Let Minister wait for independent report on pharmacies – O’Mahony

Deputy O’Mahony said he lamented that the Health Minister’s ham-fisted handling of the situation was undermining what he described as an ‘admirable attempt to reduce the cost of medicines.

“The Minister is inexplicably putting the cart before the horse. On the one hand she recognises the need for an independent body to adjudicate on the proposed changes to community pharmacist contracts, but on the other she is choosing to bring in the changes unilaterally before this body reports. This is simply daft.

“It has always been my view that an independent body would have to be appointed in this case and it is the Minister’s foot-dragging on doing so which has got us to the point where we are now up against a deadline. She should take responsibility and postpone the changes until the body reports.

“The most important thing is continuity of service to patients both in the short and long term. I’m afraid I am not comforted by the Minister’s assurances that the HSE’s contingency plan will ensure patients get their medication. It is depressing that the current Government has so abandoned democratic principles that they rejected Fine Gael’s call for a meaningful Dail motion and a vote. It is a great pity that the Minister is undermining her admirable attempt to reduce the costs of medicines by her ham-fisted handling of its implementation,” he said.

Broadband would breathe life into rural economy, Govt should accept FG proposals – O’Mahony

“We all agree that broadband, if it were available in all parts of the country to all the population, would transform our economy. It would be a particular advantage in rural Ireland and especially in peripheral areas because it would give them a chance to compete successfully with core regions that have superior physical infrastructure and easier access. In the West of Ireland and Mayo we don’t have the motorways, the DART, Luas and Metro so broadband is one piece of technology that could even the playing field somewhat. “It should be a major vehicle for balanced regional development allowing individuals and businesses to operate successfully in peripheral areas. They could have the benefits of rural life away from the gridlock and traffic jams. It would also breathe life into the rural landscapes which have lost their post offices, corner shops and pubs. Every job in disadvantaged areas is worth 10 in the large cities. “Sadly, the same deficit exists as with the physical infrastructure. One constant issue in my constituency of Mayo is the lack of broadband availability. I could give numerous examples but a couple of recent contacts will illustrate the point. I was contacted last week by a constituent from a small village – Tooreen, Co. Mayo. It was one of the villages identified to receive broadband under the Broadband Rural Scheme in 2005. The wait still goes on. Eircom told her last week that broadband is not available and currently not in line to be installed in the village. “What makes it more frustrating is that the towns surrounding Tooreen have broadband but the village and surrounds have no access. The same village has lost its post office and shop. Broadband is an essential part of business, large and small craft industry and rural life. My constituent came from England to set up a business in Mayo to get the benefits of rural life. She now has no availability and would have to pay €2,900 per annum for a satellite connection even though she was paying €9.99 per month in England. She recently lost an international contract because of the non-availability of broadband. “Another difficulty is that some of the initial Government-funded metropolitan area networks (MANS) still do not have fibre based backhaul and as such are not in a position to be made active – Kilkenny, Carrickmacross and Gweedore fall into this category. Ireland West Airport, Knock is also waiting. In some cases it is five years since the mains were provided. “What is needed now is Government intervention through the provision of the necessary fibre infrastructure. It makes no sense that the infrastructure already provided using taxpayers’ money be allowed to remain idle for the want of the additional component which should have been provided at the same time as the MANS. I urge the Government to deliver on the availability, speed and quality of broadband everywhere throughout the country and I strongly commend the Fine Gael motion.”

Three Mayo School Building Projects Beset by 10 Years of FF Govt Delays – O’Mahony

“The principal and board of management of Midfield National School, Swinford, have been pursuing a building extension and renovation works for over ten years. The Department of Education and Science’s consultants acknowledged the school’s urgent need in 1998 and €30,000 was spent on professional fees. The project went to the costing stage but was then shelved. In 2006 the school authorities were advised to re-apply under the small schools scheme and an architect was commissioned to carry out a report. He noted that other business would be shut down under health and safety regulations as the classrooms, heating system, sewage system, roof, windows, toilets and play areas were all substandard. The septic tank is seeping sewage near the play areas. This application will become an emergency in September 2008 when projected numbers will necessitate the employment of an extra teacher. The school is trying to function under Third World conditions while coping with the increasing numbers of children being enrolled. One parent asked me in the context of the Taoiseach’s announcement last December of €5 million for shanty towns in Capetown how the school could be treated so badly.

“Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca in Claremorris opened in 1989 with an enrolment of eight children. Attendance is currently 109 children and the projected enrolment for next year is 120. In 1998 the then Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Martin, promised a new school if a site was agreed. The site was purchased in 2005 and further land was acquired in 2007. The Department has promised a new eight classroom school and the sanction of the current Minister, Deputy Hanafin, is awaited. They have operated for ten years out of an old and dilapidated two-teacher premises with four prefabs at an annual rent of €70,000. The school could have been built for the amount of money that had to be spent leasing prefabs.

“St. Joseph’s National School, Bonniconlon, is another project which has been ongoing for more than 10 years, causing frustration for teachers, pupils, parents and the board of management. In 2000 the local community began fundraising for the local contribution and accessed alternative accommodation to have everything in readiness when the application passed through the various planning stages. The Minister sanctioned the building of the new school at a meeting in Knock in 2006. The board of management was told on umpteen occasions that the building would go to tender in January 2008 only to get the dreaded phone call from the Department in the week before Christmas.

“The board of management is now totally frustrated and feels isolated, particularly following the emergence of the recent list of school building projects in respect of which the go-ahead was announced at the end of January.

“The Minister and the Department have assured us that all the resources are not going into rapidly developing areas but the evidence points to the contrary. The three schools to which I refer are situated in areas of developing population and the teachers, parents and boards of management are very angry at the lack of transparency in the system which gave the go-ahead to the recently announced projects and left those to which I refer, which are long awaited and much needed, in limbo.

“Under previous Administrations, the school building programme was considered slow but fair and schools knew their place in the queue. Now, school boards of management throughout the country are questioning the transparency of a programme that is excluding previously approved schools without explanation. There is genuine anger in those schools that have waited years for projects involving renovations, extensions of the construction of new school buildings to commence and in respect of which progress is yet to be made. In the meantime, other schools appear to be getting the go-ahead to proceed to construction and this is leading to complaints about the lack of transparency in the process.

“In the Dáil this week, Junior Minister Pat the Cope Gallagher, responding for the Government, confirmed to me that the Minister intends to announce projects that will proceed to construction during the year and St Joseph’s in Bonniconlon will be considered in this context. The Minister said that Midfield National School’s application for additional accommodation will be considered in the context of the multi-annual school building and modernisation programme. Where Gaelscoil Uileog De Burca was concerned he said that ‘an assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to determine the long-term projected staffing figure on which the school’s accommodation needs will be based.’

“After ten years it is high time these vital projects had the support they deserve from Government. I am calling on the Minister to include the schools to which I refer in the next round of announcements in order that the communities they serve can have access, in appropriate school buildings, to the high standard of education they richly deserve.”

O’Mahony calls for the building of three new schools in Mayo

 protest in the strongest possible terms at the unacceptable treatment of three applications for new school buildings in County Mayo.

The principal and board of management of Midfield National School, Swinford, have been pursuing a building extension and renovation works for over ten years. The Department of Education and Science’s consultants acknowledged the school’s urgent need in 1998 and €30,000 was spent on professional fees. The project went to the costing stage but was then shelved. In 2006 the school authorities were advised to re-apply under the small schools scheme and an architect was commissioned to carry out a report. He noted that other business would be shut down under health and safety regulations as the classrooms, heating system, sewage system, roof, windows, toilets and play areas were all substandard. The septic tank is seeping sewage near the play areas. This application will become an emergency in September 2008 when projected numbers will necessitate the employment of an extra teacher. The school is trying to function under Third World conditions while coping with the increasing numbers of children being enrolled. One parent asked me in the context of the Taoiseach’s announcement last December of €5 million for shanty towns in Capetown how the school could be treated so badly.

Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca in Claremorris opened in 1989 with an enrolment of eight children. Attendance is currently 109 children and the projected enrolment for next year is 120. In 1998 the then Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Martin, promised a new school if a site was agreed. The site was purchased in 2005 and further land was acquired in 2007. The Department has promised a new eight classroom school and the sanction of the current Minister, Deputy Hanafin, is awaited. They have operated for ten years out of an old and dilapidated two-teacher premises with four prefabs at an annual rent of €70,000. The school could have been built for the amount of money that had to be spent leasing prefabs.

St. Joseph’s National School, Bonniconlon, is another project which has been ongoing for more than 10 years, causing frustration for teachers, pupils, parents and the board of management. In 2000 the local community began fundraising for the local contribution and accessed alternative accommodation to have everything in readiness when the application passed through the various planning stages. The Minister sanctioned the building of the new school at a meeting in Knock in 2006. The board of management was told on umpteen occasions that the building would go to tender in January 2008 only to get the dreaded phone call from the Department in the week before Christmas.

The board of management is now totally frustrated and feels isolated, particularly following the emergence of the recent list of school building projects in respect of which the go-ahead was announced at the end of January.

The Minister and the Department have assured us that all the resources are not going into rapidly developing areas but the evidence points to the contrary. The three schools to which I refer are situated in areas of developing population and the teachers, parents and boards of management are very angry at the lack of transparency in the system which gave the go-ahead to the recently announced projects and left those to which I refer, which are long awaited and much needed, in limbo.

Under previous Administrations, the school building programme was considered slow but fair and schools knew their place in the queue. Now, school boards of management throughout the country are questioning the transparency of a programme that is excluding previously approved schools without explanation. There is genuine anger in those schools that have waited years for projects involving renovations, extensions of the construction of new school buildings to commence and in respect of which progress is yet to be made. In the meantime, other schools appear to be getting the go-ahead to proceed to construction and this is leading to complaints about the lack of transparency in the process.

I call on the Minister to include the schools to which I refer in the next round of announcements in order that the communities they serve can have access, in appropriate school buildings, to the high standard of education they richly deserve.

In response Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher: I thank Deputy O’Mahony for raising this matter. I welcome the opportunity to outline to the House the Department of Education and Science’s position regarding the provision of new school buildings for Bonniconlon national school, Gaelscoil Uileog De Búrca and St. Joseph’s national school, Midfield, Swinford.

In the lifetime of the national development plan, almost €4.5 billion will be invested in schools. Approximately €600 million of this will be spent this year on school buildings. This is an unprecedented level of capital investment which reflects the commitment of the Government to continue its programme of sustained investment in primary and post-primary schools. This investment will facilitate the provision of new schools and extensions in developing areas and the improvement of existing schools through the provision of replacement schools, extensions or large-scale refurbishments in the coming years. The progression of all large-scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase is considered on an ongoing basis in the context of the national development plan and the Department’s multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.

As regards the position of the three schools to which Deputy O’Mahony refers, the project relating to Bonniconlon national school is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning in respect of the provision of a new three-classroom school. I understand the tender documentation for this project is nearing completion. The Minister for Education and Science intends to announce projects that will proceed to construction during the year and Bonniconlon will be considered in this context.
A site for a proposed new school building for Gaelscoil Uileog De Búrca was acquired last year and an assessment of projected enrolment trends, demographic trends and housing developments in the area will be required in order to determine the long-term projected staffing figure on which the school’s accommodation needs will be based. It is heartening to note that a school established in 1989 with eight pupils now has an enrolment of 109. The latter is expected to rise to 120 next year. I am a great supporter of gaelscoileanna, which offer an opportunity for children in schools outside the Gaeltacht to pursue their studies through the medium of Irish.

St. Joseph’s national school, Midfield, previously applied for an extension and refurbishment to provide for improved ancillary accommodation, such as a general purpose room, a multi-purpose or staff room, a remedial room and a general office. The proposed project did not include additional mainstream classrooms. However, in January of this year the Department of Education and Science received a new application in respect of additional accommodation. This will be considered in the context of the multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.

On behalf of the Minister, I wish to assure the Deputy that she and her Department are committed to providing high-quality accommodation for Bonniconlon national school, Gaelscoil Uileog De Búrca and St. Joseph’s national school, Midfield, at the earliest possible date. I will communicate to her the strong view expressed by Deputy O’Mahony.

O’Mahony publishes BreastCheck confirmation of Mayo mobile unit’s summer start

Fine Gael Mayo Deputy John O’Mahony has revealed today (Thursday) that BreastCheck has confirmed to him that screening would commence in summer time of this year at a mobile unit at Mayo General Hospital, slightly later than suggested by Deputy Beverly Flynn. Deputy O’Mahony said Mayo women had been waiting eight years for this vital screening programme and the most important thing is the service is now imminent.

“BreastCheck screening was first rolled out in the Eastern Region in the year 2000 and women in the North West have since endured a litany of broken promises, misleading announcements and missed deadlines from the Fianna Fáil Government.

“I am delighted that Mayo women will finally have access to this life-saving service and I am pleased to say that BreastCheck has confirmed the details to me by letter. A suitable site has been identified at Mayo General Hospital and a mobile unit will be operated by BreastCheck’s western team there. Deputy Beverly Flynn has claimed that the unit will be deployed in April but the letter indicates to me that ‘an exact date has not as yet been set’ but screening is expected to commence in ’summer time this year’.

“When it comes to BreastCheck, getting the media scoop on its arrival is really beside the point, after eight years of FF Government delays the most important thing is that Mayo women can avoid devastating, radical surgery or premature death through the presence of this essential screening programme.”

Minister Accused of Playing Fast and Loose with Farmers’ Livelihoods – O’Mahony

“Up to 6,000 farmers have seen their REPS 2 and 3 payments delayed with over 600 REPS 4 farmers in the same position. It has also emerged that instead of a full advance payment on an annual basis the Commission is proposing a 75/25 split payment paid at the end of the administrative period. The Minister must seek to resolve this matter immediately as many farmers are facing serious cash flow problems as a result of it.
“This is an incredible situation and in particular with relation to REPS 4. It is only a matter of months since REPS 4 was being publicised throughout the country by the Minister and Department officials. The Minister now appears to have been engaging in sleight of hand in promoting the scheme while failing to mention the new payment arrangements. Many of the REPS 3 farmers who signed up to REPS 4 would naturally have assumed the same payment regime would be in place.
“There are some crucial questions that the Minister needs to answer. Why have REPS 2&3 payments stopped? When will they recommence? Why weren’t the REPS 4 payment details publicised? How long have Minster Coughlan and her Department known about this situation?
“I am calling on Minister Coughlan to urgently address this situation and restore REPS 2&3 payments. I am also asking the Minister to please show some honesty and transparency in future when she has information that has such implications for the sector.

Government failing autistic Mayo children – O’Mahony

Deputy O’Mahony said the high profile court cases in recent times have only served to highlight the folly of the Government stance. “The money spent by the Government defending many of these cases would provide the resources necessary to expand the current Applied Behavioural Analysis pilot scheme.

“It is ironic that the report of the task force on autism a number of years ago recommended that the key stakeholders, and parents in particular, be consulted on the development of educational policy in respect of autism. However, that is not the experience of most parents I met. These parents are very reasonable in their approach. They are not looking for ABA to be used exclusively as a teaching method but merely point out the benefits it can have at an early stage and how the gains made can significantly improve the children’s chances of joining mainstream classes earlier than would otherwise be the case,” said Deputy O’Mahony.

He recalled attending meetings where the pain and suffering of parents was etched on every face in the room. One father praised his wife for looking after their son while he was at work and equated it to a life sentence. “What does one say to those Mayo; parents who have raised thousands of euros on a voluntary basis and acquired site for an ABA school in Mayo? The answer of the Minister is to block them at every move and spend millions defending the Department’s stance in the courts,” he said.

Autistic children deserve a better deal than they are getting. They deserve a fair deal.

No credit for Calleary on Kiltimagh sewerage scheme after 5 years of FF broken promises – O’Mahony

Fine Gael Mayo Deputy John O’Mahony has said he will take no lectures from Fianna Fáil’s Dara Calleary who he accused of trying to take credit for the Kiltimagh sewerage scheme even though FF had failed to deliver on the long-promised project since 2002.

“It is laughable to witness Deputy Calleary attempting to jump on the Kiltimagh bandwagon now that it is finally on the road. Fianna Fáil pledged in 2002 that this vital project would be delivered in the lifetime of the last Government and I make no apologies for highlighting this broken promise in the run-up to the General Election. In fact the sewerage scheme would not be at the point it is today were it not for consistent Fine Gael pressure from both myself and Councillor Eugene Lavin.

“The up-to-date position on the project is that Mayo County Council has selected the tender for recommendation to the Department and sent in a budget proposal for approval. Once the Department gives the green light the Council hopes to have work under way in April. The treatment plant work has now moved to second stage of tendering and will proceed without delay.

“I will be monitoring the progress of this project and will continue to press the Fianna Fáil Government to deliver on vital developments for County Mayo. It would be more in Deputy Calleary’s line to do the same thing instead of trying to score cheap political points that do him no credit.”

O’Mahony questions Minister over Proposed Legislation at Arts, Sports and Tourism question time 12th February 2008.

112. Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the Irish Sports Council (Amendment) Bill will be published; the autonomy the institute of sport will have in relation to decision-making under the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Read more

Minister Hanafin clings to misguided policy while blocking Mayo autism school – O’Mahony

“Just as with the cystic fibrosis debate last week, we are highlighting the plight of families whose children are denied what should be their right. The suffering and frustration of the families of children with autism is always there. The rest of us are only acutely aware of it when cases such as the one last week hit the headlines.

“I have attended meetings where the pain and suffering of parents is etched on every face in the room. One father praised his wife for looking after their son while he was at work and equated it to a life sentence. What does one say to parents who have raised thousands of euros on a voluntary basis and acquired a free site for an Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) school in Mayo? The answer of the Minister is to block them at every turn and spend millions defending the Department’s stance in the courts.

“The money spent defending many of these cases would provide the resources necessary to expand the current ABA pilot scheme. It is ironic that the report of the task force on autism a number of years ago recommended that the key stakeholders, and parents in particular, be consulted on the development of educational policy in respect of autism. That is not the experience of most parents I met. These parents are very reasonable in their approach. They are not looking for ABA to be used exclusively as a teaching method but merely point out the benefits it can have at an early stage and how the gains made can significantly improve the children’s chances of joining mainstream classes earlier than would otherwise be the case.

“I also met with the parents of an autistic boy who use the Son-Rise method of instruction for their son. This method is based on the American style where parents are trained to teach their children in the family home. The father of one such boy has taken a career break to teach his child. He spent €20,000 on a training course in America and yet has difficulty getting hours of home tuition granted by the Department except on a month-by-month basis. He has to tell the same Department six months in advance whether he wants to continue his career break for the next year.

“People who have observed this debate over the past week must really doubt the Minister’s basis for her Department’s current policy when they see the co-author of the Government task force taking the Minister to task for her misguided policy on education for autistic children, and also stating that the Minister’s stance is marked by a number of errors and a misunderstanding of ABA. Perhaps the Minister will explain on what scientific evidence she based her policy approach to autism. This is the least that the supporters of ABA deserve.

“Where there are special autistic units within mainstream schools there is a great need for a better pupil-teacher ratio than 1:6, which is the current situation. I have visited those schools as well as the ABA schools. No teacher should be required to take more than four children in these special classes.

“Speech and language therapy is a requirement for most children with special needs, whether they are autistic or have another disability. It is totally unacceptable that children progress through school without proper attention in this area year after year. All that is required is agreement between the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Science to incorporate speech and language therapy into the education system, as is the case in the UK where speech therapists are employed by the education authorities and this provides for the needs of children. There is a tremendous reluctance on the part of both Ministers concerned to come to this arrangement, as was necessary when the then Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Martin, integrated care assistants in the schools under his Department. The Government was practically forced to comply following long consultation with the Ombudsman’s office at the time. Autistic children deserve a better deal than they are getting. They deserve a fair deal. It is still not too late to change. I strongly commend the Fine Gael motion.”

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