Fine Gael Dublin South West Senator Cáit Keane, has announced that childcare facilities providing only the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE), are exempt from paying commercial rates. Senator Keane was speaking after raising the issue of commercial rates for preschool facilities in the Seanad today (Thursday) with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, as responsibility for the Valuation Office transferred to the Minister’s Department with effect from 1 January 2016.

Fine Gael TD for Clare, Joe Carey, has received confirmation from the Taoiseach in the Dáil of a new €106 million national fund for repair of roads affected by flood damage.

“On 27th January 2011, Fianna Fáil’s Finance Bill introduced the USC, taking a large chunk from the pay packets of workers across the country. Five years later, people opening their January payslips can expect more money in their accounts due to a cut to USC”, says Minister of State at the Department of Finance and Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Simon Harris.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has today (Thursday) welcomed details of further assistance to farmers worst hit in those areas that were most severely affected by the recent floods.

Fine Gael TD, for Carlow/Kilkenny, Pat Deering, has welcomed the introduction by European Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, of a yellow card system for the over declaration of land, saying it will take pressure off farmers and reduce penalties for non-compliance.

Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Sean Kyne, has said that the planned €8 million pier development works at Inis Oirr, will improve access to, and increase safety on, the island.

“I am very pleased to confirm that Ballincollig is getting 34 new social housing units at a cost of €7.4 million. This funding is part of a grant of almost €50 million from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government for social housing in Cork”, says Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Áine Collins.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has stated that the USC is an unfair tax that was introduced by Fianna Fail in 2010 as the economy collapsed around them. The USC was an emergency tax that was only intended for the short term. Minister Coffey re-affirmed his commitment that if Fine Gael are re-elected to government in a few weeks’ time they will abolish the tax by 2020.