Independent TD Michael Lowry has urged the people of Thurles to engage with the consultation process for the route selection for the N62 Thurles Bypass which will be on display in the Anner today and tomorrow from 2-8pm.

The study has been completed and 5 potential routes have been identified by the National Roads Authority (NRA) as options for the bypass.

The Thurles based deputy said:

This bypass is a key component with my agreement with the current government and it is the biggest infrastructural project that the town will see in generations. I wish to ensure that everyone in the town has their fair say on it as it will have a major bearing on the future development of the town. It is important the people of Thurles and its surrounds take this opportunity to engage with the consultation.

Once the Public display in the Anner has ended, the plans for the suggested route corridors will be put on display in the Library, the Town Hall in Thurles and the County Council offices in Nenagh until Wednesday the 14th of October and the deadline for submissions is the 16th of October.

The Thurles bypass is one of only 2 NRA capital projects in the country, along with the Casltleisland bypass, that has not been started but that has not been frozen.

ENDS

Further Information:

Conor Mulvihill 087-6989501

Independent Deputy Michael Lowry has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, that additional funding has been provided to solve ‘limbo cases’ in the Early Retirement Scheme for farmers.

This extra funding is aimed at applications that were completed or close to completion at the time entry to the scheme was suspended on 14th October 2008.

Lowry said;

Since the closure of the Early Farm Retirement scheme and the Young Farmers Installation Aid scheme in the 2008 Budget I have fought tooth and nail for a compromise to be found for applicants who had there applications substantially complete at that point, to be included. I did this because I felt it was genuinely unfair on farming families who had invested great time and expense in preparing this applications, but had the rug pulled from under them on budget day.

I am delighted that the Minister has listened to my arguments put to him directly in the case of Early Farm Retirement Applications, and I will continue to fight the case for the Young Farmer Installation Aid Scheme.

We are all aware that the public finances are under extreme pressure at the moment, but I am aware of many farming families who had spent thousands in fees preparing for the schemes. This compromise gives an opportunity to these families who had their applications for the scheme substantially complete, to get into the scheme.

In setting out his limitations for entry to the scheme, the Minister said that, “in order to give those who might be eligible for admission to the scheme an opportunity to apply, farmers may submit their applications, accompanied by a lease/deed of transfer stamped by the Revenue Commissioners, to the Early Retirement Section in Johnstown Castle on or before 30th October 2009.”

Minister Smith emphasised that, because of the limited number of applications that can be accepted, there is no guarantee that all completed applications received by 30th October 2009 will be accepted.

In processing new applications, the Department will give priority to those applications which have leases/deeds of transfer stamped by the Revenue Commissioners prior to 14th October 2008 and, thereafter, priority will be determined by reference to the date on which the lease/deed of transfer was stamped.

Minister Smith said that any decision about further reopening the scheme would be taken only in the context of the annual Budget/Estimates process.

ENDS

Further Information:

Conor Mulvihill 087-6989501

Independent TD Michael Lowry has confirmed that resurfacing will begin on the Holycross/Beakstown/Thurles road this week.

These works involve:

• Drainage
• Verging
• Laying of Macadam and Asphalt
• Road Lining & Markings
• Improvement and Realignment of Junction at the Church of Ireland outside Holycross village. (more…)

OMC Engineering are to benefit from a €400,000 grant from Enterprise Ireland for investment in a new Thurles based project, Independent Deputy Michael Lowry has confirmed.

The company has been contracted to develop and manufacture a revolutionary new heat and power system that generates a clean alternative source of energy while eliminating the necessity for landfill and other forms of organic waste.

It is hoped that the development has the potential to develop the OMC premises at the old Irish Sugar plant in Ballycurrane, Thurles into a major manufacturing hub with the capacity to deliver high value and skilled jobs to North Tipperary, once the project reaches full capacity. (more…)

Deputy Michael Lowry has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Education and Science Batt O’Keefe that Scoil Nasuinta Cronain Naofa at Dromakeenan just outside Roscrea have got the go ahead for their long awaited building project.

The scale of works approved is for a three classroom extension, a new GP room, along with refurbishment and associated works on the older parts of the school.

In the coming days the Building unit of the Department of Education will contact the school to allow them to issue the ‘Letter of Acceptance’ that will enable them to award the building contract to the winning building tender. (more…)