Sinn Féin TD for Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú has said that the Family Addiction Support Network (FASN) must be adequately resourced by the next government and that the drugs crisis must be addressed at cabinet level.
Teachta Ó Murchú commented at an event hosted by the Family Addiction Support Network on 24th February to mark International Family Drug Support Day.
He said;
“I have been working with the FASN for a number of years and the work they do with families is incredible.
“Unfortunately previous governments have underfunded this service and curtailed its excellent work.
“The next government must get to grips with the drugs epidemic. It requires a whole of government approach and there must be a Minister at the Cabinet table with responsibility for drugs.
“FASN is the only voluntary service in Louth which works with the family members of people suffering addiction, rather than the person in addiction.
“Not only do these families endure the chaos of their loved one’s addiction and manage the effects of that on the extended family, they are often the subject of intimidation by drug dealers themselves.
“Currently FASN provides the following services;
- 24/7 Out of Hours Telephone Helpline
- 1-1 Support
- Peer Group Support
- Access to Counselling
- Access to Respite
- Educational Programme
- Assistance with Drugs Intimidation Reporting
“They do all of this while only receiving funding of €7500 per annum. This is not sustainable.
“The Family Addiction Support Network have prepared a budget which indicates that all of their services across four counties can be provided for little over €100,000 per year.
“Chief Superintendent for Louth Christy Mangan also addressed today’s event. He said that the scale of the drug problem in Louth is such that even the recent 20 kilo cocaine seizure, worth €1.4 million, had no material impact on the availability of drugs in this area.
“He also said that drug dealers are targeting ever younger children to get them involved in the drugs market. Initially drugs are given on credit so inevitably debts are incurred and young people are then trapped by these gangs.
“The Chief Super stated that he will support any calls for funding. I welcome this and I intend to raise this funding crisis with the next government.”
ENDS
Sinn Féin's Environment Spokesperson, Philip McGuigan MLA, has welcomed today's announcement from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that £2.2m of revenue raised from the carrier bag levy will be used for funding frontline environmental projects.
The North Antrim MLA said:
"The use of revenue from the highly successful Carrier Bag Levy to fund a broad range of environmental projects is welcome.
"This levy was a Sinn Féin initiative, introduced to tackle widespread plastic waste while generating funding that could be directed towards environmental protection.
"As we face into a climate and biodiversity crisis, funding of this kind is essential to prevent habitat degradation and biodiversity loss.
"This also shows the positive impact of environmental levies and Sinn Féin are exploring the potential of additional levies of similar impact for the future."
Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has welcomed confirmation that the Health Minister will visit Derry for meetings to discuss the Magee medical school.
The Foyle MLA said:
“Today in the Assembly, I raised with the Health Minister need for official sign off on the graduate entry medical school at Magee University.
“Delivery of this project, alongside the wider expansion of the university is vital to addressing the chronic shortage of GPs across the north.
“This project is also a key component of unleashing Derry’s economic potential.
"I also asked the Health Minister to commit to visiting the city and meeting with the all those involved in driving this campaign and I hope that visit can happen as soon as possible.
“Sinn Féin continue to work to ensure that Magee can take in its first medical students in September 2021 as a step towards the wider expansion of the university.”
Sinn Féin lead negotiator Pearse Doherty TD has said today said that 'Sinn Féin has stepped up our engagements to deliver a Government for Change having met with the Green Party today for seven and a half hours of detailed policy discussions.’
He said that Sinn Féin will be meeting the Social Democrats and others for detailed discussions later this week.
He said:
"Today a full Sinn Féin delegation have had engagements with the Green Party, meeting for seven and a half hours in total for detailed for policy discussions.
"We have discussed a range of issues, including; housing, health, climate change, communities, Irish unity/Brexit/constitutional change, childcare/education, giving workers and families a break and finance.
"These have been very constructive meetings and we have agreed to exchange papers in the coming days.
"Sinn Féin is determined to deliver a Government for Change and we will meet again with the Green Party immediately after the weekend and in advance of the next sitting of the Dáil on 5th March.
"We will continue our detailed policy discussions this week, with engagements with the Social Democrats and Independents to follow."
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD, alongside Longford/Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke and TD for Roscommon/Galway Claire Kerrane, is in Athlone today amidst the latest severe flooding to hit the region.
She said:
"I want to pay tribute to the emergency services and local authority workers who have braved the conditions to assist those affected by flooding thus far.
"Today we are meeting with people whose lives have been turned upside down by this latest flooding event
"People throughout the Shannon region are impacted; roads are impassable in places, agricultural lands are unusable in many areas and many people fear for the safety of their homes.
"This region has experienced serious flooding before and residents are rightly angry and frustrated that plans to alleviate the risks of flooding have been not materialised
"Sinn Féin have proposed a standalone body to manage the Shannon and its surroundings. That must be a priority for any new government.
"It is vital that additional supports are now provided to ensure that the impact of flooding is minimised and so that life can return to normal for people as the flooding subsides."
Sinn Féin’s Justice Spokesperson Linda Dillon MLA has called on the Department of Justice to act urgently to prepare new legislation on stalking.
Linda Dillon said:
"I welcome the campaign to mobilise support for new legislation which specifically outlaws stalking.
"Stalking is a deeply insidious, invasive, psychological form of criminal abuse, with shocking side effects and consequences for victims.
"Stalking is a breach of human rights but here in the North it is not a specific criminal offence.
“This is not good enough.
“The Department of Justice consulted on legislative proposals in November 2018. Sinn Féin made a submission to this consultation recommending to follow Scotland’s lead by making stalking a specific criminal offence.
“I’m calling on the Department of Justice to ensure it acts and makes this a priority.”
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has once again outlined his party's commitment to ensuring a new state-of-the-art Casement Park stadium is delivered.
The West Belfast MP said:
"The Casement Park redevelopment project continues to be the only outstanding project within the regional stadia strategy that is still to be delivered.
"Some of the public commentary around the redevelopment is not accurate and not helpful.
"The money for Casement Park is from a separate pot of money - capital funding - that is specific to infrastructure projects and should not be confused with other funding.
"Sinn Féin will be seeking meetings with key stakeholders, including the GAA to discuss advancing the project.
"The development of Casement Park will have a positive impact in the lives of people in the area providing opportunities for residents and businesses around investment and job creation opportunities for West Belfast.
"It will also enhance Gaelic games throughout Antrim, Ulster and indeed across the island."
Rural communities face great disadvantage as a result of high wage disparity between rural and urban communities, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Mc Aleer has said.
The West Tyrone MLA quizzed the Economy Minister on what measures are in place to address the pay gap after a DAERA report revealed that salaries in rural areas are 9% lower.
Declan McAleer said:
“The
9% pay parity between rural and urban areas is deeply concerning and must be
addressed.
“The figure doesn’t take into
account that living costs are higher in rural areas, there is less access to
public services and broadband speeds are much slower.
“There
is an onus on the Department for the Economy to take the lead in improving
economic conditions for people and this must include those living in rural
areas.
“I
will play my part in the development of an economic strategy that will have a
positive impact on people - including the development of skills, providing
support for new and existing businesses and better transport links.
“I
will also work closely with other departments, businesses, local government and
the wider public to develop a collective approach to tackle wage disparity,
unemployment and other economic inequalities.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Health Colm Gildernew MLA has welcomed the announcement by health trade unions to accept the proposed agreement on pay parity and safe staffing levels after a vote by members.
Colm Gildernew said:
"I welcome the news and decision by trade unions to accept the Department of Health offer.
"It was important that the final say on the proposed agreement on safe staffing and pay parity was voted on by the many thousands of health workers who took industrial action.
"I want to congratulate the unions and importantly the healthcare workers for standing up for a better health service. It was remarkable to see the levels of public support for the health and social care workers to achieve pay parity and to address safe staffing levels.
"However there still remains a considerable body of work to see efforts to address safe staffing levels and the growing workforce crisis."
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson is calling for firm action to stamp out irresponsible activity within the tobacco industry and to compel tobacco firms to repay the huge costs to the health service caused by their products.
The Foyle MLA was commenting after Channel 4's Dispatches programme made new allegations about the activities of multi-national tobacco firm, Philip Morris International.
Martina Anderson said: “Within the European Parliament, I played a key role on the World Heath Organisation treaty aimed at controlling the tobacco supply chain and eliminating smuggling and illicit trade within the industry.
“The latest allegations are concerning and, clearly, firm action by the EU is still needed to stamp out irresponsible activity within the tobacco industry.
“More must also be done to compel tobacco firms to pay the huge costs to the health service caused by their deadly products.
“Here in the north, 2300 people die every year from smoking related diseases and 6500 are admitted to hospital. The social costs to families and society are immense with a cost of £119 million per year to our health service.
“It is the manufacturers of tobacco products - which cause such death and misery - that should be made responsible for the health costs arising from their use, not the taxpayer.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has expressed disappointment that the Economy Minister has refused to give a timeframe for the introduction of Carer's Leave.
Colm Gildernew said:
“Carers play a crucial role in our society. They show great love, care and compassion and a vital life-line in many homes.
“It is therefore extremely disappointing that the Economy Minister has not given a time frame or indication that she will at all commit to introducing Carer's Leave.
“She also failed to state whether she would comply at all with the directive, despite this being so important to working carers.
“Sinn Féin will commit to advancing other statutory leave entitlements such as paid carer's leave, increased paternity leave and greater flexibility of parental leave entitlements.
“While the Minister's will leave the thousands of working carers dismayed by her continued neglect to their needs, Sinn Féin is committed to leading the way in improving the lives of workers. ”
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has met with the Community Transport Association today to discuss pressures facing the service.
Cathal Boylan said:
"I met today with the Community Transport Association today alongside my colleague Liz Kimmins MLA.
“Rural community transport in the north currently provides over 200,000 trips a year to older people, those with disabilities and the most isolated and vulnerable communities across the north.
“The majority of these journeys are for health-related reasons, from attending GP appointments to tackling loneliness and improving mental health and demonstrates the necessity of community transport.
“We need to find ways we can strengthen this vital service at times of huge financial pressure.
“This includes reviewing the guidance on minibus licensing issued by the Department for Infrastructure in 2018 that restricted people with Minibus grandfather rights from working forcommunity transport.
“This change has been detrimental to the functions of schools, churches, charities and third sector organisations that seek to operate community transport.
“We also should introduce a community bus permit, to allow communities and organisations to have local registered bus route to fill in the gaps of our currently constrained transport network.
“These changes could go a long way to addressing social isolation, decreasing dependence on private vehicles and providing equal access to vital opportunities and services.
“Tory austerity policy has stripped away public service funding for vital services like community transport.
“Sinn Féin are committed to finding innovative ways to improve these services during these times of heavy financial constraint."
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard was in Berlin this weekend where he addressed the Executive Board of the European Left on issues relating to Brexit.
The South Down MP was warmly received by delegates from the EU27 member states who also extended their congratulations to Sinn Féin following the party’s recent success in the Irish General Election.
Speaking from Berlin, Mr Hazzard said:
“It was fantastic to receive such a warm welcome from representatives of the European Left in Berlin this weekend.
“Throughout the Brexit negotiations European solidarity with Ireland has been remarkable, and it was fitting that I had the opportunity to thank representatives from across the EU27 for that support at their Executive Board meeting here in Berlin.
“However, it was most important to take this opportunity to call for continued support in the months ahead - Brexit is by no means complete, and Ireland will need ongoing solidarity as European and British Government officials commence trade talks next month.
“We cannot allow the British Government to adopt a casual approach to their international obligations and responsibilities to protect both the Good Friday Agreement and our all-Ireland economy.
Mr Hazzard added:
“It was also brilliant to have the opportunity to be involved in a discussion regarding the need to deepen understanding and relations with all European Left parties in the time ahead - especially in regard to tackling the Climate Emergency; Workers Rights; Gender Equality; and the increasing need to counter the growth in extreme, far-right politics throughout Europe.”
Sinn Féin lead negotiator Pearse Doherty TD has said “Sinn Féin’s talks with the other parties and independents are intensifying this week. We will be having serious detailed discussions on housing, health, climate, guaranteeing the pension age at sixty-five, giving workers and families a break and Irish Unity.
We believe that it is possible to have significant progress on the broad outline of a Programme for Government when the Dáil sits on March 5th.
Mr. Doherty said:
“The election was about change. We now need to deliver A Government for Change that will bring forward the solutions that are needed on housing, health, climate, guaranteeing the pension age at sixty-five, giving workers and families a break and Irish unity
“Our talks with the other parties and independents are intensifying this week and we will be having serious detailed discussions on the issues which need to be central to a Programme for Government. Sinn Féin is having detailed meetings with the Green Party this week and we are seeking meetings with others throughout the week.
“These engagements are about how we deliver a major housing programme and cut and freeze rents, how we deal with climate change, how we sort the trolley crisis, how we guarantee pension age at sixty five, how we give workers and families a break and how we advance Irish unity, particularly in the context of Brexit.
“We believe that it is possible to have significant progress on the broad outline of a Programme for Government when the Dáil sits on March 5th.
“Our efforts are in stark contrast with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who will meet to discuss how they would rotate the position of Taoiseach and how they will put together the very government which has just been voted out of office.”
Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson is urging the Health Minister to release funding earmarked to help those affected by the contaminated blood scandal.
The Foyle MLA said:
“The contaminated blood scandal affected the entire NHS but victims here are not being supported with the same financial assistance as those in England.
“That is wrong and needs to be redressed because this inequality is causing further trauma to families and individuals who have already suffered immeasurably.
“As part of redressing this disparity, £1 million was allocated by the Sinn Féin Finance Minister Conor Murphy. However, only £600,000 of this has been confirmed by the Department of Health.
“That is entirely unacceptable. This money needs to go directly to those who it is intended for in its entirety.
“I have written to the Health Minister Robin Swann urging him to immediately release the funding in full.
“The department and the minister should be doing everything possible to alleviate the suffering of those affected by contaminated blood and to ensure they are properly supported.
“However, by delaying vital financial assistance, the minister is only adding to their suffering so I will continue to highlight this issue and to pressure the department until the funding is released as promised.”
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has welcomed the establishment by the Assembly of an ad hoc committee to consider the introduction of a Bill of Rights.
Mr O’Dowd said:
“A Bill of Rights was first committed to in the Good Friday Agreement and is clearly long overdue.
“Under the two Governments' paper, A New Decade, New Approach, a commitment was given to the establishment of this committee and the Assembly has now delivered.
“What is now needed is a short, focused programme of work which then brings forward proposals for a Bill of Rights which will protect all our citizens.
“A Bill of Rights threatens no one and protects minorities whether they be in that position now or in the future."
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has criticised the seven-week delay in processing HAP applications in South Dublin County Council. This delay makes accessing rental accommodation even more difficult for applicants and is putting families at risk of homelessness.
Deputy Ó Broin said:
“South Dublin County Council has confirmed that there is currently a seven-week delay in processing HAP applications in the council.
“This delay is undoubtedly making it more difficult for HAP applicants to access private rented accommodation.
“Adding to the problem is the fact that the HAP payment is not backdated to when the application is first submitted but when tenant and landlord submit all the required documentation.
“This can result in a two to four-week shortfall.
“If resources are the problem then the Department of Housing must look at that and provide South Dublin County Council with what additional resources are required to fix the problem."
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has asked the Economy Committee to write to the British Home Secretary to raise concerns about British Government immigration proposals.
The East Derry MLA said:
“I asked the Economy Committee to write to the British Home Secretary and the Migration Advisory Committee to raise concerns about British Government immigration proposals.
“It is clear the British government has completely disregarded the unique and special circumstances of the north and ignored the call from political and business leaders here for a policy which reflects local needs.
"Workers from other EU countries make a huge contribution to our economy, particularly in the health, manufacturing, hospitality and agri-food sectors.
"This proposed system will limit the ability of those workers to come here and contribute to our economy and our society in general.
“We want to be able to attract the brightest talent to the north to study and work, freedom of movement is essential for that.
“Sinn Féin will raise these concerns directly with the British Government."
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said British government plans to deny work permits to some non-English speaking workers will have a detrimental impact on the economy.
Colm Gildernew said:
“The Brexit immigration measures will have a severe detrimental impact to the economy.
“Social care, which already in precarious circumstances, will be further undermined through deeper staff shortages resulting in less care for those in need.
“The health service is already facing a staffing crisis. Social care is at a tipping point and is heavily depending on workers from across Europe to provide care.
“These reckless, xenophobic attack on our care system will make the crisis worse.
“In the north, there are currently approximately 10,000 people living in residential homes with a further 23,000 receiving care in their own homes. These numbers are expected to grow by 15% in the next two years.
“Staff shortages are leasing to a rising, expensive dependency on agency workers to fill vacancies and a delay in discharging patients because care packages cannot be put in place.
“We will be raising these concerns directly with the British Government, but it’s clear they have once again ignored our unique circumstances and are treating our health system with contempt.”
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has praised the efforts of those who rescued teenagers from a fire at a YMCA building in Newcastle.
The South Down MP said:
"This fire at the YMCA at Newcastle has shocked the local community as around 100 teenagers had to be rescued.
"Thankfully no one was injured in this incident but it must have been a frightening experience for all involved.
"The quick actions of the YMCA leaders who rescued these young people have undoubtedly prevented a tragedy.
"I visited the facility recently and saw at first hand the excellent leadership displayed by staff and volunteers and I have no doubt the local community will be in full support of the efforts to rebuild this YMCA centre in their time of need.
"An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire and should be allowed to proceed."
