Kilkenny Local Authorities could divert funding earmarked for the Central Access Scheme into many civic and cultural projects if the road is refused by An Bord Pleanala in coming weeks. This is the view of Borough and County Councillor Malcolm Noonan. Projects such as an Arts Centre, the restoration of St Mary’s Church and graveyard, a city museum, the upgrade of High St and the park and skate park facility at the Closh could be prioritised if the city spur of the road and bridge crossing is refused.

‘Given the fact that the bulk of the 27m needed for the scheme will have to be drawn from local funding, the ability of the local authorities to fund anything else while the road and bridge are being constructed will be greatly undermined. This funding was also predicated on an economic growth rate of 4.2% at the time it was put forward to An Bord Pleanala and this has clearly not materialised’ said Cllr Noonan.

Cllr Noonan pointed out that the Council is now moving in the right direction with the Mobility Plan for the city and that international best practice was now directing authorities away from excessive engineering projects to address urban mobility. Freeing up of available and future development contributions monies towards civic and cultural projects could redirect the whole dynamic of the city and place Kilkenny among the leading destinations in Ireland, if not Europe.

‘The obvious answer is the linking of the western environs section of the road with a completed outer ring road, our focus should be on consolidating the unique character of Kilkenny for present and future generations and enhancing our tourism potential, which is by far our biggest employer. This can only be done by continually striving to be better and more ambitious in our vision’ he said.

Cllr Noonan is the only sitting member of Kilkenny Local Authorities to have opposed the Central Access Scheme and has been campaigning against it for twelve years. A decision by An Bord Pleanala is due shortly.

Hi
By now the fruit tree project has well and truly started. We began planting in  with Sean O hArgain, Muniteoiri agus na Paisti. It was such a great day and our little orchard will hopefully mature over coming years. On Thursday 5th of March, I planted six trees with sixth class and my son Colm who is in Junior infants at St Canice’s National School. Then it was on to the Castle Park on Friday for the main event. What a great turnout and we had a film crew from Glass Eye Productions in Thomastown. I hope to have footage of this up on this site when the edit is complete.
Finally I went to the Model School on the Comer Rd and prepared the planting holes for the parents who were coming in on the Saturday. I had to be in Wexford at our Party Conference on that day so I haven’t gone back to see how they got on yet.
All in all it has been a really inspiring project, one that I hope will leave a lasting mark on the 400 celebrations. Here’s the press release I put out that week, we will be back in Autumn to complete the planting.
Malcolm

Celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the signing of the City Charter will take place this week in schools around the city and will culminate in the planting of an orchard in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle. The 400 fruit tree project will see the planting of orchards around the city to leave a lasting legacy of the 400 celebrations.

Speaking on the significance of the event, steering committee member, Cllr Malcolm Noonan stated that it was particularly poignant given that the theme of this years National Tree Week is ‘Our Trees, Our Culture’. ‘Kilkenny City and County is steeped in a tradition of growing and self reliance and this project seeks to reconnect communities with growing our own food, while enhancing wildlife in our urban areas’.

Three primary schools will take part in the first phase of the project, Gaelscoil Osraí, St Canice’s National School and The Model School and will plant small orchards of old native varieties of fruit trees including one native to County Kilkenny. On Friday March 6th, a group of twenty trees will be planted on the grounds of Kilkenny Castle formally marking the start of the project.

Brian Dillon of Future Proof Kilkenny who are involved in the coordination of the project acknowledged the support of Kilkenny Local Authorities, the OPW and other partner organisations and schools. ‘Claire Murphy of Kilkenny County Council has been instrumental in sourcing the right trees and we are most grateful for the support of the Local Authority and the 400 Celebrations Committee. Also the OPW have been most supportive of this project since it was first mooted’ he stated.

Elaine Bradshaw of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful is hopeful that the project will enhance Kilkenny’s chances in this year’s tidy towns, particularly under the wildlife and biodiversity categories.

It is hoped that the project will be completed in late autumn 2009 and the committee will be announcing a sponsor an orchard scheme to raise further funds to complete the planting. They are also hoping to identify more suitable sites throughout the City that are secure and will be well maintained.

Following a National Day of Action by frontline Health service staff to highlight the devastating effects of the recruitment freeze and health cutbacks, Kilkenny Green Party Councillor, Malcolm Noonan has called on the Minister for Health and Children to prioritise services for those most vulnerable in our communities.

 

The day of action was organised by the IMPACT Public Sector Trade Union, whose membership includes, professionals, therapists, social care workers, admin and managerial staff. The purpose of the action was to highlight the effects of the cutbacks and staff embargo on children with special needs, those with physical and intellectual; disabilities, mental health and services for the elderly.

 

‘I would urge the Minister for Health and Children to direct the Health Service Executive to ensure that there is adequate funding and staff resources to ensure that these extremely vulnerable groups are given the priority they deserve. Frontline healthcare workers are working under severe pressure to deliver essential services and patients and their families are the ones who suffer when they cannot access services in a reasonable timeframe’ stated Cllr Noonan.

 

Cllr Noonan met with IMPACT delegates at the demonstration at the HSE offices in Lacken, Kilkenny today (Wednesday) and was informed by delegates of the effect that a lack of occupational therapists was having on children with special needs, where specialist equipment is waiting to be fitted in Schools, but cannot be done because therapists were not available and posts in Kilkenny remain unoccupied.

 

‘I find it unacceptable that when our economy takes a downturn, it is the most at risk groups in our society that are affected. I have spoken to many families who are at their wits end due to lack of services and our health workers must be supported in every way to provide services at the highest level of quality and care for service users. I fully support the actions of the IMPACT Union in highlighting this crisis’ concluded Cllr Noonan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The story for parents of autistic children is one of uncertainty and despair.

We are told that early intervention and diagnosis is vital, yet Speech and language and Occupational therapy services in Kilkenny, like much of the country, are at breaking point. And for parents, every week without intervention is like a lifetime.

Bringing our own son to early intervention services in Kilkenny, I became acutely aware of the problems many parents face in trying to access basic services for their children.

The early intervention in the lives of young children with autism, developmental delays or speech and language delays is vital! It will shape the futures of those children; those who have a fundamental human right to a full, dignified and happy life.

We finally got our son into speech and language services, and into a fantastic Montessori pre school. He’s doing really well, starting school in September and ready for the challenges ahead.

I must say, we are fortunate to have one excellent Dept funded ABA school in County Kilkenny. And, many mainstream schools in Kilkenny are doing great work in integrating and working with children with autism.

However, many children present with a range of issues, making it difficult to put a label on them, which would otherwise open the door to services. And often the services are just not there. It can be a long and exhaustive road for parents just trying to get a diagnosis.

It is essential that services in family affairs, health and education reflect the diversity of the spectrum of autism disorder.

There can be no discrimination towards children who don’t fit a specific diagnosis. A child who falls outside of assessment criteria could be left in a sort of educational limbo, which can set a child on a prolonged path of disadvantage.

The ABA issue has been pushed to the top of the political agenda by NGO’s such as Irish Autism Action. The demands of Autism rights campaigners should be met within the term of this Government. Autism specific provision in health, education and family affairs; core funding for the Autism Diagnostic Centre; early intervention appropriate to needs; the funding of ABA schools; provision of services in secondary schools, and provision of home based supports and supports for adults with autism.

Our party was founded on the principles of social justice. And I feel we should take a central role in areas outside our perceived remit. Yes, climate change is urgent but so are the lives of the most vulnerable in our society: the young, the elderly, those at risk of poverty, people with intellectual, psychiatric and physical disabilities. I believe that the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas can be a strong voice in Government for those who can’t speak up for themselves. I am calling on our Parliamentary Party to be the social conscience of Government.

I ask that we take centre stage in not just greening this country but transforming it into a country that truly cherishes its people.

Ultimately, we will be judged as a government party by the compassion and empathy we feel for the people that we serve.