Bríd on Sat radio RTE (live streamed) with Katie Hannon
Topics include the failed Covid strategy of govt and the recent Mother and Baby Homes report
Topics include the failed Covid strategy of govt and the recent Mother and Baby Homes report
Covid has highlighted the very serious flaws in our health service, and the insanity of a divided island in the context of a pandemic.
The government are not being clear about the danger our schools pose in relation to Covid
MÍCHEÁL MARTIN HAS SOME NECK. I tackled him today about the abuse of student nurses – 13 hour shifts, emptying bed pans, bathing and caring for people who can’t care for themselves – hard work! “SHOULD N’T HAPPEN” he says, all shocked and angry. Too right it shouldn’t! But it does. AND ON HIS WATCH. What bloody snakes we have in government; pretend outrage, blame someone else, and suggest the claims are unfounded. That the best you can do Taoiseach?
There are children waiting literally years, for services for desperately needy children – services like speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, child psychologists. SO WHY ARE THESE ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL DOING CONTACT TRACING? We have hundreds of very highly paid managers in the HSE. And this is the best they can do??? How can FFG stand over this?
A WAR ON TEACHERS? The risk of Covid transmission is schools may be being downplayed, but not everyone is assured, and understandably. Forgotten Families Ireland have children among them that cannot attend school, because of concern for vulnerable parents or siblings at home. Very concerning is the attitude to teachers when they are pregnant, as are basic issues like properly equipping and ventilating schools. I raised these issues with Varadkar today. We have to keep up the pressure – would you bet on FFG promises?
Two weeks ago, I raised the imminent deportation of two care workers. Yesterday Gary Gannon raised the same question, and the Taoiseach acted as though he knew nothing about it. The Taoiseach is playing pass the parcel with people’s lives. Health workers should not be deported!
500 CHILDREN DENIED SCHOOLING. Forgotten Families have been trying to ensure that their children receive the supports they need. These are children who can’t attend school for fear of bringing Covid back home, a home where there is someone very vulnerable, a parent, a sibling, whatever. I raised this with the Táiniste, Leo Varadkar today. Let’s see if they’ll deliver.