Published: Friday, 5th March, 2010 12:00pm

News briefs

Community Alert's €3,000

Two Community Alert Groups in Cavan are to share €3,744 in grant aid under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. Killinagh and Glangevlin Community Alert as well as Virginia Community Alert will share the funding, which funds security measures for older people living in their own homes and was recently reinstated after a review which involved extensive consultation with interested stake holders.

Minister Brendan Smith welcomed the grant and said that for eight years, the Scheme of Community Support for Older People had benefited scores of groups in Cavan. "It has brought great peace of mind to many older people in the community and I'm delighted that further groups has been approved for funding," he said.

Belturbet bypass a step closer

The recent allocation of €3.2m towards the N3 Belturbet bypass means €15m has now been spent on the project and is a significant step in moving it towards construction. According to Minister Brendan Smith, the funding will allow for the further purchase of land and the necessary preparatory work. Considerable ancillary work has already been undertaken, including site investigation and archaeological surveys and land purchase. "I've been keeping the Minister for Transport briefed on the importance of this project to Cavan and I'm delighted that a further tranche of €3.2m has been allocated by the National Roads Authority (NRA) to Cavan County Council for 2010," he said.

At a recent meeting with NRA chief executive, Fred Barry, the Cavan/Monaghan TD strongly emphasised the importance of moving the project forward. "The next landmark for this major 7km road will be the tender stage and I'm urging the NRA to work closely with Cavan Co. Council, which has been to the forefront in promoting this €50m project, to ensure that this stage is reached as soon as possible," the minister concluded.

Collection for flood victims

A collection in the parishes of the Diocese of Kilmore during the month of December 2009 has resulted in the sum of €108,964.00 being donated. This money has been sent to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the relief of those who have been affected by the recent flooding.

Consultation on children's safety

New draft standards for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in residential and foster care services have been launched for public consultation by the Health Information and Quality Authority, which inspects foster care services, detention schools and HSE-run residential services. It is inviting the views of interested parties, the public and young people on the Draft National Quality Standards for Residential and Foster Care Services for Children and Young People. The health minister will then draft regulations giving the authority the legal powers to register and inspect against these standards.

The deadline for receipt of submissions is March 31.