Sinn Féin Party Group Leader on Belfast City Council Councillor Ciaran Beattie has welcomed the announcement by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey that an initial £1.5 million will be released to councils to assist the vulnerable during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Speaking, Cllr Beattie said:
“I welcome the announcement by Minister Hargey that £1.5 million will be released by her department to councils to support the most vulnerable in society during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“This initial tranche of money will go towards the provision of food, essentials, advice and also support to those that are under financial pressure at this time.
“We have also secured agreement in Belfast City Council for an extra £250,000 to contribute to the scheme, this follows £120,000 that we also agreed last week.
“Within local communities, Sinn Féin representatives and community activists will work with the council to ensure that this support reaches those that are the most in need.
“I also welcome the Minister's comment that she has been listening to those within community organisations and is currently working to establish a programme that will support their work.”
“Solidarity” doesn’t come with conditions attached: MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP, and member of the powerful Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, Chris Mac Manus has reacted to the failure of EU leaders to agree a response to the Covid 19 pandemic following a Eurogroup meeting. Mac Manus said some in the EU have failed to grasp that “solidarity” doesn’t come with conditions attached and should review their position.
He said:
“I am disappointed at the failure of the Eurogroup to bite the bullet and put in a place a framework that would allow countries to recover in a fair way. In short, solidarity cannot come with conditions attached. The people in countries worst impacted like Spain and Italy need concrete and urgent action not judgemental politicians seeking to put a price on solidarity.
Looking at the scenes in Italy and Spain, which could still arrive on our shores, it is unforgivable that some in the EU are refusing to move beyond failed notions like monitoring programmes and fiscal rules.
The ESM should be utilised but without conditions. The ECB’s actions have ensured that in the short term borrowing is affordable and the suspension of the fiscal rules and the State Aid rules allow countries to do what is immediately necessary but the next step has to be a form of Coronabonds bought up where necessary by the ECB.
Now is not the time either for the EU Commission to crowbar itself into the crisis by seeking to boost its own fiscal powers at the expense of Member States. It has done the right thing in suspending its own rules and should heed the message that it may be best acting where it can and staying out of where it is not needed.
This is a time of great suffering and requires genuine solidarity and cohesion. Unfortunately, the EU response to date has failed to deliver to those in greatest need. ENDS
Sinn Féin MLA Catherine Kelly has said childcare providers deliver an essential service and should be financially supported.
The party’s spokesperson for children and young people said:
“The COVID19 crisis has highlighted how vital our childcare sector is in relation to early education, economically and in ensuring parents can access work.
“Unfortunately, due to little financial support or guidance, many have closed their doors, resulting in many keyworkers not yet having access to the Approved Childcare Scheme.
“With many settings having to close keyworker parents have been are unable to find childcare as their children are too young to attend school or the length of the school day is shorter than their shift at work.
“Childcare providers are the back bone of our society when it comes to early education and care for our youngest citizens and they should be supported financially.
“I welcome comments by the Education Minister that a support package for childcare providers is being looked at.”
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has written to the Infrastructure Minister to stress the urgency for measures to be introduced to help taxi drivers at this time.
The Newry/Armagh MLA said:
“Taxi drivers provide an essential service to the community and there is a potential role for them to play during this crises.
"Where social distancing guidance can be adhered to, taxis could be involved in the transportation of medical staff to and from hospital, as well as delivering prescriptions and food to those in need.
“Within the sector, there have been calls for pragmatic regulatory measures to be taken to help the industry during this period.
“Sinn Féin has once again written to the Minister for Infrastructure asking her to consider measures like extending soon to expire taxi drivers licenses given that requirements for renewal, such as periodic training, are difficult to obtain in the current circumstances.
"Of course, any measure must be applied in a way that does not compromise road safety.
"Additionally, I have written to the Economy minister to stress the urgency for guidance to be in place to advise taxi drivers on how to operate safely in this climate."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health Louise O'Reilly TD has said today that serious issues surrounding Covid-19 testing need to be addressed.
She has highlighted that some people - including healthcare workers - are waiting up to two weeks for test results.
She said:
"It is clear now that there are serious issues surrounding Covid-19 testing that need to be addressed.
"I am being contacted on a daily basis by people - including healthcare workers - who are waiting approximately two weeks for Covid-19 test results. This is alarming and is causing major concern and stress to people at an already difficult time.
"All the while, we are hearing lots about testing targets, but the HSE and the Minister for Health have failed to disclose a number of key figures - (i) what is the number of people waiting to be tested? and (ii) what is the number of people waiting to have test results processed?
"These statistics need to be disclosed in the public interest.
"The current situation is having serious knock-on effects for contact tracing, as highlighted by the Irish Examiner today, with reports that some GPs are receiving positive test results for patients who have not yet been informed of their condition.
"These issues need to be addressed urgently."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice and Equality Martin Kenny TD has said that new regulations signed by the Minister for Health Simon Harris to give additional Covid-19 enforcement powers to Gardaí should be published without delay.
He said:
"Simon Harris has said that he signed new regulations giving Gardaí additional powers to enforce Covid-19 restrictions last night.
"There is broad consensus that this is a necessary step at this time as we head into the Easter weekend so that Gardaí can ensure that physical distancing guidelines are being adhered to.
"However, twelve hours after these regulations are supposed to have taken effect they have not yet been published; which means we have a strange situation where people are being asked to adhere to regulations that nobody has yet seen.
"They should be published without delay."
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has slammed a dissident threat against an Irish News journalist as a ‘reckless’ attempt to silence freedom of the press.
The North Belfast MLA said:
“I unreservedly condemn those responsible for issuing a threat against a journalist at the Irish News.
“This is another sinister attempt to intimidate journalists and silence the media which comes in the middle of a public health emergency.
“This follows a recent spate of despicable threats against journalists and elected representatives.
“Freedom of the press is a key cornerstone of any democratic society and the staff at this paper, like all workers, must be able to do their work free from intimidation or harassment.
“Those behind this threat have nothing to offer our society, particularly at a time when communities are coming together, they have once against set themselves against the people.
“Their pointless and reckless attempts to intimidate and silence journalists will not succeed.”
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has welcomed the announcement by St. Malachy’s College that they will make facilities available to healthcare workers on the frontline of the fight back against COVID-19.
The North Belfast MP said:
“I want to commend St. Malachy’s College following the
announcement that they will open the school to allow facilities to be used by
healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 fight back.
“These facilities will allow health workers to get ready
offsite before work and then shower offsite after work.
“I have been in close contact with St.Malachy’s College over the last week on this initiative and I am delighted that it is has now live.
“As a past pupil, it comes as no surprise to see this
initiative by St.Malachy’s. It is a fantastic school with a great community
ethos.
“Our health workers are on the frontline; they are working
tirelessly to protect people from COVID19. They deserve nothing less than our
absolute and proactive support.”
ENDS/CRÍOCH
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has written to Minister Regina Doherty urging her to adopt the rent supplement proposal drafted by SAFE Ireland that will help women and children affected by domestic violence to access accommodation during the Covid 19 restrictions.
Deputy Ó Broin said:
“SAFE Ireland, a domestic violence agency, are concerned that it is likely we will see an increase in incidents of domestic violence during this crisis.
“This means we will need some additional support to meet the temporary accommodation needs of those affected.
“Given that there is an increase in rental properties, particularly those previously in the holiday or short-term letting sector, this could provide an option for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
“SAFE Ireland have proposed that the quickest way to assist those affected would be to make a simple amendment to Circular 22/20 issued on March 24.
“This would allow Rent Supplement to be paid for the duration of the Covid19 restrictions following a referral from a Domestic Violence service provider, a health professional or a member of An Garda Síochána.
“I wrote to Minister Regina Doherty urging her to adopt this simple proposal that would make life easier for women and children experiencing domestic violence to access temporary, alternative accommodation.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty TD has called for reform of the Wage Subsidy Scheme to ensure that workers receive a minimum payment of at least €350 per week.
Under current arrangements, many workers are being paid less than the €350 they would receive through the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
He said:
"The current design of the Wage Subsidy Scheme is deeply flawed, with both workers and business representatives calling for anomalies to be addressed.
"Because employees are only required to pay 70% of employees wages, workers with weekly take home pay of less than €500 are receiving less than the €350 they would receive from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
"One of the core objectives of the scheme is to maintain a relationship between workers and employers, but figures published this week show that more than half a million people are in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment whilst only 130,000 workers are currently qualified for the Wage Subsidy Scheme.
"If employers and their workers do not sign up for the scheme, we are at risk of deepening this recession and increasing long-term unemployment.
"This requires immediate attention and further delay is not an option.
"Sinn Féin proposed a wage subsidy scheme that would guarantee 100% of take home pay up to a maximum of €525 per week and would have avoided the flaws that have now come to pass.
"Last week, I contacted the Minister for Finance and Revenue calling for the scheme to be reformed by ensuring that €350 is the minimum payment that workers will receive. I am calling on them again to address this issue urgently."
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has welcomed the use of an MOT test centre in Belfast as a testing facility for Coronavirus and has called for the rolling out of this initiative throughout the north.
The Newry and Armagh MLA said:
“Today an MOT centre in Belfast will open as a Covid-19 testing site, as it joins the SSE Arena to become the city's second testing service.
“It is welcome that all MOT centres have been offered to the health department to be used instead as COVID-19 testing centres.
“The World Health Orgainsation has identified increased testing as vital to the fight back against COVID-19.
“We need to utilise all possible resources during this unprecedented period and testing centres should be redeployed throughout the north, where applicable, to assist with the roll out of testing."
Sinn Féin Environment spokesperson Philip McGuigan has today welcomed the DAERA Minister's announcement that fines for those caught dumping illegally may increase substantially.
The North Antrim MLA was speaking following the delivery of a statement by the DAERA Minister in the Assembly, in which he stated there had been a noticeable increase in illegal dumping with the temporary closure of some waste services.
Phillip McGuigan said:
"In this current public health emergency, there are very legitimate and commendable reasons as to why there is a temporary reduction in waste collection services.
"It is unfortunate, however, that this move has coincided with a noticeable increase in illegal dumping and waste criminality. There is an obvious social, environmental, and economic cost to this reprehensible activity, that risks polluting our natural environment and waterways.
"In this context, I strongly support the potential for increased fines on the criminals responsible for dumping illegal waste on our roads and green spaces. In the future, criminal sanctions should play a bigger role for those caught dumping and fly-tipping.
"I would like to commend all those working on the frontline within the waste collection sector in difficult circumstances, and their commitment to society during this crisis must be recognised and applauded."
Sinn Féin Councillor Danny Baker has welcomed the move from Belfast City Council to provide health workers with access to its leisure centres for showering and changing, to help reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.
Cllr Baker said:
“The decision by Belfast City Council to provide health workers with access to its leisure centres for showering and changing, to help reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 is to be welcomed.
“Frontline workers are putting themselves at risk to care for others. So making these facilities available to them guarantees a safe and clean environment to shower and change between shifts, and reduce the risk of spreading Coronavirus when they return home to their loved ones.
“Belfast City Council will do everything we can to support our frontline workers.”
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee member Pat Sheehan has branded recent misinformation spread by Gerry Carroll MLA as ‘disingenuous’.
Speaking, the West Belfast MLA said:
“On the 2nd of April, all members of the Health Committee agreed that our next scheduled meeting would take place on 23rd of April.
“This was done on the basis that we would convene in the interim to address issues arising from the COVID19 pandemic.
“Gerry Carroll, as a member of this committee, was at the meeting and did not dissent from that position or raise any objections.
"It is bizarre then to see Gerry Carroll criticising a decision that he was part of. Worse still is his inaccurate claim that the committee is suspended and is not actively addressing key health issues. It is disappointing that Gerry Carroll continues with his infantile point scoring when the rest of us are working collectively to address the health crisis.
“Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has today called a meeting of the committee this Thursday to discuss how we protect care homes residents and workers in the context of the COVID19 crisis. That is the issue we need to focus on rather than Gerry Carroll’s immature social media comments”.
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has called on the Department for the Economy to set-up a student hardship grant to support those suffering financially as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
The party’s economy spokesperson said:
“I and party colleagues have been contacted by students who are facing financial difficulties having lost part-time jobs which supplemented their student loan for living costs.
“While universities have hardship funds in place these are limited and for the most part, with some exceptions, students are unable to access benefits like Universal Credit.
“Most students still have significant outgoings in terms of rent, as well as living costs and other costs associated with study, and of course some students are also parents or carers.
“A lot of students who live in rented accommodation during term time have returned home to self-isolate but are still facing ongoing accommodation costs in the private rented sector.
“I have called on the Economy Minister to set-up a student hardship grant scheme with a simplified application process that can be administered quickly, to support those impacted financially as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
“I have also called on the minister to urge landlords to support students by ending contracts early and returning deposits where possible.”
Sinn Féin TD for Wexford Johnny Mythen has welcomed the announcement today of supports for strategic maritime routes; four out of five of which operate into Rosslare Europort.
He said:
"I want to welcome the announcement today by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that five strategic maritime routes into and out of Ireland have been designated as Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes for a period of up to three months. This includes the Rosslare/Fishguard, Rosslare/Pembroke, Rosslare/Cherbourg and Rosslare/Bilbao services.
"The impact of Covid-19 has obviously had a massive impact on passenger numbers on these routes and this has made these routes economically unviable as a result.
"The PSO designation will assist in the payment of specified costs of route operators to ensure that the vital freight operations on these routes can still be shipped into Ireland in the coming period."
Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has called on the Infrastructure Minister to clarify what measures are being taken to protect water service staff continuing to carry out essential services.
Martina Anderson was commenting after NI Water revealed that staff shortages are expected in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and that difficulties are already being experienced in obtaining hygiene, welfare and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) products for front line staff.
The Foyle MLA commented: “Like all workers providing essential public services, NI Water employees are entitled to expect that they will be supplied with the proper equipment so concerns over the lack of hygiene, welfare and PPE products are very worrying.
“NI Water has also confirmed that staffing levels may come under stress and supply chain issues may arise as a result. Once again, like many other public services, staff are being lost because of the lack of widespread community testing for Covid-19 here.
“Such testing would enable key workers who test negative to return to work. Instead they are being forced to self-isolate and the pressure on our essential services is increased.
“I am calling on the Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to outline what steps she is taking to address these difficulties and ensure protections are in place to enable front-line staff to continue carrying out essential services.”
Tá sé ráite ag an Teachta Dála do Ghaillimh Thiar agus Maigh Eo Theas Mairéad Farrell go bhfuil scéim chuimsitheach ag teastáil anois chun todhchaí ár bpobal Gaeltachta a chosaint de bharr na gcoláistí samhraidh Gaeltachta a bheith curtha ar ceal de bharr an choróinvíris.
Ag caint ar maidin, dúirt an Teachta Farrell gur scríobh sí go dtí an tAire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, Josepha Madigan, ag moladh scéim a thabharfadh airgead do theaghlaigh agus phobail a chaill amach mar gheall ar an gcealú.
Dúirt an Teachta Farrell:
“Tuigim go maith go gcaithfidh cosaint sláinte an phobail a bheith mar an príomh-aidhm atá againn uilig. Mar sin féin, tá sé tábhachtach chomh maith go n-oibreoimid chun inmharthanacht ár bpobail a chosaint freisin.
“Tá imní ann anois go bhfuil tionscal na gcoláistí samhraidh i mbaol. Is cailliúint dochreidte iad na coláistí seo agus sílim go bhfuil scéim chuimsitheach ag teastáil anois chun todhchaí ár bpobal Gaeltachta a chosaint.
“Mar gheall air seo, scríobh mé go dtí an tAire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, ag moladh scéim chuimsitheach a thabhairt isteach le cinntiú go mbeidh todhchaí ag na coláistí samhraidh seo agus chun ár bpobail Ghaeltachta a chosaint. Sa scéim seo, ba cheart airgead a chur ar fáil do na teaghlaigh atá ag cailleadh amach de bharr na gcoláistí a bheith curtha ar ceal.
"Mar atá ráite agam i mo litir go dtí an tAire, tá sé tábhachtach go n-oibreoimid le chéile chun teacht ar réiteach oiriúnach do chuile dhuine agus mar Theachta Dála don Dáilcheantar ina bhfuil an Ghaeltacht is mó sa tír le fáil, táim réidh chun mo chuid a dhéanamh." Litir don Aire Madigan
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Eoin Ó Broin has written again to the Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, urging him to take more urgent steps to reduce the Covid 19 risk in Direct Provision centres.
Deputy Ó Broin said:
“There is growing fear and uncertainty among residents in Direct Provision centres about their risk to Covid-19 infection.
“Many residents have been raising concerns about the Department of Justice and its slow response to the need to remove asylum applicants from communal accommodation.
“Residents of these centres are particularly vulnerable to the spread of Covid-19 due to the nature of the accommodation.
“The government must find a way get people out of dormitory style or congregated accommodation as quickly as possible and into environments that are much safer.
“The must also communicate better with the residents of direct provision centres as to what plans are being put in place in terms of alternative accommodation for those with underlying conditions or for whose who need to self-isolate.
“For example in my own constituency residents of Clondalkin towers were issued transfer letters 5pm yesterday and they are to be moved to alternate accommodation by 2.45 pm today.
“This is causing a lot of fear of and uncertainty among residents.
“I have written to the Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, raising these concerns and seeking clarity on the measures in place in terms of self-isolation and for those who need to 'cocoon'.”
“Sinn Féin Assembly Health spokesperson Colm Gildernew MLA said:
“We welcome today’s Memorandum of Understanding agreement between the Executive and the Irish Government to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak and to protect the lives and welfare of everyone on our island.
“The agreement covers co-operation and action in a range of areas including procurement to support the response to Covid-19, and modelling to predict its likely impact and enable evidence-based decisions on how best to respond across the whole island.
Sinn Féin Dáil health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly TD said:
“This agreement commits both health services on our island to develop agreed public health measures. This deadly virus does not respect borders. Working together in common action is in everyone’s interests and is vital now and in the coming weeks to save lives.”
