€7.85m Medical Rehabilitation Unit at Roscommon Hospital

Feighan confirms appointment of Design team for €7.85m Medical Rehabilitation Unit at Roscommon Hospital

€560,000 in funding allocated for Design phase

Fine Gael Senator Frank Feighan has confirmed that the Design Team has been appointed for the €7.85m  Medical Rehabilitation Unit at Roscommon Hospital.

“Roscommon Hospital management has just confirmed to me that the design team to progress the Western Specialist Rehabilitation Unit at Roscommon University Hospital is now in place. 

“Funding approval of more than €560,000 has been allocated to move to the design phase of this project. This marks a major milestone for this €7.85m capital development.

“The new facility will be a satellite centre of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire and will provide intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation to patients based in the West of Ireland. 

“This new 20 bed unit will be of huge benefit to patients in this region. It will enable treatment of patients from the West of Ireland in Roscommon University Hospital who would have previously been treated in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dublin, and will also assist in reducing waiting times for patients who require access to the NRH.

“Apart from the employment which will be created during the construction phase, it is also important to say that once the Rehab Unit becomes fully operational, it will create 25 jobs initially and up to 50 jobs when all phases are complete.”

Senator Frank Feighan's address at the official opening of Boyle Primary Care Centre by Minister for Health Simon Harris, September 3rd 2018

Ministers, TDs, cllrs, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman.

It is almost two years ago to the day that Minister Harris turned the sod on this project and I am delighted that you are back here again Minister to official open this wonderful facility.

On that same day two years ago, Minister, you also travelled to Roscommon Town to officially open the new Endoscopy Unit at Roscommon University Hospital.

That was a great day for Roscommon where you Minister personally endorsed two significant health facilities for the county. Minister, I also look forward to the imminent announcement of the successful design team for another important project planned at Roscommon Hospital, namely the Medical Rehabilitation Unit.

I am so pleased that you are back here in Boyle again today. This Primary Care Centre, now open more than six months, provides health services to a population of approximately 9,000 people in the town and surrounding areas.

The Centre is a hugely positive development for Boyle and the wider North Roscommon area. It ensures that our local community has improved access to a greater range of health services on their own doorstep and under the one roof.

It provides modern facilities for a significant range of primary care services, delivered by a locally based multi-disciplinary Primary Care Team.

I would like to sincerely thank the many people involved in ensuring that this development has come to fruition.

I am extremely proud that Boyle has this state-of-the-art health facility and I want to sincerely thank you Minister and all present for being here today for this official opening.

Thank you

Boyle Primary Care Centre Opening on September 3rd

Feighan confirms that Health Minister to officially open Boyle Primary Care Centre on September 3rd

Senator Frank Feighan has confirmed that the Minister for Health Simon Harris will officially open Boyle Primary Care Centre on Monday, September 3^rd at 11 am.

“I am delighted that the Minister for Health has accepted my invitation to officially open the new Primary Care Centre. Minister Harris returns again to Boyle after initially turning the sod on the project.

“The facility, now open more than six months, is providing health services to a population of about 9,000 people in the town and surrounding areas.

“As I have said before, the Primary Care Centre is a very positive development for the town and the wider North Roscommon area.

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

Contact: Senator Feighan, (086) 8331234.

Feighan urges Irish Water to accelerate local upgrade works for the benefit of Grangemore and Ballinameen water supplies

Senator Frank Feighan has urged Irish Water to accelerate local upgrade works following the issuing of a boil water notice on the Grangemore Public Water Supply and Ballinameen Camlin Group Water Scheme.

“This boil water notice which came into effect last week is affecting more than 1500 people in the areas of Croghan, Ballinameen, Ballymore, Killarght (County Sligo), The Plains and surrounding areas.

“Irish Water has been progressing a major upgrade project which includes the extension of the Boyle Regional Water Supply Scheme to supply the Grangemore WSS. This will involve the decommissioning of the existing Water Treatment Plant currently supplying the Grangemore scheme.  These works are to due to be completed by December 2019.

“However, I have urged Irish Water to accelerate the decommissioning of the Grangemore water plant earlier if at all possible.

“Responding to further queries on why the boil water notice has been issued, Irish Water explained that in order to safeguard drinking water supplies, chlorine residual levels of greater than 0.1 mg/l should be  present within the entire distribution system.

“Irish Water went on to say that by maintaining this level of chlorine, the supply is fully disinfected and any bacteria which may have survived the various treatment stages are destroyed.  However due to the poor raw water quality in Cavetown lake recently (as a result of the drought), the water treatment plant is unable to remove sufficient organics from the water resulting in quicker chlorine decay with chlorine levels dropping below 0.1mg/l at some locations within the distribution system. 

“Irish Water also said that coliform was detected in some recent samples.  Although coliforms are not harmful, Irish Water said it does highlight that the water supply is vulnerable to bacteriological contamination. Testing and monitoring of the supply is continuing and Irish Water will issue further updates.”

Ends

Contact: Senator Feighan, (086) 8331234.

Men’s Sheds in Roscommon

Feighan urges Men’s Sheds in Roscommon to apply for funding by 31st August deadline

Senator Frank Feighan is encouraging all Men’s Sheds in Roscommon to apply to a national funding pot of half a million euro to support their good work. This capital funding provides small grants to individual Men’s Sheds in order to enable them to purchase equipment or carry out minor works to improve their shed. As part of this measure, Minister Ring has made provision for €8,696 to be provided to the 6 Men’s Sheds in County Roscommon, pending successful applications by the individual Men’s Sheds.

Men’s Sheds are a worldwide movement which encourages men to talk about their feelings in order to improve mental health and wellbeing. Local Men’s Sheds create a space where men can discuss health issues and emotions while engaging in purposeful activities.

The sheds are in urban and rural areas across the country and promote the health and wellbeing of members by combating issues such as loneliness and isolation, while creating a culture where men can discuss their thoughts and feelings without stigma. They are a great example of a positive community based organisation that promotes good citizenship through good works.

It is essential that the individual local sheds apply for this funding. Applications will have to be made to the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) by 31st August 2018.

Senator Frank Feighan to apply to the Fine Gael National Executive to be added to the ticket

Press Statement

July 23rd 2018

Senator Frank Feighan to apply to the Fine Gael National Executive to be added to the ticket

Senator Frank Feighan is to apply to the Fine Gael National Executive to be added to the ticket for the Sligo-Leitrim/South Donegal/North Roscommon Constituency.

“I withdrew my name from the nomination process at the selection convention last Thursday night in Sligo.

“During my address to convention on the night, I expressed my belief that the odds were stacked against me in terms of being selected as a candidate.

“Firstly, to have a valid vote at the convention, a person needs to be a member of the party for two consecutive years - and given only two branches moved in from North Roscommon only a year ago, it was physically impossible to add members to address this criteria. Furthermore, these two former Roscommon branches only represent a little over 5% of the membership at the convention.

“Secondly, the vast majority of members which constitutes up to 90 per cent of the constituency membership are from Counties Sligo and Leitrim and I know there is a desire to have a candidate from each of these counties, which I fully accept and understand. 

“Finally, only a few weeks ago, tonight’s convention was reconvened at short notice. It was originally due to take place at the end of September, which would have given me time to visit members personally. This time was further restricted due to my work in this minority Government and the last number of weeks has been almost exclusively taken up with passing legislation, which we only completed on Tuesday of last week.

“As a result of all of this, I will have to take a different approach and I will be applying to the National Executive to be added to the ticket.

“As the only Oireachtas member before convention, I certainly do believe if I was on the ticket, I would have a great chance of securing a second seat for Fine Gael. 

“I am very proud to have served as a public representative for almost 20 years. In the Local Government elections of 1999, I topped the poll in Boyle and three years later in the Seanad elections, I became the first ever member of the Oireachtas elected out of the town of Boyle. 

“In the 2007 General Election in the Roscommon/South Leitrim constituency, I became the first ever TD from Boyle elected and retained my seat in the 2011 General Election.

"However, whatever decision is taken by the National Executive, I will fully accept and abide, as always, by the rules of the party. And as a Senator, I will continue as always to work and deliver for this constituency.”

Contact: Senator Feighan, (086) 8331234.

ASD unit at Boyle Community College

June 9^th 2017

Feighan welcomes funding approval for ASD unit at Boyle Community College

Senator Frank Feighan has welcomed funding approval for a new Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) unit at the Abbey Community College in Boyle

“I am delighted that this funding has been approved by the Department of Education for this ASD unit which I have lobbied strongly for on behalf of the school.

“This announcement clearly demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting children with special educational needs.

 “This funding allocation is great news for the Boyle secondary school and works will proceed once the tendering process has been completed.

“Projects such as these also help to stimulate economic activity by supporting jobs in the local economy.

“It is important to note that no details are given in relation to the amount of the grant-aid approved as the publication of the level of funding could prejudice the tendering process.

“The School Building Unit will issue a detailed letter informing the school of the amount of grant aid sanctioned by the Department.”