Des O’Grady

Questions for HSE over new Macroom Health Centre

March 4, 2012 By Editor Leave a Comment

Des O'Grady

QUESTIONS remain to be answered on Macroom’s new health centre which is due to become operational in April, according to local Sinn Féin representative Des O’Grady.

Speaking after the announcement by the HSE that the centre will be fully operational by April Mr O’Grady said “Questions remain to be answered, by the HSE, regarding the move of services from the existing Macroom Health Centre, based in the hospital grounds, to this new centre in the Fairgreen Plaza.

Sinn Féin calls for inquiry into Macroom Youthreach

February 19, 2012 By Editor Leave a Comment

Des O'Grady

SINN Féin representative Des O’Grady has called for a full independent public inquiry into the running of Macroom Youthreach during the years 2008 to 2010. Speaking after news of the difficulties experienced by Macroom Youthreach during those years became public Mr O’Grady said, “As all sides to the dispute have yet to be heard it would not serve the cause of natural justice to have an enquiry based only on the internal auditors report that was presented to County Cork VEC.

“For example the coordinator of Macroom Youthreach from that period did not speak to the VEC internal audit committee.”

Lone Parents targetted in cuts to CE Schemes

January 17, 2012 By Editor 1 Comment

Des O'Grady

OPINION Lone parent households have now been singled out by Labour Party Minister Joan Burton for extra pain.

From Monday 16 January the government has removed concurrent payments for new participants in Community Employment schemes and cut the qualified child payment for existing lone parent CE participants by €29.80 per child per week.

This means that a lone parent taking up a CE place from now on will not receive any extra social welfare payments.

As well as this people who are presently employed on a CE scheme receiving any Lone-Parent Family Social Welfare Payment will loose up to 2 qualified child payments totaling €59.60.

Anti septic-tank charges public meeting in Knockavilla

January 11, 2012 By Editor 4 Comments

Des O'Grady

IT was standing room only in a packed Knockavilla Hall, Innishannon, last night at a public meeting held to oppose the introduction of the government Water Services Amendment Bill.

This Bill which is currently passing through the Oireachtas proposes to introduce a registration fee of €50 for rural households dependent on septic tanks and other waste water systems.

As well as this an inspection system is to be introduced which will leave householders who fail to reach the required standard of waste water quality liable to heavy costs in upgrading their systems.

Macroom must fight any hospital closure proposal

January 6, 2012 By Editor Leave a Comment

Des O'Grady

LOCAL Sinn Féin representative Des O’Grady is calling on people in the Macroom area to resist plans by the HSE to close Macroom Community Hospital.

Responding to reports that community hospitals with less than 50 beds may be targeted for closure Mr O’Grady said, “Strong rumours are circulating in the area that Macroom Community Hospital may be shut down as it is under the 50 bed limit proposed by Minister for Health James O’Reilly.

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Filed Under: Macroom, Politics Tagged With: closure, Des O'Grady, Macroom Community Hospital, threat, West Cork