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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 […]

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 Pádraig Rice has welcomed the Minister for Justice’s confirmation that he will bring forward legislation to disregard convictions for consensual same sex activity, before it was decriminalised in 1993. Deputy Rice said: “Last July, on behalf of the Social Democrats, I co-signed a joint opposition Bill to disregard these historic convictions. That […]

Multiple HR and ICT deficiencies identified during a Medical Council inspection of CHI sites underpin the need for the new National Children’s Hospital to open without further delay, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Today’s report highlights a number of concerning issues at CHI hospitals, where creaking ICT systems were […]

The crisis in public dentistry has continued to deepen under this government, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice made his comments after representatives from the Irish Dental Association (IDA), Department of Health and the HSE appeared before the Oireachtas Health Committee today. He said: “In 2019, the National Oral Health Policy, […]

Legislation and proactive resourcing is urgently required to tackle spiralling hospital waiting lists, which present a genuine threat to the health and wellbeing of thousands around the country, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Almost 120,000 patients have been on a hospital waiting list for over a year – how […]

The government must extend the payment scheme for healthcare workers suffering from long Covid before it lapses on New Years Eve, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “The special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers with long COVID is going to end in […]