Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called on the British government to scrap their flawed Legacy Bill.
Gerry Kelly said:
“TheInterim Resolution by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers expressing 'serious concern' at the compatibility of the British government’s Legacy Bill with the European Convention again highlights that this flawed Bill should be scrapped.
“The Legacy Bill shows a blatant disregard for victims and their families and their right to access truth and justice.
“It does not enjoy the support of victims and survivors, the Irish government, human rights experts, leading international lawyers from across Europe, the US and South Africa and none of the political parties on this island.
“This legislation is about giving an amnesty to British state forces, denying investigations, avoiding accountability, cover-up and shutting down families from ever getting truth and justice.
“The legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House in 2014 should be implemented in a human rights' compliant manner.
“The British government should scrap this flawed Bill without delay.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has called on the banking sector to bring forward credible proposals to assist homeowners affected by defective blocks.
Speaking today, Teachta Doherty said:
“Victims of the defective block scandal have been let down by the redress scheme brought forward by the Government.
“Many face significant funding shortfalls in their efforts to rebuild their homes and lives.
“Homeowners also face rising mortgage costs on properties that are crumbling, and in some cases, already demolished.
“This situation is simply not sustainable.
“I have engaged extensively with the Banking and Payments Federation, retail banks, the Central Bank and Minister for Finance on this issue.
“I have underlined the need for bespoke arrangements to be put in place to assist homeowners with rising mortgage costs and to address finance shortfalls including the provision of bridging finance.
“Banks must intensify work in this area in consultation with homeowners so that these issues can be addressed.
“It is in the interest of banks that these homes are remediated, and their asset values restored.
“It is imperative that these homeowners are assisted without delay.
“The Finance Committee have invited the Banking and Insurance Redress Focus Group to come before it in the coming weeks, on my recommendation, to give voice to the challenges they are facing on the ground.
“It is time for the banks to grasp the severity of this issue and bring forward a credible solution without delay.”
“New restoration law text strikes a balance for nature and farmers” - Chris MacManus MEP
Sinn Féin MEP welcomes practical additions that reflect the wishes of Farming communities
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has welcomed the recent progress made on the Nature Restoration Law in the European Parliament’s Environment committee describing text additions as an important step forward for both nature and farming communities. The Midlands Northwest MEP said that, since the AGRI opinion vote on the 23rd May, the issues we raised directly with negotiators on behalf of farmers have now been added to the text.
MacManus also said that, unlike Fine Gael and their EPP group, Sinn Féin and the Left group acted in good faith during negotiations on the law and achieved additions to the text that should alleviate concerns expressed by Irish farmers and rural communities.
A notable number of items which Sinn Féin had sought to be included in the text have now been added, including:
· a definition of rewetting and an explicit obligation that it must be voluntary for farmers.
· that national restoration plans must provide for an estimated socio-economic impact of the implementation of the restoration measures.
· compensation schemes for farmers and others who choose to undertake nature restoration measures.
· a new chapter on funding, including a mandate for a permanent dedicated nature restoration fund (outside of CAP) to provide additional financial support for farmers and others involved in nature restoration.
· a new chapter on public participation, meaning farmer, fishers, foresters, business community, civil society organisations, landowners, land users and the general public must be engaged in the preparation, review and implementation of Ireland’s national restoration plan.
On the new text MacManus said:
“I am happy to say that there has been recent progress in the negotiations that reflects the concerns we raised on behalf of farmers. The new additions are sensible and practical and have helped achieve a compromise on the legislation, which secures vital progress in terms of nature protection and restoration. The addition of a new chapter on funding will be welcome news for many land owners in rural Ireland, especially now that it includes a mandate for a permanent dedicated nature restoration fund within the MFF (outside of CAP) to provide predictable and additional financial support to farmers and others involved in nature restoration. It is also very heartening to see that the ambition of the targets in the regulation is kept intact, despite attempts to weaken it on all fronts from EPP.”
“Now we have a final agreed compromise text which will be voted in the ENVI committee, and hopefully subsequently in the plenary. The new text reflects Sinn Féin’s commitment to the importance of constructive engagement when it comes to negotiations, and the importance of acting in good faith.”
“Of course we need a plan to restore nature. This is not in dispute. It is about finding the best and most effective way to do this.”
“Sinn Féin have made it consistently clear that we would constructively engage on the law to bridge any gaps and address any ambiguity in order to have a holistic law that we could then support. This is now reflected in the final negotiated text in ENVI thanks to joint efforts by ourselves, our group negotiators and many others across the political spectrum with the notable exception of the EPP and far-right at this current time.”
“Sinn Féin is committed to nature restoration and the protection of our biodiversity. Tackling an issue as important as nature restoration and the protection of biodiversity needs cooperation, not setting people against each other. We can and must do this in cooperation with farming, fishing and rural communities.”
“The ENVI committee vote on the law on the 15th of June is expected to be close, but we support the new negotiated text now that it has addressed the practical concerns of farming communities in Ireland.”
“According to the new text, rewetting will be voluntary, targets will be flexible, there will be a national socio-economic impact assessment, and a new dedicated nature restoration fund outside CAP that farmers, foresters and fishers and others could avail of. Regarding decision-making on restoration plans and measures, the public and stakeholders must be involved in all phases.”
“We voiced the concerns of Ireland’s rural communities at an EU level and the new nature restoration law text shows that we’ve been listened to. A balance has now been struck that works for all stakeholders.”
MacManus concluded,
“The onus is now very much on Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to clarify to the public if they would support the new negotiated text in ENVI and in plenary, and influence their groups to support the vote on the law in the ENVI committee on the 15th June.” ENDS
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that the Government's overreliance on private developers for social housing delivery is high cost and high risk.
The Dublin Mid West TD's comments were made after securing new information from the Department of Housing, which shows that 73% of last year's new-build social housing was delivered by private developers through turnkey projects and Part V acquisitions.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“Last year, Government funded the delivery of 7,433 new-build social homes. This was significantly lower than the 9,000 new-build social homes promised by Darragh O’Brien in his housing plan.
“New information released to me this week from the Department of Housing shows that just 27% of these homes were delivered directly by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
“The largest portion of last year's output was delivered by private developers in what are known as turnkey projects. 4,026, homes representing 54% of the total, were purchased by Councils and Housing Bodies from private developers.
“The remaining 19% of new-build social homes were purchased from private developers under Part V of the Planning and Development Act, where 10% of a private development is bought for social housing.
“This means that 73% of all new social homes delivered last year were essentially purchased from private developers. Only 1,976 homes were delivered by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies on public land.
“This is high risk and high cost. High risk because it reveals a heavy over-reliance on private developers for social housing delivery. High cost because in general turnkey and Part V developments are more expensive than direct delivery, as land costs and developers margin are included in the price.
“While turnkeys and Part V must remain central to social housing delivery in the coming years, what these figures show is that Government must focus on increasing the direct delivery output of Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
“This will require increased investment and reform of the approval and tendering processes imposed on Councils and Housing Bodies when delivering social homes.”
The response to Deputy Ó Broin's Parliamentary Question can be read here.
Speaking this morning, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, said the reduction in the price of food items by Tesco shows that more could always have been done by supermarkets to help customers in the face of runaway inflation.
She has criticised the government for failing to tackle the rising cost of living.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“The reduction in the price of food items by Tesco shows there has always been scope for supermarkets to reduce the cost of items, but not the will. Price reductions are to be welcomed, but the newfound will of supermarkets to reduce food price items has been driven by public pressure.
“At the beginning of March, the European Central Bank highlighted that corporate profiteering was contributing to price rises as firms used inflation as an excuse to increase profit margins. This is an unacceptable situation which needs to be gotten to the bottom of, and it is only through transparency this can be achieved.
“It is essential that we know where profiteering is happening in order to devise appropriate and meaningful solutions that will benefit consumers without having a destabilising effect.
“The aim of any such solution should be the recovery of profits unfairly made on the back of consumers in order to achieve a reduction in food item prices.
“In the intervening period, in conjunction with transparency, the government should be working with supermarkets to encourage the delivery of a low-cost basket of everyday essential items, as has been done elsewhere in Europe.
“In seeking that savings are passed on to customers, supermarkets, large producers, and large food corporations should in no way try to squeeze primary producers and family farmers, who are also under significant pressure.
“The slowness of government to act on food prices is shown in other areas; including energy costs, housing costs and mortgage increases. We need to see meaningful action to bring costs down for workers and families across the board.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport, Chris Andrews TD, has today welcomed the publication of the FAI Facility Investment Vision and Strategy.
Deputy Andrews encouraged the government to study and engage with the report, and added that there is now a pressing need for the government to work hand in glove with the association and local authorities to plot a way forward to develop the high standard of facilities that our sportspeople and spectators deserve.
Teachta Andrews said:
“This report is a long time coming. It has been clear for years that, right across the state, too many of the sports facilities that service both grassroots and League of Ireland football are sub-standard. Our sportspeople and spectators deserve better than this.
“I welcome the publication of the FAI Facility Investment Vision and Strategy. It shows that the FAI are ambitious with plans for the long-term development of Irish football and I look forward to examining their recommendations and findings in full.
“Despite decades of failing to invest in facilities, we are now in an incredibly exciting time for Irish football.
“The success of Ireland qualifying for the Women's World Cup next month for the very first time is a momentous achievement that has seen a massive surge in public and media interest in the women's game that will undoubtedly inspire increased participation in football among young girls right across the country.
“The knock-on effect of that success is clear. In the past three months alone, we have seen the League of Ireland Women's Premier Division attendance record broken twice, by Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians.
“We are now seeing sold-out signs outside stadiums at League of Ireland Men's Premier Division games on a weekly basis, and the FAI's new academy model has the potential to provide a genuine pathway for players from underage level, to League of Ireland level, and right through to our senior international set-up.
“But sold-out signs at League of Ireland games, while positive, show that many of our stadiums are no longer fit for purpose.
“In Tallaght Stadium and South Dublin County Council, we have a perfect example of what can be achieved when local authorities work with League of Ireland clubs to develop a facility that has become a focal point for the local community and one that they and Shamrock Rovers are immensely proud of. That has to be the standard we aspire to.
“As well as working with the FAI to plot a way forward to develop quality stadiums and training facilities into the future, the likes of the projects to redevelop Dalymount Park and construct the Donegal Community Stadium have dragged on for too long, and I hope that they will be included in the next Large Scale Sporting Infrastructure Fund to finally deliver for both Bohemians and Finn Harps.
“There is now a pressing responsibility on those in government and in the FAI to ensure that we seize the opportunities of the momentum we are seeing in Irish football and deliver facilities that enable the sport to continue to grow and flourish for generations to come.
“Funding football facilities is not a one-way street either. Grassroots football and League of Ireland clubs give so much back to their communities, more so now than ever before. Our League of Ireland clubs are now rooted in the very heart of their communities and are crucially important outlets of social inclusion and well-being.
“Three years ago, I published the Sinn Féin Vision and Strategy for Sport Facilities. Our strategy outlined the need to ensure that as the population grows, that sport facilities are there to meet the needs of communities.
“We now need to see the government, together with local authorities, working hand in glove with the FAI and all sports governing bodies, planning effectively and ambitiously for the future of Irish sport.’’
First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill has continued her series of meetings in Washington today with senior congressional leaders and officials.
Having met with the Republican House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy and other representatives on Capitol Hill earlier, she said;
“There is enormous goodwill and political focus from members of Congress on developments in the North, including on the recent council election outcomes.
“There continues to be firm bi-partisan support for the Good Friday Agreement, and the formation of a power-sharing government.
“I have met with senior congressional leaders across the political spectrum. These include Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer and House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy and other representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
“I had a welcome opportunity to brief those from both sides of the House and there is a shared and united expectation to see the outcome of last May’s Assembly election respected, and for power-sharing to be reset and government established.
“With the visit of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the attention of Washington is firmly fixed on the North of Ireland this week.
“There is no question of the strong support from everyone I have met across the political spectrum and the US administration to see the obstacles to forming an Executive removed without further delay.
“There is a clear need now for the British and Irish governments to come together and demonstrate joint stewardship in advancing a plan towards restoration of the democratic institutions, and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.”
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has said staff shortages in special educational needs are being impacted by Tory Budget cuts.
The party’s education spokesperson said:
“Reports that 200 additional classes are required to meet the demand for children with special educational needs is deeply concerning.
“Tory budget cuts are severely impacting the ability of the Education Authority to hire more staff to address the increased need to support children with special educational needs.
“Children with special educational needs require the highest level of support in our schools to ensure they have the best start in life.
“The EA has a statutory duty to ensure that every child has a suitable school placement, and children and parents rightly expect that.
“The challenges facing services highlights the need for an end to one party’s blockade on the Executive, so that parties can work together to help deliver support for vulnerable children and young people.”
Sinn Féin’s Darren O’Rourke TD and Senator Lynn Boylan have today published proposals to transform our indigenous renewable resources into national wealth for all.
Spokesperson on Environment and Climate Action, Darren O’Rourke TD, said:
“Sinn Féin is committed to ensuring that the transition to a carbon neutral society expands public, community and democratic ownership of our natural resources and of the economy more widely. This starts with our energy system, rewiring it to serve the common good, delivering more just and equitable outcomes that endure.
“Many of the economic, social and environmental crises Ireland faces can be traced to the ownership of natural resources and wealth, from the rigging of the housing system by investment funds to the concentration of finite energy reserves in the hands of a few autocratic states and profit-centred corporations.
“Without adequate ownership of our natural resources, we have limited control over how and for what purpose our national assets are used. This has often had disastrous outcomes for ordinary workers and families. Time and time again we have seen how the maximisation of profit trumps the common good. This is exemplified by the present energy crisis.
“While the journey to net zero brings about real challenges, it also creates immense opportunity. With our vast natural resources, Ireland has the potential to become a world leader in renewable energy production and export, particularly in wind energy.
“Not only would this reinforce the state’s security of energy supply, it also has the potential to generate significant long-term revenue. In Sinn Féin, we believe it is essential that the dividends generated from our indigenous renewable power are shared equitably rather than concentrated in the hands of the few.
“In our ‘Transforming Renewables Resources into National Wealth for All’ document we have presented a number of proposals to help achieve this. In the first instance, we would address the government's failure to harness the cost benefits of renewables by establishing a new task force to address the relatively high cost of producing renewables here.
“Importantly, we would expand public ownership of renewables via state bodies such as ESB, Bord na Móna and Coillte by revising their existing financial and governance mechanisms, and empowering them to maximise their role in the transition to a decarbonised energy system.
“In terms of expanding local and community ownership of renewables, we would target at least 10% of our new renewable energy generation to be community owned by 2030. This is in addition to the current Government’s renewables commitment. To initiate the scale-up, in our 2023 Alternative Budget we allocated an additional €2 million in capital funding to support community owned renewable energy projects, doubling the funding provided in 2022.
“At the domestic level, Sinn Féin would scale and speed up the roll out of household renewable energy. We would increase funding and take a different approach to the current Government, one which is progressive and inclusive, ensuring that supports provided are distributed more equitably.
“In our Alternative Budget 2023, we proposed to increase support for solar PV by an additional €10.5m, a 75% increase from 2022. This would fund 7,000 more households than previously possible.
"In addition, we would completely restructure the funding of solar PVs by introducing tiered supports based on household income, thereby ensuring that state supports are proportionately allocated on the basis of need. This would mean that those least able to afford solar panels and most at risk of energy poverty are given the greatest levels of support.”
Spokesperson on Climate Justice, Senator Lynn Boylan, said:
“The failure of successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil-led governments to sufficiently invest in clean, indigenous energy has left us dependent on imported fossil fuels and excessively exposed to the negative impacts of global market shocks.
“Likewise, excessive reliance on the private sector fails to ensure that the benefits of decarbonisation will be adequately translated into national wealth and long-term benefits for Irish society. Our experience of energy market liberalisation is testament to this.
“Significant state investment is required to achieve our 2030 targets in renewable energy production. Unlike the current government, Sinn Féin believes that public investment should yield public dividends that can then be utilised for public good.
“Therefore, Sinn Féin would expand public, local, community and domestic ownership of renewable energy, meeting our climate targets while simultaneously delivering wider social and economic benefits for workers and communities. These ownership models better retain, recirculate, and reinvest the wealth generated within the state and local communities rather than syphon off profits abroad or to corporate shareholders.”
Sinn Féin's ‘Transforming Renewables Resources into National Wealth for All’ proposals can be read here.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has called on the Minister for Health to reboot the national cancer strategy.
This comes following reports that as many as 1 in 12 expected cancers were not detected across 2020 and 2021.
The Waterford TD has said that cancer services were operating significantly below target, with only 75% of patients attending rapid access clinics within the recommended timeframe, and only 72% of patients commencing radiotherapy treatment within 15 days of being deemed ready for the treatment.
The target for both of these services is 95%.
Teachta Cullinane said:
“The figures being reported, that as many as 1-in-12 expected cancers were not diagnosed in 2020 and 2021, are very alarming.
“This is a natural consequence of the reduction in services during Covid, but the Minister for Health needs to do more to ensure that missed cancers are being caught up on.
“Cancer services are not operating at the level we need them to be. This is down to resourcing and capacity, and this is clear from the HSE’s statistics.
“The cancer strategy needs a post-Covid reboot. A substantial plan needs to be put in improve access to screening, rapid access clinics, and radiotherapy.
“Recruiting staff is also presenting a major challenge to the health service. Services are under immense pressure, but we have heard from radiotherapists in particular that they feel unsupported.
"The pressure they are being put under, without enough staff, is driving burnout.
“The Irish Cancer Society and radiotherapists have been sounding the alarm that there is a looming crisis in the profession, with many considering leaving due to feeling unsupported at work.
“Capacity resourcing and workforce planning for cancer services need to be looked at seriously, as there is no plan in place from the Minister to address these issues.
“Last year, we proposed additional funding of €20 million to invest in the cancer strategy. We also proposed a comprehensive expansion in training places across health and social care professions to address the staffing shortfall in the health service.
“Health workers deserve better from Government, but the pressure won’t let up until the Government delivers on workforce planning.”
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon has described reports of yet another vulnerable patient being failed in the care of a nursing home ‘shameful’ and said more must be done to update our safeguarding laws.
Speaking after NIPSO reported concerns about the current adult safeguarding system, the party’s health spokesperson said:
“It’s shameful that we have yet another elderly and vulnerable patient being grossly neglected within their care home setting.
“People need to be assured that their vulnerable loved ones are well cared for, and action should be taken promptly when safeguarding issues are raised.
“Unfortunately, this did not happen in Bradley Manor, highlighting that current safeguarding legislation is not fit for purpose and needs to be updated now.
“The elderly and vulnerable deserve the highest quality of care and that is why we need the Assembly up and running now and working to improve safeguarding legislation.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD, has raised concerns around the possibility of further delays to adequate supports for farmers and landowners affected by ash dieback.
This comes following the announcement of a review of the current supports available, an issue which Teachta Kerrane had raised with the Minister in the Dáil just last week.
Minister Hackett today announced the establishment of an independent group to review her Department’s ash dieback support scheme.
The group will review supports available to landowners with affected ash plantations and will make recommendations on these supports to the Minister by September 15th.
Speaking today, Teachta Kerrane said:
“While it is positive that Minister Hackett has committed to reviewing existing supports to address ash dieback as they are inadequate, it is disappointing that she will only review the report and recommendations from September. This really misses the urgency of this issue.
“The Minister’s announcement raises concerns that affected farmers and landowners will have to wait even longer for adequate supports to address this longstanding issue.
“We don’t need a review to tell us the issues outstanding in the current scheme and where it is falling short. Any Forester can tell you what the gaps are and more importantly, what is needed.
“It is clear from engagement with farmers, forestry owners and representative organisations that the existing ash dieback support scheme does not go far enough to address the extent of the issue.
"We already know that the current Reconstitution Scheme is not sufficient to cover the now extensive costs associated with removal of affected plantations, due to how long this issue has been allowed to go on for.
“I asked the Minister in the Dáil just last week if she will look to extending the ash dieback support scheme to meet the actual costs, and look again at the compensation package for those affected, all issues we are hearing from across the sector.
"She confirmed that she will review the supports that are available and that they would be reflected in the forthcoming Forestry Programme.
"There are issues too with roadside ash dieback which is a real safety issue and this needs to be addressed by the Minister.
“None of these issues are new and we don’t need a review to identify them. The Minister should instead engage directly with the Forestry Sector and farm organisations and act on what is needed now.
“The reality is that we are now halfway into 2023 and the Forestry Programme remains non-existent. That farmers and landowners may be waiting until the latter part of this year, or even later, for these much-needed supports to address ash dieback will do little to inspire confidence in the sector.
“Farmers and Foresters need assurances that a comprehensive scheme to address ash dieback will be put in place and that they will receive these supports without delay.”
Sinn Féin TD John Brady has expressed his concern at reports that the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) has indicated it will not be selling its stakes in Israeli banks, which are linked to the illegal Israeli Settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), unless forced to do so by law.
Last month, Teachta Brady introduced legislation in the Dáil designed to compel ISIF to divest itself of holdings in companies currently listed on a UN database of businesses operating within the illegal Israeli settlements.
The legislation offered a natural progression to Sinn Féin’s 2021 motion on Annexation, when the Dáil became the first parliament in the EU to recognise that Israel’s illegal occupation was in reality de facto annexation, and therefore a war crime.
Teachta Brady said:
“Following claims by ISIF that they are operating within the legislative framework set by the government, I am calling on Minister Michael McGrath to immediately clarify the government’s position on the ISIF stance.
"Last month I introduced legislation before the Dáil that called for the ISIF to divest itself of its investments in businesses and banks linked to the illegal Israeli settlements in the oPt. The decision by the ISIF to continue with its investments is a direct consequence of the government’s actions.
"At the time, the government claimed to support the legislation in principle but introduced a motion kicking the Bill back nine months to allow for a review.
"The government's actions mean that the Irish taxpayer will remain mired in the mix of war crimes being committed through the Irish Strategic Investment Fund involvement in companies operating in the illegal settlements.
"The four Israeli banks linked to the illegal Israeli settlements with which the ISIF has invested have been flagged by the UN for their role is providing ‘services and utilities which support the maintenance and existence of the settlements.
"These banks are essential to illegal plans to continue the ongoing and accelerated annexation of Palestinian territories and the expansion of existing illegal settlements, through the provision of loans for homes and the development of business.
"I am calling on the Minister to insist that the ISIF divests itself of all of investments of Irish taxpayer monies in all businesses and financial institutions operating within the illegal Israeli settlements.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has today called on the Minister for Justice to improve access to mental health supports in the Irish Prison Services.
This comes following information received by Teachta Ward from the Department of Justice, which shows that in 2022, 2,259 people were referred to the Irish Prison Service Psychology Service, with some prisoners waiting well over 2 years for an appointment with a psychologist.
Teachta Ward said:
“It is clear that prisoners are not getting the vital mental health supports that they need.
“In 2022, 2,259 people were referred to the Irish Prison Service Psychology Service, with some prisoners waiting well over 2 years for an appointment with a psychologist.
“Psychologists in prisons treat a range of mental health issues including:
- mood and anxiety disorders,
- neurotic and stress related disorders,
- disorders of personality and behaviour,
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) including complex PTSD,
- self-harm and suicidal behaviour,
- substance use,
- eating disorders,
- psychosis and schizophrenia,
- addiction,
- dementias,
- cognitive decline traumatic brain injuries,
- impulse disorders,
- and disorders of sexual preference.
“As you can see from the list of mental health issues, they are quite varied and complex.
“The failure in getting timely mental health supports is in turn having a negative impact on the rates of reoffending.
“If a serious mental health difficulty such as acute psychosis is the root cause of an offence, then what hope is there for rehabilitation if the prisoner cannot access basic mental health services?
“The end result often leads to reoffending upon release, which also leads to an increase in victims.
"It is a vicious cycle which is being perpetuated by successive governments’ lack of investment and resource planning in both the Irish Prison Service and the mental health services in the wider community.
“There is also a postcode lottery for treatment depending on which prison you are detained in.
“For example if you are a prisoner in the women’s Dóchas Centre, you will have to wait on average 153 days for a psychological appointment, however if you are in the Training Unit - the wait is on average 893 days.
“The Midlands and Mountjoy have over 600 days waiting time for an appointment.
“Other information I received tells me that there were 9 vacancies for Psychologists in the prison service in 2021. I have asked the Department of Justice for more up-to-date vacancy rates.
"Any vacancies must be filled as a matter of urgency
“For too long, the Irish justice system has been the gatekeeper for those experiencing mental health difficulties.
“If this Government is serious about helping prisoners and bringing down rates of re-offending, then they must resource out prisons."
CRÍOCH/ENDS
Note to Editor:
- Click here to view the PQ response on Prisoner mental health waiting lists.
- Click here to view the PQ response on Psychologists employed in prisons, and the vacancies.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty has responded to figures released to him by the Department of Justice showing a massive increase in financial fraud and scams.
Deputy Doherty called for the Government to bring forward a multi-annual plan to tackle economic crime and fraud as citizens feel increasingly vulnerable to the criminal actions of fraudsters.
Speaking this morning, Teachta Doherty said:
“Figures released to me by the Department of Justice show an alarming and massive increase in financial fraud and scams across the State.
“Since 2019, instances of investment fraud have risen by 258 percent.
“Account Takeover Fraud has increased by a staggering 560 percent.
“Romance fraud has risen by 83 percent while scams through phishing, smishing and vishing have increased by 417 percent.
“Citizens are being robbed of millions of euros each year by fraudsters.
“In December 2020, the Hamilton Report recommended the development of a multi-annual strategy to combat economic crime - two and half years later, the Government is yet to publish a multi-annual plan to tackle economic crime and fraud. This is not acceptable.
“Banks and An Garda Síochána still do not have a Shared Fraud Database to tackle fraud and protect consumers – this is despite banks repeatedly calling for it to be established.
“Government inaction is leaving citizens exposed, with the Banking and Payments Federation warning that the State risks becoming a destination of choice for fraudsters as it falls further behind in addressing fraud.
“These scams are also being advertised online, on social media, by email and text message.
“Online platforms and social media companies are not doing enough to tackle fraudulent content or the targeting of victims through their channels.
“It is time to consider whether these online platforms should compensate victims when they are targeted through their channels.
“We also know that payment systems providers are not required to compensate victims of these types of fraud and scams – something that will soon be required in the North.
“Banks have no system to cross-check the name of the person victims send their money to against the account of the fraudster – an effective system to reduce fraud that operates in the Netherlands and Britain.
“Consideration should be given to these measures to increase payment security and protect citizens from fraud and scams.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport, Martin Kenny TD, has called on the Minister for Transport to intervene in respect of today’s announcement that tolls across the State are set to increase to their maximum permitted level.
Teachta Kenny said:
“The announcement that tolls are increasing to their maximum rate is a massive blow to hard-pressed workers and families, coming in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
“Motorists are struggling to get by, and these toll increases are going to really hurt commuters.
“Tolls disproportionately impact those living in rural areas, who are forced to use a private car as the public transport options simply don’t exist.
“These lucrative gold-plated contracts for toll roads have been a loser for the State year-on-year.
“It is scandalous that the government has done nothing in the six months since Sinn Féin forced their hand as a result of a motion we brought to the Dáil.
“We had sought an assessment of the funding of our roads network and a review of the value for money of these PPP contracts.
“In addition to heaping more financial misery on motorists, these toll increases will divert traffic off main roads and onto smaller roads, which is more dangerous and less efficient.
“The Minister for Transport needs to intervene here. He can’t sit in his hands once again.
“These increases should not go ahead.”
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said an Executive is needed to help support carers and invest in the under-pressure health service.
The party’s social care spokesperson said:
“The number of people caring for their loved ones working long hours unpaid is deeply concerning and impacting their health and wellbeing.
“Families are badly in need of support as our health service is facing huge challenges due to lack of resources and understaffing. This needs to be urgently addressed.
“Families and health workers need a health minister in place and an Executive working together to invest in the health service, to hire more staff, deliver more care packages and tackle waiting lists now.”
Sinn Féin TD John Brady has called on Minister Darragh O’Brien to immediately intervene to address the core issues at the heart of the recruitment and retention crisis following the scheduled commencement of industrial action today.
The National Retained Firefighters Association (NRFA) have reluctantly been forced into industrial action as a consequence of decades of mismanagement by successive governments.
There are close to 2,000 members of the Retained Fire Service in 200 Fire Stations across the state. They have responsibility for the provision of 24/7 emergency response. This places significant restrictions on members who must be on-call at all times within five minutes travel time of their Fire Station.
Teachta Brady said:
“Retained Fire Fighters have today commenced industrial action at Retained Fire Stations across the state. If the government continues to refuse to address the core issues at the heart of the recruitment and retention crisis in the Retained Fire Service, members of the NRFA will be reluctantly forced to close half of all stations in one week's time. And, if no meaningful attempt is made by the government to address the ongoing difficulties, all Retained Fire Stations will close in two weeks’ time.
“The members of the Retained Fire Service are dedicated professionals. Professionals who regularly put their lives on the line in the course of their duty. They do not want to be in this position but feel that they absolutely have no other recourse in order to focus attention on the crisis in the Retained Fire Service, which is threatening the safety of both firefighters and members of the public.
“What the NRFA are seeking includes an increased pay structure, with more structured time off for staff, along with further talks with key stakeholders, which would include proposals within an agreed timeframe for the restructuring of the Retained Fire Service to ensure its future operation.
“Retained Fire Fighters are understaffed and under-resourced. They are on 24/7 call-out and must be within five minutes travel time from their station at all times. The recruitment and retention crisis has deteriorated to the point that, in some areas, there are more positions advertised than there are applicants for roles.
“Understaffing means that all already stretched staff must take on even more shifts and responsibilities. According to reports emerging since the weekend on social media, Shannon Airport was forced to close for a period due to a shortage of Fire Service personnel. Due to staff shortages, there were only four Retained Fire Fighters available in the area, and the Shannon Airport Fire Service itself was also short-staffed. This led to a number of international flights being delayed.
“This is indicative of how stretched the Retained Fire Fighters are, and how this is causing both safety and economic concerns.
“In November, I introduced a Dáil motion that sought the establishment of a Joint Oireachtas cross-party committee, to sit for a period of four months, and that would have heard evidence from expert witnesses and stakeholders in order to identify the key issues impacting on the Retained Fire Service. Following which it would have brought recommendations to government.
“The government took the decision to vote against my motion, abandoning any attempt to resolve the recruitment and retention crisis that is crippling the Retained Fire Service. At the time Minister Darragh O’Brien, in front of a packed gallery of Retained Firefighters justified his opposition to the motion on the basis of a commitment to bring forward proposals to address the recruitment and retention crisis.
“I am calling on Minister Darragh O’Brien to immediately intervene to address the core issues at the heart of the recruitment and retention crisis in the Retained Fire Service. Failure to resolve the recruitment and retention crisis will put the lives of firefighters and the public at risk.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has called for the Government to introduce temporary and targeted mortgage interest relief, as mortgage-holders continue to struggle with rising interest rates.
The Donegal TD also called on the Central Bank to step up supervision of banks and vulture funds to ensure that alternative repayment arrangements and solutions are offered to those in financial difficulty as a result of rising costs.
Speaking today, Teachta Doherty said:
“I welcome the joint initiative by MABS and the Banking and Payments Federation to encourage households facing rising mortgage costs to engage with banks and lenders.
“As a result of rising mortgage costs and interest rates, many people are under serious financial pressure.
“The Central Bank estimates that a quarter of households have seen their annual mortgage costs rise by more than €4,800 – this was before the most recent interest rate hike by the ECB in May.
“For any household, this is a significant income shock.
“As MABS recently warned, these interest rate hikes are having ‘disastrous effects’.
“While we welcome this joint initiative, there is an onus on banks and vulture funds to engage with borrowers and offer affordable solutions to those in difficulty.
“We have anecdotal evidence of vulture funds failing to engage with mortgage-holders, including those in pre-arrears.
“Let’s be clear – banks and vulture funds have obligations under the Code of Conduct to engage with borrowers who are at risk or concerned about going into arrears.
“The Central Bank must step up its supervision to ensure banks and vulture funds are honouring these obligations.
“There is also a responsibility on the State to support households struggling with these rising costs.
“Sinn Féin has proposed the introduction of temporary and targeted mortgage interest relief to support struggling households with the rise in their mortgage costs as a result of interest rate hikes.
“It is time to introduce this targeted and temporary support without delay.”
