Latest news with #DavidCullinane
BreakingNews.ie
10 hours ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Concerns grow over further delays to opening of €2.2bn National Children's Hospital
Concerns are growing over further delays to the opening of the National Children's Hospital, as Children's Health Ireland has yet to be granted early access to the building. CHI had planned to begin preparations this summer, but says it is still waiting despite being ready to go since July 1st. Advertisement The €2.24 billion hospital is now due to be completed by the end of September, but key areas still have not met the required 'snag-free' standard. The hospital has already missed 14 previous deadlines. Speaking on Newstalk, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, David Cullinane, said it is disappointing. "It's just one of the most frustrating public infrastructure projects that I have ever seen. "It just has been riddled with controversy after controversy and, while we all want to get to a point where the hospital is open and is treating patients, I just find it incredible that only a number of months ago we were told that this commissioning process would happen earlier, that there would be access at this point.
The Journal
5 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Sinn Féin seeking centre of excellence for endometriosis care as women 'being failed'
WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS are being 'failed' and let down by the state, according to Sinn Féin, who are seeking that the government commit to providing a centre of excellence in order to improve care. Endometriosis is a chronic disease that sees tissue similar – but not the same as – the lining of the uterus grow in other places. It's usually found in the pelvic region, but can be found anywhere in the body. It is not a menstrual condition, but it's often triggered in girls when they begin to get periods, and it can cause intense pain that is debilitating in some cases and heavy bleeding during periods. The disease impacts an estimated one in ten women in Ireland, but the level of specialist care and assistance offered by the healthcare service here has often been criticised for being under resourced. The Journal Investigates last year revealed that more than 100 Irish women had to seek care in Romania due to long waiting lists and a lack of affordable alternatives here . Sinn Féin is now calling for the health minister to 'take this disease seriously'. Advertisement Sinn Féin's health spokesperson David Cullinane and Senator Maria McCormack have drafted legislation which seeks to establish a centre of excellence in order to meet the level of capacity needed to deal with the number of cases here. Government previously committed to providing two specialist hubs and additional staff to reduce barriers to care for effected women. According to McCormack, there is currently a significant staffing deficit at the centres. 'We have spoken to many women who have attended these new centres, but they are not getting the treatment that they need,' she told The Journal , adding that there are at least 15 vacancies at one centre. 'I [spoke to] one little girl who attended one of these centres, and she was told she didn't have endometriosis. Then they went abroad for treatment, and she had quite extensive endometriosis lesions,' she added. Cullinane said that if there was one centre of excellence for care, the proper and full resources would be made available for women attending the centres and seeking treatment. 'We want, basically, every woman to have the same opportunity that they have in other European countries to gold-standard treatment,' he said. 'Far, far too long, as we've set out in our motion [tonight], women have been failed.' The Waterford TD said that the provision of 'second-best treatment' is not the fault of those currently working within the healthcare sector, but health minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill and HSE management. Related Reads Health minister announces 'see-and-treat' gynaecology services and 'advanced' endometriosis centre 'I just felt like I don't matter': Women forced to travel to Romania for endometriosis treatment 'Shame and stigma' mean women with endometriosis suffer in silence over painful sex He said that hospital staff want to improve healthcare for women, but claimed that pre-approved posts to help with this have been cut as a result of a cap on employment and cost levels in the healthcare system. 'Now they have to go back and start from scratch again,' he said. 'We'll be raising all of these issues and the need for that centre of excellence as a starting point with the Minster for Health.' A national framework for the disease is currently being developed and nearing completion, Carroll McNeill said last month . It will identify how care for women will be delivered at primary care centres, local hospitals and specialist complexes. It will be published once it is approved by doctors' union the Irish Medical Organisation, she added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘It is terrible to see' – 257 post offices close across Ireland in last 10 years amid can't ‘ignore the crisis' plea
SOME 257 post office have closed in the last ten years, with rural areas hit the hardest, new data has revealed. Sinn Fein's David Cullinane recently revealed the number of post office closures by county in the last decade. Advertisement 3 257 Irish post offices have closed in the last ten years, 78 per cent of which were in rural areas Credit: Facebook/@David Cullinane T.D. According to the data, which the TD acquired through a parliamentary question, Both Notably, 78 per cent of all closures were located in rural areas. Speaking with Advertisement READ MORE IRISH NEWS "The local post office plays a vital role in Irish life, providing financial services, access to the social welfare system, communications infrastructure and community supports. Adding that the Government "cannot continue to ignore the crisis in our post office network". He said: "What's needed now is targeted, strategic investment, and a new vision that puts public service and community needs first." The figures come weeks after the Irish Postmasters Union published a report asking for a 50 per cent increase in State funding to €15 million per year over the next five years. Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Speaking to an Oireachtas Committee, IPU General Secretary Sandra Tormey said: "Currently, we have 108 postmasters who, when we take all the costs out, are earning less than the minimum wage. "Recently, I polled my members and if the Government funding stays the same - at €10 million - 40 per cent of them will have to close." She added: "If the Government funding becomes €15 million, 70 per cent of our postmasters say they can see a future for the next five years. "We are looking for an uplift of €5 million. That is the difference between 40 per cent of post offices around the country closing or 70 per cent saying they have a future." Advertisement in June, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan said: "The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland." YOU'VE GOT MAIL? He added: "An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State's postal service and the post office network. "Decisions relating to the network, including decisions relating to specific post offices are operational matters for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function." 3 Postmasters warn that 40 per cent of post offices could close around the country if funding is not increased Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement 3 An Post boasts a network of 960 offices serving communities and businesses across Ireland Credit: Getty Images - Getty
RTÉ News
08-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
257 post offices closed across Ireland over last ten years
Over the last ten years, 257 post offices have closed across the country, according to data provided to Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane via parliamentary question. Cork had the largest number of closures, with 22 shutting their doors in rural areas and 12 in urban centres. Dublin saw 21 post offices close over the decade, while 21 rural post offices closed in Galway. Other closures included Donegal (19); Mayo (18); Kerry (15); Wexford (15); Limerick (12) and Tipperary (11). "It is shocking that 257 post offices closed in the last ten years," Mr Cullinane said. "The local post office plays a vital role in Irish life, providing financial services, access to the social welfare system, communications infrastructure and community supports. "In many areas, they are the only visible expression of the State." The Waterford TD said there was widespread concern that the current contract terms were "simply not fit for purpose". He said that as a result, new entrants are not attracted to take over post office services after long-serving postmasters retire. "Without a new approach as advocated by the IPU, the network will shrink - and more communities will lose their post office," he said. "That would be a huge blow to social cohesion and rural life." Mr Cullinane called for action, saying that the Government "cannot continue to ignore the crisis in our post office network". "What's needed now is targeted, strategic investment, and a new vision that puts public service and community needs first." Last month, postmasters warned that 40% of post offices could close unless Government funding for the network is increased. The Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) is calling for a 50% increase in State funding to €15 million per year over five years to secure the network. Currently, the network receives €10m annually, but the IPU said that this is not adequate. General Secretary Sandra Tormey told the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications that 108 postmasters are earning less than the minimum wage when costs are taken out. She said a poll of members revealed the scale of the problem. "If the Government funding stays the same at €10 million, 40% will have to close. We've had to absorb 30% minimum wage increases and 15% inflation," she said. "We cannot increase our prices to make our businesses viable. We cannot avail of any supports that Government gives because we are deemed services and not retailers." She said that if funding was increased to €15 million, 70% of members could envisage a viable future. The union says that this funding would help expand access to in-person public services and support identity verification and fraud prevention for departments and agencies. Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy said that his family post office in Ballinalee in Co Longford would close if funding was not increased. "It would be one of the 40% who would go if funding wasn't in place, the ten million has worked," he said. "As a postmaster, we need that €15 million, not just me, but hundreds of other offices and communities across the country." An Post Chief Executive David McRedmond said the semi-State was the conduit between the IPU and the Government, but he added that it supported the union in getting an increase in funding. He pointed to a 32% decline in transactions since 2019.
Irish Times
05-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Sinn Féin to hold conference to review gender identity policy
Sinn Féin is to hold a special conference to review its policy on gender identity issues as the party continues to grapple with the matter. Earlier this year, the party's health spokesman David Cullinane apologised after he published a social media post welcoming as 'common sense' a UK supreme court ruling that the term 'woman' means a biological female. The party was later banned from the Dublin trans and intersex Pride march, which takes place next week, with organisers saying it had not clarified its stance on transgender rights. The party previously held talks with activist groups in the space, but Saturday's event will not be attended by outside groups and is for members only, the spokesman said, confirming that trans members of Sinn Féin will be attending. READ MORE There is expected to be in the region of 150 members attending the meeting, which is being convened on the back of a motion seeking a conference on the issue of gender identity issues, which will allow the party to inform future policy decisions. Sinn Féin's Ard Comhairle – its governing body – will receive a report on the conference and ultimately to the party's annual Árd Fheis. The conference will be led by the party's chair, Declan Kearney, with leader Mary Lou McDonald also expected to attend and address the group. Mr Cullinane is also expected to attend. The party has faced criticism from transgender activists for its support of a ban on puberty blockers for children in Northern Ireland In its 2024 health manifesto, Sinn Féin outlined its position that it believes transgender people have a right to gender recognition and the best support and care possible, and that healthcare should be driven by clinical professionals rather than politicians. It said that care should be made available based on clinical evidence, including access to gender affirming treatment for adults. It promised to implement a 'new and holistic' model of care for gender identity services. The HSE is developing a new model of care currently, which is expected to closely influence Sinn Féin's policy in the future. That is expected to be completed next year. Ms McDonald has previously said that every individual has 'the right to respect' on gender identity issues. The Dublin Central TD has also previously discussed how the issues is personal to her as she has a trans sibling. Speaking on RTÉ's The Late Late Show, in April Ms McDonald said the issue is also personal for her. 'I have a trans sibling, and I love my sister. She's loved beyond measure, and I want her to live a full life, and I want that for any individual.' She said that the discussion on equality and LGBTQ+ issues must start from a 'position of respect'.
