National strategy will give carers the recognition they deserve

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed the publication of the National Carers’ Strategy, saying it finally gives carers the recognition they deserve.

“This is strategy is long overdue, and what we must ensure now is that it is not left to gather dust on a shelf, like so many other before it. Carers carry out invaluable, exhausting and emotionally draining work on a daily basis, and too often they are left to feel like they are being taken for granted by the State. This strategy shows this Government is taking a different view. 

“A major difference with this strategy is its provision for implementation, monitoring and review. To ensure its recommendations do not go unimplemented, annual reports will be produced on departmental websites and a progress report on the implementation of the Strategy will be produced on a periodic basis.

“The strategy sets out the direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers. It has been a central aim of this Government to help older people and those with illnesses to live in their own communities and their own homes for as long as possible. Carers play an essential role in this process. 

“Today we have placed carers on the national agenda, by setting out four national goals. They are; to recognise the value and contribution carers make; to support carers to manage their own health and well-being, to provide carers with adequate information, training and supports; and to empower carers to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.

“I hope we can move forward on positive footing from today and ensure carers receive the recognition, support and empowerment that they have always deserved.”

Child and Family Support Agency represents huge shift in national policy

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) said that the new Child and Family Support Agency, which is due to be established next year, represents a huge shift in national policy and will help provide much greater support to vulnerable children and their families. Deputy Doherty was speaking after the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, published the Final Report of the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency.

“Since coming to office, this Government has placed child protection on the national agenda in a greater way than ever before. We displayed our determination to give this area the attention it deserves by establishing a dedicated department of children, with a senior ministry. Since then, the Government has been incrementally introducing a range of legislation that will greatly enhance the protection we offer our children.

“The new Child and Family Support Agency will see a range of services being brought together under one body. This will mean that one State agency will have the single focus of ensuring child and family support services are adequately delivered. In turn, this agency will report to just one Government department, as opposed to the scatter gun approach that existing before.

“Under previous administrations, child protection services were spread across a range of bodies, units and departments. The failures of the past, by the State and its agencies, in relation to child protection are well document. Some of these failures were due to poor communications, a lack of co-ordination and incoherence in policy. Now, under this new Agency, we will have a seamless integration of policy and service delivery.

“I have no doubt that it will take some time and a huge amount of hard work for this new structure to be put in place. But the approval by Cabinet this week of the drafting of legislation to establish the new Agency is a major step forward that should ultimately lead to a safer, sounder, more solid structure being put in place for the welfare of all our children.”

National strategy will give carers the recognition they deserve

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed the publication of the National Carers’ Strategy, saying it finally gives carers the recognition they deserve.

“This is strategy is long overdue, and what we must ensure now is that it is not left to gather dust on a shelf, like so many other before it. Carers carry out invaluable, exhausting and emotionally draining work on a daily basis, and too often they are left to feel like they are being taken for granted by the State. This strategy shows this Government is taking a different view. 

“A major difference with this strategy is its provision for implementation, monitoring and review. To ensure its recommendations do not go unimplemented, annual reports will be produced on departmental websites and a progress report on the implementation of the Strategy will be produced on a periodic basis.

“The strategy sets out the direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers. It has been a central aim of this Government to help older people and those with illnesses to live in their own communities and their own homes for as long as possible. Carers play an essential role in this process. 

“Today we have placed carers on the national agenda, by setting out four national goals. They are; to recognise the value and contribution carers make; to support carers to manage their own health and well-being, to provide carers with adequate information, training and supports; and to empower carers to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.

“I hope we can move forward on positive footing from today and ensure carers receive the recognition, support and empowerment that they have always deserved.”

Doherty welcomes moves to establish separate Family Court

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed moves by the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD, aimed at establishing a separate Family Court structure. Earlier this week, Minister Shatter announced that the Government has approved in principle a number of major reforms for our courts system, which will require a Constitutional Referendum.

“Reform of the family courts system is a commitment under the Programme for Government, and I believe it is an essential step in making our legal system a less intimidating and more welcoming environment for families in personal difficulties.

“Under the current system, family law cases generally come before the District Court in the first instance. Family cases are usually left until the end of the court list, to give those concerned as much privacy as possible. But as a result, families can be left waiting in the courthouse as prisoners and other criminals are ushered in and out.

“A courtroom is a very intimidating environment under any circumstance. Combine this with the potential emotions and stresses associated with family law cases, and the entire experience can be completely overwhelming. We should remember that children are at the centre of all family law cases; every effort should be made to ensure we provide a suitable environment in which to make decisions about their welfare.

“Under a reformed structure, I would envisage entirely separate family courts, where just the parties involved, the judge and the court clerk are present. Judges with a specialisation in family law cases could preside over all proceedings, ensuring a level of compassion and understanding.

“This is a very important reform as we continue to modernise our court system to reflect the realities of society. I fully support the Minister in this initiative and I hope the reforms can be progressed without delay to the benefit of everyone involved.”

Doherty welcomes new mental health unit for Meath and Louth

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation from the HSE that a new adult mental health unit is being provided for Meath and Louth at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Deputy Doherty added that the provision of the new unit is part of the Government’s commitment to implement the mental health strategy, A Vision for Change.

“The Government is committed to implementing A Vision for Change, the strategy aimed at completely overhauling the way we deliver mental health services in this country. It includes a focus on delivering services in the community, and upgrading and replacing facilities to ensure the best possible care in being provided.

“This new purpose built 45-bed adult Acute Admissions Unit, which will be located at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Healthcare Campus, is being developed in line with A Vision for Change. It will replace the adult acute inpatient units in Ardee and Navan, meaning that people from both Meath and Louth will be able to access high quality care from this new facility. However, there are no plans to close the psychiatric units in Navan and Ardee and both will be maintained as an integral part of our mental health services. 

“Progress is already being made in bringing this project to fruition; a tendering process is underway and a contract is expected to be awarded shortly with a target date of mid 2015 for completion of the unit. The development of new units like this one will be complemented by the provision of fully staffed Community Mental Health Teams, consisting of social workers, psychologists and occupational therapists.

“The Government’s mental health strategy, under A Vision for Change, and our plans for the complete reform of the health service place an emphasis on providing care to patients in their own communities, enabling them to access treatment close to home and avoiding unnecessary hospital stays. These plans took a significant step forward this week, with the announcement of a series of Primary Care Centres which will be built across the country as part of the Government’s €2 billion Stimulus Package.

“We face a huge task in reforming our mental health services, which were neglected for so long by previous Governments. The Independent Monitoring Report, published this week, said that progress is too slow in some areas. This is something the Government needs to be acutely aware of. I am confident that through the roll out of Primary Care Centres, the development of new units and the earmarking of €35 million for mental health services, we can make significant strides in the way we provide mental health care to those who need it most.”

New Primary Care Centre will hugely benefit people of Kells

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) welcomed confirmation that a new Primary Care Centre is to be provided in Kells. The announcement was made as part of a multi-billion euro stimulus package unveiled by the Government, which also includes significant investment in roads and schools across the country.

“It will come as a great boost to the people of Kells that a new Primary Care Centre is to be provided in the town. The new centre will make a real difference to the way in which the people of Kells access health care services in the community. It will allow local people to get the care they need, close to their own home.

“Through the Health Committee, we have been working with the Minister for Health, James Reilly, on his reform plans for the health service. Developing the network of Primary Care Centres is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. It was also a central plank of Fine Gael’s health reform programme for the health service, which was developed in Opposition and is now being progressed by Minister Reilly in Government. 

“Primary Care Centres, like the new one to be provided in Kells, will be the first point of contact for people who need to access health services in the years ahead. In a developed Primary Care system, as envisaged by the Government, up to 95% of people’s day-to-day health and social care needs can be provided in a community setting. 

“The new centre will be a modern, well-equipped premises, which will provide a range of services which can be added to over time. It will make a substantial difference to the lives of people in Kells. As well as treating illness, the Kells centre will help people to care for themselves, such as those with a long-term illness, and it will also help to prevent serious illness from occurring in the first place by providing easily accessible health services in the community. 

“A focus on Primary Care not only benefits patients, it will also benefit the taxpayer. By allowing patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke and asthma, to be treated near or at their homes, we can save the health service millions euro by preventing hospital stays.

“I look forward to the development of the new Primary Care Centre in Kells, and to seeing the benefits it brings the local community.”

Changes to driving licences application process could threaten thousands of jobs

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Monday) warned that measures need to be put in place to safeguard thousands of jobs which could be threatened by a planned change to the way driving licences are issued.

Under the new plans, people may be able to get their photo taken and their new driving licence produced in one location. But there are fears this could have a detrimental impact on the 4,000 people who are employed providing photo ID services in pharmacies and other outlets across the country.

“The Road Safety Authority (RSA) will be the new national driver licensing authority from next year, and will be responsible for new credit-card style driving licences. The RSA is tendering for the new card production service, which is expected to offer customers the facility to get their digital photo taken and their new licence produced in one spot.

“There are serious concerns about the impact this could have on the Photo ID industry, which supports up to 4,000 jobs. Pharmacies, like all other outlets in the retail sector, have been severely affected by the economic downturn. Providing a photo ID service gives them a regular and important source of income. In 2010, about 667,000 driving licences or permits were issued and the Photo ID business generates up to €9 million in revenue per year.

“Removing this income stream will pose serious difficulties for pharmacists, photo booth providers and other retailers. A compromise should be possible; in France scanners were installed at city halls (where licences are issued) to capture printed photos which customers had taken elsewhere. A similar approach should be considered here.

“It’s possible that all Government issued ID cards will swap over to the new system. This would have a seriously detrimental impact on the photography industry. If we want to counteract this, we need to ensure that people will still be permitted to provide their own photos when accessing the new service. If consumers are given a choice on where they get their picture taken, photo ID providers will be given a chance to compete.”

latest statement from Ulster Bank

Dear Deputy Doherty

Please see below for your information our latest statement, which provides an update in relation to our systems and also the guiding principles that will be applied to impacted customers.
External Statement: 16 July 2012

Jim Brown Chief Executive, Ulster Bank;

“All of our systems are running as normal this morning in the timeframes we would expect and normal service has now been restored for the majority of our customers. Given the scale of the incident, the clean up continues and a small percentage of outstanding transactions are being processed over the next couple of days. There is no doubt that there will be reconciliations to some customer accounts that also need to take place over the coming days and weeks. However, for the majority of customers it is now business as usual.
As normal service resumes for our customers, we are beginning the job of ensuring that customers who have been adversely impacted by this issue are put back to where they would have been had this problem not occurred. The following four principles are guiding what we will do:
Refunding fees & charges:

We will fully refund all fees and charges* incurred by Ulster Bank customers or customers of other banks as a result of this issue. Fees and charges directly under our control will be reversed automatically and we have already started this process. We are working closely with other banks to put a similar process in place.

2)      Out of pocket expenses:
No customer will be out of pocket as a result of this issue. For customers wishing to make a claim for any out-of-pocket* expenses incurred, we will launch a comprehensive process later this week so anyone impacted will fully understand how to progress any claims they may have as a result of this issue.

3) Credit ratings:
We know that this is a significant concern for customers and we are working with the credit reference agencies to ensure that no customer's credit rating is affected as a result of this incident.

4) Recognition of inconvenience caused:

We understand that this issue has caused significant and unacceptable disruption and we are introducing a range of measures to recognise the impact it has had on customers’ day-to-day banking needs. We are currently consulting with regulators and consumer groups and will be in a position to communicate further details by the end of this week.
Our dedicated helpdesk remains open 8am to 10pm to take your call on 1800 205 100. If you are calling from abroad, please call +353 9156 2910.
I apologise unreservedly to our customers for the inconvenience we have caused to them as a result of this unprecedented incident and thank them for their continued patience. Our priority throughout has been on resolving this for our customers and helping those affected.”

New law will make Ireland a safer place for our children

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed the passage of the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012 by the Houses of the Oireachtas, saying the new legislation will make Ireland a safer place for our children. 

“This is a ground breaking piece of legislation that will strengthen the protection of children, and put an end to the decades of secrecy and denials that dominated Irish life. As individuals and as a society we have a duty to protect our children. This piece of legislation ensures we will fulfil that duty. 

“For too long a culture of sweeping problems under the carpet and a refusal to address and confront difficult issues led to abuse being unreported, and children being unprotected. The new legislation means it will be an offence to withholding information on serious offences against a child or a vulnerable adult. This is the strongest possible recognition that it is not ok to turn a blind eye when you know abuse is taking place. 

“Ensuring that we all act in the best interests of the child is at the heart of this legislation. It does however take account of the extremely sensitive nature of this issue. It allows a person who is accused of withholding information to rely on the view of a parent or guardian who believes the information should not be disclosed, provided they are taking the wishes of the child into account. 

“It also takes account of the fact that the majority of abuse against children or vulnerable adults takes place in the home. There may be cases where a mother is afraid to report the abuse of a child in a violent domestic situation; she certainly should not be criminalised for this. This is an important distinction in the legislation. It’s essential that we have a certain amount of flexibility in our law to take account of real life situations. 

“I hope that this legislation can be further enhanced with the passage of the Children’s Referendum later this year. I believe we need to clearly define what we mean when we speak of the best interests of the child, as opposed to the best interests of the family. If this is included in the wording of the amendment for the Children’s Referendum, making a judgement on what constitutes the best interest of a child will be much clearer. 

“By passing this Bill into law we have fulfilled one of the legislative commitments in the Programme for Government to strengthen child protection. It will complement other pieces of legislation which will further enhance the protection of children, including the Children First Bill and the National Vetting Bill.”

The Gathering Community Meeting 19th July

The Gathering 2013 originated at the first Global Irish Economic Forum which took place in Farmleigh in 2009.  The objective was to develop a link with our diaspora and to provide a platform to contribute towards Ireland's renewal.  The Gathering is about reaching out to all our connections abroad from family, friends and loved ones to business and education connections.  The Gathering calls on everyone to join in, by identifying overseas contacts and inviting them back for an unprecedented year-long celebration.  It gives everyone an opportunity to work together on a project which will have a positive impact on Ireland's economic recovery.

Community meetings will take place nationwide and the Boyne Valley will be one of the first regions to host such an event.  The Boyne Valley (Meath & South Louth) Community meeting will take place on Thursday, 19^th July with registration at 6.30pm at the new Conyngham Arms Hotel. 

This is an open invitation to attend the meeting and we would like to encourage as many festivals, clubs, community groups, colleges, businesses or even individuals with international networks and a good idea to attract people back to theBoyne Valley during 2013.  We are encouraging everyone to think firstly about what contacts you have abroad and secondly, how you can motivate them to return to the Boyne Valley next year.

Please forward this email to all of your contacts to encourage them to attend.

Please email your acceptance to attend The Boyne Valley Gathering Event to mwhelan@discoverboynevalley.ie.