I can confirm that the CBS Secondary School in Thurles is set to receive funding for four additional mainstream classrooms.

Under the temporary accommodation scheme being run by the Department, 4 classrooms of 49m squared have been approved. This was confirmed to me by Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan. The building unit of the department will now contact the school to commence the building process.

 This is a most welcome announcement and will be a valuable contribution to an excellent school.  These new classrooms will be hugely benificial and will go some way to preventing over-crowding in the school.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan, has confirmed to me today that Thurles CBS has been approved for four additional classrooms under the Temporary Accomodation Scheme.   These classrooms are to be mainstream ones and will be 49m squared. The building unit of the Department will be in contcat with the school in the coming days to announce the exact amount of funding approved. I was delighted to be able to confirm this for the school today.

The announcement last week by VHI Health Insurers to impose a sharp increase in their insurance prices can only be described as staggering and excessive.  The increases which range between 15% to 45% and come into force on the 1st of February.  

I would advise customers to shop around; and to take full advantage of comparisons provided by the Health Insurance Authority (www.hia.ie).

 The economics behind the hike are that VHI customers are generally older and the cost of private beds in public hospitals has increased.  In addition VHI have said that there was an increase in claims on top of 48,000 customers leaving their books.  The medical costs that the VHI insure are as a result higher than other insurers and the money must come from somewhere; despite Government subsidies of €400 million.  The reality however, is that the most loyal, trustworthy and most in need are being penalised and targeted.

VHI is not the only insurer, (Quinn and Aviva are also providers), but the fact of the matter is it is a mess – the issue of risk equalisation; consultants contracts and the model of healthcare we currently have all yet to be cleared up.  These are complicated areas, but this is what the Minister for Health has been charged to do; yet the consumer is the one picking up the tab.

 I am reminding customers to shop around; it has become easier to switch, and there are no penalties involved in switching.

Arising from the latest demands by the Green Party for the Climate Change Response Bill 2010, I am calling on the Government  not to scapegoat the agriculture sector in its attempt to defy political extinction. It is my belief that the farming community have already proved themselves as pioneers in sustainable practices.

 In recent weeks, the Green party have made it a condition of remaining in Government that their Climate Change Response Bill be passed by the Oireachtas. The Bill seeks to impose a structure for the transition to a to a low-carbon society and a range of targets to reduce green house emissions by 80% by 2050 from 1990 levels, or 2.5% per year by 2020 from 2008 levels.

 I believe that the Green party are in survival mode and attempting to save face amongst its own membership; however the agricultural sector cannot be penalised once again. The agriculture sector represents families and communities, who have already been subjected to significant costs and charges in the past year. It is clear that the issue of environmental protection, and planning for a sustainable environment is in everyone’s interest, however I believe that the agriculture sector should not be scapegoated in order to achieve these ends.

 The agriculture sector have been pioneers in sustainable practices and far more adaptable than other sectors; they should be complimented and supported. The role of the agricultural sector is unique in Ireland; and is tied closely into our economy. I want to ensure that we do not create barriers for the sector; and that burdens are shared across the board.  Other policy areas such as transport and energy clearly contribute to our climate change also. 

The Climate Change Response Bill has been described as a ‘national priority” by the Green Party, and was published two days before Christmas.  Public Consultation is open until the 28th January. The Green Party expect it to be enacted by the Oireachtas in February.

 The agriculture sector should not be made a political football by the Greens. The Climate Change Bill should be carefully considered, and not be rushed for the sake of political one upmanship.