Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, that Limerick City and County Councils are to get a 15% boost in funding for 2014.

To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the restrictions of access to benefits and housing to be introduced in the UK, if similar measures will now be required by Ireland on 1 January when both Romania and Bulgaria will have completely free mobility throughout the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter?

Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath, James Bannon, has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister of State in the Department of Sport, Michael Ring TD, of €125,000 in funding for three sporting organisations in Longford and Westmeath.

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, said the provision of €50,000 towards the development of a youth café in Dun Laoghaire will provide a safe, secure and alcohol free environment in which local children can hang-out and learn new activities.

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement by the Junior Minister at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, to allocate funding of €58,000 for an artificial playing surface at Kilrush and €58,000 for improved facilities at Tim Smythe Park, Ennis.

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has today (Thursday) welcomed the approval of funding for Navan Town Council, which will allow for improvements to be made to footpaths and public lighting in the town.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has today (Thursday) welcomed €58,000 worth of funding for Waterford’s Regional Sports Centre (RSC) which will go towards the development of facilities at the centre. Furthermore, Minister Ring has announced €32,000 for a new sprung floor for the Dungarvan Sports Centre bringing the funding total to €90,000.

Fine Gael TD for Limerick and Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, has expressed his sadness at the death of Fine Gael Councillor and former Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Richard Butler, who has passed away.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, today announced the opening of a recruitment campaign for new recruits to An Garda Síochána.

Speaking in the Dáil on a Topical Issue on the standard of care in facilities for people with intellectual disabilities today (Thursday), Fine Gael Dublin Mid West Deputy, Derek Keating, said that monitoring and reviewing standards of care will help to identify instances of abuse among the elderly and vulnerable members of society.