The Dublin South West Labour Party has organised a public meeting to highlight public fears as to the future of children’s healthcare in Tallaght Hospital. The meeting will take place: 8pm, Monday March 26 Plaza Hotel, Tallaght.
Labour Leader Pat Rabbitte TD said: “For as long as the Government decision of last summer stands, the only future facing Tallaght Children’s Hospital is ‘death by a thousand cuts,’ to quote Prof Ian Graham, Vice Chairman of Tallaght Hospital.
“When in the Dail on February 27 I asked the Taoiseach if there had been any change in the Government’s decision to relocate Crumlin and Tallaght to the Mater site, he replied: ‘The Deputy asked me whether there is a change in the position and I said there is not’.
“No amount of spinning can hide the formal Government decision.
“As the Government scrambles for a face-saving formula to get them past the General Election, the Taoiseach told me in the Dail that ‘there has been no review of the decision of last summer’. This means that the Government is proceeding to build the new hospital on the site of the Mater. This decision involves the relocation of both Tallaght and Crumlin to the North inner city.
“As a result, Tallaght will be left with a casualty station, or Urgent Care Centre, but no beds. It will be little more than a glorified clinic. This centre will care for children only in limited cases and where the length of the stay is less than 24 hours. It will be staffed by consultants and other staff rotating out from the National Children’s Hospital. However consultants say this is unworkable.
“Tallaght will lose its specialised staff and parents will be asked to travel in today’s congested traffic to the northside.
“It is dishonest of Fianna Fail to pretend that the Mater decision can be implemented and that everything remains more or less the same. We need honest answers Government instead of cynical misrepresentation of their own decision. We then need a commonsense solution in the interests of local families.
“This meeting will provide people with an opportunity to express their concerns over the future of health services for their children.”
Showing posts with label Government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Government. Show all posts
Monday, March 12, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Prisoners may register to vote in South Dublin County
Prisoners who may wish to vote in local or in general elections may register between 19th January 2007 and 26th January 2007, according to information on the South Dublin County Council website.
The prisoners who register will be given a postal vote.
More information.
The prisoners who register will be given a postal vote.
More information.
Friday, January 05, 2007
South Dublin County Council given least money: Labour
According to Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte, T.D., South Dublin County Council is allocated the least amount of money per head of population by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
According to the statement, issued on 2nd January by Mr. Rabbitte:
"Minister Roche recently announced the distribution of €868m from the Local Govt Fund to County Councils for 2007, but when you look at the spending per head of population South Dublin County Council comes bottom of the list.
"The average spend per head of population across the country is €205. However, the figure for South Dublin County Council, is just over half that at €106. Leitrim on the other hand, quite rightly, gets €536 per person.
"If any county is in need of greater investment, it is a county like South Dublin where growth rates have been so astronomical. Is it any wonder that there is such a scarcity of resources in areas like planning and enforcement; the provision of social and affordable housing; the provision of playgrounds; and the delivery of roads.
"I have long suspected South Dublin County Council has been getting the rough end the stick from Dick Roche’s Department. These figures are a clear indication that my suspicion was right. South Dublin County Council is simply not getting the money that it needs."
Figures released in the statement show the following allocations for 2007 [Click on image to enlarge]:
[1. View Forum Discussion of this Topic]
[2. Post a Forum Comment on this Topic]
According to the statement, issued on 2nd January by Mr. Rabbitte:
"Minister Roche recently announced the distribution of €868m from the Local Govt Fund to County Councils for 2007, but when you look at the spending per head of population South Dublin County Council comes bottom of the list.
"The average spend per head of population across the country is €205. However, the figure for South Dublin County Council, is just over half that at €106. Leitrim on the other hand, quite rightly, gets €536 per person.
"If any county is in need of greater investment, it is a county like South Dublin where growth rates have been so astronomical. Is it any wonder that there is such a scarcity of resources in areas like planning and enforcement; the provision of social and affordable housing; the provision of playgrounds; and the delivery of roads.
"I have long suspected South Dublin County Council has been getting the rough end the stick from Dick Roche’s Department. These figures are a clear indication that my suspicion was right. South Dublin County Council is simply not getting the money that it needs."
Figures released in the statement show the following allocations for 2007 [Click on image to enlarge]:
[1. View Forum Discussion of this Topic]
[2. Post a Forum Comment on this Topic]
Monday, December 11, 2006
You're dead, now here's your bill
The Government has announced that elderly patients of long-term nursing homes will be billed both before and after they die. Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, has set a new scheme for the long term care of the elderly in motion which will commence in January 2008.
Under the scheme, all nursing home patients must contribute towards the cost of their care. According to the RTE website:
"Elderly people will contribute 80% of their disposable income and a charge of up to 15% on the value of their residence will apply, which can be paid after their death.
"Only elderly people assessed to be high dependency will be eligible for nursing home bed support from next year and there will be a cap on the scheme.
"Those who are assessed to be low or medium dependency will be eligible for community care with support through home care packages.
"Ms Harney has described the scheme as fair, accessible, and affordable."
Related links:
- RTE
- Department of Health and Children
Under the scheme, all nursing home patients must contribute towards the cost of their care. According to the RTE website:
"Elderly people will contribute 80% of their disposable income and a charge of up to 15% on the value of their residence will apply, which can be paid after their death.
"Only elderly people assessed to be high dependency will be eligible for nursing home bed support from next year and there will be a cap on the scheme.
"Those who are assessed to be low or medium dependency will be eligible for community care with support through home care packages.
"Ms Harney has described the scheme as fair, accessible, and affordable."
Related links:
- RTE
- Department of Health and Children
You can only buy cigs in 20s
Mr Sean Power TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children announced yesterday evening (7th December) that it will be illegal to sell cigarettes in packs of less than 20 from 31 May 2007. The sale of confectioneries that resemble tobacco products will also be banned from that date.
Speaking at the official opening of the Office of Tobacco Control offices in Naas, Mr Power said “a recent report “Children, Youth and Tobacco” tells us that 76% of young people purchase 10 packs of cigarettes. The preference for 10 packs has been shown internationally to be linked to price – which is also an important factor in young people deciding not to smoke. I believe that the removal of packs of 10 will be a clear disincentive to young people to start the habit and continue smoking.”
Department of Health and Children website
Speaking at the official opening of the Office of Tobacco Control offices in Naas, Mr Power said “a recent report “Children, Youth and Tobacco” tells us that 76% of young people purchase 10 packs of cigarettes. The preference for 10 packs has been shown internationally to be linked to price – which is also an important factor in young people deciding not to smoke. I believe that the removal of packs of 10 will be a clear disincentive to young people to start the habit and continue smoking.”
Department of Health and Children website
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Maternity leave increase: Minister
According to a report at breakingnews.iol.ie, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Seamus Brennan, has announced that from March next year, new mothers will be entitled to 26 weeks paid leave - an increase of four weeks.
Unpaid leave has also been extended by four weeks, to sixteen weeks. More information will presently be available on the Website of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
Unpaid leave has also been extended by four weeks, to sixteen weeks. More information will presently be available on the Website of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
