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01/11/2012
Protest Held Against Cuts To Home Help Services
Over 400 members of the SIPTU Health Division and their supporters held a rally outside the Department of Health on to protest against cuts to Home Help services and creeping privatisation.
SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said the union was bringing its protest to the Minister for Health James Reilly's "doorstep".
He said SIPTU members were angered by "the mistreatment of Home Helps", whose hours were being cut or stopped, and the outsourcing of jobs to the private sector. He said this was being done "without any understanding of whether the taxpayer is getting better value for money".
Home Help Margaret O'Brien from Kilmainham said that the issue was one of both pay and quality of care. "When people come home from hospital, our time runs over with them. They need extra help, but we don’t get extra pay. We are not getting the money we should be getting and the people are not getting the care they should be getting. I deal with some people who only get half an hour of home help – how can you look after a person who is 88 in half an hour?"
Delegates at the rally called for a successor, not a replacement to the Croke Park agreement, a relaxing of the moratorium on staff, a registered agreement for home help staff and the abolition of the universal social charge.
"We believe there are gross inefficiencies, and the Minister has seen fit to lay all those issues at our doorstep," said Paul Bell. "We want to discuss those issues which are in his power to address."
(CD)
SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said the union was bringing its protest to the Minister for Health James Reilly's "doorstep".
He said SIPTU members were angered by "the mistreatment of Home Helps", whose hours were being cut or stopped, and the outsourcing of jobs to the private sector. He said this was being done "without any understanding of whether the taxpayer is getting better value for money".
Home Help Margaret O'Brien from Kilmainham said that the issue was one of both pay and quality of care. "When people come home from hospital, our time runs over with them. They need extra help, but we don’t get extra pay. We are not getting the money we should be getting and the people are not getting the care they should be getting. I deal with some people who only get half an hour of home help – how can you look after a person who is 88 in half an hour?"
Delegates at the rally called for a successor, not a replacement to the Croke Park agreement, a relaxing of the moratorium on staff, a registered agreement for home help staff and the abolition of the universal social charge.
"We believe there are gross inefficiencies, and the Minister has seen fit to lay all those issues at our doorstep," said Paul Bell. "We want to discuss those issues which are in his power to address."
(CD)
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30 August 2012
SIPTU To Defend Home Help Services
The SIPTU national campaign to defend Home Help services is convening a series of meetings in Sligo and Leitrim during September. SIPTU Organiser, Annette Carpenter, said: "All HSE Home Helps in the Sligo and Leitrim area are requested to attend one of the meetings.
SIPTU To Defend Home Help Services
The SIPTU national campaign to defend Home Help services is convening a series of meetings in Sligo and Leitrim during September. SIPTU Organiser, Annette Carpenter, said: "All HSE Home Helps in the Sligo and Leitrim area are requested to attend one of the meetings.
12 November 2012
Home Helps To Protest Against Cuts
SIPTU Home Helps and their supporters from across the midlands will march on Wednesday, 21st November, in Tullamore to protest against cuts to Home Help services. The workers will assemble at the SIPTU Unity Hall, Church Street, at 3.00 p.m. and march to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Central Offices, Arden Road.
Home Helps To Protest Against Cuts
SIPTU Home Helps and their supporters from across the midlands will march on Wednesday, 21st November, in Tullamore to protest against cuts to Home Help services. The workers will assemble at the SIPTU Unity Hall, Church Street, at 3.00 p.m. and march to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Central Offices, Arden Road.
20 November 2012
SIPTU Home Helps To March Tomorrow
SIPTU Home Helps and their supporters from across the midlands will march tomorrow in Tullamore to protest against cuts to Home Help services. The workers will assemble at the SIPTU Unity Hall, Church Street, at 3.00 p.m. and march to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Central Offices, Arden Road.
SIPTU Home Helps To March Tomorrow
SIPTU Home Helps and their supporters from across the midlands will march tomorrow in Tullamore to protest against cuts to Home Help services. The workers will assemble at the SIPTU Unity Hall, Church Street, at 3.00 p.m. and march to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Central Offices, Arden Road.
28 November 2012
Call For Home Help Job Cuts To Be Reversed
Speaking at a SIPTU public meeting in Roscommon town Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan, conceded that cuts to home help services were wrong. He said that he would be bringing this issue back to the attention of Minister for Health, James Reilly, and will seek the reversal of the cuts.
Call For Home Help Job Cuts To Be Reversed
Speaking at a SIPTU public meeting in Roscommon town Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan, conceded that cuts to home help services were wrong. He said that he would be bringing this issue back to the attention of Minister for Health, James Reilly, and will seek the reversal of the cuts.
05 November 2012
Over 2,000 People March In Protest Against Home Help Services Cuts
More than 2000 people took to the streets of Cork on Saturday, 3rd November, to protest against cutbacks to Home Help services. Marchers carrying a symbolic coffin with words 'Home Help Service RIP' led the defiant crowd who had travelled from across the country to mark the launch of SIPTU's Time To Care campaign.
Over 2,000 People March In Protest Against Home Help Services Cuts
More than 2000 people took to the streets of Cork on Saturday, 3rd November, to protest against cutbacks to Home Help services. Marchers carrying a symbolic coffin with words 'Home Help Service RIP' led the defiant crowd who had travelled from across the country to mark the launch of SIPTU's Time To Care campaign.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
