Cork South Central Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer has said that additional funding will improve disabled access and increase energy efficiency at Cork swimming pools.
 
“I am please the Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, TD has approved additional funding to improve the swimming facilities at Cork’s public swimming pools. 
 
“In the current round of funding under the Disabled Access and Energy Upgrade Scheme Douglas Swimming Pool will receive €59,730 and Bishopstown will receive €195,377 to improve and enhance the facilities available to swimmers.  This funding is in addition to the respective 2011 allocations of €340,270  and €201,930.  In the last twelve months the Minister has allocated €400,000 under this scheme to Douglas Swimming Pool and €397,307 to the Bishopstown swimming pool
 
“In total the public swimming pools in Cork have been allocated an additional €468,059 under the Disabled Access and Energy Upgrade Scheme.  The condition on the funding is that the work must be carried out by September.
 
“In the last twelve months a total of €1,191,059 has been provided to the three public swimming pools in Cork.  That is an average of almost €400,000 per swimming pool, a significant investment in these amenities.  In 2011 the three Cork swimming pools, at Bishopstown, Douglas and Churchfield, were allocated €723,000.
 
“There is an obligation on government and local authorities to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of facilities available for sport and recreation.  As a society we must invest in providing access to facilities that promote physical activity, such investment can have an impact in improving health across society.
 
“As our lives are becoming more and more sedentary as a result of advancing technology the need for facilities such as public swimming pools is increasing.  This funding will assist in making the public swimming pools in Cork more enticing places for people to use for their regular exercise routines.”
 
ENDS

Posted under Cork City, Douglas, Infastructure, South Central, South East, South West, Sport

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, has said that the initial restructuring of the State’s airports is the first step for increased autonomy at Cork Airport.  Deputy Buttimer was commenting after the announcement of the restructuring of the State’s airports by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, TD.
 
“I have consistently said that it is important that Cork Airport has increased autonomy and is given the ability to develop its own business without being constrained by Dublin.  Today’s announcement brings us closer to that point and to increased autonomy for Cork Airport.
 
“Minister Varadkar and Minister Bruton confirmed this morning that the Government has decided to restructure the ownership of Shannon Airport, separating it from the Dublin Airport authority (DAA). The Ministers also confirmed that the DAA will be renamed to acknowledge its responsibility for more than just Dublin Airport.
 
“The Government has decided that, for the present, Cork Airport will remain in State ownership in a restructured DAA.  This is in keeping with the recommendations of the consultants’ report commissioned by the Minister.
 
“For almost a decade, indecision has plagued Cork Airport, hampering its expansion and development.  Now the Minister is putting in place a clear plan for the future of the Airport, which enable it to grow and benefit Cork and the wider region.
 
“The development and expansion of services at the Airport is just one element of what is needed to drive business and tourism in Cork.  There remains a heavy responsibility on the local authorities, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to promote and market Cork as a destination of choice for both business and tourism.
 
“Promoting Cork requires all stakeholders working together, developing strategies to deliver for local businesses and communities. One development which will significantly drive the development and promotion of Cork is the development of a world class conference centre.  There needs to be a partnership between State agencies and private investment to ensure that this essential amenity is delivered.”
 
Ends

Posted under Carrigaline, Cork, Cork City, Development, Douglas, Infastructure, South Central, South East, South West, Tourism, Transport

The Committee on Health and Children will resume its hearings on the Children First Bill tomorrow, 10th May when it meets with representatives from the sports and youth sectors.
 
The Committee is inviting submissions from interested groups and stakeholders on the Heads of the Children First Bill which was recently published by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald TD.
 
Tomorrow the Committee will hear from John Treacy, Chief Executive, Irish Sports Council; Gearoid O’ Maolmhicil, Child Welfare Officer, GAA; Kate Hills, National Children’s Officer, Swim Ireland; Mary Cunningham, Director, National Youth Council of Ireland; John Cahill, Foroige; and Eddie Darcy, Youth Work Services Manager, Catholic Youth Care.
 
The purpose of the Bill is to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children on a statutory basis. The Minister has sent the Heads of the Bill to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for consultation before the Bill is finalised.
 
Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to the drafting of this crucial piece of legislation. However, for the Children First legislation to be effective, we must engage with and have an open dialogue with those groups who will be working with it on a daily basis.
 
Therefore, it is important that we meet with people working in the sports and youth sectors to get their perspectives on the draft Heads of the Children First Bill. Our meeting tomorrow will give them a chance to contribute to the drafting of this legislation which will provide the necessary safeguards to protect children and combat child abuse and neglect.
 
Our meeting will provide us with an opportunity to receive input from key stakeholders on the proposed Bill. This is the first time that the Joint Committee on Health and Children has been asked to provide its input into the Heads of a Bill and the process will enable members to make observations and suggestions before the bill comes before the Dáil and Seanad.”
 
The meeting takes place today, Thursday 10th May, 11.30am in Committee Room 2, LH 2000. Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/24YmPI
 
For more details on making a submission to the Committee, click on the following link: http://bit.ly/KudZIb
 
ENDS

Posted under Health, National Work, Youth