Roscommon Hospital management actively addressing parking difficulties

Senator Feighan has said that Roscommon Hospital management is actively addressing the parking difficulties currently being experienced at the hospital. Senator Feighan has been in ongoing discussions with hospital management about the issue.

“The current parking issues are predominately as a result of the on-going increase in attendances of patients for day case procedures, surgery, diagnostics and consultations. This is a certainly problem that many didn’t and couldn’t foresee five years ago.

“The main congestion occurs on week-days, from about 9am to 2pm each day, when there is a large percentage of patients attending the hospital,`when all services are fully operational and the majority of staff is on duty.

“Hospital management has informed me that it has had meetings with Roscommon County Council and An Garda Síochána regarding the issue which has included discussing the concerns of local residents. Hospital management has suggested to the council that double yellow lines be painted along the Ardsallagh Road to restrict parking in that area.

“The hospital has also expanded its security officer services in order to try to maximise parking usage on the campus. A security officer is now on duty from 7am to 2pm, Monday to Friday. By employing a security officer during busy periods, the hospital is now utilising 17 car parking spaces adjacent to the Urgent Care Centre hospital entrance for short term parking (maximum 2 hrs) and for set down/pick up. As a result, the hospital has informed me that there is now a much better turnover per car park spaces and it has ensured patients do not have to walk too far.  

“The security officer is also there to provide direction and advice to patients/service users in relation to spaces available throughout the site. Additionally, the car-park adjacent to Hyde Park is a public car park and staff/visitors have been advised that cars can be parked there, thus ensuring that patients can get much better and nearer access to the hospital.  This arrangement has been in place for more than two years now.

“From my discussions with hospital management, I know they are acutely aware of the limited parking currently available. They are doing everything possible to ensure that patients get priority and are allowed to park as close as possible to the hospital and avail of services. Thankfully too, Roscommon Hospital is still one of the few hospitals in the country that does not charge for car parking and I would encourage the management to ensure that it stays that way.”

Update 23rd September

Roscommon soldiers among those honoured by Government at Custume Barracks for their bravery at Siege of Jadotville

Mary Tiernan and Senator Frank Feighan

Senator Feighan said it was a great source of pride to be among the large attendance at Custume Barracks in Athlone last Saturday where a special event took place to formally honour the bravery of Irish soldiers who fought at the famous Siege of Jadotville 55 years ago.

“In 1961, 157 Irishmen fended off 3,000 enemy forces at the famous Siege of Jadotville in fierce exchanges which lasted six days. Three hundred enemy forces were killed during this battle in the Congo while there were no fatalities on the Irish side.

“The soldiers came from ‘A’ Company, 35th Infantry Battalion and were led by Commander Pat Quinlan. I was delighted to see a number of Roscommon men who were among that courageous group of soldiers honoured last Saturday.

“It was wonderful to see the Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, present a Unit Citation to the Company at Custume Barracks in recognition of their bravery and heroism. 

“This is the first time a Unit Citation has been awarded within the Defence Forces and a copy of the citation was presented to each member or next-of-kin of the unit. 

“The Siege, which has now been made into a movie, is an incredible story of courage in the face of huge adversity.

“Unfortunately, the bravery of these Irish man was never fully recognised until last Saturday’s event and the emotion was very palpable among former soldiers and the families as the long wait for recognition was finally over.”

Flood Relief Minister's visit to Boyle

Flood Relief Minister visit to Boyle will allow him to talk directly to those affected by flooding - Feighan

Senator Frank Feighan has said that this evening’s visit (Monday, September 19^th) to Boyle by the Minister responsible for the OPW and Flood Relief, Sean Canney, will give him the opportunity to talk directly to those who have been severely affected by flooding.

Timetable

2:00 - 2.40pm Lough Funshinagh / Ardmullen

3.15 - 3.45pm Athleague / Correal Turlough

4.30 - 5:30pm Castleplunkett/Bushfield/Brackloon Turloughs

6:00 - 7:00pm Boyle Turloughs 

“As part of a county wide tour of Roscommon today which includes Lough Funshinagh, Athleague and Castleplunkett, Minister Canney will also visit Boyle this evening to look at turloughs which have been associated with severe flooding of homes and farms last Winter.

“Minister Canney is well aware of my numerous representations on this issue and the need for the OPW to carry out a technical examination of these turloughs. I am glad the Minister is now visiting Boyle to see these flood-hit areas at first hand and talk directly to those who have been severely affected.

“One of the flooding turloughs the Minister will be visiting this evening is at Lisserdrea beside the home of Ann and Vincent Brady, who are still reeling from the flooding devastation they suffered last Winter.

“With funding assistance from the severe weather fund, Roscommon County Council did raise the road near the Brady home and I understand that the council recently opened a swallow hole towards the end of turlough. These works revealed a slow flow of water which may indicate a blockage of some type.

“As part of the agreed monitoring programme of turloughs nationally between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Geological Survey of Ireland, this Lisserdrea turlough is among those selected for a technical examination which will involve the use of a dye-trace. It is hoped this examination will help inform workable solutions to address the flooding problem.

“This turlough examination and the analysis of the results must happen as soon as possible in order to meaningfully address a flooding crisis, which has caused so much stress and anxiety to the Brady family.”

Feighan highlights Garda recruitment campaign

Senator Frank Feighan has welcomed the ongoing Garda recruitment campaign, which was launched recently by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald.

"I would encourage all those interested in joining An Garda Síochána to visit the website of the Public Appointments Service and submit their application at www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Thursday, September 29th 2016. The existing recruitment campaign was launched last November and successful candidates will continue to be called from this ongoing campaign this year and into next year. It is expected that successful candidates from the new campaign will enter the Garda College from mid-2017"

“This new recruitment campaign continues the accelerated recruitment to fulfil the Government’s commitment to increase the strength of the force to 15,000 members. Minister Fitzgerald fully recognises the need to ensure An Garda Síochána is provided with sufficient resources to enable them to provide an effective and efficient policing service in all areas. Garda presence on the streets is very important and it is extremely positive that growth is continuing to take place within the force.”

***Closing date for applications is Thursday, September 29th.*** 

New LEADER funding programme

Senator Frank Feighan has welcomed the news that Roscommon LEADER Partnership is planning to launch the new LEADER funding programme for the county next month.

“The LEADER 2014-2020 Funding Agreement for Roscommon has already been signed by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys. I now understand Roscommon LEADER Partnership is planning to launch the new LEADER programme for the county in mid-October, which is very good news for rural communities.

“As part of this new LEADER programme, more than €8.85m is available for groups and enterprises in Roscommon. This funding will be provided to projects that are selected by local action groups, made up of local representatives from both the public and private sector.

“The money will fund projects across a range of areas, such as enterprise development, rural tourism, enhancement of rural towns and the provision of basic services for hard to reach communities

“Investing in our rural economies and supporting communities across rural Ireland is a top priority for this Government.  LEADER 2020 is a very important initiative for rural Ireland and is a key part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

“In total, the programme will provide funding of €250 million to enterprises and community groups throughout rural Ireland.”

€7.85m Medical Rehab Unit at Roscommon Hospital

Feighan welcomes €1.5m in funding for planning and design of €7.85m Medical Rehab Unit at Roscommon Hospital

Senator Frank Feighan has welcomed today’s funding announcement of €1.5m for the planning and design of the €7.85m Medical Rehab Unit at Roscommon Hospital.

“Today, the Minister for Health Simon Harris confirmed this funding, which is part of the €7.85m capital funding approved for this major development at the hospital.

“I have always expressed confidence that this ten-bed facility would be built and today’s announcement of funding for the planning and design phase puts to bed any concerns surrounding the project.

“This is great news on the day Minister Harris also officially opened the €6m Endoscopy project at the hospital.

 “The National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire is the only comprehensive rehabilitation facility in the Republic of Ireland for patients with physical and cognitive impairments.

“Currently, there are no dedicated rehab units in the West and this stand-alone Rehab Unit at Roscommon will relieve pressure on existing services and waiting times in Dún Laoghaire and will also allow patients to be treated in their own community.

“When built, the unit will operate as a satellite centre to the National Rehabilitation Hospital and will operate under its auspices.

“From a geographical perspective, Roscommon Hospital is ideally located for this development, being so central to the West and to Dublin.

“It was always the plan that this capital development would proceed once the Endoscopy Unit was complete. This is what is now happening and I look forward to the Medical Rehab Unit project taking shape at Roscommon Hospital.”

Health Minister turns sod on new Boyle Primary Care Centre

 Senator Frank Feighan said he was delighted that the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, turned the sod on the new Primary Care Centre in Boyle this morning, Wednesday, September 7th.

“I am delighted that Minister Harris accepted my request to turn the sod on this project, which is currently under construction on the grounds of the Plunkett Home.

“Minister Harris today performed the ceremony before he travelled to Roscommon Town to officially open the new Endoscopy Unit at the County Hospital.

“This is a great day for Roscommon where the Minister for Health will personally endorse two significant health facilities for the county.

“The Boyle Primary Centre is scheduled to open from September of next year and will offer a range of services to the local community.

 “The centre will ensure that the local community has improved access to a greater range of health services on their own doorstep and under the one roof.”