Speaking in the Order of Business on the Neary women settlement.

I welcome the announcement by Minister James Reilly that the thirty five women who were excluded from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme will be compensated. These women were excluded on age grounds alone, having suffered unnecessary oophorectomies (removal of ovaries) at the hands of Michael Neary. Under this new scheme, awards of between 60,000e and 100,000e will be provided to the women.

This is an issue which I have been working on since my appointment to the Seanad over two years ago and during that time I have met with many of the women involved and have seen their distress and hurt both as a result of the unnecessary procedures they endured and also from their exclusion from the redress scheme.
The Programme for Government promised closure on this issue and I am pleased that finally these women can begin to put this distressing chapter of their lives behind them.

 

Speaking in the Seanad in an Adjournment Debate on the cut in funding to Women's Aid in Dundalk

 

My speech and the reply given by Minister of State Alex White

Funding for St John of God services

Speaking yesterday in the Seanad and raising the matter of funding for services provided by St John of God in the North East, following their announcement that they will no longer provide meals for daily service users.

Delighted to attend the launch of the 2012 annual report of the Family Resource Centre National Forum

 With Teresa Morely from Drogheda Connect FRC at the launch of the 2012 annual report of the Family Resource Centre National Forum (FRCNF) on Wednesday, 10^th July 2013 in the Shelbourne Hotel.

Speaking in the Seanad on Wed July 17th, calling on religious congregations to contribute to the fund for Magdalene Laundry women

Speaking on Wednesday in the Seanad

Application Deadline for SUSI grants is August 1st

It may seem like the Leaving Cert has just finished but if you are planning on going to college in the Autumn it is advisable to get started on the grant application process now. The deadline for applications for grants for third level students is fast approaching.
Thursday, August 1st is the final date for new applications for the coming academic year to SUSI.
In Co Louth last year 2224 applications were made to SUSI . Of these 487 applications were incomplete leading to delays in processing.  There are a few very important points to consider to ensure your application proceeds as smoothly as possible.

· Apply early; you do not have to know the course you will be attending to make an application. You will need your PPS number.
· If you are a new student or if you are changing course you should apply through the website www.grantsonline.ie
· Make sure you know how to fill in your application form and what documentation you are going to be asked for during the application process. You can find this information on www.susi.ie and www.studentfinance.ie . Do not send in any documentation until you are requested to do so.
· If you were awarded a grant for 2012/2013 you must log in with the username and password you were given.

· Some helpful contacts are listed below.

SUSI Support Desk:
Email: support@susi.cdvec.ie
Phone: 0761 08 7874
www.susi.ie
facebook.com/susisupport

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT MY OFFICE AT mary.moran@oir.ie or at 01-6183522

Private Members Business in the Seanad: Special Olympics

 

 

Closing remarks;

I am delighted to have presented my Private Member's Motion in the Seanad on Special Olympics this afternoon. I hold Special Olympics very dear to my heart. As many people know my son, Cillian, is a Special Olympics athlete and took part in the track and field event in Kilkenny earlier this year. This was a truly eye-opening experience and a lesson in compassion, sportsmanship and comradery. It filled me with happiness to see that love and support of the athletes families and the commitment of the volunteers. Next year, Cillian will be competing in the Ireland Games in Limerick. This is such a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and my family and for our local club. We're all looking forward to it--no one more so than Cillian.

My motion specifically recognised the tremendous work done by the Special Olympics Ireland organisation, all of the volunteers, the families and most importantly the athletes. I believe that we, as legislators, have to recognise that now is the time to give back to Special Olympics. I will push forward from this motion and urge all government departments to identify where in their department Special Olympics provides a service and alleviates a financial burden in their department. We all have a responsibility for disability not just the Department for Health which my colleague Minister Lynch so eloquently stated during her contribution to the debate.

I was thrilled to welcome Peter O'Brien of Special Olympics Ireland, Jim Kelly parent of the athlete, James to the Seanad for the debate. James and his father Jim have been welcomed to the Houses of the Oireachtas on many occasions but this was a special occasion where they were able to visit together for the first time.

This was a Private Member's Motion about celebration, recognition and most importantly awareness. This motion was not about politics but unfortunately some of my opposition colleagues attempted to make this about their own party agenda and their own personal agenda.

Special Olympics Ireland has achieved so much since the World Games in 2003. I remember the excitement and togetherness that we all felt during that time. I truly believe we showed that our island was a caring island--that we promoted inclusion, equality, teamwork and achievement. I will continue to raise awareness on Special Olympics Ireland and the terrific work they do day in and day out.

Speaking in the Seanad on the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill 2013

Speaking in the Seanad (Monday 15th July) in the Order of Business

My remarks on Minister Richard Bruton's statement regarding the abolition of the Seanad and the possible assigning of savings made to Disability.

Unique arts project "Anonymous" coming to the Market Square, Dundalk on Saturday July 20th

 

 

 

Eamon Quinn, Project Co-ordinator with Louth VEC has contacted me with the following information:

 

On Saturday 20th July between 10am and 4pm in the Market Square Dundalk ALL members of the community are invited to MAKE AN IMPRESSION and GIVE THE THUMBS UP FOR INTEGRATION by leaving their mark on a local work of art.

As part of Louth Meath Education & Training Board’s PEACE III Initiative, ‘Anonymous’ is a unique integrative arts project which aims to recognize identity while celebrating difference. For more information, please click on the following link: https://vimeo.com/69736822

The project will involve the installation of a large open air canvas in the heart of Market Square. Over the course of the day people from all walks of life are invited to come and dip their fingers and thumbs in paint and offer their personal contribution to an original painting. The work on completion will take the form of a black and white profile portrait of an ‘anonymous’ subject and be produced by the combination of collected fingerprints.

As the event’s coordinator Brian McKillop explains, “By fostering creative collaboration between minority groups and the native community the intention behind the project is to represent the uniqueness and diversity inhabiting our society. The open canvas symbolizes the shared social space in which we leave our impressions. As its title suggests, ‘Anonymous’ also reminds us of the darker side of personal and collective identifications which can lead to exclusion and a refusal to acknowledge the rights of others. Most importantly, however, ‘Anonymous’ aims to be a celebration of our collective creative potential. It is an art of the people, by the people, for the people.”

This one of a kind FREE EVENT will include on the day a variety of finger food, face painting for the kids and a spectacular Big Screen montage.

So come along and MAKE AN IMPRESSION and GIVE THE THUMBS UP FOR INTEGRATION!

‘Anonymous’ is supported by the European Union's PEACE III Programme as awarded by Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership.

‘Anonymous’ is to take place at the Market Square, Dundalk on Saturday 20th July from 10am to 4pm, as part of Louth VEC’s PEACE of Art project.

 

EU award for DKIT active and healthy ageing projects

An initiative spearheaded in Louth by two Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) research centres has been named as one of the top projects in Europe at an EU awards ceremony for active and healthy ageing practices.

The DKIT-based Netwell and Casala and Netwell research centres are working alongside Louth County Council, University College Cork and others in what is called the Collaboration on Ageing (COLLAGE).

COLLAGE was among 32 initiatives to be named as a “reference site” by the Commission – but one of only 13 to receive the top three-star status.

The award was accepted in Brussels by Louth County Manager Joan Martin.

EU Commission vice-president Neelie Kroes described the awards as the "Oscars of innovation for ageing" and stressed that COLLAGE and the other recipient projects were paving the way for a healthier and age-friendly society.

“This is fantastic news for County Louth and will see COLLAGE providing professional advice to EU member states and regions for the design of their innovation strategies for smart specialisation and enhancing local ability to access Horizon 2020, Europe’s €70billon flagship research and development programme for 2014-2020,” said Rodd Bond, Director of the Netwell Centre.

"Our regional activities in Louth have established a global reputation for leading new ways in service delivery and collaborations on the ground providing innovative services for older people.

“Working alongside our partners in COLLAGE, we aim to play our part in the EU's aims to increase the average healthy lifespan of Europeans by two years by 2020.

“The emphasis now is on scaling up the projects and applying them throughout Europe.”

Reference sites are examples of a comprehensive, innovation-based approach to active and healthy ageing, such as coalitions of regions, cities, integrated hospitals, primary, community and third party care organisations that are able to demonstrate their impact and show particular innovative practices which could be transferred to other European contexts.

Website: http://www.collage-ireland.eu/

Picture shows Louth County Manager Joan Martin receiving Reference Site award from EU Vice-President Neelie Kroes

 

New JobsPlus Scheme is good news for long-term unemployed

 

 

 The new JobsPlus Scheme recently annnounced by Labour Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, will incentivise employers and businesses to hire people who are long-term unemployed and on the live register.

 

I believe the announcement of the new JobsPlus Scheme represents the willingness of the Labour Party and Government to listen to the concerns of employers when it comes to incentives and supports that are available to them.  This new scheme will offer businesses up to €10,000 for hiring people who are long-term unemployed and financially incentivises employers to offer full-time employment.  This new JobsPlus Scheme has the potential to reward small and medium sized businesses in Co. Louth.

 

This comes closely on the heels of the announcement last month that 6 new courses will be offered in Dundalk Institute of Technology which were selected based on the demand in the jobs market.  Both of these announcements complement each other well--we are now offering the tools and skills needed for those seeking employment while also incentivising the employers in the local area.

 

Louth has been the recipient of a few important jobs announcements and I believe that if we want to continue to attract business and employment to our county, schemes like this in conjunction with opportunities to up-skill and re-train, are crucial.

Louth Business Awards: Get your nominations in!

The Louth Business Awards are looming and the closing date for receipt of nominations is August 16. Dundalk Chamber of Commerce has teamed up this year with the School of Business and Humanities in DKIT and winners in certain categories will win €20,000 worth of mentoring, market research and advice.

Companies can nominate themselves or another company in 4 or the 15 categories.


The categories are;
Best Retail Premises for both Exterior and Interior Visual Impact
Special Community Group Award
Age Friendly Award
Business Growth Award
Best Exporter of the year Award
Best Pub/Bar
Best New Business under 3 years
Best Training Initiative
Best Tourist Attraction
Dundalk's Best High Growth SME
Best Business Website
Best Use of Internet Technology
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Best Hair Salon Award

The short list will be announced on Sept 2 with the awards taking place on Oct 19.

Nomination forms are available from Brenda in Dundalk Chamber at 042-9336343 or you can enter online at www.dundalk.ie/awards

Congratulations to Amy Broadhurst on her Gold Medal

Warmest congratulations to local girl Amy Broadhurst on her stunning gold medal win in the EU Women's Boxing Championships in Hungary at the weekend. Amy is a member of Dealgan Boxing Club and will now begin preparations for the World Championships in Russia, which takes place in November


Amy pictured on the Right with her award.

Speaking against the Abolition of the Seanad 03.07.13

Here I spoke on the values of the Seanad and why reformation of the Seanad should be considered instead of its abolishment.

Speaking during Order of Business 02.07.13

Here I spoke during the Order of business following the publication of a report that has criticised the HSE following cases in which children were left without an allocated social worker, despite numerous reports of neglect

Speaking on 27.06.13 Order of Business

Her I asked for a debate to be introduced to the Seanad about the appalling lack of Hospice Respite beds available in Ireland at this time.

Calling on Minister Reilly to Release a statement on the Walsh Report

Speaking during the Order of Business on 26 June 2013, I welcome the news that there will be compensation made available by the State to the 700 women who were subjected to abuse in Magdalen Laundries all over the Country.
I also call on Minister Reilly to make a statement on the publication of the Walsh Report and urge him to furnish a date on which the report shall be available detailing the case of survivors of Symphysiotomy.