NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON.

Dear Resident,

My new website is currently under construction. 

In the meantime you can stay in contact with me online at:

• labour.ie/aodhanoriordain
• twitter.com/aodhanoriordain
• facebook.com/aodhanoriordain

Thanks for taking the time to visit this site.

Aodhán

STATEMENT BY AODHÁN Ó RÍORDÁIN
Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central
Sunday, 16^th September 2012

'SHAME' PREVENTING ELDERLY REPORTING ROGUE WORKMEN

Labour TD for Dublin North Central, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has spoken of the growing problem of rogue workmen targeting elderly people, and this issue being complicated further by their victims' reluctance in reporting their experience.

“Residents at one of my Community Policing Forum meetings in Drumcondra last week spoke of neighbours being exploited for hundreds of euro for menial jobs by rogue workmen, but being too embarrassed to report it to the Gardaí.'

'Often when an elderly person knows that they have been conned, the sense of embarrassment or shame can prevent them from informing neighbours or reporting the incident to the Gardaí.'

'Unfortunately this has the unintentional effect of allowing such workmen to continue to abuse the confidence of other elderly neighbours'.

'It is important to send the message that all reporting such incidents to the Gardaí is incredibly important, and that there is no shame in making a mistake.'

'Age Action Ireland also offer a 'Care and Repair' service which offers free household jobs completed by reputable workmen with Garda Clearance.'

'I encourage residents to keep an eye on their elderly neighbours during these uncertain times as the number of burglaries continue to rise in Dublin and across the country.'

ENDS

STATEMENT BY AODHÁN Ó RÍORDÁIN TD 

Vice-Chair of Education and Social Protection Committee

Labour Party TD, Dublin North Central

Sunday, September 9th, 2012

PATRON BODIES MUST DO MORE TO REDUCE BACK-TO-SCHOOL COSTS FOR PARENTS - Ó RÍORDÁIN 

Vice-Chair of the Education and Social Protection Committee Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD has stated that representatives of the School Patron Bodies will be invited before the committee to discuss the ongoing problem of back-to-school costs.

"Recent figures have shown that the number of families applying for the Back to School Allowance have doubled since 2007, which clearly indicates that thousands of families are now struggling under the weight of school costs. A Barnardos survey published this summer showed that the average cost of sending a child to senior infants is €355, while the average cost of sending a child to first year in secondary school is now €770."

"Many of the costs incurred by parents are unnecessarily high and it requires more leadership from school Patron Bodies and Boards of Management to reduce these expenses which many parents cannot afford.'

"There are many areas that school leaders must address as a matter of urgency:

• Uniform costs must be monitored more closely
• Book rental schemes must be better utilised
• Concerns over Voluntary Contributions must also be addressed

"We hope to discuss these matters with the various patron bodies in the coming weeks, and I would encourage parents to make their own views known to their respective Boards of Management so as to encourage change."

ENDS

Contact Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD at 086-8190336

High Court decision on forced labour shows urgent need for legislative action

Issued : Friday 31 August, 2012

Statement by Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD

Today's High Court decision to quash an award of €92,000 made by the Labour Court in respect of a Pakistani Chef shows the urgent need for amending legislation to be introduced to ensure that this legal loophole in respect of forced labour is permanently closed.

It is a disgrace that the employer in this case has succeeded in walking away with this decision, and it is now the responsibility of the political system to respond.

I welcome the actions of the judge in forwarding his decision to the relevant office-holders within the Oireachtas.

I have previously raised the issue on the floor of the Dáil* and it is now clear that the Employment Permits Act of 2003 needs immediate revision and necessary amendments need to be made.

I intend to bring such amended legislation to the floor of the Dáil at the earliest opportunity in the coming weeks and to again raise the matter with the Minister for Justice.

It is also now clear that a specific stand alone offence against forced labour is now required.

It is an insult to our Republic that effective slavery continues in this country and that our courts are seemingly powerless to stop it.

* Aodhán previously speaking in the Dáil on the rights of migrant workers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJOWz5OJ7mI)

* Aodhán addressing protest outside Dáil on issue of Forced Labour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_K9cgAAVfc

Update for Ardmore Montrose Residents:

 

Beaumont Hospital Building Works

The building works being carried out on the new Psychiatric Unit in Beaumount Hospital are causing considerable distress to residents on Ardmore Drive.

There are some worries that the proposed road to the rear of the Unit will lead to noise pollution, an invasion of privacy, loss of amenity, security fears and health issues arising from vehicular fumes.

I have attended two meetings at this location with residents and have written to the project manager at the site to seek an immediate meeting to discuss these concerns.

In the meantime the planning enforcement section of Dublin City Council are investigating the site to see if the works comply with the Planning Permission received.

I will continue to work with hospital management, the Ardmore Montrose Residents Association and the local homeowners to come to a reasonable accommodation.

Naniken Flooding Concerns

In July 10^th on the floor of Dáil Éireann I again raised the matter of flooding concerns in Artane and in particular:

·         The lack of progress on works relating to the hydraulic analysis

·         The problems home-owners continue to experience with insurance companies

I am in constant contact with the Drainage and Engineering Division of Dublin City Council seeking a long-term solution to this issue which affects residents in Ardmore/Montrose but also in Maryfield Crescent and further afield.

If you are having difficulties with your insurance company in relation to flood or house insurance please make sure you contact me as soon as possible. I have been assured that negotiations are continuing with the Insurance Federation but the OPW require concrete examples in order to press the case further.

(Please Turn Over)

Number 14 Bus

Residents will be aware of the successful campaign that I engaged in with local residents to save the route of the 20B bus which has now been re-named the 14.

A number of residents have contacted me with concerns over the new service relating to time-keeping and the new direction of the service in the city centre.

Dublin Bus have committed to maintaining contact with local residents to iron out any initial problems that the residents may have.

Please contact my office at any time if you have experienced difficulties with the number 14 service and these concerns will be forwarded to Dublin Bus representatives.

24 McDonalds Drive-Thru

An Bord Pleanála have recently given McDonalds Restaurant in Artane permission to open their Drive-Thru service 24 hours a day. This is despite objections from local residents and myself who were concerned at the distribution this would cause for the immediate community.

McDonald’s Headquarters have informed me that the management of the restaurant and its Drive-Thru is the responsibility of the local restaurant management structure.

Although the permission has been given by An Bord Pleanála, McDonalds may not choose to exercise that permission. A meeting has been sought with local McDonalds management to discuss the matter further.

Congratulations to Artane-Beaumont FC

Artane Beaumont FC recently celebrated their 25 year anniversary with an enjoyable evening in the Artane-Beaumont Recreation Centre which I was delighted to support.

I firmly believe that it is important to support all local sporting clubs and they constantly need mentors and managers to keep their various under-age teams going.

Here’s looking forward to another 25 successful years!

Weekly Advice Centre September-July

My weekly Advice Centre in Kilmore West Community Centre takes a break for August but re-opens on Friday September 7^th 2012.

If there is any matter of concern to you or your community that you wish to discuss please do not hesitate to call into my advice centre, or to contact my constituency office.

Rise in Student Numbers Sitting Higher Level Maths

I am delighted to see that the number of students sitting higher level maths is up by 35% - making it a new record. This year 22.1% of all maths students took the higher level paper, compared to 15.8% last year. This dramatic increase can clearly be attributed to the new 25 bonus points for all those who achieve a D3 or higher in the subject, as well as the continued roll-out of Project Maths.

The Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn must be credited for driving this reform. Although perceived as difficult, maths is an extremely important subject and is relevant to many career choices. The tremendous work done to encourage students to take up higher level maths will no doubt pay dividends for the Irish economy down the line.

I would like to extend my best wishes to all Leaving Certificate students and wish them well in their wait for the CAO announcements next week.

Weekly Planning List from Dublin City Council July 17th - 20th

Weekly Planning List from Dublin City Council

AREA 5

COMBINED  COMMERCIAL:

Area	Area 5 - North Central
Application Number	2164/12
Application Type	Permission
Applicant	Clontarf Castle Hotel Ltd
Location	Clontarf Castle Hotel, Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3
Proposal	PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of  external guest area to include 98m2 exterior raised hardwood terrace with ramped and stepped access, fixed seating and raised planters. There will be no fixing to the external stone. No original fabric to be removed.
Registration Date	19-Jul-2012
	Clarification of Add. Information Recd.
Area	Area 5 - North Central
Application Number	2922/12
Application Type	Permission
Applicant	Bord Gais Eireann
Location	Alfie Byrne Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3
Proposal	A new Bord Gais Eireann above ground installation (AGI) consisting of a one storey regulator kiosk (31.1m2 in area) a one storey instrumentation kiosk (11.8m2 in area), an access road to Alfie Byrne Road, graveled area, rendered concrete block & RC wall and paladin security fence, any associated landscaping, any ancillary equipment and facilities.
Registration Date	17-Jul-2012
Area	Area 5 - North Central
Application Number	2926/12
Application Type	Permission
Applicant	Ayrfield United Football Club
Location	Blunden Drive, Aryfield, Dublin 13
Proposal	Permission for 3 new all weather playing pitches which will include flood lighting, fencing, drainage and all associated works at Blunden Drive, Ayrfield, Dublin 13.
Registration Date	18-Jul-2012
Area	Area 5 - North Central
Application Number	2933/12
Application Type	Permission
Applicant	Denis Cronin
Location	Rear Of, 3, Clonturk Park, On Unnamed Laneway, Off Richmond Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Proposal	For alterations at motor repair premises. The alterations will comprise replacement of two existing roofs of differing profiles with a new single roof, to be extended to enclose existing yard at rear. The yard is ancillary to the motor repair business carried on at the premises and accommodates storage for car parts, compressor, water tank and toilet facilities.The ridge of the new roof will be no higher than that of the existing roof at the front of the premises. A new personel exit door will also be provided adjacent the existing entrance doors to comply with fire safety regulations.
Registration Date	19-Jul-2012
Area	Area 5 - North Central
Application Number	2936/12
Application Type	Permission
Applicant	SGHN Limited
Location	St Gabriels Nursing Home, Glenayle Road, Edenmore, Dublin 5
Proposal	The erection of two storey and single storey bedroom and ancillary accommodation extensions on the east side, internal alterations & associated site works. The development will increase the number of resident bedrooms from 53 to 75.
Registration Date	19-Jul-2012
Area	Area 5 - North Central
Application Number	2941/12
Application Type	Permission
Applicant	Capital Entertainment & Leisure Ltd
Location	The Grand Bingo Hall, 402, Collins Avenue,Whitehall, Dublin 9
Proposal	The development will comprise of new signage with internal lighting on the front and sides of the existing canopy and new decal window signage to the overhead windows.
Registration Date	19-Jul-2012
Area	Area 5 - North Central
Application Number	2947/12
Application Type	Permission
Applicant	The Sisters of Nazareth
Location	Nazareth House, Malahide Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3 (opposite clontarf golf course)
Proposal	The development will consist of the erection of 1no. 3m high free-standing triangular profile totem entrance sign at main entrance to site; 1no. sign (individually pressed brushed stainless steel lettering) to front elevation facing Malahide Road and 5no. directional signs (non illuminated post mounted), all within the site boundary.
Registration Date	20-Jul-2012

Empowering the Community to Teach the Child - Seminar Follow up

Empowering the Community to Teach the Child -

An Integrated Approach to Tackling Educational Disadvantage

As requested, please find links to presentations by speakers at last Friday's Seminar in the Skylon Hotel below.

Opening Address:

Fergus Finlay (CEO Barnardos)

http://www.slideshare.net/AodhanORiordain/barnardos-fergus-finlay

Empowering the Parent

Joesphine Bleach (Early Learning Initiative, National College of Ireland)

http://www.slideshare.net/AodhanORiordain/early-learning-initiative-josephine-bleach

Eleanor McClorey (Young Ballymun)

http://www.slideshare.net/AodhanORiordain/empowering-the-community-to-teach-the-child

Empowering the Community:

John Stewart (National Adult Literacy Agency)

http://www.slideshare.net/AodhanORiordain/empo

Noel Kelly (Northside Partnership)

http://www.slideshare.net/AodhanORiordain/northside-partnership-noel-kelly-13667011

Post re: Phoenix Park Concerts (Warning: Video Contains Violent Images)

Time to Stop Blaming Young People for the Ills of Irish Society

The events in the Phoenix Park last Saturday were truly shocking: loss of life, multiple stabbing incidents, drug overdoses, eye-witness accounts of excessive alcohol consumption and you-tube footage of mud-covered physical assaults has justifiably shocked those who witnessed the events or those who heard of these sorry tales.

However as usual a convenient blame-game aimed at the event organisers, Gardaí and young people in general has ensued which, while understandable, misses the point on Irish society’s responsibility to tackle our relationship with alcohol excess, and ‘excess’ in general.

Predictably meetings will be called for and meetings will take place. Politicians will demand answers, column inches will be filled with criticisms of disrespectful young people, inevitable calls will be made for schools to stir our young people in the right direction (as usual) and then we’ll all move on.

Blaming young people for what happened on Saturday night is understandable, but short-sighted. Is it any surprise that this generation of Irish people drink to excess and resort to aggressive behaviour when every other generation of Irish people have done something similar since records began?

It was as a result of the Irish reputation for alcoholism that the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association was formed in 1898. Both my parents are still members. They say they were trying to change the view of the Irish abroad.

In 1884 the Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in part because of the reality of the wasted youth of Ireland engaging in drunkenness and very little else at the turn of the last century.

In 1961 Tom Murphy’s play ‘A Whistle in the Dark’ was criticised in Ireland for its betrayal of Irish emigrants as being drunken, brawling criminals. It clearly touched a nerve.

While I didn’t learn drunkenness from my parents, I do drink, have often drunk too much and regularly laughed about it afterwards. But I have seen decent people do ridiculous and violent things when under the influence of alcohol. And I know I’m not alone. So where did we pick it up?

The excess culture reached its peak in the Celtic Tiger era. Our ears were stuffed with money and our noses were stuffed with cocaine. The country was in the midst of various murderous gang feuds but nobody cared as long as they were ‘shooting each other’.

Is it any wonder that the drunken thuggery of so many late-night chipper outlets around the country in the 80s and 90s would develop into cocaine filled excess and aggression in the 2000s, and then to what was witnessed last weekend? And is it a little simplistic to blame young people?

There is of course responsibility on the individual to conduct themselves and anyone who carries a knife around the place deserves everything the courts can throw at them. But we had a drink and drugs problem before last Saturday and we will have one for a long time until we start facing up to it.

A lot of factors combined to make the Swedish House Mafia concert a scene like hell on earth, but let’s stop blaming the young people and begin asking ourselves how we empower our young people, how we show leadership in relation to alcohol and drugs as adults.

Teaching our children to enjoy alcohol, from an early age might be part of the solution. However as long as its commerically viable to get people as drunk as possible as often as possible we'll remain in serious trouble.

This generation of young people carry the torch that we hand them in so many ways. Unfortunately we have handed them a torch that was quenched with alcohol. Can we expect them to pass on something better when they're done?

 

#Paisti2012 July 13th 'Empowering the Community to Teach the Child' Seminar Programme

Empowering the Community to Teach the Child -

An Integrated Approach to Tackling Educational Disadvantage

Friday July 13th: Skylon Hotel, Drumcondra, Dublin 9

The Oireachtas Education and Social Protection Committee are compiling a report dedicated to identifying strategies to combat educational disadvantage at the earliest stage of a child's development.

A seminar on 'Empowering the Community to Teach the Child.' will take place on Friday, July 13th from 9.30am until 1pm in the Skylon Hotel, Dublin. Programme detailed below.

This is a chance to look at community based approaches to eradicating educational disadvantage - and decide how we can act on our ideas.

If you have an interest in attending this seminar then please make contact with my office on 01 857 4020 or Email: aodhan.oriordain@oireachtas.ie

Schedule:

09.30am: Registration

10.00am: Introduction and Context
- Seminar Chairperson Catherine Byrne (Former Deputy General Secretary INTO)

10.05am: Welcome
- Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (Vice-Chair Education & Social Protection Committee)

10.10am: Opening Address
- Fergus Finlay, (CEO Barnardos)

10.20am: 'Empowering the Parent'
- Josephine Bleach (Early Learning Initiative, National College of Ireland)
- Eleanor McClorey (Young Ballymun)

10.40am: 'Empowering the Community'
- John Stewart (National Adult Literacy Agency)
- Noel Kelly (Northside Partnership)

11.00am: Coffee Break

11.20am: Workshops

12.00pm: Feedback

12.30pm: 'Final Thoughts'
- Mark Candon (Principal, St Laurence O'Toole's CBS, Sheriff Street)

12.40pm: Panel Discussion / Q and A

01.00pm: Close