SENATOR FIDELMA HEALY EAMES Contributing to Change in our County and Country

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames - Working for you locally and nationally

As we strive to answer the question What type of Ireland do we want, I am convinced of two things. First, that we need to get a deal on the debt at European level so that the pain is lessened in every home and family across our country. I don’t know about you but I get a little fed up hearing that we are the best boys in the EU while our educated and talented young people continue to emigrate. That we are meeting all the requirements of the Troika, ticking all the right boxes but not necessarily getting any place. It is now time to get a reward for all that hard work.

I am delighted with Minister Noonan’s resolve that a deal on the debt is necessary. The Irish debt problem needs now to come top of the agenda in Europe.

Secondly, we need to continue with the reform agenda. Reform needs to continue to happen in every Government department so business is made easier, so that the State itself is not the block to progress. Public sector allowances will be addressed in the context of this discussion.

While guarding the integrity of our democracy, electoral reform needs to happen too, from top to bottom. I have come to the conclusion that government at all levels has more elected representatives than necessary. We have too many TDs, Senators and Councillors for the size of our country. We need a root and branch review to tackle this, more than is currently in place.

Of course, in our zeal for reform we must be careful where the axe falls. Achieving fairness must continue to inform the Ireland we want. This is a debate we will face shortly with the property tax. Be assured that I am ever mindful that 50% of the people in the country have less than 100 euro left at the end of the month, and that personal and mortgage debt are at unsustainable levels for many families. Similarly, the speculation that the free travel should go for older persons. What would be gained from that? I believe the social, safety and mental health benefits that accrue from free travel for our older citizens far outweigh any financial gain that might be realised from a cut of this nature.

The job of Government is not easy. When we emerge from this crisis we must have a society we are proud to be part of, one that is built on sound, sustainable footings, rights and responsibilities, not the quicksand that we had come to depend on.

I hope you’ve had a break and that you are ready to face the year ahead. For my own part, I’ve had a Summer like none other! I want to assure you that I am committed to continuing to work for Galway and the people of Ireland and to contributing to the political discourse in this country through my work locally and in the Seanad and Oireachtas Committees. There are many exciting developments afoot. This newsletter presents a brief overview.

RIGHT TO LIFE/ABORTION DEBATEThis is an issue I care deeply about. At a personal level I hold a Right to Life position. We await the findings of the Expert Group this Autumn. Once we have the recommendations to hand we will discuss at party level. Finally the cabinet will make a decision on how we proceed in response to the European Court of Human Rights decision. It is widely felt that our options are either legislation, a referendum or ministerial regulation. For my part I will be heavily influenced by the Right to Life position and by my own personal experience in creating a family through adoption.

PROPERTY TAX In the coming term I will be pushing for a fair and equitable property tax that is within people’s means. I will agitate for a €100 credit for those who paid their Household charge in 2012, to be offset against their property tax next year. This will reward those who pay.

MICHAEL COLLINS HISTORY NIGHT, GALWAY, OCT. 19THJoin us for a Collins History Night in the Menlo Park Hotel, Galway, Fri., Oct. 19th, 8pm. Cover Charge €10.00. For further info contact Tomás Ó Cadhain Mob 0871303166. Email: enquiries@oldeireland.ie

I am always happy to be of service. Know that you are welcome to meet me at my weekly Clinics, to meet me in Leinster House or to schedule a home visit by arrangement. Please contact me by phone or by email at fidelma.healy.eames@oireachtas.ie. Please check my website, Fidelmahealyeames.ie, for weekly updates.

CONTACT INFO: Leinster House: 016183742 Mobile: 0876776937 Email: fidelma.healy.eames@oireachtas.ie

Website: fidelmahealyeames.ie

Welcome to my Newsletter for the new Oireachtas term 2012-2013.

UPCOMING/ THIS TERM

Seanad Spokesperson, Social Protection, Member, EU Affairs Oireachtas Committee, Member, Education & Social Protection Committee

Your FG Oireachtas team for Galway West - Seán Kyne TD, Brian Walsh TD & Sen. Healy Eames

Contact Fidelma: Tel: 091 792017 Mobile: 087 6776937 Seanad Éireann, Tel: (01) 6183742 LoCall: 1890 732623 E Mail: fidelma.healy.eames@oir.ie Contributing to Change in our County and Country

GALWAY NEWS

Galway Volvo Ocean Race: Little wonder that we would be supportive of the ‘Let’s do it Global’ team for the next bid. The Volvo Ocean race in Galway from June 30th to July 8th was a monumental success for our city and county. It showed we can put on the greatest show on earth when we put our minds to it. All credit is due to the local team, spearheaded by John Killeen and Micheline McNamara.

I was particularly grateful to Minister Jimmy Deenihan for responding to my request for a philanthropic grant of €20,000 towards the entertainment and spectacles we all enjoyed at the Volvo. Galway really lived up to its reputation on the world stage and we can all be proud of that. Local Businesses can benefit

from Government Enterprise Schemes – Take advantage There is a wide range of valuable supports and schemes available to the small and medium business sector. Many firms are completely unaware of most of them. The Government is determined, through the Action Plan for Jobs, to bring about the right conditions for job creation. By helping businesses to help themselves, we can effect sustainable jobs growth.

Every business should check out the supports on offer. I can send you a leaflet or alternatively check out my homepage on fidelma.healy.eames.ie

The analogue TV signal will be switched off on October 24th. If you have an arial TV you will more than likely be affected and you need to take action now. Otherwise you will be left in the dark without any TV reception.

In order to assist organisations to reach people who may be affected, a ‘Small Grants Scheme’ has been put in place. It is intended to assist local organisations to hold

events which provide information on the digital switchover and assist with the process.

I would encourage community and voluntary groups to avail of this funding and help spread the word to people about how to make the switch. Interested groups should contact Aodán Mac Donncha by email at forpobal@iolfree.ie or by calling 091 553666 or 087 7508107.

Keep warm this winter!The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme (BEWH), administered by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), funds energy efficiency improvements in the homes of the elderly and vulnerable, making their homes more comfortable, healthier and more cost effective to run.

The scheme has now been extended to home owners in receipt of any one of the following:

• Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and with children under 7 years of age.

• Family Income support • Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme

This service is provided at no cost to the home owner. Many contractors can do this job. First Cass Insulation is the only community- based organisation in Galway City and county providing this service. They be contacted at 091-760877. I would urge anyone who can avail of this excellent scheme to do so.

A Train Station for Oranmore – Just the Ticket!In July I received confirmation that the Oranmore train station project had been given the go ahead. Work has now commenced.

After 10 years of campaigning for this development I am delighted that the lobbying has finally come to fruition. Once finished the train station will be a massive benefit to the whole community, connecting Oranmore to the national rail network. I look forward to being the first in the queue to buy a ticket to Dublin!

Galway City Outer-Bypass - Good news for commuters on the wayOn the 17th of July we received confirmation from the Department of Transport that Galway City Outer By-pass had received phase 2 funding. This is good news for Galway commuters, business and tourism. Rush hour, as we know, can mean an hour or more to get from one side of the city to the other. The new GCOB once constructed will see an end to those intolerable delays that so badly affect the quality of people’s lives in Galway city and Connemara. Let’s hope for a positive outcome to the European case, now in process, so we can get this project underway.

Are you ready for the Digital Switchover on October 24th?

Social Protection and its place in a recession As Seanad spokesperson on Social Protection, on August 28th, Senator Healy Eames was invited to present a paper in Dublin to a French think-

tank on the subject of “Welfare in a time of Recession”. Below are some of the points the senator made:

A functioning welfare system is extremely important in a time of economic recession. Despite its critics, the welfare system is helping to provide a stable platform from which to proceed with our recovery. It provides a level of equality by ensuring a minimum standard of

living which encourages social cohesion. Much of our annual welfare spend of €20 billion is re-injected directly into the economy.

Our social welfare system has proven to be an effective model of social insurance for the tens of thousands of people who have sadly lost their jobs. More needs to be done however, for self-employed people who have lost their businesses.

We need to ensure that the welfare state functions efficiently and honestly, while staying true to its original ethos of rights and responsibilities. For a copy of the paper please email fidelma.healy.eames@oir.ie For more up-to-date information on welfare approaches, you can access the new ‘Pathways to Work’ document at www.welfare.ie

Senator Healy Eames with her daughter Ruth on the way to the

Saw Doctors at the Volvo Ocean Race.

It is widely acknowledged that the future is digital. Thus, studying technology and computer science at University level can assure many young people of their choice of job in the future. At a recent EU meeting I heard an EU commissioner say that as matters currently stand Europe will lack 700,000 computer engineers by 2015! This is astonishing. There are courses available at University level in this country, right here in Galway. The problem is many young people don’t know if this field is for them because computer programming is a language that isn’t taught at primary or secondary level. To address this gap Coderdojos are being set up by technology mentors, all volunteers, across the country. Right now Coderdojos take place on Saturdays in NUIG and Athenry. Interest is enormous. I am in the process of setting up one for the Maree, Oranmore, Clarinbridge area. If you would like your child (8-18 years) to participate please call or email the office. Equally important if you are a technology person and you have two hours to spare on a Saturday please contact us. We need you!

My priorities for Ireland’s EU Presidency 2013I am a member of the Joint Oireachtas committee on EU Affairs. Check out our activity on oireachtas.ie/parliament/oireachtasbusiness/committees_list/eu-affairs//.

For the first six months of 2013 Ireland will hold the rotating presidency of the EU. Irish people will be facilitated in various ways to participate in this great honour. Details of upcoming public events around the country are available from ec.europa.eu/Ireland. The Presidency presents a real opportunity for Ireland to lead, not just for ourselves but for the whole of Europe, a market that we so greatly depend on.

My priorities for our Presidency are:

1. CAP: Minister Coveney (pictured) will lead the renegotiation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) next year. I will be pushing for a favourable outcome for Irish farmers in Galway and the West of Ireland, given our unique conditions. Shortly, I will be hosting a meeting in Galway with the French Ambassador, Mme. Emmanuelle d’Achon, with local farming and agri-business representatives to discuss our expectations for the new CAP and the Franco-Irish relationship in agricultural matters.

2. Youth unemployment must be high on the agenda of Ireland’s EU Presidency. We need to work together across Europe to find solutions. I have made this request at Ministerial level.

3. Smoke-free Third Level Campuses: For the Health agenda of our EU Presidency I have spoken with Minister Reilly about bringing forward an Anti-Smoking initiative to make Third Level College Campuses smoke-free. Over 700 college campuses in the US are now smoke-free under a similar initiative. No College Campus in Europe is yet smoke-free. I am working with ASH Ireland on this project. This is an opportunity for Ireland to lead the way in important preventative health legislation.

Contact Fidelma: Tel: 091 792017 Mobile: 087 6776937 Seanad Éireann, Tel: (01) 6183742 LoCall: 1890 732623 E Mail: fidelma.healy.eames@oir.ie Contributing to Change in our County and Country

GALWAY NEWS NEWS & ACTIVITY

SENATOR FIDELMA HEALY EAMES

Are you ready for the Digital Switchover on October 24th?

Over 70 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry. The Gathering Ireland 2013 provides the perfect reason to reach out to those who have moved away and invite them home. Communities will showcase and share the very best of Irish culture, tradition, business, sport, and the uniquely Irish sense of fun. Gatherings will take place in our villages, towns and cities.

During the last week of August, Maree Community Development Association held a weekend event to get people thinking about Gathering 2013. It was a great success and the association raised

funds to go towards events for next year. Similarly, I am working with a Gathering initiative in Conneamara.

Is your community preparing for the Gathering 2013?

To register your community’s Gathering 2013 event go to thegatheringireland.com For more local information contact Brian Barrett, Galway County Council on 091-476506. He is coordinating a Gathering steering group, chaired by Keith Finnegan, of which I am a member, for Galway city and county.

Gathering 2013 – Is your community involved?

A Coderdojo for Maree...? If you are a techie we need your help

Small Rural Schools and their role in local rural communitiesEarlier this year I presented a proposal to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Education on the value of the small rural school to the rural community. I proposed a process which would allow for time to address valid concerns and give communities a chance to come up with sustainable solutions. See my proposal and the Minister’s response on my home page at www.fidelmahealyeames.ie

Pic of Gathering 2013 Promo at The All-Ireland Hurling Final in Croke Park, Sept 9th

The China-Ireland Relations Commitee has had a busy 2012. Some of our activities include:

• China’s largest state run broadcaster, Xinhua, recently came to Galway and made two excellent tourism and leisure programs about Galway for Chinese television. Follow these links to watch both programs: Tourism: http://www.cncworld.tv/news/v_show/25231_Galway,_tourists__paradise__.shtml

Leisure: http://www.cncworld.tv/news/v_show/25805_Land_of_leisure.shtml

• Chinese Language & Culture for Junior Cycle. Senator Healy Eames has been invited by the Confucius Institute in UCC to be a member of a working group to produce a 100 hour short course for Junior Cycle in Chinese language and culture. An exciting development, this marks a new departure for the Irish Education system.

• NEWSFLASH: Opportunity for local children to learn ChineseMaree NS, Clarinbridge NS and Transition Year students in Calasanctius College, Oranmore will enjoy a free course on an Introduction to Chinese Language &

Culture. Senator Healy Eames’ links with the Confucius Institute in UCC has brought this about. Expected to start in late October, this is a pilot initiative.

• On March 23rd we hosted our first China-Ireland Relations conference in NUI Galway. The theme of the conference was “Can Ireland Offer What China Needs?” The conference proved to be a huge success and has led to numerous other events including the China-Ireland Trade and Investment event on China Day at the Volvo Ocean race at which the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Luo Linguan spoke.

For further information Visit our website at www.chinairelandrelations.com and join our Facebook group page China-Ireland Relations.

NEWS & ACTIVITY

Contact Fidelma: Seanad Éireann, Tel: 091 792017 Mobile: 087 6776937 Tel: (01) 6183742 LoCall: 1890 732623 E Mail: fidelma.healy.eames@oir.ie

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Volunteering in RwandaThis past Summer VSO Ireland invited me to volunteer at the Ministry of Education in Rwanda. My role was to advance policy in the area of Special Education Needs (SEN) and Early Childhood development (ECD). The need is great. Currently there are about 250k children with special educational needs (SEN) and only about 27k receiving education. In the area of ECD there is no state provision yet and children are not obliged to go to primary school ‘til they are 7 years old. Still there is great intent and Rwandans are very open to receiving help.

The genocide of 1994 where one million people – men, women and children (mostly Tutsi) were tortured and murdered, in less than 100 days, will

forever inform their existence. A striking feature of the communities I visited was the number of widows and orphans of the genocide (see pics). So many of the men were killed. Another feature was child-headed families where both parents were killed.

Throughout my week I liaised with VSO volunteers and staff as well as staff at the Ministry. I met with the Minister for Education, Vincent Biruta, Minister for State and parliamentarians (see pic). It was my job to advance the work of VSO volunteers, mostly working in teacher education and school leadership development, at a political level. Since my return Minister Biruta has written to me say they are taking on board my recommendations in the area of Special education. Further, I was delighted to learn that VSO Rwanda staff and volunteers have been invited to present their work to the Rwandan education commission

in the Rwandan parliament this Autumn. This is progress.

On a daily basis VSO fights poverty through education and disability programmes. If this work is not fed in at a political level much is lost. Hence the importance of connecting with decision-makers, politicians and Ministers who decide on policy and budgets. I am delighted to have had a chance to contribute to this work. The overwhelming feeling for me was that I was useful and could make a real difference in people’s lives. VSO Rwanda needs more volunteers, particularly teachers who will work in teacher education. I am happy to give you much more detail should you be interested. Return flight and shared volunteer accommodation is standard. The main thing to know and believe is that you can make a difference.

China-Ireland Relations – the story continues apace HELP ORANMORE CREATE A

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDCreate a Culture of Safety and Wear a Hi-Vis Jacket

A wonderful day is planned lead by Rosemary Finlay and Dolores Kilroe.

Join us Saturday, 27th October 2012 at 3pm, Astro Turf, Oranmore Village, Co. Galway

Guinness World RecordFor further information please check out the website www.oranmorefest.com

This event coincides with the Oranmore festival. Lots to look forward to.

Fidelma meets with Nicholas and widows and orphans of the genocide

Senator Healy Eames with Rwandan children, affected by the genocide

Senator Healy Eames with VSO staff and members of the Rwandan Parliament

Launching Chinese taster classes for Oranmore are members of the China-Ireland Relations Initiative

Owen Diviney, Geraldine Grady, Fidelma Healy Eames, Chairperson, Dongxia Zhang, Course Tutor, Geraldine

Costello, Margaret Kearns.