Latest news with #LindaNelsonMurray
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Over €1.2m secured for 15 Meath schools under Safe Routes to School Programme
The initiative aims to make it safer and easier for students to walk, cycle, or wheel to school, while also improving access to school grounds and increasing the availability of bicycle and scooter parking. Senator Linda Nelson Murray welcomed the announcement, saying: 'This would mean that children would be able to get to school in a safe way, whether that is by bicycle, bus or walking. This scheme is a no brainer and I want to see it back open.' She added: 'I would like to see the Safe Route to School Programme reintroduced as there are a lot of schools in Meath that did not get a chance to apply for the scheme.' 'Children are our future, they are our precious cargo so we need to get them to school safely.' Education Minister and Meath East TD Helen McEntee also welcomed the news in a social media post. She said: 'The scheme funds small and large-scale projects such as providing 'front of school' treatments to enhance access to the school grounds, accelerating delivery of walking, cycling, and wheeling infrastructure on key access routes to schools, and expanding the amount of cycle and scooter parking available at schools.' 'It is important that we support primary and post-primary students in accessing safer and healthier options for getting to school,' the minister added. The Safe Routes to School Programme is a collaborative effort coordinated by the SRTS Team at An Taisce, in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and local authorities. It is an initiative of the Department of Transport, supported by the Department of Education, and forms part of the National Development Plan 2021–2030. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Over €400,000 allocated to Meath to provide essential modifications to social housing
The funding aims to adapt and improve local authority housing stock to support older people, those with disabilities, and families experiencing overcrowding. This funding will enable essential home modifications such as stair lifts, ramps, grab rails, and more complex adaptations including downstairs bedrooms, wet rooms, and even extensions to relieve overcrowding. Importantly, the Improvement Works in Lieu scheme will also allow for necessary upgrades to privately owned homes, if the resident has already been approved for social housing. Welcoming the announcement, Meath West Senator Linda Nelson Murray said: 'This funding will help adapt older social housing. When I was canvassing, I was working with people who were living in social housing; some of them have lived there all their lives, they've gotten older in that house and they might need a new front door, a window or a new step. So this will benefit those people. A lot of our newer social housing are more adapted.' Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said: 'This funding will significantly improve housing conditions for older tenants and those with disabilities. It will also help tackle overcrowding in social housing and offer an alternative for those currently living in overcrowded private accommodation.' Meanwhile Minister of State with responsibility for Older People, Kieran O'Donnell said his priority is 'to empower older individuals to remain living in the homes and communities where they have made their lives.' 'This funding announcement is a positive measure in contributing to this,' he added. The funding will be administered by Meath County Council, who will be responsible for identifying eligible properties and overseeing the improvement works. The schemes are structured so that 90pc of the cost is covered by the Department, with 10pc coming from the local authority. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
06-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Johnstown in Meath 'left behind' as new Navan community centre secures funding
Meath County Council's planned community centre at Cluain Adain is set to receive €400,000 under the 2025 Community Recognition Fund. In total, four projects across Meath have been awarded €696,496, as part of a national package of €17m for 212 community initiatives across the country. The scheme supports communities that have welcomed new arrivals in recent years. Senator Linda Nelson Murray welcomed the funding for Cluain Adain, but noted the ongoing demand for more community infrastructure in Navan. 'Navan is really struggling for community buildings, we don't have enough places for the elderly to go and be together, we don't have enough places for the youth to go, so the fact there is going to be a new community building built near Clauin Adain, which is a brand new housing estate, is very welcome news,' she said. 'However, I think we need more community centres; one in the Johnstown area, and one in the centre of the town.' Her call was echoed by Independent Councillor Alan Lawes, who said Johnstown has been overlooked for too long. 'Any new community centre is always welcome but people in Johnstown feel left behind. The town has about 12,000 people living in it but there's still no community centre,' said Cllr Lawes. 'We have clubs like boxing or dancing clubs with no home. All these community groups have nowhere to call home….they need somewhere to call home. Every population should have one.' Meanwhile Minister for Education and Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, also welcomed the announcement. 'This investment will empower our communities to become more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, making them better places to live, raise families, and socialise,' she said on a post on social media. Ms McEntee added: 'Congratulations to the community groups in Meath listed who have been the driving force behind the successful applications. I look forward to seeing the completed projects and the benefits they will bring to our local communities.' The four Meath projects to receive funding under the scheme are: Meath County Council's new community building in Cluain Adain (€400,000) Flexibus, Navan, for a new wheelchair-accessible bus (€146,496) Ashbourne and District Community Council CLG (€80,000) Cushinstown Athletic Club, Duleek, for facility upgrades (€70,000).
Irish Independent
05-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Meath leads with 94pc pharmacy uptake in free HRT scheme for women
A total of 59 pharmacies across the county — a 94pc uptake — are now offering the medication at no cost, making Meath one of the top counties in terms of participation in the initiative aimed at supporting women during perimenopause and menopause. The scheme, which provides free HRT once prescribed by a GP or consultant, is being welcomed by Meath Senator Linda Nelson Murray. The Fine Gael Senator described the free medications as 'good news for those who choose to use it.' She said: "As someone who takes HRT myself, it is so important for women to have access to them for free.' 'We have 94pc of pharmacies in County Meath signed up, that's great because I know how much help HRT gives. As women, we haven't been able to talk about things like this….there's a lot of things women go through and don't speak about; like periods and menopause, and the difficulties women face with those two particular things.' Ms Nelson Murray said that without the scheme, the medications could cost €30 to €60 depending on what HRT people are on. She added: 'The free HRT is good news for those who choose to use it. Plenty of people don't and that's completely okay.' 'Maybe 10 years ago, women didn't talk about it; unfortunately a lot of women were suffering in silence. Now we don't have to.' Under the new scheme, women must be registered with the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) to qualify. Registration can be completed online. Medical card holders can continue to access HRT medication without needing a DPS card. Women in Meath seeking to find their nearest participating pharmacy can use the HSE's online pharmacy finder tool. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
05-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Good news for those who choose to use HRT
A total of 59 pharmacies across the county — a 94pc uptake — are now offering the medication at no cost, making Meath one of the top counties in terms of participation in the initiative aimed at supporting women during perimenopause and menopause. The scheme, which provides free HRT once prescribed by a GP or consultant, is being welcomed by Meath Senator Linda Nelson Murray. The Fine Gael Senator described the free medications as 'good news for those who choose to use it.' She said: "As someone who takes HRT myself, it is so important for women to have access to them for free.' 'We have 94pc of pharmacies in County Meath signed up, that's great because I know how much help HRT gives. As women, we haven't been able to talk about things like this….there's a lot of things women go through and don't speak about; like periods and menopause, and the difficulties women face with those two particular things.' Ms Nelson Murray said that without the scheme, the medications could cost €30 to €60 depending on what HRT people are on. She added: 'The free HRT is good news for those who choose to use it. Plenty of people don't and that's completely okay.' 'Maybe 10 years ago, women didn't talk about it; unfortunately a lot of women were suffering in silence. Now we don't have to.' Under the new scheme, women must be registered with the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) to qualify. Registration can be completed online. Medical card holders can continue to access HRT medication without needing a DPS card. Women in Meath seeking to find their nearest participating pharmacy can use the HSE's online pharmacy finder tool.
