New Funding for Poppintree Community Sports Centre

I am very pleased to that the Poppintree Community Sports Centre on Balbutcher Lane North has been awarded further funding of €25,850 to provided additional fencing around parts of the Centre.

The Poppintree Community Centre is a wonderful resources for the local community with state-of-the-art sporting and leisure facilities, as well as providing the space for community and residents' groups to come together. I think it is a real hub for the community and one that should be maintained to the highest quality.

There have some problems I know with vandalism, particularly in the playground and outdoor all-weather football pitch on site. Today's new funding allows the Centre to be better secured, so it can continue to be a safe and welcoming environment for all local residents. 

This announcement comes as part of Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring's additional capital funding to nine local authority-backed sports projects across the country.


Minister Ring is providing €441,223 in capital funding to local authorities for nine sporting projects.

For more information on the fantastic classes, programmes and facilities at the Poppintree Community Sports Centre, log on to http://www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/SportsFacilities/LeisureCentres/Locations/Pages/PoppintreeCommunitySportsCentre.aspx or email poppintreecommunitysportscentre@dublincity.ie 

Congratulations to Community Awards Winners 2011

I attended the Dublin Bus Community Support Programme Awards 2011 in Croke Park yesterday afternoon.

The awards are presented to recognise the incredible work of community groups across a wide range of areas. I was delighted to meet several groups from Santry, Ballymun and Finglas at the event who were receiving awards for their incredible efforts in our community.

The Dublin North West Winners for this year were:

• Larkhill Karate Club

• Ballymun Mens Centre

• 75th East Finglas Scout Group

• Glór na nGael, Baile Munna

• 18th Santry Scout Group

• Holy Child National School

A huge congratulations to all the groups who are working in such diverse ways to make our local areas a better place for everyone! I look forward to meeting all the groups during the year to see them go from strength to strength.

Reports highlight need to reform assessment process from Junior to Leaving Cert

Speaking in response to the release of two ESRI reports, which looked at students' experiences of the transition from junior to senior cycle and students' experiences of sixth-year, I believe that the reports' findings confirm the need to reform the exam focused assessment process at second level.

These reports confirm that there is now a need for a revised assessment process that is less exam focused and where more attention is paid to the student's educational development and interests.

The pressures of the exam centred system have created a 'grinds culture' with one of the ESRI reports indicating that 44% of 6th year students are taking grinds. Those taking grinds are sharply differentiated by social class background where those from disadvantaged areas are demonstrably unable to access grinds.

The pressure on teachers to focus on examinations and what is likely to come up also means that many of the intrinsic experiences of education and aspects of the curriculum are sacrificed in order to prepare for exams.

The focus of education provision, particularly at local second level, now needs to change. It is shown in these ESRI reports that students' experiences of junior cycle play a crucial role in shaping their pathways and outcomes and largely account for later differences by social class and gender.

These findings point to the need for earlier approaches to address these issues, particularly in areas of educational disadvantage.

Minister Quinn's commitment to reform the Junior Certificate by switching the emphasis from examinations to continuous learning is very welcome in this regard. We also need to look at reforming the Leaving Certificate so it is attuned to the needs of our economy, while contributing to an inclusive and equitable society. 

Legislation on online gambling urgently required in the interest of Irish jobs

Last week I called on Minister Alan Shatter to urgently bring forward legislation on online gambling in the interests of Irish jobs and players.

In April and July, I raised the issue of threats to the estimated 1,600 Irish jobs in the online gambling industry and its ancillary support services with Minister Shatter. Minister Shatter agreed at the time that recent developments highlighted the need to update our existing legislation and that the promotion of employment should be a major consideration when this takes place.

This industry has largely developed without the necessary legislative architecture to regulate it and to provide the clear transparent controls that are required to protect players and their money. Minister Shatter informed me in July that preparations were at an advanced stage to update our gambling legislation to include measures to address online gambling. I would urge him to introduce this legislation as soon as possible.

An opportunity exists to provide real investment and employment opportunities in this sector by introducing an appropriate licensing framework that would convey a positive signal to international betting operations that have expressed an interest in or have already invested in Ireland. This licensing framework would also allow for the extension of the betting levy to remote bookmakers and betting exchanges to the benefit of the exchequer.

I have again written to the Minister to ask when he intends to introduce this legislation which should protect the interests of online players, industry workers and taxpayers alike.

Lyons Launches First Ever TD App

Today I launched a new iPhone and Android App, the first ever TD app, outside Leinster House. I think it’s a really innovative application, allowing constituents to get local news updates directly to their smartphone, and it gives people the opportunity to become more involved and engaged with the political process.

It's a real breakthrough in new political communication, especially as it has been predicted that mobile internet usage on smartphones will overtake desktops by 2013.

 It includes some of the details below:

• Bio with contact details & clinic dates, times & locations
• Video feed from youtube, Twitter feed and Flicker photo gallery
• A real-time news feed updated from my blog and press releases
• A 'Call Me Back' feature that sends the constituents' details directly to my office 

I am delighted that my constituents in Dublin North West can now have more of a direct link with me, and I hope that many more public representatives will follow this lead communicating with constituents.

Download the John Lyons TD app TODAY for free from the iTunes App Store and Google Android Market.


Links to download:
iPhone App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/john-lyons-t.d./id458379011?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Android Market: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.appmakr.app273760&feature=search_result

TAP Grant Applications Now Open

The Tolka Area Partnership (TAP) is now inviting applications from groups working within the TAP area for three grants. These are for community based projects that will involve members of the LCDP target groups to address issues of poverty and social exclusion.


These include lone parents, people living with disabilities, long-term unemployed, potential early school leavers, offenders, people living with addiction issues, older people.


The three grants available are as follows: Social Inclusion Grant, General Grant and the Community Based Education Supports Grant (Finglas RAPID Area will be prioritised).


Deadline is 1pm Friday, 23rd September. See the TAP website for more information and to apply.

Irish Red Cross Santry Unit Bike Launch

Last week I attended the Irish Red Cross Santry Unit Bike Launch.


Dublin's only unit of first-aid bikes was unveiled by Lord Mayor Andrew Montague on behalf of the Irish Red Cross, along with myself, Irish Red Cross secretary general Donal Forde and my brother and Branch officer Greg. The two bikes, which will be used by members of the Santry branch, can carry almost the same equipment as an ambulance.


Similar units have already been gone into service with the Irish Red Cross in Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Navan.

Back to School Allowance Deadline

The closing date for completed applications for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme is Friday, 30th September.

You may qualify for this payment if you are in receipt of a Social Welfare payment (inc. Family Income Supplement), or a HSE payment, be participating in an approved employment scheme or an education and training course and have household income at or below certain set levels.

There is currently a backlog in processing applications due to the increased number of claimants this year, but the Department of Social Protection is working through it. Completed applications must be submitted by the deadline in order to receive this payment.

If you have any questions or queries regarding the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01 618 3280 or email john.lyons@oir.ie.

Culture Night in Leinster House

This year the Houses of the Oireachtas will once again participate in Culture Night on Friday, 23rd September when Leinster House will open its doors to the public.

Attractions on offer will include guided tours of Leinster House, and musical entertainment will be provided by the renowned all female barbershop chorus Ireland Unlimited.

There will be five sessions on the hour from 5 pm to 9pm. Access to this event is on a ticket only basis, so go to the Oireachtas Events website to reserve your place.

Six-month Unemployment Requirement Changed for Springboard Programme

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, has announced this morning that the eligibility criteria for the Springboard Programme have been relaxed for the remaining courses. Springboard was launched as part of the Government's Jobs Initiative in May. 

This means that anyone who is unemployed, even if it is not for 6 months, can apply for one of the Springboard courses.

Courses are free, part-time, and are at certificate, degree and postgraduate level. They are a great way to upskill in key areas, and I am glad the programme now extends to all those who are unemployed.

5,000 people have signed up for free courses so far. Most courses will be starting in the next few weeks, so have a look at some of the courses on the website below.

Details of all courses can be found on http://www.bluebrick.ie/springboard/

Please give me a call on 01 618 3280 or send me an email to john.lyons@oir.ie if you'd like to talk about your training and education options.