Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly TD has said that key matters regarding COVID19 which have been raised with the government on behalf of frontline healthcare workers, and the general public, cannot continue to go unanswered.
Teachta O’Reilly said:
“For a number of weeks now I and many other politicians have been asking the government and the HSE for updates on key matters regarding Covid-19 which have been raised on behalf of frontline healthcare workers and the general public.
“Since mid-March I have been raising the matter of childcare for frontline healthcare workers and pushing for the government to put a plan in place to address the matter. To date not only has no plan been put in place, but an update has not even been forthcoming.
“A solution for the childcare of healthcare and frontline workers needs to be put in place by the government as quickly as possible as all indications are the number of Covid-19 cases will significantly increase over the coming days and weeks and health workers will be needed more than ever.
“Similarly, for many weeks now I have been raising the need for a reliable, domestic production line for Personnel Protective Equipment and Covid-19 testing kits.
“The need for domestic production of PPE is more acute than ever given the current difficulties in procuring equipment on the international market.
“I am sure there are manufacturing companies out there who could refocus their production lines to deliver PPE.
“These are matters which have been raised by many, many politicians and parties with the government and yet neither answers nor solutions have been forthcoming.
“The normal avenues of obtaining information and answers about the operations of government and the various Departments are not available. Instead, we are left relying on the good will of Ministers and their Departments. This situation has left TDs effectively powerless.
“The caretaker Taoiseach has brought in a new communications 'guru' to oversee the Covid19 crisis communication, but it does not seem to have improved communication with elected representatives. This was evident last week in the Dáil when TDs sought answers from government representatives and were left frustrated by the lack of response.
“The failure of the government to follow up on the most basic of questions is a serious problem and one they have to address as a matter of urgency.”
Coronavirus Emergency shows how it important our farmers are…
And, how perilous their situation is! – Matt Carthy TD
Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has said that the government needs to urgently announce a robust financial package that protects Irish Family Farmers during the Coronavirus emergency.
Deputy Carthy stated that while the current emergency highlights the importance of our country having the capacity to produce our own food, it also exposes just how perilous the situation of our family farmers is.
He said:
“Many Irish farmers were at desperation point before the Coronavirus emergency struck. While they previously wondered whether they’d see the end of this decade they now fear that they may not see out the end of this year working their land.
“The Irish government needs to introduce an emergency financial package for our family farmers as a matter of urgency, as in this week. It should include the distribution to family farmers of all unspent funds from the BEAM scheme and all other underspent resources within the Department of Agriculture, and other revenues if required. The emergency package must be directed at those farmers who need it most, particularly in the beef and sheep sectors, and it must be a simple, unbureaucratic scheme that directs monies into the hands of our family farmers who need it if they are to survive this crisis.
“The EU is acting too slow in response to this crisis. This must be a case of asking for forgiveness rather than permission. Farmers desperately need funds to maintain production.
“This emergency has shown how important our family farmers are – to our economy and to our communities. We have a huge advantage in that we can produce more food on this island than we can consume. That is an advantage that our farmers should be benefiting from.
“But, this emergency has also exposed how perilous a situation our farmers are in. That the largest meat processor in this country has been importing Polish beef, at a time when the prices received by Irish beef farmers is on the floor, is mind-blowing and insulting. That action is more than a kick in the teeth to our farmers and simply reinforces the need for the Meat industry to be reigned in by the new government when in place.
“This is not a time for excuses or complications. This is a time to support our family-farmers who, just as they were after the financial crash, will be pivotal in any recovery we experience after the Covid-19 crisis. If they are to play that role they need support, and they need it now!”
ENDS
Chláraigh breis agus 1500 duine le ranganna Gaeilge atá le toiseacht sna laethanta romhainn, dár le Cathaoirleach Náisiúnta Shinn Féin Declan Kearney.
“Cuirfidh Sinn Féin tús le sraith de ranganna Gaeilge ar líne do dhaoine ag achan leibhéal an tseachtain seo. Beidh idir glan foghlaimeoirí agus foghlaimeoirí atá oilte go maith ag glacadh páirte.
“B’éigean do dhaoine fud fad na hÉireann athruithe suntasacha a dhéanamh ar shaolta s’acu de dheasca na géarchéime COVID-19 agus na bearta riachtanacha atá curtha i bhfeidhm le srian a chur ar an ghalar á scaipeadh.
“Tá sé ríthábhachtach go gcoinníonn daoine aigne aclaí, cá bhfuil a shárú le fáil na bheith ag foghlaim nó ag cuir le d’eolas faoinár dteanga náisiúnta?
“Chláraigh breis agus 1500 duine in achan cheann dár 32 contae le freastal ar na ranganna seo arna múinfear ag gníomhaithe páirtí agus Gaeilgeoirí tiomanta eile le cuidiú Zoom.
“Más suim le haon duine freastal ar na ranganna nó cuidiú a thabhairt ag múineadh, téigh i dteagmháil linn ar ríomhphost; [email protected].” CRÍOCH
‘Over 1500 people to take part in online Irish lessons’ – Kearney
Over 1500 people have signed up for Irish language classes which are set to begin in the coming days, Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney has said.
“This week Sinn Féin will begin a series of online Irish language classes for people at all levels, from beginner to advanced.
“People across Ireland have had to make major changes to their lives as a result of the COVID-19 emergency and necessary measures put in place to help stop the spread.
“It’s important that people keep an active mind and what better way to do that than by learning or advancing your knowledge of the native language.
“Over 1500 people from across the 32 counties have already registered for these classes which will be carried out by party activists and other passionate Gaeilgeoirí using Zoom.
“Anybody who can help with teaching a class or wants to sign up for the lessons, can get in touch by dropping us an email at [email protected].”
Sinn Féin MLA and chair of the Assembly's Health Committee Colm Gildernew has welcomed the delivery of Personal Protective Equipment to frontline health and social care workers.
Colm Gildernew said:
"The delivery of this much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline heath and social care staff fighting COVID-19 is welcome.
"This equipment involves 5.5million items of PPE, including aprons and respirator masks and will help these workers continue their life-saving efforts safely.
"I know there was, and remains significant concern among frontline health and social care staff about access to PPE, and while we need to see more PPE delivered to all health workers, this delivery is a welcome development.
"This is an issue we raised directly with the health minister and he is well aware of the need to have adequate protection for all key workers.
"The health and social care workers leading the fightback against COVID-19 deserve access to vital PPE."
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has this afternoon asked that the Minister for Education provide clarity to SNAs given the current confusion in the sector regarding SNA redeployment.
Teachta Ó Laoghaire said:
"Earlier today I contacted Minister Joe McHugh seeking clarity for SNAs regarding redeployment. A lack of communication has led to frustration and worry among SNAs.
"Much of this can be addressed with answers to their concerns and clear communication. There is still confusion regarding the exact roles and responsibilities they will be asked to take on.
"SNAs need to be confident in how their welfare will be ensured in any such redeployment, to understand how social distancing can be applied and that they will not be expected to undertake tasks they are not qualified to perform.
"Forsa Trade Union has communicated to SNAs that they may be expected to perform tasks that can be done remotely, but the Minister and circular 27/2020 which was issued last week is not clear on this.
"Much of this confusion arises from a template form for Garda vetting that SNAs received in advance of their redeployment, which described them as 'Healthcare Assistants'.
"This caused significant concern that they might be directly redeployed to frontline healthcare work. I understand a new form has or is being circulated, however this was surely avoidable in the first place.
"There is also a need for clarity regarding whether SNAs who have loved ones at home who are vulnerable can withdraw from the process, how the issue of childcare will be covered or dealt with and whether SNAs will be working with adults or solely with children.
"There is also a need for clarity regarding the children SNAs are providing remote learning for currently and how these considerations will be balanced.
"SNAs are more than willing to play their part in the fight against COVID-19. But they can't simply be considered as labour commodity that can be applied to any job at all.
"Redeployment needs to be appropriate to their training and skills. I hope that Minister McHugh can address their concerns as a matter of urgency."
Sinn Féin deputy Dáil leader Pearse Doherty TD said this afternoon that Sinn Féin want a Government for Change that will stand up for workers and families
.He said: "Sinn Féin’s sole interest is a government that protects the interests of ordinary people.
"It is quite incredible that in the middle of a national emergency, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are still trying to exclude the party that won the most votes in the general election.
"They are being dishonest with the public and their attempt to carve up power between them is what is delaying the formation of a government at this time.
"They know that Sinn Féin in government will mean the voice of ordinary people being heard in the corridors of power.
"While many things have changed since the general election, what hasn’t changed is the need for the biggest public housing building programme in the history of the State, or the need for sustained investment in our public health service, or the need for workers and families to get a break.
"In the last few days, two things have happened which re-enforce the need for a government that stands up for ordinary people.
"Firstly, the Taoiseach suggested that people on very low wages were trying to profiteer from a €350 weekly Covid-19 payment.
"He then compounded that by relaxing the rules so that very wealthy people can maintain their tax exile status while living here throughout this crisis.
"This is why the voice of our voters needs to be heard and that is why we need a Government for Change that will protect the interests of workers and families."
Sinn Féin TD for Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú has said that the government should stop ‘using the fig leaf’ of EU laws to deny people who work in the South but live in the North their entitlements to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
The Louth TD said said his office had been inundated with queries from people who work in Dundalk-based companies but live in the North, after the Department of Social Protection denied them the €350 payment. He revealed that Sinn Féin’s newly-appointed MEP, Chris MacManus, is to write to the European Commission to get clarity on the ‘excuse’ of EU regulations being cited by the department which precludes them from paying Northern workers in the same company while the benefit is given to their Southern counterparts.
Deputy Ó Murchú said;
"It is unacceptable that hundreds of people from the North who work in Louth and other border counties, and who have paid their taxes and PRSI like everyone else, are not able to access the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Benefit because they happen to live in the North.
"They are being told to apply for Universal Credit in the North and this is causing serious economic hardship for these workers and their families. This system is not set by Stormont – it is entirely controlled by the British government.
"I, and other Sinn Féin TDs and representatives have been lobbying the government here for the last week seeking change but they have failed to address this appalling situation.
"These people they are refusing to acknowledge now are the same people this State will be relying on to kick-start the economy when this crisis is over, but they are treating them in a discriminatory way.
"In addition to the strong representations we have made to the department, our MEP and government, I have also consulted with lawyers who are trying to find a route to take an action against the State, if there is no movement from the department on this issue.
"A legal action may need to be taken against the government in Dublin because the non-payment to many Northerners may be in breach of their rights as Irish citizens.
"Minister Heather Humphreys stated to me that the government’s view was that EU laws were an obstacle to making this payment, but I believed there was plenty of room for manoeuvre.
"Initial legal advice and the view of people who worked within employment law in the EU is that the domestic government can make this decision.
"The government needs to pay these people and at least consult the European commission and ascertain the Attorney General’s view on this EU obstacle that they perceive.
"This problem needs to be sorted."
Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has welcomed today’s news that Met Éireann hope to include weather warning statuses for the North in their output.
Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile said:
“In July 2018 I raised this in the Seanad after concerns were raised to me. Last February I met with Met Éireann to discuss the need to include weather warning information for the Six Counties, alongside the status for the rest of Ireland in their output. I was very encouraged by the enthusiasm and understanding for their team.
“Weather knows no borders and it is crucial that we ensure the greatest amount of information is made available to people during incidents of adverse or dangerous weather.
“Going forward, it will be of crucial importance that media and other news outlets adhere to the new information being put out by Met Éireann and accurately reflect the warning-statuses for the entirety of Ireland via their own platforms.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Met Éireann and I welcome today’s news that technical issues are almost resolved which should see this much needed step completed by the summer.”
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has commended the efforts of those that have been working to provide support and shelter to homeless people in Belfast during the COVID-19 crisis.
The North Belfast MP said:
“I want to commend all those organisations, volunteers and everyone who has shown immense hard work and good-will over the course of the last two weeks to provide shelter to the homeless and the most vulnerable.
“Today it was announced that there have been no rough sleepers on the streets of Belfast for the second week running. This reflects the tireless work by all those organisations.
“Sinn Féin have been proactively working with the Housing Executive, Department for Communities and other bodies throughout the COVID19 crisis to protect the most vulnerable
“Social solidarity and support for the most vulnerable is needed more than ever at this time.
“We must continue to actively work to ensure protections and support mechanisms remain in place for the homeless and most vulnerable as COVID19 continues to spread.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Communications, Climate Action and the Environment David Cullinane TD has that the lack of oversight to ensure that workers are protected is “very concerning” and that this needs urgent attention.
He said:
“There are a number of non-essential businesses still operating under the guise of being essential services, and others where there is an issue with the lack of observation of public health guidelines.
“Unfortunately, concerned workers have no place to turn to raise their concerns that they are being put in danger.
“I have raised this issue with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the official guidance is that the judgement of whether a business is providing an essential service or not is a matter to be self-assessed, and if there are any doubts companies should contact the local Gardaí who may be able to advise.
“This is wholly inadequate and is a very concerning situation. There needs to be a process whereby workers have a genuine ability to report their concerns, have them assessed and decisions enforced if necessary”.
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin has described the response from the Minister of State for Higher Education on the issue of student accommodation refunds as “very disappointing.”
Deputy Ó Broin said:
“My office has received dozens of emails from worried students and parents on the issue of student accommodation refunds.
“The emails referenced private accommodation providers and on campus providers alike either refusing refunds, as is the case with the University of Limerick, or being coy about refunds, in the case of Kavanagh Court.
“I wrote the Minister for Education and the Taoiseach last week calling for a strong public statement from them on the issue of student accommodation refunds.
“Unfortunately, the statement from the Minister of State for higher Education below will do little to allay the fears of students and parents seeks refunds.
“I would again urge the Minister for Education to make a public call to all landlords to refund students who have left their accommodation early.
“At the very least the Minister must call on both on campus and private accommodation providers to honour the legal requirements set in the Residential Tenancies Acts.
“Again, I would urge any student who is encountering difficulties with accommodation providers to take a case to the Residential Tenancies Board.”
ENDS//
Note to editors: Response from Minister O'Connor below
Dear Eoin,
I refer to your recent correspondence about refunds for student accommodation. The Department of Education and Skills is working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time.
The Department understands based on the information available to it that the majority of students in university-owned accommodation will receive pro-rata refunds if they vacate their accommodation. The Minister for Education has indicated that he would wish to see this principle applied in the case of students who were residing in privately owned student accommodation.
Refund or cancellation policies in student accommodation should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. In the first instance students should engage with their accommodation provider to see if an arrangement can be reached in regard to a refund.
If this is not possible, under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 students have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The relevant division of the RTB can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by phone on 0818 30 30 37 or 01-702 8100.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Mitchell O’Connor
Minister of State for Higher Education
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán and Joint Head of Government Michelle O'Neill has said all health and social care workers are entitled to access to Personal Protective Equipment and COVID-19 testing. Michelle O’Neill said the focus this week will be on working together to ensure our excellent health staff have adequate protection as they go about their live saving work.
The Mid Ulster MLA was speaking after a round of calls with health and social care workers worried about the safety of their patients, themselves and their families.
Michelle O'Neill said:
"Over the weekend I have spoken to many nurses, domiciliary care workers and other health and social care workers who are at the front line of the fightback against COVID-19.
"They are concerned, they are anxious and fearful, they need access to vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). They need the tools to do the job and to keep them safe.
“Their concerns are for the safety of their patients, themselves and their own families. In fact many of them have chosen to stay away from their families during this critical period in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Our focus will be on working together to ensure our excellent health staff have adequate protection as they go about their live saving work.
“The frontline workers have also raised concerns about COVID-19 testing.
“The opening of the first testing facility for health workers is welcome and now we want to see the service expanded for all health workers, including domiciliary care workers.
"That is something we will be working towards alongside our ministerial colleagues as we continue to lead the fightback against COVID-19.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said the opening of a new testing centre for health workers is a ‘welcome step’, and called for testing to be rolled out across the community.
The Party’s Health Spokesperson said:
“The opening of a testing centre for health workers at the SSE Arena in Belfast is a welcome first step.
“We now need to see COVID-19 testing immediately ramped up.
“Testing should be rolled out for community domiciliary care workers and also in care homes and residential homes to protect residents and nursing home staff.
“The World Health Organisation has been clear from the outset, ‘test, trace and isolate’ is the key to identifying the scale of the virus.
“This is an unprecedented crisis and we need an unprecedented response to protect public health and help save lives.”
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has extended congratulations to Keir Starmer on his election as leader of the British Labour Party.
Michelle O’Neill said:
“I would like to extend my congratulations to Keir Starmer on his election as leader of the British Labour Party.
“I hope to speak to the new British Labour leader in the coming days.
“This is a challenging time; we are in the middle of a public health emergency and the next stage of the Brexit negotiations are looming.
“I will raise the need to challenge the British Government’s failure to do widespread community testing to tackle the spread of COVID-19 and urge him to do all in his power to support the demands of frontline workers for necessary PPE.
“I will also be stressing the need to maintain what has been agreed in the Irish Protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement in order to protect the Good Friday Agreement and our economy.”
Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke says the Irish research and scientific community can play a leading role in the international effort to find a vaccine and other treatments for Covid-19.
The Meath TD made the comments following recent interest in the potential for the BCG vaccine to provide increased immunity to patients with Covid-19.
He said;
“There is a global effort to find treatments for Covid-19. At the moment, there are in excess of 35 potential vaccines at various stages of trial, with many more research teams investigating other potential treatment options. There is a particular focus on anti-viral medicines and antibodies to attack the virus, and anti-inflammatories and ICU interventions to treat symptoms and manage patients.
“Our hospitals are living laboratories as clinicians, researchers and scientists become increasingly familiar with SARS-CoV-2. There is already a spectacular level of scientific research underway.
“In Ireland we are already playing our part. Public hospitals, 3rd level institutions, biotech start-ups and major pharmaceutical corporations are pursuing various lines of enquiry. With the adequate support and resource, the potential is there to do more.
“In recent days there has been interest in the potential of the BCG to provide increased immunity to Covid-19. Prof. Luke O’Neill has called on the Government to consider providing BCG booster shots to everyone over the aged of 70. I would add to that and ask the Government to consult with the medical and scientific community here to explore the possibility of leading out on the effort to identify and trial potential vaccines and treatments for Covid-19, perhaps including BCG. We should invoke the spirit of Noel Browne in the fight against this virus.
"In the interest of public health the State should lead the way, work with partners in the not-for-profit and private sector, and any successful vaccine should be made freely available to all.
“We can be proud of the tremendous talent we have in the Irish research community. We should provide them with the resources and supports necessary to allow them shine."
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed the additional information made available by the British Government on its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, however further clarification is still required.
The party's economy spokesperson said:
"The British Government has made further information available on the Job Retention Scheme.
“This answers some of the many questions elected reps and business organisations have been getting from both employers and employees.
"For example the guidance now states apprentices will be covered by the scheme, however the employer must make the apprentice's pay up to the appropriate minimum wage.
"Employees who are unable to work because they have caring responsibilities resulting from coronavirus (COVID-19) can also be furloughed.
"Office holders including salaried company directors are eligible to be furloughed and receive support through the scheme.
"However further clarification is still required on the overall eligibility for the scheme.
“The caveat of 'operations have been severely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)' remains, despite the additional line that 'all employers are eligible to claim under the scheme and the government recognises different businesses will face different impacts from coronavirus'.
"Therefore I would call on the British Government to explicitly state that any business that has to close as a result of COVID19 will be covered by the scheme. This should include all non-essential businesses and any business whose operations are impacted in any manner."
Landlords must refund students who have vacated property in midst of Covid-19 Emergency – Matt Carthy TD
Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, has called for government intervention to ensure that students who have left rented accommodation due to the Covid-19 emergency receive refunds from the landlords in respect of time not spent in that accommodation. Deputy Carthy was echoing the call of his party’s Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin, that all landlords, private and university, refund students who have had to end their licences early.
Deputy Carthy said:
“This week I received a copy of a letter received by a constituent of mine from her landlord. This student has an underlying medical condition which means that she has been self-isolating at her home in Monaghan since February. Her family are in financial distress and they desperately need a return of the €860 per month rent (for a box room in shared house) that they have paid in advance and the €1,100 deposit that was laid down.
“The landlord’s response was that no leeway would be provided because they had obligations to Revenue and the banks. Clearly, there is no liability to revenue on rents not paid and the banks are on the record as stating that they will provide flexibility and supports. If this is not happening, then the landlord should take this up with the government – not penalise hard-pressed students and their families.
“This is one of dozens of similar cases that has been brought to my attention where students have been refused rent refunds by private landlords and university accommodation.
“At this time almost every family in the country has taking a financial hit as a result of the Coronavirus emergency. Parents of students cannot afford to pay for accommodation that is not being used.
“I have written to the Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy, asking him to clarify what measures he is proposing to support these students. In the first instance all landlords, private and university, should heed the call of Eoin O’Broin and refund rents and deposits to students who have vacated their properties”.
ENDS
NOTE: Copy of redacted letter of letter received by student from landlord, referenced in this statement, is at link below:
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has condemned the shooting of a man in the Ardoyne area of North Belfast.
The party's policing spokesperson said: “I absolutely condemn the shooting of a man in Ardoyne this morning.
“I would appeal for calm at this time in the area and stress that anybody with any information about this horrific incident should bring it immediately to the PSNI.
“Actions like this have no place in our society and I repeat my condemnation of those involved.
“At a time when all frontline statutory agencies and indeed communities are doing what they can to fight against Covid-19 this just adds to the suffering unfortunately being experienced by local people at this time.”
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has written to the Economy Minister to call for the temporary suspension of the requirement for annual gas boiler checks.
The East Derry MLA said:
“Gas boiler servicing companies, housing associations and others have been in contact about the requirement for annual checks of gas boilers in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Companies have highlighted concerns over performing these checks in the current circumstances as a result of difficulties accessing properties due individuals or families self-isolating.
"Concerns have also raised about vulnerable residents and properly implementing physical distancing to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and that has to be the number one priority.
“I have called for all non-emergency work including the routine annual servicing checks to be temporarily suspended and a three-month extension to the period for the annual checks be granted, which could be extended to six-months if there is need due to continuing Coronavirus measures.
“Within this period the providers would attend any emergencies, repairs or other issues considered to be dangerous and in the interest of safety, and residents would also have the right to request a gas safety check when it is due.
“The Economy Minister must take action immediately to put on hold routine work so engineers will only be attending work that is deemed to be ‘essential’ in line with the Coronavirus guidance.”
