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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Martin says ‘no issue' with bigger fines for nursing homes as HIQA in new powers & ‘change catalyst' call after RTE doc
IRELAND'S health watchdog does not have the power to tackle or punish big businesses that have taken over Ireland's nursing home industry, HIQA bosses confessed today. It comes as officials issued a grovelling apology over the failings that saw residents being abused and neglected in two homes that were exposed by an Advertisement 3 Beneavin Manor featured in a bombshell RTE expose Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 3 Footage from the doc revealed neglect of patients Credit: RTÉ Investigates Both of these homes have since been hit with warnings that they could be closed down if improvements are not made with gardai also called in to investigate incidents covered in the exposé. And today Taoiseach He also said that closures have to be used as 'a real consequence' for some nursing homes that are neglecting residents. The Advertisement READ MORE ON IRISH NEWS The documentary revealed The Oireachtas Health Committee today heard that 198 allegations of abuse of residents had been made in relation to Beneavin Manor while 40 allegations of abuse were made in the Residence in Portlaoise since 2023. The health watchdog HIQA told TDs and Senators that both homes have been issued warnings that they could have their registration cancelled if drastic improvements are not made. The company – Emeis Ireland – owns 23 more nursing homes in Ireland with HIQA launching new inspections in each of these facilities following the RTE exposé. Advertisement Most read in Irish News HIQA CEO Angela Fitzgerald issued a grovelling apology to the public over the nursing home scandal following criticism that the watchdog had previously signed off on the homes. She said: 'The recent RTÉ Investigates, was incredibly distressing and I want to apologise to anyone who feels let down by HIQA as the regulator. LACK OF POWER 'What we witnessed in the programme should never have happened, and I hope that this can be a catalyst for change at a number of levels. 'I want to assure you that we have taken a number of steps to ensure the safety of residents and will continue to do so.' Advertisement The HIQA boss also revealed to TDs and Senators that the State's watchdog does not have the power to fine or punish big businesses that are now running our nursing home sector. Some 75 per cent of nursing homes in Ireland are now owned by private companies – an increase from 30 per cent just 20 years ago. Just 15 large companies are in charge of 10,000 spaces for people in nursing homes in Ireland. While HIQA does have the power to close down a nursing home, the watchdog does not have the power to go after the businesses that own the homes. Advertisement 'SYSTEM NOT WORKING' HIQA told the Oireachtas Health Committee that they would need to be given extra powers from the Government in order to go after businesses with fines. The Dublin TD claimed the 'State walked away' and allowed a 'corporate takeover' of the care of older people in Ireland. She said the 'system is not working' if 198 complaints can be made against a nursing home but there is no accountability until RTE's undercover reporters show up. Advertisement 3 Health Information and Quality Authority Chief Executive Angela Fitzgerald Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Law is being broken & leaving our children permanently damaged, warns teen campaigner on autism diagnosis delays
AT JUST 14 years old, Cara Darmody has already met three different taoisigh, addressed a Dail committee and won the support of thousands as she campaigns for better autism services. Last month, the youngster spent 50 hours camped outside the gates of Leinster House as she demands the 4 Cara Darmody claims that Micheal Martin is breaking the law Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 4 She has two brothers, Neil and John, who have severe and profound intellectual disabilities Credit: Social Media Collect 4 Cara said Micheal Martin wouldn't declare this as a national emergency despite the evidence Credit: AFP or licensors Under our current At the moment, there are 15,000 Here, brave campaigner Cara Darmody tells our readers about the motivation behind her campaign and inside her talks with successive taoisigh that have left her furious. LET'S cut straight to the chase - I'm here today to call out the blatant Assessments of Needs law-breaking by the Taoiseach and the Government. READ MORE IN NEWS Three different taoisigh have made promises to me to fix this issue, and all have failed. I'm the 14-year-old Let me explain how the Government is breaking the law. The Disability Act of 2005 states that an Assessment of Need must be carried out on an That six-month timeframe is there because every single person knows that early intervention is the key. Most read in The Irish Sun It's also generally accepted that when early intervention doesn't occur, that permanent damage is caused to children with disabilities. My own story is very simple – while I'm not autistic, I have two brothers, Neil, 12, and John, eight, who are and who have severe and profound Playing with dolls can help your child's social development – even if they have autism, study finds They were both failed dramatically by the state in relation to assessments and services; Neil remains in an inappropriate I cannot do anything to change the permanent damage caused to Neil and John, but I can advocate to stop damage being done to thousands of autistic children in the future. And this law-breaking by the Government isn't like parking on double yellow lines, where people can simply drive around you. This is law-breaking that causes permanent damage to autistic children. 'LEFT TO ROT' Let's look at what's happening in In County There are presently more than 15,000 children left to rot on Shockingly, the HSE revealed that the figure will go up to 25,000 by The Cabinet is breaking the law, the Taoiseach is breaking the law. I get it that they don't want to hear that kind of criticism, but it's the truth – they are law- breakers when it comes to Assessments of Needs. It's a sad indictment on our country that if someone asked me to find a location in Ireland where 100 per cent of the people present are breaking a law of some type, then I would go to the Taoiseach's Department on a Tuesday for the Cabinet meeting. Three weeks ago, I was so grateful to be invited to meet our Taoiseach, But I was shocked that he wouldn't declare this as a national emergency. He's breaking the law, and the HSE has now handed him evidence that this crisis is totally out of control, with figures to rise by 10,000 children over the next seven months. How many does that number have to reach before he declares this as a national emergency? 30,000? 40,000? 50,000? 'TECHNICAL BREACH OF LAW' So let's look at the Taoiseach's own words – he says that they're 'not in a position to uphold the law.' He also said that 'It's a technical breach of the law.' Well, I have news for him - this is not a technical breach of the law, it's total and utter blatant law-breaking. My message to the Taoiseach today is very simple – immediately declare this as a national emergency, set up a task force to knock on every private psychologist and Finally…. Taoiseach, Stop breaking the law. 4 The children on the Assessment of Needs waiting lists are 'left to rot' as the figures increase Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘Finally released', says Paul Murphy as Irish citizens detained in Egypt on march to Gaza ‘safe & well' after let go
SEVERAL Irish citizens who were detained on a march through Egypt to Gaza have been released, the Tanaiste has confirmed. Simon Harris also expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East after Advertisement 4 Simon Harris confirmed that the detained Irish citizens in Egypt have been released Credit: 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 4 Paul Murphy was one of the detained citizens during the march to Gaza 4 Gaza is experiencing a famine as humanitarian aids are cut off from Palestinians Credit: AFP or licensors Foreign Affairs Minister He said he had been briefed on developments and all embassy staff are 'safe and well'. Harris called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy, adding: 'This is a dangerous moment for the He also spoke with a politician who has been released from detention in Advertisement READ MORE ON THE MIDDLE EAST People Before Profit TD The opposition politician said his phone and passport were confiscated before he and others were put on a bus to Deputy Murphy and party representatives urged Tanaiste Harris and the Department of Foreign Affairs to intervene. All Irish people who were detained have since been released, but some have not had their phones returned. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Exclusive In a statement today, Deputy Murphy said: 'We were finally released late last night at airport. Police still have our phones. 'We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps. We're focused on Shocking moment thousands of Gazans overrun US-backed aid site as 'shots fired' 'Thanks for your support. Free Fine Gael leader Harris said: 'I am pleased that following the work of our embassy staff, all Irish people who were detained yesterday in Rafah have been released and have had their passports returned. Advertisement 'I spoke directly to Deputy Murphy to confirm he and other Irish people have been released from detention, had their 'I am aware some Irish citizens have not had their phones returned by the authorities and I have asked our embassy to pursue this.' 'GET HUMANITARIAN AID INTO GAZA' Deputy Murphy's partner, councillor Jess Spear, expressed 'relief' that the group had been released from detention. She said: 'However, they still want to reach Rafah to try and get humanitarian aid into Gaza. That has been the sole purpose of being in Egypt. Advertisement 'Paul has appealed to Tanaiste Simon Harris to put pressure on the Egyptian authorities to let the marchers reach Rafah. The situation of the people of Gaza worsens by the day as they suffer starvation imposed by 'We need to get humanitarian aid to them as quickly as possible.' EMBASSIES REMAIN CLOSED Minister Harris said embassies remain in close contact with members of the Irish community to offer assistance, adding that his department is working closely with 'My department continues to advise against all travel to Advertisement 'Irish citizens in the region are advised to be vigilant and to follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place.' 4 Conflicts are escalating in the Middle East as Israel and Iran have launched strikes on each other Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘I wouldn't be able to predict', admits Minister on timeline for Ireland's sky-high rent prices to fall amid reform laws
HOUSING Minister James Browne has no idea when Ireland's sky high rent prices will start to fall – despite introducing a slew of major reforms to rental rules for tenants and landlords. The average Advertisement 2 The number of new apartments to rent being built has collapsed in Ireland in recent years Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 Minister James Browne said that the only way to bring down rent prices in Ireland was to increase supply Credit: 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved At the same time, the number of new Today the Currently, rent pressure zone rules mean landlords in designated areas of the country can only raise their rent by two per cent per year. However, there are a series of problems with this system with rents regularly climbing above this two per cent cap. Advertisement READ MORE IN PROPERTY The Government claims that this cap is also a deterrent for international investment Today, Firstly, the two per cent rent pressure zone cap will now be extended to the entire country for people currently living in existing rental properties. However, this cap will not apply to newly built apartments. Advertisement Most read in Money Instead, landlords who own newly built apartments will be able to increase their rent every year in line with The third change will see new six year terms introduced for renters from next year with landlords able to 'reset' their rent to market value at the end of each six year term. CHANGE TO RULES The final change will see 'no fault evictions' outlawed for large landlords who own more than three properties. This means these landlords cannot boot out tenants where there has been no breach of the rental agreement. Advertisement Minister Browne said that the only way to bring down rent prices in Ireland was to increase supply. The Asked directly if he believes the price of rent in Ireland will fall over the next two years on the back of his new changes, Minister Browne said: 'I expect rents to fall over time. What that particular length of time is I wouldn't be able to predict.' The launch of the new rules caused significant confusion in the Advertisement 'SACRIFICIAL LAMB' Ironically, Minister Browne told the media that the changes were being introduced to 'simplify' rental rules. Advertisement Taoiseach
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Major ‘reduced visibility' alert for drivers amid M50 delays after overnight flooding as Dublin Airport bus cancelled
A MAJOR alert has been issued to road users on the West Coast as unsettled weather conditions continue across the country. Weather experts have issued an alert that the 3 A reduced visibility alert has been issued Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 3 The alert is applied for the busy N6 road Credit: Wikipedia 3 There is currently some congestion on the M50 Motorway Credit: Alamy Due to the uncertain The alert is in effect for the busy N6 road, which forms a continuous motorway/dual carriageway from Dublin to It is reported that drivers can only see up to 0.05km ahead due to the reduced visibility in the area. Drivers are urged to use dipped headlights and fog lights while driving in foggy conditions, the fog lights reflect light onto the road to avoid it shining directly into the fog. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS It is also important to reduce your speed when driving into a low-visibility area and leave extra time for your journey in order to be safe on the road. And it is vital to leave more stopping distance between you and other road users, as the fog can make tail-lights seem further away than they actually are. Lastly, don't forget to switch off your fog lights when full visibility has returned so you don't dazzle other road users. Elsewhere on the roads this morning, motorists in Most read in Motors The delays on the M50 are affecting the Southbound roads between J02 and J13. During the night, there was flooding reported on the M50 J09 on the northbound Slip N7 to M50 North Lanes, which affected Slips 1 and 2. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads However, the incident has been cleared before the morning rush. The congestion is impacting routes approaching Dublin, which are N3 S, N4 E and M7 S. The TII Motorway Operations Control Centre also reported there are no delays on the N40 in BUSY DUBLIN AIRPORT SERVICE CANCELLED Meanwhile, one of The Wexford to Dublin Airport at 5am and Dublin Airport to Wexford at 10am on the busy Route 2 have been cancelled. The 8:25am Dunshaughlin to Dublin on Route 109 has been cancelled. Route N1/N2 and W1/W2 are currently operating at a reduced frequency until further notice.
