The Saolta Hospital Group has admitted that the CT Scanner (CAT Scan) at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, has been out of action for 144 hours this month (September) and despite this being the 10th time it has broken down over the last 18 months it won’t be replaced until 2022, Denis Naughten TD has confirmed. “The admission that this scanner will …
Electricity bills to jump by an unjustifiable €54 from Thursday – Naughten
Cost of subsidy jumps by 140% but less renewable electricity generated Denis Naughten has described the fact that electricity bills will jump by €54 a year from Thursday to subsidise renewable electricity as “completely unjustifiable”. He has highlighted that despite the jump in cost there will be 44,000 less homes supplied with green energy. Under a decision taken during …
Business must apply for €4k+ grant
The Restart Grant Plus is set to close to many local businesses soon. The grant provides direct grant aid to businesses with up to 250 employees to help them with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures. The minimum grant is €4,000 and the maximum grant is €25,000. Top-ups are available for eligible pubs, bars and nightclubs that …
Post Offices must be the Government’s off-line gateway
While Government policy is to offer Government services online particularly now as a result of Covid 19, there will always be a segment of the population that are not comfortable or proficient accessing online tools or services. Due to its nationwide network and existing strong relationship with offline citizens, the Government took a decision in 2017 to develop the post …
National Competitiveness Council Report supports Regional TDs’ plan to get people out of cities – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has welcomed the publication of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) Report 2020, which dovetails in its recommendation with those put forward by the Regional Group of Independent TDs in their Pre-Budget Submission. “The core objective behind our Pre-Budget Plan is to get families, workers and students out of our cities, where housing and services are in huge …
Budget proposals to get people out of our cities – Naughten
Budget 2021 should be about getting families, workers and students out of our cities, where housing and services are in huge demand, and instead supporting people to bring life back into remote rural communities, says Denis Naughten TD. As part of the Budget process the Regional Independent TDs have put forward a set of proposals including: The introduction of …
New suckler cow scheme must pay €200 – Naughten
Sheep welfare payment should be doubled Budget 2021 must deliver for suckler farmers by introducing a new Suckler Cow Environmental Scheme paying €200 for the first 20 cows as well as doubling the payment to farmers under the Sheep Welfare Scheme, according to Denis Naughten TD. “The agriculture proposals which as Regional Independent TDs we have put forward in …
Nurses & front line staff are mentally & physically exhausted
On the RTE News at One today, Phil Ni Sheaghdha of the INMO said that staff are “mentally & physically exhausted” due to a lack of adequate time off from dealing with Covid 19 during the summer when there is less pressure on our health service. This comment was made 11 weeks after I specifically asked An Taoiseach to provide …
HSE admits further delays in delivery of flu vaccine – Naughten
Reports this morning that the HSE will only have two thirds of last year’s flu vaccine order by mid-October raise serious concerns about the availability of the vital flu vaccine for vulnerable groups this winter, Denis Naughten TD has warned. “While we all expected increased demand for the vaccine on a global scale, it is only now the HSE has …
“Kerrygold” brand needed for Irish suckler beef
“Kerrygold” brand needed for Irish suckler beef The current discussion, heated at times, about the proposed PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status for Irish beef is fundamental to the future viability of suckler farming in Ireland. Firstly, what we are talking about is having a premium brand for Irish Beef that is endosed by the EU, similar to the current Kerrygold brand …