Doherty welcomes expansion of programme to tackle child deprivation

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, to expand the new child poverty programme, which targets areas of deprivation. Minister Fitzgerald confirmed the move during a meeting of the Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs.

“The new Area Based Response to Child Poverty Programme will build on the work already carried out by the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme, which has been in operation since 2007 in Tallaght, Ballymun and Darndale in Dublin. Thanks to extra funding of €2.5 million, the programme will now be extended to three more locations.

“It is well established that if we want to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children, early intervention is essential. This is true both in terms of early education for toddlers, and early help and support for children who may be growing up in areas of deprivation.

“The success of the three existing programmes in Dublin would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the local organisations who help to run the initiative. Indeed, Minister Fitzgerald has said when it comes to deciding on the next three locations, it is vital that there are already good community organisations in place, who can take up the reigns to deliver the new programme.

“A list of locations is currently being reviewed under the deprivation index. The aim of the programme is to achieve better outcomes for children, their families and their communities. It’s hoped that the establishment of the Child and Family Agency this year will allow for the mainstreaming of these programmes, which would be a positive and progressive step.

“The programme is being co-funded by Atlantic Philanthropies, which helped to fund the original programme, and as a result will have a total funding allocation of almost €30 million over the next three years.”

Kelleher's criticism of health service only reminds us of FF’s tragic health legacy

FF ran away from problems in health for 14 years while the system imploded

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has criticised Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson, Billy Kelleher, after he launched an attack on the Government for not implementing changes to the health service quick enough.

“Billy Kelleher’s criticism of the health service is like someone starting a fire and then criticising you for not putting it out quickly enough. This mirrors Fianna Fáil’s approach to the economy.

“Deputy Kelleher attests that, ‘Fianna Fáil is committed to bringing forward radical proposals on creating a fairer health system.’ However, they had their chance to provide a decent health service and they blew it – spectacularly. During 14 years of Fianna Fail Government our health system deteriorated inexorably, despite the Government throwing money at it.

“I was staggered to hear Deputy Kelleher’s attempts to blame the Government for the fact that thousands of people being forced to give up their health insurance cover. These people have been severely stung by Fianna Fáil’s economic policies and can now no longer afford insurance cover. It is cynical and unwise of Deputy Kelleher to use these people’s depleted economic circumstances to score political points.

“Instead of running away from the problem, Fine Gael in Government is delivering health reforms and improvements unheard of under the previous government, despite having to operate under the economic constraints left behind by Fianna Fáil.

• The number of patients waiting on trolleys was 24% lower in 2012 compared to 2011. So far this year, the number of patients waiting on trolleys has been reduced by a further 10%
• 1,759 children were waiting over 20 weeks for inpatient or day case surgery at the end of 2011. Within a year, this waiting list was reduced to 89 children.
• 3,706 adults were waiting more than 9 months for inpatient and day case surgery at the end of 2011. Within a year, this waiting list was reduced to 86 adults.
• The number of cancelled operations has halved and is now at its lowest level since 2006
• The Children's Hospital location has been selected
• The Hospital Groups system, which will enable hospital users around the country to access better and more efficient services, has been created.

“Health reform documents on Money Follows the Patient and Path to Universal Healthcare have been published and the key building blocks are now in place to provide Ireland with a fair, modern health service.”

“Deputy Kelleher’s effort to score political points only serves to remind us of the tragedy of Fianna Fáil’s treatment of our health service. As Minister for Health, Micheal Martin’s stock in trade when facing problems was to commission but not implement endless expensive reports – over 110 in total. He hid behind these reports while our health system buckled and Irish patients suffered unnecessarily. He also created the HSE which was cynically used by the Government to divert blame away from its doorstep.

“Having passed the buck for years, Fianna Fáil then washed their hands entirely of the health system by handing the health portfolio over to Mary Harney. When the government was criticised for the state of our health system, Fianna Fáil levelled the blame at the PDs.”

Thousands of euro can be recouped on exported cars

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) highlighted the fact that car owners are entitled to claim back VRT if their vehicle is exported overseas. The information was contained in documents prepared for the Finance Committee, of which Deputy Doherty is a new member. 

“Many people may be unaware of the existence of this scheme, which is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. It allows for the repayment of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) after a car has been exported out of the country. This can amount to several thousand euro in some cases. 

“The scheme applies to cars registered in Ireland with a selling price of €2,000 or more and a valid NCT certificate. The car must be examined before it is exported, and then removed from the State within 30 days. Once the owner can prove the car has been registered in another EU country or permanently exported further afield, the VRT paid on that vehicle can be claimed back, minus an administration charge of €500. 

“The scheme has only been in place since April of this year, and early indications suggest that take-up has been low so far. To date, 335 vehicles were presented for pre-export examination and 21 payments totalling €128,681 were approved. That’s an average of more than €6,000 per vehicle. The repayments were primarily paid to vehicles exported to the UK.

“In my view, many people could stand to benefit from this scheme; whether they have sold their car in the UK, or perhaps moved to another European country and taken their vehicle with them. It is important that people are aware of this scheme in advance, as VRT can only be reclaimed if vehicles are presented for examination before exporting. 

“I am delighted to have been co-opted onto the Finance Committee, not least because there are very few female representatives on it. I look forward to discussing and examining a range of issues under the Committee’s remit in the coming months.”

Alternatives to Slane bypass must be explored before resubmitting application

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Monday) said that alternatives to the Slane bypass must be fully explored before an application is resubmitted to An Bord Pleanala. Deputy Doherty added that a rushed re-submission would be risky and counter productive, and it would be much wiser to exhaust other options first.

Last week Fianna Fail's Thomas Byrne expressed his "outrage" because the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, wasn't in a position to drop everything and appear before the Seanad to answer Senator Byrnes' queries regarding the Slane bypass. This is a blatant attempt to play politics on a topic that is close to the hearts of everyone who lives and works in Slane village.

Rather than trying to point score, we should look at the reality of the current situation, and examine how it can be moved forward. An Bord Pleanala has already rejected one submission on the bypass, and the last thing we need to do is rush a second submission and do the entire campaign an injustice in the process.

It is clear to me that we must explore the alternatives to the bypass, as this was one of the primary reasons the original submission was rejected. The National Roads Authority and Minister Varadkar have consistently stated what everyone in Slane knows; the best solution for the village is a bypass. So what we all need to do is find a way to satisfy An Bord Pleanala.

For this reason I think Meath County Council will have to push ahead with a HGV ban, to see how it works and what impact it would have on the surrounding area. It is clear to me that only through exploring and exhausting the alternatives, will we be able to deliver the bypass the village needs.

Minister Varadkar has engaged personally on this issue and has met with the Slane Bypass Action Group, Meath County Council and elected representatives to discuss the best way to approach the issue. I will continue to work with local interests and the Minister on this issue, and in the meantime I would encourage Thomas Byrne to stop wasting time by staging a charade in the Seanad.

Public health nurses must be included in new Child and Family Agency

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty TD, has welcomed a commitment from John Hennessy, the incoming Director of Primary Care, that the Department of Health will seriously consider a request to include public health nurses in the new Child and Family Agency. Deputy Doherty was speaking after department officials and representatives from the Institute of Community Health Nursing (ICHN) appeared before the Oireachtas Health Committee.

“Public health nurses provide an invaluable service to families across this country. They are the only health professionals to visit the home of every new-born child and mother in Ireland, allowing them to build unique relationships based on trust within families and communities.

“The establishment of the new Child and Family Agency represents the greatest transformation of children and family services in the history of the State, by bringing together functions from the HSE, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. I believe this new Agency should be somewhere families will turn to in the first instance, rather than as a last resort. As a result, it is crucial that public health nurses are included within its structures.

“I understand that legislative challenges have led to the current decision not to include public health nurses in the new Agency. But I feel strongly that these challenges must be overcome. Representatives of the ICHN gave powerful contributions to the Health Committee earlier today about the role they play in child welfare. In particular, they detailed how public health nurses can identify children and family in need of early intervention, specifically in relation to the service they provide to pre-school children.

“The incoming Director of Primary Care, John Hennessy, also attended today’s Committee hearing, and I am delighted with the response he gave to the concerns of public health nurses. Mr Hennessy said that the gate is not closed in relation to including public health nurses in the new Agency; in fact he described it as a ‘critical issue’ and he promised to discuss this issue further within the Department.

“Mr Hennessy’s response was extremely welcome. I know he listened keenly to the contributions of the ICHN, and I hope he can ensure their concerns do not go unanswered. If we want to get the new Child and Family Agency off to the best possible start, public health nurses must be included from the outset, and the positive role they can play within it must be valued and recognised.”

Minister will bring measures to Govt shortly to cater for symphysiotomy survivors - Doherty & Humphreys

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, and Cavan/Monaghan TD, Heather Humphreys, have today (Tuesday) said they have received an assurance from the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, that he intends to bring measures to Government in the near future to deal with the issue of symphysiotomy.

 Deputy Doherty said: ‘Survivors of symphisiotomy have had their entire lives blighted by a barbaric procedure that had more in common with the Middle Ages than modern medicine. Minister Reilly last year gave a commitment to deal with the issue sensitively, so as to bring closure to the women affected’.

 “I understand that victims of the procedure are frustrated with the amount of time this is taking, and I understand the distress this is causing. However, the Minister has assured me that he intends to go to Government in the near future, with measures to deal with the issue of symphysiotomy.

 “The Minister’s dedication to this issue should not be doubted; on a number of occasions he has joined Deputy Humphreys and I in meeting with Patient Focus and survivors’ representatives. The Minister fully understands the pain and suffering these women have gone through, and I know he will deal with this issue once and for all.”

Deputy Humphreys said: ‘The Department of Health has been considering the report into symphysiotomy by Oonagh Walsh and has been closely studying its conclusions. In order to address the matter, which has seen many women suffer significant health issues, the Department has been evaluating a range of options, including an analysis of the responsibility faced by groups including the relevant insurance companies. The Department has also been in discussion with the State Claims Agency to discuss how best to progress the issue’.

 “I understand that when these discussions are complete, the Department will provide a recommendation to the Minister to bring to Cabinet for consideration by Government. Thankfully, Ireland is now one of the safest places in the world in which to have a baby. But this was not always the case, as our legacy of symphysiotomies proves. The women who were subjected to this horrific procedure deserve justice, and I am confident that the Minister for Health will be the person to deliver it.”

Doherty calls for appointment of youth mental health tsar

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) called on the Government to consider appointing a youth mental health tsar, to oversee the formation and implementation of mental health policies specifically targeted at young people. Deputy Doherty was speaking after visiting Jigsaw Meath, which provides free and confidential one-to-one support to young people aged 12-25.

“The network of Jigsaw projects, which is supported by Headstrong, is an extremely positive initiative aimed at providing community support for young people who are experiencing mental health problems. Information, advice and confidential support are provided free of charge, without the need for an appointment. As far as Jigsaw is concerned, no problem is too big or small, and every problem can be helped through talking about it.

“There are hundreds of initiatives like the Jigsaw project, offering help and support in every town across the country. Most are run on an entirely voluntary basis. Many receive Government funding and may be affiliated with national suicide prevention strategies, but many others operate on an individual basis.

“The Government is shortly due to appoint a national director of mental health services, who will oversee policy development in this area. While this appointment will be very welcome, I believe we should also consider appointing an expert in youth mental health services, so we can ensure a co-ordinated approach is being taken across the country. We need to make sure our young people are getting a coherent, consistent message on safeguarding their mental health.

“A youth mental health tsar could draw together the great work being done by groups like Jigsaw. I was hugely impressed by the support being provided by community workers at Jigsaw in Navan. There is a huge amount of goodwill and determination out there to tackle suicide and mental health issues; we have a responsibility to ensure this goodwill is harnessed and maximised.

“Appointing someone to champion youth mental health at a public, national level would help to ensure this issue gets the attention it deserves.”

Water Notice

Water Notice - Water Disruptions: Wilkinstown, Powderlough and Rathbeggan - Tuesday the 18th of June between 10am and 5pm.

Water Disruptions: Wilkinstown, Powderlough and Rathbeggan

Meath County Council wishes to advise residents in the Wilkinstown, Powderlough and Rathbeggan areas of Dunshaughlin that there may be possible water disruptions on Tuesday the 18th of June between 10:00am and 05:00pm.

This is due to essential maintenance works.

Meath County Council regrets any inconvenience caused.

Change to jobseekers system recognises importance of part-time fire-fighters

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has welcomed a provision contained in the Social Welfare Bill which will give greater certainty to part-time fire-fighters by removing restrictions on their access to jobseekers benefit and jobseekers allowance.

“Up until now, part-time fire-fighters have faced uncertainty, and often find it difficult to access jobseekers payments, due to the system that has been in place. Since the early 1970s, the social welfare system has essentially subsidised the cost of providing a part-time fire service, by allowing the fire-fighters involved to claim the dole.

“However, this approach wasn ’t underpinned by legislation, and as a result, individual fire-fighters could encounter difficulties in particular due to what is known as the ‘proximity clause’. A requirement for part-time fire-fighters to live near their station means they could be refused jobseekers allowance if they turned down a job because it would take them too far away from their station.

“The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, has recognised the challenges this can pose, and as a result a provision has been included in the Social Welfare Bill 2013 to recognise the good work of fire-fighters by ensuring they can access dole payments.

“Part-time fire-fighters provide an extremely valuable service in communities across the country, and it is only right that their role is recognised and supported. I am glad that the Government is taking a pragmatic view of this situation, and I hope this small change can give part-time fire-fighters greater certainty.”

€6.4bn Strategic Investment Fund will create jobs and stimulate the economy

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) said that the new Strategic Investment Fund, set to be established by the Government, will create jobs and stimulate the economy. Under new plans published by the Government, the National Pension Reserve Fund (NPRF) will be used by the Government to provide €6.4 billion for commercial investment.

“This is about using the resources we have to create jobs and stimulate economic activity. The Government has decided to redirect the €6.4 billion in the NPRF into a new Strategic Investment Fund, which will directly support economic growth.

“In tandem with the new investment fund, legislation being drafted by the Government will also put NewERA on a statutory footing, which will identify new investment opportunities. This will provide the framework for the Government to invest in key sectors like water, energy and telecommunications.

“This is delivering on a key commitment in the Programme for Government, and will help to support and attract investment into Ireland, and crucially, it will create jobs. As well as stimulating employment now, it will provide the basis for sustainable jobs and growth for the next generation.

“It is very significant that at a time of severe economic constraints, the Government is creating a â ?¬6.4 billion fund for economic investment. Over the last two and a half years, this Government has been working tirelessly to get the economy back on track and to repair our damaged international reputation. Now, we are once again attracting investment into this country and we want to use our own available resources to invest in the Irish economy.

“Confidence has returned to the Irish economy; that’s why we’re once again signing Public Private Partnerships to invest in our roads and other infrastructure. In a similar way, the €6.4 billion Strategic Investment Fund will be leveraged to attract private sector investment in the Irish economy.

“As well as creating direct jobs, this will also help to make Ireland a more attractive place for investment. I am hopeful that Meath will stand to benefit from job creation as the Strategic Investment Fund begins investing in our water, electricity and broadband network.”