I have received confirmation from the Health Service Executive that a capital submission for a new Oncology Day Unit at Cavan General Hospital was considered recently by the National Capital and Property Steering Group.

The HSE state that this capital project will be considered for inclusion in the Capital Plan for 2023 and that the prioritisation process will commence shortly.

This welcome reply from the HSE follows on from Parliamentary Questions I tabled in Dáil Éireann highlighting the need to progress this project in view of the inadequate accommodation facilities at Cavan General Hospital at present.

I also spoke to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly T.D., about the great value and importance of these cancer services for large numbers of patients in #Cavan #Monaghan and neighbouring areas and the resultant pressure on staff who work extremely hard in outdated accommodation.

12/10/2022

Cavan and Monaghan to hold five pop up COVID-19 clinics as part of the HSE’s Winter Vaccination Programme offering primary vaccinations and adapted bivalent mRNA booster doses to eligible cohorts.

This winter both Flu and COVID-19 viruses are expected to circulate and vaccination is proven to be the best protection against these viruses.

New adapted COVID-19 vaccines are now being offered as booster doses.  People aged 29 years and younger will be offered Pfizer booster vaccines, and those aged 30 years or older will be offered Moderna booster vaccines when attending for their booster vaccination in line with NIAC recommendations.

Please see following table for eligibility and COVID-19 vaccine course. 

The first three clinics take place Monday 10^th, Tuesday 11^th and Saturday 15^th October in Drumalee GAA Clubhouse, St. Felim’s Park, Drumalee, Cavan, H12 DY88.

The fourth clinic will be held on Wednesday 12^th October in St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Broad Rd, Mullaghmonaghan, Co. Monaghan, H18 VK77.

The fifth clinic will be held on Thursday 13^th October in Iontas Centre, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, A75 HK09.

You can book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment online at www.hse.ie/book or you can walk-in to the centre. There are different times offered for different age cohorts, therefore please ensure you book/walk-in to the correct clinic for your age.

Operational Site Manager for Cavan and Monaghan COVID-19 Vaccination Services Paula Loughran said “As the months turn colder we need to think of how best to protect ourselves and those around us.  We are urging people to top up their protection for the winter ahead and get their next COVID-19 vaccination at any of our upcoming pop up clinics across Cavan and Monaghan.”

ENDS

Media queries to:

Communications Department,

Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo

Email: cho1.comms@hse.ie 

7^th October 2022

Good discussions with the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland regarding the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill.
Joao Soares General Manager Shannonside NorthernSound outlined to my Oireachtas colleague Senator Diarmuid Wilson and myself the particular issues of concern to the independent broadcasters including the need for a substantial reduction in the broadcasting levy.
Independent radio, with its very strong share of the radio market, provides a great service to communities throughout the country through its local radio network and their coverage of so many aspects of every day life including sports, news and current affairs.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has called for Government support to urge major retailers and processing companies to give fair pricing to pig and poultry farmers for their produce, given the difficulties the sector is facing at present.

In a question to Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue in Dáil Eireann, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “I believe clear messaging from the Government to the meat processing companies and the major retailers to offer adequate prices to the farmers of the impacted sector is required urgently.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “The pig and poultry sector is facing chronic difficulties at the moment and in order for the industry to survive these farmers and farm families deserve to be rewarded appropriately for the hard work they put into their produce.”

In response, Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue stated that while prices paid to farmers or charged to consumers are not controlled by Government and are, obviously, subject to market demands, “it is critically important that farm families and food producers are treated fairly.”

The Minister continued: “The establishment of the Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain is one of my priorities as Minister, and I am confident it will be an advocate and provide a voice for farmers, fishers, growers and other food businesses all along the agricultural and food supply chain.

“I am pleased to have announced this week that the recruitment process for the CEO of the new Office has begun. By having the competition in parallel with the legislative process, I want to ensure that the Office is up and running as early as possible.”

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has welcomed an update on the opening of funding applications to the 2021-27 PEACEPLUS cross-border EU programme, which is due shortly in the months ahead.

Following further parliamentary questions in Dáil Eireann, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “I have been informed by my colleague, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, that the first funding calls under PEACEPLUS will open for application before the end of 2022.

“The cross-border programme has a total funding package of some €1.1bn and is available to community groups and statutory agencies to submit applications.”

The draft PEACEPLUS programme has been developed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), working in close cooperation with my Department and with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, and is now at its final stage of development. Having been approved by the Government, by the Northern Ireland Executive and by the North South Ministerial Council during the autumn of 2021, the draft programme was formally approved and adopted by the European Commission in July 2022.

The Cavan and Monaghan TD continued: “According to Minister McGrath, work is now ongoing to finalise the Financing Agreement between the EU, the UK and Ireland which is required for PEACEPLUS. It is anticipated that this process will be completed in sufficient time to allow for the first funding calls under PEACEPLUS to open for application before the end of 2022.”

In his response to Deputy Smith, the Minister added: “However, even in advance of this, the importance of this funding reaching the ground as rapidly as possible is clearly recognised by all parties involved in the development of the new programme. On this basis, a programme of pre-development support is currently being implemented by the SEUPB. This will assist potential applicants under PEACEPLUS to deliver high quality applications once funding calls open. Work is also ongoing to establish and convene a Programme Monitoring Committee for PEACEPLUS in order to approve programme rules, as well as the first draft funding calls for the new programme.

“These steps will ensure that PEACEPLUS can open for funding applications at the earliest possible stage over the months ahead, following completion of a Financing Agreement for the programme.”

Five pop up COVID-19 clinics, offering the adapted bivalent COVID-19 booster to eligible cohorts, will be held across Cavan Monaghan next week.

The clinics, which will take place in Cavan Town, Ballyjamesduff, Monaghan and Carrickmacross, will also be offering primary doses of the COVID19 vaccine.

In line with NIAC recommendations, people aged 29 years and younger will be offered Pfizer booster vaccines, and those aged 30 years or older will be offered Moderna booster vaccines when they attend for their booster vaccination.  All those who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine but have not yet received it, are encouraged to come forward as soon as possible.

The first and second clinics take place Monday 3^rd and Tuesday 4^th October in Drumalee GAA Clubhouse, St. Felim’s Park, Drumalee, Cavan, H12 DY88.

Vaccines available are:

• Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccines for those aged 30+ years
• Second boosters for those aged 30 – 49 years deemed medically vulnerable
• Second booster for those aged 50 years and over
• Booster vaccines for Healthcare workers 30+ years
  
   
  
   

The third clinic will be held in Old Courthouse, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan, A82F1WE on Friday 7^th October.

Vaccines available are:

• Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccines for those aged 30+ years
• Second boosters for those aged 30 – 49 years deemed medically vulnerable
• Second booster for those aged 50 years and over
• Booster vaccines for Healthcare workers 30+ years
  
   

The fourth clinic will be held on Wednesday 5^th October in St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Broad Rd, Mullaghmonaghan, Co. Monaghan, H18 VK77.

Vaccines available are:

• Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccines for those aged 30+ years
• Second boosters for those aged 30 – 49 years deemed medically vulnerable
• Second booster for those aged 50 years and over
• Booster vaccines for Healthcare workers 30+ years
• Dose 1, Dose 2 for those aged 5 – 11 years
• Booster 1 for those aged 5-11 years that are Immunocompromised.
  
   
  
   

The fifth clinic will be held on Saturday 8^th October in Primary Healthcare Centre, Oriel Rd, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, A81 C642

Vaccines available are:

• Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccines for those aged 30+ years
• Second boosters for those aged 30 – 49 years deemed medically vulnerable
• Second booster for those aged 50 years and over
• Booster vaccines for Healthcare workers
• Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccines for those aged 12 – 29 years
  
   
  
   
  
   

While walk in’s are welcome, we would encourage people to book their appointment at www.hse.ie to ensure a suitable time and for the easy flow of the centre.

30^th September 2022

HSE Media Release

Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo

I welcome the approval of funding under the Shared Initiative Local Authority Development Funding Scheme for Cavan and Monaghan County Councils to progress a number of important projects for both counties.

The applications were submitted by Cavan and Monaghan County Councils in partnership with neighbouring local authorities in Northern Ireland.

The successful projects include a proposal by

• Cavan County Council to advance a series of interlinked capital works at two iconic sites in the border region, Castle Saunderson, Co. Cavan and Castle Caldwell, Co. Fermanagh. 
• Cavan County Council to build on the views and traditions of all communities around Cuilcagh Mountain and shape a plan based on regenerative tourism, sustainable recreation, climate smart conservation, interpretation, and community partnership.
• Monaghan County Council; Development of Sectoral SME innovation clusters and cross-border collaborative networks across five Local Authority areas
• Monaghan County Council Feasibility Of Restoring A Necklace of “Peace LANDS – Peatlands” along the East Border Region
• Monaghan County Council Development study for Sliabh Beagh – a rural, mountainous area which straddles north Monaghan, Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Work will identify a range of products to create a package of interventions to support the development of sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation on Sliabh Beagh.
• Monaghan County Council Feasibility study for LA’s to develop zero carbon HGV roadmaps

I very much welcome this funding which has been enabled by the establishment of the Shared Island Initiative by An Taoiseach.  I was very glad to support both of our local authorities in their detailed applications for grain aid. 

An Taoiseach and Minister Darragh O’Brien are to be commended on enabling the local authorities to prepare very worthwhile projects that will benefit communities both North and South.

Listing below –

Five pop up COVID-19 clinics, will be held in Cavan Town, Ballyjamesduff, Monaghan and Castleblayney next week offering both primary and booster vaccination doses to eligible cohorts. Protection from previous primary vaccine doses or a COVID-19 infection decreases over time. The best way to protect yourself, your family and the wider community during the winter months ahead, is to continue to embrace the booster campaign. The right vaccine is the one you are offered now, a booster can prevent the possibility of hospitalisation or death from a COVID-19 illness. 

The first and second clinics take place Monday 26^th September and Tuesday 27^th September in Drumalee GAA Clubhouse, St. Felim’s Park, Drumalee, Cavan, H12 DY88.

Vaccines available are:

• Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccines for those aged 12 + years
• Second boosters for those aged 12- 49 years deemed medically vulnerable
• Second booster for those aged 50 years and over
• Booster vaccines for Healthcare workers

The third clinic will be held in Old Courthouse, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan on Friday 30^th September.

Vaccines available are:

• Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccines for those aged 12 + years
• Second boosters for those aged 12- 49 years deemed medically vulnerable
• Second booster for those aged 50 years and over
• Booster vaccines for Healthcare workers
• Dose 1, Dose 2 for those aged 5 – 11 years
• Booster 1 for those aged 5-11 years that are Immunocompromised.

The fourth clinic will be held on Wednesday 28^th September in St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Broad Rd, Mullaghmonaghan, Co. Monaghan, H18 VK77.

Vaccines available are:

• Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccines for those aged 12 + years
• Second boosters for those aged 12- 49 years deemed medically vulnerable
• Second booster for those aged 50 years and over
• Booster vaccines for Healthcare workers

The fifth clinic will be held on Thursday 29^th September in Iontas Centre, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, A75 HK09.

Vaccines available are:

• Dose 1, Dose 2, and booster vaccines for those aged 12 + years
• Second boosters for those aged 12- 49 years deemed medically vulnerable
• Second booster for those aged 50 years and over
• Booster vaccines for Healthcare workers

While walk in’s are welcome, we would encourage people to book their appointment at www.hse.ie to ensure a suitable time and for the easy flow of the centre.

Operational Site Manager for the Cavan Monaghan COVID-19 Vaccination Service Paula Loughran said “As we enter the autumn/winter season, it is important that you keep up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines, as protection from previous doses or a COVID-19 infection may weaken over time.  We would urge people to avail of the opportunity to get either their primary or booster vaccinations at any of our upcoming pop up clinics across Cavan and Monaghan”.

ENDS

23^rd September 2022

HSE Media Release

Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has once again urged the Minister for Finance to step up immediate engagement with the Financial Services Union (FSU) and the Central Bank to ensure people can be assisted in transferring their bank accounts from Ulster Bank in a realistic timeframe before its closure.

Deputy Brendan Smith, questioning Minister Paschal Donohoe in Dáil Eireann on the matter, commented, “At the end of August, only 24% of customers had closed their accounts, which means 76% of people had yet to do so, with only 40% of the timeframe remaining. It is not practical to think this process of migrating huge numbers of accounts will be completed by the end of April next year. 

“I accept that the Central Bank, which is in consultation with the two banks, cannot issue an edict, but it has to discuss what is realistic and what will happen. The last thing we need to see is accounts being closed automatically because people have not been able to meet the deadline.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD continued: “I know some very IT-literate people who could not transfer their accounts and set up new ones online. Some of them sought and got meetings in banks. Individual officials in various financial institutions have been helpful when people have got appointments, but the banks have not provided the additional personnel to their branches that they promised to provide.”

Deputy Smith added: “I urge ongoing contact with the Financial Services Union, which has a great overview of what is happening at branch level and throughout the State. The Central Bank has indicated that staffing within the banks is not adequate and has questioned how realistic the timeframe is. 

“The Irish Farmers Association also has concerns. A large number of farmers will get payments from the middle of October and many of them do not have their new accounts in place. Similarly, Age Action Ireland has expressed concerns about people who have not had the opportunity to become familiar with IT and who are not able to open accounts on a personal basis. These are issues on which the Central Bank and the Department need to keep a constant eye and vigilance,” concluded Deputy Smith.

In response, Minister Donohoe stated that the Central Bank and his Department will continue to monitor the matter closely, calling it “a very big project that matters deeply to those consumers and bank users that will switch banks”. The Minister added that AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB must do all they can to have the staff ready, stating that at least one of the banks is planning to be open for four Saturdays in a row to get ready for this change, but that the Central Bank and his department will continue to engage in this matter because it is the “biggest change to happen for many consumers of banking services in Ireland for a long time”.

ENDS

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has again called on the Government to act in the Budget to support both local and national newspapers to ensure the continued viability of the sector.

In a question to Minister for Communications, Eamon Ryan in Dáil Eireann, Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “Despite our differences with newspapers at times, they contribute enormously to democratic, social, cultural, sporting, economic and business life. The journalism produced by the news publishers who are members of NewsBrands Ireland and Local Ireland is read by 82% of the population. 

“Significantly, this represents four out of five adults. The viability of these publications and associated jobs is at stake. The Government must act in this budget by helping to ensure the continued viability of this sector. People must not be subjected to a reliance on unregulated social media for information and news, or, in many instances, misinformation and fake news.”

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “Ireland is one of the few countries that impose a high level of tax on print and digital newspapers. NewsBrands Ireland and Local Ireland, representing our national and regional newspapers, such as The Anglo-Celt and The Northern Standard, have cogently outlined the crucial need to reduce the VAT rate on newspapers, in print and digital formats, to 0%.”

In response, Minister Ryan agreed with Deputy Smith’s assertions and stated that he believed that “if we become reliant on social media feeds where we only hear from people of the same views, that will result in a deepening sense of division and a coarsening of society”, adding: “It will lead to a disparaging of other people in a way that is not good for our health, our souls or our future.”

The Minister also spoke of the “threats that exist in the social media environment if it is not a space for regulated journalism that asks the hard questions”, adding that newspapers provide a different perspective and present different information in a way that is mediated by professional journalists and this is why it is important that they survive and continue to develop to fulfill this critical role in our democracy.

ENDS