Cllr. Orla Leyden
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Cllr Orla Leyden - Speaking at Fianna Fail Ard Fheis on  Agriculture, Food and Fisheries

2/25/2019

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Speaking at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis at the weekend on Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
• Unfortunately there are many unknowns in the Agriculture, food and fisheries sector right now with Brexit . Fears are rife that our beef industry will be decimated in a no deal brexit – with reports of UK plan to open their market to South American beef ... Our farmers, Marts, Exporters and Kepak factory in Roscommon are all hugely concerned.
• Our agri food industry could face its greatest challenge yet - as The UK is Ireland’s largest export destination for agri-food products with exports valued at €5.2 billion in 2017. Fianna Fail Deputy Lisa Chambers rightly stressed this week that Government must ensure that sufficient contingency plans, including a financial aid package, are in place to insulate our beef and agri-food industry in as much as feasibly possible from the fall out of Brexit”.
• It is absolutely critical that financial aid packages are provided to support our beef, lamb, pig, dairy and agri-food industry in the case of a no deal brexit. 
• It is also vital that we plan for the future and support the development of new Agri Food businesses through innovations like 10 Food incubation units at Castlerea food hub allocated over €1.5 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund last week with match funding from Roscommon county Council . My Colleague Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice was highly involved with this project with Enterprise Castlerea and I was delighted as part of the Fianna Fail /Independent led Council to support the raising of a loan to provide match funding for this and other projects that will see our county develop sustainably. 
• High quality, traceable products are hallmarks of the Agri food industry in Ireland. Castlemine Farm, Roscommon who won the 2019 Georgina Campbell Irish Breakfast Awards last week for the best bacon in Ireland is one such example. 
• High quality local produce are great exports and are also a great added attraction to discerning tourists. We need to develop the potential of agri tourism and eco tourism with Walks schemes and other initiatives and support again the small family farm which is at the heart of rural communities. 
• I would like to see a Glas scheme introduced to encourage and support the planting of hedgerows, natural habitats, planting of native broadleaved tree species and orchards and a grow Irish campaign. This would help support biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, reduce food miles and enhance rural tourism. With one in four species threatened with extinction according to the Living Planet 2018 report – this is a critical issue for every human being and for every political party. 
• Roscommon in Ireland’s hidden Heartlands is surrounded by Rivers and Lakes I want to see a programme put in place to clean our fisheries of weeds and fallen trees to support the navigation and fishing of these waterways. And I want to see the removal of the legacy IFI, Midland coarse fishing permit on the River Suck in counties Roscommon and Galway which is a barrier to the development of angling tourism.
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Cllr Leyden calls for Roscommon Town Local Link Bus

2/24/2019

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​Cllr. Orla Leyden highlighted the need for a ‘Round Town Local Link Bus Service’ for Roscommon Town at the recent plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council which was addressed by Camilla Kelly, Manager of Local Link in Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim.
  Cllr. Leyden said that a scheduled bus service is very much needed in Roscommon, a county town which she described as a growing urban centre. She said that a local link bus service would make it easier to get from the various housing estates and houses in Roscommon Town environs to essential services and amenities; to get, for example, to work, the doctor, primary care centre, hospital, schools, pre-school, Quad Youth Centre, Library, Cinema, Leisure centre, sports clubs, the train station, etc. 
  Cllr. Orla Leyden said that she had initiated a rural transport service in the Oran area, servicing the Ballinheglish and Cloverhill area (including Fourmilehouse, Tonlegee and Mullymucks) into Roscommon Town and another (DRT) demand responsive transport service in the Donamon, Fuerty, Castlecoote rural area (via Mount Prospect and Ballybride). She said that she would like to see additional rural local link services now being developed.
  Cllr. Leyden said she believes there is a need for a local link service in Kilteevan, Portrun, Ballymurray, Knockcroghery, Fourmilehouse (parts not presently served), Derrane, Ballagh, Ballyleague, Cloontuskert and Ballintubber into Roscommon Town, as well as a round town bus service in Roscommon town. 
  She stressed that people living in rural areas would be able to access services and facilities in Roscommon Town independently and at an affordable price if a local link service was in place. The Free Travel Pass is valid on all local link services and U-5s can travel for free. There are affordable fares on all routes with adult, child and student rates. 
  Cllr. Leyden said that she will work with the community to develop these vital rural transport services via Local Link in Roscommon.
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"Changing Places" facilities needed

2/13/2019

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I want to see “Changing Places“ facilities developed in County Roscommon and throughout the country.
At the January Plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council I tabled this motion:
That Roscommon County Council supports the development of "Changing Places" facilities in private and public enterprises in the County, including its own facilities to support the full participation of people with disabilities. Changing places facilities are fully accessible and include additional equipment which offer extra support to people with a range of disabilities so that they can avail of changing facilities with dignity and respect.
It is great to see that Centre Parcs in Longford will have "Changing Places" Facilities... what other places have these facilities or are willing to making the change?
The Caritas – Beechlawn Residential advocacy group, Brothers of Charity, Roscommon are driving a regional campaign to encourage local authorities and business owners to support the Changing Places initiative which is about securing fully accessible toilet and changing facilities for people with disabilities. 
The group linked with Cllr. Joe Flaherty in Longford and with me in Roscommon. 
They have put great research and work into the campaign. They are passionate about this issue and determined to see change, as am I. 
Please see webcast from Council meeting (see my last Facebook post for webcast link) for full debate and newspaper clipping of excellent coverage from this week’s Roscommon Herald . Photographed at Aras an Chontae, Roscommon before the motion was tabled at the January Plenary of Roscommon County Council were Maureen, Catherine, Sarah, John and Gerry, Caritas – Beechlawn Advocacy Group supported by Teresa and Mary.
County Roscommon Disability Support Group CLG
Cuisle Accessible Holiday Resort
Irish Wheelchair Association
Disability Federation of Ireland
The Brothers of Charity Services Roscommon
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The Community Foundation for Ireland: Older Persons’ Fund

2/13/2019

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The Community Foundation for Ireland: Older Persons’ Fund is now Open. 
Closing Date: Thursday, 14th March 2019 (4.30 p.m.) 
This is a long-term philanthropic fund which promotes the civic engagement of older people, as a means of working towards making a difference in their communities.
The Fund builds on their long-standing engagement and commitment to supporting older people in their communities. They have invested over €1m in this area to date.
This year they have the following two categories that you may apply for a grant under:
Inclusion of older people in active citizenship roles – Grants of up to €7,500 will be available to organisations working towards inclusion of older people in active citizenship roles
Supporting older peoples’ voices at local & national level – Grants of up to €7,500 will available to organisations working towards supporting older peoples’ engagement in advocacy.
The deadline for applications will be strictly 4.30 p.m on Thursday 14th March 2019.
https://www.communityfoundation.ie/…/types-of-grants/the-ol…
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Changing Places facilities

2/13/2019

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I want to see “Changing Places“ facilities developed in County Roscommon and throughout the country.
At the January Plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council I tabled this motion:
That Roscommon County Council supports the development of "Changing Places" facilities in private and public enterprises in the County, including its own facilities to support the full participation of people with disabilities. Changing places facilities are fully accessible and include additional equipment which offer extra support to people with a range of disabilities so that they can avail of changing facilities with dignity and respect.
It is great to see that Centre Parcs in Longford will have "Changing Places" Facilities... what other places have these facilities or are willing to making the change?
The Caritas – Beechlawn Residential advocacy group, Brothers of Charity, Roscommon are driving a regional campaign to encourage local authorities and business owners to support the Changing Places initiative which is about securing fully accessible toilet and changing facilities for people with disabilities. 
The group linked with Cllr. Joe Flaherty in Longford and with me in Roscommon. 
They have put great research and work into the campaign. They are passionate about this issue and determined to see change, as am I. 
Please see webcast from Council meeting (see my last Facebook post for webcast link) for full debate and newspaper clipping of excellent coverage from this week’s Roscommon Herald . Photographed at Aras an Chontae, Roscommon before the motion was tabled at the January Plenary of Roscommon County Council were Maureen, Catherine, Sarah, John and Gerry, Caritas – Beechlawn Advocacy Group supported by Teresa and Mary
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Supporting fundraiser for Chernobyl Children International

2/9/2019

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Fantastic turnout today in Kilbride for Paul Clabby's 5 k.m. fundraiser for Chernobyl Children's International. Well done to Paul with Kilbride Active Families and all the team on marshaling, refreshments, registration and Gardai, Roscommon Civil Defence. Paul is a wonderful ambassador for Roscommon...always bringing everyone with him. Paul, Escort of the Year, Rose of Tralee - Rose Escort was joined by the Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher Waterford Rose 2018 today at the fundraiser.
Yvonne Donohue, Rose of Tralee, Roscommon Committee and all the Roscommon Roses past and present were out in force supporting the event as was the CEO of the Rose of Tralee, Anthony O Gara.
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Free Food Waste Audit

2/7/2019

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​Roscommon County Council is offering Free Food Waste Audits to Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes.
The Food Waste Audits will be conducted by Profitwatch who are industry experts. It is a simple and effective process that puts net cash back into your business. This service would normally cost over €1000!!! Please contact Suzanne at 0906637268 or sdempsey@roscommoncoco.ie for further details".


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Round town Bus Service for Roscommon town?

2/5/2019

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Round town bus service for Roscommon Town? Is it needed? I think so, what about you? how would you use it?
At Roscommon County Council meeting on Monday 28th January, I hightlighted the need for a Round Town Local Link Transport Service for Roscommon Town. 
I would love to hear your views. This service could provide daily connectivity from the various Housing Estates and houses in Roscommon Town environs to the Train Station, Shopping, Work, Primary Care Centre, Roscommon University Hospital, Schools, Pre-schools, Quad Youth Centre, Library, Leisure Centre, sports clubs etc. 
Are you interested in seeing this service developed?

Camilla Kelly, Manager Local Link service was present at the Council meeting. Local link provides door to door and scheduled bus services in rural villages in town. 
To date I initiated the rural tranpsort service in Oran area servicing Ballinheglish, Cloverhill area (and now includes Four mile House, Tonlegee and Mullymucks) into Roscommon Town and the Donamon, Fuerty, Castlecoote rural transport service via Mountprospect, Ballybride into town. 
I would love to hear where in the Roscommon Electoral area you think a local link service is needed, what about Kilteevan, Ballymurray, Knockcroghery, Four mile House (currently some service), Derrane, Ballagh, Ballyleague, Cloontuskert, Ballintubber.
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Roscommon Stroke Support Group

2/5/2019

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The Roscommon Stroke Support Group meet every Tuesday in Hannons Hotel from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. 

Fantastic support - contact Martina Greene, Stroke Support Group Co-ordinator for more information: Mobile: 087 6057696; Email: mgreene@irishheart.ie ​
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