Have Your Say - What do children in Meath and their families need?

The Meath Children’s Services Committee comprising of HSE Children Services,  Meath County Council,  Gardai, Education, Probation and local voluntary services, are currently undertaking research into the needs of children aged 0 – 18 and their families within the county.  If you know of a service or facility that should be provided in your area, please email your ideas to the researchers: info@qualitymatters.ie

As part of this research, all providers of Children services will be asked to complete a short survey. The researchers will send this survey to all known children’s service providers in the county. However if you are not contacted, please e-mail the above address to be included in the survey. It is intended that the survey will identify gaps in service provision and inform the future work of the committee. It is also intended that the information gained from this survey will be used to develop a website where parents and adults will be able to obtain details on services available to children in their area.

Your ideas can shape future services for Meath’s Children & Young People

Health Committee finalises witness list for hearings on the Heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013

The Committee on Health and Children have finalised the witnesses to appear over three days of public hearings on the 17th, 20th and 21st May 2013 to discuss the Heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013.
The following individuals and organisations are scheduled to appear before the Committee over the three days:

Friday 17th May – Seanad Eireann (Policy, Medical & Obstetrics)

Session 1: 9:30 - 11:00 Policy - Overview of Heads of Bill


· Minister for Health, James Reilly TD
· Dr Ambrose McLoughlin, Secretary General, Department of Health

· Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer


Session 2: 11:15 - 1:45 Regulatory & Representative Bodies
Institute of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists:


· Prof Robert F. Harrison, Chair
· Dr Cathy Allen

· Dr Meabh Ni Bhuinneain

· Prof Fionnuala McAuliffe


Irish College of General Practitioners:

· Dr Seamus Cryan, President, ICGP Executive
· Mr Kieran Ryan, CEO

· Dr Darach O'Ciardha, Chair of Communications

· Dr Margaret O’Riordan, Medical Director


Irish Medical Council:

· Prof Kieran Murphy, President
· Ms Caroline Spillane, CEO


Irish Medical Organisation:

· Dr Matthew Sadlier, President
· Ms Vanessa Hetherington, Policy Executive


Royal College of Physicians of Ireland:

· Prof John Crowe, President
· Prof Frank Murray, Registrar

· Prof Desmond Carney, Fellow

· Prof Declan Sugrue, Fellow


Session 3: 2:30 - 5:00 Obstetric Care Facilities – Larger Hospitals

· Dr Peter Boylan, National Maternity Hospital
· Dr Sam Coulter Smyth, Master, Rotunda Hospital

· Dr Rhona Mahony, Master, National Maternity Hospital


Session 4: 5:15 – 7:45 Obstetric Care Facilities – Other Hospitals


· Dr Gerard Burke, Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick
· Dr Mary McCaffrey, Kerry General Hospital, Tralee

· Dr M áire Milner, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda

· Dr John Monaghan, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe


Monday 20th May – Seanad Eireann (Psychiatry & Other medical Groups)

Session 1: 9:30 - 12:00 Psychiatry & Perinatal Psychiatrists
College of Psychiatrists of Ireland:


· Dr Anne Jeffers, Consultant Psychiatrist
· Dr Maeve Doyle, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

Perinatal Psychiatrists:

· Dr Joanne Fenton, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist

· Dr Anthony McCarthy, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist

· Dr. John Sheehan, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist


Session 2: 12:15 – 2:45 Psychiatry

· Dr Yolande Ferguson, Consultant Psychiatrist, Tallaght Hospital
· Dr Peadar O'Grady, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

· Prof Veronica O'Keane, Consultant Psychiatrist, Tallaght Hospital & TCD

· Dr Eamonn Moloney, Consultant Psychiatrist, Cork University Hospital


Session 3: 3:30 – 6:00 Psychiatry

· Prof Kevin Malone, Consultant Psychiatrist, St Vincent’s University Hospital & UCD
· Dr Bernie McCabe, Consultant Psychiatrist, Navan Hospital

· Dr Jacqueline Montwill, Consultant Psychiatrist, Mayo Mental Health Service

· Dr Sean O’Domhnaill, Consultant Psychiatrist


Session 4: 6:15 – 8:45 Other Medical Specialties

· Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation: Ms Claire Mahon, President
· Mental Health Commission: Mr John Saunders, Chair

· Dr Kevin Walsh, Consultant Cardiologist, Crumlin & Mater Misericordiae Hospital

· Dr Janice Walshe, Consultant Medical Oncologist, St. Vincent’s University Hospital


Tuesday 21st May ?€ “ Seanad Eireann (Legal Hearings)

Session 1: 9:30 - 12:00 Medical Law

· Mr Paul Brady, BL
· Dr Simon Mills, BL

· Mr Tony O’Connor, SC

· Ms Caroline Simons, Solicitor


Session 2: 12:15 – 2:45 Constitutional Law

· Prof William Binchy, BL, Trinity College Dublin

· Dr Maria Cahill, University College Cork

· Mr Frank Callanan, SC

· Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, retired judge of the Supreme Court
Session 3: 3:30 – 6:00 Medical Ethics


· Dr Ciaran Craven, BL
· Dr Ruth Fletcher, Keele University

· Ms Sunniva McDonagh, SC



Session 4: 6:15 – 8:45 Members Time / Closing Statements

· Minister of State, Mr Alex White TD

Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “This is pre-legislative scrutiny at Heads of Bill stage which is a consultative process involving the Committee examining written submissions along with hearing from invited expert witnesses from the medical, psychiatry and legal fields. The Committee wishes to record its thanks to all those who offered to come before us and regrets that it cannot accommodate every request.

“The hearings will be broadcast live to the citizens we serve on Oireachtas UPC Channel 207, accessible to over 300,000 homes across the country, and webcast live on the Oireachtas website. As a Committee, we hope that the debate is conducted in a temperate and moderate fashion, and that the hearings make a considered contribution to the shaping of this significant piece of legislation.”

Committee hearings can be followed live over the three days via the Seanad webcast feed:

http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/live-flashplayer/seanadeireann/

Doherty welcomes significant progress on Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway

Project could generate an additional €6 million for local economy

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) warmly welcomed progress on developing the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway, stating that the project has taken a significant step forward with the approval of a Part 8 scheme by Meath County Council.

“I am really excited about this project, which will see the disused Navan to Kingscourt railway line being redeveloped as a Greenway for walkers and cyclists. The route would run for 30km from the Boyne Valley in Navan to Kingscourt in Cavan, passing through a number of towns and villages including Kilberry, Wilkinstown, Castletown, Nobber and Kilmainham. The project would not only create a wonderful amenity for local residents, it also has the potential to attract large numbers of extra tourists into the region.

“The benefits of the Greenway for the local population are obvious; it would make it easier for local people to get out and about, whether it’s by foot or by bike, it would encourage the establishment of local walking groups and it has the capacity to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the surrounding population.

“The additional tourism revenues which could be generated thanks to the project are considerable. The establishment of the Greenway will not only help to attract more visitors into the area, it will greatly increase the average spend of tourists while they are here. It’s estimated that it could generate an extra €6 million in spending for the local economy, which would be a huge boost to businesses in the area.

“The Greenway is expected to cost €2.5 million in total, or about €68,000 per kilometre. In my view, this would be a very worthwhile and cost effective form of investment in the local economy, and I intend to raise the issue with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, in a bid to secure funding.

“The approval of a Part 8 scheme by Meath County Council is a significant step forward for this project, and I hope swift progress can be made in the coming months to make this wonderful idea a reality.”

Health Committee to hold hearings on the Heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013

The Committee on Health and Children will hold three days of public hearings on the 17th, 20th and 21st May 2013 on the Heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013.

At its meeting today, the Committee agreed the outline for the hearings:

Friday 17th May – Seanad Eireann (Policy, Medical & Obstetrics)
Session 1: 9:30 - 11:00 Policy - Overview of Heads of Bill
Session 2: 11:15 - 1:45 Regulatory & Representative Bodies
Session 3: 2:30 - 5:00 Obstetric Care Facilities – Larger Hospitals
Session 4: 5:15 – 7:45 Obstetric Care Facilities – Other Hospitals


Monday 20th May – Seanad Eireann (Psychiatry & Other medical Groups)

Session 1: 9:30 - 12:00 Psychiatry & Perinatal Psychiatrists
Session 2: 12:15 – 2:45 Psychiatry
Session 3: 3:30 – 6:00 Psychiatry
Session 4: 6:15 – 8:45 Other Medical Specialties

Tuesday 21st May ?€ “ Seanad Eireann (Legal Hearings)
Session 1: 9:30 - 12:00 Medical Law
Session 2: 12:15 – 2:45 Constitutional Law
Session 3: 3:30 – 6:00 Medical Ethics

Session 4: 6:15 – 8:45 Members Time / Closing Statements


Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “This is pre-legislative scrutiny at Heads of Bill stage which is a consultative process involving the Committee examining written submissions along with hearing from invited expert witnesses from the medical, psychiatry and legal fields.

It is important that the language we use is temperate and moderate and that we are respectful of different viewpoints.

We are thankful to the many people who offered to come before the Committee. Regrettably we cannot accommodate every request but we are grateful to those who made written statements.

These Committee hearings are very important and I welcome the fact that they will be broadcast live on Oireachtas Channel UPC 207 and also on the Oireachtas website. I hope that people will take the opportunity to tune into the hearings.”

Doherty seeks local support for new Ashbourne CoderDojo group

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has urged local businesses to help her get a new CoderDojo group up and running in Ashbourne, by providing computer equipment. CoderDojo is a global movement aimed at teaching children computer programming technology.

“CoderDojo is an incredible worldwide movement, which has been growing at a staggering pace since it was set up just two years ago in Cork. Its ethos is based on volunteerism, and I would love to hear from local businesses who would be willing to sponsor or donate computer equipment for the new group I am setting up in Ashbourne.  

“CoderDojo is a not-for-profit movement which runs free coding clubs for young people. Youngsters are taught how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more. The clubs also act as a really positive social outlet for young people, allowing them to meet other kids with the same interests.

“The great strength of CoderDojo is that it makes learning code a fun experience. And, more importantly, it arms the young participants with skills that have the potential to set them on a very positive course in life.

“CoderDojo allows children to develop mentally and socially in an informal and fun background. It has resulted in children as young as seven learning to code, which is an incredible achievement, especially for those of us who remember relying on no more than a pen and paper to get through our school day. These children are the innovators of the future, and CoderDojo provides them with the perfect platform to flourish.

“It’s in everyone’s interest to ensure our children our equipped with the skills to meet the needs of the future. I hope to get a new CoderDojo group up and running in Ashbourne in the next month or so, and I would like anyone who could help by providing equipment to get in touch.”

Dooley wants to raid taxpayers’ pockets to bail out Bus Éireann – Doherty

FF’s own plans didn’t budget for any increase in Bus Éireann subvention

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has accused Fianna Fáil of wanting to use taxpayers’ money to bail out Bus Éireann instead of putting the company back on a sustainable footing, securing jobs and protecting services.

“Timmy Dooley wants the Government to reach deep into taxpayers’ pockets in order to finance another bailout of Bus Éireann. He effectively told the Dáil today that the Government should finance the company’s €11 million shortfall.

“Bus Éireann is facing annual losses of €11 million and needs to sort out its finances. Even the unions’ own financial advisers agree that the company’s finances are not sustainable. That’s why Bus Éireann is planning to implement a savings plan drawn up by the Labour Court, a fully independent body.

“But Deputy Dooley thinks that taxpayers should be the ones to pay for it. Last year the Government bailed out CIE to the tune of €36 million, and made it clear that this wouldn’t happen again.

“The most incredible thing is that Deputy Dooley has done a complete U-turn for political gain. If Fianna Fáil genuinely believed in an increased subvention for CIE, it would have included it in its pre-Budget submission for 2013. No such provision was made.

“The situation facing Bus Éireann workers and management is stark. Savings must be made, and with the very real prospect of strike action this weekend, Deputy Dooley’s meaningless contributions have done absolutely nothing to help the situation.

“Clearly, Deputy Dooley is engaging in political opportunism of the most blatant kind, while doing nothing to ensure that bus services will be protected from this Sunday.”

Doherty urges community workers to check out new Meath Partnership course

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) urged volunteer and community workers based in Meath to check out a new course being run by Meath Partnership and the National University of Ireland (NUI) Maynooth. The certificate programme is entitled ‘Community Work in a Changing Meath’.

“This new course will provide participants with a qualification specifically focussed on Meath and will allow them to develop a project or strategy involving members of the community. Upon completion of the course, graduates will be armed with a level seven certificate. And, crucially, they will be equipped with a specific insight on the needs of the local community here in Meath.

“The course, which will run on a part-time basis for a year from this July, is targeted at those who are already involved in community or voluntary work in Meath. The qualification will be Meath specific, and the course is bespoke in nature, specifically designed with the needs of the local community in mind.

“The content of the course will include a particular focus on social justice, equality and the challenges facing disadvantaged groups. This course is just the sort of educational programme we need to enhance the already excellent community work that takes place in Meath.

“The first two classes will take place in NUI Maynooth, and all remaining sessions will be delivered in the Dr. Curran Centre of Learning at Meath Partnership offices in Kells. Anyone who is interested in applying can contact training@meathpartnership.ie.”

EU SMEs have potential to create 23 million jobs - Minister Bruton

Enterprise Ministers focus on enabling SMEs to drive growth and job creation

Productive discussions on copyright and Digital Single Market

Europe’s SMEs have a key role in solving the EU’s economic challenges and have the potential to create 23 million jobs, according to Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD.

Minister Bruton was speaking after he chaired a meeting of EU Enterprise and Industry Ministers in Dublin Castle. Ministers discussed how to enable SMEs to drive European growth and job creation. The meeting was the second day of a two-day informal meeting of the EU’s Competitiveness Council, being held as part of the Irish Presidency of the European Union.

Ministers heard from a number of leading authorities on SMEs. Speakers included Professor Josh Lerner, Professor of Investment Banking at Harvard Business School who will speak on SME access to finance. Former winner of Irish Entrepreneur of the Year, Liam Shanahan, identified the key measures required for SMEs to internationalise and Professor Thomas Cooney from DIT who spoke on how cities and regions driver growth and jobs. European Commission Vice President with responsibility for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani was among the keynote speakers.

Minister Richard Bruton commented: “As the Irish Presidency of the EU is focused on Stability, Growth and Jobs, initiatives to help SMEs are a key priority. SMEs are the engines of economic growth and job creation. If each EU SME could create just one new job, we would generate 23 million jobs throughout the EU. That is why I brought leading international experts on SMEs to Dublin Castle today to engage with EU Enterprise Ministers.”

“Following today’s Council, I will be drawing up the best of these new ideas for SME support and job creation and working with my fellow EU Enterprise Ministers on their implementation.”

“Already the Irish Presidency has achieved some valuable wins for SMEs: auditing requirements for SMEs are set to be reduced and the target participation rate for SMEs in the EU’s new innovation programme Horizon 2020 has been increased from 15 to 20 per cent.“

“Work is also continuing to obtain agreement on the Programme for Competitiveness and SMEs (COSME).  I will be looking for every opportunity to further the interests of Europe’s SME’s and to ensure that they can extract the greatest possible benefit from the funding available under these Programmes, particularly in relation to expanding the scope for participation in research and innovation activity.”

“Along with Minister Sherlock, I also chaired a productive discussion on issues around copyright. This follows successive calls by EU leaders to expedite the introduction of a Digital Single Market by 2015. In this context, the European Council has called for the need to modernise Europe’s copyright regime to make it fit-for-purpose for the digital age.”

“Today’s discussion was very productive and will, I expect, in addition to the European Commission’s broader stakeholder dialogue, help us achieve progress on this important issue.”
“For the remaining time in our Presidency our focus will continue on delivering results that contribute to our core objectives of delivering stability, employment and economic growth across the EU.”

Doherty welcomes announcement of new school building for Eureka

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) described the announcement that a new school is to be constructed for Eureka post-primary in Kells as fantastic news.

The school is due to be completed by 2016 and is being delivered as part of the latest phase of the Government’s school building programme, which was announced as part of the stimulus package last summer.

“This is fantastic news. I have no doubt that all of those who have campaigned for a new school building for Eureka for so long will be delighted to learn that the project has finally been given the go-ahead.

“The current school building is struggling to cope with the demands of the vibrant school community at Eureka. I am delighted that an entirely new building will provided, which I am sure will be of the highest standard.

“This will make a huge difference to Eureka’s staff and student body, and of course it will benefit the entire Kells area for years to come as our young population grows and more and more children reach secondary school age.

“I am extremely glad that after all of the work that has gone into this project at a local level, it is finally coming to fruition.”

Doherty urges Bus Éireann to find resolution before looming deadline

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) urged staff and management at Bus Éireann to reach an agreement on cost cutting proposals before the looming deadline of 12th May. Management has said that they will implement cuts without agreement if necessary, which has prompted unions to threat strike action.

“Bus Éireann needs to get its house in order. After eleven months of wrangling, management and unions have failed to reach an agreement on how to achieve a total of €20 million in savings. Now, thanks to this impasse, Bus Eireann customers are facing the very real prospect of strikes which could paralyse the public transport system.

“To be frank, I think it is time some realism entered the discussions. The company has managed to bring about €11 million in operational savings. But no progress has been made in achieving €9 million in savings from terms and conditions. This is despite the fact that under the current plan put forward by the Labour Court, there will be no reductions in basic pay or employment levels. Many workers in other sectors would grab that sort of offer with both hands.

“Bus Éireann is in an unsustainable situation. It is facing annual losses of more than €11 million. And Minister Varadkar has been frank about this; even if he wanted to, he simply doesn’t have the money to help the company close the gap. While the State subsidises school services and Public Service Obligation, it legally cannot support Bus Éireann’s commercial Expressway services. These services can only be secured if savings are achieved.

“Ultimately it will be staff, commuters and possibly even school pupils who will suffer if unilateral cuts result in strike action. More than 100,000 commuters use Bus Éireann’s city and town services every day. And a further 114,000 school children could be left stranded if services come to a standstill., thousands of whom will be due to sit their exams next month.  

“Time is running out to reach an agreement. As we head into a Bank Holiday weekend, I would urge those on both sides to go to every effort to reach a resolution on delivering savings and averting what would be hugely disruptive industrial action.”