Alex White TD, Grainne Kelliher (CEO of Airfield) and Grainne Millar (Director of Innovation & Development)
I was delighted to attend the official re-opening of Airfield farm after three years of extensive refurbishment and development.
I welcome the €211,000 funding awarded to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council and the €123,000 awarded to South Dublin County Council as part of the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme 2014.
As many of you know my constituency office is now based in Churchtown, in what is the old office of the late Seamus Brennan who worked as a TD for many years in our constituency. On Monday we replaced Seamus’ sign with mine and I was delighted that Shay Brennan, my old electoral competitor from the 2009 by-election was there to collect his father’s sign.
I want to commend Minister Ruairí Quinn for securing Cabinet approval for drafting of the Admissions to Schools Bill.
I warmly welcome the announcement by The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., that seven schools in Dublin South will be able to undertake school improvements this summer.
Seven local schools will receive money to improve and upgrade existing school buildings. This first round of funding will allow these schools to carry out small and medium scale building works across three categories of projects - Gas, Electrical & Mechanical.
I was in Moscow for the St Patrick’s Day Parade, held at Sokolniki Park in central Moscow on Saturday, 15 March. I was also a guest of the Irish Business Club at the charity Emerald Ball on Saturday evening.
As a country we have so much to be proud of; whether it’s our history, culture, diaspora or our recovering economy - we have an incredibly powerful story to tell. With all we’ve been through, we can sometimes lose our connection with what we believe is great about Ireland. Over this weekend I look forward to playing my role in the Government’s continuing efforts to rebuild Ireland’s reputation worldwide.
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People in Dublin South have a few days left to share their views with the Government on cyberbullying. A public consultation process on cyberbullying is currently underway and the deadline is Tuesday, March 18th. Views gathered from members of the public will feed into the work of an expert panel set up by Minister Pat Rabbitte to advise him on the issue of cyberbullying. You can submit your views on the Department of Communications website here.
Alex White TD, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy, Martina Queally, Dr. Colm Smyth, Teresa OMahony and Deirdre Ryan at the Leopardstown Primary Care Centre
I was pleased to meet with the Leopardstown Primary Care Team on Monday while visiting the Leopardstown Primary Care Centre.
I’m delighted with the news that the Department of Education has purchased Loreto Abbey on the Grange Road, which will operate as a permanent home for the Gael-Choláiste from September 2014 onwards.
I’d like to thank the many groups and individuals who participated in the public consultation process relating to the content and scope of a new GP contract to underpin the provision of GP care, free at the point of use, for all children aged under six years of age.
Belkacem Belfedhal, Alex White and Ammar Ouamar cutting the ribbon at the Human Appeal Ireland Charity Shop in Dundrum.
I was humbled to open the Human Appeal Ireland Charity Shop in the old Apollo building on the Dundrum Road. Proceeds from the new charity shop will go to alleviate poverty in Syria, the Philippines, Palestine and Burma. Human Appeal Ireland is one of the few charities that have managed to gain access inside Syria. It was a great honour to meet all of the local volunteers who have worked so hard to make this impressive initiative happen.
Since the closure of Mount Carmel Hospital, there has been considerable speculation about the use of the facilities in the future.
The Programme for Government pledged to introduce radical and fundamental reform of our health service. A central part of this reform agenda is the introduction of free GP care for all.
I spoke in the Seanad yesterday regarding amendments to the Health Identifiers Bill 2013. The Health Identifiers Bill 2013 is a crucial step in modernising and transforming our health services. In fact, it’s a key component of the Government’s eHealth Strategy. With this legislation, every single patient and health service provider will be given their own unique health identifier/number that will work across the health service, both public and private.
The danger associated with excessive alcohol consumption is under the public spotlight again following at least one tragic death linked to the ‘neknomination’ craze; a crush outside a ‘Messy Mondays’ event at a Dublin night club, and an incident involving drink and drugs at a concert in Belfast on Thursday night. Understandably, the reaction has been one of sadness, concern, and condemnation of our pervasive drink culture.
One of many public activites run by the the DLR Sports Partnership
I’d like to commend the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Participation Strategy which was officially launched in Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel recently. I was delighted to attend the launch and I want to compliment the work of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership.
Senator Lorraine Higgins & Alex White TD
The consultation process on the content and scope of a new GP contract for the provision of GP care, free at the point of use, for all children aged under six years of age began today.
On a personal level and as a local TD I was sad to hear the news that Mount Carmel is to be placed in liquidation.
This is a difficult time for all of the hard working and committed staff at the hospital. Mount Carmel is a Churchtown landmark and an important local employer.
There is a tremendous opportunity for South Dublin sports clubs and organisations to secure funding with the 2014 Sports Capital Programme. The fund totals €40m and I’d recommend local clubs to study the detail of the Programme and to get their applications in as soon as possible.
I’m delighted that the landlord tenant system will be reformed with an initiative for a deposit protection scheme and stronger provisions against anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Ireland needs to make radical choices to improve its health and well-being with society taking responsibility and government providing free GP cover and tackling the key challenges of tobacco and alcohol.
Peter Leonard, Alex White TD and Cllr Grace Tallon
I was delighted to attend last week’s Labour Party Candidate Selection Convention for Dublin South. Cllr Grace Tallon and Peter Leonard have been selected to run in Dundrum, Cllr Lettie McCarthy and Peter O’Brien in Glencullen and Cllr Richard Humphreys in Stillorgan. These are five great candidates who are working hard to serve our local communities. I’m looking forward to supporting them in their upcoming local election campaigns in May 2014. The local and European elections will be held on Friday, May 23rd 2014.
Good morning Ladies and Gentleman. I am very pleased so many of you have been able to join us this morning, especially people who have travelled some distance to be here. Today’s conference is designed to offer a practical opportunity for the advancement of our common goals and objectives, and I am sure it will be of great benefit to us all.
Me (Alex White) and Alan Kelly TD Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council was awarded over €3.4 million in government grants this week. This money will be spent to develop sustainable transport projects.
I really enjoyed my visit to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition on Friday. I saw the projects from a number of local schools in Dublin South including Wesley College, St. Benildus College, Loreto Beaufort and Mount Anville Secondary School. I want to congratulate the students for their fantastic hard work, creativity and ingenuity.
Me and Dr Susan O’Reilly, Director of the National Cancer Control Programme at the launch of the Tobacco Free Campus at St. Luke’s Hospital
St Luke’s Hospital Rathgar Campus became a tobacco free zone on Monday (January 6th) of this week. From now on, smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the hospital grounds including the car parks and gardens of St Luke’s.
Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts and I at an eHealth Conference in Dublin.
I’m delighted to hear that the Sandyford based company, Sláinte Healthcare will create 80 new jobs.
I warmly welcome the announcement that over €58,000 has been allocated to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to build a BMX course in Marlay Park as part of the Sport Nation Grant Initiative.
As a result of a decision by Cabinet this week, GP services without fees will be extended to all children aged five and under by mid 2014. The government approved the General Scheme of the required legislation at its meeting on Tuesday of this week.
Working at my constituency office on Braemor Rd. in Churchtown
I’m hiring a new Secretarial Assistant to work in my Churchtown constituency office. The role will involve the administrative organisation of the constituency office affairs including a full range of secretarial duties and direct communication with constituents and correspondents.
A recruitment campaign for new recruits to An Garda Síochána has opened. New Garda recruits will join the force in the years ahead and further the excellent work demonstrated by our own Gardaí at Dundrum and Cabinteely in fighting crime and helping keep our local communities safe.
The awarding of over €1 million in 2014 to the Southside Partnership DLR means that they can continue to deliver essential interventions that benefit those who most need it in our community as they to re-enter the workforce
I warmly welcome the announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., that there will be 390 additional special needs assistants (SNAs) posts appointed shortly and into 2014.
Speech by Alex White TD, Labour Party Conference 2013,
Killarney, Saturday Nov. 20th 2013
Thanks very much Chair,
It is my great honour to introduce this morning’s session on health. As the Chairperson has said, the context is our party’s focus on fairness, equality and social justice.
I welcome the announcement that a new secondary school in Dublin South will be under the patronage of Educate Together.
At the Marlay Craft Fair
Christmas can offer a real boost to our local retailers and the local economy in South Dublin. People have been extra cautious with their spending in the current economic climate, but I urge people to place their Christmas spend with small local businesses and self-employed people. Let’s make sure as best we can that our money stays local.
I warmly welcome the Home Renovation Incentive and I urge homeowners in South Dublin to avail of it.
The Home Renovation Incentive, as announced in Budget 2014 is designed to increase demand for small construction jobs and encourage people to invest in their homes. This initiative will give the local construction economy a kick-start and there’s positive signs that it’s already working.
Labour TD for Dublin South Alex White has warmly welcomed the Home Renovation Incentive and is urging homeowners in South Dublin to avail of it.
I welcome this historic moment and I congratulate an Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore TD, leader of the Labour Party for his leadership. I look forward to Ireland’s successful exit from the bailout. You can see an Tánaiste’s speech in full below.
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I welcome the book rental scheme for primary schools, which will reduce the cost burden on parents with young children.
Alex White, Labour TD for Dublin South, has welcomed the announcement that a new secondary school in Dublin South will be under the patronage of Educate Together.
“Educate Together operate multi-denominational, co-educational schools that are open to every child. The proposed, new secondary school will accommodate for an additional 1,000 student places.”
I welcome the opportunity afforded today by the presentation of this Report to address the issue of alcohol misuse, and to expand on the Government’s plans to address this problem. I thank the members of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications for their work on the issue of Sponsorship of Sport by the Alcohol Drinks Industry, and for their valuable contribution to the debate.
I welcome the acceptance by the committee that actions must be taken to address the harm caused to individuals, and to the broader Irish society by the misuse of alcohol.
I am pleased by yesterday’s Cabinet decision to hold a referendum on same-sex marriage in 2015. This is on foot of the recommendation of the Constitutional Convention who last April voted in favour of amending our constitution to allow for same-sex marriage .
Leader of the Labour Party and Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore, has described same-sex marriage as the ‘civil rights issue of our generation’.
The Labour Party holds a strong record of affirming marriage equality and I believe our Party and supporters can be proud of its role in advancing the rights of same-sex couples, and now in government, bringing this matter to the people for decision.
Reference pricing to see patients and taxpayers benefit from reduced costs
The Minister Minister for Primary Care, Alex White TD, today (Friday, 1st November) announced immediate reductions in prices for atorvastatin products, which are used to control cholesterol. The price reductions are the result of the introduction of reference pricing under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Today I published a government-approved package of measures, which for the first time will comprehensively address our societal misuse of alcohol.
The government has decided to extend free GP access to all children aged 5 and under. It is a move that will benefit many young families. But it is much more than a budget ‘gain’ for one group or sector. Rather, it is the first step in achieving universal access to GP care without fees, and the ultimate transformation of our health services.
I recently visited Scoil Mhuire in Ballyboden to help raise their third Green Flag, which the school was awarded for water conservation.
On Friday I had the honour of launching the Dublin Simon Community’s new respite and stabilisation unit for people with HIV. Here are some of the remarks I made:
