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MacManus Commends Work Of Inishowen Development Partnership

Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has commended Inishowen Development Partnership for their ongoing work in supporting local communities through LEADER and other EU funding programmes. The Midlands Northwest MEP was speaking after meeting with Inishowen Development Partnership Joint CEO’s Shauna McClenaghan and Andrew Ward and Henry O’Donnell from ACRES Donegal alongside his Sinn Féin colleague Cllr Albert Doherty in Carndonagh.

MacManus said:
“Local development strategies are more effective and efficient if decided and implemented at grassroots level. LEADER funding supports a ‘bottom-up’ approach to bring about positive change in rural areas through training and up-skilling in communities and in supporting individuals and community groups to access the required funds for their development projects.”

“This provides rural individuals and community groups with greater decision-making responsibilities around the future development and direction of their local area. It helps to revitalise rural society by creating greater employment opportunities at local level and builds strong social cohesion and collaboration within rural communities.”

“LEADER has benefited countless individuals and groups in almost every town and village across the northwest of Ireland. It is a hugely important programme for our rural communities, many of which would be lacking in basic facilities without it.”

The Midlands Northwest MEP praised the work of Inishowen Development Partnership, “I was delighted to visit Inishowen Development Partnership last week and hear about the positive impact of LEADER and other EU funding programmes in the local area. I would like to commend the team for their excellent work in supporting local communities across Inishowen through these programmes.” ENDS

Pictured are (L-R): Cllr Albert Doherty, Shauna McClenaghan, Chris MacManus MEP, Henry O’Donnell, Andrew Ward at the Inishowen Development Partnership offices in Carndonagh
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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has said there has been absolute failure in children’s mental health care under Minister Mary Butler.

Waiting lists for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have nearly doubled since the Minister took office, with almost 4,000 young people currently waiting on treatment.

There are currently 579 children waiting over a year for an appointment with CAMHS.

Teachta Ward said:

“We have seen a dramatic rise is waiting lists for CAMHS since this government was formed in late June of 2020.

“July figures in 2020 showed 2,112 children were waiting on an appointment with CAMHS.

“A response I received from the HSE showing the latest figures in November 2022 had 3,937 young people waiting on services.

“That is a whopping 86% increase in the number of children waiting on an appointment for mental health treatment since Minister Mary Butler took office.

“What is really concerning is the rise in the number of children waiting over a year for a CAMHS appointment.

“This has gone from 216 children in June 2020 to 579 children in November 2022, waiting over a year for vital mental health treatment. An increase of 168%.

“It is vital that children get the care they need when they need it, and where they need it. Early intervention is key, so children have the best chance to reach their developmental milestones.

“Children are being denied the opportunity to reach their full potential under this Government.

“In this Government's time, we have seen CAMHS inpatient capacity reduced to 70%, with 11 critical inpatient beds remaining closed in Linn Dara.

 “The Maskey report was published on the failure of care in South Kerry CAMHS where 240 children received risky care from their doctor and proof of significant harm was found for 46 of these children.

“This prompted a national audit into CAMHS services by both the HSE and the Mental Health Commission, which are  due to be published early this year.

“The Mental Health Commission has already escalated concerns to the HSE before their report is launched, and yet the Minister is in the dark over the nature of these concerns.

“I have called for the reappointment of a National Director for Mental Health since I became the Sinn Féin spokesperson, so there can be more accountability within the HSE and an open line of communication with the Minister.

“I have asked for more information on the appointment process for the Youth Mental Health Lead that was announced in Budget 2023.

“This role could be crucial in tackling the issues that will be highlighted in the audits into CAMHS.

“Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services need urgent action by the Minister and her Government.”

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise and Employment Louise O’Reilly TD has described Minister Paschal Donohoe’s explanation for breaching rules relating to donations and electoral expenses as ‘simply not credible.’

She said:

“Paschal Donohoe has provided an explanation for breaching rules governing donations and electoral expenses this evening that does not stack up and is simply not credible.

“He stated that he became aware of this issue in November when he the media queried the matter. At that point, he provided the media with false information stating that there was nothing to see here. We now know that was not true.

“It could not have taken Paschal Donohoe three months to contact a friend of his to ascertain the facts surrounding this matter.

“It is not credible that he did not know that a company was carrying out campaign work on his behalf, and that this was not a declarable donation or that he was required to set this out as an election expense. It is also not credible that this is not a corporate donation.

“The only reason it appears he has now broken his silence on this issue is because SIPO wrote to him on Friday.

“It will not be lost on people that Paschal Donohoe, as Minister with responsibility for SIPO, rejected two reports by SIPO requesting additional powers. That he can plead ignorance of his statutory responsibilities as an election candidate, given his then role as line Minister, is equally baffling.

“There are possible implications relating not only to the Electoral Act, but also the Ethics Act. 

“It is incumbent on Paschal Donohoe to make a comprehensive statement on this matter setting out what he knew and when, because the explanation provided this evening simply does not stack up.”

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Sinn Féin TD and member of the Dáil Committee on Members' Interests, Louise O'Reilly TD, has said former Minister Damien English must give a full account of claims that have emerged around his conduct.

Speaking today, Teachta O'Reilly said:

"Far from being upfront, it now appears we only knew half the story about Damien English’s dealings. We are in a situation where information about the former Minister is being drip-fed into the public domain day by day. It isn’t good enough.

"We’re led to believe he told the council that he did not own this property, which we now know was false. The planner’s report suggests that he provided documentary evidence he was living in his parents’ house over a five year period. We need to know; was it the case that he was living in his parents’ house or in the house he owned? And if he wasn’t in living in parents’ house, did he provide this documentary proof that states otherwise?

"It has also been reported that while he was a Minister working on issues involving mortgage arrears and vulture funds he held two mortgages in arrears, yet he failed to declare this interest. This appears to be a serious conflict of interest that he wasn’t upfront about. He needs to be clear about exactly what happened here and why he failed to declare this.

"We need to hear from Damien English in relation to all of this. He needs to give a full and frank account of his dealings here.

"The leader of Fine Gael needs to make sure that Damien English provides this full and frank account."

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has said that Minister Stephen Donnelly’s Waiting List Action Plan for 2022 has failed, based on new data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund released this evening.

Teachta Cullinane said that the total number of patients on waiting lists was reduced by only 1% in 2022, despite the Minister for Health’s €350 million waiting list action plan. 

He said that the waiting list plan failed because the government parties have consistently failed over 20 years to build enough hospital capacity, train enough healthcare workers, and move the focus of care onto primary, community, and preventative healthcare. 

Teachta Cullinane said:

“The Minister launched his Waiting List Action Plan for 2022 last year with great fanfare.

“His plan has failed and has only reduced waiting lists by 1%. The total number of patients on all hospital waiting lists has only been reduced by 9,000, from 879,277 in December 2021 to 870,097 in December 2022.

“This is a spectacular failure which falls far short of the reduction of 132,309 which was sought in the plan.

“The reasons for this failure are clear. The government parties have consistently neglected the health service. We have fewer acute inpatient beds than in 1996. They have not put in the capacity or trained enough healthcare workers.

“Our hospitals cannot perform enough procedures due to a lack of theatre capacity. The shortage of hospital consultants means patients are not being seen for appointments. The shortage of beds means appointments are being cancelled and patients are left on trolleys.

“Primary and community care is bursting at the seams. We have nowhere near enough community doctors or nurses, recovery beds, or home care assistants.

“The Minister has failed to put enough capacity into our hospitals, to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the health service, to train more healthcare professionals, reform the health service, or move the focus of care from hospitals to the community and prevention.

“If the health service is to be fixed, it needs a multi-annual plan to boost capacity, develop the workforce, and implement urgent reforms. None of this has been forthcoming from the Minister.”

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Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Bay South, Chris Andrews, has described the delay in publishing the independent report into abuse at St. John’s Ambulance, carried out by Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, as "completely unacceptable".

The Board of St. John’s Ambulance have had the report since November.

Teachta Andrews said:

“The child and adult sexual abuse carried out over a number of years by senior members of St. John’s Ambulance in Ireland is shocking, and I commend the bravery of three survivors, Mr. Mick Finnegan, Mr. Paul Mulholland and Mr. Martin Hoey, who have spoken out publicly of the horrific sexual abuse they experienced when they were members of the organisation. 

“The fact that the Board of St. John’s Ambulance have had possession of the independent report into abuse at the organisation, carried out by Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, and have not published it beggars belief. That has not been provided to survivors is completely unacceptable. 

“In the Dáil previously, I have raised my deep concern that the organisation is closing ranks. They cannot be allowed to do so.

“It is an insult to the bravery of the survivors who have come forward with their horrific abuse stories that they have not been provided with the report. That must happen without any further delay.”

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Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called on the Tories to listen to widespread opposition and scrap its cruel and callous Legacy Bill now.

The North Belfast MLA said:

“I am calling on the British Government, once again, to scrap the flawed Legacy Bill that is attempting to close down truth and justice and put British state forces above the law.

“This reckless legislation is being rushed through and ignores opposition from victims and families, political parties, human rights experts and now the British Labour Party.

“The commitment given today in Belfast by the leader of the British Opposition that he would repeal what is clearly an unjust piece of legislation is welcome. 

“All voices must continue to challenge the Tories on these cruel and callous attempts to block access to truth and justice for victims and families at every turn.” 

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Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has paid tribute to the Ballymurphy families and victims and their ‘dignified and steadfast’ campaign for truth and justice.

Speaking after the High Court ruled that two of the men brutally shot and wounded by British Army paratroopers in August 1971 will receive compensation, the West Belfast MP said:

"I want to commend the victims and families of the Ballymurphy massacre in their steadfast and dignified campaign for truth and justice over the decades.

“Today is more vindication for that campaign as the High Court ruled that two men brutally shot and wounded by British Army paratroopers will be compensated.

"What happened in Ballymurphy was state murder and for decades the British government has covered it up. Now they want to slam the door in the face of these families and others killed by the state and their campaigns for truth and justice.

“The British Government’s cruel and callous legacy bill is an affront to human rights and must be opposed at every turn. Families have a right to truth and justice.  

"British state forces cannot be above the law. The legacy mechanisms agreed at the Stormont House must be implemented in a human rights compliant manner." 

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has said that policy failures are contributing to the effects of the ongoing medicines shortage.

Teachta Cullinane was commenting on the ongoing shortage of medicines, which affected 224 products yesterday and 216 products today.

The TD for Waterford called on the Government to introduce serious shortage protocols for Pharmacist substitution of medicines and to the medicine licensing and pricing process to maximise the supply of generics and bio-similar medicines.

He added that, long-term, there needed to be a proactive and strategic approach to increasing domestic pharmaceutical production.

Teachta Cullinane said:

“The shortage of medicines is driven by global shortfalls in production, but it is exacerbated by policy failures.

“The situation continues to worsen, with 216 medicines in short supply today and 224 yesterday.

“In the short term, the Government must legislate for serious shortage protocols. These would allow for community pharmacists to substitute out-of-stock medicines with appropriate alternatives. This would also relieve some pressure on general practice for alternative prescriptions.

“Government must proactively work to boost the domestic supply of generic and bio-similar medicines. In the short- and medium-term, they should ensure intensive engagement between the HSE, HPRA, HIQA, and the Department of Health to more rapidly license generics.

"This would also bring down the prices of single-supply medicines. This work should also identify domestic and international strategic gaps which could be filled by domestic suppliers.

“A proactive, strategic, and long-term government-led response is an opportunity to ensure that the state is better prepared for medicine shortages, achieve savings in the medicines budget, and increase investment in the sector.”

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Louise O’Reilly TD, said the resignation of two Ministers of State within six months, and a changeover of lead Minister, is hindering the work of Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“The Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment is a fundamentally important Department in terms of the operation of the state and its economy.

“Given the current economic uncertainty due to Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, inflation, and Brexit, the Department is more important than ever.

“Unfortunately, within the last six months the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment has lost all the Ministerial institutional knowledge it built up since its formation in 2020.

“During that period two Ministers of State, Robert Troy TD and Damien English TD, resigned due to alleged improprieties, and the lead Minister has changed since Leo Varadkar’s ascent to Taoiseach.

“There is a significant volume of work for the Department that is undoubtedly being hindered by the churn of Ministers.

“As it stands there is still no legal right to request remote working, and it looks as if it is still several months away despite promises by the former Minister, Leo Varadkar, that it would be achieved during his time in the Department.

“There is also the serious and pressing matter of the injunction taken against the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for workers in the security sector, which Damien English had exclusive responsibility in tackling.

“It is imperative that a new Minister of State is appointed as quickly as possible so the important work within the Department can resume immediately.

“I will be seeking a meeting as soon as possible with the new team of Ministers in the Department regarding the resolution of several outstanding legislative and policy matters.

“I would add that for such an important Department it is not a good look, domestically or internationally, to see two high profile resignations due to alleged improprieties.”

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Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy has called on the Department for Infrastructure to speed up progress on key links to the north west. 

The Foyle MLA was commenting after leading a Sinn Féin delegation to meet department officials on Thursday.

He said: “There is a great deal of frustration that we are still waiting on the completion of the A6 road to Belfast. And while everyone understands the need to ensure works are completed safely, we urged the department to do so as quickly as possible. 

“The indications at this stage are that work on the road itself is expected to be completed by the end of this month while essential safety works could take a further 12 weeks.

“Sinn Féin will continue to work closely with the department during this time to ensure focus is kept on this project as it is an essential and long-awaited link for this city and the wider north west.”

Pádraig Delargy added: “We also took the opportunity to raise the need for progress on the A2 Buncrana Road, phase three of the rail works on the Derry to Coleraine line and the A5 road to Dublin. 

“In particular, we stressed the need for the department to ensure it is ready to move immediately to construction following what we all hope will be a positive outcome from the A5 public inquiry.

“Again, the A5 upgrade is a vital project. It is essential to prevent deaths and serious injury on this road while also providing a much-needed link between the north west and Dublin.”

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Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has welcomed the announcement of £9 million to upgrade the power supply in Daisy Hill Hospital.

The party’s South Down MP said:

“Confirmation that the power supply at Daisy Hill Hospital will be upgraded as part of a £9 million investment is welcome news. 

“This will be part of a wider £20 million investment plan that will include a new MRI/CT suite, ensuring Daisy Hill has the resources to deliver first class health care for people and attract staff to help expand and retain services. 

“A huge step towards securing the long term future and development of Daisy Hill as a major health care hub, transforming services for patients and staff. 

“This investment, coupled with Daisy Hill recently being made into an elective surgery centre, demonstrates the important role of our hospital in delivering local healthcare. 

“We need an Executive up and running now, and a health minister in place, to invest and continue transforming local services across South Down. 

“I would urge the DUP to end its blockade of the Executive and work together with the rest of us to fix the problems facing our health service.” 

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, John Brady TD, has expressed his disappointment at the failure of Minister Darragh O’Brien to take action to address the recruitment and retention crisis within the Retained Fire Service.

This failure has forced members of the Retained Fire Service across the state into a position where they voted in favour of industrial and strike action.

Members of the Retained Fire Service voted on average by more than 90% in favour of further action across the state.

The Wicklow TD said:

“Members of the Retained Fire Service continue to find themselves in a long running crisis with recruitment and retention.

"This situation continues to pose health and safety risks to both fire fighters and members of the public, as a consequence of the failure of the government to act.

"In November I, along with my colleagues in Sinn Féin, brought a motion before the Dáil with the full support of the Retained Fire Fighters.

"This motion called for the establishment of an all-party Committee, that would have heard evidence from key stake holders and expert witnesses, before bringing forward a report to the government.

"The government voted against the motion. At the time the Minister went to great lengths to offer assurances that he and his department had everything in hand, and were working to resolve the situation.

"Now we have a situation where the Retained Fire Fighters feel that they have no option but to pursue industrial and/or strike action to ensure the safety of themselves and the public.     

"There are close to 2,000 members of the Retained Fire Service across the state, in 200 fire stations.

"They are rooted in the communities in which they serve, with courage, professionalism and distinction.

"Due to the recruitment and retention crisis, brought about due to the commitments required by members which restrict their movements to within a short distance of the fire station, their long hours are for poor reward.

"The associated stresses that come with the job mean it is increasingly difficult to find recruits to fill the positions of veteran fire fighters, who are unable or unwilling to continue in the role due to the failure of the government.

"Representatives of the Retained Fire Service are scheduled to meet with government and local authority representatives on the January 27th for talks.

"I urge the Minister to act immediately to take action to remove the need for the Retained Fire Fighters to take further action.

"The responsibility clearly lies with the government. If the Minister fails to act, the sustainability of the Retained Fire Service will become endangered, and Retained Fire Fighters will have no option but to take further action."

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Uachtarán Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald TD has said ‘there is no time to waste’ to get the Executive restored and said progress must be built upon to find solutions.

The Sinn Féin party leader also appealed to the DUP to get back around the table with others and form an Executive. 

Speaking after she and First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill met with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Belfast this morning, Mary Lou McDonald said:

“We welcomed the opportunity to meet with An Taoiseach today on the current political situation and the serious work that needs to be done in the coming weeks.  

“People are struggling to heat their homes as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite. Our health service is facing catastrophic difficulties. Workers are forced to take strike action for decent pay. There is no time to waste.

“We made it clear to An Taoiseach today that it is Sinn Féin’s priority to work together with the other parties and the two governments to get the job done.

“It’s welcome that progress has been made on the Protocol and this must inject fresh momentum into talks between the EU and British government to reach solutions.

“This is a time for mature and civil politics. The British Government needs to engage in good faith with the EU to deliver a successful agreement and give certainty to businesses quickly.

“I want to again appeal to the DUP to get back round the Executive table with the rest of us to work for the people who elected us.

“Later today, we will meet with the Leader of the Opposition in Britain Keir Starmer and we will outline to him the absolute need to get the Executive restored and politics moving again with Labour’s support.”

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Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said an Executive is needed to invest in our health and social services and hire more doctors and nurses.

Speaking after meeting GP organisations, the party’s health spokesperson said:

“GP practices are facing huge challenges through closures and staff shortages, resulting in people struggling to access appointments with their doctor and putting more pressure on A&Es.

“I met with GP organisations and representatives today to discuss how we can work together to address the issues affecting both patients and GPs.

“Local communities depend on GP practices and they need certainty they will be able to access a doctor when they need one.

“We need an Executive up and running now, and a health minister in place, to invest in our health and social care services, and to hire more doctors and nurses.

“I would urge the DUP to end its blockade of the Executive and work together with the rest of us to fix the problems facing our health service.” 

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has called on the Minister and the HSE to take immediate action after several non-compliance issues were found at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Galway’s Merlin Park University Hospital.

The areas of non-compliance were published this month in a report carried out by the Mental Health Commission in 2022.

Teachta Ward said:

“It is very concerning to see a litany of non-compliance issues discovered by the Mental Health Commission in a report into the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Merlin Park University Hospital in Galway.

“The report noted that the centre’s compliance rate has decreased from 97 percent in 2021 to 88 percent in 2022.

“In terms of non-compliance, it was found that:

  • Not all staff disciplines had completed mandatory training in Fire Safety and the Management of violence and aggression.
  • Ligature points were not minimised to the lowest practicable level. Ligature anchor points were found throughout the parents flat where visits had been taking place. Visits in the parents flat ceased during the inspection due to the identified risk. Visits were moved to the gym and garden areas.
  • The centre was not in a good state of repair externally and internally on inspection. Plaster cracks in the gym, stained paintwork, and three curtains were found to have paint stains.
  • The flooring of the seclusion room had a hard surface.
  • Residents in seclusion did not have access to adequate toilet and washing facilities, as there was no shower facility in the seclusion area.

“There are some very serious issues of non-compliance raised in the report. It is of some concern that not all staff have the relevant mandatory training to work with vulnerable children.

“I have asked the Minister and the HSE to ensure that all areas of non-compliance found in CAMHS Galway are rectified immediately. I am awaiting a response.

“There are also currently several reports being conducted into CAMHS after the scandal of the Maskey report that showed that over 200 children were placed at harm while under the care of CAMHS.

“The Minister must ensure that these reports are acted on.

“This is an opportunity to tackle the crisis in youth mental health that has seen 4000 children on waiting lists for CAMHS appointments and another 11,000 waiting on primary care psychology appointments.”

The Mental Health Commission's report can be read here.

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Sinn Féin today published the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Standing Charges) Bill 2023, which would prevent electricity and gas companies using standing charges as a means of increasing their profits.

Teachtaí Darren O’Rourke and Réada Cronin, and Seanadóir Lynn Boylan, brought forward the Bill after the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities confirmed to the Oireachtas Climate Committee that they lack the legislative remit to regulate standing charges, meaning these levies are totally unregulated.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Action, Teachta O’Rourke, said:

“Some energy companies have increased their standing charges by €300 in the past year, compounding the financial hardship people are facing during this energy crisis.

“One supplier is now charging up to €700 a year in standing charges; a massive cost before people even switch on a light.

“The energy regulator confirmed at the Oireachtas Climate Committee that they lack the legislative remit to regulate standing charges, so energy companies have free reign to hike standing charges by as much as they want, without having to justify it to anyone, or prove a corresponding increase in their fixed costs.

“This is simply unacceptable. Households are facing enormous energy bills, and expensive and increasing standing charges are contributing to this. Our Bill would bring certainty to this area for households.

Oireachtas Climate Committee member, Teachta Cronin, added:

“Our legislation would give the CRU the power to regulate standing charges and require energy companies to show how their charges relate to their fixed costs, ensuring standing charges are not being used to inflate profits.

“Our Bill would also require energy companies to seek approval from the CRU in advance of any increase in their standing charge rate, improving the consumer protection role of the CRU.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Justice, Seanadóir Boylan, concluded:

“It will come as a shock to most people that standing charges on gas and electricity bills are completely unregulated.

“However, its unsurprising from this government. They have treated energy companies with kid gloves during this energy crisis, highlighted by the fact that a windfall or solidarity tax has still not been introduced.

“Our legislation would protect consumers from further unjustified increases in standing charges, as energy companies would have to prove to the CRU that any future increases are needed to cover their fixed costs, not to increase their massive profits even further.”

Réada Cronin TD, Darren O'Rourke TD and Senator Lynn Boylan

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has published the results, which can be read here, of an online survey he conducted for people to share their experiences of attempting to access mental health services.

The report details how over 20 percent of those surveyed referred for counselling by HSE waited more than one year for their first session.

It also includes details of the proposals that a Sinn Féin government would have delivered in Budget 2023 to improve mental health services and supports through additional investment and recruitment.

Teachta Ward said:

“People should have the right to mental health supports when they need it and where they need it. We know that mental health problems do not occur between the hours of 9 to 5 on Mondays to Friday - they can happen anytime. 

“Therefore, we need mental health services that are accessible and operate on a 24/7 basis in order for people to get the help they need.

“What this survey has shown is that people who are engaged with our mental health services are not getting the treatment they need and deserve.

“The survey received 227 responses from 28 counties across the island of Ireland, including 171 comments about peoples real lived experiences of Ireland’s Mental Health Services.

“Only 13 percent of the respondents found that they were always treated with dignity and respect in a HSE mental health setting and of those who were inpatient only 5 percent strongly agreed that they were treated with dignity and respect.

“Over 70 percent of people who responded said that they were not appointed a key worker and almost 90 percent stated that they did not receive a care plan developed for their recovery even though 70 percent of people would have liked one.

“One respondent said, ‘Getting appointments is extremely difficult especially when you aren’t already in the system and the waiting times to see doctors are at least a few months long’.

“Another said, ‘A long wait for initial visit with a psychiatrist after GP referral. Long wait times between appointments (8 weeks) with limited help in between. Two psychiatry visits in total, no psychology available to support with further diagnoses as advised with no actual support from the HSE themselves. Thankfully, I had enough income to pay for private counselling/psychotherapy’.

“A&E departments are not appropriate environments for anyone suffering from mental ill health but because of the lack of access to 24/7 emergency mental health services it is sometimes the only option for people. 

“Almost 60 percent of people who took part in our survey attended an emergency department to seek support for mental health difficulties in the last two years, yet 85 percent of them felt that they did not get the support they needed.

“There was a high rate of treatment totally focused on medication with the majority of respondents disclosing that they were not involved in the decision making process about their medication intake.

“The survey also highlighted the impact the cost of living crisis and housing crisis is having on people's mental health.

“A lack of political will and bad policy choices by successive governments has seen mental health funding and related services diminish over the past 25 years. 

“Sláintecare recommended that a minimum of 10 percent of the overall health budget should be allocated for mental health, the World Health Organisation currently recommends an expenditure ratio of 14 percent. Mental health expenditure in the South equates to 5.6 percent.

“Sinn Féin in government would change this.

“We would put people first and would put the emphasis on early intervention that would lessen the likelihood of people needing more acute services as they get older.

“This report tells the story of how ordinary people are impacted as they attempt to find help for their mental health.”

The survey results can be read here.

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Speaking after it was announced that the Department for Infrastructure has secured a new operator for the Rathlin to Ballycastle ferry service Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan said:

"I welcome the fact that a new operator has been found for the Rathlin to Ballycastle ferry service.

“Today began with worry and anxiety for ferry staff, islanders and regular users of the ferry service but thankfully it ends with relief.

"I welcome too that all existing staff will continue in their employment.

"This ferry service is vital and the Department must work with the new operator to ensure it is fully operational as soon as possible."

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Matt Carthy TD, has said that Minister Charlie McConalogue cannot wash his hands of the Coillte Joint Venture, which will see millions of euro in exchequer funding used to facilitate the purchase by British investors of thousands of hectares of Irish land.  

He again called on the Minister to instruct Coillte to stall the venture until there has been adequate Dáil engagement and public engagement.

Teachta Carthy said:

“Minister McConalogue has stated that Coillte did not need his approval to proceed with this venture. But, Coillte is a state-owned company and Minister McConalogue is the shareholder.  

“He can and he should instruct Coillte to stall the venture at least until there has been adequate Dáil engagement on the proposal and until all stakeholders have had an opportunity to have their concerns addressed.

“The Minister cannot wash his hands of this venture. I, and other opposition TDs raised concerns about the prospect of such a deal in the Dáil last November.  

“In December, the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee engaged with Coillte on this issue and, despite the fact that Coillte representatives refused to answer questions on the specifics, it was clear to any observer that such a deal was imminent.   

“Yet it appears from the Minister's remarks this week that neither he nor his Junior Minister with responsibility for forestry made any effort to raise concerns with Coillte.

“This week the Minister says he now intends to meet Coillte. He should clarify what the purpose of that meeting is. It should be to put a stop to the venture.

“This debacle cannot be isolated from the absolute disaster in forestry overseen and compounded by this government. The venture is geared entirely towards circumventing EU rules which prohibit Coillte from receiving state subsidies for afforestation.

“The government, with the Green Party Minister having responsibility for forestry, has failed to come close to their own afforestation targets of 8,000 hectares per annum. In fact, they reached just 30% of that target in 2022.  

“The failures of this government in this respect will have long standing implications for Ireland’s Climate Action obligations.

“What amounts to a massive sell-off of state lands to foreign private investors is the product of this government's failure to deliver on forestry – and the price in the medium-to-long term will be borne by and in local economies, communities and the environment.

“Rather than acting as a commentator, Minister McConalogue must take ownership of the failures that he and Minister of State Hackett have overseen - they must engage with all stakeholders in a proactive manner, address the causes of farmer exodus from afforestation schemes and immediately put a stop to the concerning Coillte Joint Venture with Gresham House.”

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