Connect with us

News

Nearly 20,000 applications for medical cards in Kerry in 2015

Published

9 years ago

on

F

FROM January to December of last year 19,628 applications were received by the Department of Health from people in Kerry seeking medical cards. Some 16,887 of these were granted. To date this year, 5,504 have been received and 4,731 have been awarded.

The figures were released in response to a recent parliamentary question made by Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae to Minister for Health Simon Harris in which he asked how many medical cards were applied for and granted in the past 18 months in the county.

Meanwhile, Deputy Healy-Rae has welcomed the announcement by Minister Harris that he has pledged to legislate to extend automatic medical cards to children who are entitled to a domiciliary care allowance.

Minister Harris stated in the Dáil last night that 11,000 sick and severely disabled children will benefit from the commitment, which was part of the Programme for Government and that the children will not have to go through assessment or means test. He stated that children in receipt of domiciliary care will start to receive the Medical Cards in early 2017.

Related Topics:
Advertisement

News

Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

Published

9 hours ago

on

17 October 2025

By

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

Continue Reading

News

Cardiac Response Unit’s ‘Restart a Heart’ training event

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates […]

Published

13 hours ago

on

17 October 2025

By

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart A Heart, which aims to increase awareness and actual rates of bystander CPR worldwide.

The main event, titled RAH 2025, invites the public to learn life-saving skills and the basic steps in the chain of survival. This will take place on Saturday, October 18, at the Killarney Outlet Centre.
Members of the public are encouraged to join KCRU at the centre between 10:00 am and 5pm.
Key feature of the day will be the CPR Competition, offering “fantastic prizes to be won.”
For further information, visit www.killarneycru.ie/rah25

Continue Reading

Last News

News9 hours ago

Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School...
News13 hours ago

Cardiac Response Unit’s ‘Restart a Heart’ training event

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit (KCRU) is set to run a range of events as part of the global initiative Restart...
News14 hours ago

Killarney Athletic stalwart Donie does it for the love of the game

Ahead of Killarney Athletic’s 60th anniversary, Adam Moynihan spoke to club stalwart and current chairman Donie Murphy about his passion...
News14 hours ago

Hosts Killarney defeat neighbours Tralee in local ‘Ryder Cup’

A team representing Killarney Golf and Fishing Club took part in a Ryder Cup style tournament against their neighbours from...
News14 hours ago

Marc Ó Sé to sign new book at Eason this Saturday

Kerry football legend Marc Ó Sé will be in Eason, Main Street, this Saturday, (October 18), to sign copies of...

Sport

Sport6 hours ago

Lakers aiming to secure first win at home to Malahide

The Utility Trust St Paul’s Lakers will be hoping for a turn of fortunes this weekend after suffering a defeat...
News2 months ago

Clifford brothers to test their game against golf’s elite

Kerry footballers Paudie and David Clifford will take on some of the biggest names in golf when they line out...
News3 months ago

Athletic’s Luke Doolan Signs for Kerry FC

Killarney teenager Luke Doolan has signed for Kerry FC, making the move from local side Killarney Athletic. The 17-year-old forward...
News3 months ago

Time change for Kerry team homecoming in Killarney

Celebrations are set to get underway in Killarney tonight as the Kerry team make their way back to the Kingdom...
Sport4 months ago

Injured Kerry quartet return for do-or-die showdown with Cavan

by Adam Moynihan All-Ireland Preliminary Quarter-Final Kerry v Cavan Saturday 3.30pm Fitzgerald Stadium Key players Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Diarmuid O’Connor...