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SINN FÉIN HAS criticised the Government for the proposed 2012 Health Service Executive (HSE) service plan, details of which were leaked today.
The party’s health spokesperson said that communities across the country will resist the HSE’s plan to close ten publicly-run community nursing homes and 900 beds in 2012.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said today’s report was an “eviction notice” and an early Christmas present from the coalition Government to the “old and the ill in society”.
“On Christmas Eve comes the leak of the HSE’s 2012 service plan with the prospect of ten publicly run community nursing homes being closed down, 900 beds closed and 4,500 medical staff cut,” said Ó Caoláin.
He claimed that the Government and HSE now have an “unwritten policy” to close down public provision of nursing home care for older people.
“If this HSE service plan is implemented then older people will be removed from their homes in 2012. None of this plan should be implemented before the resumption of the Dáil which should have the opportunity to debate and vote on it. In the meantime I urge communities to get organised to resist the threatened closures,” he added.
Earlier today, the Irish Times reported that up to 900 beds in community nursing homes faced closure due to budget cuts at the HSE. The service plan – a legal agreement between the HSE and the State on how the €13 billion health budget is spent – notes that €563 million must be saved during 2012, according to a draft seen by the paper.
The draft plan also outlines cuts to hospital budgets, home-help hours, primary care services and certain elements of mental health care.
Last month, thousands turned out to protest against the closure of the Abbeyleix nursing unit. The home won a reprieve at the High Court so the HSE was forced to quash the proposed closure so consultations could be carried out.
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This is an absolute scandal and all of the people who make up this Government should hang their heads in shame. Picking on the elderly like this is inhuman!
…… while Enda K had no problem giving his pal a E37k pay rise on top of an already E95k salary. No problem finding money for that & doing this to the elderly. Yes – they should hang themselves in shame. Shameful.
Wonder is this another cynical blue-shirt kite flying exercise? If it isnt how can they justify attacking the most vulnerable in society one again? and if it is I wonder do they enjoy worrying people for the sake of politics.
FG have always had a fetish for “taking the hard choices”, it makes them feel decisive and reforming. True to form they continue to protect the very top.
I neglected to add that they rarely consider the effect of their actions or if they are logical. They just have to take hard decisions, that always hit the least able hardest. I left it out because I presumed that it was obvious.
I remember reading a description of FG and FF that went roughly – A FF’ers only aim is to have the road outside his house in good shape, and will drive his kids to the boat while boasting about it and that a FG’ers only concern is that things stay the way they are, for good or bad.
FG’s ideology is too tied in with the old IPP outlook of maintain the status quo at all costs. FF – well FF don’t have an ideology apart from sell their country to the highest bidder. Saying FF’ers have a belief system is like saying the General was an Irish Robin Hood.
Beyond the pale by the Government.
@ Tom,
I am non political, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t comment on an issue that affects the most vunerable people in our society!
Trying to get off the subject matter won’t work and the fact that you are defending Fine Gáel means that you agree with closing nursing homes!
Like all of us, you too will be old one day and I just hope that whoever is in power then, will not be of the same mindset of either you or this Government!
Also remember this too…….The very people who are being treated like second class citizens from the closing of those nursing homes, are the very people who built up this Country and are not responsible for this current crisis, but they are being penalised for the people who did!
It’s an absolute disgrace to close these nursing homes and no amount of rationalising by you or anyone can change that fact!
Derek,
I believe that the actions of men are the greatest interpreters of their thoughts. In short, SF aren’t too bothered about human suffering. While you may think that they have the right to get precious about harsh measures, I don’t.
In short I think SF are hypocritical murderous scumbags. If they cared about human suffering there is no evidence of it. All evidence points to the contrary.
Have a good Christmas.
Caoimhin o’Caolan made this statement- not Gerry. If you want to tar people with the same brush i could mention th facist blueshirts of the past or the “murderous scumbags” of FF during the civil war… You will now say that thats in the past, so is the troubles (we’re even learning it in History!) So do tell who you prefer facist FG, murderous scumbags of FF, OIRA of Labour or PIRA of SF? Selective memory perhaps?
That’s your defense? SF should be excused their murderous past because FG have to break the bad news that the country is financial dire straits? Well, I suppose if you think that way, you’re probably not very rational.
Have a Good and (I appreciate the irony of saying to a Shinner) Peaceful Christmas:)
No Irony at all… Im 16 and probably the only political person in my school not a member of Ogra Shinn Fein so thats that out the window. I also love the fact you call SF hypocritical when you as presumably a FGer call Sinn Fein murderous bastards having committed some of the worst murders imaginable during the civil war (both sides Pro and Anti Treaty) but now trot a moral grandstanding while throwing the most vulnerable in society out of their homes. I attack FG for what they do in Government not their past, as facist so i advise you to do the same with all partys and not have such a selective memory of the past. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, sincerly not sarcastically to you ;D
Sinn Fein are just latching on to populist causes. Responsible media sources won’t fall for it and will not run any stories about the provos. They’re finished before they even begin. Might as well pack your bags and go back to Northern Ireland Gerry. You’re not wanted in THIS country.
He topped the poll so seemingly they did… Troll
Given that SF’s policy is to stop people reaching old age by killing them, I think this is quite funny.
Fiachra, given that FG comfortably brought home two seats in the constituency, I’d say that FG are a tad more popular than Gerry “It’s never the IRA’s fault NO MATTER WHO THEY KILL” Adams.
Nonetheless for such a vicious campaign against him he topped the poll and was elected by the people with one of the highest votes in the country… (to which you will now state some meaningless rant about the IRA). This is not populism to hit out against this and if it is im all for it because no matter what you brand something, if it is the right thing to do, then no amount of slurs should be able to stop it being made.
check mate
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