Senator JIMMY HARTE KEEPING IN TOUCH Autumn 2013 INTRODUCTION A Chara, Just over two short years ago, when Labour entered government we faced some of the most challenging economic circumstances our country has ever seen. We had lost our economic sovereignty. Unemployment was soaring and the banking system was in chaos. The economic chaos which this Government inherited on taking office meant there was a very real risk that the Live Register would exceed 500,000. We stabilised the economy as a first priority and the results are now being seen as we plan to exit the bailout programme in the next year. Labour in government is determined to continue to get people back to work and deal with the personal debt crisis. Labour have been tackling and succeeding to reduce the unemployment rate, which based on the live register, has shown a steady decline since February last year and the total numbers signing on the dole have dropped by about 20,000 over the last year to 435,280.As your voice in the Seanad I have been speaking on issues important to you - mortgage arrears, bankruptcy and insolvency, education, initiatives to tackle youth unemployment, the draft US Immigration Bill, the Homelessness Bill, and many more issues. Senator Jimmy Harte with Mr Tom Parlon CEO of Construction Industry Federation, Senator Fergal Quinn Sponsor of the Construction Contracts Bill. The aim of the legislation is to reduce subcontractors' exposure to non-payment and Senator Harte at the launch of the "LIGHT IT UP GOLD" Donegal Campaign in to remove the possibility of payments being unfairly withheld for extended Letterkenny to raise awareness of childhood cancer periods of time. CONTACT JIMMY: Tel: 074 9111005 NEW CONSTITUENCY OFFICE: Mobile: 087 251 1037 High Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Email: [email protected] MINISTER LYNCH’S DONEGAL VISIT We were delighted to welcome Minister Kathleen Lynch who came to Donegal the 31st May 2013 to visit Jigsaw, Donegal to launch their new office on Pearce Road, Letterkenny The staff of Jigsaw include Sean Mc Grory - Project Manager, Christina Greene - Clinical Support Worker, Karen Duggan - Administration Officer, Jennifer McLean - Clinical Support Worker, Gary Cassidy - Youth Engagement Facilitator, Wendy Tourish - Volunteer Receptionist with Jigsaw Donegal, Youth Advisory Panel Member Rachel Mc Glinchey and from Headstrong Emer Mulligan - Jigsaw Programme Director, also in attendance from the HSE were Anne Sheridan - Mental Health Promotion/Suicide Resource Officer, & Bernie Walsh - Senior Clinical Psychologist in CAMHS. Minister Lynch went on the launch of the Parent Stop which is an Autism Information Centre in attendance were pictured with the AILG flag are Cllr Paschal Blake, Eamon Kavanagh, Patricia Lee, Minister Kathleen Lynch, Senator Jimmy Harte, Helen Kelly, Bernie Deeney, Susan McCauley (Cara House), Conor Deeney, Breda Mc Closkey and Martina McGinty. Minister Lynch also met with the Local Autism Implementation Group (ALIG) in the Vestry, St Conal’s, Letterkenny. Minister Lynch also called to Donegal Travellers Project (DTP) Port Road Letterkenny to launch their Newsletter. There was a large attendance with members and service users including Patrick McGinley Genienve Gavain, Julie Costello, Dr Karin White , Eoin McGrory, Siobhan McLaughlin (Manager), Martin Mongan, Catriona Kelly, Alex Nel, Billy Banda, Senator Jimmy Harte and Minister Kathleen Lynch. LORETO COMMUNITY SCHOOL MILFORD WINNERS OF THE TRIP TO BRUSSELS Labour congratulate Loreto Community School Milford who have won a trip to Brussels after winning an essay competition organized to celebrate 100 years of the political party. Congratulations to 4th Year Students Margaret-Ann Gallagher, Chloe Borland and Ciara and Kate Haley who have won a trip to Brussels for 20 students as first prize for their entry to the ‘Centenary Essay Competition’ pictured are Mr Andrew Kelly, Principal, Mr Anthony Harkin, Mayor Frank McBrearty, Senator Jimmy Harte and Mr Kieran McTaggart, also 4th Year Students Margaret-Ann Gallagher, Chloe Borland and Ciara and Kate Haley. Senator Jimmy Harte with Scoil Isogain Principal Sinead McLaughlin, Jacqueline Gill and Patrick Gallagher LABOUR DELIVERING FOR DONEGAL IN 2013 9 school building projects underway or in the pipeline LABOUR PARTY DELIVERING ON TRANSPORT IN DONEGAL €19.5 million investment in local and regional roads Regional and Local Road Grant Allocation for Donegal for 2013 Donegal County Council - Total of all Allocations: €18,896,776 LABOUR PARTY DELIVERING ON SCHOOLS IN DONEGAL Buncrana Town Council - Total of all Allocations: €161,300 1 recently completed/occupied school building project Bundoran County Council - Total of all Allocations: €115,000 Letterkenny County Council - Total of all Allocations: €326,700 School Type Project Sn An Br M O Cleirigh, Primary Extension JOBLESS FIGURES DROPPING IN BORDER REGION Ballyshannon Decrease of 1,427 on Live Register 5 School Building projects either under construction or in the Microfinance Ireland (MFI) Loan Fund Applications pipeline in Donegal in 2013 Between 1st Oct 2012 and 30th June 2013, there were 3 applications to the Microfinance Fund from Donegal which are School Type Project awaiting approval. St. Patrick’s NS, Primary New School Community Employment Schemes – New Places Allocated in Lurgyback 2013 SN Mhuire Gan Smal, Primary Extension Tús - Donegal:147 Letterkenny Gaelscoil Adhamhnain, Primary New School Community Employment* Letterkenny DSP Division Total Allocation Places Taken Colaiste Ailigh, Post-Primary New School to Date in 2013 Letterkenny North West 1,827 97 Holy Family NS, Primary Extension Ballyshannon /Refurbishment *Not allocated on a county basis 3 School Building project earmarked for construction in Rural Social Schemes Donegal Donegal between 2014-2016 Implementing Body Participation Quota Supervision Quota School Type Project Donegal Local 76 4 Deele College, Post-Primary Extension Development Company Raphoe, Lifford Inishowen Development 30 2 Little Angels Special Special School Extension Partnership School, Letterkenny Totals 106 6 Letterkenny ETNS Primary New School INVESTING IN JOBS MAKING 1. This Government inherited a jobs market in freefall I 250,000 private sector jobs lost 2008-2010 HEADLINES! I 45,000 jobs lost in exporting sectors 2008-2010 2. Since taking office we have been delivering on our plan to build a new economy. Part of this is supporting, through the Action Plan for Jobs, the transition from the old, failed economy reliant on property, banking and debt to a new, sustainable economy based on enterprise, exports and innovation. 3. The plan is working I Increase of 1,000 jobs per month in the private sector over the past 15 months I 2012 showed the first annual increase in employment in five years I IDA has had two record years, with a net increase of 12,500 in employment in supported companies in 2011 and 2012 I Enterprise Ireland had a record year in 2012, with a net increase of over 3,000 in supported companies in 2012 I Exports have hit their highest ever levels, with 2012 total exports of €182 billion at 16% above the pre-crisis high I Jobs in the exporting sector have increased by over 15,000 over the past two years I A large number of major announcements from Irish and multinational companies, eg. Kerry, Ebay, Paypal, Apple, Mylan. 4. Unfortunately as part of the necessary transition jobs continue to be lost in construction, domestic banking and the public sector as these sectors return to more normal levels I Over 20,000 jobs lost in the public sector since we took office I As a result of the transition that is occurring, there is significant churn in the labour market, with large numbers of people leaving and joining the live register each month. 140,000 people left the live register into ADVICE CLINICS jobs during 2012 I hold a number of advice clinics around the constituency each month. 5. The challenge now is to accelerate the transition by continuing to For more information about them and when implement our plan – in the banking system, in the public finances and they take place, please contact my through the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work constituency office on 074 9111005. SENATOR JIMMY HARTE Constituency Office: High Road Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel: 074 9111005 Mobile: 087 251 1037 Email: [email protected] Web: www.jimmyharte.com Cllr. Frank McBrearty Cllr. Martin Farren Tullyvinney, Raphoe, Lifford Greencastle Road, Moville Tel: 087 2058224 Tel: 074 938 2267 YOUR LOCAL LABOUR TEAM Email: [email protected] Mobile: 086 8496082 0612.