Martin Heydon, Fine Gael candidate in Kildare South and Laois on on his commitments if re-elected in the upcoming General Election on February 8.
I have fought for and delivered investment for Kildare South & Laois – funding for Kildare’s Blueway and St Conleths Park, better roads, more local bus routes, new family resource centres, primary care centres and sports capital grants.
I want to continue my work to deliver more school places and gardai, increased rail capacity, more houses, planned extensions at Naas Hospital and more climate action.
As a husband and father of 3 young boys, I want the best education and childcare facilities and a bright future for all our children and their parents.
I am passionate about the area I represent and its people. I fundamentally believe in the importance of public service.
With 9 years’ experience as a Fine Gael TD and chairman of our Parliamentary Party I have already delivered, and with your support I know that I can achieve even more.
Delivering for Portarlington
Since the boundary changes confirmed in 2017 I have worked closely with Cllr Tom Mulhall in the new area of Portarlington, Killenard and Ballybrittas.
Securing a new school for Colaiste Iosagain is a key priority for me for this area. I visited the school with Tom to meet staff and see at first hand the facilities at the school and the real need for a new build.
I was informed by the Minister for Education that the building project for Colaiste Iosagain is at stage one of architectural planning which entails preliminary design of site and location suitability and initial sketch scheme.
I believe a new school build is the best solution to the capacity issues in the town.
A revised stage one submission, including an up-to-date cost plan, was requested from the Design Team following increase in the schedule of accommodation to cater for up to 1200 pupils.
That submission has been received and a review has been completed.
A further proposal to increase provision to 1300 has been accepted by the school.
The Design Team has been instructed to provide an initial sketch scheme for a 1300 pupil school and to submit it to the Department of Education and Skills for review.
Professional fees have been agreed with the Design Team members for this additional task.
Following this review the Department will then be in contact with the Board of Management of the school with regard to the progression of the project.”
This project will remain a key priority for me in this area if I am re-elected to Dail Eireann and I will continue to liaise with the school, Cllr Mulhall and the Minister for Education to ensure that progress continues as quickly as possible.
Barrow Blueway
The Barrow Blueway is a key project that I fought to progress which can have benefits for both Kildare and Laois.
I pushed Waterways Ireland to progress the Kildare and Laois sections when the Carlow section wasn’t granted planning permission even though they had originally said they would only proceed on the basis of the full route.
I then fought for funding through the Project Ireland 2040 Rural Regeneration Fund. This led to an allocation of €5m which will see the project developed this year.
The Blueway will create a huge economic and tourism boost for the wider area.
Travelling from the grand canal at Lowtown in Robertstown, it will travel through Rathangan, Monasterevin, Vicarstown and Athy linking these areas as a tourism hub that can be of benefit for all areas.
Funding for Laois Organisations
Working with Cllr Tom Mulhall, I have supported many Laois based organisations in their applications for grant and sports funding in the past 2 years since the boundary changes
Portarlington Leisure Centre
Working with Manager Sean Quirke and Board member Cllr Tom Mulhall, I helped to secure funding of €300,000 for Portarlington Leisure Centre under the Government’s large scale sports infrastructure fund.
The funding will be used for essential safety works and refurbishment at the busy Leisure Centre which provides sports and recreational facilities for the town and wider community in Portarlington.
I emphasised the need for this vital investment in the Portarlington Leisure Centre to my colleague Minister with responsibility for Sport Brendan Griffin and I pleased that took the concerns on board.
This investment will ensure the building is refurbished and future proofed to ensure it remains as a key sports provider in the Portarlington area.
Portarlington Community Centre and O’Dempsey’s GFC
Portarlington Community Centre & O’Dempseys GFC
I was happy to support the applications of Portarlington Community Centre & O’Dempseys GFC I 2019 for Sports Capital Funding.
O’Dempsey’s received €21,189 towards a multi purpose fitness room and Portarlington Community Centre received €32,165 towards the replacement of the main sports hall roof.
Martin is asking for your number 1 vote on February 8th
