Seeking clarity on Syrian refugees in a former hotel in Ballaghaderreen.

Senator Frank Feighan has said he will be seeking clarity on a number of issues at a special Ministerial briefing on Wednesday regarding the planned accommodation of Syrian refugees in a former hotel in Ballaghaderreen.

“I have already had a constructive discussion with David Stanton, Minister of State for Justice with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration. Minister Stanton is to hold a special briefing with relevant Oireachtas members this Wednesday afternoon in Leinster House where a range of issues of concern will be raised.
There is no absolutely no question at all that people in Ireland, Roscommon and Ballaghaderreen want to help these families who have been tragically displaced by war.We have all seen the horrific images on television where ordinary men, women and children are being killed in the Syrian conflict and the humanitarian case to help these refugee families fleeing from blood-shed is overwhelming.
Compassion must be to the forefront as we simply cannot even imagine the horrors that these people have gone through.At the same, it is clear that there has been a lack consultation with local public representatives to establish exactly what the plans are and what resources will be available to adequately cater for these refugees.As a local public representative, I want to work with the community and all stakeholders to clarify issues of concern which have been raised legitimately by the people of Ballaghaderreen.

Language support, health services and integration are just some of the issues which need to be addressed in a positive manner and I will be seeking clarity in this regard.”

Feighan welcomes €468,000 in ICT funding for Roscommon schools

Senator Frank Feighan has welcomed a total of €468,000 in funding for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment for Roscommon schools.

“Allocated by the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, this funding for 99 primary and secondary schools in Roscommon will support the development and implementation of an eLearning Plan for each school to embed ICT in teaching and learning.

“Some examples of the infrastructure that schools can purchase with this funding are:

·         Teaching computers/shared student computers. These may include desktop PCs, laptops, tablets or hybrid devices.

·         Projectors including short throw or ultra-short throw, long throw, interactive, or interactive flat screens (IFS).

·         Cloud based tools and applications to support learning.

“This investment marks the start of the Government’s €210 million Digital Strategy for Schools. As Minister Bruton said today in announcing this funding, the ability to think critically and develop solutions in the digital world will be vital for these students’ prospects in life.

 “The Digital Strategy for Schools sets out a clear vision to realise the potential of digital technologies to transform the learning experiences of students.

“The ICT funding rates payable are €2,000 per school plus €22.20 per mainstream pupil in primary schools, with additional per capita payments for pupils in DEIS schools, Special Classes and Special Schools.

"At post-primary, the rates payable are €2,000 per school plus €31.90 per student, with an additional per capita payment for students in DEIS schools. These payments are made directly into the schools’ accounts.”

Very productive meeting with Health Minister, HAC and local Oireachtas representatives to discuss services at Roscommon Hospital

Senator Frank Feighan described last Thursday’s meeting between Minister for Health Simon Harris, members of the Hospital Action Committee and local Oireachtas public representatives as very productive. Senator Feighan facilitated the meeting in the Minister’s office at the request of the HAC.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who attended for contributing to a very productive and positive meeting with Minister Harris. The Minister engaged with those present on a range of issues relating to the hospital and local health services.

“This included the new Medical Rehab Unit; the need to fill the Rehab Consultant post as soon as possible; ambulance services; the Air ambulance service; the openings hours of the Medical Assessment Unit; a new Central Sterile Supply Department and progress on the new Sacred Heart Hospital project.

“Minister Harris took detailed notes of all the queries and said he would revert as soon as possible with the relevant information. I would like to thank the Minister for giving his time to discuss these issues in a very considered fashion.

“Minister Harris made it clear to all present that Roscommon Hospital is busy and he wants to make it even busier with the addition of more services. He said Rocommon Hospital was a good example of how hospitals are now taking the lead on certain services.

“With the new Endoscopy Unit open and with the Medical Rehab project about to get underway, it is clear that the long-term future of Roscommon Hospital is very secure.”

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.***