I call on all Dáil deputies to support this call in the interest of the Irish People.
I heartily welcome the Victory of the Anti-Austerity Syriza Party in the Greek general Election.
The Greek people have supported all those in Europe suffering from the unjust austerity imposed by the Troika. They have opened a door for the long suffering Irish People. We must grasp this opportunity with both hands immediately.
With Syriza, we must support and prepare for a European Debt Conference to write down the debt of all programme countries.
Seamus Healy TD 087-2802199
Statement by Seamus Healy TD
Despite the excellent dedicated work of staff at St Conlon’s Community Nursing Unit, Nenagh and at Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit,Roscrea, these nursing units are among 21 public nursing homes threatened with sanctions up to and including closure.
This is basically due to the failure of government to invest in upgrading the homes and a consequent finding of “major non-compliance” by inspecting body HIQA.
Deputy Seamus Healy raised this issue at last Thursday’s meeting (15/1/2015) of the Oireachtas Health Committee.
Deputy Healy demanded clarification of the position from Minister Varadkar and Tony O’Brien Director of the Health Service Executive.
Mr O’Brien confirmed the seriousness of this issue when he said “The challenge for re-registration of public long-stay beds with HIQA is a significant issue to be dealt with over the coming months as there is insufficient capital funding available to meet all requirements and there are over 30 large units who provide in excess of 2,500 beds and where there is, currently, insufficient funding in the capital plan to bring this infrastructure to the required standard. “
Further detailed information was contained in the Sunday Business Post.
Neither nursing home was identified in the HSE Service Plan for 2015 as projects that will secure capital investment in the coming year. HIQA said in its report “if a centre is not in compliance by July 1, 2015 and if no realistic, time-bound costed/funded plan has been agreed with the Authority, then appropriate conditions will be attached to any renewal of registration”
In addition to closure, HIQA can impose conditions for continued operation which can include forcing nursing homes to reduce the number of residents or high-dependency patients they have.
A HSE document leaked last year said that 300 millionEuro was required to upgrade public nursing units. But only 7.3 million is being allocated for the entire country this year in the HSE service plan. Neither of the two nursing homes was identified in the service plan for capital investment this year.
The neglect of these homes by government is unforgivable. Capital investment must be provided immediately to these homes before July 1, 2015.
There is a particular obligation on Government politicians in Tipperary, including Ministers Kelly and Hayes, to insist that the HSE Service Plan be amended to include the required capital investment.
Additional direct government funding must be allocated to secure the future of these units.
Seamus Healy TD
087-2802199
At a recent meeting of South Tipperary County Council, Cllr Pat English put forward the following notice of motion: “That Tipperary County Council in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, commission a feasibility study for the development of a greenway on the Old Clonmel to Thurles rail line. A greenway on this line could have major tourist potential for Tipperary”.
Please see response below.
Workers & Unemployed Action 