Emer Higgins, TD

Fine Gael Sligo TD, John Perry, has welcomed the extension of the retirement ‘grace period’ for public service pensions, saying it will give people more time to consider when to retire, safe in the knowledge that they will not lose out if they wait until 2016.

“The fall in the value of the Euro in relation to sterling can be very positive for retailers and exporters south of the border”, says Joe O’Reilly, Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan.

“A €300 million investment fund from the Housing Finance Agency and the European Investment Bank will be used to provide 2,000 social housing units over the next three years. Housing of this kind is badly needed throughout Dublin, but particularly in the south inner city”, says Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central.

“The latest CSO figures show that the number of new goods vehicles licensed in January 2015 was up by 47.5% from January 2014. New businesses are investing in vehicles and existing businesses are showing confidence by upgrading. This is a very good indicator of the strength of the economy”, says Brendan Griffin.

Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Joe O’Reilly said today (Monday) that a €36 million investment by Lakeland Dairies in its Bailieboro plant that will create 81 new jobs and up to 180 construction jobs demonstrates the recovery is spreading across Ireland.

Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, said the Government announcement of a new primary school for the Goatstown/ Stillorgan area is welcome news for parents.

Today marks a significant milestone in the development of Maynooth University as a highly modern, competitive and progressive university", says Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Bernard Durkan. Deputy Durkan was speaking after the announcement of a €150 million development plan for Maynooth University.

Fine Gael Senator for Cork North Central and the Party’s Seanad spokesperson on Health, has criticised figures from the HSE which confirm that as much as 25% of Emergency Department visits charges have been left unpaid and uncollected.

Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Alan Kelly & Minister of State for Housing, Paudie Coffey, have today (18 February, 2015) welcomed a new €300m fund for investment in social housing.

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of a school in Dublin 16; her views on these concerns, in respect of the admissions policy for the new secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.