Latest news with #JamesGeoghegan
The Journal
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Journal
'Truly shocking and should never have happened': Hiqa chief on RTÉ nursing home doc
HIQA CHIEF EXECUTIVE Angela Fitzgerald agreed today that the RTÉ Investigates programme highlighting poor treatment and practice within two nursing homes run by Emeis Ireland was the 'worst' she had seen in her role as head of the health watchdog. 'I was shocked and appalled, and felt let down by the provider,' Fitzgerald said today, acknowledging public confidence in the Health Information and Quality Authority had been 'damaged' by the revelations. Speaking to the Dáil's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Fitzgerald apologised to those impacted by the abuses, and said Hiqa had 'a lot more to do as regulator'. During the hearing, Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan had asked Fitzgerald if she had ever seen anything worse during her three years at head of the organisation. She agreed she had not, adding: 'I hadn't seen the type of behaviours, my colleagues as inspectors had never witnessed the behaviours there.' What was broadcast, she said, 'was truly shocking and should never have happened'. The programme, which aired in June, involved two RTÉ researchers working undercover in two different homes; one in The Residence Portlaoise, and one in Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin. Emeis Ireland, formerly known as Orpea, operates 27 nursing homes across the country having entering the Irish market in 2022. Advertisement Almost 200 notifications of 'alleged, suspected or confirmed' abuse of residents at Beneavin were received by Hiqa between 2022 and June this year, according to an interim report released two weeks after the RTÉ programme aired. The Residence had 40 such notifications. Asked at the committee how the Glasnevin home was allowed to remain open, Susan Cliffe, Deputy Chief Inspector with Hiqa, told TDs: 'We wouldn't close a nursing home unless there was absolutely no other option.' Cliffe said Beneavin Manor has been inspected three times since the RTÉ programme aired, and nothing seen had warranted closure. She said the watchdog is taking regulatory action against both nursing homes featured in the RTÉ programme, and both now have limits on admissions. Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan, said the 'natural consequence' of the RTÉ Investigates programmes is to question whether Hiqa is 'fit for purpose' as an inspection body. 'I find it hard to believe that after 20 years of Hiqa being active that something like this could happen', he added. 22 of the nursing homes operated by Emeis have been inspected since the RTÉ Investigates programme aired, with one inspected a second time, the committee was told today. Seven nursing homes in Ireland were closed in 2024 due to findings of non-compliance. In the previous year, one was closed. Hiqa said that 0ver 80% of nursing home visits are unannounced. However, several TDs noted that the treatment uncovered by the RTÉ Investigates programme was unlikely to be identified without an undercover inspection. The Hiqa officials at the committee said they were unclear if they are permitted to carry out undercover inspections and would have to look into the legality. 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
Irish Examiner
16-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Compulsory purchase order system to be reformed — eight years after overhaul was recommended
The Government is moving to reform the compulsory purchase order (CPO) system eight years after an overhaul was recommended. Legislation introduced by Fine Gael's James Geoghegan seeks to streamline the process and reduce the current 18-month timeframe. Mr Geoghegan said the existing laws predate the foundation of the State and are fragmented, outdated, and overly complex. "It causes unnecessary delays, inflates costs, and slows down the very projects we urgently need — from new homes to vital infrastructure," the Dublin TD said. The legislation will streamline the CPO process, provide legal clarity, and reduce timelines which Mr Geoghegan said will make it easier to deliver the infrastructure needed at a national scale. It is expected that the bill would see the CPO process reduced by six months with the possibility of it being reduced to below one year in the future. "Research from the Department of Finance shows that a six-month delay can reduce the return on a project from 10% to 8% and a 12-month delay pushes it down to just 6%," Mr Geoghegan said. "That 40% drop is enough to make some projects unbuildable. We cannot allow bureaucracy to kill off good development." Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan said the system 'causes unnecessary delays, inflates costs, and slows down the very projects we urgently need'. Judicial review and CPO uncertainty are already driving up the cost of major projects that require CPOs for land acquisition such as the Shannon Water Pipeline, he said. Uisce Éireann has cited the risk of both judicial review and CPO-related delays as "major cost drivers" in terms of the Shannon project. The bill will also support faster housing delivery and unlock vacant buildings making it a key step towards tackling the housing crisis, Mr Geoghegan said. Under the Dereliction Sites Act, local authorities can CPO premises but this legislation would provide "stronger tools" in dealing with the vacant and derelict site registers. "Recent data shows over 12,000 residential and commercial units [in Dublin] lie empty and shockingly, 40% have been vacant for more than four years," Mr Geoghegan said. "These buildings could be transformed into badly needed homes." Another element of the bill involves providing compensation upfront to landowners who would get market value for the land. The final piece of the bill is consolidating over 70 pieces of legislation that deal with the area of CPO, Mr Geoghegan said, acknowledging that it will require a "significant body of work" by the Department of Justice.
Irish Examiner
19-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Hotel lobby quietly backs introduction of a tourist tax, says Fine Gael TD
Private briefings from the hotel lobby have given quiet backing to the introduction of a tourist tax, a Fine Gael TD has said. James Geoghegan has indicated hotels in Dublin City have provided him with 'off-the-record' briefings, where they have set out their willingness to deal with a hotel room tax if Government can show where the funds will go. 'I've actually had a lot of off-the-record discussions with some of the major hotel sectors in Dublin City and what they say to me off-the-record is that look, 'a couple of euro on a hotel bill [is] fine, but if you show us what the return on that investment is',' Mr Geoghegan said. In recent months, the four local authorities in Dublin have been working on proposals to tax hotel rooms, with a suggestion funds raised could be funneled into amenities and local improvements. It has been estimated as much as €12m could be collected each year through the proposed levy. Mr Geoghegan cited how other countries have introduced a tourist tax, highlighting Edinburgh provides some of the funds back to hotels to deal with the administrative costs of the levy. 'There's lots of ways to ensure that we can bring them to the table. I can understand what they don't want to see is just something happen overnight and there does need to be a process, however frustrating that might be for people out there who want to see things happen quickly. 'This is the process of Government, but I think we're going in the right direction.' Mr Geoghegan said hotels would buy into the hotel levy as money raised would go 'right back into Dublin City' and support tourists travelling to Ireland. 'We see right across Europe, a couple of euros on a hotel bill is a very standard practice,' Mr Geoghegan said. It comes after a group of Dublin-based Fine Gael TDs, including Mr Geoghegan, launched proposals to support the implementation of the Dublin City taskforce report. This includes calling on the Government to examine the introduction of a hotel room tax, which has previously been dismissed by senior Coalition figures — including Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris. Mr Geoghegan said he had engaged in discussions with Fine Gael ministers, including tourism minister Peter Burke, on the matter. 'I do understand the general broader concerns in respect of tourism that he [Mr Burke] might have from an overnight introduction, but I'd be hopeful that he would support an examination,' Mr Geoghegan said. The Fine Gael TD added any examination should be carried out by Fáilte Ireland. On Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated the Government would discuss an implementation report on the taskforce at Cabinet next Tuesday. Mr Geoghegan said he was 'very hopeful' there would be a commitment to examining a hotel tax within the Cabinet memo. Read More Irish universities rank among global 800 for first time
Irish Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Appeals against initial refusal of Domiciliary Care Allowance successful 60% of time
More than 60 per cent of parents of disabled children win their appeals after being initially turned down for a care support payment, figures show. The Domiciliary Care Allowance is a €360 monthly payment for parents of disabled children under the age of 16. It is not means tested or awarded based on a child's disability or diagnosis, but is dependent on the level of care a child needs compared to a child of the same age who is not disabled. According to figures obtained by Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan , between 2020 and 2024 there were 35,234 Domiciliary Care Allowances awarded following 52,541 applications. Out of the 17,695 of applications refused, which represents 34 per cent of all families who sought the payment, 11,087 tried to appeal the refusal. More than 60 per cent of appeals taken saw the original decision overturned in part or in full. In 3,797 cases, a 'deciding officer' overturned the original refusal. In another 203 cases, the appeal was partially allowed. And in 2,912 cases an 'appeals officer' overturned the refusal. READ MORE Mr Geoghegan's figures, which are compiled from a series of parliamentary questions, also show that 67 High Court judicial reviews were taken after families were refused the allowance during the same time period. Of these judicial reviews taken, 50 resulted in the payment being awarded to the family. [ Spiralling numbers being diagnosed with disabilities will have 'significant impact' on social welfare spend Opens in new window ] Mr Geoghegan said he had met families who had to 'fight tooth and nail' for the allowance. 'It does not make sense to me. Especially because, if you meet these children, it's clear and obvious that they have an additional need that's being supported by their parents through one form or another,' Mr Geoghegan said. He added that the allowance should be accessible to families, who are forced to spend money on private interventions and therapies for their children due to long waiting lists and a lack of services through the publicly funded HSE. 'We're talking about the development of a child here, and the State is struggling to assess that child and provide that child with the services that that child needs,' he said. [ Woman successfully resolves 'test' action over domiciliary care allowance refusal Opens in new window ] Mr Geoghegan said the parents are spending money on private occupational therapists, private speech and language therapists, and private psychologists. In response, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said he is aware of issues experienced by families trying to access the payment. He said he is 'keeping a big focus' on the issue. 'I want to address the delays in appeals; we've allocated extra resources to that. My overall approach to [the allowance] is that it's dealt with empathetically but also efficiently,' Mr Calleary said. According to the Department of Social Protection , the waiting times for the outcome of an appeal against a Domiciliary Care Allowance decision have been cut since the start of this year. By the end of 2024, 1,709 such appeals were awaiting a decision. As of this week, the figure was 489. A spokesman for the Minister said that this was due to 'proactive measures'.
Sunday World
04-06-2025
- General
- Sunday World
Dublin TD says traffic cameras should be used to crack down on crime
Dublin has one Garda CCTV camera per 6,000 people A Dublin TD has said that traffic cameras should be used as a tool to crack down on crime. James Geoghegan, a Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, told Lunchtime Live on Newstalk that he believes Gardaí should have access to traffic cameras. 'We've just 200 CCTV cameras in Dublin city,' he said. 'Even just to compare that to, say, the amount of traffic cameras that Dublin City Council have - they have about 400. A protected security camera seen in Dublin's City Center News in 90 June 4th 'We could make the legislation easier so that Guards could have better access to these 400 traffic cameras that are out there. 'But I also invest and make it easier for CCTV cameras to be put in areas where local people… have identified incidences of antisocial behaviour or crime,' he continued. 'The same way people feel safer when they see Gardaí on the street, it would make people feel safer if they had a few more cameras.' Deputy Geoghan said that if Gardai had more live 'operational oversight,' it would make Dublin a safer city. 'What we're really talking about here is live availability,' he said. 'I would have been in Pearse Street Garda Station where they have live operational cameras on the main thoroughfares streets, so they can respond instantly to issues as they arise. '[People] will be very familiar with CCTV cameras on private premises, and Guards can access those cameras after the event. He believes live access to traffic cameras will also act as a deterrent to crime. 'One of the most common complaints you'll receive when you're talking to business, both in the city centre or in any of the towns or village that politicians represent, is the absence of CCTV to catch someone who has, let's say, perpetrated a shoplifting or carried out an incident,' he explained. 'But also, to act as a deterrent, when we do big major events live in the city, let's say St Patrick's Day or the US college football, you do bring in temporarily increased numbers of CCTV. 'There is a reduction in crime, all the businesses will tell you that around the areas they're in.' Geoghan previously criticised a lack of cameras in the city, after it was revealed there was one Garda CCTV camera for every 6,000 people in Dublin. Meanwhile, according to research by Comparitech, London has 14 per 1,000 people, Berlin has 13 per 1,000 and both Paris and Rome have four per 1,000.
