June 24, 2019 / Last updated : June 24, 2019 Brendan News

Brendan Griffin Kerry 24th June 2019 Kerry Civil Defence receives emergency vehicle boost – Griffin A new four wheel drive jeep that has the capacity to respond to national emergencies and extreme weather events will be added to the Kerry Civil Defence fleet, according to Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin. Minister with responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, confirmed that the 16 Ford Ranger Crewcab Pickup Vehicles will be joining the Civil Defence fleet in the coming weeks. And Minister Griffin can reveal that Kerry is among the units that will receive a jeep. The purchase of the vehicles is part of a €500,000 allocation from the Dormant Accounts fund of the Department of Community and Rural Development. The vehicles, priced at over €31,000 each, will improve the four wheel capability of the Civil Defence fleet and further improve its ability to support the Principal Response Agencies. During national adverse weather events such as Storm Ophelia in October 2017 and Storm Emma in March 2018, the Civil Defence fleet of four-wheel drive vehicles were fully deployed. The vehicles were utilised in carrying out a variety of tasks, assisting local authorities, the HSE and the National Ambulance Service and An Garda Síochána. In a number of incidents, Civil Defence volunteers were involved in assisting vulnerable people including elderly who found themselves snowed in. They were also involved in transporting patients and carers, evacuating people from their homes and delivering meals. The decision to award these vehicles to the Civil Defence Units came following a transparent allocation process, which looked at several criteria including the ratio of civil defence four wheel drive jeeps to the population of the county and the age profile of the four wheel jeeps currently within the Civil Defence unit in the county Commenting on the decision, Minister Griffin said: “These new vehicles will be an additional resource for those who give their time and work so hard in times of emergency such as severe weather events to keep people safe. Their provision is also an important acknowledgement of the work of volunteers and their ongoing commitment to Civil Defence”. ENDS For further information please contact Brendan on 087-6528841

March 21, 2019 / Last updated : March 21, 2019 Brendan News

€2,396,443 for Housing Adaptations Grants for Older People and People with a Disability in Kerry – Griffin

11th March 2019 €2,396,443 for Housing Adaptations Grants for Older People and People with a Disability in Kerry – Griffin €2,396,443 has been made available to support home adaptations for older people, people with a disability and people with mobility issues in Kerry, according to Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin. The […]
February 28, 2019 / Last updated : February 28, 2019 Brendan News

Almost 1,000 Pensioners receive increased payments in first wave of reviews – Griffin

26th February 2019 Almost 1,000 Pensioners receive increased payments in first wave of reviews – Griffin The first reviews for pensioners who received less than the maximum rate of pension on post Budget 2012 rate-bands have been adjusted with the vast majority benefitting, according to Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin. Minister Griffin […]