Students are being forced to drop out of college - O' Súilleabháin

A North Wexford teacher and spokesperson for Gorey Sinn Féin has slated the government's failure to intervene in the ongoing SUSI fiasco which is causing students to drop out of college because they have not yet received their grants. Fionntán O' Súilleabháin said that 52,430 student applications were still awaiting processing through the online SUSI system.

Mr O' Súilleabháin said;

"An estimated 40% of all third level students receive grants. This year they were encouraged to apply through the new SUSI online application system that had been established by the Department of Education. Despite the apparent handiness of such a system, SUSI has been a complete disaster and has left over fifty thousand students still awaiting payments of grants."

"Many students are now being forced to reconsider their future as they do not have the economic freedom to continue with their education. 52,430 students have been left without payment. How many will drop out before Minister Quinn takes any action?"

"The government has pledged the importance of education to the future economic prospects of this state. It is a pity that they have failed so many students so spectacularly with the blotched SUSI system and their total lack of action to rectify the situation. The backlog of thousands of unprocessed applications, the apparent lack of training for staff and the difficulties in getting answers when contacting SUSI are problems that Minister Quinn must address immediately."

300% mark up on Social Workers registration fee is outrageous - Mythen

Cllr Johnny Mythen has criticised the new €295 registration fee that all social workers will have to pay from next May in order to continue practicing in the State. The Sinn Féin rep said that the fee was grossly unfair when compared with fees applicable to other professionals like nurses and doctors and amounts to a financial punishment on workers who have already seen their wages cut by at least 14% in the last three years.

Cllr Mythen said;

“From May 2013, every social worker in Ireland will be compelled to pay a €295 registration fee. This is compared to €55 - €80 for a nurse or doctor. On this basis alone it is grossly unfair, cutting into social workers wages at a time when every euro is budgeted for in the family household.”

“Every day they go to work, these workers face the harsh and cold reality of life. Everyone is aware of the huge increases of addictions, family break-downs, alcoholism and child abuse. These social workers provide a safety net for thousands of people in dire straits.”

“To impose a registration fee of €295 on social workers who have already been cut 14% in real wages is unjust. The social workers have no problem with paying a registration fee and know that it protects their profession and provides a higher standard. However this fee is far too high. The reality is the embargo on recruitment, the retirement of former colleagues and the ever increasing work load is causing enough pressure without what must be termed as a financial punishment on the very people who willingly put their finger in the dam on a daily basis.”

Many Wexford families left with blank television screens after digital switchover - Gaughan

While the digital switchover seems to have been a success in most areas, a spokesperson for local Sinn Féin has warned that many communities have been left in the dark.  Dominick Gaughan said that many Wexford families are unable to receive the Saorview signal and will instead have to pay up to €400 for an inferior satellite service.

"Many Wexford families cannot receive the Saorview signal (Digital TV through an aerial)," Mr Gaughan said.  "To receive the free digital service these households will have to pay approximately €350 -  €400 to install Saorsat (Digital TV through a satellite).  Ultimately this more expensive system is actually inferior as it does not allow the customer to receive the full service.  TV3 and 3e are not carried on Saorsat."

"Two percent of the population cannot receive Saorview.  Out of 300,000 people with analogue TVs, that figure represents 6000 households."

"Communities known to be affected which may struggle to get Saorview in County Wexford include Carrigbyrne hill, Ballyhack, Coolerin (outside Campile), areas around Templeidugian, Newtown (outside Rathnure), Rose town and Kyle just outside Bunclody, large parts of Craanford, Cumerduff, Annagh gap, Ballythomas hill, parts of Tara hill, Ballyfad, Ballyteigue, Killinerian, large parts of Oulart and Ballycale south of Gorey.  Shrule and Monasootha outside Camolin which had a transmitter for analogue are also affected."

"Recently when this issue was raised in the Dail local Fine Gael Minister Paul Kehoe made light of the situation, suggesting that he would give the deputy who raised the question a 'big aerial' to bring home with him.  Perhaps Minister Kehoe is out of touch with the economic realities faced by ordinary families in this state.  The Saorsat system, the only alternative for those unable to receive Saorview, is expensive, offers an inferior package and has been known for its poor signal in many areas."

"The government promised to ease the entire population over to digital before the analogue service was switched off.  Two percent of the population were left behind in the dark.  They must be assisted immediately."

Stand for our health services before it's too late - Kelly

Cllr Anthony Kelly has urged the people of County Wexford to make a stand for their health services before it's too late after it was announced this week that cancer care treatment at Waterford Regional Hospital is under threat.  Speaking at a protest outside Wexford General Hospital over the continued closure of operating theatre 2 today, the Sinn Féin Councillor said the entire south east health service was under fire and only people power could save it now.

Cllr Kelly said;

"I have deep fears concerning the possible loss of cancer care treatment at Waterford Regional Hospital and the detrimental effects that this will have on people across this county.  It's been revealed this week that plans are in the pipeline to downgrade Waterford from a regional to a county hospital and to scrap its cancer care programme."

"Meanwhile operating theatre 2 remains closed at Wexford General Hospital.  We are about to enter the fifth week of closure and still we are told that everything is ok and that all services will be resumed.  We are told that there will be staff to run the new A&E and that there will be no downgrading at our Wexford General."

"Yet there is the possibility that the local regional hospital is about to be downgraded and much of its services moved to Cork.  How certain can we be that Wexford is safe if Waterford isn't?"

"Those who protest against the closure of operating theatre 2 outside the hospital every week are not trying to talk down the hospital and its staff.  If anything, we are trying to talk them up.  County Wexford cannot afford to lose any of the vital services provided by our hospital and its hard working staff."

"I would urge people to make a stand now and defend your local health service while you still can.  The entire south eastern health service is under fire and only people power can stop widespread downgrading at this stage.  People need to get out and make themselves heard."

Another protest will be held outside Wexford General Hospital at 1.30pm next Saturday to highlight the continued closure of operating theatre  2 and the ongoing threat posed to health services in the region.

Rogue operators putting recognised Saorview installers out of business - Gaughan

A spokesperson for local Sinn Féin and prominent campaigner against the Household tax has criticised the government for failing to set up a register of digital aerial and satellite installers to protect the public from Rogue installers.  Dominick Gaughan said that the lack of legislation made both the public and genuine taxpaying installers the victims of a growing cowboy industry.

Mr Gaughan said;

"The government's failure to set up a register of digital aerial and satellite installers has impacted harshly on both customers and recognised installers.  A few years ago the Irish Satellite and Aerial Association (ISAA) asked the then minister Eamon Ryan  to set up a registered digital installers body similar to what was established in the UK to protect consumers and genuine businesses during the switchover to digital.  Minister Pat Rabitte was also asked when he came to office.  Their failure to act has put many taxpaying operators out of business and led to the consumer paying for work that in a lot of cases was not up to scratch."

"Obviously we are in a bad economic situation and people are attempting to make money anyway they can, and this includes installing Saorview.  However many of these Rogue aerial installers advertising themselves as Saorview installers will not have met the necessary criteria.  They will not have public liability insurance, adequate health and safety training, undergone a criminal record check or have a registered business or company.  In many cases they will not be trained to do the job or have the necessary equipment needed to complete the task satisfactorily."

"Minister Rabbitte and Saorview are not doing enough to protect the public from the hundreds of cowboys and rogue installers that are now operating across this state.  They are not doing enough to protect the hard working, taxpaying small businesses and registered installers who have actually seen their business decrease during the digital switch over.  The government should set up a registered digital installers body as called for by the ISAA immediately."

Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme should be continued - Sinn Féin

The Suckler Cow Welfare Schemes success in increasing the efficiency and profitability of Irish Beef stock means it should be continued into 2013 and beyond according to Sinn Féin.  Local spokesperson Oisin O' Connell said that the profitability of the national herd could be increased by €420 million over the next twenty years if correct and sustained investment is made now.

Mr O' Connell said;

"New figures released by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation show that the continuation of the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme could yield an additional €128 million to the national herd by 2020.  A further €300 million could be achieved between 2020 and 2030."

"This massive increase in the profitability of the national suckler herd would not just benefit farmers.  The knock on effects would generate growth in the local economy, create employment and increase government revenue."

"Farmers and farm families spend an estimated €8 billion per year in our economy.  For every €100 of agriculture output there is a further €73 of output to the wider economy.  71% of raw materials used by our agri and fishing industries are sourced in the domestic market.  Clearly what benefits the profitability of the national herd benefits the wider economy."

"The ICBF is confident that due to the gains that have been made due to the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, and the further gains that can be made in coming years, Ireland will become a world leader in the cattle breeding."

"Minister Coveney needs to stop sitting on the fence and make his intentions concerning the future of the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme known.  His continued silence shows the lack of understanding for the agricultural sector which is growing in the Fine Gael party since they entered government."

Retirement age extension should be reversed – O' Connell

The Chairperson of County Wexford Sinn Féin has called for the extension of the retirement age to be reversed.  Oisin O' Connell said the policy is actively keeping young people out of work, particularly in the public service.

“The extension of the retirement age was a mistake,” Mr O' Connell said.  “It has been dressed up as an economic necessity when really it is keeping the group with the highest unemployment levels, our youth, out of work.”

“Youth unemployment in this state is currently running at close to 30%, double the overall rate.  Latest figures show that almost a third of males aged between 20 and 24 are out of work.  150,000 young people under the age of 25 have emigrated since 2008.  Something has to be done now to stop this.”

“Sinn Féin is calling for the reversal of the extension to the retirement age.  This coupled with other progressive measures could tackle the youth unemployment epidemic.  Under 25s are currently banned from CE schemes.  This should be changed immediately.”

“The BOOST and RYE programmes which have proved successful north of the border should be extended and made available in the south.  These programmes aim to develop business potential and increase skills among vulnerable 16-30 year olds in rural areas.  These projects should be made all-Ireland as soon as possible.”

Closing Garda Stations increases crime - Kelly

A Wexford Councillor has condemned Minister Alan Shatters plans to close eighty rural Garda stations.  Cllr Anthony Kelly said that the closures would lead to an increase in crime and anti social behaviour in affected areas.  Cllr Kelly said Wexford had already witnessed the detrimental effects of closing rural Garda stations.

Cllr Kelly said;

"The closure of rural Garda stations put local communities at risk and lead to an increase in crime in those affected areas.  Earlier this year two rural stations were closed in this county.  One was situated in Balwinstown, just outside the village of Bridgetown."

"Bridgetown is currently experiencing high levels of anti social behaviour.  In recent weeks I have attended two meetings on this issue within that community.  People are afraid.  It's true that the station in Baldwinstown was not full time but it did serve as some sort of a deterrent to what is now sweeping this developing village."

"Both the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Garda Representatives Association, the representatives of rural Ireland and of the vast majority of Gardaí, have rejected these station closures on the grounds that they will lead to the infliction of terrible hardships on small communities.  The idea of replacing a Garda station with a clinic which would be manned for an hour twice a week is adding insult to injury.  Crime does not operate within Ministers Shatters schedule."

"This is another attempt by the government to use the lazy policies of austerity and downgrading of vital services to cut our deficit.  Sinn Féin has proposed progressive alternatives year after year, which are costed by the Department of Finance and endorsed by various social groups, that clearly show there is another way."

Dairy Quota Madness equals Superlevy for Ireland

Restrictive EU quotas on milk production are dangerously unrealistic and are the cause of a €16 million superlevy being placed on Ireland according to a spokesperson for North Wexford Sinn Féin.  Fionntán O' Súilleabháin described the current system which ends in April 2015 as economic madness and compared these allocations to the equally appalling fishing quotas.

Mr O' Súilleabháin said;

"Ireland is one of six countries that will pay a combined superlevy of €79 million due to our dairy farmers producing 1.1% more milk than was allowed by the restrictive quotas currently in place.  I believe our Dairy farmers should be commended for their efficiency and productivity instead of being punished for doing what they do particularly well."

"Like other EU quotas regarding fishing and vegetable production, the regulations in place with the Dairy quotas amount to shear madness.  Irish Dairy producers are chastised for producing above quota while other EU nations have failed to meet their quotas resulting in the overall EU milk production being 4.7% below quota."

"These quotas are not doing what they were originally intended to do.  Instead of having a system that regulates the market and ensures healthy competition among the member states what we have ended up with is Catch 22 style madness that makes neither economic nor moral sense.  It is entirely unacceptable that Irish Dairy farmers are treated this way by the EU for excelling in their sector."

Cap utility costs for three years - Kelly

A Wexford Borough Councillor is calling on the government to introduce a three year utility costs cap in Budget 2013.  Cllr Anthony Kelly said the government could alleviate rising fuel poverty by putting state assets like ESB and Bord Gáis to strategic use through the introduction of a three year cap on price increases.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Half the population will be living in fuel poverty in the next five years unless steps are taken to tackle the problem now.  Fuel poverty is defined as a household spending more than 10% of its disposable income on heating.  Unfortunately we have seen a massive rise in this in recent years and  it is often the forgotten statistic of this recession."

"Sinn Féin is proposing that the strategically use its state assets like ESB and Bord Gáis to counter rising fuel poverty.  It would make far more sense for the state to put these companies to use for the public interest by imposing a cap on any price hikes for three years  instead of selling them off."

"Fuel poverty is a real threat to families across this state.  If action is not taken to combat this threat the level of people living in fuel poverty ten years from now could be as high as 75% of householders according to recent data from the Energy Action Conference 2012."