Dáil Éireann

Better support for 15,014 of elderly people in Wicklow as Christmas approaches – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Dáil Éireann, Finance, Health, Wicklow - East Carlow

Christmas bonus for over 580,000 pensioners across Ireland

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, has said that this Government is continuing to protect the elderly, and is providing better support to 15,014 of elderly people in Wicklow.

“Fine Gael has always sought to protect elderly people in Wicklow and will continue to do so. This year, as a result of Budget 2016, across Wicklow, approximately 15,014 of pensioners are benefitting from a small increase of €3 in the weekly rate of all pension payments, for those aged 66 and over.

“In a further move to support older people, the Government decided to increase the Christmas bonus in Budget 2016. In Wicklow almost 15,014 of elderly people will receive a 75% Christmas bonus, on top of their pension. It means a pensioner couple who are both in receipt of the non-contributory State Pension will receive a bonus payment of €328.50. The bonus, which was abolished by the Fianna Fáil government in 2009, will be paid during the first week of December.

“Elderly people in Wicklow are also benefiting from an increase in the rate of the Fuel Allowance by €2.50 per week, from €20 to €22.50 per week. The allowance is paid for 26 weeks from October to April. Budget 2016 also introduced an increase in funding for Free Travel by €3 million, from €77 million to €80 million, ensuring sustainability of the service for 836,000 Free Travel pass holders

“Fine Gael’s top priority is to keep the recovery going and thanks to the Irish people we are now seeing economic progress, with 135,000 more people at work. More people in work means less tax for working people and more revenue to invest in better services. This will ensure more people and families feel the benefits of a recovering economy in their own lives. It also means we can afford to give a little back to the people who need it most. I am pleased that Fine Gael is continuing to support elderly people by increasing the Pension, the Christmas bonus and the Fuel Allowance.”

 

 

Doyle encourages potential Gardaí in Wicklow and Carlow to apply for new posts

Andrew 2015, Dáil Éireann, Defence, Wicklow - East Carlow

imageRecruitment of 600 new Gardaí now underway on publicjobs.ie

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow & East Carlow, Andrew Doyle has encouraged those interested in counties Wicklow & Carlow to apply for one of 600 new positions available with An Garda Síochána. The recruitment campaign is now underway and applications are being accepted on www.publicjobs.ie until 5th January 2016.

“The Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, today (Friday) announced the opening of a recruitment campaign for new members of An Garda Síochána in 2016. The 600 new Gardaí, to be recruited next year, will bring to 1,150 the total number of new recruits since the reopening of Templemore in September 2014.

“So far 295 new recruits have completed their training and are now are on the ground in communities nationwide as fully fledged members of An Garda Síochána. It is expected that successful candidates from the 2016 campaign will enter the Garda College from mid-2016.

“Serving as a member of An Garda Síochána is a great privilege, but the position comes with great responsibility. I know that there are many capable and ambitious people in both Wicklow and Carlow who would make an excellent contribution to the force and I would encourage anyone interested to apply.

“The ongoing recruitment of Gardaí is testament to this Government’s commitment to supporting An Garda Síochána and to ensuring that they have to resources necessary to protect our communities.

“This Government has reopened Templemore after it was closed by the previous Government; €46 million has been allocated for Garda vehicles, many of which will be high-power vehicles for targeted operations; €18 million is being provided for the refurbishment of Garda stations and €205 million has been invested in new technology for An Garda Síochána This is part of an unprecedented allocation of €875 million in capital funding for the Justice sector.

“We know that 75% of burglaries are carried out by 25% of criminals so Minister Fitzgerald has published the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill, which will mean tougher sentences for repeat burglars and she has launched Operation Thor to tackle rural crime.

“It is essential that we keep the recovery going so that we can continue to invest in public services and to provide resources for An Garda Síochána who do such valuable work.”