Doherty raises concerns about future of Climber Hall with the HSE

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) said that she has held discussions with the Health Service Executive (HSE) about the future of Climber Hall in Kells. Deputy Doherty raised concerns about the facility earlier this week after it was suggested that it may have to close to allow for the local reconfiguration of mental health services.

“I was extremely worried by suggestions made earlier this week that Climber Hall could be forced to close due to plans for the reconfiguration of local mental health services in Louth and Meath. The Kells facility provides a fantastic day service to about 40 people. Its closure would have a devastating impact on those who use the service.

“I have raised the issue in person and in writing with Dermot Monaghan, the HSE’s Area Manager in Louth/Meath, and Stephen Mulvany, the HSE’s Director of Mental Health Services.

“The HSE has confirmed to me that there are no immediate plans to close Climber Hall, but more importantly, the Executive has stated that no decisions will be taken without full consultation with service users.

“Crucially, the HSE says that no service will be removed without being replaced by a comparable service within the community. The HSE has also given a commitment that no patient will lose services.

“Existing services will continue to be provided while consultation on the reorganisation of community-based services is carried out. I am urging patients, their families and health care workers to make their views heard, so we can make it clear that this vital mental health day care service must be maintained.”

Where is Fianna Fáil’s health policy?

FF Spokesperson criticises UHI, but the Party has no policy of its own

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) said Fianna Fail's attacks on the Government's White Paper on Universal Health Insurance (UHI) exposes the Party’s complete lack of a policy on health.

"After years of outsourcing health policy to the PDs, Fianna Fáil went into the last General Election with a manifesto that didn't even have a health section.

"Not much has changed in the meantime. In April 2013, Micheál Martin published a policy guide promising a detailed document on how the health system should work at a later stage. That detailed document still hasn’t materialised.

"Any claim that Fianna Fáil has published a document on health needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. The Party published a paper authored by Brian Turner, with the following disclaimer: 'The views expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the School of Economics, University College Cork or Fianna Fáil.'

“Despite the fact that Micheál Martin is a former Minister for Health, his Party seems incapable of coming up with any health policies. This perhaps isn’t surprising given his disastrous stewardship of the health service and his establishment of the HSE. A couple of weeks ago, the HSE Chief Executive Tony O'Brien described the way in which the HSE was set up in 2004 as being 'like a high speed car crash'. Yet Fianna Fáil wants to stick with this failed system rather than making radical changes.

"No wonder all FF do is criticise. The Party doesn’t have the credibility, or the policies, to say anything else on health."

Doherty calls for lower charges for homeowners with hard water

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has written to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), urging it to take issues such as hard water into account when it sets rates for water charges, which are due to be introduced at the end of this year. Deputy Doherty also raised the issue in a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD.

“Meath has a significant hard water problem, which has an impact on pipes, kettles, irons and washing machines. If scale builds up on heating elements it can shorten the life span of expensive home appliances. 

“Rather than just being an inconvenience, hard water has a financial impact on homeowners, not only because appliances need to be replaced earlier than normal, but also because it requires the purchase of water softeners, descaling devices and water filters. 

“This problem has been acknowledged by Meath County Council, which has issued a leaflet to homes offering advice on how to deal with hard water. 

“I have written to the Chairperson of the CER, Dermot Nolan, asking him to enforce regulations which will ensure that the pricing structure agreed for Irish Water will take heed of issues such as hard water. I believe that slightly lower tariffs should be agreed for homeowners dealing with hard water. I have also raised the matter with Minister Hogan. 

“I look forward to hearing back from the CER and Minister Hogan in relation to this matter.”

Doherty welcomes commitment from Minister Hayes of €350k investment in heritage sites

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) welcomed a commitment from the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Brian Hayes, that €348,000 is to be reinvested in heritage sites. Minister Hayes made his comments at a meeting of the Select Sub Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform.

“This money was generated by Heritage Services last year, but rather than allow it to be swallowed up in the OPW’s general budget, Minister Hayes has promised that it will be invested back into heritage sites in 2014, which is a very welcome commitment. 

“The investment of this €348,000 will create a strong incentive to increase activity at heritage sites and improve business opportunities for locations around the country. With regards to my own constituency, I raised the issue of the visitor centre at the Hill of Tara directly with the Minister. 

“The Tara visitor centre is closed more weeks than it is open due to staffing problems, and I am pleased to have received a commitment from the Minister that he will look at the situation in a bid to ensure that it could be open year round. The opportunity to improve access to Tara must be taken now, at a time when an increased national investment is being made in heritage sites. 

“I also raised the prospect of private sector involvement in heritage sites, which I believe could pump some life back into some of the struggling sites across Meath. Minister Hayes was open to the idea, and I intend to pursue this matter with him further. 

“The Minister also confirmed at the Finance Committee that after an absence of a number of years, the OPW is to reintroduce its apprenticeship programme. This will result in 20 places being offered on the apprenticeship programme in areas such as stonemasonry and craft carpentry.”

Change to rates system will provide a boost to local businesses – Doherty

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) said that a change to the law on rates will provide a welcome boost to local businesses in Meath. Under legislation put forward by Deputy Doherty’s colleague, Waterford TD Paudie Coffey, businesses will no longer be forced to pay rates arrears from the previous tenant when they take on new premises.

The legislation has been accepted by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, and is being included in the Local Government Reform Bill 2013.

“This is a very positive and proactive measure, which I know businesses in Meath have been seeking for some time. Under the old legislation, which dates back to 1838, tenants who vacated a property with rates due are not be liable and instead the new tenant is forced to pay the rates arrears. This law is still affecting Irish businesses in the 21st century despite being brought into effect before the Famine.

“Now, thanks to a change in the law, new tenants will no longer be liable for the rates arrears of previous tenants. This will allow new businesses to take up new premises and existing businesses to change premises without the fear of having a massive rates bill hanging over them after they move in.

“I am pleased that the Government has taken this step in recognition of the great difficulty being faced by businesses around the country – this will go some way to make the rates system fairer.

“The unfair practice where new business tenants were held liable for the rates arrears of previous tenants will no longer apply; a move which will improve the business environment in towns and cities around the country.”

Health Comm hears no evidence that plain packaging would increase cigarette smuggling

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty TD, has today (Thursday) said representations made to the Committee have made it clear that there is no evidence to suggest that the introduction of plain packaging would increase the rate of cigarette smuggling. 

Today’s Committee heard representations from Derek Byrne, Assistant Garda Commissioner; Gerard Moran, Assistant Secretary, Revenue Commissioners; and Gavin Maguire, Assistant National Director, National Tobacco Control Office.

“The evidence provided at the Committee meeting should help to dispel some of the rumours surrounding the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes. Assistant Garda Commissioner, Derek Byrne, reassured the Committee that there is no evidence available to the Gardaí that introducing plain packaging would lead to an increase in the trade of illicit tobacco. 

“The Committee also heard that customs officials in the UK and mainland Europe have indicated clearly that there is no evidence to link plain packaging to an increase in counterfeit cigarettes. Assistant Commissioner Byrne also gave a commitment that the Gardaí will closely monitor the black market after the introduction of plain packaging, and implement any changes to control measures if necessary. 

“Authorities here are closely watching the impact of the introduction of plain cigarette packaging in Australia. I found it particularly interesting to hear from the HSE that initial figures from Australia indicate that the number of young people taking up smoking there has fallen by 15%. This is extremely encouraging, and something which would be very welcome if we could replicate it here. 

“I absolutely believe that the introduction of plain packaging is a positive step forward and will help in our fight to reduce smoking rates here. The evidence given at today’s Health Committee further strengthens this view.”

Doherty welcomes 60% drop in trolley figures at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan since 2011

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) welcomed new figures which show that the number of people waiting on trolleys at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan has dropped by 60% since 2011. Deputy Doherty added that the positive results were a clear endorsement of the work of the Special Delivery Unit, which was set up by the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, to tackle the high numbers of patients waiting on trolleys.

“It is fantastic news that the number of people waiting on trolleys at Navan Hospital has fallen by 60% since this Government took Office. This is a clear sign that the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), set up by the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, to tackle trolley waiting figures, is working. And it is also testament to the hard work and determination of the management and staff in Navan, who must be commended for their efforts.

“Nationally, the number of people waiting on trolleys has fallen by almost 30,000 since 2011. It’s is eight years since the number of patients waiting on trolleys on a given day exceeded 500 and Mary Harney declared the problem a ‘national emergency’. For the following five long years, the problem spiralled out of control.

“The reforms implemented by this Government have tackled a problem in less than three years, that Fianna Fáil failed to get a grip on for fourteen long years in Government. In their last term of office, the number of patients waiting on trolleys increased by 49%. During the last three years under this Fine Gael-led Government, the number of patients on trolleys has reduced by more than a third.

“This has been achieved despite considerable pressures on the health sector, which has experienced a 20% budget reduction, a 10% reduction in staff numbers and an 8% increase in population demands. Significant progress is also being made in a number of other areas. We are on target to reduce both inpatient and outpatient waiting lists. MRSA rates have fallen by a fifth and drug costs have been cut by a third.

“It is vitally important that we constantly strive to make our hospitals more efficient, so we can care for patients better. The reform programme will continue apace in the year ahead, as we continue to roll out the Money Follows the Patient model and the establishment of new Hospital Groups.

“I am very pleased that such positive progress has been made in Our Lady’s Hospital and I look forward to further progress in the year ahead.”

Doherty congratulates Lourdes Hospital on top hygiene standards

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) congratulated the Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for achieving a 92% compliance level for hand hygiene.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) conducted an audit of the hospital in line with the national programme for monitoring standards for the prevention and control of infections in our hospitals. Hand hygiene is considered to be extremely important to preventing the spread of infections.  

“All of the staff at the Lourdes Hospital should be very proud of these results which show that a culture of hand hygiene practice is well embedded amongst workers at the hospital. The results are particularly impressive when compared with those of other hospitals, which are falling behind in terms of hand hygiene. 

“Study after study has shown that washing your hands is the most effective way to prevent the spreading of infections in hospitals. But unfortunately making this a common practice has been challenging in many health facilities, so I am very pleased that the Lourdes Hospital is performing so well.

“I would like to pay particular tribute to Margaret Swords, the General Group Manager of the Louth Meath Hospital Group, for her work in pursuing high standards across the hospital group.”

Doherty welcomes more than €346,000 in funding for Meath community group

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation from the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, that €346,246 in funding is being provided for Meath Community Rural and Social Development Partnership Ltd, under the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP).

“This funding is part of €47.7 million being allocated to organisations around the country next year under the LCDP, which tackles poverty and social exclusion in disadvantaged communities and is a key tool for the Government in providing supports for the ‘harder to reach’ in the most disadvantaged areas in society. 

“The Meath Partnership will work with local people through one-to-one interventions in a bid to help them get back to work. Over the last year, the LCDP has helped thousands of people across the country to take part in education and training, and progress into employment. 

“This €346,246 in funding should make a considerable difference to Meath Community Rural and Social Development Partnership Ltd, and will allow the group to continue its good work at a local level. 

“The LCDP is due to be redesigned next year as part of the Government’s plans to enhance the role of local government in community development. Under the new structures, Local Community Development Committees will be established to manage the LCDP. 

“The Meath Partnership plays a very important role in supporting the local community by making it easier for people to access education and training, and improving their work readiness. I have no doubt that the group will put this funding to very good use.”

Doherty welcomes appointment of Judge Murphy to symphysiotomy process

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) welcomed the appointment of Judge Yvonne Murphy to the resolution process for women who underwent symphysiotomies. Judge Murphy’s appointment was announced by the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, this evening. 

“I am pleased that Judge Murphy has been appointed to help bring closure to the women who have been waiting for decades for a resolution. Symphysiotomies were barbaric procedures, which have left hundreds of women in pain for decades. Lives were irreparably damaged by this medical procedure, which was carried out in most instances without any permission sought from the women concerned. 

“Judge Murphy will work with each of the women on an individual basis, in a bid to reach a just outcome with the State Claims Agency and the insurance companies. After this consultation process, Judge Murphy will provide a report to the Government, which will inform its final decision. 

“I know many of the women will be disappointed by the Government’s decision not to lift the Statute of Limitations. However, I support the Government’s view that whatever funds are available should be directed towards the women who have suffered, and not towards paying legal costs. Many of the women involved are older, and I do not believe that a lengthy court battle, which would ensue through the lifting of the Statute, would be in their best interests. 

“Because much of these procedures were carried out such a long time ago, many of the women do not have medical records or other relevant pieces of information. This means that the legal route would be littered with risks. What I hope can be achieved for the women involved is a fair resolution, where they receive all of the payments available, rather than scarce money being absorbed by legal costs. 

“I hope this process can finally be brought to a close in the coming months. These women have been failed by previous Governments, and they have waited long enough for some form of justice. They won’t be failed by this Government.”