Recent Economic Perspectives

There has been some coverage in recent days on the Government's policies in regards to stabilising the economy and working towards regaining our economic sovereignty.

I'm posting some of these perspectives here.

I know this a very contentious issue and like everyone else I am against paying for banking debts that should never have been our responsibility.

I think these perspectives show the longer-term strategy the Government is taking and the potential for much larger benefits for the country in the future.



Dan O’Brien  (Economic Editor  The Irish Times) Today with Pat Kenny -  25^th January
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/todaywithpatkenny/2012-1-25.html
“The ECB is taking a position that there is an enormous market for this senior bank debt. It’s a vital part of the European banking system, the ECB felt that there has been no default anywhere on this type of debt in the Eurozone, it felt that you introduced this level of uncertainty then you deal a hammer blow to an already extremely weakened European banking system, and the extra costs across the entire banking system would far exceed gains to Ireland for not paying, so given its role to look at the European wide situation – Its view has been that it is better to do that and ensure that peoples are paid off rather than to introduce a hammer blow to the entire system.”  

"There has been a huge transformation... Yesterday a five year bond went below 6pc and that is back into the territory where governments can effectively borrow. For the first time since September 2010– it has tipped its toe into the bond market– it says that there is considerable interest.  

“...It is a positive signal that we are going in the right direction. There is a possibility we can exit the bailout on time.”

Richard Curran  (Deputy Editor Sunday Business Post) - Morning Ireland - 25th January
http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0125/morningireland.html

"This is a judgement call rather than something that we are legally obliged to do… The clear signals from the EU central bank and international markets are what else would you not pay. There might be longer term consequences.  The ECB is saying we do not want a new front of uncertainty opening up that the Irish Government is not going to honour senior bankholders, even if it is a dead bank".
 
"We  could save billions if we get a restructuring of the promissory notes and a deal further down the road."

“Part of the reason we are having cuts is we that cannot pay our way anyway. Whether we pay back the Anglo bondholders or not, we are running up a deficit from the cost of running the country.”

Tony Foley (Economic Lecturer) - Morning Ireland-  20th January
 http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2012/0120/media-3173200.html
"Greece's debt is much larger than ours, its correction process is much weaker and less successful and its economic potential  is way below  our economic potential. We are not as badly off as Greece.... At the moment  I wouldn't see that there is any possibility that we would follow the Greek situation."

Blue Star Programme for primary schools

The Blue Star Programme is a Pilot Programme for primary schools across Ireland.   The Programme is a venture of the Communicating Europe Initiative, supported by the Office of the Minister of State for European Affairs in the Department of the Taoiseach and the European Commission Representation in Ireland.


The idea of the Programme is simple: to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it affects our lives amongst Irish primary pupils through classroom projects and activities. This will be done by examining four key areas relating to the EU - historical, geographical, cultural and creative and institutional.


The Blue Star Programme will introduce participants (pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community) to the EU; what it means and how it works.  This is in order to foster a strong sense of awareness of the EU among participants that goes far beyond the school walls and into the wider community.  All schools that have successfully completed the Blue Star Programme will be awarded an EU Flag and a Blue Star.


Registration for this initiative is in February. For any primary school that would like to participate in this, or for more details on this initiative, go to http://www.europeanmovement.ie/index.php?id=15254 - you will also find the registration details here.


If you have any queries at all on this programme, contact Billie Sparks, National Coordinator at bluestar@europeanmovement.ie or 01 662 5815.

Green Visions

Open publication - Free publishing - More ballymun

The GAP Youth Environmental Network (YEN) created a youth document  (see above) called Green Visions, which explains what YEN is about, what eco-actions the participants took during 2011, and what their hopes and dreams are for a greener Ballymun.

Green Visions also includes a survey of over a hundred young people in Ballymun about environmental issues, and has video links, photos and illustrations by the YEN participants!

Community Grants Scheme 2012 - Reminder

Following on from my blog post in December, I wanted to reminder everyone that the deadline for the Community Grants Scheme for 2012 is 30th January 2012 at 5pm.

This is to support the important work done by local community groups through a grant scheme. You can apply for grants for a broad range of activities. The amount you get depends on the number of people involved and other factors.

Among the things typically supported are:

• Summer Projects
• Community Festivals
• Resident & Community Associations
• Environmental clean-ups
• Sporting occasions

The application form will be online shortly on http://www.dublincity.ie/Community/pages/applyforacommunitygrant.aspx

ALL APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE RETURNED TO:

The Office of the Director of Community and Enterprise

Block 4, Floor 1e

Civic Offices, Wood Quay.

Dublin 8

Road Safety on the R104 St. Margaret’s Road

Since last summer, I have been raising the issue of excessive speeding on the R104 St. Margaret’s road between Charlestown shopping centre and IKEA, with the traffic division of Fingal County Council and An Garda Síochána.

I had raised the points with them about incidents of excessive speeding on the road as well as a number of collisions in the vicinity of Hampton Wood and Jamestown road. Over the Christmas period there were two serious road incidents on this road and these again highlighted concerns about road safety and the need for an assessment of traffic control measures on the road. 

Following my requests, Fingal County Council recently carried out a speed survey over a 3 day period to determine the speeds on the road.

The results of the survey have now been assessed and the survey found that given the nature of the road and the traffic using it, the current 50kph speed limit is appropriate. The report stated that while some individual speeds noticeably in excess of the speed limit were recorded, these occurred almost exclusively during the early morning hours.

An assessment of the appropriate responses was carried out by Fingal County Council and the following have been recommended:

·        additional speed limit signs should be posted west bound on the approach to Hampton Wood from the IKEA direction to further reinforce the 50kph limit.
·        that An Garda Síochána allocate enforcement resources to this section of the R104 for a period of time to enforce the speed limit.
·        that traffic lights be installed at the junction of the R104 and Jamestown Road (including the entrance to Creston Estate) as a traffic control measure.

The option of installing speed ramps has been ruled out as the report stated that it is not the general policy to install ramps on this type of road (due to the effects it would have on all traffic including Buses, HGVs and Emergency Services) except where there was strong evidence of a significant traffic hazard. The report said that ramps on a road such as this would create a significant amount of noise from large vehicles and so would be a serious nuisance during night hours.

Fingal Co Co have stated that they will make arrangements in the coming weeks to put the additional speed limit signs in place. Fingal are also to make a request to the National Transport Authority for funding for putting in traffic lights at the junction of the R104 and Jamestown road as they currently do not have the required funding. I will be following up this matter with the National Transport Authority to seek to have these works completed as quickly as possible.

Fingal have also said they will raise the issue of the enforcement of speed limits on the road with the Traffic Division of An Garda Síochána at their next meeting. In the report it states that a significant number of motorists will only reduce speeds if they believe that the risk of being prosecuted is likely and the evidence suggests that targeting specific roads at specific times for enforcement has proved successful. I will be raising this matter with the Gardaí when I next meet with them to ensure attention is paid to the area to clamp down on dangerous driving.

I will continue to work with Finglas County Council and An Garda Síochána to implement these measures and I will notify residents of any further developments on these issues.

If you would like to contact me about this matter, please feel free to get in touch on  618 3280 or john.lyons@oir.ie

Greyhound Announce Instalment Plan for Upfront Charge

Many local residents have contacted me expressing their concern about being asked to pay a €100 up front charge before the end of next month. 

Since I received the information of this charge last week, I called on Greyhound and Dublin City Council to introduce an instalment plan for local residents who will have difficulty paying this upfront charge.

I am glad Greyhound have taken residents' concerns on board and have now introduced a 50:50 instalement plan. 

Please find further information in their press release below:

"Greyhound responds to Dublin city customers with instalment pay plan

Greyhound Recycling and Recovery customers struggling to pay their €100 Annual Service Charge in Dublin city now have the option of paying the charge in two instalments.

The company has announced that customers can now opt to pay €50 up front and to defer the second payment of €50 until 1st July 2012 if they sign up to become Automatic Top Up customers before February 15th.

Customers who chose not to sign up to the Automatic Top Up easy pay service must pay the €100 Annual service in full by 15th February 2012 and also put their account in credit to meet bin lift costs in order to maintain their Greyhound bin collection service after that date.

Customers wishing to pay the €100 Annual Service Charge in two instalments by signing up to the Automatic Top Up offer can do so by visiting www.greyhound.ie or by returning the sign-up form attached to their invoice. The offer closes on 15th February 2012.

“We have listened to the concerns expressed by our customers across the city and we have also heard the views voiced by the members of Dublin City Council on behalf of constituents,” said Michael Buckley, joint Founder and CEO of Greyhound Recycling and Recovery.

“We understand that many households are financially constrained and struggling to pay bills. The Automatic Top Up service is the only option open to Greyhound customers to alleviate any difficulties in meeting the €100 Annual Service cost and to maintain a bin collection service,” he said.

“Greyhound Recycling and Recovery has already committed to honouring the waiver scheme for 33,000 customers, to maintaining the €100 Annual Service Charge for 2012 and to keeping bin lift fees at their current rates up to at least July of this year,” Mr. Buckley continued.

“Greyhound Recycling and Recovery is the most competitively priced operator in the Dublin market,” he added.

The company confirmed that it had consulted with officials at Dublin City Council on its proposals to respond to the concerns of customers regarding the pre-paid model that it operates."

More information on Bin Service Changeover

I received further information from Dublin City Council this morning in relation to collection days and the changeover of service to Greyhound.

I have written again to the City Manager to express my concerns about the manner in which the changeover has taken place, the poor way information has been presented to residents, and the lack of an option to pay the €100 charge in instalments over the course of the year.

All existing customers should have now received their letter from Greyhound explaining the changeover, they would have also received a new collection & a payment card. Please let me know if this is not the case in your area.


Residents who had no collection with DCC will have to contact greyhound directly on 1890 98 99 98 to set up an account (these residents will not receive a letter).


Customers have 30 days to pay the €100 services charge (this can be paid in instalments over next 30 days).


Customers must also put credit on payment card covering cost of collections required.


Existing Customers will receive  collections during the 30 days however the cost of same we be deducted once credit is put on the card.


Only Customers who pay the €100 services charge & put credit on the payment card will receive a collection after the 30 days has expired.


*** Bin collection days have changed (Calendar attached with your information pack) ***


In the North West Area our collection day is now WEDNESDAYS


This Wednesday 18th Jan  all black & brown will be collected


Next Wednesday 25th Jan all green bins will be collected


Customers who had an arrears agreement in place with DCC should continue to pay same.


Existing DCC customers will be sent a final bill (collection from Oct 2011 to 13th Jan 2012) it will be issued by Greyhound as they will be collecting monies & arrears  on behalf of DCC. 


Please give me a call or send me an email if you have any questions, concerns or enquiries about this information and I will do all I can to help. 

Speaking on completing the Ballymun Regeneration Project

This week in the Dáil I raised the issue of completing in full the social and physical regeneration of Ballymun with Jan O'Sullivan, the newly- appointed Minister with responsibility for housing.

I also extended an invitation to the Minister to see the progress that is being made in the area.


Watch the video of my contribution in full here:

Residents Left in the Dark on Bin Service Changeover

The handling of the transfer of Dublin City Council bin services to Greyhound Recycling has ‘left many residents in the dark’ and I am now calling for changes to payment options available.

I can appreciate the logistical effort involved the transfer of this service but the lack of timely information for residents has not been acceptable. Most of the details were only made available by the City Council this week and I have been informed today that many residents will not receive their information packs until Tuesday, after the transfer of service has taken place.

This is a particular concern for elderly residents who may have been unaware of any changes until they check their post today or early next week.

Given that many residents will have to register an account with Greyhound, this information should have been made available to each household well before the handover of service.

Also, an issue I have serious concerns over is the upfront payment of a €100 service charge for a large bin or €80 for a small bin, within 30 days of Monday January 16th.

People with waivers will not have to pay this charge but people who are used to having the option to pay their service charge in instalments will find this a lot to pay in one go, especially given the time of year.

I have raised this point with the City Council and with Greyhound and I am calling again for a half year or quarterly payment option to be put in place.

I already wrote a blogpost with further information on the changeover. Please get in touch with me if I can clarify any further points or answer any questions.

Speaking on DEIS schools in the Dáil

Last night I spoke about DEIS schools in the Dáil. I've been meeting with local teachers, principals, boards and parents since before Christmas and I passed on their concerns directly to the Minister.


I will be working with the Minister and all schools as the review is carried in the coming weeks and I hope to see this matter resolved for the benefit of all students in DEIS schools.

Changes to Bin Service - Latest Information

I have been in contact with Dublin City Council and Greyhound since the new year to clarify some of the details of the changeover of the household bin collection service.

As you may know, Greyhound will be taking over the collection of bins in the area (and for much of the city) from next Monday 16th January.

All households in the area should have received an information pack from Greyhound and the Council or will receive one by the end of this week. This information pack includes information on how to register with Greyhound and switch over your service without delay.

Much of this information is now available online here.

If you have any questions in regard to the changeover you can contact Greyhound's call centre from Monday at 1890 98 99 98 or email them on dublincity@greyhound.ie

Please contact me on 01 618 3280 or john.lyons@oir.ie if you have any further questions or if I can clarify any points with the Council or Greyhound.

Household Charge Exemptions

I have talked about the household charge here before and detailed a list of exemptions to the charge.

Exemptions currently include:

Residents who are receiving mortgage interest supplement, living in social housing (e.g. renting from Dublin City Council or Fingal County Council) and those living in certain unfinished housing estates - nor will commercial property and premises owned by a charity have to pay this charge.

The list of unfinished housing estates exempt from the household charge in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 has now been made available online.

In the Fingal County Council area Creston Park, Mayeston Hall, Heathfield Cappagh & Charlestown, St Margarest’s Road are now listed as exempt from paying the charge.


In the Dublin City Council area,, Hampton wood (03/4387) is listed. 03/4387 was the planning reference for the extension of the duration of the planning permission for the estate. Milners Square (Plan Ref 04/6058) on Shanowen Road, Santry has also been listed as exempt from the charge.


I wrote to DCC & Fingal County Council last week to clarify which areas of Hampton Wood and Charlestown are exempt in particular and I will keep residents informed of this information. 

As I have said, the household charge is an interim payment that will be replaced by a more progressive property tax in the near future. 

For further details (and the full list of exempt unfinished housing estates) you can visit www.householdcharge.ie, read my previous blogpost with FAQs or contact me directly at john.lyons@oir.ie or on 618 3280.

Show Racism the Red Card Creative Competition

75 schools and youth services are now registered for the Show Racism the Red Card Creative Competition. The deadline is the last Friday in February (24th) and the competition concludes with an awards prize giving presentation at the AVIVA stadium in April.

Participant groups will receive the Show Racism the Red Card DVD education pack for free upon registration.

You can register at www.theredcard.ie/competition.php 

If you are not a teacher or youth worker but would like to help Show Racism the Red Card, contact info@theredcard.ie

Programme of activities-
-Anti Racism Creative Competition
- Education workshops and training
- Jeff the Ref sports and events anti racism mascot
- Racism report card www.theredcard.ie/report.php 
- Intercultural Summer Camps in Donegal