Supports required for SMEs
Small businesses in Clare need a break as input costs are rising and footfall in hospitality is down. The Government is adding to the pressure on them instead of helping…
Public Service Broadcasting
Although there’s strong support for it, there’s no agreement on what constitutes public service broadcasting, whether it’s provided by RTÉ, exclusively or at all, and the role of local radio stations.
McNamara Secures Government Commitment On Wastewater Infrastructure Scheme
Independent TD Michael McNamara has secured a commitment from the Minister for Public Expenditure to explore the continuation and expansion of a pilot scheme that delivers essential wastewater infrastructure in coastal communities that are presently unsewered.
Read MoreEU procuring ammunition for Ukraine
The EU is close to agreeing to jointly procure ammunition for Ukraine. Ireland is one of the 25 of 27 EU member states to have confirmed its interest in participating.
Offshore wind energy
Developers need a concrete plan rather than the vague aspirations of this government if this state is to benefit from its offshore wind energy potential.
Defence Forces to take part in EU mission to train Ukrainian soldiers
The constitutional basis for Irish Defence Forces training Ukraine’s armed forces and the Dáil’s approval for the cost of European Union, including Irish, military involvement must be clarified.
Ennis Hospital
The Taoiseach agreed with me that capacity at Ennis Hospital has to be increased as part of the solution to overcrowding at UHL. Plans drawn up a decade ago for a new block at the back of Ennis need to be resurrected.
No new acute beds for Mid-West hospitals in 2023
No new acute beds will be opened in the Mid-West Region in 2023, according to figures released to Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara.
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HSE figures highlight “chronic underinvestment” in Mid West
Only 7 WTE (Fulltime /Whole-time Equivalent) healthcare professional positions in Acute Services were created at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) during 2022 despite UHL being the most overcrowded hospital in the country last year.
Read MoreEnnis Hospital theatres
Despite Minister Donnelly’s claim that 1,000 new posts have been created at University Hospital Limerick since March 2020, two recently upgraded theatres in Ennis Hospital have remained closed since before Christmas.
Expansion of services planned for Chronic Disease Hub in Ennis
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara says he has received confirmation from the HSE that new positions in the areas of cardiology, physiotherapy, respiratory and diabetes are at advance stage of recruitment for the Clare Chronic Disease Hub and that a significant expansion of services at the Ennis-based facility is planned over the coming months.
Read MoreCAHMS
The absence of IT systems and structures in the HSE and across the entire health service, including CAMHS, is a major blockage to its improvement and efficient functioning and needs to be addressed urgently.
Health service in the Mid West
I spoke about the healthcare crisis in the Mid West on The Tonight Show.
Resourcing the Midwest health system
I attended a positive meeting about UHL yesterday with UL Hospitals Group management, the Health Minister, Taoiseach and fellow Oireachtas Midwest representatives. At long last, there was an acknowledgment that the Midwest hospital system is under-resourced compared to other regions of the State and that the Model 2 Hospitals, such as Ennis and Nenagh, are underutilised.
Leo Varadkar on Shannon Heritage
I again raised the proposed transfer of Shannon Heritage in the Dáil, this time with the Tánaiste.
UHL and Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach
The Tánaiste today accepted that UHL will require increased bed capacity and greater involvement from government to address the overcrowding crisis.
Burren and Inis Cealtra heritage list announcement due in July
Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara says a decision on the inclusion of the Cultural Landscape of the Burren Uplands and Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) on a new Tentative List of potential World Heritage Properties for Ireland will be made next month.
Read MoreProposed approval of Carbon Budget
Imagine a budget that didn’t detail where spending was to be reduced or taxation increased. It wouldn’t constitute a budget. Similarly, a “Carbon Budget” that doesn’t set out which sectors will be impacted and by how much cannot be called a “budget.”
McNamara highlights lack of EV Charge points in Clare
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has urged Clare County Council to play a leading role in expanding and modernising the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network in County Clare.
Read MoreMiltown Malbay reservoir works underway
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation that a new reservoir serving Miltown Malbay and surrounding areas will be delivered in the second half of 2022.
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Additional staff and capacity for Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis
A further expansion of the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) in Ennis Hospital is currently underway with a staff recruitment process ongoing, according to Deputy Michael McNamara.
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