Denis Naughten TD has welcomed confirmation from the HSE that plans to recruit a Parkinson’s Advanced Nurse Practitioner for Galway University Hospital are now at an advanced stage. Deputy Naughten was informed this week that the job specification for the full-time post is now being finalised. The Parkinson’s Advanced Nurse Practitioner post helps patients to manage their illness through making …
Local children traveling 4,500km/week to access education
11 local children are facing a 4,500km/week journey to access an autism specific second level class in either Glenamaddy or Longford Town because there is no capacity in the Athlone schools to cater for the students. I raised this issue in the Dáil this week and have received a commitment from Minister Madigan that local places will be secured for …
Carers talk about the impact on means test
Today the Social Protection Committee heard what can only be described as powerful evidence from 3 family carers who are providing full time care to their disabled children. They spoke about the impact that the Carers Allowance means test is having on them, their families and their caring roles. Watch their opening contribution here:
Athlone autism places to be discussed in Dáil Éireann tomorrow morning
Last week I planned to question Minister Josepha Madigan in the Dáil on the provision of autism specific school places for students in South Roscommon and Athlone at both primary & post primary level: This was on foot of concerns regarding the lack of places expressed to me by parents and data that I had collated on local demand. Sadly, …
“Mean” test for carers must be abolished – Naughten
Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Denis Naughten TD, has said we must work towards a financial support system for family carers which is “designed around the care that is given and not how must is in the bank account of the husband or wife of a full-time carer”. “The Social Protection Committee has received evidence of …
20,000 on respiratory waiting lists as Government focuses on “air quality” – Naughten
Over 20,000 people are currently awaiting respiratory outpatient appointments with over a quarter of those already waiting more than 18 months at a time when “air quality” are the buzz words being used by Government, Denis Naughten has highlighted. Figures provided to Denis Naughten by the HSE show that 20,632 adults and children are currently on waiting lists for …
More autism school places needed in South Roscommon & Athlone – Naughten
Local TD Denis Naughten is seeking to quiz the Education Minister this week on the lack of places in Athlone and South Roscommon for pupils with autism. “The lack of places is now forcing pupils from South Roscommon to travel up to 100km each day to avail of an education with two south Roscommon children facing a daily journey to …
Carbon taxes are penalising families not driving climate change
The carbon tax is supposed to be an environmental tax to drive behavioural change when it comes to the use of fossil fuels. In such circumstances the most effective tax is the one that brings in little revenue because it is doing what it should do, namely, driving behavioural change. Today, a carbon tax has no impact on behaviour because …
Pensioner receives €3,262 hike in electricity bill due to estimations – Naughten
A pensioner living on her own has received a shocking electricity bill which has gone from €123 to €3,385 because her supplier has failed to read her meter for the past 24 months, Denis Naughten told the Dáil this afternoon. “To add to her shock, she is being charged all of these arrears at the current electricity rate compounding the …
Planning to be submitted next month for new Sacred Heart Hospital – Naughten
Local TD Denis Naughten has been informed that the HSE is to submit planning permission for the new long stay facility at the Sacred Heart Hospital next month. In a response to Deputy Naughten the HSE stated that planning notices are now being issued with formal planning permission to be sought from Roscommon County Council next month. “In Government, I …