People Before Profit Palmerstown Newsletter February 2023

NEWSLETTER

Palmerstown 2023

THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS CONTINUES

being hit with huge increases in electricity and gas costs. Everything is going up except incomes, pensions and wages.

The government's budget has fallen short. One-off measures may take the sting out but do not provide a permanent solution. Many in our community are being faced with tough choices between heating or eating.

People Before Profit has laid out an alternative budget and put forward bills which would reduce rents and cap energy prices however these measures have been voted down by the government parties.

Among the key measures we propose are:

● Cap energy prices and nationalise the energy sector

● Protect Incomes by introducing a living wage, restoring the pension age to 65 and bring all social welfare benefits above the poverty line

income

● Abolish all fees, charges and contributions for all levels of education

● Free childcare

All these measures are achievable by taxing wealth. We propose increasing corporation tax and employers PRSI, introducing a wealth tax and a tax on land banks and on vacant homes among other targeted tax measures.

BILL

BREAST CANCER SCREENING MOTION SHORTAGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES

In 2020 Ireland had the 5th highest mortality rate for female breast cancer in the EU and the 8th highest incident rate. This is unacceptable and something we can change. Last September the European Commission recommended that breast cancer screening be offered to women between the ages of 45 to 74. At present, Breastcheck only screens women aged between 50 and 69. Recently I submitted a motion calling on the government to:

● Introduce screening for breast cancer from the age of 40 through publicly funded & run programmes

● Guarantee immediate access to diagnostics services for young women at risk of breast cancer & ensure access to a triple assessment for young women who present with possible breast cancer

A number of parents have raised the issue of the lack of public health nurses in the Dublin Mid-West area. Public health nurses play a vital role in aiding healthy development and detecting early illnesses in new-borns and infants through regular checkups.

The HSE has acknowledged that there is a shortage due to recruitment issues and as an interim measure, a cross-cover arrangement for priority cases has been put in place. The HSE will continue to recruit for these vacancies.

However, the concern that children will not receive their developmental check-ups because of staff shortages is deeply worrying.

Gino Kenny TD, as health spokesperson for People Before Profit, will continue to raise this issue with the government.

● Immediately revise the criteria for access to genetic testing so that all women at high risk of BRCA related breast cancer have access to genetic testing and counselling in the public health system

● Initiate a publicly funded education programme in schools around breast examination

These changes are vital and if implemented they will save lives. Cancer screening services have been severely impacted over the course of the covid pandemic. It is important that we make sure the Government prioritise women’s health.

HOUSING CRISIS CONTINUES

There are over 11,500 homeless people in Ireland at present. There are a further 60,000 on housing waiting lists. And there are 166,000 vacant homes—enough to house everyone in need twice over.

The Irish government facilitated vulture funds, cuckoo funds and speculators who have hoarded property in order to charge exorbitant rents and reap massive profits.

Asylum seekers are not to blame but this has created the conditions for far-right groups to stir up and misdirect anger among local people.

People Before Profit wants housing for ALL. To achieve this, we propose:

● A state-led building company to build social and affordable houses.

● 50% of private developments should be handed over to the state at reduced prices

● To take vacant homes into public ownership to house all people

● Rent reductions and a ban on evictions

Occupied Territories Bill. People Before Profit

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF ASSISTED DYING

In July of 2021 the Dáil’s Justice Committee recommended that a special Oireachtas committee should examine the topic of assisted dying following the scrutiny of the Dying with Dignity Bill put forward by Gino Kenny TD in 2020. After much delay, the special committee will now be established in February and run for a period of nine months. The committee will then make its recommendations to the government by the end of this year. Consistent opinion polls have indicated that a clear majority would support a change in legislation.

As a member of the committee, I look forward to this very important national discussion in the year ahead.

CANNABIS REGULATION BILL 2022

In November, Gino Kenny TD put forward a Bill to decriminalise cannabis for personal possession for adults. The Bill seeks to stop the criminal sanctioning of those found with small amounts of cannabis for personal use. At present thousands of people are brought before the courts for possession of small amounts of cannabis. This serves no purpose for either the person or the state. Later this year the Citizens Assembly will examine the issue of drug decriminalisation. People Before Profit hope that this will start a meaningful debate which can lead to the end of cannabis prohibition in Ireland.

GOVERNMENT OVERTURNS A BAN ON FUTURE DATA CENTRES

Last Summer, South Dublin County Council became the first to ban data centres after a motion put forward by People Before Profit Cllr Madeleine Johansson was passed.

The ban on further data centres is an important victory for the environmental movement, they provide little in terms of jobs and have a huge cost and environmental impact.

However, the democratic mandate of the Council is now being challenged by corporate greed. Echelon DC Holdings Limited, a company which owns and develops data centres, has brought forward a High Court challenge to overturn the decision. The Minister for Local Government Peter Burke has also intervened to direct the council to remove the ban.

It is estimated over 10% of Ireland’s electricity use is consumed by data centres and is expected to increase to 30% by 2030. Eirgrid has warned that the demand on the national grid must be reduced or we will likely experience blackouts this winter.

The Irish Academy of Engineering has estimated that data centre expansion will require almost €9 billion in new energy infrastructure and add at least 13% to Ireland’s carbon emissions by 2030 making it impossible to reach our 2030 and 2050 climate reduction targets.

People Before Profit will continue to stand up against corporate greed and fight to ensure that people and the planet are put before profit.

To View Bill QR Code Below Launching the Cannabis Regulation Bill with Youth Workers Against Prohibition Gerrard Roe, Natalie O ‘Regan and Dr. Garret

Launching the Dying with Dignity Bill with the late Vicky Phelan, Tom Curran and Gail O’Rorke outside Leinster House.

The BusConnects Core Bus Corridor plan for the N4 was published for public consultation recently. The scheme is generally welcome as it will prioritise public transport and cycling and provide safer infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. I am aware that it was proposed to remove one of the bus stops near the Oval and I think this would be a mistake. Hopefully the plan will be revised to retain the bus stop.

A five-fold increase in funding is vital to ensure safe staffing levels and expand the service to meet the needs of children in the state.

OLD SKATE PARK PLANS REFUSED

The plans by a developer to build high rise apartments at the old skate park site on Kennelsfort Rd were refused by An Bord Pleanála. I made several submissions stating my concerns with the plans including the height and density.

I am not against housing on this site and would welcome a more appropriate and reasonable proposal.