The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
TD’s fears over public service cards and hospital staffing
Concern at imminent retirement of highly regarded cardiologist
THE imminent retirement of “a very respected, highly regarded cardiologist” working in Kerry University Hospital will be a massive loss to the hospital, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae told the Dáil. “What commitment will the HSE South give to the hospital in Kerry on cardiology, geriatric or respiratory issues?” he asked.
“We are in a dire way in those three health care categories. We cannot allow a situation whereby the excellent service that was being given by the cardiologist will no longer be available. Acute patients on wards need treatment every day. Multiple clinics are being held every week and people are being referred to Limerick for angiograms,”.
“What will happen if the cardiologist who has given excellent care is now going to be taken away from the hospital? What commitments will the Government give to the future of University Hospital Kerry?”
“We do not want to be the poor relation to Cork in this regard,” he added.
Deputising for the Taoiseach, Tánaiste Simon Coveney said he could only assume that if a cardiologist is leaving, he or she will be replaced quickly and that the process will get underway.
“I will ask the Minister for Health to get back to Deputy Healy-Rae with a specific answer,” he added.
Extension of time sought to apply for public services card
FROM April 9 2018 a person must have a public services card in order to renew their driver licence, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae told the Dáil.
One must arrange an appointment with the social welfare office in order to get the card, he said, adding: “That will be an impossibility for people in places such as Glencar, Sneem, Castlecove, Lauragh and Tuosist”.
“We are told that to get a public services card one must have a current driver’s licence or passport or else one can get it otherwise online. The trouble is that, in the places I have mentioned, there is no line other than a clothes line. It is a fact that there is no broadband. It is a day’s work to leave Glencar or Sneem and go to Kenmare, and one must have an appointment arranged. It is absolutely ridiculous,” said Deputy Healy Rae.
“Heretofore, the Garda could give one an ML10 form and that would have been accepted. Will the Tánaiste extend the deadline of 9 April 2018 to allow people more time to get their public services card?” he asked.
Otherwise, Deputy Healy-Rae said the Government will have to send mobile units around the county of Kerry so that people can get their public services card or else they will not get a driver licence.
In response, Tánaiste Simon Coveney said he would need to consider the deadline and the significance of it.
“The thinking behind a public services card is to make sure we make accessing services easier for people, not more difficult,” he said.
“Once people go to the trouble of getting the public services card, which I know for some may involve travelling, it will allow them access multiple services across the State, including getting passports renewed, driver licences and so on,” said the Tániaste.
Ferris in support of repealing the Eight Amendment
AS legislators, TDs have failed the 3,500 people who make journeys to England to terminate pregnancies each year, Sinn Féin Deputy Martin Ferris told the Dáil.
Speaking during a debate on the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, he said they had also failed the 8,000 or 9,000 people who obtain abortion pills annually.
“We must do the right thing and support repeal before debating what will follow,” he said. “We must empower legislators to do the job they are elected to do.”
“Before I was ever elected, people came to me and told me about having terminations.
“These were young people in particular who had to go on the boat to England for terminations and they had no support on their return. They were hidden and received no counselling or other necessary support,” Deputy Ferris said.
“They were afraid to go for it in case somebody found out about it. There was a stigma attached to it because of a lack of legislation that would help people.”
Deputy Ferris said there was scaremongering by some people that we could open the floodgates, but he had read recently that there are states in America with proper procedures in place and the abortion rates have been reduced to an absolute minimum.
“There are counselling facilities prior to procedures and a delay to allow time for decision-making in order that people can ensure there is no other option,” he said.
“If there is a termination, counselling facilities are provided afterwards to help the people involved. It should be an example to all of us,” Deputy Ferris said.