The document provides information on several topics: 1) The Government has launched a Winter Ready campaign to advise the public on preparing for winter weather, including stockpiling 200,000 tons of salt. 2) A new street lighting fault reporting system allows the public to track repairs. 3) The author attended President Higgins' inauguration and noted that a chair used was made by a local craftsman from Maynooth.

1. Anthony Lawlor’s
Newsletter
m Anthony
A message froe people of Kildare North for
to th
I am most grateful in Dáil Éireann. I am
electing me to represent them to do my
position and intend
ho noured to be in this of Kildare North. I ha
ve a
best fo r the people and area h is open daily, and
I
constituency office in Naas, whic evening
ridge every Thursday
am ho lding a clinic in Celb contact me if you wi
sh
so I encourag e you to drop in or ppy to
also be more than ha
to rais e an issue. I would ps or
for individuals, grou
organise to urs to Dáil Éireann se do
ur parliament! Plea
scho ols. After all it is yo fice a call on 01 61
83007
not hesita te to give my Dáil of to
wlor@oireachtas.ie
or em ail me at anthony.la
arrange a tour.
ting with you.
I look forward to mee
Government is Winter Ready
To avoid the chaos which arose last year as a result of severe winter
weather conditions, the Government recently launched its Winter
Ready Information Campaign to
give the public advice on how to
prepare for the coming winter. I Street Lighting
would encourage everyone across Airtricity have recently announced a new scheme whereby members
Kildare North to read the practical of the general public can report a fault with street lighting. If you
advice that can be found on the encounter such a problem, simply log onto www.airtricitysolutions.
new website www.winterready.ie. com and click the ‘report a fault’ button on the home page. By
The purpose of this new website reporting a fault in this manner, you can also track the progress of the
is to ensure that the public know repair. Airticity have also issued a service guarantee that faults will
where to find advice if they need be completed within a maximum of 10 days. This new scheme should
it, and to reassure them that arrangements are being put by the provide a more effective and efficient street lighting service.
Government to ensure a coordinated response is launched if needed.
The gritting of roads was a major problem last year. This should be
considerably alleviated thanks to additional salt stocks – there’s a
total of 200,000 tonnes available to cover national, regional and
Presidential Inauguration
local roads. This also includes a strategic reserve stock of 40,000 I was honored to recently attend
tonnes for priority routes in the event of a prolonged cold spell. the inauguration of our new
Local authorities have been issued with guidelines on the spreading President, Michael D. Higgins,
of grit, to ensure a consistent approach. on Friday 11th November. I
was particularly delighted to
The following contact details will be helpful to people from the learn that the skillfully crafted,
Clane area during periods of severe weather: contemporary chair which was
Clane Area Transportation 045 892695 used during the ceremony by
Office - Email: roads@kildarecoco.ie President Higgins was produced
by Kildare Man, John Lee of
Pagestown, Maynooth. This was
Council Waterworks Office - 045 431364
Email: watersection@kildarecoco.ie a great honour for John and I
wish him all the best in his future
Council Emergency Number - 1890-500-333 endeavours.
Anthony Lawlor TD - Working for the people of Kildare North

2. JobBridge
I am satisfied that all efforts are being made to prevent employers I am urging anyone who is unemployed and seeking re-entry to the
from exploiting participants of the JobBridge Internship Scheme workforce to put aside any concerns and apply for an internship
having received assurances on the matter from the Minister for at http://www.jobbridge.ie/. To date approximately 2,800
Social Protection, Joan Burton. organisations had advertised positions on the Scheme with a total of
I am aware that concerns have been raised that the JobBridge 5,600 internship opportunities being made available. The assurances
scheme could be open to abuse, and that employers could use it in I have received from the Minister should alleviate any concerns and I
an exploitative manner. I raised these concerns with the Minister hope this will encourage more people to use the scheme to take their
and she has given me comprehensive assurances that checks and first step back into the workforce.
balances are in place to ensure the scheme is being fairly run.
• Each placement is based on a Standard Internship Agreement,
which must be signed between the intern and the host
organisation. This acts as a contract and clearly sets out the terms
of the internship.
• The JobBridge team is closely monitoring internships. Monthly
compliance reports must be completed and random site visits will
soon begin as part of the process.
• The Scheme also contains a whistleblowing feature, which allows
anyone who suspects an internship may be in breach of the rules
to raise their concerns by ringing the National Call Centre.
The Gathering
The Gathering was recently announced by the Minister for Tourism, Leo Varadkar. It is proposed that a year-long programme of events will
be planned for 2013 aimed at showcasing the best that Ireland has to offer. While major festivals will play a huge role, there will also be a
focus on gatherings organised by local community groups and organisations. And that’s why I’m calling on people in Kildare North to get
involved.
Now is the time to start coming up with ideas and for local individuals, clubs and groups to put their thinking hats on. An event could be
anything from a family reunion to a sporting event or a local festival. It’s all aimed at getting the Irish abroad and anyone with an interest
in Ireland to come to these shores in 2013.
The Gathering could attract an extra 300,000 visitors to Ireland, with huge economic benefits. This is something the whole country can
share in. If you are a member of a club or an organisation, why not get together now and think about how you can make your mark. There’s
a huge reserve of talent and goodwill right across the country that is just waiting to be tapped into. So I am encouraging local people in
Kildare North to talk to neighbours, family, colleagues and club mates and get on board for The Gathering. You can register your interest by
submitting an email address to www.gatheringireland.com.
Medical Cards
Since 1 July all new medical card applications and reviews are
Government Creation
processed centrally. This new system involves an online application of Jobs to date
process (www.medicalcard.ie) and guarantees a 15 day turnaround
✔ Extra 15,900 places for further education and
for complete applications which means, when the means test
training programmes
requirements are met, that medical cards will be issued immediately.
You can also track the progress of your application online. ✔ New National Internship Scheme providing 5,000
work experience places
✔ Lower rate of employers’ PRSI halved
✔ VAT on tourism-related services cut by a third
under the Jobs Initiative
✔ Reversal of minimum wage cut
✔ Extra €75m for shovel-ready transport projects
to create/sustain 1,000 jobs
✔ Extra €40m for 2011 Summer Works Scheme for
453 schools to create 2,400 jobs
✔ New support programme for home energy
retrofitting to create 2,000 jobs
✔ Rolling out the last phase of the National
Broadband Scheme
ANThoNy LAWLoR TD • Tel: 045 888488 • Email: anthony.la

3. Recognition of Clane
in ess
Tidy Estates
Last month a number of estates in Clane were
Dáil Bus
Dáil SPEEChES
commended at a local ceremony for their high for Dáil n of the
fOrm of reform Since the resumptio have spoken
standards as recognized at the national Tidy Dáil rE package een effective sin
ce
Dáil in Septembe ri
the ues such as
Towns Competition. Mainham Wood earned i welcome which have b he measures, on a number of iss barracks;
s, t d
the award for the Best Small Estate in Clane; Busines er 2011. Among on Tuesdays an l the closure of army
Septemb now sits earlier ry month; Topic
a y practices,
Parkview won the award for the Best Medium reform of veterinar cial Stability
the Dáil y of eve troduced the Europe an finan
Estate, while Central Park and Churchfield were rst frida in and the irish
awarded with the Best Large Estates. From an on the fi bates have been re speaking and Euro Area loan m.
i ssue De ckbench TDs mo re now taken Social We lfare Syste
overall perspective, I would like to congratulate a a
giving b aders Questions days and TDs
the members of the Clane Tidy Towns Committee time; le naiste on Thurs g replies to
á
on a six point increase from last year in the by the T issues regardin . miTTEES
Dáil COm
e s
national competition and wish them all the best can rais ntary Question f the
arliame ember o
for the year ahead. P i am a m s Committee on d
a n
Oireacht ial Protection a is
c
Dáil QuESTiONS Jobs, So n. The work of thal
i have tabled a number of Dáil Questions Educatio e is instrument its
Congratulations and received very worthwhile answers from
Government ministers in relation to the
e n
committ g ireland back o ard
in gettin i am looking forw
I would like to extend my congratulations to JobBridge Scheme; Social Welfare fraud; feet and allenge ahead.
Loretta Weld on winning the TV3 Ireland AM allocation of Overseas Aid; reforming how to the ch
‘Most Stylish Boutique” Award recently. It is death certificates are issued for irish people
wonderful that a local business has been given who die abroad; the introduction of Septic Tank
national recognition and I wish Loretta and all inspections; the process of Judicial review, and
aftercare services for people who self-harm.
her staff the very best of luck in their future
business endeavor.
Scoil Mhuire Evening Classes Clarification on new
Enrolments are now taking drink driving limits
place for the Spring Since the recent introduction of the
Term in Scoil Mhuire, new drink driving limits, a number of
Community School for a constituents have contacted me in relation
variety of evening classes. to the new lower limit of 20mg per 100ml
These classes provide a of blood for professional drivers, tractor
wonderful opportunity drivers and private cars towing a trailer.
to socialize within the There appears to be some confusion in
local community whilst particular about people towing a private
also learning a new skill trailer. I have had this matter clarified by
or hobby. If you are the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar,
interested in enrolling, and I can assure people who tow a trailer
contact the school on 045-868255 or www.clanesm.com that they will only be subjected to the lower
limit if in fact they are towing a trailer at
the time the offence is recorded.
Currently in order to tow a tractor,
Promotion of tourism in Kildare one must have an EB category licence
I was delighted to learn that the County Kildare and are considered under the law as a
Fáilte Interim Group has recently been established ‘specified person’. The new lower limits
to focus on and develop a plan for tourism in County are applicable to all ‘specified persons’
Kildare. This group comprises of experienced and under the categorisation of driver licences.
successful members of the local tourist trade However, it has been made clear to me by
such as representatives from the restaurant and the Department that an individual with a
accommodation industry, Newbridge Silverware ‘specified person’ categorised licence, will
and John Osborne of the National Stud, who was only be subjected to the new limit if at the
recently commended for his role in bringing Queen time they are driving the ‘specified vehicle’
Elizabeth to the County during her visit to Ireland as determined by their licence. Otherwise,
last May. I am encouraged by the establishment the new lower limit of 50mg per 100ml
of this group and confident that they will be of blood, reduced from 80mg, will apply.
successful in their goal to develop tourism in the This new limit brings Ireland in line with
County. The great thing about the Irish tourist European levels.
industry is that everyone can play their part in
making it a success and consequently aiding in
Ireland’s economic recovery.
awlor@oireachtas.ie • www.anthonylawlor.ie

4. Useful numbers Competition Time!
Kildare County Council 045-980200
For the opportunity to win a tour to Dáil Éireann
Clane Community Library 045-892716 followed by a meal in the Dáil Restaurant
North East Doctor on Call 1850-444 600 for two people, email me the answer
Fire Station, Newbridge 045- 431370 to the following question:
Q.Whofor the current
Clane Garda Station 045 - 868262
Clane General Hospital, is
Prosperous Rd. 045- 868004
Minister Children?
Naas County Hospital, Naas 045- 897221
All correct answers to
anthony.lawlor@oir.ie.
Deadline for receipt of
entries 16th December 2011.
New website
i recently launched my ‘new look’ website page www.anthonylawlor.
ie. if you are interested in how i spend my time in the Dáil and
my opinions on various matters, log onto the website to see my
speeches, responses to Dáil Questions and Press Statements. As
your public representative in the Dáil it is important that you
know of my activities.
0612
Councillor Seamus Langan
Cllr. Senan Griffin
Address: Clonkeeran, Carbury
Contact Numbers: 045-9553058 (h) 087-2871347
your Local
Fine Gael Team: Councillor Brendan Weld
Email: bweldmcc@eircom.net
Address: Painstown, Donadea, Naas
Contact Numbers: 045-869340/087-7828649
ANThoNy LAWLoR TD
Email: anthony.lawlor@oireachtas.ie Celbridge Clinic: Every Thursday 7pm – 8pm
Constituency Office: 56 South Main Street, Venue - Kildrought Inn, Main Street, Celbridge
Naas, Co. Kildare
Website: www.anthonylawlor.ie
Contact Number: 045 888488
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