Age & Opportunity is today marking the distribution of its Active National Grant that provides significant funding for sport and physical activity amongst older people. Nationwide, 1,167 grants have been allocated this year, totaling over €300,000.

The Grant Scheme is a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland with funding provided by the Government of Ireland.

Senator O’Loughlin said, “The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme is an incredibly beneficial resource in enabling older people to become more active.

“The grants announced today are a further recognition of the importance of sport and physical activity and they will be of huge assistance to older people in Kildare.

“By financially supporting organisations to buy equipment and host activities specifically designed for older people, the grants help older people reap the health benefits of being active.

“I want to thank Age & Opportunity for the excellent work they are doing in providing opportunities for older people and I wish them continued success in their valuable work to communities all across Ireland.”

The National Grant Scheme provides an accessible and enjoyable means for older people in communities nationwide to reap the health rewards from doing physical activity.  

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Senator O’Loughlin has been informed that only 36% of all eligible Co Kildare businesses have availed of the grant to date. A total of 4,083 are eligible for the grant in the county. 

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, May 1.

An increased package of €257 million for the ICOB grant was announced as part of Budget 2024. It aims to assist small and medium businesses operating directly within a premises that is commercially rateable by a local authority. The grant is intended to be paid at a rate of half the enterprise’s commercial rates bill in 2023 for firms paying up to €10,000 in rates. For those paying between €10,000 and €30,000 in rates, they will receive a grant of €5,000.

Senator O’Loughlin said: “I am acutely aware of the ongoing cost challenges faced by businesses across Kildare. It has been my priority and the priority of Fianna Fáil in Government to listen and respond to those challenges.

“I received confirmation from my party colleague Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Dara Calleary TD, that only 36% of all eligible businesses in Co Kildare have applied for the ICOB grant. A total of 4,083 businesses are eligible in the county.

“I would encourage all eligible business owners in the county to apply for the grant worth €5,000 and to do so before the May 1 deadline. This scheme is designed to help those businesses who need it most to meet their increased costs. I particularly welcome the adjustments that have been made to the original scheme design to include more businesses and the efforts made to target the small and micro enterprises who are part of the fabric of every community across the country.”

Senator O’Loughlin concluded by saying that Fianna Fáil in Government is committed to supporting the long term viability of small and micro businesses.

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Senator O’Loughlin also said that the Minister of Justice should be in Westport at the Garda Representative Association (GRA) Conference.

Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, Senator O’Loughlin said: “As we are aware, the GRA conference is taking place in Westport as we speak.

“The theme for this year is ‘it’s a job worth protecting,’ and we all agree that it is. 

“To paraphrase an old saying, ‘who is protecting our protectors,’ I listened this morning to John Joe O`Connell, the GRA’s Kildare representative. He was speaking about the issues the conference will be discussing, such as training, better protective gear and measures and long service increments, and I could not help but agree with him. 

“We need our Gardai to keep us safe and secure, we need them patrolling our streets and roads, and we have to support them. We live in challenging times, and every shift that a Garda starts they have no idea what is facing them. 

“Again, this morning, I tried to put in a commencement about Garda matters in Kildare and was basically told that the Minister has no responsibility in long term plans to support effective policing. I am saying now that Kildare is completely under-resourced when it comes to Garda numbers. 

“I am saying now that the Garda Commissioner was completely wrong in what he said and how he handled the infamous Garda bicycle situation, and I am saying now that the Minister should be in Westport engaging with the Gardaí, those who we rely on and who she relies on to protect her.”

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It has recently been announced that deadlines to submit Nitrates Derogation applications for 2024 and for Dairy farmers to confirm their 2024 dairy excretion rate band were extended.

It was also announced that all eligible applications submitted under Tranche 3 of Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) will receive approval.

Senator O’Loughlin said: “The extension of the Nitrates Derogation Application deadline to the 26^th April and of the Dairy Excretion Rate Band deadline to the 15^th May are particularly welcome for local farmers given the hugely challenging weather conditions.

“Farm families need to be supported to the maximum extent possible and the extension of these deadlines gives more certainty for farm families as it allows for more time for farmers to engage with their advisor.

“It is also hugely welcome that all eligible applications in Tranche 3 of TAMS 3 have been approved. TAMS 3 helps farmers by providing grants to build and/or improve a range of farm buildings and equipment on their holding. Tranche 4 is now open for applications until Friday 6^th September and Tranche 5 until Friday 6^th December, giving further clarity for farmers for the rest of the year.”

Concluding, Senator O’Loughlin said that Fianna Fáil in government will continue to proactively support farmers. He said: “Throughout this period of adverse weather conditions it is more important than ever that we keep proactively supporting farm families. Fianna Fáil in government is listening to farmers, acting on their concerns and is absolutely committed to continuing to help them meet the varied significant challenges across the sector. Minister McConalogue visited South Kildare last week to hear firsthand from farmers the challenges they face, and I will continue to work to support our farming community.”

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The funding, under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), will support the continued improvement of non-public roads and lanes that are not normally maintained by local authorities.

Such roads represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents – providing access to homes, farms and businesses, as well as outdoor amenities such as our lakes, rivers or beaches.

Welcoming the funding, Senator O’Loughlin said, “Good roads are absolutely vital for our rural communities, providing access to people’s homes and farms. The funding allocation for 2024/2025 for such roads in Kildare under the Local Improvement Scheme will make a huge difference in terms of access and connectivity.

“We are all familiar with the roads and laneways within our own communities that are full of potholes and in desperate need of repair. The funding being delivered under this scheme will help to address this.

“Local authorities will have greater flexibility to use their allocations throughout 2024 and 2025 than previously.

“Additionally, the LIS criteria has also been amended so that only one herd number will be required for a valid LIS application. Up to now, two herd numbers were required to be using the lane. This change has been made in response to feedback received from local representatives and it will ensure that more families can now qualify for the scheme.

“This investment is a clear example of Fianna Fáil’s continued commitment in Government to supporting rural communities.”

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The campaign entitled – ‘It’s not your dog’s fault, it’s yours’ – is aimed at increasing awareness of the harm that out of control dogs can do to people and to livestock.

Senator O’Loughlin said: “The aims of this new national awareness campaign, to remind dog owners of their responsibilities and increase awareness of the harm that out-of-control dogs can do to people and livestock, are to be welcomed.

“The campaign will help to change behaviour and to remind owners that they must always have their dog under control.

“There have been too many devastating attacks by dogs on people, especially young children, in recent times.

“Out of control dogs can also cause devastation to livestock, causing terrible suffering to the animals and both emotional and financial distress to farming families.

“This awareness campaign is an important step and one of many measures we need to introduce to reduce attacks by uncontrolled dogs.”

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Many parents have referred to the process as being “chaotic”. This motion called for a central application process that would ensure every child is offered a school place in a timely manner.

O’Loughlin said “In recent years we have had countless young children, aged just 11 and 12 anxious and worried about where they will go to school next year. I have raised on a number of occasions the hurt, the fear and the stress that is experienced by students and parents on the ground who were not successful in securing a second level place in their communities.”

“Many parents are hugely frustrated, firstly with the fact their child has no place, but secondly with the hap-hazard somewhat chaotic process they have to follow. We all know the impact that duplicate applications can have on the process and how they can result in huge waiting lists that cause unnecessary stress, because they are not truly reflective of the demand.”

“A more streamlined approach is crucial, especially for large urban areas. Key to solving the challenges facing school admission will be to continue to deliver additional capacity and to progress large scale capital projects, the delivery must be fast tracked to meet the growing need.”

O’Loughlin concluded “I know some people may be hesitant in terms of a centralised process, and fear that perhaps it would infringe on their right to apply for a school of their preference. However, I am confident we could find a workable solution, balancing preference and ensuring the system is more streamlined.”

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Minister McConalogue confirmed he is committing the monetary support to help tillage farmers have the confidence to plant in 2024.

Senator O’Loughlin said: “This is a hugely welcome commitment from the Minister that will help tillage farmers across Kildare, particularly through what are continued difficult conditions due to adverse weather, leading tillage farmers to be unsure of what they can plant and what it will yield.

“Fianna Fáil in Government delivered a 50% increase in funding for CAP and will continue to prioritise delivering on commitments to farming families.

“Fianna Fáil wants farmers to be confident in what they do, confident in what they can deliver and confident in the future of their industry.  I will continue to do everything I can to help farm families, especially through this hugely difficult period of unsettled weather that is becoming increasingly common.”

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Laraghbryan Church, Kildare Round Tower, Dunmanogue Graveyard and Confey Church are receiving the funding to help them with conservation works to be carried out as they are monuments that are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support.

Welcoming the funding, Senator O’Loughlin said, “Our built heritage is a tangible expression of our history and culture, and a distinctive and attractive element of our towns, villages, cities, and countryside.

“The projects that have been awarded funding here in Kildare through the Community Monuments Fund are important for a wide variety of reasons. We must encourage access to these monuments and improve their presentation and also to build their resilience to help them withstand the effects of climate change.

“Fianna Fáil in Government are committed to supporting communities to protect and conserve our shared built heritage, and recognise that this relies on the dedication of many different parties, including owners and custodians, skilled craftspeople and local authority experts.

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The further rollout of the Government’s Hot School Meals Programme will see 150,000 more students receive free nutritious hot meals during the school day. It will bring the total number of children benefiting from the scheme to 316,000.

In addition, any remaining primary schools who have not yet joined the programme can now express an interest to participate in the Programme with effect from September.

Senator O’Loughlin said: “I’m heartened to see the extension of this hugely important scheme providing free, hot, nutritious meals to pupils while at school.

“An additional 150,000 students will benefit due to the expansion, bringing the total number of pupils benefiting from a free hot school meal each school day to more than 300,000.”

The Kildare senator added: “The expansion of the Hot School Meals programme has been a priority for Fianna Fáil in Government and its expansion has been supported by the Department of Education under my Fianna Fáil colleague, Minister for Education Norma Foley.

“There are now 2,000 primary schools taking part in the scheme and I would encourage any school that had not previously signed up and are interested in doing so to apply. A new round of expressions of interest has been opened.”

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