update 21st September - ANC payments

ANC payments for farmers are welcome in current conditions

Senator Maura Hopkins has said that payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme are a welcome boost for farmers in Roscommon and Galway.

Senator Hopkins said, "The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed TD has informed me that over €140 million is to be provided to farmers under this scheme in 2016."

"3,575 farmers in Roscommon are to benefit from over 7.8 million in payments and 7,500 farmers in Galway are to benefit from over 6 million in payments. Minister Creed has informed me that the Department will continue to clear cases for payment over the next number of weeks as a matter of priority."

Senator Hopkins concluded, "these payments will provide a much needed boost for farmers in Roscommon and Galway and I am confident any outstanding payments will be made in the coming weeks."

"The current wet conditions is making it very difficult for farmers and this payment is a necessary addition to their farm income. A number of farmers I met this week have told me they have had to house animals because of the worsening ground conditions. This is resulting in unforeseen costs for farmers to have to deal with at this early stage.  Therefore this payment is very necessary for farmers in our region". 

Hopkins Attends Launch of National Women's Enterprise Day

Fine Gael Senator Maura Hopkins recently attended the launch of National Women's Enterprise Day which takes place in the G Hotel on Wednesday October 19th.

The Event is being organised by the Local Enterprise Offices and will highlight and celebrate the success stories of female entrepreneurs.  It will encourage more women to avail of supports and set up or grow their own businesses.

Senator Hopkins said, "We have lots of inspiring women in our region who are making a real contribution to business and enterprise in our region. I hope this event will encourage more women to access the supports available and start their own businesses."

"The main event in our region will take place in the G Hotel on Wednesday 19th October, I encourage any women interested in enterprise and starting their own businesses to attend and learn from the experiences of others."

Town and Village Renewal Scheme deadline fast approaching.

Fine Gael Senator Maura Hopkins this week is reminding community groups throughout the county that applications for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for Rural Ireland must be submitted on or before Friday 14^th September to Roscommon County Council.

Senator Hopkins stated that “up to €380,000 is available to Roscommon County Council.  These grants will cover up to 85% of the cost of a project. The engagement of the local community where possible is a key component of the scheme. I am happy that Minister Heather Humphries has included this measure in the scheme because I firmly believe the success of these projects depends on the involvement of local people in communities working together.”

According to the Senator, “the scheme really focusses on developments that have the potential to increase the attractiveness of our towns and villages as good places for people to live, work, visit and raise families”.

Senator Hopkins concluded, "As Seanad Spokesperson with responsibility for Regional and Rural development, I intend to do all I can to prioritise the need for greater supports being made available to our communities in rural areas”.

“This Renewal Scheme is only the start of our work to ensure that all the regions feel the benefit of the economic recovery. I will work hard alongside relevant officials and groups to ensure this scheme encourages and supports projects with value that have a strong positive impact in our rural communities. It is critical that continued emphasis and funding be made available to our rural communities in the upcoming budget”.

“For this current scheme, I am strongly encouraging community groups to apply for funding before this Friday’s deadline.” 

Jump in uninsured drivers claims are worrying and requires action

Fine Gael Senator Maura Hopkins has described as worrying the news that the number of motor insurance claims relating to uninsured or untraced drivers in Roscommon has risen by 500% compared to 17% nationally. Claims in Roscommon this year have risen from 2 to 12 as compared to the same period last year.

Senator Hopkins said, "this news is very frustrating for Roscommon drivers who have already been faced with inflated premiums renewal costs this year."

According to the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland the industry pays out €60 million per year on average to deal with claims against uninsured drivers, this accounts for an estimated €35 extra on every driver's premium of every driver in the country.

Senator Hopkins continued, "the high cost of motor insurance premiums is an issue I have been raising consistently over the past number of months, according to the CSO motor insurance costs have risen by 40% over the past year, the fact that uninsured drivers are contributing to this is unacceptable ".

"I have called on the Tanaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald to ensure that additional resources are diverted to the traffic corps to make sure that we have improved enforcement.  Work is underway to allow An Garda Siochána use automatic number plate recognition cameras to target uninsured drivers.  It is critical that this system comes into operation as quickly as possible and that insurance companies are obliged to provide the necessary up to date insurance details."  

Senator Hopkins concluded, "drivers who choose to forgo insurance are not only breaking the law but are also directly penalizing all other motorists, this is simply unacceptable".

Funding for rural group water schemes a welcome boost

Senator Maura Hopkins has described the announcement of the funding allocations for group water schemes as a welcome boost for communities in our region.

Senator Hopkins said, "Minster for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney TD has informed me that Co Roscommon is to receive an allocation of €608,000 as part of his departments allocation as part of his Department's block and scheme-based grant allocations to local authorities for group sewerage and water schemes."

"Minister Coveney has advised me that the funding is aimed primarily towards the improvement of water quality in existing schemes, the takeover of some schemes by Irish Water in cases where the scheme has sought such a takeover, and other upgrading and water conservation works. Importantly however funding is also to be provided for the setup of new schemes which will all rural households to have access to a supply of good quality piped water for the first time."

Senator Hopkins concluded, "Communities across Co Roscommon have been plagued by poor water quality over the past number of years, this funding allocation will allow for further works in addition to the many projects completed successfully to date."

Hopkins welcomes VistaMed jobs announcement

Senator Maura Hopkins has welcomed the news that the medical devices firm VistaMed is to create 200 new jobs as part of a €10 million investment programme at it's facility in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Speaking before the announcement she said, "The announcement today is fantastic news for County Leitrim and North County Roscommon and the surrounding areas as it will attract many young professionals back to this region."

"Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O'Connor will make the announcement this afternoon. Minister Mitchell O'Connor has visited the region numerous times since her appointment demonstrating her strong commitment to the future growth and development of this region."

Established in 1998, VistaMed offers design, development and manufacturing of complex catheters and complementary medical devices supported by a state-of-the-art extrusion process. It manufactures complex medical tubing out of two manufacturing plants in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, and Rooskey, Co. Leitrim

This announcement will bring their total workforce to over 500 across their two plants in Carrick-on-Shannon and in Rooskey, Co Leitrim. Recruitment is currently underway, 37 posts  have been filled to date and the remaining positions are to be filled by the end of 2018.

Senator Hopkins concluded, "This announcement is a welcome boost for Carrick-on-Shannon and the surrounding region which has gone through a difficult period in recent times after suffering many jobs losses. These new jobs will provide a great boost for the economic life of the area."

Hopkins Addresses Women for Election Summer School

Roscommon Galway Senator Maura Hopkins recently addressed the Women for Election Summer-school in partnership with Facebook.

Senator Hopkins was a guest speaker on a panel focused on reaching voters online and the use of social media in campaigning.

Speaking at the event Senator Hopkins highlighted the potential benefits of social media to those in attendance, "as a public representative being as accessible as possible for the public is a key priority for me, my social media accounts are incredibly beneficial as they provide another point of contact for the public."

"The ways by which public representatives can reach the public have greatly increased over the last number of years. Along with print media and the radio, social and online media provides another forum for public representatives to share relevant information with the public."

"Social media, when used respectfully, is also an important place to allow people to raise important issues and then allows public representatives to respond to those issues and raise them at the highest level."

Women for Election is a non-partisan organisation whose vision is for balanced male and female participation in politics, they provide support and training for women interested in seeking election to public office.

Speaking after the event, Senator Hopkins said, "Encouraging female participation in politics is a key priority for me in the term ahead, I believe it is important that we have a balance of opinions and experiences throughout our public representation."