12 April 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 5
CHARGE
JOBS: LOCAL FIGURE BUCKS NATIONAL TREND IN REDUCTION OF NUMBERS
Council praises payers
West Dublin rise in Live Register I PAUL HOSFORD lucan@gazettegroup.com
THE Live Register figures for Lucan and Clondalkin continued to rise last month, again breaking from national trends. While the national figures were slightly down last month, in unadjusted terms, by 1.6% (or 7,139 persons) in the year to the end of March, figures for Dublin MidWest showed a slight increase. February’s figure of 9,073 was up to 9,094 in March, with males under 25 continuing to struggle. There are now 1,162 such males on the register, compared with 655 females. Meanwhile, women over 25 have seen a slight fall, from 2,268 to 2,255, while men in the
same category account for 5,022 claimants in March, compared with 4,981 last month. Fianna Fail councillor Trevor Gilligan said that the figures are skewed by emigration statistics. “As a Peace Commissioner, I am, on a regular basis, signing documents for people who unwillingly must travel abroad. These figures do not show up on the Live Register.
‘Reality’ “So, the figure, in reality for this month, is far greater than [the figures show],” he said. “As a voluntary director of the South Dublin County Enterprise Board (SDCEB), I am pro-jobs. “The SDCEB is doing a great job investing locally in small-to-medi-
um businesses. T his money would otherwise be paid to that same person or employees receiving Social Welfare. However, I feel that central government is taking all the wrong actions. “Everything Fine Gael and Labour have done in Government goes against creating jobs – the increase in VAT, home tax and removal of bin waivers. “[They are taking] money out of people’s pockets that would otherwise be spent locally. “So, I’m asking Fine Gael and Labour: ‘Please, stop the savage cuts, and give us what you say you will – jobs, jobs, jobs’. “Tax increases and cuts in expenditure do not help jobs; however, reducing tax will,” said Cllr Gilligan.
Eco-Warriors: Impressing judges with their environmental projects THESE young eco-warriors – also known as students at St Joseph’s
College – impressed judges at the Leinster heats of the ECO-Den contest recently, where their project, Our Action – The Reaction, focused on what effects human activity has on the environment, based on three main areas: Water, Energy and Transport, which they then presented as movies. Group members include Chloe Pattison, Meabh Loughnane, Joanne Doyle, Fiona Noble, Maeve MacMamard, Georgette Vegel de Dios, Linda Postel, Jerie Macapagal, Niamh Stallings, Chloe Sapienza, Aysha Israr, Kate Moore, Sarah Tracey, Jennifer Martin, Marie Pujanes, Ingrid Makazhu, Sinead Smith, Debbie Shonowo, Clair Williams, Ejiro Afe, Hayley Kavanagh, Ally Kenny, Aine Hickey, Aoibhinn Murphy and Vivian Adegoke.
SOUTH Dublin County Council (SDCC) has thanked property owners who have paid the household charge, and said that they are “encouraged by the number of citizens who have paid, to date”, adding that local support “for your county is both essential and appreciated”. With penalties and interest, the charge payable is now €111, and the council advises citizens to pay the charge as soon as possible. Payment of the charge and all penalties due can be made online at www. householdcharge.ie; by posting an application form to PO Box 12168, Dublin 1, or at South Dublin County Council’s Offices in County Hall, Tallaght, and Civic Offices, Clondalkin. For further information and FAQs, see www. householdcharge.ie, or LoCall 1890 357 357.