NDP DELIVERING IN KERRY

In 2005, approximately €8 billion was invested nationally under the National Development Plan (NDP). This brings investment in the first six years of the NDP to an estimated €44 billion nationwide. The NDP is funded primarily by the Exchequer with support from the EU Structural Funds.

To date €21.5 million has been approved for childcare facilities, supports for staffing, capacity building and the general improvement of childcare provision in Kerry. Childcare services in County Kerry which have benefited from support include:- Tir na nÓg Childcare Centre, Ballybunion; Rathmore Community Childcare Centre, Rathmore; Naoilain Solais, Milltown; St. Bridgets Childcare Centre, Hawley Park, Tralee; Presentation Convent Afterschool, Castleisland and Camp Community Childcare Centre, Camp.

Over €20 million was allocated to non-national roads in Kerry in 2005. The funding was designated for work on projects such as the Tralee Western Link Road, the Listowel to Abbeyfeale Road, Sheen Bridge, Kenmare; Whitebridge – Killarney Road, Phase 1 of New Ballyard Road and the R567 Kinneigh – Curragh Road.

National roads projects have also advanced in Kerry with the completion of the N21 Ballycarthy/Tralee Road and the N22 Gortalea to Farranfore Road, which was opened in November. Construction work is continuing on the N21 Castleisland/Abbeyfeale Road which is due to be completed in 2006.

NDP support for water services includes the construction of the fourth stage of the Listowel Regional Water Supply Scheme (Asdee). The Waterville Water Supply and Sewerage Scheme will go to tender early in 2006. Caherciveen Water Supply Scheme and Firies/Scartaglin Regional Water Supply Scheme Southern Section Part are also being planned.

In 2005, the County Council allocated €45,000 under waste management for the provision of Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) acceptance facilities at the North Kerry Landfill Facility and at four Waste Transfer Stations in the Kerry region.

The Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) continued to support local transport services for those in rural areas in the county. Kerry Community Transport is a countywide Rural Transport Initiative, which provides community-based, flexible, door-to-door services facilitating passengers to access shopping, health, day-care, education and social activities. Many of the services provide equality of access to essential services for rural dwellers in Co. Kerry. They also facilitate links with public and private transport services locally.

The County Enterprise Board (CEB) received €176,599 in 2005 to promote the development of small and micro enterprises in the county. Projects supported since 2000 have resulted in the creation of new employment and capital investment. They include Morgan Study Institute Ltd, Tralee; Noel White, Kilcummin; Abrasive & Technical Services, Listowel; CMC Foods Ltd, Tralee; Prima Finance Ltd, Killarney, Ivertec Ltd, Cahirsiveen; Saphire Signs Ltd, Rathmore; Thomas Ashe, Annascaul and Delphine Grandjouan, The Spa. The CEB continued to support enterprise through the provision of training initiatives and mentoring services.

Kerry will benefit from almost €4 million NDP investment in broadband infrastructure. Metropolitan Area broadband Networks (MANs) are planned for Castleisland, Dingle and Kenmare under the second phase of the Government's Regional Broadband Programme, in association with the local authority. These projects are co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Pier works have also advanced in the county with the design and development ongoing at Renard and Knightstown. Construction work was carried out on Ballinskelligs and Bunavalla and major construction projects are due to commence at Cromane next year.

Youthreach is part of a national programme of second-chance education and training. It is aimed at people who left school early and aims to give them the opportunity of building their self-confidence and gaining a range of qualifications. Kerry Education Service offers Youthreach programmes in Cahirsiveen and Killorglin. The Youthreach programmes in Tralee, Killarney and Listowel are offered in conjunction with Kerry Diocesan Youth Service.

€ 34.8 million was allocated to Social Housing schemes in Kerry. In 2005 €2.2 million was approved for the provision of 20 units of accommodation, under the NDP Capital Assistance Scheme.

The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) continues to fund two local Partnerships (Partnership Trá Lí and South Kerry Development Partnership) and four Community Partnerships (IRD Duhallow, MFG-Comhar Dhuibhne, North Kerry Together and Sliabh Luachra Local Development) in County Kerry. These organisations focus their work on the most marginalised communities in the county. They promote social inclusion through job creation, placement and training and improving the life chances of young people through participation in education. They also provide community development activity aimed at building the capacity of disadvantaged communities to take a lead role in the process of change in their own communities.

Initiatives in 2005 included a new initiative called Community I.T. Access, which links towns and villages through a community portal website. As a result communities are now able to highlight events and receive news and information on everything from mass times and football matches to training courses.

A new nursing and healthcare building at the Institute of Technology in Tralee opened in May 2005. Costing €10 million, the Solas Centre provides a teaching facility for the nursing and health care professions in the region. The 2,800 square metre complex caters for up to 322 undergraduate and post graduate students wishing to become general and psychiatric nurses.

" Significant progress has been made over the first five years of the NDP. As each year goes by we can see the impact of this investment on the ground. Government Departments, state agencies, local authorities, VECs, county enterprise boards, FÁS and community groups are all involved in the successful delivery of the NDP at a local level." an NDP spokesperson said.

The National Development Plan aims to improve the quality of life for everybody by investing in infrastructure, people, industry and enterprise and regional development.

Note to Editor
The figures given in this release are provisional expenditure figures and grant aid approved to December. The final end of year figures (actual expenditure & grant aid approved) will be available early in 2006 from the relevant Government Departments.