Deputy Séamus Healy
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has “regretted” the cuts in health funding announced by Minister Reilly but welcomed the HSE commitment to apply the reductions “on a case by case basis”. In short he has refused to veto the cuts and has instead issued a hypocritical statement.
The assets of the wealthiest 300 Irish Citizens have increased by €12 billion to €62 billion over the past two years. Rather than tax these assets Mr Gilmore is prepared to take a further €130 million out of a health service already devastated by cuts. A further reduction of €700 million in funding of health services next year has been promised by Minister Reilly. Instead of taxing the assets and incomes of the super-rich Dr Reilly wants to reduce the pay and conditions of health service workers whose pay has already been cut and who are working in the most difficult conditions due to staff cuts.
Of the eight cost-cutting proposals in the HSE plan outlined yesterday (30 August 2012), at least three will affect older people or the disabled exclusively. Services for both groups are likely to be seriously affected by a 600,000-hour cut in home help hours, as well as a reduction of 200 home care packages and a €10 million reduction in hours for personal assistants for people who need high levels of support trying to live independently. Services and supports for these patients have already been severely cut.
In addition cholesterol reducing drugs, among others, are to be removed from the medical card scheme. This removal will increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks thus shortening the lives of those who can’t afford to pay. This is in truth a descent into barbarism.
Net assets of the top 300 Irish Citizens have increased by €4.9 billion in the year 2011 and by €12 billion in the past two years to a new high level of €62 billion.
New research carried out by Nick Webb for Sunday Independent, March 11, 2012, has established the above figures and identified the 300 individuals concerned. Those who are gone “bust” or have much reduced wealth have been replaced by 44 new entrants. Wealth has not disappeared but some has moved between asset holders.
I have already sought an emergency meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee ( of which I am a member ) with a view to stopping these cuts.
I call on all Labour Deputies, including my fellow Deputy in the new Tipperary Constituency, to insist that these barbaric cuts be halted.
Séamus Healy TD – 087 2802199
01 September 2012
Emergency Meeting of Oireachtas Health Committee must be Called Immediately to Stop Barbaric Health Cuts
Deputy Séamus Healy
I have called on Chairman Gerry Buttimer TD to convene an immediate emergency meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee in order to discuss the Health Cuts announced by the HSE at the behest of the Government. I will be proposing that these cuts be rescinded at the meeting.
Minster Reilly and the Chief Executive of the HSE must appear before the meeting and must answer questions.
Of the eight cost – cutting proposals in the HSE plan outlined yesterday (30 August 2012), at least three will affect older people or the disabled exclusively. Services for both groups are likely to be seriously affected by a 600,000-hour cut in home help hours, as well as a reduction of 200 home care packages and a €10 million reduction in hours for personal assistants for people who need high levels of support trying to live independently. Services and supports for these patients have already been severely cut.
In addition cholesterol reducing drugs, among others, are to be removed from the medical card scheme. This removal will increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks thus shortening the lives of those who can’t afford to pay. This is in truth a descent into barbarism.
Labour must Stop Savage Attacks on the Old, The Sick, The Disabled.
The statement by the Labour Party Chairman, Colm Keaveney, that he is uncomfortable with the cuts is a mere washing of hands. The truth is that the Labour Party in government is imposing these cuts and can stop them. There are two Labour Party Junior Ministers, Kathleen Lynch and Roisín Shortall, in Dr Reilly’s Department of Health.
I call on Eamon Gilmore to veto these cuts immediately.
Séamus Healy TD – 087 2802199
Member of Oireachtas Health Committee
31 August 2012
Roads Act, 1993-2007, Section 75
Roads Regulations, 1994
Temporary Closure of Public Roads
NOTICE OF DECISION
Temporary Closure of Public Road for the reconstruction of the Fethard Road Bridge OB126, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Notice is hereby given, in accordance with the above, that Clonmel Borough Council has decided to temporarily close the public roads, as set out in the schedule below to facilitate the works outlined above
Road to be closed: Fethard Road from the entrance to the Railway bar to the junction with Thomas Street. Southbound carriageway only of the Fethard Road from the entrance to the Railway bar to the junction with Thomas Street.
Date: From Monday 17th September 2012 to Thursday 27th September 2012.
The closure will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Subsequently the southbound carriageway only of the Fethard Road shall be closed from Thursday 27th of September 2012 to Monday 17th of December 2012.
Alternative Route:
Road Closure alternative route:
Southbound traffic from the Fethard Road roundabout shall be diverted west along the N24. At the Cashel Road roundabout traffic shall take the first exit on to Cashel Road, left on to Queen Street and left again on to Prior Park Road.
Northbound traffic traveling towards Fethard Road Roundabout shall be diverted onto Thomas Street, turning right on to Kichham Street and Queen Street and right again on to Cashel Road. At the Cashel Road roundabout traffic shall take the third exit and travel East on the N24.
Southbound lane Closure alternative route:
Southbound traffic from the Fethard Road roundabout shall be diverted west along the N24. At the Cashel Road roundabout traffic shall take the first exit on to Cashel Road, left on to Queen Street and left again on to Prior Park Road.
A map showing details of the proposed street closures and alternative routes can be inspected at the offices of Clonmel Borough Council, Town Hall, Parnell Street, Clonmel from 9.00am – 1.00pm and 2.00pm – 5.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
Any inconvenience caused is regretted.
Diversion signs will be erected.
Signed: Ger Walsh, Town Clerk, Clonmel Borough Council, Town Hall, Parnell Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Workers & Unemployed Action 