A new cross party Oireachtas group set up to seek a more effective policy response to the twin problems of childhood obesity and food poverty was launched in Dublin today.
The Oireachtas Children’s Future Health Group, chaired by Independent Senator Jillian van Turnhout, was launched by RTE presenter Miriam O’Callaghan, along with Irish Heart Foundation spokesman and consultant endocrinologist, Professor Donal O’Shea.
The group is being established amid growing concern across the political spectrum over the health status of children in Ireland at a time when one in four children are overweight or obese and one in five children go to bed hungry at night. The Irish Heart Foundation is providing a secretariat, along with expertise to support the group, which is also being assisted by organisations, including the Children’s Rights Alliance, Healthy Food for All and Social Justice Ireland.
The members of the informal group include: Senator Ivana Bacik (Labour), Deputy Clare Daly (Technical Group), Deputy Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fail), Deputy Sandra McLellan (Sinn Fein) and Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (Fine Gael).
“To date actions to tackle obesity have focused on individual behaviour change through education, awareness and media programmes. But these don’t take into account the key drivers of obesity – the increasing availability and intense marketing of unhealthy food and drinks that are becoming cheaper all the time compared to healthy produce,” said Senator van Turnhout.
“Meanwhile, as the numbers living in food poverty grow, health workers are seeing more and more children who are obese and undernourished at the same time – a phenomenon of modern malnutrition.”
Senator van Turnhout said the objective of the Oireachtas group was to develop proposals for actions which tackle the root causes of childhood obesity – particularly those recognising that childhood obesity and food poverty must be addressed in tandem and that solutions must be primarily targeted at disadvantaged communities.
“The disparity between social classes is demonstrated in the Growing Up in Ireland study which shows that among nine-year-olds, whilst 19% of boys and 18% of girls from professional households are overweight or obese, the rate soars to 29% of boys and 38% of girls from semi-skilled and unskilled households.
“For parents who cannot make ends meet, the worry isn’t feeding their children well, it’s feeding them at all. One recent study shows the cost of a healthy calorie is up to ten times higher than an unhealthy one and it’s high time we woke up to the fact that if we don’t help these families, we are condemning increasing numbers of children to lives dominated by ill-health, chronic disease and ultimately an early grave.”
Specific areas the Oireachtas group will be examining include taxation to fund programmes such as fruit and vegetable subsidies and community food initiatives, school food provision, no fry zones around schools, addressing the impact of low incomes on health eating, food labelling and marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children. Later this year the group will launch the first ever study on food marketing to children via the Internet and social media, which is currently being carried out for the Irish Heart Foundation.
Professor Donal O’Shea, consultant endocrinologist and member of the Irish Heart Foundation Nutrition Council said: “I see this group as strong cross party support for the full implementation of the Healthy Ireland Framework – ensuring that Healthy Ireland will continue beyond the life of this Government. It is really hard to understand why there has been so little sustained action to tackle obesity to date. It is the number one public health issue facing the developed world in terms of driving diabetes, heart disease, cancer and depression. Doctors are seeing confirmation of this daily even in children with boys and girls in primary school suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, painful joint conditions and rapidly increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes.”
Speaking before the launch of the group, Miriam O’Callaghan added: “Children and their parents are constantly being bombarded by strategies to encourage them to consume more: Product placement in stores, attractive packaging, toys with fast food meals, promotions to buy one-get-one-free, prizes, discounts, supersizing. As a mother I know well how hard it is to resist such marketing and it’s clear that solutions to childhood obesity must address the fact that treat food and drinks are increasingly being consumed as if they were a staple part of children’s diets.”
Posted: July 17, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
€501,815 in grants for Dun Laoghaire businesses from Local Enterprise Office
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has said that grants of €501,815 paid from the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in 2014 are providing great support to local businesses in Dun Laoghaire. The Local Enterprise Offices are supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
“The new Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) were launched last year to deliver an improved system of local enterprise supports to start-ups and small businesses across the country.
“The LEOs provide a ‘first-stop-shop’ for all Government supports for small business in easily accessible locations across the country.
“The LEOs form part of the Government’s strategy to spread the recovery to all regions of the country. This comes alongside the Regional Action Plan for Jobs being launched by the Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton.
“Previously some businesses were considered too large to access supports from City and County Enterprise Boards or as they were not exporting, they did not qualify for Enterprise Ireland supports and so fell between two stools. All categories of business are now benefitting from services provided by the LEOs.
“Fine Gael is committed to supporting small and medium businesses that are at the heart of rural communities. Fine Gael’s Standing Up for Small Business campaign engaged closely with small, local businesses while the Standing Up for Rural Ireland campaign which has just been launched, calls for continued investment in rural services, particularly broadband.
“The LEOs are a fantastic resource for sole traders, micro businesses and small and medium sized companies seeking information and support on starting or growing a business. The injection of€501,815 into local businesses in this area is a huge boost”.
Last Updated: July 17, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Dun Laoghaire, Sallynoggin and Loughlinstown Dublin Bus Review
On Tuesday evening I raised to the Minister in the Dail the concerning matter of the Dun Laoghaire, Sallynoggin and Loughlinstown Dublin Bus Review. I will continue to work on this matter and ensure the public are informed and included in this review process. Please see my speech in full and the response from the Minister below.
Mary Mitchell O’Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Last week, on Monday, 6 July, Dublin Bus met with councillors from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to propose changes to the current network of services in the south-east area of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. What has ensued since is a case of misinformation, speculation and conjecture because of the lack of hard concrete information. This has caused much upset and anxiety in the area. The routes under consideration include the Nos. 7A, 7B, 8, 45A, 59, 63 and 111 which serve many local communities throughout the Dún Laoghaire constituency. Constituents rely on these vital services and it is crucial any changes made are decided on after a fair and inclusive consultation with the public.
I am calling on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to ensure Dublin Bus runs an inclusive public consultation and informs the wider public when, where and how long such a process will take place. As far as I am aware, the consultation details have not yet been decided and the review is not available online. These steps should be taken as a matter of priority. It is unfair constituents have to learn from hearsay that their bus route may no longer exist or will be amended. Several constituents have contacted me already on the proposals, including local colleges which have firmly stated the potential adverse effects of any such change cannot be overestimated. We cannot forget the large elderly community in the constituency. These bus routes serve and act almost as a lifeline to elderly people, ensuring their daily mobility and independence.
I have been in touch with Dublin Bus to arrange a meeting with its new chief executive, Ray Coyne. I will be recommending to him that the consultation uses all means possible, including open days in shopping centres similar to those for Dublin Bus’s Network Direct service and stands where Dublin Bus reps can take on board both positive and negative feedback. The public need to be heard on this.
Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
I am taking this important matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe.
I understand the stress that can be caused in areas where there is talk about changes to bus routes. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended by the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the NTA is responsible for the provision of bus services. The Minister has no role in decisions regarding bus routes.
Subsidised bus services in Dublin are provided by Dublin Bus in accordance with the terms of its contract with the NTA. No changes to services can be made without the approval of the NTA. The Minister, however, has been informed by the NTA that subsidised bus services are constantly changing and evolving to better meet the needs of the travelling public and ensure best use of public funding. The NTA regularly meets with Dublin Bus to review the operation of the subsidised bus network.
Dublin Bus is developing proposals to revise the current network of services in the south-east area of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. The purpose of the proposals is to improve the public transport network in the area, providing dedicated access to Loughlinstown Hospital, helping combat traffic congestion and increasing service levels to key destinations such as Cherrywood. Routes under consideration include Nos. 7A, 7B, 8, 45A, 59, 63, and 111.
Dublin Bus presented the emerging proposals to local councillors in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area on 6 July last. Dublin Bus will also be consulting with customers and other interested parties prior to finalising the proposals for consideration and decision by the NTA.
Mary Mitchell O’Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I am glad to hear Dublin Bus will be consulting customers and other interested parties. However, I want this to be a genuine conversation, not a one-way street. I am perturbed the details of the proposals are not up on the Dublin Bus website, even though a public meeting will be held tonight on them. It is difficult for people to know what exactly is the truth concerning these proposals. I want people, particularly older people, to be helped in this process. The concerns of older people and those with disabilities must be listened to.
Posted: July 13, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Grants totalling €46,020 approved for ‘Ireland 2016’ projects & events in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
At the meeting of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on the 6th of July 2015, the Council awarded a total of €46,020 to successful applicants under the DLR Ireland 2016 Grant Scheme, funding 18 different commemorative projects and events across the County that will mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising.
The DLR Ireland 2016 programme of events is being developed by the Council, in association with Ireland 2016 and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for ‘Ireland 2016’, a national initiative to develop, coordinate and deliver a programme for the 2016 centenary year with local, national, and international events, based on five intersecting themes, drawing inspiration from the ideals of 1916, the Proclamation, and the events of that time. It is a call to action to REMEMBER the events of 1916, REFLECT on the last 100 years, and RE-IMAGINE Ireland’s future.
The funding has been made available for local groups, organisations and other interested parties to play their part by developing a project, or projects, to mark this important event.
DLR Ireland 2016-List of Awarded Grants (pdf -134kb)
Last Updated: July 9, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
New cross-party group seeks greater efforts to counter childhood obesity and food poverty
A new cross party Oireachtas group set up to seek a more effective policy response to the twin problems of childhood obesity and food poverty was launched in Dublin today.
The Oireachtas Children’s Future Health Group, chaired by Independent Senator Jillian van Turnhout, was launched by RTE presenter Miriam O’Callaghan, along with Irish Heart Foundation spokesman and consultant endocrinologist, Professor Donal O’Shea.
The group is being established amid growing concern across the political spectrum over the health status of children in Ireland at a time when one in four children are overweight or obese and one in five children go to bed hungry at night. The Irish Heart Foundation is providing a secretariat, along with expertise to support the group, which is also being assisted by organisations, including the Children’s Rights Alliance, Healthy Food for All and Social Justice Ireland.
The members of the informal group include: Senator Ivana Bacik (Labour), Deputy Clare Daly (Technical Group), Deputy Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fail), Deputy Sandra McLellan (Sinn Fein) and Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor (Fine Gael).
“To date actions to tackle obesity have focused on individual behaviour change through education, awareness and media programmes. But these don’t take into account the key drivers of obesity – the increasing availability and intense marketing of unhealthy food and drinks that are becoming cheaper all the time compared to healthy produce,” said Senator van Turnhout.
“Meanwhile, as the numbers living in food poverty grow, health workers are seeing more and more children who are obese and undernourished at the same time – a phenomenon of modern malnutrition.”
Senator van Turnhout said the objective of the Oireachtas group was to develop proposals for actions which tackle the root causes of childhood obesity – particularly those recognising that childhood obesity and food poverty must be addressed in tandem and that solutions must be primarily targeted at disadvantaged communities.
“The disparity between social classes is demonstrated in the Growing Up in Ireland study which shows that among nine-year-olds, whilst 19% of boys and 18% of girls from professional households are overweight or obese, the rate soars to 29% of boys and 38% of girls from semi-skilled and unskilled households.
“For parents who cannot make ends meet, the worry isn’t feeding their children well, it’s feeding them at all. One recent study shows the cost of a healthy calorie is up to ten times higher than an unhealthy one and it’s high time we woke up to the fact that if we don’t help these families, we are condemning increasing numbers of children to lives dominated by ill-health, chronic disease and ultimately an early grave.”
Specific areas the Oireachtas group will be examining include taxation to fund programmes such as fruit and vegetable subsidies and community food initiatives, school food provision, no fry zones around schools, addressing the impact of low incomes on health eating, food labelling and marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children. Later this year the group will launch the first ever study on food marketing to children via the Internet and social media, which is currently being carried out for the Irish Heart Foundation.
Professor Donal O’Shea, consultant endocrinologist and member of the Irish Heart Foundation Nutrition Council said: “I see this group as strong cross party support for the full implementation of the Healthy Ireland Framework – ensuring that Healthy Ireland will continue beyond the life of this Government. It is really hard to understand why there has been so little sustained action to tackle obesity to date. It is the number one public health issue facing the developed world in terms of driving diabetes, heart disease, cancer and depression. Doctors are seeing confirmation of this daily even in children with boys and girls in primary school suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, painful joint conditions and rapidly increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes.”
Speaking before the launch of the group, Miriam O’Callaghan added: “Children and their parents are constantly being bombarded by strategies to encourage them to consume more: Product placement in stores, attractive packaging, toys with fast food meals, promotions to buy one-get-one-free, prizes, discounts, supersizing. As a mother I know well how hard it is to resist such marketing and it’s clear that solutions to childhood obesity must address the fact that treat food and drinks are increasingly being consumed as if they were a staple part of children’s diets.”
Last Updated: July 8, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Over 600 extra SNA posts to ensure children with care needs have access to support
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire Mary Mitchell O’Connor has welcomed the announcement today (Tuesday, 7th July) of 610 additional SNA posts nationwide from September 2015. This additional allocation reflects Government’s commitment to ensure that every child with an assessed need has access to a SNA.
The additional 610 posts follow a significant increase in assessed need. The Department of Education and the NCSE is to now carry out a review to ensure the SNA scheme is sustainable in meeting its objectives.
Last year Government provided for an additional 220 SNA posts for 2015. In advance of the school year starting in September the NCSE reviews the number of valid applications received and in recent weeks has reported an additional requirement of up to 610 posts above the October 2014 estimate.
Approximately 55% of the additional posts will be provided to support students in mainstream classes while 45% of posts will serve students in special classes in mainstream schools or in special schools.
Speaking on this announcement today, Mitchell O’Connor stated: “As a disability advocate, I am in complete support of the important decision taken by Government today to put in place 610 additional SNA posts.
“I very much welcome Government’s strong commitment to supporting children in the State with an assessed care need. Every single child with such a need will now receive access to SNA support, following today’s announcement.
“I also very much welcome the review of the SNA scheme which will be carried out to ensure that it is meeting its objectives and that best use is being made of the significant resources invested.
“From my experience in visiting schools across Dun Laoghaire and in speaking to parents, I am fully aware of the huge benefits which SNAs bring to the education experience of children in the classroom.
“Today’s announcement of additional SNA posts highlights their invaluable presence and impact on the education of children with an assessed care need,” concluded Mitchell O’Connor.
Posted: July 7, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Additional €204,130 in Grant Aid approved in Round 2 of dlr Grant Scheme 2015
I am delighted to confirm that at the County Council meeting held on Monday 6 July, Elected Members approved the payment of an additional 80 separate grants totalling €204,130 in accordance with the Council’s Grant Scheme.
This latest round of approvals means that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has now awarded 347 individual grants totalling over €660,600 in 2015.
The purpose of the Council’s Grant Scheme is to provide financial assistance to individuals, groups and organisations engaged in projects, events or developments at local or County level. The emphasis of the scheme is on providing funding for a diverse range of projects from events, sports and heritage to community, arts and business. The Council encourages the development of as broad a range of local community activities and services as possible to ensure that the limited financial resources available are used to the maximum benefit of the community at large.
2015 DLR Grant Scheme – Round 2 (pdf -498kb)
Last Updated: July 2, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Minister Donohoe and NTA Announce Free travel in July on Child Leap Cards
I am delighted to say that on Wednesday the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, joined the National Transport Authority (NTA) to announce a fortnight of free travel, from July 6th – 19th inclusive, for all Child Leap Card holders (aged between the ages of 4 and 18).
The free travel will automatically apply when using a child Leap Card on the following services from 6th to 19th July:
-All Dublin Bus scheduled services (excluding Airlink)
-All Luas services
-All DART services
-All Commuter Rail services in Dublin’s ‘Short Hop Zone’
-Bus Éireann services where Leap Card Validators are available.This includes Bus Éireann services in Dublin and surrounding counties (Excluding Expressway) and Bus Éireann Services in Cork city, Limerick city, Galway city, and Waterford city.
-Swords Express
-Ashbourne Connect
-Express Bus
-Wexford Bus (Connect services only – the WX1 service in Wexford Town, Wexford to Rosslare, Wexford to Kilmore Quay and Wexford to Castlebridge services)
This free travel promotion will encourage families and children to use public transport for their leisure activities in the school holidays, and to get out and about and enjoy more of what Ireland has to offer. It also highlights the cheaper fares which are available to Child Leap Card holders, and serves as a reminder for families to get their Leap Cards, and to get used to using them, in plenty of time before the new school year begins.
Minister Donohoe said: ‘As the Leap card continues to be rolled-out, more and more people are availing of cheaper travel. The success of the scheme is evidenced by the fact that we recently saw the one millionth Leap Card sold since its launch, delivering 20% transport savings to users. This initiative will further promote the scheme and encourage greater pick-up by commuters. More than that, it rewards Leap Card users, giving them a valuable incentive they will feel in their pocket, at a time when they are out and about enjoying what we hope will be July summer sun’.
Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority said: ‘This is the second year for our summertime ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion. In 2014, we had a great response to the scheme, and with even more operators on board this year, and with Leap Card available in more parts of Ireland, we’re confident that this year will be even stronger. We are particularly keen that those in the senior cycle of secondary school apply for their personalised card so that they can enjoy the cheapest fares for getting to and from school, and for their extra-curricular activities.
Full details on where to get a Child Leap card, including identification requirements for older teens, are available online www.childleapcard.ie/
Last Updated: July 1, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Leaders Questions broadcast through sign language for the first time
Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said today (Wednesday) that the broadcast of Leaders Questions in the Dáil through sign language is a very progressive step.
“This is an important development for the Deaf community in Ireland and one that could be replicated in other parts of Oireachtas broadcasting.
“There are over 90,000 people with deafness or a serious hearing impairment in Ireland who need support to help access crucial information about services, government support and other key issues. The decision to broadcast Leaders Questions in the Dáil through sign language is an important step in this process.
“The provision of sign language for Leaders Questions on Oireachtas TV is a pilot scheme, which is being carried out for six weeks. It comes after a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children on Thursday, 28th May, at which I encouraged my colleagues to officially recognise Deafblindness as a disability. The Committee meeting was the first ever time that sign language interpreters were used in a Committee meeting. It was also the first time that simultaneous sign language was used in a broadcast to the deaf community.”
Last Updated: June 29, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
€69,000 for Dún Laoghaire Healthcare Organisations
“Three of the organisations are set to receive €69,000 for healthcare-related and social care services under the latest round of National Lottery Grants from the Department of Health. This once-off funding will make a significant difference in the provision of healthcare services in Dún Laoghaire”, says Fine Gael TD, Mitchell O’Connor for Dún Laoghaire
“The Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar today (Monday) announced that three of healthcare-related and social care services in Dún Laoghaire will receive a total of €69,000 under the latest round of National Lottery Grants.
“This is the first of two announcements that will take place this year, in which the Department of Health provides once-off grants to organisations to community groups and voluntary organisations.
“Some of the local organisations set to receive funding include:
“This funding will make a real difference to groups, volunteers and of course their clients in communities throughout Dún Laoghaire. The grants will help to provide equipment, upgrade facilities and provide health related services.”
Last Updated: June 29, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Cuala Mini All Ireland
I was delighted to attend the Cuala Academy Mini All Ireland end-of-season event on the 20th of June.
It was wonderful to see the children involved in sports and how much they enjoyed themselves while participating in healthy activities and fun.
It was also great to see the children demonstrating their skills as athletes and as team players.
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