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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 […]

While it is welcome that a fresh planning application is to be submitted for a new critical care wing at the Rotunda Hospital, this and previous governments cannot evade blame for delays to the project, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “After years of obfuscation, […]

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 Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday (February 25) aimed at addressing the crisis in GP care in Ireland. The party’s 20-point plan sets out a number of key measures to improve access, remove costs and increase capacity when it comes to general practitioner care in Ireland. These include: Introducing free GP […]

It is an abdication of duty for the government to ignore glaring holes in dental care legislation which put the public in danger, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Today’s news that the Dental Council, the statutory regulatory body for dentistry in Ireland, was unable to act in 80% of […]

The government’s decision to scrap plans for an elective-only hospital in Galway must be reversed, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “In 2021, the government committed to building elective-only hospitals in Galway, Cork and Dublin to support the separation of scheduled and unscheduled care. These facilities are needed to ensure […]

The Minister for Health must explain why she did not intervene sooner and publicly state that plans to locate the Rotunda Hospital with Connolly in Blanchardstown had effectively been abandoned by the government, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, made his comments after An Comisiún Pleanála […]

The lack of progress on the Events Centre is indicative of the Government’s attitude towards Cork, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who represents Cork South-Central, said: “Today marks 10 years since the sod was turned on the Cork Event Centre project – this sad anniversary can’t go unacknowledged, so together with […]

There has been an erosion of trust between the Department of Health and Children’s Health Ireland and the families affected by the spinal care scandal, who have been neglected throughout the review process, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is Chair of the Oireachtas health committee, said: “We’re told that […]

The government must take control of the disastrous delivery of the National Children’s Hospital by issuing legal proceedings against BAM, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas health committee, said: “At today’s sitting of the health committee, Minister Carroll MacNeill said that she would not adopt a similar […]