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Last Updated: December 3, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Mitchell O’Connor encourages everyone in Dun Laoghaire to shop local this Christmas and support Dun Laoghaire businesses

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire for Mary Mitchell O’Connor is encouraging everyone in Dun Laoghaire to shop local this Christmas and support Dun Laoghaire businesses.

“Small and family businesses in Dun Laoghaire are the lifeblood of our local economy and have played a crucial role in the recovery that is now well underway. I’m calling on everyone in Dun Laoghaire who’s going out to do their Christmas shopping in the coming days and weeks to think local first.

“I would also like to remind employers in Dun Laoghaire that they can now gift their staff Christmas bonus vouchers of up to €500 tax free. Up until now, an employer could only provide an employee with a once-off, annual non-cash tax-free benefit to the value of €250. This tax change is a great incentive for employers to reward staff with a larger bonus for Christmas and it will provide a significant boost to the local economy here in Dun Laoghaire, where I would encourage people to spend those vouchers.

“Fine Gael has a long term plan to keep the recovery going and we’re working to ensure more people feel the benefits of a recovering economy in their own lives. Supporting local businesses here in Dun Laoghaire this Christmas will further help to ensure the recovery is felt by an many people as possible this Christmas.”

Posted: December 3, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Proposed Development by Council – Convent Road (Blackrock) Improvement Scheme

PC/TRS/01/15

In accordance with Part 8, Article 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (as Amended), Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council hereby gives notice of a proposal to:-

Set back the existing boundary wall (by 2m) on the south side of Convent Road, Blackrock from its junction with Carysfort Avenue to the entrance of Carysfort National School to facilitate an increase in footway width.

Plans and particulars of the proposals are available for inspection from 2nd December 2015 up to and including 27th January 2016, at the Planning and Enterprise Departments, County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire between the hours of 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and at the Blackrock Library, Main Street Blackrock betweenthe hours of 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 1.15pm to 8.00pm Tuesday and Thursday excluding Bank Holidays.

The proposals are also available for viewing at https://dlrcoco.citizenspace.com/

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposals, and dealing with the proper planning and development of the area, may be made in writing on or before 10th February 2016 to

Senior Staff Officer
Traffic and Road Safety SectionMunicipal Services Department
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
County Hall
Marine Road
Dún Laoghaire
Co Dublin

Or by email to: traffic@dlrcoco.ie

Posted: December 2, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Be Ready for Winter

Severe weather challenges all of us. Activities that we take for granted can become difficult or even hazardous when severe weather occurs. However, by taking some simple steps you can reduce the impact of such events.

This winter-ready booklet gives information on being prepared, providing practical advice for coping during episodes of severe weather, as well as giving contact details of organisations and agencies that can provide guidance and assistance. The booklet was prepared by the Office of Emergency Planning. The main message is simple – be prepared, stay safe and know where to find help should you need it.

Be Winter Ready (pdf -4,982kb)

Bí Ullamh don Gheimhreadh (pdf -4,889kb)

Last Updated: December 3, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Countywide Christmas Parking Promotion for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

I warmly welcome the decision of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to announce a Christmas holiday parking promotion for on-street pay & display parking areas across the County.

The promotion will provide shoppers and visitors with one hour free parking when they pay for a minimum of one hour parking from 1st December 2015 to the 31st December 2015 inclusive.

How does it work?

The promotion applies to on-street Pay & Display parking Countywide and will work as follows:

Motorists who pay for a minimum of 60 minutes parking will be given 60 minutes free parking time in addition to the 15 minute grace period already available throughout the County.

For example: A person who parks their car at 1pm and pays for 60 minutes parking will not have to return to their car until 3.15pm. This person has paid for 60 minutes covering them from 1pm to 2pm, they will get 60 minutes free covering them from 2pm to 3pm and will also receive the normal 15 minutes grace period covering them from 3pm to 3.15pm.

Customers do however need to be aware that the 3 hour maximum time limit designed to encourage turnover in parking spaces does still apply in the areas covered by the promotion.

Posted: November 20, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Boost for Dun Laoghaire businesses as vouchers up to €500 purchased since 22nd Oct now tax free

“The Finance Bill announced that employers will be able to gift vouchers of up to €500, tax free and today (Friday) it was confirmed that this measure has come into effect and will apply to all voucher purchased since 22nd October”, says Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor

“It is very welcome news that the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan has fast tracked these new measures and backdated them from 22nd October to allow employers to give bonus vouchers of up to €500 to employees, tax free.

“The fast tracking of this measure, to increase the value of non-cash bonuses or benefits which staff can receive from their employers without paying tax, will provide a great boost to local businesses in Dun Laoghaire.

“It is great news that the change will take effect before Christmas so employees can now benefit from this in their Christmas bonus this year.

“Up until now, an employer could provide an employee with a once-off, annual non-cash benefit to the value of €250 that was not liable for tax. The new provisions, contained in the Finance Bill, mean the maximum value of such a benefit has now been increased to €500. Anything above that will still be subject to PAYE and PRSI.

“This is a great incentive for employers to reward staff with a larger bonus for Christmas and it will provide a significant boost to the local economy, where people will spend the vouchers.”

Posted: November 20, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Mitchell O’Connor calls for greater regulation and support for suppliers of assistance dogs to children with Autism

Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire Mary Mitchell O’Connor has today (Thursday) called for greater regulation and safety standards to be imposed on private companies that supply assistance dogs to children with Autism.

Deputy Mitchell O’Connor made the call after a meeting with groups that represent the families of children with Autism.

“I requested this Health Committee meeting after witnessing first hand the life changing role that assistance dogs can play for children with Autism and their families.

“These dogs, when professionally and properly trained, can provide safety, independence and companionship to children who would otherwise live in a very isolated and chaotic world.

“There is an issue however. 700 families are now on the waiting list for these dogs and due to the shortage of assistance dogs in Ireland, families have turned to private trainers, who in many cases are, unfortunately, unqualified.

“I support Irish Assistance Dogs’ call for a number of measures to improve the situation, including:
· Assistance Dogs users to have the same legal access as guide dog users.
· All organisations, whether “not-for-profit” or “private” must ensure public liability insurance is provided for all qualified assistance dogs partnerships upon graduation.
· All organisations must as a priority ensure the welfare and safety of both the client and the dogs at all times and ensure proper procedures are in place to address any problem that would arise in this area.
· All current allowances received from revenue to guide dog users should be extended to all assistance dog users.
· All assistance dogs should be exempt from having a dog licence, in the same way as guide dogs are.

“I have seen how these dogs help to transform the lives of children and their families. We now need to take steps to ensure this important work continues and these dogs are properly trained in all cases.”

Last Updated: November 17, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

New Primary School announced for Dun Laoghaire under major school building projects list 2018

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire said that Dun Laoghaire is to benefit from funding under a multi-million euro school building programme for a new primary school.

“Today the Government is unveiling a major school building programme, which involves funding for a 16 classroom Primary School.

“This school building programme sets out over 310 individual major school building projects, which will proceed to construction between 2016 and 2021. Meanwhile the Government is also announcing today that 13 new primary and second-level schools are to open in 2017 and 2018.

“I’m very aware of the pressing need to provide more school places in Dun Laoghaire, in order to continue to meet the accommodation requirements of our growing school going population

“This funding will facilitate the provision of more school places in Dun Laoghaire and this significant investment will also support direct and indirect jobs in Dun Laoghaire. This is all part of Fine Gael’s plan to keep the recovery going. Job creation means more revenue for the exchequer and therefore more money to invest in the services people depend on such as schools.

“I know how vital it is to parents across Dun Laoghaire that their children are not just guaranteed a school place, but are guaranteed that they can learn and grow in a comfortable environment, which is conducive to study. Fine Gael is committed to ensuring that this happens.”

Posted: November 4, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Publication of Draft Register of Electors for 2016 – 2017

The draft Register for 2016 – 2017 was published on 1^st November 2015.

From the 1^st to the 25^th November 2015 the draft Register is open for inspection.

It is important that you check that your details / voting status are correct and that you are registered only once.

Details can be checked online at www.checktheregister.ie A copy of the draft Register is available for inspection in County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire or in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Council office in Dundrum Office Park, off Main Street, Dundrum, Dublin 14.

The draft Register can also be checked in:

Post Offices,
Garda stations, and
Public libraries

Claim for corrections to the draft Register – RFA1 Form

Any person may claim to have a correction made in a draft Register, including a claim to have the name of a person added to, or deleted from, the draft Register. All claims must be sent to the registration authority on or before 25^th November 2015.

Register of Electors 2016/2017

The Register of Electors comes into force on the February 15th 2016 and remains in force until 14th February 2017.

Posted: November 2, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

New anti-burglary plan will crack down on crime in Dun Laoghaire

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said that the new Anti-Crime and Burglary response by An Garda Síochána will crack down on crime in Dun Laoghaire.

“This new Anti-Crime and Burglary response by An Garda Síochána, named Operation Thor, will help tackle crime in Dun Laoghaire. This new plan will be backed up by increased Government investment of €5 million, a tougher law on sentences and stricter bail for repeat offenders.

“While operational planning is a matter solely for the Garda Commissioner, this new operation delivers on increased investment in policing by this Government to tackle burglaries and related crime.”

“Operation Thor is aimed at tackling burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime.

The key elements include:

· The use of new high powered vehicles by the armed Regional Response Units;
· Extra high-visibility patrols in identified burglary hot-spots;
· Increased used of checkpoints to tackle the criminal gangs using the national road network;
· Efforts to disrupt the stolen goods market;
· Programmes to help reduce re-offending by prolific offenders;
· A high-profile national crime prevention awareness campaign to be launched later this month;
· Targeted crime prevention advice for local communities;
· Enhanced supports for victims.

“Burglaries have a terrible and unacceptable impact on families and communities nationwide, both urban and rural.

“Fine Gael’s response to crime is focussed: investing in more Gardaí and vehicles and strengthening the law to crack down on serious and repeat offenders.

“Fine Gael in Government has reopened Templemore, with 1,150 Gardaí being recruited. We have invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles in 2015, ranging from more Garda patrol cars to high-powered vehicles for armed units. This will ensure Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community. We are also investing in airborne surveillance and enhanced technology and ICT systems.

“Over €5 million is being committed to support Operation Thor. This includes funding for Garda overtime to support a combination of additional patrols, checkpoints, rapid armed response and public awareness measures.”

Posted: October 28, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Fine Gael to equalise tax treatment of self-employed in Dun Laoghaire by 2018

Taoiseach launches Fine Gael Tax Calculator – www.finegael.ie

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, has said today (Wednesday) that Fine Gael is determined to equalise the tax treatment of self-employed workers in Dun Laoghaire, by 2018.

The Taoiseach was speaking at the launch of Fine Gael’s online tax calculator, which allows everyone who pays income tax or USC to see how they benefit from tax cuts introduced in Budget 2016.

Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor has said that the equalisation of the tax system is great news for all of the self-employed in the Dun Laoghaire constituency.

“Following the introduction of the new €550 Earned Income Tax Credit in Budget 2016, it’s been confirmed today that Fine Gael will commit to completing the equalisation of the income tax system for the self-employed by 2018, by which time the new credit will match the €1,650 PAYE Tax Credit.

“Small and family businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and have played a crucial role in the recovery that is now well underway. Tax equalisation for the self-employed would allow these businesses continue to grow and create jobs

“I also know that businesses in the Dun Laoghaire constituency wanted to see reductions in the general tax burden to help them to create employment. The significant reduction in the USC, announced in the Budget, will help ensure that every worker in Dun Laoghaire and throughout Ireland benefits from the economic recovery that is underway.

“Not only does Budget 2016 put about a week’s earnings on average in the pockets of low and middle-income working families, but it also provides people with a greater incentive to take up more work, to start a business or to take up more overtime.

“Fine Gael is reducing the tax burden on working families. Tax cuts create jobs, they make work pay and they attract migrants home.

“We know that high taxes damage the incentive to work and are a barrier to economic growth. That is why, if returned to Government, Fine Gael will put complete abolition of the USC at the centre of the most radical overhaul of personal taxation in a generation. This is all designed to make work pay, encourage labour force participation and entrepreneurship and keep the recovery going.

“The purpose of the tax calculator, launched today, is that people in Dun Laoghaire can log on to the Fine Gael website, enter their details, and see how they benefit from the tax cuts introduced in the budget.”

Note to Editors: Tax calculator is available at www.finegael.ie