Further to media reports that have emerged over the weekend it has been suggested that the Government are considering scrapping the grant for postgraduate students as it currently exists. I am totally opposed to any cuts to grants or student supports or the increasing of fees. Any such cuts would be hugely illogical and unfair to the countless students who are seeking to further their education and increase their employability.

Many students upon completing a degree have found it simply impossible to gain any meaningful employment. They therefore make the difficult decision to return to college and undertake a challenging postgraduate course either to increase their employment prospects in their original course of study or to branch out and diversify in the hopes of then securing employment in a different field. Similarly many people who have been made redundant return to education to upskill. It is absolutely unconscionable to cut all the supports available to such people when they are seeking to further their prospects and the prospects of their families.

The grant in its current form allows those who are undertaking a postgraduate to apply for grant aid which is then assessed on their income for the previous year. There are various levels of grant aid available dependent on the level of income. This grant can be worth in excess of €6,000 in certain instances. If the media reports are indeed true we will move from this level of support to a situation where the government will provide absolutely no support for postgraduate students.

This is particularly galling for students given the fact that our current Education Minister, Minister Quinn had signed a pledge prior to the election which stated that if he was elected he would not cut the student grant or increase fees. This promise was a corner stone of his, and of Fine Gael and Labour’s election campaign. Too many election promises have been broken. The time has come for Minister Quinn to stand by his pre-election promise to all students.

It is my belief, and it has been stated time and time again, that in order to move forward from our current economic difficulties we need a highly educated, skilled and diverse work force. We need a knowledge based economy to develop and grow as a nation. Despite this the current government are planning on making access to education increasingly more difficult. If the supports for postgraduate courses are cut we will find ourselves in a situation whereby postgraduate courses are only available to those who are well off.

I am joining with the USI in standing against any cuts to the student grant scheme. I have sought clarification from Minister Quinn on this issue and I look forward to his response.

To ask the Minister for Health his views on the following issues in respect of Nenagh General Hospital, County Tipperary; the effect that the lack of non consultant hospital doctors will have on Nenagh General Hospital, most notably on the intensive care unit and the accident and emergency unit (details supplied); if he will give assurances regarding the security of these units; the effect that the lack of non consultant hospital doctors will have on Limerick Regional Hospital, most notably on the accident and emergency department; if he will give assurances regarding the security of such into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

                                                                                           - Michael Lowry

REPLY.

I am committed to ensuring that acute hospital services at national, regional and local level are provided in a clinically appropriate and efficient manner. In particular I want to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely in smaller, local hospitals. I have also made it clear that patient safety must be the overriding priority. I want patients to be treated at the lowest level of complexity that is safe, timely, and efficient and as near to home as possible.  However, ongoing reform of the system will require some changes in how care is delivered in some locations across our health system.

I am conscious of the Deputy’s concern in relation to the retention of services at the hospitals in the Mid West Region that he refers to in advance of the next rotation of Non-Consultant Hospitals Doctors (NCHDs).  The position is, however, that the shortage of suitable NCHDs is an issue in many European countries.  In this context I am working with the HSE and other stakeholders to ensure the filling of as many as possible of some 475 NCHD posts which are due to be filled from 11th July 2011. The HSE conducted an extensive recruitment drive in India and Pakistan in recent months and succeeded in identifying 439 potential candidates for NCHD positions in Ireland.  I have held meetings involving my Department, the Medical Council, medical training bodies and the HSE with a view to identifying measures to facilitate the appointment of suitably-qualified doctors from abroad.  Drafting of a Bill to amend the Medical Practitioners Act, 2007, to enable the Medical Council to register doctors in supervised posts for a defined period, is being finalised.

The HSE is focusing on addressing particular staffing issues in a number of hospitals including in the Mid West Region particularly Limerick Regional given that it provides the regional 24 hour seven day week ED service.  The HSE has assured me that this service will continue to be provided.

Notwithstanding this, it is unlikely that all NCHD vacancies nationally can be filled by 11th July. Hospital management are working with Clinical Directors in a planned way to devise contingency arrangements which can be implemented, if required, to ensure that any resulting impact on services is minimised and that safe delivery of hospital services is assured.

According to figures just released from the Central Statistics Office unemployment across the constituency is still on the increase. These figures show that those on the live register for North Tipperary has now reached 7,965 an increase of almost 400 people since the corresponding May figures, while the South Tipperary and Offaly figures show a similar increase. Nationally there is a slight increase in the standardized unemployment rate.  

These figures reflect the increased anxiety, uncertainty and distress that many people are facing on a daily basis.

Behind these figures lie real stories of families and individuals affected by unemployment. On a daily basis these individuals face hardship and struggle to make ends meet and all through no fault of their own. This news that unemployment is still on the increase, is devastating for them and for our economy. 

Many of our young people are forced to emigrate to gain meaningful employment. This is causing real distress to countless families. In addition as a result of this we are losing some of our brightest talents and most educated and innovative minds. We cannot recover while such a brain drain continues.

This follows the publication of figures from the central statistics office which highlights the gravity of our current jobs situation. The number signing on to the live register has now hit 14.8%. The standardized unemployment rate has risen by 0.1%, a figure which may sound low but in fact equates to another 2,600 being forced to sign on to the live register across the country. This figure is even starker given the fact that the corresponding figures from May 2010 show a standardized unemployment rate of 13.2%.   

The figures for North Tipperary and Offaly County are similarly weak. In the last month unemployment in North Tipperary has risen by approximately a further 200 people with the figures in Offaly rising on a similar gradient. The live register has risen in both Nenagh and Thurles and is down by only a slight margin in Roscrea. The past few months had seen minor decreases in these figures but they have now jumped to the highest level this year.

These figures are simply devastating and that is without taking into account the ravaging effects emigration has had on our country. Countless of our young people have been forced to leave our shores in the hopes of securing work and employment and progressing their careers. I have particularly seen its effects across our constituency with heartbroken parent left behind. Emigration is a serious national problem that requires specific, dedicated and co-coordinated attention at a national level.

We need to establish conditions that enable employers not only to sustain the jobs already in existence but to encourage growth and the creation of new jobs. As I predicted before the election there will be no quick fix to this problem. There is no easy remedy for the panacea of problems we face. This problem requires a national effort to allow us to move forward.

The Lowry Team, spearheaded by Councillor Evelyn Nevin, aided by Town Clerk Michael Ryan and the Tipperary Centre for Independent Living, is undertaking a new project to make Thurles Swimming Pool accessible to all people regardless of physical disability or lack of mobility.

The recently renovated Thurles Swimming Pool currently has a hoist that caters to those who are wheelchair bound but unfortunately it is not adequate for those with more significant physical impairment, such as stroke victims, the elderly, and those with substantial physical disabilities. The Lowry team is therefore committed to raising the €40,000 that is approximated as being required to extend the state of the art facilities at Thurles Swimming Pool to include a state of the art hoist that can be used by all. Also included in the plans is a specialist changing area for people with disabilities, new toilets and showering area and minor alterations to increase accessibility.  

However in order to make this project become a reality a considerable sum must be raised. Councillor Nevin has called on people of all ages to get involved and to partake in the Moyne Mini-Marathon to help with this cause.

“We are calling on people of all ages to join with us to help raise funds for this worthwhile cause. We have already received unbelievable support at this early stage. Both myself and a team of supporters will be undertaking to walk or run the Moyne Mini Marathon on the 6^th of June in aid of this project. A group of 70 students from the Ursuline Convent, Thurles have also agreed to partake in this event to raise funds for the new hoist. Anybody who wishes to get involved should contact Michael Lowry’s constituency office on (0504)22022 for entry forms and sponsorship cards or to give a donation. By giving just a few hours of your time over the bank holiday weekend we can make a huge difference.” 

“The current facilities at Thurles Swimming Pool are at an incredibly high standard and I commend all those involved in renovating the pool. It has been a huge asset to our community. We are now seeking to ensure that everyone in our community is free to enjoy and share this incredible facility on our doorstep. Swimming is known to be a huge benefit to those suffering with a physical disability. It is both therapeutic and has huge health benefits. It is a great source of exercise and physiotherapy. We have had expert advice from Ms. Kate Ryan an occupational therapist who has advised us on the many benefits of swimming and the best way to alter the pools current facilities to increase accessibility.”  

“I’d like to thank all those who have so far been instrumental in driving the project to the stage it is currently at. We literally would not have gotten this far without the help and expertise of countless people, from occupational therapists, to the pool manager and staff to architects and beyond.”

Deputy Lowry added

“This is a very exciting and worthwhile project and one that I am delighted to be involved in. This service will be a huge benefit to the people of Thurles and the surrounding areas. A new hoist and changing facilities will make our pool accessible to all. I would like to commend all those lending their expertise to this project, most especially Councillor Nevin for her continued dedication to our community, and specifically to those with special needs.”

“The importance of such a hoist cannot be underestimated and I am delighted to confirm that project is processing quickly and work is due to commence this weekend”.