Transparency of sentencing needed in cases of sexual assault

Fine Gael Meath East Deputy, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) said that transparency is urgently needed into how and why sentences, especially in cases of sexual assault, are suspended. Deputy Doherty also called for a steadfast set of rules to be put in place where minimum sentencing is concerned.

“There appears to be little or no consistency in how the judicial system operates in this country in terms of administering sentences, particularly where sexual assaults are concerned. Of even more significance is the lack of clarity around how and why suspensions of the term set down by the judge are decided upon.

“Reporting a sexual assault takes immense courage and strength and this is evidenced by the fact that the reporting rate is fewer than one in ten. Furthermore, the drop-out rate for those pursuing convictions is extremely high, as the true extent of what is involved in taking a case becomes known.

“Five years ago, Mr. Justice Peter Charleton compiled a set of general principles to be used when sentencing cases of a sexual nature, which are largely followed in the courts today. However, a series of recent proceedings have clearly established that there is no consistency whatsoever when it comes to suspending sentences, with the result that the perpetrators of crimes of a sexually violent nature can largely go unpunished.

“When a woman, or a man, has been the victim of a sexual assault, it takes enormous strength to come forward and to ultimately face their attacker. If those who are considering taking a case think that a lenient sentence of a matter of months will be the up-shot of their efforts, the prospect of bringing a case diminishes greatly.

“Victims of sexual assaults are given a life sentence in carrying the long-term psychological effects and the horror of the memory of their attack with them forever. There is no escape for them. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the perpetrators of abuse, many of whom walk away with minimal sentences for crimes of a sexual and horrifically violent nature.”

Doherty welcomes confirmation of VEC as patron for new Ashbourne school

Site for new educational campus must now be secured

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn TD, that Co. Meath VEC has been chosen as the patron for the new post-primary school in Ashbourne. Deputy Doherty added that it is imperative that the site for the new educational campus is now secured. 

“I am very pleased to receive confirmation from Minister Quinn that the new school in Ashbourne will be run by Meath VEC. The local VEC, under the stewardship of Peter Kierns, has a strong track record in providing second level education for children across Co. Meath and I have no doubt that the organisation will run this new school to the highest standards.

“The Ashbourne VEC will be built on a new educational campus that will also house two new Educate Together and Gaelscoil primary schools. The VEC will also have an Irish stream, which will allow pupils from the local Gaelscoileanna from Ashbourne, Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne to receive their education through Irish on the new single educational site. This is an innovative way of delivering Irish-language education.

“This new school campus will provide much needed additional capacity to cope with the growing primary and secondary student population across Meath East. A site has been identified for the campus, and I understand that the Department of Education has put in an offer. I hope this site can be secured and the project can proceed as planned.

“The Gaelscoil is due to be built in 2013, the VEC is due to be established in 2014 and the Educate Together school is due in 2015, and I hope these date will not be compromised due to difficulties in securing the desired site. I would urge all of the local stakeholders involved to work together on this issue to ensure that construction on the new campus can be commenced as soon as possible.”

New child protection standards will mean we prevent failure rather than react to it

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty TD, has today (Wednesday) said that the new National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children will mean we prevent failure in the future, rather than react to it. The standards were launched by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, earlier today and have been approved by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD.

“These new national standards will put an end to the era of reaction when it comes to child protection services; instead we will now aim to prevent failure before it happens. The standards were developed by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) which will constantly test, check and assess their implementation. 

“For too long we have failed vulnerable children, and it is time we all took responsibility. As soon as it came to office this Government put children protection on the national agenda by appointing a senior Minister for Children, who sits at the Cabinet table. This has allowed Minister Fitzgerald to drive forward the reform agenda which Fine Gael pursued in Opposition.

“These standards are the culmination of months and months of hard work. Now, we have been provided with a set of mandatory standards, written in plain English, which clearly and simply set out the standards that must be upheld by service providers. They will help the HSE, and its successor the Child and Family Support Agency, to promote and protect the welfare of vulnerable children. The standards will also enable families and the wider public to understand what they can expect from protection and welfare services. 

“This is about protecting our children from risk and harm, not dealing with the fallout after the damage has been done. Under the standards, service providers must listen to the needs of children, promote wellbeing and focus on positive outcomes. By establishing clear lines of accountability we can deliver services to children based on evidence and good practice.

“The key difference with this set of standards is the monitoring element. From this year, HIQA will be monitoring the HSE and the services it provides to children nationally. Inspections will be carried out to gather evidence, and judgements will be made on whether adequate services are being provided. All of this information will be provided to the Minister for Children, and will be published on HIQA’s website. 

“Through checks and balances, through implementation and monitoring, and through transparency and accountability, we can completely change the way we care for our most vulnerable children, for the betterment of us all.”

Troy doesn’t turn up for his first Health Committee but has time to issue cynical press release

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) said that Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy failed to turn up to his first Oireachtas Health Committee as his Party’s Children’s Spokesperson, failed to attend today’s launch of the new National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children, and yet found time to issue a press release criticising the Minister for Children’s work.

“I find it hard to believe that Deputy Troy thinks it is appropriate to criticise the Minister for Children, when he can’t even be bothered to attend his first Oireachas Health Committee since he took up Fianna Fáil’s children’s portfolio, or be present at the launch of new standards that will completely change the way children’s services are delivered in this country.

“The Fianna Fáil Party seems to be suffering from some sort of collective amnesia when it comes to the issue of child protection. Can I remind them that during 14 years in Government, they failed to address the huge problems that existed within our child protection services, failed to keep any account of the number of children dying in care, failed to place child protection guidelines on a statutory footing and failed to hold a Children’s Referendum? 

“Fianna Fáil left behind them a legacy in child protection that was so abysmal, this Government almost had to start from scratch. After less than a year and a half in office, we have already delivered significant reforms. By establishing a senior Minister for Children, who sits at the Cabinet table, we have placed child protection on the national agenda.

“We have introduced legislation that forces us all to report the abuse of children, we have extended the remit of the Children’s Ombudsman, we have put an implementation programme in place to deal with the findings of the Child Death Review Group, we are preparing Ireland’s first ever Early Year’s Strategy, we have published the Children’s First Bill and we will hold the Children’s Referendum later this year. 

“These are just some of the reforms that we have already implemented. This work will continue throughout our term in office. 

“If Deputy Troy wants to contribute to this change agenda, he would be better using his time to attend the Health Committee and engage with his fellow legislators, rather than issuing press releases that reflect just the kind of ‘Punch and Judy’ politics his Party leader claims to abhor.”

Doherty welcomes new mental health unit for Meath and Louth

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation from the HSE that a new adult mental health unit is being provided for Meath and Louth at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Deputy Doherty added that the provision of the new unit is part of the Government’s commitment to implement the mental health strategy, A Vision for Change.

“The Government is committed to implementing A Vision for Change, the strategy aimed at completely overhauling the way we deliver mental health services in this country. It includes a focus on delivering services in the community, and upgrading and replacing facilities to ensure the best possible care is being provided.

“This new purpose built 45-bed adult Acute Admissions Unit, which will be located at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Healthcare Campus, is being developed in line with A Vision for Change. It will replace the adult acute inpatient units in Ardee and Navan, meaning that people from both Meath and Louth will be able to access high quality care from this new facility. However, there are no plans to close the psychiatric units in Navan and Ardee and both will be maintained as an integral part of our mental health services. 

“Progress is already being made in bringing this project to fruition; a tendering process is underway and a contract is expected to be awarded shortly with a target date of mid 2015 for completion of the unit. The development of new units like this one will be complemented by the provision of fully staffed Community Mental Health Teams, consisting of social workers, psychologists and occupational therapists.

“The Government’s mental health strategy, under A Vision for Change, and our plans for the complete reform of the health service, place an emphasis on providing care to patients in their own communities, enabling them to access treatment close to home and avoiding unnecessary hospital stays. These plans took a significant step forward this week, with the announcement of a series of Primary Care Centres which will be built across the country as part of the Government’s €2 billion Stimulus Package.

“We face a huge task in reforming our mental health services, which were neglected for so long by previous Governments. The Independent Monitoring Report, published this week, said that progress is too slow in some areas. This is something the Government needs to be acutely aware of. I am confident that through the roll out of Primary Care Centres, the development of new units and the earmarking of €35 million for mental health services, we can make significant strides in the way we provide mental health care to those who need it most.”

National strategy will give carers the recognition they deserve

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed the publication of the National Carers’ Strategy, saying it finally gives carers the recognition they deserve.

“This is strategy is long overdue, and what we must ensure now is that it is not left to gather dust on a shelf, like so many other before it. Carers carry out invaluable, exhausting and emotionally draining work on a daily basis, and too often they are left to feel like they are being taken for granted by the State. This strategy shows this Government is taking a different view. 

“A major difference with this strategy is its provision for implementation, monitoring and review. To ensure its recommendations do not go unimplemented, annual reports will be produced on departmental websites and a progress report on the implementation of the Strategy will be produced on a periodic basis.

“The strategy sets out the direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers. It has been a central aim of this Government to help older people and those with illnesses to live in their own communities and their own homes for as long as possible. Carers play an essential role in this process. 

“Today we have placed carers on the national agenda, by setting out four national goals. They are; to recognise the value and contribution carers make; to support carers to manage their own health and well-being, to provide carers with adequate information, training and supports; and to empower carers to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.

“I hope we can move forward on positive footing from today and ensure carers receive the recognition, support and empowerment that they have always deserved.”

Child and Family Support Agency represents huge shift in national policy

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) said that the new Child and Family Support Agency, which is due to be established next year, represents a huge shift in national policy and will help provide much greater support to vulnerable children and their families. Deputy Doherty was speaking after the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, published the Final Report of the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency.

“Since coming to office, this Government has placed child protection on the national agenda in a greater way than ever before. We displayed our determination to give this area the attention it deserves by establishing a dedicated department of children, with a senior ministry. Since then, the Government has been incrementally introducing a range of legislation that will greatly enhance the protection we offer our children.

“The new Child and Family Support Agency will see a range of services being brought together under one body. This will mean that one State agency will have the single focus of ensuring child and family support services are adequately delivered. In turn, this agency will report to just one Government department, as opposed to the scatter gun approach that existing before.

“Under previous administrations, child protection services were spread across a range of bodies, units and departments. The failures of the past, by the State and its agencies, in relation to child protection are well document. Some of these failures were due to poor communications, a lack of co-ordination and incoherence in policy. Now, under this new Agency, we will have a seamless integration of policy and service delivery.

“I have no doubt that it will take some time and a huge amount of hard work for this new structure to be put in place. But the approval by Cabinet this week of the drafting of legislation to establish the new Agency is a major step forward that should ultimately lead to a safer, sounder, more solid structure being put in place for the welfare of all our children.”

National strategy will give carers the recognition they deserve

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed the publication of the National Carers’ Strategy, saying it finally gives carers the recognition they deserve.

“This is strategy is long overdue, and what we must ensure now is that it is not left to gather dust on a shelf, like so many other before it. Carers carry out invaluable, exhausting and emotionally draining work on a daily basis, and too often they are left to feel like they are being taken for granted by the State. This strategy shows this Government is taking a different view. 

“A major difference with this strategy is its provision for implementation, monitoring and review. To ensure its recommendations do not go unimplemented, annual reports will be produced on departmental websites and a progress report on the implementation of the Strategy will be produced on a periodic basis.

“The strategy sets out the direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers. It has been a central aim of this Government to help older people and those with illnesses to live in their own communities and their own homes for as long as possible. Carers play an essential role in this process. 

“Today we have placed carers on the national agenda, by setting out four national goals. They are; to recognise the value and contribution carers make; to support carers to manage their own health and well-being, to provide carers with adequate information, training and supports; and to empower carers to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.

“I hope we can move forward on positive footing from today and ensure carers receive the recognition, support and empowerment that they have always deserved.”

Doherty welcomes moves to establish separate Family Court

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed moves by the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD, aimed at establishing a separate Family Court structure. Earlier this week, Minister Shatter announced that the Government has approved in principle a number of major reforms for our courts system, which will require a Constitutional Referendum.

“Reform of the family courts system is a commitment under the Programme for Government, and I believe it is an essential step in making our legal system a less intimidating and more welcoming environment for families in personal difficulties.

“Under the current system, family law cases generally come before the District Court in the first instance. Family cases are usually left until the end of the court list, to give those concerned as much privacy as possible. But as a result, families can be left waiting in the courthouse as prisoners and other criminals are ushered in and out.

“A courtroom is a very intimidating environment under any circumstance. Combine this with the potential emotions and stresses associated with family law cases, and the entire experience can be completely overwhelming. We should remember that children are at the centre of all family law cases; every effort should be made to ensure we provide a suitable environment in which to make decisions about their welfare.

“Under a reformed structure, I would envisage entirely separate family courts, where just the parties involved, the judge and the court clerk are present. Judges with a specialisation in family law cases could preside over all proceedings, ensuring a level of compassion and understanding.

“This is a very important reform as we continue to modernise our court system to reflect the realities of society. I fully support the Minister in this initiative and I hope the reforms can be progressed without delay to the benefit of everyone involved.”

Doherty welcomes new mental health unit for Meath and Louth

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation from the HSE that a new adult mental health unit is being provided for Meath and Louth at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Deputy Doherty added that the provision of the new unit is part of the Government’s commitment to implement the mental health strategy, A Vision for Change.

“The Government is committed to implementing A Vision for Change, the strategy aimed at completely overhauling the way we deliver mental health services in this country. It includes a focus on delivering services in the community, and upgrading and replacing facilities to ensure the best possible care in being provided.

“This new purpose built 45-bed adult Acute Admissions Unit, which will be located at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Healthcare Campus, is being developed in line with A Vision for Change. It will replace the adult acute inpatient units in Ardee and Navan, meaning that people from both Meath and Louth will be able to access high quality care from this new facility. However, there are no plans to close the psychiatric units in Navan and Ardee and both will be maintained as an integral part of our mental health services. 

“Progress is already being made in bringing this project to fruition; a tendering process is underway and a contract is expected to be awarded shortly with a target date of mid 2015 for completion of the unit. The development of new units like this one will be complemented by the provision of fully staffed Community Mental Health Teams, consisting of social workers, psychologists and occupational therapists.

“The Government’s mental health strategy, under A Vision for Change, and our plans for the complete reform of the health service place an emphasis on providing care to patients in their own communities, enabling them to access treatment close to home and avoiding unnecessary hospital stays. These plans took a significant step forward this week, with the announcement of a series of Primary Care Centres which will be built across the country as part of the Government’s €2 billion Stimulus Package.

“We face a huge task in reforming our mental health services, which were neglected for so long by previous Governments. The Independent Monitoring Report, published this week, said that progress is too slow in some areas. This is something the Government needs to be acutely aware of. I am confident that through the roll out of Primary Care Centres, the development of new units and the earmarking of €35 million for mental health services, we can make significant strides in the way we provide mental health care to those who need it most.”