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St Mary of the Angels defends itself against HIQA compliance report

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By Sean Moriarty

 

St John of God Kerry Services, operator of the St Mary of the Angels facility in Beaufort, has defended claims made by a Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

 

HIQA visited St Mary’s of the Angels last August and in a report published this week found a number of shortcomings including the number of staff allocated to residents and the general upkeep of buildings.

 

In 2009, St John of God Kerry Services’, who provide training, employment, social and residential programmes for over 300 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the county, had an annual HSE allocation of €17.2m.

 

In 2019, the allocation was €16.9m. Yet over this 10 year period, the level of service provided in Kerry grew significantly with a new day centre opening in Tralee and expansions in Listowel, Killarney and Killorglin.

 

Earlier this month the Killarney Advertiser reported that St Mary’s of the Angels will be forced to cut services after the HSE announced a county-wide cut of €160,000.

 

“We acknowledge the issues highlighted in the report and these clearly fall below the standards we strive to deliver and the mission and values which underpin our service,” a St John of God Kerry Services spokesperson told the Killarney Advertiser.

 

“Many of these challenges arise regrettably due to ongoing funding shortfalls in disability services locally and nationally. We are happy to report that since this inspection last August, a significant action plan has been undertaken to bring the centre into compliance including a refurbishment programme, a recruitment campaign and additional training of staff, and improved care planning for residents. Every inspection conducted in the facility recognises staff members and their kind and considerate approach with residents and we would wish to emphasise their positive contribution in sometimes challenging circumstances.”

 

Over the last two years alone, we have suffered further significant cuts totalling €272,000 and a further proposed cut of €160,000 has been imposed for 2020, they added.

 

“The level of supports required by our service users has also increased significantly in that period, due to their advancing age profile and increased medical needs. These cuts have been a significant contributor to our financial deficit which has come in at €1.25m for each of the last two years.”

 

 

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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