People Before Profit
say that the continuing functioning of democracy is vital to raise questions
and concerns from the public and to hold the government to account.
PBP to raise ongoing
issues with government during health and social protection sessions during Dáil
sitting today
At a media conference
on the Dáil plinth this morning, People Before Profit TDs Richard Boyd Barrett,
Bríd Smith and Gino Kenny said that it was “vital” that the Dáil continues to
meet during this crisis in order to ensure that democracy continues to function
and that there is an opportunity for opposition TD’s to raise the many concerns
of the public and to hold the government to account.
In the Dáil today,
Richard Boyd Barrett will be highlighting many of the issues that have arisen
over the last days from members of the public.
The Dáil will today
have two sessions- health and social protection.
Health:
· The particular details around the deal between the Department of
Health and the private hospitals for the duration of the crisis, how much this
deal will cost the Irish State, why the secondment of private health facilities
is time limited to the crisis when it is clear that a fully public health
system is in the interest of public health going forward.
· The plans to take productive capacity of necessary medical
equipment and facilities (including but not limited to ventilators, lab
capacity, PPE, testing equipment and reagent) under public control.
· The delay in testing and the shortage of testing equipment.
· The crisis in our nursing homes and the danger this poses to the
health of our elderly and health workers.
· The alarming rate of incidence of Covid19 amongst health workers
· Those living in overcrowded conditions such as Direct Provision,
Homeless Hubs, Hostels etc
Speaking on this Richard
Boyd Barrett TDsaid: “We need to hear from the government the
specific detail about the deal between the Department of Health and the private
healthcare facilities. It had been reported that Leo Varadkar had said that
this arrangement would be not for profit, but we need to know the precise
details of the financial agreement that has been struck.
“We also want to hear
the rationale for why the secondment of private healthcare would be time
limited to the Covid 19 crisis. What has been shown clearly is that a two-tier
model of healthcare provision cannot provide for the needs of a society during
crisis and, as we have seen from our experience, in normal times.
“Once this crisis is
over, we cannot return to the days of the trolley crisis, overcrowding, staff
shortages and a system where timely access is based on your ability to pay.
“I would, on behalf of
People Before Profit, like to pay tribute to all the heroic people who are
risking their health and wellbeing in order to fight this virus. Healthcare
staff, retail worker and transport staff have put themselves in harms way
during the last few months and they are heroes, one and all.”
Adding to this Gino
Kenny TD said: “Today we will push for the government to take over the
productive capacity of necessary medical equipment and facilities and place
these under public control. We need more capacity to be directed to the
production of ventilators, PPE testing equipment and reagent urgently. We also
need to source more lab capacity so that we can increase the testing rates
which to date have not been up to the required levels that WHO have identified.
“We also must increase
testing amongst health care workers and in nursing homes where there is a
particular risk. Overcrowded accommodation and living conditions must be
addressed by this government. We have been raising this issue where very many
people, including homeless people, families, people in Direct Provision,
migrants and students are still being forced to live in unsatisfactory,
overcrowded conditions where they are unable to self-isolate.”
Social Protection:
· The need for a Universal Payment of €350 for all so that
everyone that is out of work or has lost income as a result of the pandemic can
get a payment. Currently there are anomalies including those over
66, those who have an underlying health condition, those who work in the gig
economy, students on work/study visas who had not started work before the
relevant date and those who have recently returned to Ireland as a result of
the pandemic.
· The need for the payment to also cover those on disabilities,
pensioners etc who are already in receipt of SW payments but that are of lower
amounts.
· Rent Allowance for those unable to meet rents
· Reward payments for frontline workers
Speaking on the
measures that the group will raise in the social protection session, Bríd
Smith TD said: “There are many vulnerable people who are unable to get
the Covid 19 emergency payment including people over 66, people working in the
gig economy and students who have come to Ireland for English Language studies
and have not yet been in work or attained a PPS number. Many of these people
are vulnerable and frightened- their rent will still be due at the end of the
month; bills will still have to be paid and yet they are deemed to not qualify
for the payment. We will be calling on the government to fix these anomalies so
everyone in this country can feel somewhat financially secure during this
uncertain time.
“Payment for people on
disability and pensioners who are already in receipt of social welfare payment
needed to be brought up and rent allowance for those unable to meet their rent
should be increased.
“Finally, we are
reiterating our call for the government to give frontline workers like, health
staff, transport workers, and retail staff a reward payment for the heroic work
that they are doing- risking their health and wellbeing for the people of this
state. They should be rewarded for their efforts and selfless bravery.”