Denis Naughten has welcomed a commitment by the Taoiseach to examine his proposal to offer additional paid leave to frontline healthcare workers. Speaking during Leaders Question in the Dáil today (Wednesday), Denis Naughten pointed out that now is the time to recognise the commitment of doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants proposing “I believe the very minimum we should offer …
Decision on Portiuncula tender in coming days– Naughten
The long drawn out process to commence the enabling works for the new 50 bed ward block at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, are coming to an end with the selection of a contractor in the coming days, local TD Denis Naughten has confirmed. “The enabling works are required in advance of construction of the new 50 bed ward block, a commitment …
Health authorities now playing with words on meat plant tracing
Neither the HSE nor the Minister for Health are prepared to provide the actual numbers of people contact traced and tested as a result of being in proximity of meat plant employees who tested positive for Covid-19. Even in today’s reply from the Health Minister he has not been prepared to provide that simple answer, and we must ask why? …
Bereavement Support line
Today the Irish Hospice Foundation has launched a Bereavement Support line. The freephone number is available from 10am to 1pm Monday to Friday. The number is 1800 80 70 77 Many people have experienced and will experience the death of someone they love during the COVID-19 pandemic. It may have been a COVID-related death or a death from other …
Meat plant debacle continues as Minister misleads Dáil – Naughten
HSE concealing contact tracing problem from Government Denis Naughten TD has written to Minister Simon Harris seeking the contact tracing figures for each meat plant across the country, after the figures he presented to Dáil Éireann on Thursday evening were contradicted by the HSE the following morning. Commenting on the discrepancy between the two sets of figures Denis Naughten …
Huge opportunities to develop our towns & rural areas as funding schemes open for applications – Naughten
Denis Naughten is calling on local communities to look at innovative ways to bring people into their community as well as enhancing amenities for local people. This follows the opening this week of five different funds which can support local employment. Earlier this morning Minister Michael Ring sought applications under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which provides communities with …
Funding available for meals on wheels, cancer transport, school safety & recreation areas – Naughten
Applications are being sought from local groups under the Clár programme to support community initiatives such as meals on wheels, transport for cancer patients, improved pedestrian safety especially around schools and the development or enhancement of community recreation areas, says Denis Naughten TD. The request for applications was announced by Minister Michael Ring and applications for 90% funding must be …
After 50 days of infection we get action on meat plants
50 days after the first Covid 19 infections were diagnosed within meat plants – and after four weeks of persistently raising this issue with authorities along with a handful of other TDs – we eventually get movement from the HSE, the Health and Safety Authority & the Department of Agriculture. 50 days after the initial infections in plants, the …
Harris u-turn on contact tracing after being presented with further information
Minister Simon Harris has this afternoon (Thursday) acknowledged that he shares concerns raised by Denis Naughten regarding the contact tracing system. As a result, the Minister has ordered an urgent examination of these concerns regarding Covid infection in the meat & nursing home sectors. “I welcome the fact that Minister Harris has reversed his position on the disclosure of medical …
Key questions must be answered by Ministers on meat plants – Naughten
Later today the Ministers for Health, Agriculture & Business will attend Dáil Éireann to answer questions on the largescale Covid-19 infection in the meat processing industry. “I believe there has been a systemic failure across all three Government Departments, which has resulted in 800+ staff – including up to half of the workforce in at least one meat plant – who …