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Reported home care restrictions being considered by the HSE could leave many disabled and older people unable to live safely at home, Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has warned. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The proposed restrictions on home care supports in Dublin South City and West, Dublin South West […]

At least 24 per cent of children with disabilities in State accommodation are living more than 50km from their home – a situation that amounts to a form of enforced separation from family and community life, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said: “The figures […]

News that two consultants are seeking to carry out private practice in newly established public surgical hubs further emphasises the need to remove all private healthcare from public facilities, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “New surgical hubs are being established across the country to reduce waiting lists, enabling the […]

Responding to news that the HSE is implementing a pause on the recruitment of non-frontline roles in some regions due to overspends, Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has called on the Minister for Health to implement the Programme for Government commitment to a multi-annual approach to health funding. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice has welcomed that Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) have finally been added to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening, commonly known as the heel prick test. Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “This is an incredibly important milestone for families impacted by SCID […]

Previous contractual commitments given to newly qualified paramedics must be honoured, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, the party’s health spokesperson, made his comments after raising the issue in the Dáil today. He said: “For the first time, newly qualified paramedics will not be offered permanent contracts. Instead, this cohort of graduates […]

The government cannot continue to sit on the fence when it comes to reforming and expanding GP care in Ireland, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice made his comments after today’s Dáil debate on a Social Democrats’ motion aimed at solving the GP crisis. He said: “While the government did not […]

The number of mental health patients being held in prisons has reached crisis levels, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I visited Cork Prison at the end of October and was very concerned about its conditions, especially for vulnerable prisoners experiencing severe mental health difficulties. “The prison’s governor and staff […]

The Minister for Health’s new Waiting List Action Plan lacks any credibility after the failure of her last plan, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice TD. Deputy Rice said: “A radically different approach to the one set out today, one which is in line with the reforms set out in Sláintecare, is the […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has criticised the HSE after the Minister for Mental Health was unable to provide the Dáil with information on approved psychology posts in older adult mental health services. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “Minister Mary Butler’s failure to answer a straightforward question about workforce […]