Michael Lowry T.D. has expressed his complete apprehension and support for the employees at the C&C facilities in Borrisoleigh and Clonmel.
The recent announcement of job losses at the C&C facilities are of great concern for the employees, their families and the wider communities of Borrisoleigh and Clonmel. In recent weeks the company has finalised plans to outsourced part of their logistics operation. This has resulted in a number of drivers being made redundant. It is also my understanding that some of the drivers in question have over 30 years’ service with the company.
This news comes as UNITE members based in the Bulmer’s plant Clonmel which is also part of the C&C Group have issues strike notice for July 15th . The strike announcement follows a unanimous vote for industrial action on foot of the company’s decision to renege on a 2009 agreement which governed redundancy terms.
Independent TD Michael Lowry: I wish to convey my complete support with all employees affected by today’s announcements and I hereby call on Mr Glancey Chief Operating Officer and C&C to enter into meaningful negations with all key Stakeholders, Management and Union Representatives to resolve these matters. Deputy Lowry also called on Mr Glancey and C&C to give a steadfast commitment to the future of the Clonmel and Borrisoleigh facilities
The Water Conservation Grant
You must register today to receive the The Water Conservation Grant of €100.
This grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced, as it is a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will reduce households’ outlay on water services both now and in the future.
All eligible households who apply will receive a Water Conservation Grant. The grant will be paid to the registered householders annually in respect of their primary dwellings, with the first payment to be paid in September 2015 and each subsequent year up to and including 2018. Check out www.watergrant.ie for more information.
Nenagh General Hospital Visit
Delighted to have visited Nenagh General Hospital this week to see the new addition and refurbished facilities which are very impressive and a total transformation.
The new Surgical Unit is equipped with state of the art high end technology and has a high quality finish.
All the staff are delighted with the outcome and no doubt future patents of the Hospital will appreciate the high standards and quality of care Nenagh General has to offer.
Member of staff Pictured with Michael Lowry T.D.
L-R Josephine Molloy, Michael Lowry T.D., Mary Noonan, Edel Quinn and Bernie Morrissey
The New Facilities
Nenagh Is Now A Hospital For The Future.
Independent Deputy Michael Lowry has welcomed the completion of the latest phase of development at Nenagh General Hospital. I am pleased to acknowledge the official opening of the new Surgical Day Unit on Monday 29th June.
“It gives me great satisfaction to witness another significant chapter in the hospitals development and expansion. At a crucial time I worked closely with the HSE and the Department of Health to rescue the hospital from permanent decline. I had to take unpopular political decisions in the face of orchestrated opposition to my stance. The political opportunists said I had got it wrong and forecast the closure of the hospital. I am glad that I had the courage to pursue my conviction on what I considered was the best option to safeguard a role for the hospital and secure it’s future. My representations resulted in agreement to include Nenagh in the National Capital Programme with an investment of 6.5 million. Funds were earmarked for new lifts, new endoscopy unit, additional recovery unit, new surgical suites together with general restoration and refurbishment work. My commitment and ability to deliver on this development programme and funding package was frequently questioned, but now the results are evident with modern fully equipped facilities available to the public”.
Deputy Lowry added “Nenagh General Hospital has now established a very influential and abiding role in the delivery of endoscopy, diagnostic and surgical procedures for the people of Tipperary and the Mid-West region. Under the new HSE structures the Hospital also provides an expanded range of consultancy specialists at it’s outpatient clinic centre.
Since the re-development and restructuring of services the throughput of patients has increased by an average of 40%. Nenagh General Hospital is now a thriving, bustling successful health care centre with opportunities to further grow and expand”.
Deputy Lowry commended the management and staff of the hospital for their continued hard work and determination. Their professionalism and efficiency is an essential factor in the continued success of Nenagh General Hospital.
Michael Lowry. T.D.
Jimmy Doyle RIP
My sympathy to the Late Jimmy Doyle’s family daughter Janet, sons Gerry, Walter and James, sisters Hannah and Breda, brother Paddy his extended family, friends and the wider sporting community.
Jimmy was very special. He was a true legend and an all time great exponent of hurling.
Despite all his achievements and fame he remained humble and gracious. Jimmy was blessed with a personality which was quiet, unassuming and kind hearted.
May God be good to him
J1 Tragedy in Berkeley California
I am deeply shocked to learn of the tragic news emerging from Berkeley California that a number of Irish Citizens have lost their lives and others have been injured in an incident earlier today.
For any family in Tipperary who are worried about loved ones who are on J1’s in Berkeley at this time please feel free to contact myself or the office on (0504) 22022 or the Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade has activated its Emergency Response Helpline on (01) 418 0200.
My thoughts are with the family’s and friends of these young people at this sensitive time.
Tax Appeal Decision
It is a matter of public knowledge that the Revenue Commissioners initiated a criminal prosecution against me before the courts. They took this extremely serious action on the grounds that I had committed a criminal offence by filing incorrect tax returns. This presumption by Revenue has now been proven to be unfounded.
I am very pleased to confirm that the Tax Appeal Commissioners have unanimously ruled that I have no tax liability and that my tax returns were correct. Two days of hearings before the Appeal Commissioners have resulted in official confirmation that my tax affairs were in order.
Garuda Ltd. T/A Streamline Enterprises was also successful in it’s appeal against a Revenue assessment for PAYE and PRSI tax.
From the outset the Revenue Commissioners were informed by my Legal team, my Accountants and by independent experts that their assessment was incorrect and that their assertions were grounded on false information. My professional advisers cooperated fully providing all relevant information and documentation which has disproved the allegations.
Further to the Appeal Commissioners decisive, clearcut rejection of Revenue’s position, my legal team will now be asking the Courts to dismiss the Prosecution against me. My legal Team had already initiated a High Court Judicial Review of the Prosecution case prior to this decision.
Live Register figures increase in Tipperary
Very disappointing to see the Live Register in Tipperary rose during the month of May. Only recently the Government announced it had got the country back to work. These latest figures are a clear example that the Governments strategy for job creation is not working and they have forgotten about the people of Tipperary.
Recently I have been actively engaged with Management, Staff and Union’s in the C&C plant in Borrisoleigh/Clonmel and have proactively engaged with the Bord Na Móna plant in Littleton. I have done this to insure current employment levels are maintained and secured in both fatalities.
The Central Statistics Office show that over 14,000 in the county were signing on in May, putting the number on the Live register up from it last report in February.
HSE Mismanagement leads to Temporary Loss of Services in Nenagh General Hospital
30th April 2014
I believe that HSE mismanagement and lack of forward planning is to blame for the closure of the Local Injuries Unit in Nenagh General Hospital on Friday last. This Unit operated on drastically restricted hours on Friday last, as a result of staff shortages and was closed to the people of North Tipperary for the entire morning.
On Friday the Local Injuries Unit only opened from 1pm to 7pm, rather than the normal operating hours of 8am to 8pm. It is hugely embarrassing for the HSE that this service was so drastically reduced simply because a medic simply didn’t turn up. Such a situation should never have occurred as the HSE should have been aware of this issue in advance and taken steps to secure appropriate cover.
Nenagh Hospital is a fantastic facility that has seen massive investment and improvements in recent years. As part of my agreement with the last Government I secured a substantial investment package for Nenagh General Hospital. I fought for and insisted this funding be provided to secure the future of the Hospital. Since securing this investment package the throughput at Nenagh Hospital and those availing of its services has increased by 40%. It is now a thriving, bustling successful healthcare centre and is continuing to grow and expand. It is grossly unacceptable to have such an important unit in this state of the art facility sitting idle on any given day and I am calling on the HSE to ensure that this situation never arises again.
What happened in Nenagh on Friday last is symptomatic of what is happening right across the health service. Health services across Tipperary are grossly understaffed and in chaos at present, and it is the public that are suffering. Staff shortages are putting incredible pressure on core staff and resulting in massive delay for patients. There have been vicious cuts across the board and despite the best efforts of staff on this ground this is reflected in the quality and level of services being provided to patients in Tipperary.
Steps need to be taken immediately to resolve this situation. The HSE and the IMO need to co-operate to find a solution. Nenagh hospital and its patients should not suffer as a result of aggravation and tension between the IMO and the HSE.
Next Phase of Investment in Nenagh General Hospital is Hugely Welcome
14th January 2014
I welcome the confirmation that the next phase of investment in Nenagh General Hospital is now due to commence. The allocation of €2.2 million for a 16 bed medical wing to be constructed in the Hospital will be a significant boost to the hospital going forward.
As part of my agreement with the last Government I secured a substantial investment package for Nenagh General Hospital. I was primarily concerned with upgrading and improving the facilities and services available in the hospital. This package included funding for significant upgrading works, new lifts, new surgical suites, increased day beds and a top quality endoscopy suite. With the endoscopy unit up and running and the surgical suites now nearing completion I am hugely pleased that the next phase of development, in the form of the new 16 bed unit and upgrading of wards, is now moving ahead.
During the lifetime of the last Government I fought for and insisted this funding be provided to secure the future of the Hospital as many of the rooms in place are antiquated, not up to standard and lacking in modern technologies. These will now be replaced with new, modern, state of the art rooms and a revamp of wards. These room upgrades and new facilities will guarantee the future of Nenagh General Hospital as a centre of excellence for healthcare in Tipperary, as evidenced by the drastically increased patient numbers in recent years.
Since securing this investment package the throughput at Nenagh Hospital and those availing of its services has increased by 40%. It is now a thriving, bustling successful healthcare centre and is continuing to grow and expand. Once the surgical suites are operational, footfall through the hospital will again increase. This in turn is taking some pressure off the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick.
The improved services in the hospital have now secured the future of the hospital based on the activity created. I would like to commend the management and staff of the hospital for their continued hard work and determination. Their professionalism and efficiency is an essential factor in the continued growth and success of our hospital.