19 January 2012
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“Over the last number of months I have had an influx of enquiries to my office in relation to concerns over delays in processing medical card renewal application forms. Having raised this as an issue, I am pleased to inform people that the system is undergoing major reform and that this will mean improvements for those awaiting a decision on their medical card renewal application,” explained Minister Fitzgerald.
“Under the new system, a medical card holder who genuinely engages with the review of their medical cards will not have their entitlement withdrawn before that review is complete. The HSE is undertaking significant changes to the review process, which will render it far less administrative and therefore quicker and more efficient,” elaborated Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald’s statistics show that alcohol is a factor in half of all youth crimes
Local Minister, Frances Fitzgerald T.D., is supporting plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol in Ireland. The proposal would mean that supermarkets could no longer use special offers on alcoholic drinks as a loss leader. It would also have significant effects on the prices of own-brand label spirits.
“As a society we have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. A multi-faceted approach needs to be taken to tackle this culture. Introducing minimum pricing for alcoholic drinks is one of the steps that will go a long way towards shifting this culture and creating further barriers between alcohol and teenagers,” said Minister Fitzgerald.
“Research conducted by Irish Youth Justice Service, now under the remit of my Department, in conjunction with An Gardai Siochana, shows a shocking correlation between alcohol and crime. In 2008, alcohol related offences accounted for 20% of those referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme and perhaps more significant is the finding that when all alcohol related offences are taken into account – alcohol contributes to 50% of more of all youth crime,” continued Fitzgerald, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs.
“Alcohol abuse by teenagers contributes substantially to anti-social behaviours in our public spaces, parks, playgrounds and green areas. It has an impact on the lives not just of those who are becoming involved in public order offences but local residents who are affected night after night by breaches of the peace and often intimidation. Research conducted by the National Drug-Related Deaths Index in 2008 showed that one in four deaths in young men were due to alcohol. This is a startling statistic but, unfortunately, this is the harsh reality that many families are faced with. Introducing a minimum pricing structure for alcohol will impact on these young people’s ability to access alcohol,” continued Fitzgerald.
“We have seen first hand the impact of the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing in terms of the reduction of road deaths. More measures such as this need to be introduced to help reduce alcohol consumption in Ireland. Alcohol abuse costs the State around €4 billion every year in terms of health care costs, loss of productivity, criminal costs and alcohol related road accidents. Alcohol is involved in 27% of reported domestic abuse cases and is a contributory factor in half of all suicides. We need to do all we can to change this. Scotland has been leading the way in terms of changing national attitudes towards alcohol. I look forward to working with my colleague Minister Roisin Shorthall towards achieving this goal,” concluded Minister Fitzgerald.
“I have always been supportive of local projects in our area and am delighted to allocate funding to help the Griffeen Community Development Group run this years summer programme,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.
“The Griffeen Community Group are a relatively new group set up by committed volunteers in the Griffeen area. They aim to provide fun, affordable educational activities for children and to develop community spirit in the area. I have worked closely with the organisation in the past, which has also set up a women’s group and a mother and toddler group, and am pleased to have been able to assist them with their preparations for this year’s summer camp,” explained the Minister.
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