Political News & Views From Limerick City & County

Neville blasts Government for ‘abandoning’ policy on suicide

LIMERICK Fine Gael Spokesman with special responsibility for Mental Health, Dan Neville TD has issued a statement blasting the Government for “abandoning” its suicide prevention policy.

 

He said the 460 suicides in 2007, representing an increase of 12% on the 2006 numbers, was tragic evidence of the failure to support suicide prevention.

 

Deputy Neville added that, when under-reporting was taken into account, the actual number of suicides could be as high as 600.

 

“It is tragic to see the suicide death toll rising again, following a marginal decline last year. 460 people died by suicide in 2007 with four children under 14 among them.   The number of deaths from undetermined intent, which has also increased, and the under-reporting of suicide means the true number could be as high as 600,” said the Fine Gael TD for West Limerick.

 

“These figures make the Government’s abandonment of its commitment to introduce comprehensive suicide prevention programmes all the more shameful. Preventative responses to suicide need to be embedded into a wide range of areas of societal policy that include education, criminal justice and health,” he added.

Deputy Neville said the detail of the programme to do this is set out in the report ‘Reach Out, the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005-2014’.

 

“However, no extra funding was provided in 2008 to the National Suicide Prevention Office for the implementation of the recommendations of ‘Reach Out’. The allocation of €4.5 million this year is at the same level as 2008 and it’s totally inadequate.

 

Suicide devastates the families it affects and leaves its mark on communities all over Ireland. There has been a lot of talk from Government about tackling it but it’s all too clear that,  where it’s needed most, real political will is absent,” Deputy Neville said.

New ‘text’ service aids parents with scheme

LOCAL TD, Niall Collins has stated a new text service now makes it easier for parents and guardians to find out whether they're entitled to the back to school allowance.

The allowance is aimed at helping them cover the costs of school clothing and footwear ahead of the start of the new term.

 

Deputy Collins has urged eligible parents and guardians in County Limerick to claim the allowance before the September 30 deadline. 

“This year, the Government has earmarked some €46 million to support parents with the costs of clothing and footwear for pupils. Parents or guardians can qualify if the have a dependent child and are receiving a social welfare payment or a Health Service Executive payment or participate on certain approved employment or training schemes,” Deputy Collins said.

 

“It is now easier than ever to receive an application form for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. The new text service now makes it even quicker for parents to apply for the relevant forms. For those who are eligible, you can now apply by text message to request an application form,” he added.

The West Limerick Fianna Fail Deputy explained further that he wanted to remind people who may qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to apply for this service too.

“Parents receive €200 for each eligible child aged between two and 11 years and €305 for each child aged between 12 and 22 years. It's also worth pointing out that €8 million has been provided in my Department's Estimate this year in respect of the School Books Grant Scheme at second level, benefiting about 129,000 students.”

 

“At primary level, the School Books Grant Scheme allocation is €6.3 million, benefiting about 142,000 students. These measures are designed to help families to deal with back-to-school costs at a time of the year when many of them come under financial pressure when it comes to paying for uniforms, footwear and books,” said Deputy Collins.

 

Text FORM BTSCFA, followed by your name and address, to 51909. You can also log onto www.welfare.ie to request a form and there is also a 24-hour LoCall leaflet line number to order forms, 1890-202325. Completed applications should then be sent to your Community Welfare Officer at their local office of the Health Service Executive.

Cregan moves to reassure farmers

LIMERICK TD, John Cregan, has reassured farmers that they will receive payment under the farm waste management scheme this year, despite recent speculation to the contrary.

The Fianna Fail Deputy said he had received some calls from worried farmers in his constituency following media reports, but having spoken to Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith, he had been assured that all payments will proceed as previously outlined. 

 

“I know a lot of farmers in Limerick have been concerned about the issue of payments for the farm waste management scheme. However, I can assure all farmers that they will not have to wait any longer than normal for their payments, despite what some media reports have suggested,” Deputy Cregan said in a statement.

 

“The Department is continuing to process payment claims in respect of the approved work and I have been told by the Department that payment will be made to all farmers who complete the works in accordance with the usual terms and conditions of the scheme.” 

 

“This has been a very successful programme that has been very popular with farmers right around the country and I would hate to see farmers have a negative impression of the scheme because of some inaccurate information that was floating about.  It is probably the largest ever State supported investment in farm infrastructure–with a total of €288m having been paid to date.  Of that total €174.5m has been paid this year alone,” Deputy Cregan added.

 

“I hope this will help ease the fears of any farmers who were worried about receiving payments and put their minds to rest. We can all see the benefits of this programme and I know the Minister has made it a priority for investment so farmers need not worry that their payments will be affected,” Deputy Cregan said.

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