Hildegarde Naughton, TD

Fine Gael Louth Deputy, Peter Fitzpatrick, said the visit by the Health Ministers from North and South of the border, Edwin Poots MLA and James Reilly TD to Louth this week has brought a renewed focus to the importance of cross border health projects, the aim of which is to enhance the services available to all users.

Fine Gael Carlow/Kilkenny TD, Pat Deering, has today (Thursday) urged Teagasc to organise briefing sessions in local livestock marts for farmers being adversely affected by fodder shortages. Deputy Deering added that this would make the necessary information more accessible for farmers who need to get their fodder stocks up to acceptable levels.

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) urged volunteer and community workers based in Meath to check out a new course being run by Meath Partnership and the National University of Ireland (NUI) Maynooth. The certificate programme is entitled ‘Community Work in a Changing Meath’.

Speaking in the Dail yesterday evening Fine Gael Mayo Deputy, Michelle Mulherin, said that now that the fodder crisis is abating, we need to look at maximising the grass growing potential of our land so that a similar crisis can be avoided next year.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today welcomed the increased debate in recent days over the possible provision of a second free pre-school year.

To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the Money Advice and Budgeting Service report outlining its concerns that split mortgages will not be a solution for the bulk of homeowners in distress as its findings revealed that the majority of homeowners in distress are between 41 and 65; and if he will make a statement on the matter.