Website trying to dupe holiday makers into paying for FREE European Health Insurance Card

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) warned consumers to be aware of at least one website which is trying to dupe holiday makers into paying for the free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which allows Irish people to access free health care when travelling in Europe.

“The EHIC card, formerly known as the E111, is a fantastic system which allows Irish holiday makers to access health care services in other EU countries. It offers an important safety net to the tens of thousands of Irish people who holiday in Europe every year.

“The card is completely free of charge, and can be applied for through the HSE website. However, I have become aware of at least one website which is wrongly using the ‘HSE’ tag in its address, and is trying to dupe holiday makers into paying for the EHIC card.

“The top result when one types ‘European Health Insurance’ into Google is a website (http://www.hse-ehic.net/book.html) which has absolutely no connection with the HSE and is trying to charge people up to €20 for what is a free service.

“I have no doubt that many people could be easily conned into stumping up for the EHIC card, when they shouldn’t have to pay anything at all. I have informed the HSE about the existence of this website and I have asked the Executive to address the misuse of its name in the website’s URL.

“Anyone intending to travel in Europe this summer can apply for a EHIC card on the HSE’s website or by going to www.ehic.ie. You can fill out forms online and your card will be posted out to you before your departure.”

Meath FG TDs welcome announcement of major funding to repair local and regional roads

Fine Gael Meath TDs have today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, that €50 million is being made available to repair regional and local road surfaces across the country. The package has been announced as part of the Government’s Investing in Infrastructure and Jobs plan.

Today’s announcement follows a meeting last month between Deputies Damien English, Ray Butler, Regina Doherty and Helen McEntee, and Minister Varadkar, where the Meath TDs called for action on the state of the roads in North Meath. The funding is being provided directly to local authorities, with work due to be carried out this summer and autumn. 

Damien English said: ‘Today ’s announcement is a clear indication that our representations to Minister Varadkar did not fall on deaf ears. The Minister took our concerns on board, and he also listened to the views expressed by a delegation from Meath County Council, including councillors and officials. I would like to thank the Minister for listening to our concerns and for treating the issue as a priority. It is particularly welcome that this funding is being made available this year, so works can be carried out during the summer and autumn months’. 

Deputy Butler said: ‘This funding will be used to improve road surfaces, which will come as a welcome relief to local people across Meath. The roads in Meath have been left in a terrible state for far too long. It is very welcome that Minister Varadkar has recognised the gravity of this situation, and that additional funds are now being made available so work can be carried out in the coming months’.

Deputy Doherty said: ‘This significant investment in our roads should make the network in Meath safer and easier to navigate. The poor quality of local and regional roads in North Meath has been having a major impact on the daily lives of those who use them; I am confident that this funding allocated by Minister Varadkar should make a significant difference’. 

Deputy McEntee said: ‘Minister Varadkar saw the poor state of the roads in Meath during the bye-election in March, so I know he has an acute understanding of just how bad the situation is. This funding for road repairs and restoration is being provided directly to the local authority, so Meath County Council should be in a position to carry out this work shortly’. 

Doherty holds constructive meeting with retail reps on problems facing the sector

Fine Gael Meath East, Regina Doherty, has described as very constructive a meeting she held with representatives from retail sector in her constituency office in Ashbourne earlier today (Friday). The meeting was attended by the President of the National Federation of Retail Newsagent in Ireland, Joe Sweeney, and Kathryn Fanning, proprietor of Easons in Ashbourne and member of the Ashbourne Retail Association.

“I am acutely aware of the challenges facing businesses in Ashbourne, and I was delighted to meet with Joe and Kathryn today to get their perspective on what needs to be done to help businesses keep their heads above water. The two most significant issues raised today were the illicit tobacco trade and the on-going problems with retail rates.

“Joe Sweeney pointed out that while we have eight ports in this country, we have only two port scanners, used to detect illegal cigarettes. Clearly, this is less than desirable. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to provide x-ray scanners at major ports to combat the drugs trade. These machines could of course also be used to detect counterfeit cigarettes, and I intend to raise this issue with the Minister for Justice to see what progress is being made.

“The illicit tobacco trade costs the State hundreds of millions of euro every year, and it is putting our retailers under unnecessary additional pressure. I think it may be worth considering setting up a special Garda taskforce to crack down on the trade, and reduce its impact on both the exchequer finances and local retailers.

“On the issue of rates, a proposal was raised for the Government to introduce legislation similar to the ‘Tesco Tax’ in Northern Ireland. In the North, retailers with a rateable value of more than £500,000 must pay an additional 8.52% levy, and the extra revenue generated is used to reduce rates for smaller retailers. As a result, more than 24,000 small businesses have had their rates cut by an average of £735.

“I have given a commitment to raise this issue with the Minister for Finance to see how many retailers could benefit from a similar measure here, and how much would be yielded.

“Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost in the retail sector in the last five years, and the sector remains under considerable pressure. It is important that we listen to the views of the sector as we come up with new ways to maintain existing staff and give businesses the potential to expand and create jobs.”

Doherty encourages Meath groups to apply for Caring Communities grants

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) encouraged community groups in Meath to apply for funding under the Caring Communities initiative, which is run by the Community Foundation for Ireland.

“This is the second round of Caring Communities grants, and this time around awards will be made under four categories; LGBT communities, youth unemployment, emergency respite care and older people. The grants are aimed at funding innovative projects and successful applicants are encouraged to work with other grantees to share their learning and experience.

“The Community Foundation, which is a charitable organisation, has given out more than €12 million in grants since it was established in 2000. This latest round of grants will allow a range of groups to benefit from extra funding, and I would encourage community organisations in Meath to check out if they are eligible to apply.

“It is the first time that grants are being made available for youth unemployment initiatives. Funding will be made available to groups who engage with young people who aren’t in training, employment or education. Respite care grants will be given to those not currently receiving support from the State, while grants will also be targeted at projects which help older people engage in advocacy roles and active citizenship.

“The Community Foundation has been a long supporter of the LGBT foundation. As part of this round of grants, the Foundation will support groups working with the LGBT sector.

“I would encourage groups in Meath to explore whether they could benefit from the Community Foundation’s benevolence. More information can be found at www.foundation.ie.”

Vitamin D screening could help prevent return of rickets

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Wednesday) urged the Minister for Health, James Reilly TD, to consider introducing a screening programme to identify vitamin D deficiency in children. Deputy Doherty raised the issue in a recent Parliamentary Question to the Minister.

“Reports in the UK suggest that rickets, a bone disease associated with the 18th century, is on the increase, due to a combination of dietary and lifestyle measures. The disease can be extremely painful and can cause stunted growth, bowed legs and enlarged wrists and ankles.

“The return of rickets has been attributed to a number of factors including the overuse of sun cream, poor diet and our increasingly sedentary lifestyle. I believe a screening programme or an information campaign could help to prevent this very serious health problem from making a comeback.

“The Minister has confirmed to me that the Department of Health has not carried out any recent studies of the vitamin D levels of Irish children, and therefore it is very difficult to ascertain the scale of the problem. However recent national dietary surveys carried out by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland have identified low and, in some cases, deficient intakes of vitamin D in children.

“The Minister also pointed out that vitamin D deficiency is a problem for all age groups living in Ireland because of poor sunlight and the fact that, apart from oily fish, there are not many good natural sources of the vitamin. A national policy of vitamin D supplementation of all infants in Ireland has been implemented and the targeted needs of other sub-groups in the population such as pregnant women are currently being examined.

“This issue has attracted considerable attention in the UK recently, after a six year old boy was diagnosed with rickets because he was wearing too much factor 50 sun cream. While this kind of case might be rare, I do think we need to take heed of worrying trends and consider what we can do to prevent a return of rickets in this country.”

Special Olympics Leinster medal presentation 25th May 2013

70 new jobs for Meath East demonstrates wealth of talented and skilled workers available in the county

Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Regina Doherty, has today (Monday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, that Mafic (Black Basalt) Ireland Limited (Mafic) will create 70 jobs over the next three years with a multi-million Euro investment in its new production facility in Kells, Co. Meath. This development has been made possible with the support of the Succeed-in-Ireland Initiative.

“I am very pleased with today’s announcement. There is a wealth of talented and skilled workers in Meath East who are ready and able to take on the challenge and help Mafic succeed as the manufacturing centre of excellence and production headquarters.

“A big congratulations must go to the directors of the company, Jane Walsh and Brian Dougan, who are first time company directors who have expertly steered the company since it launched in November, to today’s announcement of a multi-million euro investment in the new production facility in Kells and the creation of 70 new jobs.

“This Government’s number one priority is to create jobs and position Ireland as the best small company in which to do business and I’d like to thank all those involved in the Succeed in Ireland initiative, and Minister Bruton, who have been heavily involved in bringing today’s announcement to fruition. ”

Doherty & McEntee meet North Meath Road Action Group in Leinster House

Fine Gael TDs for Meath East, Regina Doherty and Helen McEntee, this week attended an information session in Leinster House with members of the North Meath Road Action Group. The session provided the group with an opportunity to illustrate to Oireachtas members the issues that exist with roads in north Meath.

Deputies Doherty and McEntee and jointly stated: ‘As always, we continue to work closely with Government Ministers in order to get proper services and solutions in place for Meath East. We have made representations to the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, on the issue and he is fully aware of the situation in north Meath.

Deputy McEntee said: ‘It was great to see the amount of people who came down from north Meath in order to illustrate the problems with roads in that part of the county and I’d like to thank them for their participation and for the excellent presentations made.’

“As a recently elected TD, I have made our local roads a priority and I hope that a solution to the situation will be found.”

Deputy Doherty said: ‘Councillors face an annual challenge to locate funds to service the roads throughout the county. As TDs we are fully aware of the problem with roads in north Meath and have a clear plan on how it should be resolved. Having made representations to Minister Varadkar on the issue, I am confident that a satisfactory resolution will be provided in the coming weeks.’

“I was really enthused by the turnout at the briefing event in Leinster House. It shows that people are engaged with and concerned about the issues that affect them in their communities.”

FG TDs welcome allocation for Meath roads under the Community Involvement Scheme

Highest allocation goes to Meath in recognition of the dire state of the county’s roads

Fine Gael Meath TDs have this morning (Monday) welcomed the allocation of €1,549,868 under the Community Involvement Scheme which will be used to repair lesser trafficked rural roads in the county. This announcement follows on from a meeting the TDs had last week with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, where they raised the state of the roads in Meath and pushed for action on the matter.

Speaking this morning, Deputy Regina Doherty said: ‘The roads in Meath are among the worst in the country, with an estimated €20 million needed to bring them up to standard. Obviously that amount is not available but the nationalisation of the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) will help to bridge the gap. Meath had lodged applications for 11 projects and all of them have been awarded. This demonstrates and confirms a serious response by Government to this issue which is impacting greatly on commuters and motorists in Meath’.

Deputy Helen McEntee said: ‘The roads in Meath, and particularly North Meath, have been in a particularly dire state since the bad weather last year. The fact that Meath has been allocated the most amount of money of all counties is an acknowledgement of the scale of the problem facing the people of Meath. A total allocation of €10.5 million nationally has been made available and Meath has been given access to more than €1.5 million. Three quarters of a million euro has been recommended for this year and €800,000 in 2014. I know the people of Meath will be forthcoming in playing their part in getting the Meath roads up to speed.

Deputy Damien English said: ‘The CIS allows communities to contribute to the cost of the repair and maintenance of local roads by providing of a portion of the funding or the supply of labour or machinery, with the Council making up the rest. This scheme has already been in place in some local authorities but today’s announcement sees the roll-out nationally of what is a very worthwhile initiative. This scheme allows for the speedier upgrading of roads that ordinarily would be much further down the list of priorities. It is incumbent on us to be more creative in finding solutions to the challenges of maintaining local roads. We must use our imagination to get the problems sorted and to make good use of any stimulus funding that may be available. This scheme ticks all those boxes.’

Deputy Ray Butler said: ‘In the last number of weeks, myself and my colleagues met with the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, local Fine Gael councillors and members of the North Meath Action Group Committee to discuss the poor state of the roads in Meath so I am delighted that this funding has been announced today. By allowing local communities to get involved in this way, we can ensure that roads which may have been ignored will get the attention they need. The overall cost of the works in Meath is €1,937,335 over two years, with 23kms of road set to be improved. Meath County Council has been approved for the total amount of funding applied for which is great news. This scheme will allow the people of Meath to get on with getting potholes filled on local roads and will give them a real sense of involvement in bettering their local communities.”

Have Your Say - What do children in Meath and their families need?

The Meath Children’s Services Committee comprising of HSE Children Services,  Meath County Council,  Gardai, Education, Probation and local voluntary services, are currently undertaking research into the needs of children aged 0 – 18 and their families within the county.  If you know of a service or facility that should be provided in your area, please email your ideas to the researchers: info@qualitymatters.ie

As part of this research, all providers of Children services will be asked to complete a short survey. The researchers will send this survey to all known children’s service providers in the county. However if you are not contacted, please e-mail the above address to be included in the survey. It is intended that the survey will identify gaps in service provision and inform the future work of the committee. It is also intended that the information gained from this survey will be used to develop a website where parents and adults will be able to obtain details on services available to children in their area.

Your ideas can shape future services for Meath’s Children & Young People