Hildegarde Naughton, TD

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has welcomed news that the European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu and the Southern Regional Assembly recently agreed a new funding plan for regional development in the South East. The 2014-2020 ERDF plan will see half a billion euro invested in Waterford in order to improve local infrastructure. This funding will be predominately concentrated on improving communication networks e.g. broadband etc.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey TD has said that the opening of the new Glanbia Facility in Belview Port is the final building block in getting the South East Region ready for the lifting of Milk Quotas in a few weeks time. Minister Coffey said the Dairy sector was vital to Ireland’s rural economy and this move will support and create jobs in the agriculture sector across Waterford and the South East.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy and Vice-Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Paudie Coffey has received agreement from the Committee to his proposal to invite regional representatives of community groups who have concerns about the proposed Gridlink projects around the country. Deputy Coffey said this would give people an opportunity to publically voice their concerns at the highest level and would help to inform debate on the matter.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy Paudie Coffey has welcomed € 378,750 funding for coastal work in County Waterford under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has welcomed news from Sun Life that they are to create 50 new jobs in Waterford City. Minister Coffey said these are hugely important jobs in the Financial Services Sector and shows once again that the economy is recovering in the Regions.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has received confirmation form the Minister for Sport Michael Ring that the Sports Capital Fund for 2015 has now opened. Minister Coffey said that €40 million worth of capital grants will be made for sports clubs and organisations around the country.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey welcomes Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD’s signing into law new rules to provide for country of origin labeling on packaged meat products. The rules will cover poultry, pigmeat, sheepmeat and goatmeat and will add to the existing rules in place for beef.