Varadkar welcomes plans to upgrade canal towpath
Fine Gael TD for Dublin West and Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has welcomed confirmation from Waterways Ireland* that the canal towpath between Porterstown and Clonsilla will be upgraded in 2012.
Confirmation that the towpath will be upgraded followed a meeting between Minister Varadkar and the CEO of Waterways Ireland, John Martin.
Government-supported jobs created in Blanchardstown – Varadkar
The creation of a number of Government-backed jobs in Blanchardstown has been welcomed by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and local TD Leo Varadkar.
The 15 new jobs will be based at Innovation Zed Ltd, which is based in Blanchardstown Institute of Technology. The company specialises in the research and development of medical devices, and is also involved in their distribution.
€2.2M for local flood relief and management – Minister Varadkar
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and local TD Leo Varadkar has welcomed confirmation that €2.2 million is being spent on flood relief works in the Dublin 15 and Swords areas.
This includes flood relief schemes Swords and Rowlestown, as well as the new bridge currently under construction in Mulhuddart.
Varadkar welcomes 2012 start for work on six schools in Dublin West
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and Dublin West TD Leo Varadkar has welcomed the news that building work will start next year on six schools in Dublin West.
Minister Varadkar was speaking after an announcement by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn this week.
Minister Varadkar said: ‘I am very pleased that work will start on the six schools this year. The news will be welcomed in all these communities and right across the area. These are all growing communities, and there is a need for all of these school projects’.
Leap card offers cheaper fares & easier travel – Varadkar
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport & local TD Leo Varadkar has said the Leap card launched this week will offer easier travel and cheaper fares across Dublin for Dublin West residents.
The Leap card went on sale this week, making it possible to use a single ticket for travel on bus, Luas, Dart and rail services across the city, including Dublin 15.
Minister Varadkar confirms funding for De Paul swimming pool
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and local TD Leo Varadkar has announced funding of €865,509 to help the Daughters of Charity to re-open the De Paul swimming pool at St Vincent`s Centre on the Navan Road.
The funding will be provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, and matching funding will be provided by the Daughters of Charity. It will allow the Daughters of Charity to commence renovation work on this important project.
Minister Leo Varadkar’s expenses have been audited and certified by Mazars, the auditors.
Minister Varadkar operates under the vouched expenses system.
His compliance with requirements under this scheme has now been certified by Mazars.
LV Expenses 2010 for website 161111
Varadkar welcomes start of work in 2012 on Phase I of Luttrellstown Community College & Scoil Choilm extension
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and Dublin West TD Leo Varadkar has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, that work will proceed on the Porterstown School Campus in 2012.
Planning permission will be submitted to Fingal County Council in January, and the tender process will commence at the same time. Assuming that no problems arise regarding planning permission, construction will begin late in 2012 with a view to completion in August 2013.
Minister Varadkar confirms Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown to get MRI scanner
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and Dublin West TD Leo Varadkar has welcomed confirmation from the HSE that a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner will be procured for Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown before the end of the year.
Connolly Hospital is currently the only major teaching hospital in Dublin that does not have an MRI scanner. As a result patients have to be transferred to another public or private hospital at considerable cost in time and money.
“Last week, Minister Joan Burton and I met with the CEO of the HSE, Cathal Magee, to discuss this and other matters relating to the hospital. At the meeting, he indicated that he would try to find some unspent capital in this year’s budget to allow for the purchase of the scanner.
Postponement of Metro North regrettable but Dublin 15 & Swords will benefit from new buses, bus priority, Luas link, integrated ticketing & removal of level crossings – Varadkar
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and Dublin West TD Leo Varadkar has expressed his regret that Metro North has had to be postponed.
“I only have about €200 million for transport improvements for the entire country for the next five years and Metro North would cost over €3,000 million. It is simply unaffordable. When it was being planned, the financial projections estimated that the economy would grow by 20% between 2007 and 2012. Instead, the economy has contracted by 20%. With an economy 40% smaller than had been envisaged by the promoters when the project was first planned, neither the public finances nor the economic reality support its construction at this stage. Hopefully that will change, the economy will recover, and the situation will be reviewed in 2015. …[more]
