Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2019 Set to Commence

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Ms Regina Doherty TD has announced that the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will be made available again this year, and has urged families who are not automatically entitled to make an application before the end of September deadline.

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when children start school each autumn. I was very pleased to secure €56 million in Budget 2019 for this year’s scheme.

The income limits for this payment have been adjusted to ensure that the increases in social welfare payment rates introduced by Budget 2019 do not negatively impact on people’s entitlement to the allowance.”

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a nationwide scheme that provides a once-off payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear.

The allowance paid for each eligible child aged 4-11 on or before 30 September 2019 is €150 while an allowance of €275 is paid for each eligible child aged 12-22 on or before 30 September 2019. Children aged between 18 and 22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2019.

Funding of €56.3 million has been provided for the scheme this year. It will be automatically paid to almost 110,000 families in respect of approx. 200,000 children from the week beginning 8 July to allow families sufficient time to prepare for back to school.

Similar to previous years, the majority of payments will be paid with no application form required.  The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is currently processing these payments and customers will receive written confirmation before the end of this month informing them of their automatic entitlement. The Department will issue payments totalling approximately €40.5 million to these families from the week beginning 8 July.

Families who do not receive notification from the Department of an automated payment by the end of June will need to make an application even if they received a payment last year – the application form will be available from 24 June in all Intreo Centres, via SMS (text Form BTSCFA followed by your name and address to 51909) or by sending an email to BSCFA@welfare.ie and on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.

There is also an option to apply online this year at www.mywelfare.ie. Customers wishing to avail of this option need to have a Public Services Card and a verified MyGovID account.  Those who do not have a Public Services Card can make an appointment at www.mywelfare.ie to get one.

The closing date for receipt of applications for this year’s Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is 30 September 2019.

The Department is also providing a dedicated phone link that will be open to answer enquiries during business hours 9.00am to 5.00pm.  Anyone wishing to make enquiries about this scheme can contact LoCall 1890 66 22 44.

Important:

To qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, a person must be in receipt of certain social welfare payments or taking part in training, employment or adult education schemes and the total household income must be less than the amounts set out in the table below. All dependent children are taken into account for the income limits (including children who do not qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, because they are under the age of 4).

The total household income includes a person’s main social welfare or Health Service Executive payment and any other income they may have including wages (before tax, but excluding employee PRSI and a standard travel allowance of up to €20 per week), maintenance, savings and investments.

Savings and investments (including property, but not the family home) are assessed as follows:

Any income a family gets from Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, Working Family Payment, Guardian’s Payments, Blind Welfare Allowance, Rehabilitation Training Allowance, rehabilitative employment (up to €120 per week), Domiciliary Care Allowance, Mobility Allowance is not counted.

Income Limits for 2019 are:-

*Limit is increased by €37 for each additional child.

Just completed my donations and elections expenses statement for Local Election 2019 as per the 1999 Act – the record is as follows for my campaign.  

– I spent €1006.98 of my own money and received €1346.67 in voluntary donations (Go fund me and cash donations) making a total spend of €2353.65 for my 2019 campaign.

Very Glad to second a Headed Item at July Council meeting calling for a Library to be built in Rathcoole – plans will now be drawn up and presented at October Council meeting – i have been years calling for a library that would serve Rathcoole , Newcastle , Saggart and Brittas

Plans are being developed for 1160 housing units in Killnarden , Rathcoole , Belgard North and Clonburris made up of 29% social , 46 % affordable , 12% affordable rent and 13% private – early stages but welcome news that plans will be brought to council in October.

South Dublin County Council have proposals that can deliver up to 4,500 new homes to the area. The total investment envisaged under the ambitious housing plan is in excess of €1 billion.

The lands discussed at Monday’s Council meeting included:

2,600 new homes at the recently approved Clonburris SDZ scheme,

1,000 new homes at Kilcarbery in Clondalkin,

500 new homes in Killinarden, Tallaght,

250 new homes in Rathcoole, and a further;

150 new homes at Belgard Square North, Tallaght.

Some progress being made

Works to improve security of water supply may cause interruptions in parts of South Dublin this weekend

(3 July 2019) Irish Water and South Dublin County Council wish to advise customers that essential works to improve security of water supply will be carried on a trunk water main in Rathcoole Park this weekend. As a result of these planned works there may be disruption to the water supply in parts of South Dublin from 9am on Thursday 4 July until 5pm on Sunday 7 July.

Customers in the following areas may experience lower water pressure for the duration of the works: Aerodrome; Greenogue; Newcastle; Ballynakelly; Newcastle Village; Peamount Road; Baldonnel Business Park; Milltown; Baldonnel; Kingswood Business Park; Citywest Business Park; Brownsbarn; Kingswood Heights; Embankment Road; Rossfield; Jobstown Park and surrounding areas.

Irish Water has worked closely with the Dublin Local Authorities to minimise the impact of these works. The network will be managed to ensure water supply is maintained to customers albeit at a lower pressure than usual.

Irish Water is encouraging customers to conserve water while these essential works are underway. We are urging customers to conserve water by not running taps needlessly, taking showers instead of baths and to postpone using dishwashers and washing machines where possible. Water supply to hospitals will be prioritised and water tankers are on stand-by and are ready to be mobilised if needed.

These essential works form part of the €35 million euro construction of a new strategic water main that will provide water connectivity between Leixlip and Saggart safeguarding the future water supply for homes and businesses in South Dublin.

Speaking about the works, William Mc Knight, Irish Water said, “This project will improve the resilience of the water supply network in the Greater Dublin Area and will help to safeguard the water supply to homes and businesses. The works this weekend are being planned so as to minimise the impact to the public and we are urging customers to conserve water during this time.”

Irish Water and South Dublin County Council wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused by these essential works. Our customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1850 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries. For updates please see the water supply and services section of our website.

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Roads Act 1993, Section 75 

Temporary Closure of Roads in Grange Castle/Clondalkin Area

To facilitate the 10k Road Race, South Dublin County Council has made an order to temporarily close Roads in Grange Castle/Clondalkin Area on Sunday 21st July 2019 from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm.

In order to facilitate the 10k Road Race, it is proposed to close the following roads from 10.30 am to 12.30pm.

• St. Johns Grove Clondalkin.
• The access from St. Johns Road West onto Fonthill Road South.
• Tower Road Clondalkin.
• Old Nangor Road from its junction with the Tower Road to the Community Centre access.
• New Nangor Road from its junction with the Ninth Lock Road to its junction with Fonthill Road.

In addition the south bound carriage way of the Grange Castle Road (R136) will be closed from the Lynches Lane Roundabout to the Corkagh Park Roundabout between 10.00am and 11.15am.

The Fonthill Road South will be closed to traffic from the Cherrywood Roundabout to the Boot Rd/ Convent Road between 10.15am and 12.00 noon.

The Ninth Lock Road will be closed to northbound traffic (i.e. towards Ronanstown) from the Grand Canal to Orchard Lane between 10.30am and 12.30pm. During these times there will be no access to/from Michael Collins Park, St. Patrick’s Road/ Park.

Convent Road Clondalkin will be open to south bound traffic (i.e. away from Clondalkin Village) only from its junction with St. Bridget’s Road to Clondalkin Main Street between 10.30am and 12.30pm. There will be restricted access to/from St. Anthony’s Avenue, St. John’s Road and Moyle Crescent during these times.

In addition to the above closures traffic on the route may experience delays at any time between 10.00am and 12.30pm.

Emergency Access will be maintained at all times.

On the 10th anniversary of the state apology to survivors of abuse and the 10th Anniversary of the Ryan Report I was honoured to speak in St Patricks Cathedral at a Celebration of Surviving , Below was what I said!

Good afternoon to all of you. My name is Francis Timmons. I would like to share with you what it means to me to be here today. I often speak with people who are the survivors of many varied experiences in their lives. Some are still learning what it means to be a survivor, how our past creates our present and our future. How different aspects of our lives have deeper and very significant meaning to us, and most of all how we allow those experiences to influence our lives today.

We say we are surviving together, but do we really reach out and help each other? Do we really understand what it is like, to go through life with scars so well hidden, we can pretend to ourselves that they have faded away and no longer need to be acknowledged by us.

But what if those very scars, those hidden wounds were visible. If they could be seen, spoken about, shared – without feeling afraid, without feeling we are “different” from everyone else.

The truth is we are not different, but throughout our history we have been labelled and made to feel afraid of people finding out about our experiences – why?  Because that’s the way it used to be!

The blame was placed on those who did no wrong. Those who were never given the support, nor the understanding, nor the respect to know none of us did anything wrong,

None of us asked to be abused, to be disgraced, to be “different”.

I would like you all, to pause for a moment, and think about the film “Schindler’s List”. Now think of why there was only one red coat seen, within a black and white film. Or cast your mind to another film The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas.  Both these examples tell us something, and that for me. is very real, as to why we are different from anyone else in this Country,

None of us who survived from so many different Institutions (and those harmed and abused outside of institutions) ever wore a “Red Coat” or a star on our sleeves. Yet we were given so many engraved scars, imprinted on our souls. We were set apart, denied justice of any description. We were ignored for so many years.

Behind stone walls, we were denied the right to be truly cared for. Our label of pain, and our deep hurt, has no colour.  We who walk upon a path together supporting each other.  We who have waited so long to be seen, to be accepted, to finally be treated as equal – as all human beings should be

Above all, from birth we had a right to be treated as nothing less than Human. Truth and Justice should always be together.  Our State, the Roman Catholic Church and all of those who participated in allowing our suffering to continue must hear our Truth .

Today, they need to know that we never went away nor will we fade into a non-existence. Social Justice must never be ignored or, treated with disrespect.

I, and so many like me, should have a mirror that reflects our true identity. In the case of my mother’s heartache, of what she endured, in her own Country, by her own people, I stand strong, now, in knowing where I came from, my gene pool, my heritage.  My mother was Mary Timmons, a beautiful young woman, who dearly loved her children, all she ever wanted was to care for us and love us. My Mother was denied the relationship nature had given her. My sister Linda Timmons did not survive.  So many years I searched unsuccessfully to find where my sister’s grave is. Did my sister not count? Did she not have the right to survive? My mother fought so much to overcome the injustices that we each endured in different ways. Be proud of yourselves.  For your inner strength, for your ability to live your life.

Life is the precious gift given to us, yet so many of us were denied the right as children, as young expectant Mums, to be loved and cared for.  Many people let us down turned their backs on us, ignored us, denied us the right to express our truths. Please never be afraid of being your true self, do not allow what others did to you, to change you.  Find the real inner you, love the inner child in you, and look at yourself, and smile , because you made it.  Unlike so many many that never stood a chance.  And take a good look in the mirror and remind yourself – No longer do I need to say Mirror Mirror, on the wall Who Am I? Who do I look like? Despite, everything, I look at my own reflection and whisper to myself. I know, I have more than survived, I am alive, I have the choice to live my life, I have the right to be me.

Cllr Timmons says ‘’The Clonburris SDZ has been approved and while i welcome the housing it will deliver i am very concerned about Transport , Traffic and community services , It appears we are just expected to trust the planners. We in Clondalkin have been let down by bad planning and traffic congestion.  I am glad that i voted for the SDZ and i am also glad that i appealed it to An Bord Pleanála. I voted for the SDZ not because i believe it to be the best plan but because we are in a dreadful housing crisis. We are now in the hands and at the mercy of the NTA ,  Government agencies , South Dublin County Council and Government Departments to deliver whats needed to deliver a sustainable community. Given the deficits in much of what already exists i am very sceptical and fear what may come down the track , People will need to elect very strong councillors on May 24th to  ensure we dont end up with repeats of past bad planning’’

I welcome news that the Clondalkin Garda Superintendent has committed to allocating 8 more Gardai to Rathcoole, 5 positions to be filled in the next 6-8 wks & recruit 3 more from expressions of interest from Gardai is very welcome And will be a relief for our community – i have been campaigning for this for a long time now! My online campaign has 1625 signatures @ http://chng.it/YL77fKkCyt

Rathcoole Station Needs More Manpower

Increase in crime leads to call for more gardai in Newcastle and Rathcoole

As a a person with over 30 years experience working in the disability, Homesless and probation services, I believe I have the Knowledge and expertise of community issues that makes me a valuable asset as an elected counsellor. I grew up in Clondalkin. I went to school in Clonburris National school and then Moyle Park College. I am a founder member of Clonburris Youth Club. I was 10 years involved in various roles including secretary. I worked in Peamount Hospital in Newcastle for a number of years. I was PRO for Peamount parents and friends for a number of years, as well as having a heavy involvement in Clondalkin community council and Clondalkin Drama Group.

The reason I am running again as an independent is I feel local councillors should represent the needs of the people not the ideals of a party. I won’t be following any political party’s agenda and I won’t make empty promises. I feel that being an Independent counsellor allows me the freedom and the opportunity to try and improve the quality of life for the people of Clondalkin, Rathcoole , Baldonnel , Saggart and Newcastle.

I want a local council that will focus on a number of key issues:

1) Housing

2) Disabilities

3) Inclusion

4) Enterprise

5) Community.

6) Infrastructure

7) Webcasting

8)Climate Change

I am actively involved in Clondalkin Helping Homeless and oversee the delivery of FoodCloud to those in need and i continue to work on the ground to improve conditions for the most vulnerable in our community.

I am very proud to have brought back the Clondalkin Patricks day Parade and the Horticultural show to our community

I fully support social housing projects and believe proper planning by the local council can meet this badly needed requirement to the benefit and betterment of local community areas.

I helped campaign to make Clondalkin a fairtrade town as I feel this will benefit the area and help boost commerce and increase employment

I Advocate issues such as Suicide awareness, Equality and disability support. I believe in a community where everyone feels included and Valued.

If I get Re-elected I pledge to represent the people of Clondalkin, Rathcoole , Baldonnel , Saggart and Newcastle, raising the issues that are important to them. I will be a voice on the council for the people not a party.

‘’Here all the Time not just at Election time’’

My Name is Cllr Francis Timmons – Peace Commisioner contact 087 286 9315 website francistimmons.com email info@francistimmons.com . #votetimmons