Distressed mortgage holders offered lifeline by new Insolvency Bill – Clune.

Fine Gael Senator Deirdre Clune, has said the Personal Insolvency Bill published this week by the Government will give a vital lifeline to distressed mortgage holders and those overwhelmed by personal debts. The Heads of the Bill was published by Ministers Alan Shatter and Michael Noonan last week, and it is hoped it can be published in its legislative form by the end of April.

“The key element of this proposed new legislation is that it will allow people to remain in their own homes while getting on top of their financial affairs. People right across Cork city and county have been desperately in need of for some form of help to allow them to get on top of a growing mountain of debt that for many average homeowners has gotten out of control. Trying to honour large mortgage repayments on reduced incomes mean these people are often left with next to nothing once the bills are paid.

“The Government wants to help these people and others like them, who are unable to cope with their debts. Under the provisions of the Personal Insolvency Bill, a number of arrangements will be made available, whereby a portion of personal or mortgage debt may be written off, as part of a repayment plan. Debt Relief Certificates will help out people with smaller debts, of less than €20,000, while Debt Settlement Arrangements can be reached for larger mortgage loans.

“This means that the Bill will help not only those in mortgage arrears, but also those who are utterly overwhelmed by credit card bills, car loans and overdrafts. The final element of the legislation is the reformed bankruptcy arrangements, which will reduce the period of time that a person will be considered bankrupt from 12 to 3 years.

“A Personal Insolvency Service will be set up to administer the new regime, with insolvency trustees appointed to liaise with creditors on behalf those in debt. This will hopefully help to alleviate some of the stress associated with trying to reach agreement with banks and other creditors. The Government has said it hopes to have the full legislation published by the end of April, and I hope the Service can be set up as soon as possible after that.”

ENDS

Senator Deirdre Clune can be contacted on 087-2387539

Fine Gael Cork Senator Deirdre Clune has welcomed the announcement from the Department of Transport that Cork City and Council is to receive over 7 million euro in funding to improve road infrastructure.

I have been informed by the Minister that a sum of over 3 million euro has been allocated roads to be upgraded include the Old Kinsale Road Bridge ,Carrigaline Western Relief Road , Clarke’s Hill- Moneygourney Road, Cork Technology Park , Bishopstown. Over 4 million Euro has been allocated to Cork City Council which will include improvements to Lower Oliver Plunkett Street, South Main Street and Washington Street.
Senator Clune “this very welcome news, improvements to the road infrastructure will greatly benefit road users in these areas aid local economic development and employment creation. This is good news for those living in Carrigaline and the Moneygourney area that have waited for improvements to local road infrastructure for some time”.
The announcement follows on from the Minister Varadkar’s commitment announced in the Budget to improve and upgrade existing road infrastructure throughout the country. “This is a major investment in our roads and I am particularly pleased at the considerable allocation that Cork has received. The size of Cork’s allocation is in line with the vast network of roads in our county and is very welcome after years of Cork receiving one of the lowest per km allocations in the country from the previously” said Senator Clune.
“This is exactly the kind of positive investment that we need to continue with our infrastructural improvements and, at the same time, provide real and desperately needed employment opportunities at a local level.”
ENDS.

Senator Clune can be contacted on 087- 2387539

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January 23rd 2012.

Fine Gael Senator Deirdre Clune today has welcomed the application made by Cork VEC and An Foras Pátrúnachta to the Department of Education to become patrons of the new Irish secondary school in Carrigaline.
This follows on form Minister’s Ruairi Quinn’s announcement in June that schools could apply for patronage. Minister Quinn said: “With the significant number of new schools, there will be an opportunity for patrons to seek to apply for patronage of these schools”. The announcement further emphasises the Minister’s commitment to ensure speedy implementation of the commitments in the Programme for Government on moving towards a more pluralist system of patronage at second level.
Senator Clune “This is very welcome news and shows the commitment and hard work of the people of Carrigaline this is another step forward to the establishment of this new school. Carrigaline is an area which has seen major growth over the last number of years and the facilitation of this new school will be a great asset to the local community and surrounding area”.
“Carrigaline has been recognised by the Department as an area where parents have expressed a strong demand for Irish-medium education at second level, due to an increase in the number of children attending local Gaelscoileanna in recent years and an increasing population forecasted in the years to come” said Senator Clune.
According to the Department of Education; a very substantial site of 21 acres on the Ballinrea Road has been purchased by the Department to facilitate not only the construction of new schools but also to provide sporting and recreational facilities for students. Following a recent meeting of the Cork County Council, the lands have now been zoned for educational use. The Department has announced that the school will be designed and constructed over the coming years and will be open to receive students by September 2014.
The decision on the patronage of the new school will lie with the New Schools Establishment Group who will then submit a report with recommendations for consideration of the Minister shortly.
ENDS.
Senator Deirdre Clune can be contacted on 087- 2387539

23rd January 2012.

Fine Gael Senator Deirdre Clune today has called on the government to ensure that money will continue to be invested in Community Employment Schemes. The Department of Social Protection is currently in the process of reviewing the Community Employment (CE Schemes).
The Community Employment (CE) programme is designed to help people who are long-term unemployed and may have difficulty accessing a work to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities. After the placement, participants are encouraged to seek permanent part-time and full-time jobs elsewhere based on the experience and new skills they have gained while in a Community Employment scheme.
Senator Clune “These schemes are vital in helping those who are un-employed have a sense of purpose and to gives them a sense of dignity by helping those in their own community”.
In Cork city and county there are over 102 schemes with a total of 2052 people taking part. “The Minister has given a commitment that no CE schemes will be forced to close due to funding cutbacks She also highlighted their importance “these schemes play an important role in our communities, in particular by providing services which have an intrinsic social value like helping the disabled to live independently or delivering meals –on –wheels and other services to our older citizens”.
“I welcome the news that CE schemes will not be forced to close due to fiscal restraint however, we must ensure the government continues to see and maintain the importance of these schemes” said Senator Clune.

ENDS.

Senator Deirdre Clune can be contacted on 087-2387539

20th January 2012.

Fine Gael Senator Deirdre Clune today has welcomed the issuing of a new report on dementia in Ireland. This report criticises the care provided to people with dementia in Ireland and “found that over 40,000 people suffer from the illness and has a higher incidence than cancer and heart disease”. One of the startling findings of this report was that more than 26,000 people with dementia are still living at home and have probably never been diagnosed with the illness.
The report entitled ‘Creating Excellence in Dementia Care: A Research Review for Ireland’s National Dementia Strategy’ was undertaken by researchers at Trinity College, St. James Hospital in Dublin and the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology at NUI Galway.
“This report shows first- hand the plight and lack of support many suffering from dementia are experiencing in our communities”.
“I very much welcome the publication of this report this follows on from Minister Reilly’s announcement that more funding will be invested in the area of mental health and a number of jobs and training will be provided for those working in the sector. It is crucial that funding is given to this area and those vulnerable in our society such as the elderly are taken care of”.
Funding which is being allocated to mental health will greatly help those who are suffering from dementia and their families, services will be made available to families these services include public health nurses, home help services, therapy , assistive technology and other such services.
I believe that families should be given the option to look after their loved ones at home and services to assist these families must be provided for by the HSE. “As our population ages as the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise, the urgency for Ireland to develop its own National Dementia Strategy has never been so great “.
Senator Clune concluded “This report will act as a blueprint for the implementation of the National Strategy”.
ENDS.
Senator Clune can be contacted on 087-2387539

Senator Deirdre Clune welcomes focus on youth mental health services in HSE National Service Plan 2012.

Fine Gael Senator Deirdre Clune has today welcomed the provisions in the HSE National Service Plan 2012 relating to treatment for children and young people. “Often, the symptoms of mental illness first present themselves during childhood and adolescence. Early intervention through community services can really make the difference when it comes to preventing the escalation of these illnesses.”
“I also hope that the 35 million euro worth of funding ring-fenced for mental health initiatives in Budget 2012 can help to end the damaging practice of placing children and young people in adult psychiatric units,” Senator Clune stated. “It is vital that we have dedicated child and adolescent primary care facilities and inpatient units made available. I fully support Minister Kathleen Lynch in her determination to see these opened in 2012.”
“In the first nine months of 2011, 105 minors were admitted to adult units. The government is focused on reducing this amount drastically in 2012 with a view to ending the practice altogether. The placement of young people in adult wards is detrimental to their recovery. Age-appropriate treatment facilities which are community-based give young sufferers the best chance at treating their illnesses before inpatient treatment becomes necessary.”
“According to the World Health Organization, up to 20 per cent of this vulnerable group has experience of a disabling mental health condition. The National Disability Survey from 2006 found that 9,900 of those who were aged 17 or younger had an emotional, psychological or mental health disability. This funding will enable appropriate treatment to be given to those children who are suffering from mental health issues.”
This announcement is a major step in realising the vision set out in the Programme for Government for mental health facilities in this country.
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For more information, please contact:
Senator Deirdre Clune
087 2397539
www.deirdreclune.ie

Fine Gael Senator Deirdre Clune has today welcomed the funding announced in the HSE National Service Plan 2012 for primary care facilities. €20 million has been allocated to fill as many vacancies as possible in the primary care sector. The Programme for Government sets primary care out as a key facet in the treatment of illness. As a part of this strategy, GP cards will be issued to those with Long Term Illnesses.
“A quarter of Irish people suffer from chronic illnesses which can be treated as effectively by primary with the support of hospital services. These chronic illness account for 80% of hospital based expenditure. By prioritising primary care we can create a more efficient and effective health system,” stated Senator Clune.
“Diseases such as diabetes, heart failure and chronic lung disease can be better served by community-based treatment than by crowding hospital emergency departments. Support and training for GPs is vital in establishing a strong primary care system which can provide treatment to patients in their own localities.”
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For more information, please contact:
Senator Deirdre Clune
087 2397539

www.deirdreclune.ie