery and we will continue to support the sector to grow.”

O’ Donovan welcomes AEOS 3 deadline extension

Added January 17th, 2013

Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’ Donovan was welcomed the decision to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD to extend the closing date for receipt of AEOS applications until Friday December 7^th.

“I am delighted that the Minister has decided to extend the closing date for applications for AEOS 3, particularly in light of the high levels of interest being expressed in the scheme. The decision to extend the deadline date will allow farmers and planners alike to submit applications on time”.

The scheme is broadly similar to last year’s scheme, has annual funding of €20 million available and is open to all farmers other than those currently participating in either AEOS 1 or 2 or those farmers who will remain in REPS 4 beyond 2012.

“I would appeal to any farmer wishing to avail of the scheme to ensure that all necessary documentation is submitted with applications directly to Johnstown Castle, Wexford before the 7^th December”.

O’ Donovan welcomes establishment of Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee

Added January 17th, 2013

Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’ Donovan has welcomed the establishment of the Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee by Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

The Committee will review and make recommendations on local electoral area boundaries in the context of the results of census 2011 and the Action Programme for Effective Local Government published on 16 October 2012.  The Minister has asked the committee to report to him as soon as possible and in any event no later than 31 May 2013.

Deputy O’ Donovan said that “the establishment of the Committee is an important next step in implementing the Action Programme for Effective Local Government and in reforming local government structures”.

“This review will be will be very important for Limerick in the context of the decision to merge Limerick County and City Councils the review it will provide the basis for the configuration of the Local Electoral Areas. The Committee is tasked with making recommendations on the division of each council area and the number of members for each”.

“I am glad that the Minister in the terms of reference for the Committee set out that they will also have the specific goal of achieving a much better balance and consistency in representational ratios, while taking particular account of factors such as the location of towns in the new municipal governance arrangement. The terms of reference for the review also ensure that there will be adequate representational and governance provision in lower population areas”.

O’ Donovan encourages take up in EU Research and Development grants

Added January 17th, 2013

Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’ Donovan has called for a greater up take in applying for research and development grants as well as other grants that the state was avail of through the European Union, under the auspices of research, innovation and science.

This follows the Deputy O’ Donovan raising the matter with the Sean Sherlock TD, Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in the Dail last week.

Deputy O’ Donovan had asked the Minster to outline the Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Development and the take up of the Programme by Ireland. The Programme with a budget of over €50 billion for the period 2007 to 2013, is the EU’s main instrument for funding research and development in Europe.

“The EU Framework Programmes have been an important element in the internationalisation of Irish research, offering Ireland’s SMEs, multinationals, and research institutions valuable opportunities to participate in high-calibre research collaborations with our European counterparts.”

“In order for Ireland to extract the maximum benefit from the opportunities available within this Framework, the Minister has assured me that a National Support Network has been put in place, headed by a National Director for this Programme based in Enterprise Ireland who leads a team of national contact points for various elements of the Programme.

“This support structure ensures that a coordinated and coherent approach is adopted towards this Framework across all of the Government Departments, agencies and other organisations involved. Through this support structure, a mix of guidance, advice and financial assistance is available to encourage researchers and companies, large and small, to avail of the opportunities within the Programme. “

“In the period from the beginning of 2007 when the Seventh Framework Programme began to June this year, the latest period for which data is available, almost 6,000 applicants from Irish based organisations took part in Programme proposals requesting European funding.  Of these, almost 1400 applicants have been successful, giving an overall Irish success rate of over 23%.  Funding awards to Irish participants to date is €438 million, covering a period of five and a half years.”

“The biggest challenge for the government is promoting growth and job creation. The Framework Programme Research and Development will benefit innovative, job-creating businesses so they can expand and create the jobs we so badly need”.

O’ Donovan welcomes €200,000 funding of Innovative Limerick Business under the Rural Development Programme

Added January 17th, 2013

Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’ Donovan has welcomed the news that the  Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government , Phil Hogan has given sanction for West Limerick Resources Ltd to approve funding of €200,000 to Worldwide Automation Technical Support Ltd (W.A.T.S. Ltd) to assist in the development of a manufacturing facility in Killeedy, Ballagh, Co Limerick.

The proposed manufacturing facility will facilitate the manufacture of LCD screen recycling machines supporting the market requirement to remove hazardous waste materials from LCD flat panels and monitors. The technology is the first of its kind in the world and has been developed by ALR Innovations who have contracted the manufacture of the machines to W.A.T.S Ltd.

“This funding is very much welcome and I would like to wish W.A.T.S. Ltd every future success. Small companies like W.A.T.S. Ltd will play a huge part in this country’s economic recovery”.

“This government is committed to rural development and supporting people with business ideas, the Rural Development Programme ensures that people can avail of the resources available under the programme to develop their ideas and provide the rural economy with the stimulus necessary to support the development and maintenance of sustainable rural communities into the future”.

“If businesses like W.A.T.S. Ltd can be supported I have no doubt that they would make a significant impact and contribution to the rural economy of this country and particularly in Limerick”.

Govt prioritises children with €2.25m in capital funding for youth cafes and recreational facilities – O’ Donovan

Added January 17th, 2013

 Youth groups in Limerick encouraged to apply for funding

 Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’ Donovan, has welcomed the announcement of €2.25 in capital funding which is being made available to build and develop youth cafes and to support recreational facilities in Limerick and beyond.

 Only last week the Limerick Youth Service was approved by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for funding amounting to nearly €80,000 for the Rathkeale Youth Cafe. “I would like to congratulate every one involved in the project and wish them every future success”. O’ Donovan encouraged youth group and local organisations to apply for funding if they have not already done so.

 “The Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD, is making €2.25 million available so that children across Ireland will have safe, drug and alcohol free places to play and to enable local communities to embark on youth projects which will deliver play facilities for our children.

 “The funding will be made up of €500,000 for to youth cafes this year, for which applications have already being received and are currently being assessed. One and a half million euro will go towards youth capital projects next year, including further youth cafes, and €250,000 will be available for play and recreation initiatives. This funding will be accessible, in part, through local authorities with further details of the funding scheme for these projects being announced by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs in the coming weeks.

 “I would encourage local groups, clubs and organisations in Limerick to apply for funding so that local children and young people can be given the chance to avail of a suitable place to play and an environment that facilitates growth development and physical activity.So many of our children are living increasingly sedentary lives with the result that obesity is on the rise. It is up to us to ensure that children are getting the physical exercise they need so that they are not beset with heart disease and other illnesses down the line.”

 “This Government has put children front and centre of policy decisions. For the first time ever we have a Minister for Children who sole focus is on making Ireland a better place for our children to live. Our children’s emotional, social and physical wellbeing is dependent upon the decisions we make on their behalf. That is why a new National Play and Recreation Network was established earlier this year to oversee the delivery of local play and recreation services in communities  like Limerick across the country. It is also why the Government is campaigning so hard for a Yes vote on Saturday in the Children’s Referendum.

“I would encourage everyone who cares about our children’s futures to ensure they go out to vote next weekend and for local clubs and organisations to ensure they avail of youth facility funding which will reap so many benefits for our children into the future.”