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O’ROURKE WELCOMES ADDITIONAL HOME SUPPORT HOURS

Frank O’Rourke TD has welcomed the one million additional home support hours which was announced in Budget 2020 but stated that more needs to be done to tackle long waiting lists for Home Care hours

“Leading up to Budget 2020, our Fianna Fáil negotiating team pushed hard to secure additional home help hours. The additional one million hours will go some way towards easing waiting times but more is needed.”

“Families seeking home care packages contact me on a weekly basis. There has been an increased in the number of people seeking home care packages and we need extra resources to meet the demand.

“Fianna Fáil introduced the Home Care Package in 2006 and fully appreciates its value. Enabling care for people in their own home is a win win for everyone. It is generally the preferred choice for older people and their families and it save the Government money. “

“A crisis in home care supports has escalated over the past year. The service has been unable to keep pace with the demand and while the additional hours announced in the budget is a welcome step in the right direction, we need to see more resources for home care packages.”

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O’ROURKE CALLS FOR INCREASED HALLOWEEN GARDA PRESENCE

Frank O’Rourke TD has called for increased Garda Patrols over the Halloween period to address the concerns of residents throughout North Kildare in relation to anti-social behaviour.

Frank said he had made representations to have increased Garda Patrols in North Kildare over the Halloween period in local parks and open spaces and that the Garda Commissioner needs to provide the Garda with the resources needed.

“Increased Garda patrols to tackle Public Order issues with particular emphasis placed on our local parks and open areas to prevent and minimise anti-social and criminal activity over the Halloween period.”

“The Halloween period can be a disruptive time for the community with increased anti-social behaviour taking place. We need to protect the community from the negative effects of this behaviour and increased Garda patrols will assist.”

“While Halloween can be fun time, unfortunately it can be a nightmare for some, due to the actions of a few. Older people, pets and families can be most vulnerable to the anti social behaviour of a few.”

“I know that many are concerned about bonfire materials being stockpiled in advance of Halloween. The Air Pollution Act 1987 prohibits the disposal of waste by uncontrolled burning. This law should be a deterrent for such activity.”

“Halloween is the busiest night for the fire brigade and emergency services, increased Garda activity and patrols will, in my view, minimise the anti-social behaviour element of Halloween and allow more people enjoy this time of year.”

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O’ROURKE WELCOMES FUNDING FOR ABBEY COMMUNITY SERVICE

Frank O’Rourke, has been informed by the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Catherine Byrne TD, that Celbridge Abbey Community Project is to receive additional funding of €35,000.
Frank had made strong representations and had many meetings on their behalf to have funding approved.

“Earlier this year, I met with the Board of the Abbey Community to discuss the requirement for funding for 2019. We had secured some additional funding towards the end of 2018. An extensive proposal for funding was submitted to the Department for their consideration. I fully supported this proposal.”

“I have now been informed that funding of €35,000 is now approved for Celbridge Abbey Community Project.”

“The Abbey Community Project is providing a very valuable service for the people of North Kildare. It is providing a much needed mental health service with dual diagnosis for many people.”

“Given that the state is referring people to the Abbey Project in Celbridge, it is only right that state funding be provided to the Project. The reality is if the Abbey Community Project didn’t exist or closed its doors tomorrow, the state agencies wouldn’t be able to deal with the high demand for the services.” stated Deputy O’Rourke.

“The Celbridge Abbey Community Project opened in 2007, the staff is very passionate about the services that they provide through the Project. I know that through the Project’s valuable work, lives are being saved.”.

“I raised the requirement for funding in the Dáil with the Taoiseach and I was subsequently contacted by the Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy Catherine Byrne TD , who has now confirmed this additional funding.”

“The provision of treatment services in Kildare has been identified as a priority by both the Government and the HSE. It is now time that the state financially supports the Abbey Community Project.”

 

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O’ROURKE CRITICISES DROP IN KILDARE RESPITE NIGHTS

Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North, Frank O’Rourke, has criticised a 17% decrease in the number of respite nights available in the Kildare – West Wicklow are

Frank was commenting as new figures provided to Fianna Fáil show that in Kildare – West Wicklow there were 7,064 respite overnights in 2015 but just 5,808 in 2018 – a drop of over 1,200.

“Nationally there has been a drop of some 26,523 respite overnights for people with disabilities between 2015 and 2018 – representing a 14.3% decrease. This comes as the numbers requesting overnight respite continues to rise.” Continue reading “O’ROURKE CRITICISES DROP IN KILDARE RESPITE NIGHTS”

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O’ROURKE RAISES WAITING TIMES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS

Frank O’Rourke TD spoke on the unacceptable waiting times for children with special needs requirements in getting an appointment for an Assessment of Needs with the HSE.

Waiting times average 2 years and the delay in any diagnosis has a knock on effect at a critical stage in a child’s development, causing further delays in accessing essential services and supports, such as Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech and Language Therapy.

You watch Frank speak here