Patrick O'Donovan, TD

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said that borrowers in Waterford will be able to access a new Credit Union small loans scheme which will be rolled out on a phases basis.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey who has special responsibility for Housing has announced an additional €300,000 in funding for Housing Adaptation Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability. Minister Coffey said that this funding comes on top of the €1 million already secured for these schemes in 2015.

Fine Gael Clare Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Disability, Martin Conway, is today (Friday) officially launching a new Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Quality in the Community and Voluntary sector (SOLA) in the University of Limerick. SOLA will offer new equality programmes for those working in the voluntary, community and disability sectors.

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Fergus O’Dowd, has encouraged those interested in Louth to apply for one of 600 new positions available with An Garda Síochána. The recruitment campaign is now underway and applications are being accepted on www.publicjobs.ie until 5th January 2016.

Fine Gael has a plan to keep the recovery going in Tipperary according to Fine Gael TD for Tipperary, Noel Coonan.

Speaking at an Association of Pension Lawyers conference this morning in the Spencer Hotel IFSC, Brian Hayes, Fine Gael MEP, said that the government should work with the Pensions Authority and the pensions industry to develop a pension tracking service which would help people track their pension benefits as they move through their career.

Fine Gael Senator for Cork North Central and the party’s Spokesperson for Health in the Seanad, Colm Burke, has said today (Thursday) that the HSE needs a Director of Research in order to boost the profile of medical research in this country and ensure it is given the priority it needs. Senator Burke was speaking after attending the launch of the Medical Research Charities Group’s (MRCG) Manifesto for Medical Research.

Speaking tonight (Thursday) in the Goat Pub, Goatstown, Brian Hayes MEP said that economic recovery and tax cuts should go hand in hand. Mr Hayes was speaking at a public meeting on the recent Budget organised by Fine Gael Dáil Candidate, Cllr Josepha Madigan.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has congratulated Lismore Town on being named the winner of the best small tourism town for 2015 by Failte Ireland. Minister Coffey said the town had a huge amount to offer visitors, most notably the Lismore Castle which is an outstanding attraction.

Fine Gael has a specific plan to keep the recovery going in Cavan according to Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Joe O’Reilly.