Archive for the 'Swords' Category

100 New Jobs in Swords

11 February 2010

Minister Sargent joins the Tánaiste in announcing 100 new jobs at Hertz in Swords.

Hertz, the car rental company with its European Shared Services Centre located in Swords, has announced an expansion of its services that will create up to 100 new jobs.

Minister Sargent with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and Mr. David
O’Connor, Fingal County Manager at the Hertz jobs announcement in Swords

“The help of Government, Fingal County Council and the IDA have, through Hertz, today resulted in the creation of 100 new high value jobs for North County Dublin”, said local TD and Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent.

Announcing the new jobs with Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD, the Green Minister added, “This brings the expanding job numbers in the Swords-based Hertz European Shared Services Centre to 930. Huge credit goes to the dedicated staff at Hertz who have increased productivity 100pc in the last year. This is a vital indicator that Ireland can be a competitive and desirable place to do business. I look forward to supporting other businesses in Fingal as they work to maintain and increase vital employment in the area”, said Minister Sargent.

Funding for local housing projects welcomed

4 February 2010

Local TD and Government Minister Trevor Sargent has welcomed news that funds are being provided for  housing projects for elderly and homeless people.

Commenting on the announcement today of financial support for numerous housing projects nationwide, including some in Fingal, Minister Sargent said that “despite the difficult economic situation, the government has recognised the need to look after the most vulnerable in our society and is providing the funds necessary to provide suitable housing for them.”

The grant aid of €157 million announced today by Minister for Housing and Local Services, Michael Finneran TD,  includes provision for 12 housing units at Hamlet Lane in Balbriggan, 7 at St. Michael’s House in Swords and 2 units at Pinewood Green Court, Balbriggan. These are all operated by voluntary bodies which also provide a number of additional services including communal meals, laundry and security.

“In these challenging times, the role of voluntary organisations becomes even more important.” Minister Sargent continued, “I’m pleased to see that we have been able to secure for them the necessary financial support to allow them to continue their important work.”

Minister Sargent also expressed the hope that Minister Finneran would soon be issuing a call for proposals for further projects, perhaps making use of available built housing, in addition to the new build schemes already funded.

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Minister Sargent meets Fingal students at the BT Young Scientists Exhibition

Minister Sargent signs in with his message on the electronic message board on arriving at the Young Scientist Expo at the RDS.

- New flower shop in Pavillions, Swords.

Images: C.Finn

Scenes from the opening of Justyne Flower Shop in the Pavilions Shopping Centre on Saturday, 12 December.
The images include Minister Sargent speaking with Fingal Community TV, with the MD of Justyne, Martin O’Gara and with Caitlin Elliffe, aged 2.

Grow It Yourself comes to Swords

INTERESTED IN GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD IN SWORDS?

Inaugural Swords GIY Meeting on Thursday 10th December in Scoil an Duinnínigh, Feltrim Road

The Grow It Yourself movement comes to Swords! GIY networks aim to take the ‘self’ out of ‘self-sufficiency’ by getting back-garden growers together on a regular basis to talk, learn from each other and exchange tips. The meetings are free and open to people interested in growing at all levels, i.e. from growing a few herbs on a balcony to complete self-sufficiency, from beginners to old hands. Hundreds of people are involved in existing GIY groups around Ireland. Last week, for example, 60 people attended a very successful launch of GIY Balbriggan.

The first such meeting in Swords will be on Thursday 10th December in Scoil an Duinnínigh, Feltrim Road. Food & Horticulture Minister Trevor Sargent will be in attendance as well as Michael Kelly founder of the ‘Grow it Yourself’ movement and local man Mick Kelly who will be facilitating the meeting.

All of those interested are welcome to come along to Scoil an Duinnínigh on the Feltrim Road, opposite The Kinsealy Inn, at 7pm.

EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ENVIRONMENT THE THREE MAIN ISSUES RAISED ON MY ROUNDS IN SWORDS

The weather in Swords at times I was doing my rounds with Ken, Etáin, Ciarán, Don and Paul was cold but dry with clear skies on the last weekend of November 2009. In spite of economic pressures, I have insisted in Government that the Metro plans to serve Swords via Dublin Airport remain on track. There are strong economic, social and environmental reasons to put this infrastucture in place as early as possible. The unfounded rumours forecasting no Metro  have to be scotched. This was a key reason to go door to door apart from the enjoyment of meeting people and stretching the legs.

I also wanted to tell the people of Swords about the new Grow It Yourself Swords group being established on Thursday next 10th December at 7pm in Scoil an Duinnínigh, opposite the Kinsealy Inn. The main driver behind this is local man Mick Kelly at giyswords@gmail.com or phone 086-8401456. Thank goodness for people like Mick who are prepared to help our communities become empowered and more self-reliant. I’m looking forward to seeing a good attendance.  The GIY Balbriggan organized by Sean Corrigan was packed out.

Met other local heroes too. Joan Hunt in the St. Columba’s area was recognised as Citizen of the Year by Fingal County Council for her Trojan work as a Tidy Town activist. There we met her again in her garden, hedge clippers in hand. Likewise in Park View, Fergus Hoare, the Chairperson of the Residents’ Association outlined the range of activities going on. Some needing help like Neighbourhood Watch, others are already sorted like the Santa Party!

A request from Abbeyvale householders for a hedge overgrowing a footpath to be cut back was passed to the Council who responded within a couple of days, fair play to Fingal County Council.

The main concern of people in Abbeyvale was education and the concerns of young people. Last week in Leinster House, I had met with Mr. Paul Rowe, CEO of Educate Together and his colleagues to discuss the merits of establishing secondary schools under ‘educate together’ patronage. The Green Party Education Spokesperson, Paul Gogarty TD and myself are very supportive of this proposal in Government. Coincidentally, a householder in Abbeyvale raised the need for an Educate Together Secondary School in the area last weekend also. This will add some leverage to the Green Party’s campaign to have such a school established as a matter of urgency.

Extra-curricular activities such as karate and a whole range of activities which could take place at a new Brackenstown Community Centre also came up in conversation. I’ll write  again to the County Manager to give the plans for a community centre here an extra push. I found many community minded people living in the Berwick, Park View, Abbeyvale and St Columba’s areas. One person wanted the footpath towards Swords village down to St Cronan’s Nation School relaid. The tarmac is uneven and floods, or ‘ponds’ as they say in the Council. This lady said it was like ‘Beirut’. I have not yet visited Beirut so I’ll have to take her word for it! Whatever the case I’ll add my voice to her call on the Council for a properly lit new path, by way of another letter to the Roads Department in the Council.

The call for a ’No Shooting the Wildlife’ sign at the Broadmeadow Estuary has to be pursued nationally with the Parks and Wildlife Service. In contrast to pleas to fix the economy and provide lots of jobs locally, the call for a public sign should be relatively easy to sort. (Famous last words!)

The loss of employment in so many households is heart rending as I make my rounds. My main way of helping is to help provide information about companies, some of which are expanding, believe it or not!  Dublin Aerospace is providing ex-SRT workers and apprentices with some hope that their skills may earn them a living again, for example. I have been speaking with Fás, with Teagasc and plan to speak again with the County Enterprise Board about providing training and new activities which hopefully will lead to job creation. Some people are saying to me ’a drop in pay is better than no pay’, ‘half a job is better than none’ and ‘ to be busy and meeting people is better than being at home all the time’. This can often depend on the mortgage repayments, I realise! The Money Advice Budgeting service provides valuable help too at times like this.

For those who find themselves with too much time and not much  money, ways to save money and keep the mind and body active are important. This is one of many reasons I believe the Grow It Yourself movement is proving so popular. It is worth taking a look at www.giyireland.com or www.trevorskitchengarden.ie before rushing out to dig up the garden or before planting up containers of soil on the balcony. One way or another, I hope to see you at Mick Kelly’s GIY Swords meeting in Scoil an Duinnínigh at 7pm next Thursday the 10th December 2009, opposite the Kinsealy Inn.

DOING THE ROUNDS IN SWORDS AND DONABATE – FIRST WEEKEND IN NOVEMBER 2009

Trevor Sargent visited constituents over the weekend and reported as follows:

‘Glad to get a chance to call door to door in Swords in the last couple of days. Met people and discussed many issues in Bunbury, Bride’s Glen, Ard Cian, Cianlea, The Gallops and in Valley View.

I’m following up the taking in charge of Lios Cian although in fairness to the residents and all concerned, there is a pride in the estate which is evident from the way it is maintained at present.

I recall The Gallops last winter had the best snow man sculpture for miles. This is a small estate and seems to have a good community spirit.

Each estate however had several residents reeling from the effects of recent job losses. Whether high profile cases such as the exit of FLS, the renowned aircraft maintenance company, or smaller companies cutting back or public servants fearing the budget, all were difficult as there are no instant answers. The choice is stark, reduce expenditure so we are still as a country allowed to borrow short term to pay for wages and services OR fail to cut costs and thereby have our loan facility withdrawn. This would mean state cheques bouncing or even the issuing of IOU’s as California was forced to choose. If the International Monetary Fund has to come in, they cetainly will not be calling door to door.

There are some ways I can help however. An 8 month wait for the Social Insurance Fund and the waiting list in FAS require resources to be re-allocated. Losing a job is tough enough without being left on such a lenghty waiting list.  These are now priorities for me to address in the week to come with Government colleagues.

Donabate on Saturday was very interesting. In the Town Centre, I caught up with the Senior Citizens and they relieved me of a few euro to support their Christmas Party raffle. Then had a chat with the volunteers from the Community Council and the Tidy Town Committee who were on duty at the Fingal County Council Biodiversity Plan exhibition for the Donabate / Portrane peninsula. Given the interest locally in setting up a community garden, I extended an invitation to come along to the Grow it Yourself public meeting on Thursday 19th November at 8pm in the Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan, where Mick Kelly, the founder from Co. Waterford will be speaking and no doubt inspiring us to grow for Ireland. Less ‘Dig for Victory’ and more ‘Dig for a Healthy Recovery’!

Meanwhile, I bumped in to a daughter of a school friend of my Dad’s elder sister. Must pass on the phone number. After a few decades I’d say they have quite a bit of catching up to do.’

- Fingal Commuter Survey

The train service is set to resume on November 16th. What difference will it make to you?

We’re interested in hearing your views on the temporary bus service set up to replace the train following the collapse of the bridge at Malahide in August. We hear reports from commuters that they find the bus service excellent and now wish that it could continue even after the train service resumes. What do you think? Take a minute to complete our Fingal Commuter Survey and help to inform the decision process.

Take the survey here.

It’s completely confidential and will only take about a minute of your time. Thanks for helping to shape the future.

We’ll be publishing the results of this survey here at the end of November so please come back and see the result.

Swords Allotments Survey

Help to decide where the Swords Allotments will be.

If you live in or near Swords and are interested in having an allotment, please take a moment to take part in our survey. We want to see allotments in Swords. Tell us where you think they should be located. There are only two questions on the form and it’s completely anonymous. If you want to join our mailing list, make sure to give your email address, but this is completely optional.

Take the survey

This survey will remain open until the end of October. Come back here after that to see the result.

There is at least one proposal to develop private allotments near Swords. If you are a land-owner considering establishing allotments in the area please use the Contact Trevor form to let us know about your plans. We’ll be happy to let anyone interested know about your scheme.

Thanks for taking the time to give your feedback.

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-Applewood to get New Football Pitch

22 September 2009

MINISTER SARGENT SECURES FOOTBALL PITCH FOR APPLEWOOD

Following representations, Minister Trevor Sargent TD convened a meeting this week between local residents and authorities regarding the wasteland in Applewood, Swords.

Applewood picOfficials from Fingal County Council, the Iveagh Trust and two local representatives met the Minister in his Swords office. It was agreed that the palisade fencing around a nearby site would be removed and cleaned up. Furthermore, to help resolve the problem of young children having to play football on the road, the council have undertaken to cut a parkland area near Thornleigh large enough for a 7-a-side pitch. This would be ideal for children to play football safely away from the busy road.

Also, the Parks Department will be working closely with the Community Department and the landowner to integrate the open space, which is currently fenced off, to be part of a general community facility in co-operation with the adjacent school.

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