Latest news with #DeclanBree
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
No support staff for key CAMHS post in Sligo seen as reason why it hasn't been filled yet
'At this stage I am of the view that the HSE in Sligo-Leitrim have never been serious about providing such a service,' Cllr Declan Bree told a meeting of the Regional Health Forum West. 'At meetings of this Forum over the past year and a half I have been highlighting the urgent need for the HSE to provide a CAMHS-ID Service in Sligo. 'While the service is provided by the HSE in other parts of the country there has been absolutely no service for children and adolescents in Sligo or Leitrim because, we were told there was no Consultant Psychiatrist to assist in providing the service. 'At every meeting of the Forum I outlined the heartache and trauma parents and families have had to go through as a result of the failure of the HSE to provide a CAMHS-ID service in Sligo. 'I was extremely pleased when we were informed last November that an Agency Consultant Psychiatrist for the CAMHS-ID Service had been appointed and had commenced work on the 19th of November. 'While welcoming that appointment I did ask if an adequate multidisciplinary support team had been put in place to ensure that the new service could properly respond to those who were referred to the service for specialist input. 'However, it was only at our meeting in February when it came to light that the Consultant Psychiatrist had resigned his post that we also learned that there was no multidisciplinary support team in place. 'CAMHS-ID teams consist of multidisciplinary team members such a Consultant Psychiatrist, Senior Psychologist, clinical nurse specialists, social workers and administrators. They offer: Assessment, formulation, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. 'However, on the basis of the reply I have received today we now know that none of these posts have ever been approved. We are also told that another Consultant Psychiatrist who applied for the position in the Camhs-ID Team in January this year withdrew his name in April. And of course what else would you expect, it there is no support team in place? 'Can you imagine hospital management appointing consultants, without having a support team of nurses, registrars, junior doctors in place. 'Yet the management of the HSE in Sligo-Leitrim have gone through the motions of advertising for a Consultant Psychiatrist for a CAMHS-ID Service without a multidisciplinary support team being in place. 'Surely, all the vacant posts in the team, including the post of Consultant Psychiatrist should have been approved and advertised when we were told that the service would be established in Sligo and Leitrim. 'The continuing failure of the HSE to provide a CAMHS-ID Service and to provide basic services for children with intellectual disability in Sligo and Leitrim is unacceptable and can only be described as a terrible indictment on the Management of the HSE,' said Cllr Bree. In response. Cllr Bree was informed the Integrated Health Area Manager for Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan, J. Fitzmaurice that the national model for care for CAMHS-ID outlines the roles of MDT members trained in supporting children with intellectual disabilities and mental disorders. The team includes a consultant psychiatrist, health and social are professionals, medical and nursing staff ad administrative support. "While not all teams will start with full membership, the national CAMHS-ID programme aims to establish baseline teams in all areas including a consultant psychiatrist, senior psychologist, clinical nurse specialist and administrative support. "In relation to the Consultant position the PAS advertisement closed on January 31st 2025 with one application received. The post progressed to shortlisting which took place in April 2025. The candidate withdrew from the post at the end of April. We are in the process of getting the post re-advertised,' he said.
RTÉ News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Plan for 63 Sligo social homes delayed over costs
The delivery of a planned 63-unit social housing scheme in Sligo has been put on hold after the Department of Housing decided not to proceed over concerns about the cost of the project. The planned scheme at Rathellen, Finisklin was one of six schemes nationwide, comprising 486 social housing units in total that was due to be delivered under a public private partnership. The 486 units were due to be delivered as part of 'Social Housing Bundle 3 PPP' across four local authority areas. Dublin City Council is the lead local authority for the social housing bundle which comprises six schemes in total, including three sites in the capital alongside further sites in Kildare, Wicklow and Sligo. In a letter to the local authorities, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said it decided not to proceed "due to the overall costs "which are now considered too high". All six sites within the social housing bundle have full planning permission. The Department said the units "will now be delivered by way of an alternative procurement and delivery strategy". The Department is due to begin a review with the National Development Finance Agency on the future Social Housing Public Private Partnership (PPP) bundles. The Department said it remains committed to delivering the 486 social housing units that PPP Bundle 3 was designed to provide in partnership with the NDFA and the relevant Local Authorities. Meanwhile, Sligo County Council has told public representatives that its Housing Capital Team is reviewing the options available for an alternative procurement and delivery strategy for the Rathellen site. Any planned strategy will require the agreement of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 'Hugely disappointing' Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Declan Bree told RTÉ News he feels the situation is hugely disappointing. Cllr Bree said following the receipt of tenders there was an expectation that construction work on the housing scheme would commence shortly. He said there are more than 1,660 households on Sligo County Council's housing waiting list and the current housing crisis is causing "huge distress and anxiety". "In this context the decision not to proceed with the 63 social housing units in Finisklin can only be described as a serious setback. "Given the failure of the Minister and his Department to deliver this public private partnership deal we now need to see the Minister and the Government provide the necessary funding directly to the County Council so as we can deliver the scheme in a speedy and efficient manner," Cllr Bree said.
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Planned 63 housing scheme for Sligo placed on hold as Minister queries costs
The houses in Sligo were due to be built at Rathellen, Finisklin. Sligo is one of six areas affected in a total of 500 homes across the country. The social housing developments were understood to be near shovel-ready and were to be delivered under a public private partnership (PPP) scheme across six sites. Councillors have been forwarded a letter from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage outlining how Dublin City Council were the lead local authority for PPP Bundle 3 which comprises 6 sites: Dublin (3) Sligo (1) Kildare (1) and Wicklow (1). The email from the DHLGH outlined how after careful evaluation of the costs associated with the 486 homes which were to be delivered under PPP Bundle 3, the Department has decided not to proceed with contract award It also states that the Department, the NDFA and the relevant Local Authorities remain fully committed to delivering the social housing that PPP Bundle 3. It said these social homes were very much needed and remain a priority for Government, the Department and the relevant Local Authorities. These 486 homes will instead be delivered by way of an alternative procurement and delivery strategy. Sligo County Council's Housing Capital Team are reviewing the options available for an alternative procurement and delivery strategy for the Rathellen site. This will require the agreement of the department. Housing Minister James Browne said: 'After careful evaluation of the costs associated with the 486 homes which were to be delivered under PPP Bundle 3, the Department has decided not to proceed with contract award on a value for money basis,' The decision by the Minister for Housing not to proceed with the project has been described as as a serious setback by the Cathaoirleach of the council, Cllr Declan Bree. 'There are in excess of 1,600 households on the Council's housing waiting list and in this context the delay in proceeding with the 63 units in Finisklin is unacceptable.' he said. ADVERTISEMENT The first phase of the project was to include 63 units including 18 Duplexes, 39 new houses, and 6 converted units in the existing Rathellen House. 'Given the failure of the Minister and his Department to deliver this public private partnership deal we now need to see the Minister and the Government provide the necessary funding directly to the County Council so as we can deliver the scheme in a speedy and efficient manner.' Cllr Bree said.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
German students visit Sligo to celebrate 35-year twinning link that has built lasting friendships
Sligo Champion The enduring bond between Kempten and Sligo, twinned since 1990, witnessed a celebration of cultural exchange and friendship as Kempten university and secondary school students visited County Hall recently. The students were warmly welcomed by An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Declan Bree, who highlighted the significance of the exchange programmes in fostering international understanding and cultural appreciation. 'Our friendship with Kempten has truly enriched our community,' stated Cathaoirleach Bree. 'These exchanges provide invaluable opportunities for our young people to experience different cultures firsthand, build lasting friendships, and broaden their horizons,' he said. Also in attendance was Ms. Dympna Gorman, President of Sligo Town Twinning, who brought a poignant reminder of the long-standing relationship: the original town twinning charter, bearing the signatures that cemented the bond over three decades ago. Ms. Gorman spoke of the numerous benefits derived from the twinning agreement, emphasising its role in promoting cultural exchange, educational links, and economic cooperation. Cathaoirleach Councillor Declan Bree spoke of the Erasmus Programme which has played a pivotal role in strengthening the connection between Kempten and Sligo, with Sligo County Council proudly welcoming students from Kempten in recent years. He said this exchange program has not only enriched the educational experiences of the students but has also deepened the ties between the two communities, fostering a sense of global citizenship and mutual respect. The friendship between Kempten and Sligo has been a source of enrichment for both communities, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. The visit to Sligo County Council served as a reaffirmation of this enduring bond, highlighting the value of international partnerships in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation. During their stay in Sligo, the students attended Mercy College, Sligo and enjoyed various activities while in Sligo, one of the highlights was Surfing in Strandhill. This is one of several exchanges between both towns, Third level students from ATU Mechatronic Engineering Department have also an annual exchange between their counterparts in Kempten, facilitated and promoted by Sligo Town Twinning.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Sligo doctor's nine nephews and nieces killed in devastating Gaza attack
Sligo Champion Today at 00:00 The Israeli regime has stooped to an unimaginable level of depravity, the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree, when he expressed condolences following the deaths of nine children from one family in Gaza on Friday last. The children were the nieces and nephews of a Sligo based doctor, Dr. Ali Al Najjar. His nieces and nephews were killed in recent days in an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis.
