Doherty encourages Meath groups to apply for Caring Communities grants

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) encouraged community groups in Meath to apply for funding under the Caring Communities initiative, which is run by the Community Foundation for Ireland.

“This is the second round of Caring Communities grants, and this time around awards will be made under four categories; LGBT communities, youth unemployment, emergency respite care and older people. The grants are aimed at funding innovative projects and successful applicants are encouraged to work with other grantees to share their learning and experience.

“The Community Foundation, which is a charitable organisation, has given out more than €12 million in grants since it was established in 2000. This latest round of grants will allow a range of groups to benefit from extra funding, and I would encourage community organisations in Meath to check out if they are eligible to apply.

“It is the first time that grants are being made available for youth unemployment initiatives. Funding will be made available to groups who engage with young people who aren’t in training, employment or education. Respite care grants will be given to those not currently receiving support from the State, while grants will also be targeted at projects which help older people engage in advocacy roles and active citizenship.

“The Community Foundation has been a long supporter of the LGBT foundation. As part of this round of grants, the Foundation will support groups working with the LGBT sector.

“I would encourage groups in Meath to explore whether they could benefit from the Community Foundation’s benevolence. More information can be found at www.foundation.ie.”

Vitamin D screening could help prevent return of rickets

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) urged the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, to consider introducing a screening programme to identify vitamin D deficiency in children. Deputy Doherty raised the issue in a recent Parliamentary Question to the Minister.

“Reports in the UK suggest that rickets, a bone disease associated with the 18th century, is on the increase, due to a combination of dietary and lifestyle measures. The disease can be extremely painful and can cause stunted growth, bowed legs and enlarged wrists and ankles.

“The return of rickets has been attributed to a number of factors including the overuse of sun cream, poor diet and our increasingly sedentary lifestyle. I believe a screening programme or an information campaign could help to prevent this very serious health problem from making a comeback.

“The Minister has confirmed to me that the Department of Health has not carried out any recent studies of the vitamin D levels of Irish children, and therefore it is very difficult to ascertain the scale of the problem. However recent national dietary surveys carried out by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland have identified low and, in some cases, deficient intakes of vitamin D in children.

“The Minister also pointed out that vitamin D deficiency is a problem for all age groups living in Ireland because of poor sunlight and the fact that, apart from oily fish, there are not many good natural sources of the vitamin. A national policy of vitamin D supplementation of all infants in Ireland has been implemented and the targeted needs of other sub-groups in the population such as pregnant women are currently being examined.

“This issue has attracted considerable attention in the UK recently, after a six year old boy was diagnosed with rickets because he was wearing too much factor 50 sun cream. While this kind of case might be rare, I do think we need to take heed of worrying trends and consider what we can do to prevent a return of rickets in this country.”

Special Olympics Leinster medal presentation 25th May 2013

70 new jobs for Meath East demonstrates wealth of talented and skilled workers available in the county

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has today (Monday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, that Mafic (Black Basalt) Ireland Limited (Mafic) will create 70 jobs over the next three years with a multi-million Euro investment in its new production facility in Kells, Co. Meath. This development has been made possible with the support of the Succeed-in-Ireland Initiative.

“I am very pleased with today’s announcement. There is a wealth of talented and skilled workers in Meath East who are ready and able to take on the challenge and help Mafic succeed as the manufacturing centre of excellence and production headquarters.

“A big congratulations must go to the directors of the company, Jane Walsh and Brian Dougan, who are first time company directors who have expertly steered the company since it launched in November, to today’s announcement of a multi-million euro investment in the new production facility in Kells and the creation of 70 new jobs.

“This Government’s number one priority is to create jobs and position Ireland as the best small company in which to do business and I’d like to thank all those involved in the Succeed in Ireland initiative, and Minister Bruton, who have been heavily involved in bringing today’s announcement to fruition. ”

Doherty & McEntee meet North Meath Road Action Group in Leinster House

Fine Gael TDs for Meath East, Regina Doherty and Helen McEntee, this week attended an information session in Leinster House with members of the North Meath Road Action Group. The session provided the group with an opportunity to illustrate to Oireachtas members the issues that exist with roads in north Meath.

Deputies Doherty and McEntee and jointly stated: ‘As always, we continue to work closely with Government Ministers in order to get proper services and solutions in place for Meath East. We have made representations to the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, on the issue and he is fully aware of the situation in north Meath.

Deputy McEntee said: ‘It was great to see the amount of people who came down from north Meath in order to illustrate the problems with roads in that part of the county and I’d like to thank them for their participation and for the excellent presentations made.’

“As a recently elected TD, I have made our local roads a priority and I hope that a solution to the situation will be found.”

Deputy Doherty said: ‘Councillors face an annual challenge to locate funds to service the roads throughout the county. As TDs we are fully aware of the problem with roads in north Meath and have a clear plan on how it should be resolved. Having made representations to Minister Varadkar on the issue, I am confident that a satisfactory resolution will be provided in the coming weeks.’

“I was really enthused by the turnout at the briefing event in Leinster House. It shows that people are engaged with and concerned about the issues that affect them in their communities.”

FG TDs welcome allocation for Meath roads under the Community Involvement Scheme

Highest allocation goes to Meath in recognition of the dire state of the county’s roads

Fine Gael Meath TDs have this morning (Monday) welcomed the allocation of €1,549,868 under the Community Involvement Scheme which will be used to repair lesser trafficked rural roads in the county. This announcement follows on from a meeting the TDs had last week with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, where they raised the state of the roads in Meath and pushed for action on the matter.

Speaking this morning, Deputy Regina Doherty said: ‘The roads in Meath are among the worst in the country, with an estimated €20 million needed to bring them up to standard. Obviously that amount is not available but the nationalisation of the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) will help to bridge the gap. Meath had lodged applications for 11 projects and all of them have been awarded. This demonstrates and confirms a serious response by Government to this issue which is impacting greatly on commuters and motorists in Meath’.

Deputy Helen McEntee said: ‘The roads in Meath, and particularly North Meath, have been in a particularly dire state since the bad weather last year. The fact that Meath has been allocated the most amount of money of all counties is an acknowledgement of the scale of the problem facing the people of Meath. A total allocation of €10.5 million nationally has been made available and Meath has been given access to more than €1.5 million. Three quarters of a million euro has been recommended for this year and €800,000 in 2014. I know the people of Meath will be forthcoming in playing their part in getting the Meath roads up to speed.

Deputy Damien English said: ‘The CIS allows communities to contribute to the cost of the repair and maintenance of local roads by providing of a portion of the funding or the supply of labour or machinery, with the Council making up the rest. This scheme has already been in place in some local authorities but today’s announcement sees the roll-out nationally of what is a very worthwhile initiative. This scheme allows for the speedier upgrading of roads that ordinarily would be much further down the list of priorities. It is incumbent on us to be more creative in finding solutions to the challenges of maintaining local roads. We must use our imagination to get the problems sorted and to make good use of any stimulus funding that may be available. This scheme ticks all those boxes.’

Deputy Ray Butler said: ‘In the last number of weeks, myself and my colleagues met with the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, local Fine Gael councillors and members of the North Meath Action Group Committee to discuss the poor state of the roads in Meath so I am delighted that this funding has been announced today. By allowing local communities to get involved in this way, we can ensure that roads which may have been ignored will get the attention they need. The overall cost of the works in Meath is €1,937,335 over two years, with 23kms of road set to be improved. Meath County Council has been approved for the total amount of funding applied for which is great news. This scheme will allow the people of Meath to get on with getting potholes filled on local roads and will give them a real sense of involvement in bettering their local communities.”

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.”