Alarmingly low levels of Garda reservists in Roscommon/Longford division

Fianna Fail TD Eugene Murphy has highlighted the fact that the Roscommon/Longford Garda division has the second lowest number of Garda reservists in the country and he is hopeful that plans to recruit 300 new reserves annually will have a direct impact on the region.

Deputy Murphy raised the issue of the alarmingly low numbers of Garda reserves through a recent oral question to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald. The Fianna Fail TD noted that there were only 11 Garda reserves in the Roscommon/Longford Garda division in June of 2016 which was the second lowest rate in the country. “This figure is down 7 from 18 in 2014 and is deeply alarming- Concerns have been expressed for some time that we are not maximising the potential of the Garda reserve. The Garda Inspectorate report Changing Policing in Ireland, published just before Christmas, pointed out that despite receiving considerable training, reserves are not consistently or strategically utilised for operational purposes,” said Deputy Murphy.

The Fianna Fail Deputy welcomed the fact that in response to his query to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice it emerged that work has begun on the development of a recruitment plan with the objective of recruiting and training 300 new reserves annually, starting next year, to bring the strength of the Reserve up from its current strength of 789 members to 2,000.

Deputy Murphy also welcomed the Tánaiste’s comments that her office is currently examining the possibility of recruitment at a regional or divisional level, rather than centrally and also the manner in which the training is delivered. 

“It is very important that the alarmingly low numbers of Garda reservists in the Roscommon/Longford Garda division is addressed and I am calling for a particular regional focus which would benefit more rural areas which have suffered from the withdrawal of services and reductions in Garda numbers over the past number of years. By expanding the reserve it will also free up Gardai to more front-line policing activities,” said Deputy Murphy. 

Murphy calls on Minister for Jobs to step up to the mark following job losses at Cameron plant

Fianna Fail TD for Roscommon/Galway Eugene Murphy has called on the  Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor to step up to the mark in relation to the devastating news that 170 people are set to be lose their jobs in the Cameron plant in Longford.

“The Minister made great play of placing a focus on regional jobs and she said on numerous occasions that there would be an emphasis on job potential and job creation in the regions. Employees and their families have been devastated by the news this week that 170 posts are to go at the Cameron plant and this will have a profound impact on Longford and neighbouring counties such as Roscommon  where many employees lived. Fifty posts are to be retained in the research and development area. At present, there are 220 people employed at the Aughafad facility, which manufactures flow equipment for the oil and gas industry. 

“A consultation process is set to begin this week between workers, unions and management at the plant after days of speculation regarding the company’s future was recently confirmed and really many employees were left in the dark for a number of days on this issue which was simply unfair. I am calling for direct intervention from the Minister in relation to this devastating news – it’s time to stop the talk and put a plan for regional job creation into real action!,” said Deputy Murphy. 

Murphy backs INTO’s call for reduction in ‘super-sized’ primary school classes

Eugene Murphy TD pictured with Rosena Jordan, INTO President and Hugh Lynn County Roscommon INTO representative at the recent INTO briefing on ‘Stand up for Education’ campaign. Pic: Moya Nolan

Fianna Fail TD for Roscommon/Galway Eugene Murphy has said immediate action is needed to address overcrowded classes at primary school level while he noted that many rural schools are teetering on the brink of survival because of previous cuts. Deputy Murphy was speaking following his recent attendance at the INTO’s briefing on ‘Stand up for Education’ campaign with County Roscommon INTO  representative Hugh Lynn.

“Budget 2017 will be a litmus test for this government's commitment to reversing the destructive decisions which saw primary education taking the brunt of cuts over the last five years.

Now more than ever, we need a thoughtful, creative education system, directed by dedicated and devoted teachers to guide our country forward. Teachers and school leaders, who have been hobbled by recent cuts, have to be given back the resources and confidence they need to provide the next generation with the education they deserve.  

At primary level, we need to ease pressure on massively overburdened classrooms, provide adequate capitation funding for schools, restore school leadership and middle management, fix school infrastructure and ICT while reducing, and eventually eliminating, the need for parents and guardians of pupils to pay voluntary contributions to keep the school gates open," said Deputy Murphy. 

The Fianna Fail TD said that class sizes in many counties are at their highest rate in recent memory. “Many of the youngest students in primary school are being taught in super-size classes of 30-40 pupils. This is typical of the government’s penny-wise, pound foolish approach to education. The average class size in Ireland is 25 pupils which is, greater than the European average of 21. As a first step, to ease the burden on schools with ‘super-sized’ classes, Fianna Fáil are committed to reducing class sizes significantly over the term of government, reaching an average class size of a maximum of 23 pupils,” said Deputy Murphy.

The Fianna Fail TD also said that the government’s cuts to the school staffing ratio in smaller schools must be reversed. 

“Many of these schools are teetering on the brink of survival because of the punitive measures and cuts contained in the last four Budgets. However the Government remains indifferent to these schools and those of the rural communities they serve. I would like to see increased support for small rural schools allowing communities to regain confidence in their viability,” concluded Deputy Murphy.

Murphy welcomes submission phase for Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon-Galway Eugene Murphy has welcomed the fact that eight locations throughout County Roscommon have been selected for submission under the first phase of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with amounts varying from €24,000 to over €73,000.

“Total funding of €380,000 for County Roscommon will go some way towards injecting a well needed boost to local towns and villages throughout the country. Expressions of interest have been selected for submission to the Department of Arts including €73,195 for Boyle; €72,324 for Castlerea; €45,500 for Strokestown; €72,324 for Ballaghaderreen; €70,581 for Roscommon; €45,000 for Monksland; €44,133 for Keadue and €24,000 for Cootehall.

“Such funding will give a boost to many small towns and villages which have struggled with economic decline in recent times and the funding will go some way towards helping to improve the living and working environment of communities and increase their potential to support increased economic activity into the future. Match funding of 15% is also required and can be provided through a mixture of cash and ‘in kind’ contribution.

I would like to see this scheme being renewed each year as an annual allocation could help communities continue to build and enhance on works and I would also like to see to see some other strands of funding being made available to towns such as Elphin, Rooskey and Tarmonbarry,” said Deputy Murphy.

“Many rural towns and villages have been by-passed over the past number of years and many small businesses which are vital to the economic lifeblood of an area are struggling to survive. Along with this Town and Village Renewal Scheme funding we need to ensure that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’ Connor keeps true to her promise that she will focus on job creation in rural counties. It is vital that small businesses and enterprise are the top of the list when it comes to funding and support to ensure that our towns and villages not only survive but thrive,” said Deputy Murphy.

Murphy calls for Stabilisation Unit at Roscommon County Hospital

Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon-Galway Eugene Murphy said that Minister for Health Simon Harris had reacted favourably to his proposal to introduce a Stabilisation Unit at Roscommon County Hospital during a meeting with the HAC and Oireachtas members on Thursday.

Deputy Murphy complimented members of the HAC and in particular Cllr Valerie Byrne who led the deputation to Minister Harris in Leinster House. Deputy Murphy said that it was a positive meeting and that Minister Harris had “totally committed to funding for the rehabilitation unit at the county hospital while he also indicated that the €10million funding for the Sacred Heart Hospital would progress as quickly as possible.” 

“I fully support the HAC’s call for extending the opening hours at the Medical Assessment Unit and their call for an independent review of the A&E services. There were serious question marks and queries over the previous review of the A& E services and serious doubts cast over mortality rate figures so I would like to see an independent review of the A&E services. Fianna Fail kept their commitment in relation to keeping the A& E open under their watch and Fianna Fail built the new A&E and staffed it - I would like to see that review taking place 

“I proposed the establishment of a Stabilisation Unit which is a successful model in the UK in similar sized areas and basically it means you would not pass the doors of Roscommon hospital- a patient could be stabilised for 24 or 48 hours and then moved onto another hospital,” said Deputy Murphy.