- Dispute affecting Garda presence in surrounding communities -

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien is calling for the Ministers for Justice and Children to look at the wider implications, and causes, of the dispute at the Oberstown Youth Detention Centre, and accept the Fianna Fáil proposal to re-open Rush Garda station.

“First, and foremost, the situation at Oberstown needs to be resolved in order to protect the safety and welfare of the staff and residents. What happened over the last number of days, where according to reports, one staff member was injured, can never be allowed to happen again.”

“The centre staff are not being listened to, and that just isn’t good enough. They are the ones of the front line, putting their own safety at risk by working in an environment which is clearly dysfunctional.”

“The Minister for Children must engage in a meaningful way with the management, and get to the bottom of safety and security issues,” said the Fianna Fáil TD.

“Oberstown is an issue that affects many local communities in the Lusk, Rush and Balbriggan areas in particular. When disturbances like these happen, Garda resources are being diverted from their work in the rest of the area, leaving gaps that cannot be filled because of the sustained cuts to Garda funding over the past five years.”

“To date, Garda resources have been cut in the Dublin Fingal area by 20% and with Rush Garda station being closed by the last Fine Gael / Labour government, North Dublin communities need their Gardai working in the communities and not being sucked into disputes at Oberstown,” added O’Brien. 

Fianna Fáil TD in Dublin Fingal, Darragh O’Brien says the decision by Irish Water to invest €9.7million to improve the Waste Management Network Scheme, is much needed progress in ensuring an end to the practice of disposing raw sewage into the nearby sea.

Deputy O’Brien said, “I hope that this level of investment will address the issue of contaminated beaches in Dublin North which have plagued locals for some time. I now urge the company to ensure that the contract to undertake this work is awarded as soon as possible and that the project is completed with urgency.

“It is critical that the disposal of raw waste into our local environment is ended immediately. The very least that the residents of Rush and our wider locality deserve is a clean local environment; for public safety, for nearby households and for local amenities,” added O’Brien.

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​Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade Darragh O’Brien TD has extended his condolences to the families and friends of those killed following the devastating earthquake in Italy.

Commenting on the events Deputy O’Brien said, “I want to take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences to the families of all of those who lost their lives in the earthquake in central Italy.

“The magnitude of the earthquake has resulted in a significant loss of life and has left scores of others injured. A number of towns in the region have also suffered serious damage.

“While Italy is vulnerable to earthquakes such events are always devastating and my sympathies are with the Italian people during this time."

I have been advised by Fingal County Council that voluntary sporting organisations in Fingal can now apply for funding under the Youth Sport Small Grant Scheme 2016.  

Please see below the criteria for applying for funding. I have also attached the application form for Youth Sport Scheme.

If your club was awarded 2016 Activity Funding you are ineligible to apply for the Youth Sports Grant.

If you have any queries contact the Sports Office on 8906256 or email pauline.gilsenan@fingal.ie. 

Please note that the deadline for receipt of completed applications is 4pm Friday 14th October 2016.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

To be eligible organisations / clubs must:
* be situated within the boundaries of Fingal
* have sport for young people (under 18yrs) as its primary focus
* operate as a 'not for profit' club or organisation that is open to public membership
* have a voluntary management committee with elected officers
* be affiliated to Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Body
* have a bank account in its own name and adequate insurance cover for all aspects of their activities
* carry out their activities ensuring compliance with current legislation
* have policies and practices that are inclusive and encourage participation regardless of gender, race or ability
* operate under the basis of best practice for children in sport - any club member involved with the youth
activities of the club must have attended a Safeguarding 1 (formerly Code of Ethics) course and the club's
designated Children's Officer must hold the Sport Ireland accredited Children's Officer/ Safeguarding 2
certificate, and provide the certificate number.
* keep written financial records and registration of members. The records must be available to Fingal County Council Sports Office.


Clubs applying for a grant must:
* provide a copy of the minutes of the most recent AGM
* include a completed Bank Account Form (see enclosed)
* acknowledge funding received from Fingal County Council to club members and the wider community in any media outlets i.e. newsletter / Facebook / Twitter etc.
* be registered on the Fingal Community County Register.


Individuals and the following organisations ARE NOT ELIGIBLE to apply:
* If your club was awarded 2016 Activity Funding
* National / Regional / County Governing Bodies
* For profit groups / commercial organisations
* Private facility owners
* Statutory agencies


Funding may be considered towards setting up:
* a juvenile section where such a section does not currently exist
* a new gender section where such a section does not currently exist e.g. a new girls team in an all male club
* a disability strand within a mainstream club.


NOTE:
Applicants should note that successful clubs / organisations must comply with any reasonable request regarding publicity from Fingal County Council.  Any club / organisation funded under this scheme may be asked to submit a report to Fingal County Council and may be asked to supply documentary evidence of how the funds were spent.  Only one application per club will be considered.


CLOSING DATE = 14 October 2016

Fianna Fáil TD in Dublin Fingal, Darragh O’Brien says the decision by Irish Water to invest €9.7million to improve the Waste Management Network Scheme, is much needed progress in ensuring an end to the practice of disposing raw sewage into the nearby sea.

Deputy O’Brien said, “I hope that this level of investment will address the issue of contaminated beaches in Dublin North which have plagued locals for some time. I now urge the company to ensure that the contract to undertake this work is awarded as soon as possible and that the project is completed with urgency.

“It is critical that the disposal of raw waste into our local environment is ended immediately. The very least that the residents of Rush and our wider locality deserve is a clean local environment; for public safety, for nearby households and for local amenities,” added O’Brien.

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