Joan The dramatic recovery in the public finances means the Government can now make plans for long-term investment in education and roads as well as income tax concessions. We are seeing a strong recovery in consumer confidence, strong export figures, and improved prospects for the tourism industry. Without a doubt there is a boost in consumer confidence. For everybody who has been at work – taken tax hikes, taken pay cuts – it’s possible now to see a route to restoration. The latest employment figures confirm the optimistic picture of Ireland’s recovery. Employment is rising rapidly and unemployment is falling. 3,300 jobs are now being created every month. Unemployment has fallen month by month and is now just above 10%. We can be confident that it will fall into single digits before long. The Live Register for the Blanchardstown area has fallen by 13.6% in February compared to the same month last year, while the Navan Road area saw a drop of 10.4%. We can now fix our minds on how we can build the recovery. There are more resources available now, and Ireland is also now able to borrow funds internationally at very low interest rates. It will be exceptionally tricky in every sense to keep the recovery on track. There is a pent up demand among people who have endured a lot through job losses, emigration, higher charges and taxes. In my view, we should use these funds in a way that secures the future by sensible investment in housing, water services, broadband, and to improve education and training. IRELAND AT WORK AGAIN BURTON TD Spring 2015 Progress Report on School Projects: I have devoted immense effort and time as a TD for Dublin West and Minister to secure approval for new schools and refurbishment of existing schools to meet the needs of a growing population in Dublin West. I am pleased to report this month on further progress as set out in the list below. Hansfield Educate Together: New 1,000 pupil school. Gealscoil an Chuilinn Tyrellstown: New 16 classroom school, along with 7 special needs classrooms. Powerstown Educate Together: New 16 classroom school, along with special needs classrooms and 2 ASD classrooms. Saint Mochta’s Clonsilla: New 32 classroom school on the existing site, with the retention of the ‘White School’. The designs for the new school have recently been submitted to Fingal County Council as part of the planning process. Ashtown: A new Educate Together school is to be established in the Pelletstown / Ashtown area, opening in September 2015. St Patrick's Corduff: The Building project at St Patricks, once complete, will provide a new 20 classroom Junior School and a 16 classroom Senior School on the existing school site. This project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. PRIMARY SCHOOLS Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School: Hansfield turned the sod on a new Educate Together secondary school. The school opened in interim accommodation in September 2014, and work commenced on a new three storey school building in November. Le Cheile Secondary School Tyrellstown: New 1000 pupil school. The school opened in interim accommodation in September 2014. Castleknock Community College: 10 classroom extension plus new Sport Hall to provide accommodation for 1100 pupils. Building project at planning stage. Project to provide additional accommodation to cater for 1,000 pupils and a Fingal Co Council community facility. Luttrellstown Community College: The building project for Luttrellstown Community College is currently at the Stage 2A architectural planning stage. This project will provide the balance of accommodation to cater for 1,000 pupils and a Fingal Co Council Community Facility. Hartstown Community School: This project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. Funding has been provided for 8 classrooms. SECONDARY SCHOOLS A new round of sports capital funding worth € 40million has been announced, to enable sporting organisations to upgrade their facilities and equipments. I would encourage local clubs and organisations to register for funding before Friday, 10th April by going online to www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie Working with your local Labour Team Cllr. Mary McCamley Mulhuddart Area Mobile: 087 6501441 [email protected] Cllr. Brendan Carr Cabra/Finglas Area Mobile: 087 207 5921 [email protected] 0612 Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Leinster House, Dublin 2 Phone: 01 618 4006 Email: [email protected] www.joanburton.ie Joan Burton TD SPORTS CAPITAL GRANTS Turning the sod at Hansfield Educate Together secondary school Big Boost for Apprentices: Many large companies have now started to recruit apprentices for the first time in years. First up was Irish Rail to be followed quickly by both Eircom. And only recently, the ESB announced it is to recruit 300 apprentices over the next five years. This is a genuine breakthrough which will bring huge benefits to young jobseekers. I want to see an expanded and enhanced role for apprenticeships. For too long, apprenticeships have been undervalued. In Government we’re busy promoting their value to industry, particularly in areas such as the food and drink industry, medical devices and financial services, which are actively considering the potential of new apprenticeships. We’ve announced a new Apprenticeships Council to put this issue at the heart of our plans in Government. This is the best route to higher pay levels. Skills can command much higher pay rates as the economy grows and employers start to hire again. I want the new jobs being created to be higher up the value chain commanding higher incomes. For more information see: www.fas.ie/en/Training/Apprenticeships