Deputy Kehoe welcomes Budget 2024

By Dan Walsh

Wexford Deputy Paul Kehoe has said that Fine Gael is tackling the cost-of-living challenges by cutting taxes and helping those most in need and added that Fine Gael is committed to putting more money in people’s pockets in Budget 2024 by cutting tax and the USC (Universal Social Charge),

Deputy Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com that; “Budget 2024 is the tenth Budget in a row which has rewarded work and will help people in Wexford keep more of their hard-earned wages.

“The country is faced with many challenges, but thanks to a pro-jobs policy and strong economy, under the guidance of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, we are building stronger safer communities, ensuring the best start for every child and delivering for rural Ireland and farmers.

DEPUTY PAUL KEHOE TD

“Cost of living challenges continue, and inflation is still with us. In response to this in the €1.3bn tax package just announced, Fine Gael has increased the entry point to the top 40% tax rate by €9,200 in the last decade – from €32,800 in 2014 to €42,000 next year. More than 200,000 workers have been removed from the top 40% tax rate since Covid, in the last three budgets. USC has been cut from 4.5pc to 4pc. The minimum wage will be increased by €1.40 an hour to €12.70.

“We know people and families are finding it hard to pay for the bills due to the rise in the cost of living so these measures will help. The average full-time worker will benefit by more than €1,000 when other measures taken by Government are considered,” stated Deputy Paul Kehoe, who added; “These include; three energy grants worth a combined total of €450, excise increases on petrol and diesel have been deferred. The rent tax credit has been increased from €500 to €750 which includes parents whose student children are in ‘rent a room’ or ‘digs’ accommodation. Mortgage Interest Relief for homeowners for their primary dwelling will also assist.

“The Social Welfare package of €2.3bn is the largest in the history of the State to assist households with the cost of living. It has numerous initiatives including a €300 fuel allowance lump sum; double child payment benefit; a Christmas bonus to 1.3m recipients, a €12 increase in the State pension from January and extending parent’s benefit from seven weeks to nine next year.

“To support those most in need, a special, once-off payment of €400 will be made before Christmas to those who receive the Carer’s Support Grant, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Domiciliary Care Allowance.

“We are building stronger, safer communities in Wexford and will provide up to 1,000 new Garda trainees, an increase in Garda overtime from €105m to €131m and a 66pc increase in the garda training allowance from €184 to €305,” Deputy Kehoe said.

“Fine Gael wants to take on and eliminate child poverty. There will be a €12 increase in weekly social welfare payments. We are extending hot school meals programme to all non-DEIS primary schools. Free schoolbooks will be provided to all up to Junior Cycle exams.

“Next year, there will be a further reduction in childcare fees by 25% meaning parents will pay 50% less for childcare than they did in 2022. In addition, child benefit will also be extended to 18-year-olds in full time education. There will also be an extra 1,200 SNAs recruited,” Deputy Kehoe said.

“Fine Gael want to help people in their 20s and 30s own their own home and the highly successful Help-to-Buy scheme will be extended until the end of 2025. A total of €1.9 billion is allocated to provide more than 9,000 new build social homes in 2024.

“Businesses in Wexford will be supported with a €250m package of temporary supports to help them through cost-of-living pressures. Alongside this, a new Angel Investors Scheme will encourage high potential start-ups to make here their base.

“Our success story in education must continue. Families with an income of less than €100,000 will have college fees for undergraduate students halved to €1,500 this year. All other families in Wexford will see college fees for undergraduate students cut by €1,000. Student grant holders will have their grants increased up to €340 between January and May and maintenance grants to Postgraduates to be restored for the first time since the financial crash.

 “All undergraduate college fees will be abolished for those earning less than €56,000. For the first time ever, this will include part-time students. We will also see families with an income of less than €100,000 benefit from a reduction in college fees to €1,500, with all other families having fees cut by €1,000.

Deputy Kehoe continued; “Unlike previous Governments, Fine Gael is safeguarding our future. The Future Ireland Fund, which could reach more than €100 billion in the next decade, will help protect living standards and public services as generations live longer.

“As we saw with the Celtic Tiger, when an economic downturn hits, the first thing axed is the country’s infrastructure plans (roads, schools, garda stations). Fine Gael’s pro-jobs policies has ensured a strong economy and €14 billion will be put aside in the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund by 2030 for continued investment in infrastructure and climate projects to safeguard future generations.

“This Budget put together by my colleagues in Fine Gael ensures we are best equipped to help all in an ever-changing country and world where events far away can have a major impact on how we live our lives,” concluded Deputy Kehoe.

€30m new access road to Rosslare Europort

By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting

An Bord Pleanala has granted Wexford County Council planning permission for the long-awaited port access road at Rosslare Harbour.

The €30 million investment was welcomed at today’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council held at Carricklawn, Wexford.

CLLR GER CARTHY

Cllr Ger Carthy told WexfordLocal.com; “The new €30 million TII N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road will ensure a better experience for port users and enhance quality of life for those living and working in the area, by taking trucks out of the village, and improving access and connectivity to the port.

“This is major investment in the heartland of my constituency and will now open out the port facility to further investment and job creation,” added Cllr Carthy.

The proposed works are on the outskirts of Rosslare Harbour and includes the upgrading of 450 metres of the existing Ballygerry Link Road and the provision of one kilometre of new single road carriageway with associated lay byes to provide a new access road to Rosslare Europort.

There will also be a three-metre-wide shared two-way cycle/pedestrian route between the proposed N25 Ballygillane roundabout to the new future Rosslare Europort roundabout.

Other development includes a new railway bridge and two new underpasses providing provision for access to the existing Uisce Éireann Wastewater Treatment Plant and the future Rosslare Strand to Rosslare Harbour Greenway, respectively.

Road realignment, fencing at the existing railway bridge, drainage systems and flood mitigation measures will also be included, and the single residential dwelling Wayside House on Station Road is to be demolished.

CLLR WILLIE KAVANAGH

Meanwhile, Cllr Willie Kavanagh sought an update on the completion of the M11 from Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour at today’s meeting.

Apparently the M11 between Oylegate and Rosslare Harbour must include a service station to comply with new regulations that calls for a lesser distance between service stations and this must be incorporated into the planning process.

Cllr Kavanagh told the meeting he received representation from many residents along the proposed route of the M11 from Oylegate, through Crossabeg and towards Ferrycarrig, whom, he said, cannot make a decision regards their property until they have a clearer picture of what is happening.  

Gambling Regulation Bill threat to Irish racing media rights

By Dan Walsh

Wexford’s Minister James Browne is under attack from Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) after he criticised its decision to sanction a €47 million media rights deal for Irish racing.

The lucrative deal with Racecourse Media Group and Sports Information Services was confirmed in May, with five of the country’s 26 tracks belatedly signing up to the offer a month later. This ensured all live coverage of Irish racing would continue to be broadcast on Racing TV until 2029.

In an interview on RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland on Thursday, Minister Browne, who is Minister of State in the Department of Justice and responsible for drafting the Gambling Regulation Bill legislation, condemned HRI for completing the deal when it was clear the impending bill was to introduce a gambling advertising ban between 5.30am and 9pm. Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing have stated that the bill will render the broadcasting of their channels “economically unviable” in Ireland.

Browne said: “I don’t accept that [Irish racing will lose coverage], that’s certainly the message that has been attempted to put out there by some people in the industry, but the legislation is crafted in such a way that anything you can see regarding horseracing on live television, you will be able to see after this legislation passes. It is only the hard advertising in between races that is being banned.

“The contract that is being referred to that puts at risk, if you like, the showing of horseracing was entered into last May by HRI long after the stated government policy and long after the Dail had set out its intentions in relation to supporting this advertising ban. So, I’m kind of surprised that the contract was entered into in the face of government policy but there is certainly no reason and no inhibition from showing horseracing as it is today, only hard advertising.”

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) chief executive Suzanne Eade rebutted the minister’s assertion by clarifying that the sales process began 12 months prior to the contract being signed, while the preferred bidder status was awarded in October 2022 before the threat became apparent.

Ms. Eade said: “Minister Browne and his officials have previously been made aware that the only options available for Irish racing were both UK-based companies –Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing –and therefore two media companies already operating under a different set of gambling regulation than is being proposed in Ireland.

Broadcaster, former politician and bookmaker, Ivan Yates from Enniscorthy, is among those questioning the logic behind the exclusion of the lottery from the upcoming Bill which has been in the final report stage in Dail Eireann since July 12th.

On August 9th last, WexfordLocal.com reported, with the sanction of the Irish Racehorse Trainers’  Association, that; “Over 40 horse trainers and point-to-point handlers currently operating in Co. Wexford are calling on Wexford-based Minister for State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for law reform, James Browne TD, expressing concerns around the future broadcasting of Irish race meetings and the gambling advertising watershed ban which is proposed in the Gambling Regulation Bill.

Last Friday the Paddy Power organisation announced that it was to cease trading at 21 of its outlets across the country, including New Ross, and impacting on 78 staff.

It should also be noted that Racing TV has the media rights for Wexford racecourse and transmits pictures throughout Ireland the UK and further afield.

500th winner for Colin Bowe

By Dan Walsh

COLIN BOWE enjoyed his 500th point-to-point success today.

First timer Ridin Solo took the five-year-old geldings maiden race at Loughrea, Co. Galway today (Sunday) giving current and nine times champion handler Colin Bowe from Kiltealy his 500th point-to-point winner and a second success leaves him on the 501-winner mark tonight.

Ridin Solo in the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours won by one and a half lengths and contributed to the first leg of a double on the day for rider Rob James.

Bowe’s double was completed when first timer Wallace Onlinger, owned by Brian Acheson, who led most of the way and ran on gamely for a 50 lengths success under Sophie Carter in the geldings maiden race for six years old and over and confined to novice riders.

Rob James was given the leg up on La Vega Moon by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon, Bagenalstown, in the Winner of One Race and the combination came home 12 lengths to the good.

Next Sunday’s local point-to-point is the Shillelagh & District Hunt fixture at Fairwood, Tinahely. First race at 2pm. Entries close on Tuesday.

Michael Goff trains his 75th winner

By Dan Walsh

MICHAEL GOFF who trained his 75th career winner at Toomebridge

Five of the runners in the opening mare’s maiden race for four-year-olds at Toomebridge, Co. Antrim, today (Saturday) were from Wexford stables and victory went to Peggy’s Rock from Michael Goff’s Clondaw, Ferns, stables defeating Colin Bowe’s Kiltealy Park in a short head verdict.

In the Milestone Bloodstock Ltd colours Kiltealy Park was the long-time leader in the hands of Barry O’Neill, but Mikey Sweeney persisted on Peggy’s Rock, running in the colours of Caitriona Goff and stole victory on the line. Peggy’s Rock, who was Goff’s 75th career winner as a handler now in his 11th season, is for sale.

Matthew Flynn O’Connor, who is based at Ballycrystal, near Kiltealy, supplied the third placed Hay Baby in the opening race, but was compensated with a four lengths victory with the Brian Lawless ridden Caughinyourtrance in the maiden race for four-year-old geldings.

Colin Bowe and Barry O’Neill made today’s journey worthwhile when Isholo Du Vivien scored by eleven lengths in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings.

Blackwater wins Tidy Towns again!

BLACKWATER wins County Wexford SuperValu award for 2023. (File Pic).

By Dan Walsh

Blackwater were the County Wexford winners followed by Wexford and Duncormick, gold medals for Blackwater and Wexford, a silver medal for Enniscorthy, bronze medals for New Ross and Gorey and Bree secured an Endeavour Award at the Supervalu Tidy Towns Awards announced at a ceremony in Croke Park, Dublin, today.

Blackwater have been County winners for the past three years and once again topped the marks amongst the 31 entries from Co. Wexford while it must be acknowledged that the four major towns scored impressively and were worthy medal winners.

“It was this adjudicator’s first visit to Blackwater and first impressions were indeed very encouraging. At the well-presented Church and community building, including playground and bring centre, facilities were nicely grouped and conveniently located. The village itself retains a significant number of thatched houses, and indeed buildings which were formerly thatched. In addition, there are a good number of commercial buildings which retain a unique, vernacular scale and character, some having pitched roofs and others with barrel-vaulted roofs. It would be a well worthwhile undertaking, in this village of architectural importance, to contact Wexford County Council for assistance in preparing a strategic framework plan with a view to protecting, developing and conserving this unique heritage. Easter Cottage, The Blackwater Coffee Company and developments at The Blackwater Community Hub exemplify this agenda and set a high standard for others to emulate. The architectural conservation plan could also embrace the comments of the first round adjudicator relating to hedgerow and tree planting. All were visited and much admired.”

The awards ceremony was addressed by Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development who said that the awards are a “huge event for community groups up and down the country”.

SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards 2023 marks for WEXFORD. Category A; Foulksmills (346), Duncormick (359), County Wexford 3rd. Ballyduff (353), Askamore (310).

Category B; Kilmuckridge (340), Bridgetown (289), Carrig-on-Bannow (286), Ballycullane (284), Oylegate (278), Blackwater (373), County Wexford 1st and Gold Medal, Bree (358), Endeavour Award, Clonroche (356), Kilanerin (345), Monageer (327), Ballymurn (321), Hollyfort (310), Killanne (308), Coolgreany (307), Marshalstown (299), Wellingtonbridge (280), Courtnacuddy (283), Campile (240), Ballindaggin (210).

Category C; Rosslare Strand (353), Rosslare Harbour (352), Bunclody (308), Ferns (345).

Category E; New Ross (346), Bronze Medal.

Category F; Enniscorthy (356), Silver Medal, Gorey (353). Bronze Medal.

Category G; Wexford (363), County Wexford 2nd and Gold Medal.

Howlin bids farewell to the Dáil

By Dan Walsh

BRENDAN HOWLIN TD (Pic; Oireachtas.ie)

Long serving Wexford TD of 36 years Brendan Howlin has announced that he will not be contesting the next General Election.

A school teacher from Wexford town, the popular Labour Party deputy has represented Wexford in Dáil Éireann since 1987.

In a statement issued this morning, Deputy Howlin said; “It has been and remains the privilege of my life to have represented my beloved Wexford in nine consecutive Dáileanna. I am forever grateful for the support I have received for almost four decades from the Wexford people and the wonderful members of the Labour Party. I remember those friends and comrades who have passed on down the years whose loyalty and fellowship I will always treasure.

“I have been most fortunate to have held many public offices. I have been Leader and Deputy Leader of my party. I have served as a Cabinet Minister in three governments and witnessed the positive transformation of our country, both economically and culturally. I have had the opportunity to introduce into law many important and transformative pieces of legislation.”

Funding for Cumas Centre in New Ross

Pictured at the Cumas Centre, New Ross were (left to right) Back Row; Rita Kavanagh, Board Member, Cllr Michael Sheehan, Mary Murphy, Board Member. Front Row; James Browne TD, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Anne Rabbitte TD, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, and Sinead Foskan, General Manager, Cumas Centre New Ross.

By Dan Walsh

The Cumas Centre at Butlersland Industrial Estate in New Ross is to benefit from the provision of €140,000 as part of core funding from 2024 onwards.

Cllr Michael Sheehan told WexfordLocal.com that he and Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth were acutely aware that this funding, which was approved as a one-off payment for 2023 earlier this year, will give Cumas additional capacity in facing challenges related to their services.”

Fianna Fáil representative for the New Ross Municipal District, Cllr Sheehan, who is also a serving Board Member for the Cumas Centre, said; “Significantly, Minister Rabbitte and I recognised the benefits of Cumas’s special project in assisting school leavers to secure post-school placements appropriate to their needs and level of dependency.

“With Pobal’s support for the project coming to an end, I’m delighted to confirm that the HSE will now agree the details related to the core establishment of the Cumas New Ross School Leaver Programme. The HSE core funding will amount to €250,000 every year,” concluded Cllr Sheehan.

Calls for alternative to pesticides

By Dan Walsh

Uisce Éireann is encouraging the public in Wexford to consider the environment and alternatives to pesticides when gardening, farming and maintaining sports grounds and in turn improve the quality of local drinking water for homes and businesses.

While there has been significant progress nationally in recent years in reducing the impact of pesticide use on drinking water sources, Uisce Éireann’s compliance expert Thomas Gibbons and Teagasc’s Mary Roache told WexfordLocal.com that the lessons already learned should apply to supplies right across the country.  

“There were 48 pesticide exceedances in public drinking water supplies in Ireland in 2022 and these were detected as part of Uisce Éireann’s public water supply monitoring programme from a total of more than 35,000 samples. We all need to consider the vulnerability of our local drinking water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of these supplies to our homes and businesses,” said Mr Gibbons.

“While Uisce Éireann’s consultation with the HSE has concluded that the levels of pesticides being detected in water supplies do not represent a threat to public health, they are still however undesirable in drinking water and it is therefore imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when using herbicides or pesticides and seek out alternatives,” explained Thomas Gibbons. 

Teagasc’s Mary Roache’s said awareness is key to keeping our water supplies safe. “Some farmers and contractors may not have been aware that a tiny amount of pesticide spray in the water can be easily detected as far as 30km downstream and cause a breach of the limits.

“When I visit farmers the first question I ask is ‘do you need to use pesticide spray at all?’. My job is to make farmers think about what they are doing, why they are doing it and if there is an alternative. The advice given is individual to every farmer and completely confidential. Sometimes a small change in behaviour is all that is required. If they are still set on spraying their land, then I go through current regulations and the best practices with them so they can help protect water quality,” concluded Ms. Roache.

Weekend train services to Dublin

By Dan Walsh

Irish Rail through Enniscorthy tunnel (File Pic)

Engineering work will disrupt railway services serving the Rosslare Line and Wicklow, including DART on Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th, so commuters are asked to take note.

Both Dart and Commuter services will be affected by the work and will increase travel times. Irish Rail have posted the following details related to travel during the work:

Northbound rail services will operate between Rosslare Europort and Bray. A bus transfer will operate from Bray direct to Dublin Connolly. A second bus transfer will operate from Bray direct to Dun Laoghaire. Dublin Pearse and Tara Street stations will not be served by bus transfers.

Southbound: A bus transfer will operate between Dublin Connolly direct to Bray. A second bus transfer will operate between Dun Laoghaire direct to Bray. Rail services will operate between Bray and Rosslare Europort. Dublin Pearse and Tara Street stations will not be served by bus transfers.

DART: Services will operate between Malahide, Howth and Dun Laoghaire only. No service will operate between Dun Laoghire and Greystones. Sandycove & Glasthule, Glenageary, Dalkey, Killiney and Shankill, stations will be closed for rail services. Dublin Bus and Go Ahead Ireland will accept valid tickets within affected area.