Feighan announces bid to seek a place on the Fine Gael General Election ticket in Roscommon-Galway

 Fine Gael Senator Frank Feighan has announced his intention to seek a party nomination to contest the next General Election in the Roscommon-Galway constituency.

“I intend seeking a party nomination at the Fine Gael selection convention for Roscommon/Galway, which will be held at the end of January 2019.

“In my twenty year political career to date, I have showed leadership on a range of issues such as Roscommon Hospital, the turfcutting issue, water quality and attracting investment into this region.

“I am also been privileged to be a member of the Good Friday Committee and the British Irish Parliamentary Association which continue to work tirelessly to promote and enhance relations on the island of Ireland and in the UK.

“I have never shirked my responsibility in tackling the most difficult of issues and I have a proven track record in delivering for this region.

“I want to use that extensive political experience as a Government politician to continue to deliver for people living in the Roscommon/Galway constituency.

“I have already been successful in two General Elections and I look forward to working towards securing a seat for Fine Gael in the next General Election.”

Feighan welcomes inclusion of Boyle in Pilot Residential Occupancy Scheme

*€100,000 funding allocated to develop plans with local stakeholders to attract more people to live in the town centre

Senator Frank Feighan has welcomed the inclusion of Boyle as one of the six towns included in the Town and Village Pilot Residential Occupancy Scheme.

“This pilot scheme, announced by Minister Michael Ring today, is aimed at encouraging more people to live in the centre of the town.

“Funding of €100,000 has been made available in order for Boyle to prepare a plan with practical solutions to increase the number of people living in our rural towns.

“This pilot scheme will consider ways in which properties that are currently not in use can be renovated to allow them to be used for residential purposes. This is all about encouraging people to move back into town centres such as Boyle.

“This one of the key objectives of the Boyle 2040 plan which was launched recently. This pilot scheme will have a two-fold effect: it will help rejuvenate the town centre while also contributing to the housing needs of people.

“As Michael Ring has said, this pilot initiative will allow six Local Authorities, including Roscommon County Council, to develop and test different innovative models which are considered appropriate for towns of different sizes and in different locations.  The learnings from this approach will help to provide an indication as to what might work well for similar types of town on a wider scale.”

Contact: Senator Feighan, (086) 8331234.

€780,000 has been allocated to County Roscommon

 €780,000 allocated to Roscommon under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme

€780,000 has been allocated to County Roscommon under the Government’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Fine Gael Senator Frank Feighan has said.

“My colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has confirmed to me today that Roscommon will benefit from €780,000 in funding under  the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The beneficiaries are as follows:

 • Athleague Development of a local economic and community action plan €100,000

• Ballaghaderreen Town enhancement project €100,000

• Boyle Town Centre Development Project €200,000

• Monksland Development of a skate park €100,000

• Rooskey Improvement of the village townscape  €100,000

• Roscommon Improvement of facilities at Roscommon Castle €100,000

• Strokestown Enhance building frontage & purchase chalet type stalls and marquee €80,000

“Fine Gael in Government is using the benefits of the economic recovery to support the growth and development of rural Ireland, and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development. The Scheme focuses on projects which can help to enhance rural towns and villages with populations of less than 5,000 people, with a particular emphasis on stimulating economic development.

“Almost €53 million has been approved for more than 670 projects across the country under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme since it was introduced in the second half of 2016.

 “The Government’s commitment to supporting rural Ireland is further underscored through the new €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which was launched this year as part of project Ireland 2040. This new Fund will provide an opportunity to deliver more integrated and ambitious projects which will further support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages in the coming years.

 “Today’s announcement gives a real boost to communities in towns and villages across Roscommon.”

Contact: Senator Feighan, (086) 8331234.

Government Review of contributory pensions

Feighan reports progress in Government Review of contributory pensions

Fine Gael Senator Frank Feighan today reported progress on the Government’s review of those in receipt of reduced Contributory Pensions. 

“The Government’s review of pensions, announced earlier this year, applies to people whose rate of entitlement was assessed based on pension rate band changes introduced in 2012.  The review will provide for an alternative total contributions approach re-calculation for contributory pensioners born on or after the 1st September 1946 and new Home Caring Periods to take account of time spent out of the workplace for parenting or caring duties.  

“The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is currently working on legislation to implement the new arrangements as well as a new information technology system to be developed in line with the legislation. Both of these measures are at a very advanced stage.   

 “My colleague Minister Regina Doherty has confirmed to me that letters will issue to the pensioners concerned at the end of October, to explain to them what is happening and how the review will work. This will no doubt be welcomed by all affected, particularly women who have been disproportionally affected. 

“Work has been ongoing within the Department of Social Protection to prepare legislation and design IT systems to deal with the changes since they were announced. With additional temporary staff recruited, this work is on target to see the pensions review process commence in the coming weeks, and so it is planned for the first payments to be made in the first quarter of 2019. 

“It is expected that, where increases are awarded, these payments will be backdated, where relevant, to the end of March 2018, or later where a person reached their 66th birthday since that date.    

“No pensioner will be worse off as a result of this review. Where a pensioner does not benefit from the measures introduced, they will continue to receive their existing rate of entitlement. However Minister Doherty has informed me she expects the majority of those who were adversely affected to be positively impacted by the recalculation and moved to a new, higher payment.”

Contact: Senator Feighan, (086) 8331234.

Launch of Boyle 2040, October 1st 2018

Launch of Boyle 2040, October 1st 2018

Minister, County Manager, Cathaoirleach, Deputies, Senator, Councillors, ladies and gentleman, distinguished guests - I am delighted to be here today in my home town for the launch of this ambitious plan for Boyle.

This truly is a roadmap for the town, a plan which dovetails perfectly with the Government’s Project 2040 initiative. I lobbied extremely hard to ensure County Roscommon and Boyle were included in the Government’s €4 billion Capital Development Plan.

Indeed, Boyle is one of the few towns name-checked in the Government’s blueprint document and I am delighted that today’s launch of Boyle 2040 will mark the beginning of a major rejuvenation of the town centre.

Boyle 2040 plan is clearly the blueprint for the future development of the town. I am delighted that the document includes proposals for the former Royal Hotel site along with linkages to the planned Lough Key to Boyle Greenway.

For decades, Boyle, not being a county town or regional town, suffered unduly. However, I truly believe that now with Boyle 2040, our town will - and deservedly so - get preferential treatment.

I am confident that this plan will become the cornerstone for the revival of the town and surrounding areas.

Clearly, Boyle 2040 is a wonderful testament to the work of many people over the last number of years, not least Roscommon County Council and Boyle Town Team.

To conclude, we all know Boyle has so much to offer in terms of rich heritage and natural amenities. Indeed, we have Lough Key Forest Park, the jewel in the crown.  Twenty years ago, as chairperson of  Lough Key Forest Park Action Group, I successfully brought together the unique partnership of Roscommon County Council and Coillte. That partnership has transformed the Park into one of the country’s top national tourist and visitor attractions.

I believe this latest partnership between the Council, Boyle Town team and stakeholders will be equally fruitful and productive and, as a member of Government, I look forward to supporting this plan in whatever possible,

Thank you

€7.85m Medical Rehabilitation Unit at Roscommon Hospital

Feighan confirms appointment of Design team for €7.85m Medical Rehabilitation Unit at Roscommon Hospital

€560,000 in funding allocated for Design phase

Fine Gael Senator Frank Feighan has confirmed that the Design Team has been appointed for the €7.85m  Medical Rehabilitation Unit at Roscommon Hospital.

“Roscommon Hospital management has just confirmed to me that the design team to progress the Western Specialist Rehabilitation Unit at Roscommon University Hospital is now in place. 

“Funding approval of more than €560,000 has been allocated to move to the design phase of this project. This marks a major milestone for this €7.85m capital development.

“The new facility will be a satellite centre of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire and will provide intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation to patients based in the West of Ireland. 

“This new 20 bed unit will be of huge benefit to patients in this region. It will enable treatment of patients from the West of Ireland in Roscommon University Hospital who would have previously been treated in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dublin, and will also assist in reducing waiting times for patients who require access to the NRH.

“Apart from the employment which will be created during the construction phase, it is also important to say that once the Rehab Unit becomes fully operational, it will create 25 jobs initially and up to 50 jobs when all phases are complete.”

Senator Frank Feighan's address at the official opening of Boyle Primary Care Centre by Minister for Health Simon Harris, September 3rd 2018

Ministers, TDs, cllrs, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman.

It is almost two years ago to the day that Minister Harris turned the sod on this project and I am delighted that you are back here again Minister to official open this wonderful facility.

On that same day two years ago, Minister, you also travelled to Roscommon Town to officially open the new Endoscopy Unit at Roscommon University Hospital.

That was a great day for Roscommon where you Minister personally endorsed two significant health facilities for the county. Minister, I also look forward to the imminent announcement of the successful design team for another important project planned at Roscommon Hospital, namely the Medical Rehabilitation Unit.

I am so pleased that you are back here in Boyle again today. This Primary Care Centre, now open more than six months, provides health services to a population of approximately 9,000 people in the town and surrounding areas.

The Centre is a hugely positive development for Boyle and the wider North Roscommon area. It ensures that our local community has improved access to a greater range of health services on their own doorstep and under the one roof.

It provides modern facilities for a significant range of primary care services, delivered by a locally based multi-disciplinary Primary Care Team.

I would like to sincerely thank the many people involved in ensuring that this development has come to fruition.

I am extremely proud that Boyle has this state-of-the-art health facility and I want to sincerely thank you Minister and all present for being here today for this official opening.

Thank you

Boyle Primary Care Centre Opening on September 3rd

Feighan confirms that Health Minister to officially open Boyle Primary Care Centre on September 3rd

Senator Frank Feighan has confirmed that the Minister for Health Simon Harris will officially open Boyle Primary Care Centre on Monday, September 3^rd at 11 am.

“I am delighted that the Minister for Health has accepted my invitation to officially open the new Primary Care Centre. Minister Harris returns again to Boyle after initially turning the sod on the project.

“The facility, now open more than six months, is providing health services to a population of about 9,000 people in the town and surrounding areas.

“As I have said before, the Primary Care Centre is a very positive development for the town and the wider North Roscommon area.

“It ensures that the local community has improved access to a greater range of health services on their own doorstep and under the one roof.”

Contact: Senator Feighan, (086) 8331234.

Feighan urges Irish Water to accelerate local upgrade works for the benefit of Grangemore and Ballinameen water supplies

Senator Frank Feighan has urged Irish Water to accelerate local upgrade works following the issuing of a boil water notice on the Grangemore Public Water Supply and Ballinameen Camlin Group Water Scheme.

“This boil water notice which came into effect last week is affecting more than 1500 people in the areas of Croghan, Ballinameen, Ballymore, Killarght (County Sligo), The Plains and surrounding areas.

“Irish Water has been progressing a major upgrade project which includes the extension of the Boyle Regional Water Supply Scheme to supply the Grangemore WSS. This will involve the decommissioning of the existing Water Treatment Plant currently supplying the Grangemore scheme.  These works are to due to be completed by December 2019.

“However, I have urged Irish Water to accelerate the decommissioning of the Grangemore water plant earlier if at all possible.

“Responding to further queries on why the boil water notice has been issued, Irish Water explained that in order to safeguard drinking water supplies, chlorine residual levels of greater than 0.1 mg/l should be  present within the entire distribution system.

“Irish Water went on to say that by maintaining this level of chlorine, the supply is fully disinfected and any bacteria which may have survived the various treatment stages are destroyed.  However due to the poor raw water quality in Cavetown lake recently (as a result of the drought), the water treatment plant is unable to remove sufficient organics from the water resulting in quicker chlorine decay with chlorine levels dropping below 0.1mg/l at some locations within the distribution system. 

“Irish Water also said that coliform was detected in some recent samples.  Although coliforms are not harmful, Irish Water said it does highlight that the water supply is vulnerable to bacteriological contamination. Testing and monitoring of the supply is continuing and Irish Water will issue further updates.”

Ends

Contact: Senator Feighan, (086) 8331234.

Men’s Sheds in Roscommon

Feighan urges Men’s Sheds in Roscommon to apply for funding by 31st August deadline

Senator Frank Feighan is encouraging all Men’s Sheds in Roscommon to apply to a national funding pot of half a million euro to support their good work. This capital funding provides small grants to individual Men’s Sheds in order to enable them to purchase equipment or carry out minor works to improve their shed. As part of this measure, Minister Ring has made provision for €8,696 to be provided to the 6 Men’s Sheds in County Roscommon, pending successful applications by the individual Men’s Sheds.

Men’s Sheds are a worldwide movement which encourages men to talk about their feelings in order to improve mental health and wellbeing. Local Men’s Sheds create a space where men can discuss health issues and emotions while engaging in purposeful activities.

The sheds are in urban and rural areas across the country and promote the health and wellbeing of members by combating issues such as loneliness and isolation, while creating a culture where men can discuss their thoughts and feelings without stigma. They are a great example of a positive community based organisation that promotes good citizenship through good works.

It is essential that the individual local sheds apply for this funding. Applications will have to be made to the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) by 31st August 2018.

Senator Frank Feighan to apply to the Fine Gael National Executive to be added to the ticket

Press Statement

July 23rd 2018

Senator Frank Feighan to apply to the Fine Gael National Executive to be added to the ticket

Senator Frank Feighan is to apply to the Fine Gael National Executive to be added to the ticket for the Sligo-Leitrim/South Donegal/North Roscommon Constituency.

“I withdrew my name from the nomination process at the selection convention last Thursday night in Sligo.

“During my address to convention on the night, I expressed my belief that the odds were stacked against me in terms of being selected as a candidate.

“Firstly, to have a valid vote at the convention, a person needs to be a member of the party for two consecutive years - and given only two branches moved in from North Roscommon only a year ago, it was physically impossible to add members to address this criteria. Furthermore, these two former Roscommon branches only represent a little over 5% of the membership at the convention.

“Secondly, the vast majority of members which constitutes up to 90 per cent of the constituency membership are from Counties Sligo and Leitrim and I know there is a desire to have a candidate from each of these counties, which I fully accept and understand. 

“Finally, only a few weeks ago, tonight’s convention was reconvened at short notice. It was originally due to take place at the end of September, which would have given me time to visit members personally. This time was further restricted due to my work in this minority Government and the last number of weeks has been almost exclusively taken up with passing legislation, which we only completed on Tuesday of last week.

“As a result of all of this, I will have to take a different approach and I will be applying to the National Executive to be added to the ticket.

“As the only Oireachtas member before convention, I certainly do believe if I was on the ticket, I would have a great chance of securing a second seat for Fine Gael. 

“I am very proud to have served as a public representative for almost 20 years. In the Local Government elections of 1999, I topped the poll in Boyle and three years later in the Seanad elections, I became the first ever member of the Oireachtas elected out of the town of Boyle. 

“In the 2007 General Election in the Roscommon/South Leitrim constituency, I became the first ever TD from Boyle elected and retained my seat in the 2011 General Election.

"However, whatever decision is taken by the National Executive, I will fully accept and abide, as always, by the rules of the party. And as a Senator, I will continue as always to work and deliver for this constituency.”

Contact: Senator Feighan, (086) 8331234.