Cork TDs outline priorities ahead of Dáil return

AN immediate priority for Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central Colm Burke is ensuring there will be enough hospital beds for patients to meet the growing demand every winter. 

“A huge aim for me would be to make sure that we plan properly for the winter months. I believe that we should enter into a contract in Cork where we should contract 100 beds in one of the private hospitals. I firmly believe that we need to block book 100 private hospital beds in Cork now.

“We have challenges in healthcare,” acknowledged Deputy Burke. 

“There are a number of issues. People are living longer, and a higher degree of care must be provided as we all get older. We need to ensure that the services and back up support are there. We are finding it very difficult to recruit people in relation to homecare because there is such a demand in all areas such as restaurants, factories, colleges, schools.

“There are vacancies everywhere now. It is a demanding job. We need to look at how we encourage more people into it. If we don’t have the people to provide homecare how are we going to deal with the greater demand for nursing home beds and do we have an adequate number?” he added.

Speculation is already gathering as to a likely date for the next General Election which must be held before March 2025.

GENERAL ELECTION

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork East James O’Connor agreed that next year will be a big year in Irish politics with local elections and a European election scheduled to be held in June along with the possibility of a general election later in the year. 

“2024 will be a big year. It is the last full Dáil term before the next election. The general election will either take place in next autumn or else in early in 2025. It is more than likely the next election will come in the autumn. It is going to be a very busy year.” 

Deputy O’Connor who is currently the youngest TD in the Dáil said he has been working at full capacity throughout the summer. “This was the busiest summer I ever had in politics. Most public representatives would acknowledge that. We have been working at full capacity. 

"School bus problems are huge and are affecting the entire county. This is something the Department of Education will have to give further consideration on."

He has a number of key ‘priorities’ he wants to see progressed in the coming weeks and months. 

“The main things I want to get done is to see design consultants being appointed in Castlemartyr for the new road. I want to see a new secondary school construction happening in Youghal. I want to see that progressed. We also need to improve day care facilities for the elderly. We need to see more capacity on this.”

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould said he will be a ‘voice’ for Cork people. 

'SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIGHT FOR CORK'

“I am looking forward to the Dáil resuming because it is vital that someone is up there fighting for Cork and raising important issues for Cork. I will be a voice. I will be in the Dáil fighting and standing up for Cork people. Someone needs to be fighting for Cork, not just for the northside, but throughout the city, because the government ministers and TDs are not doing it,” he said.

Deputy Gould and his party colleagues intend to prioritise issues such as housing and health in the coming weeks and months. 

“I will be raising issues in relation to the delivery of housing which remains a big issue. Housing maintenance is a big issue for council houses. 

"We also have issues with the number of children with disabilities getting places, getting therapy, and getting transport to school. We are inundated with parents contacting us about having to fight to get school places."

Deputy Gould said: “This government is not working, and people want change. People are really struggling. We are seeing huge issues with people struggling to pay their mortgage due to continuous mortgage interest rises, and people are struggling to pay rent. 

"I think the Dáil will run into late next year maybe after next year’s budget. We know the government TDs are not keen on having an election because a lot of them know they will not be re-elected. They will hang on as long as possible.” 

Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry promised to go in hard on topics such as the cost-of-living crisis and housing on the first day the Dáil resumes. 

“On Wednesday I aim to go in hard in the tackle on the issues that most concern my constituents. These are the cost-of-living crisis and the housing super shambles. I’m looking forward to a general election where Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael can be shown the door. I’m not hearing Sinn Féin ruling out deals with these parties and I’d like to hear something on that.”