FIANNA FÁIL LAUNCHES NATIONAL POLICY ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

Posted on 31/10/12 by Averil Power

Fianna Fáil has launched targeted proposals to promote positive youth mental health within the education system and reduce the alarmingly high rate of suicide among young people.  

The author of the document, Fianna Fáil Seanad Spokesperson on Education Averil Power, has said that mental health is the most critical health issue facing young people in Ireland.

“Up to one in four students at any given time experience psychological problems. For some the cause may be a psychiatric illness, while for others it is bullying, problems at home or difficulties coming to terms with their body image or sexual orientation. The fact that Ireland’s youth suicide rate is now the fourth highest in Europe clearly shows that we are not doing nearly enough to help our young people to cope with such problems,” said Senator Power.

 “The proposals launched today are designed to greatly enhance the role that our education system plays in promoting positive mental health and equipping young people with coping skills. They also aim to ensure the availability of community-based youth mental health support services in all counties so that young people requiring specialist help can access this directly or through their schools.”

The proposals include:

• A focus on positive mental health promotion at all levels of the education system, from pre-school to third level;
• The implementation of effective strategies to tackle bullying in all its forms, including cyber bullying, with a major emphasis on peer support and students being encouraged to stand up for classmates who are being bullied;
• All schools and colleges to have their own mental health promotion plans, with students, staff and parents being involved in the development and implementation of these plans;
• Each school to put in place a care team to oversee the implementation of its mental health initiatives, to be made up of staff, students, parents and appropriate external bodies such as professional mental health workers and local youth services;
• A national ‘Positive Schools’ initiative, similar to the ‘Green Schools’ programme with schools being awarded ‘Positive Schools Flags’ for promoting mental health and having effective strategies to tackle bullying and support students experiencing mental health difficulties;
• A reversal of the Government’s decision to abolish dedicated guidance counsellor allocations for schools, which has dramatically reduced access for young people to counselling supports;
• Headstrong to be funded to establish a Jigsaw centre in every county so that young people can get access to appropriate professional support in a welcoming environment;
• A greater emphasis in schools on the importance of physical exercise and diet to students’ mental well-being and a focus on ensuring that all students, particularly those in exam years, get the recommended number of hours of PE classes;

The proposals have been developed following an extensive consultation process, including a Fianna Fáil national conference on youth mental health last June, subsequent meetings with mental health organisations, teachers and students and a public meeting in Sutton, Dublin last month.

Huge Delays with Student Grants!

 Posted 31st October 2012 by Cllr Frankie Keena

This week Cllr. Frankie Keena said that he has deep concerns about the alarming rate of third level grant applications that have been refused so far this year and the massive backlog in unprocessed applications.

This was confirmed last week by Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn by answering a parliamentary question in the Dail when he stated that 72% of the grant applications processed so far this year have been refused. In addition to this, 78% of applicants are still waiting to hear back from the Department of Education. It is nearly November and there are still approximately 52,000 students waiting to hear if they will receive a grant, he said.

It seems unbelievable to me that the Department are turning away nearly 3 out of every 4 applicants that are processed so far and it is becoming clear that the new SUSI system is riddled with problems. This system was designed to speed up the administering of third-level grants, but it is not delivering, he stated.

 I am receiving a lot of representations from parents who are anxious to know if they will get a grant for their sons or daughters , it is wrong that they are being left in limbo two months into the college year, declared Cllr. Keena.

 I am now calling on the Education Minister to urgently explain these massive delays and alarming rate of rejections. When the SUSI system was launched, Minister Quinn said the process would be ‘quick and easy’ and that it would end the possibility of students facing ‘undue hardship as a result of delays’. Instead we have a situation where tens of thousands of students across the country are still in the dark about their grant applications, he concluded.

FF pledges strong support to family of murdered Longford woman Sharon Coughlan

‎26th October 2012

FF pledges strong support to family of murdered Longford woman Sharon Coughlan

Fianna Fáil has pledged its full support to the family of murdered Longford woman Sharon Coughlan in their campaign against the Government’s plans to send her killer home to his native country, the Czech Republic.

David Brozovsky, a Czech national with 27 previous convictions, was sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of the 37 year old mother-of-two near her home in Longford in 2007. The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter now plans to allow him serve out the remainder of his sentence in his home country.

A delegation from Fianna Fáil, including Longford-Westmeath TD Robert Troy, Spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins TD and Spokesperson on Social Protection Willie O’Dea TD met the family and friends of Sharon Coughlan at Leinster House in Dublin this week. They were among 5,500 people to sign a petition submitted to the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter.

Speaking at Leinster House, Deputy Troy pledged his full support to the Coughlan family.

“This is an absolutely heartbreaking story and the Coughlan family’s pain and grief is only worsened by the Justice Minister’s plans to allow her killer to be sent home to the Czech Republic,” said Deputy Troy.

“The Coughlan family want to know how a brutal murderer deserves this special treatment. Minister Shatter says he has been given ‘assurances’ by the Czech authorities that they will ensure Mr Brozovsky serves at least 20 years in prison. But for the Coughlan family, this is not enough. Mr Brozovsky pleaded guilty to raping and strangling a young Irish mother and her family want to ensure that justice is done. Sharon’s two young children are struggling to understand why the Minister has decided to listen to their mother’s killer rather than to the victim’s loved ones,” said Deputy Troy.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins said, “I’ve attempted to raise this in the Dáil with Minister Shatter but so far have been refused a special debate on the matter. I will continue to seek a full explanation from the Minister until the Coughlan family get the treatment they deserve.”

 

Positive and Active Campaign will ensure Children's Amendment Passed – Troy

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Positive and Active Campaign will ensure Children's Amendment Passed – Fianna Fáil

Fianna Fáil has called for an honest and positive campaign in the Children’s Referendum ahead of the public vote on November 10th as Leader Micheál Martin launched the party’s campaign for a Yes vote.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children Robert Troy TD said: “This referendum is an extremely important moment for Ireland and the future of our children. The Irish people will decide on a proposal to enshrine specific rights of children in Bunreacht na hÉireann. The Irish people do not lightly vote to change the Constitution and we will be working in the days and weeks ahead to inform the public as to why we believe this change is right for our children and right the country.

“The proposed changes will strengthen the rights of children, will ensure the voice of the child is heard in key proceedings regarding their care and wellbeing and offers a unique opportunity to begin a cultural change in Ireland on the care and welfare of all children. This is one of those rare times when the day-to-day politics can be put aside in support of a very important issue that is non-political in my view.

“Fianna Fáil has already begun a series of meetings around the country to inform our members of the proposal being put before the people on November 10th and there will be more meeting held around the country in the weeks ahead. I am delighted that Barry Andrews is undertaking the role of Director of Elections in the campaign. As Minister for Children he significantly progressed the proposition that the public will be voting on. Barry will be a strong and positive voice in the Yes campaign.”

Director of Elections Barry Andrews said: “From the meetings I have attended already it is clear that there is a strong base of support among Fianna Fáil members for the proposed Constitutional change. I am looking forward to a very active campaign from the party over the coming weeks.

“As we know from previous referenda on a range of issues complacency has often let down the yes side. However on this occasion I know the Fianna Fáil party will be working to ensure that a positive and consistent message is brought to the public through our elected representatives and members. As we get closer to polling day the public will engage more and more with the issues and there will be a strong campaign from Fianna Fáil through to polling day in an effort to ensure there is a broad consensus from the Irish public and that a strong yes vote is returned on November 10th.”

Mullingar Town Council Update

Posted By Cllr Ken Glynn on 22/10/2012

Questions:

2.5 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council when works will be carried out to help improve safety for all pedestrians on the approach to All Saints National School.

2.6 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council to give a firm commitment that outstanding works at the entrance to Ardleigh Crescent, including additional planting, restoring the fence mesh and upgrading the roundabout which serves as an entrance to both Ardleigh Crescent and Greenpark Meadows, be carried out, as previously requested.

2.7 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council what progress has been made in relation to establishment of ownership of the lane behind The Moorings and the completion of fencing at the front of this estate, which is necessary in the interests of public safety.

2.8 Cllr.Glynn: To ask Westmeath County Council what progress is being made in providing essential services in Cloon Lara such as completed road and footpath surfaces, outstanding sewerage and drainage issues and the completion of the entrance, including a right filter turning lane in to the estate, which is vital in the interests of public safety.

Motions:

5.3 Cllr.Glynn: That Westmeath County Council would advise when it intends to move the pedestrian crossing further away from the roundabout beside Mullingar Regional Hospital, as it is currently extremely dangerous for pedestrians using this crossing due to its close proximity to the roundabout.

5.4 Cllr.Glynn: That Westmeath County Council would take immediate action to improve sight distance for motorists coming from the Blackhall direction and using the mini roundabout in Mullingar Business Park, which currently forces motorists to move into the roundabout in order to properly view traffic coming from the right.

Govt has left mortgage holders in Longford & Westmeath at the mercy of merciless banks – Troy

Posted by Robert Troy TD

Govt has left mortgage holders in Longford & Westmeath at the mercy of merciless banks – Troy 

“As interest rates continue to rise on mortgages and loans the Government has left thousands of borrowers in Westmeath and Longford to the mercy of banks despite promises to help”, according to local Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy. 

Deputy Troy said: “I am meeting people every week in Longford and Westme

ath who fear the cost of surviving week-to-week is being put further and further beyond their reach. The latest increases in variable interest rates by AIB and Bank of Ireland will take more money out of people’s pockets in the weeks before Christmas and there is no sign that this Government is prepared to do anything to help. As a result of this rate hike mortgage holders will have to pay an extra €30 a month for every €100,000 borrowed.

“The official mortgage data shows almost 11% of occupied properties are in arrears of 90 days or more. But what are of huge concern to me are the real lives of people in Longford and Westmeath behind those statistics. When you look beyond the headline figures you see that by value, more than one in four (27%) residential mortgages is either in arrears or has been restructured already. On top of that a recent report by Davy stockbrokers said over 50% of residential mortgages is in negative equity, including the majority of those taken out since 2000.

“The real problem with negative equity is that the banks hold all the cards. If the term on a customer’s fixed interest rate is up the bank can increase the rates, knowing the borrower has no choice because they can’t switch mortgage provider.

“Every time the banks increase interest rates they take more money out of people’s pockets, more money out of the economy and actually push those very borrowers closer or into arrears, causing yet more trouble for the banks. The domestic economy is still in a very weak state and retail sales continue to show a year-on-year decline. How can it be in the interest of banks to stop their borrowers from spending in the local economy in Westmeath and Longford, helping a local shop in Longford, Mullingar or Westmeath, which in all likelihood has loans out from those same banks?

Deputy Troy concluded: “This Government promised to help borrowers in Longford and Westmeath but instead what we see every month is more mortgage holders in difficulty and independent reports showing that banks are not lending to businesses in the way they should – and when they are lending they’re doing so at punitive interest rates. How long is this government going to leave borrowers at the mercy of banks which are showing no mercy at all?”

Root and branch re-think on State’s treatment of young offenders is essential – Troy

Posted by Robert Troy TD

Root and branch re-think on State’s treatment of young offenders is essential – Troy

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children Robert Troy has said that severity and graphic nature of the report into St. Patrick’s Institution must be treated with the utmost seriousness. He commented: “The detention of 17 year olds at St. Patrick’s should cease immediately and they should be transferred to Oberstown or other appropriate rehabilitation facilities. The focus must shift from simple punishment to rehabilitation.

Deputy Troy said: “We can no longer wait for the May 2014 deadline. The report into St. Patrick’s Institution has called for a review of this timeline and I will support any initiative Minister Shatter or Minister Fitzgerald seek to put in place to provide an appropriate setting for these vulnerable young people. No child should ever be detained at St. Patrick’s again. This is the first time a report has identified that the human rights of young people were being seriously violated by the conditions at St. Patrick’s Institution.

“I think it is important to remember that these are children first and young offenders second. Of course where criminal offences take place the appropriate sanction must be applied but we must have a system in place that will rehabilitate young people back into society, and one that is not simply focussed on detention. It is clear from the Inspector of Prisons’ report that far from rehabilitating offenders St. Patrick’s Institution has hardened many prisoners and allowed drug abuse to foster in a completely unsuitable environment for children.

“I want to commend the Inspector of Prison for his report. His dogged and determined efforts to get to the bottom of what has really been going on at St. Patrick’s Institution shows a great commitment to public service and the welfare and right of children.”