-Community Call helplines and contact emails still available for those in
                        need of social  supports due to the Pandemic-
 
Local Minister Darragh O’Brien has thanked the Fingal County Council Community Call Forum for providing vital practical supports, such as the collection and delivery of essential food and medicines to those cocooning, as well as support for those experiencing isolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Back in March, all 31 local authorities were asked to establish a Community Response forum to work with State agencies and community and voluntary groups to provide supports and services to any vulnerable person who needed them during the pandemic.
Nationally, over 53,000 calls have been answered in just over four months with 21,000 follow up calls made to citizens. In Fingal, 665 volunteers, many of them from the local GAA clubs, answered the call to volunteer.
Minister O’Brien said, “I would like to thank Fingal County Council, all of the state agencies, and the community and voluntary sector for their ongoing work as part of the Community Call Forum.
“I would also like to encourage any person in Fingal, who is vulnerable or feeling isolated during this pandemic to reach out and seek help.  
“Since the Fora were established in late March - at the height of the crisis, they have responded with great energy and a cooperative spirit to provide vital supports to people in need in our communities.
“Whether it was an isolated individual needing a meal delivered to them, someone in a remote part of the country needing transport or a vulnerable person living alone needing a reassuring voice at the other end of the ‘phone, the Community Call Fora have responded.
“I want to acknowledge and thank everyone for their work. I also want to thank the charity ALONE for the incredible work they do year round, but particularly in helping vulnerable people across Ireland throughout this crisis,” he concluded.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD visited the new school site for St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Rush this week to discuss the plans for the development of the 13-acre site, which will cater for 1,000 student on completion.
Following the announcement that the Department of Education has completed the site acquisition for the new school campus, Minister O’Brien met with School Principal, Patricia Hayden and management to discuss the next phase of the development and the need for increased capacity for the school.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit the new school site for St. Joseph’s Secondary School. This new school and its fantastic facilities will serve the students of Rush for generations to come. I compliment Principal Patricia Hayden, teachers, students, parents and the Board of Management on their work in highlighting the need for modern and adequate accommodation for the increasing number of students attending the school. Over the years I have consistently supported this call and I am very glad to see it come to fruition.

There are currently 848 students enrolled in St Joseph’s Secondary School on a 3.5-acre site, originally designed in 1961 to cater for 375 students. To accommodate the current students, 19 added prefab units have been added on the current school site in Convent Lane, Rush and the school is awaiting the delivery of another four modular units for the 2020/21 academic year.
 
Ms. Patricia Hayden, Principal, St. Joseph’s Secondary school said: “We were delighted to welcome Minister O’Brien on the back of the announcement about our new school campus. As we commence the design and construction phase of the new school, we are further delighted to have Minister O’Brien’s support as we focus our efforts to ensure the project is delivered on schedule. This announcement is very positive development for the community of Rush and the surrounding areas and would not have been possible without the support and efforts of the local community.”
 
Plans will now be put in place for the development of the designated campus on 13 acres of land adjacent to St Maur’s GAA Club, 2.4 kilometres from the school’s present location in Convent Lane in the centre of the town. St. Joseph’s secondary school will be co-located on a contemporary educational campus with Gaelscoil Ros Eo.  It is anticipated that the new campus will be completed in time for the 2023/24 academic year. 
 

​Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has encouraged people to participate in the hundreds of events taking place around the country both online and at certain heritage sites as part of National Heritage Week.
The annual event celebrates all aspects of Ireland’s heritage, encouraging communities to engage with their past, thereby creating awareness of the importance of conserving and managing local heritage.
Commenting ahead of National Heritage Week which takes place from the 15 to the 23 of August Minister O’Brien said he was looking forward to participating in local events both in person and virtually. 
He said, “Due to COVID-19 restrictions many of the events will be held virtually, with people encouraged to participate with ‘heritage on your doorstep’. I’m fortunate to have many heritage sites in my area and will be visiting Swords Castle next week which has a rich 800-year history.
“Our heritage is hugely important, it plays a significant role in our lives, it connects us to the past and our ancestors, helps us define our roots & identity and anchors our history. In normal times it is the attraction for hundreds of thousands of visitors to our island each year contributing massively to our local economies. 
“I would like to commend the Heritage Council and all the Local Authority Heritage Officers along with local heritage groups and organisations who have managed to create a fantastic programme of events despite the ongoing pandemic. 
“I would encourage people to engage with the events online, to participate in the projects and where possible and safe to visit the heritage sites in their area,” he concluded.

​Local Minister Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the revamped Enterprise Support Grant announced to help small businesses and sole traders impacted by COVID-19.  
 
Minister O’Brien said the grant of up to €1,000 would give a boost to the self-employed as they try to get back on their feet.  
 
He explained, “This grant is aimed at sole traders such as plumbers, beauticians, electricians, carpenters, taxi drivers etc, across Dublin Fingal who do not pay commercial rates and have not qualified for the Government’s Restart Grant Plus Scheme. 
 
“These business people, like many others, have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their work has been interrupted and many have, for the first time, had to apply for a state fund by way of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). 
 
“They are vital to our economy and our economic recovery, and this grant will help them to off-set some of their costs such as fuel, new equipment, signage, PPE, and wages.  
 
“Anyone wishing to apply for the grant can download the application form on www.welfare.ie and, when completed should be sent to their local Intreo Centre. I would strongly encourage people to apply,” concluded Minister O’Brien.  

Local Minister Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the revamped Enterprise Support Grant announced to help small businesses and sole traders impacted by COVID-19.

Minister O’Brien said the grant of up to €1,000 would give a boost to the self-employed as they try to get back on their feet.

He explained, “This grant is aimed at sole traders such as plumbers, beauticians, electricians, carpenters, taxi drivers etc, across Dublin Fingal who do not pay commercial rates and have not qualified for the Government’s Restart Grant Plus Scheme.

“These business people, like many others, have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their work has been interrupted and many have, for the first time, had to apply for a state fund by way of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

“They are vital to our economy and our economic recovery, and this grant will help them to off-set some of their costs such as fuel, new equipment, signage, PPE, and wages.
“Anyone wishing to apply for the grant can download the application form on www.welfare.ie and, when completed should be sent to their local Intreo Centre. I would strongly encourage people to apply,” concluded Minister O’Brien.