Monday, July 18, 2016

Senator Feighan raises possible extension of Boyle Garda Station opening hours

Senator Feighan raises possible extension of Boyle Garda Station opening hours with Justice Minister

Senator Frank Feighan has raised the issue of extending Boyle Garda Station’s opening hours with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald.

“I have written to Minister Fitzgerald to establish if there are resources available to extend the opening hours at Boyle Garda Station.

“The station’s opening times were always subject to review and I have asked the Minister to examine the opening hours in Boyle in this context.

“When the new opening times were introduced early last year, Minister Fitzgerald explained that these arrangements were designed to free up Garda personnel for outdoor policing duties who otherwise would be engaged in keeping the station open to the public.

“I think now is a good time for a formal examination of the existing opening hours and to establish if resources are available to further extend these hours to the public.”

Thursday, July 7, 2016

77 outstanding compensation claims by Arigna miners

Senator Frank Feighan has been informed by the Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar, that there are 77 outstanding compensation claims by Arigna miners currently being processed.

Minister Varadkar informed Senator Feighan in the chamber today of the number of outstanding claims being investigated by the Department of Social Protection regarding Arigna miners seeking disablement benefits because of work-related illnesses.

“The Minister informed me today that since 2010 to date, his Department has received a total of 247 claims for disablement benefit from former Arigna miners in respect of a variety of diseases and injuries. Of these, 89 have been awarded, 81 were found to be ineligible and 77 are still under investigation,

“Regarding the majority of the 77 cases, the Department is waiting for additional information or evidence to be supplied by the claimants. A small number of these are awaiting a medical assessment by a Department medical assessor.

“In 2010, the National Coalminers Group secured agreement with the Department of Social Protection to extend disablement benefit to former miners suffering from work related illnesses.

“Since this review scheme was established in October 2010, which I strongly lobbied for on behalf of coalminers, hundreds of miners have applied for and received disability arrears under this scheme.


“I hope that all of those who still meet the criteria under this scheme will receive payment as soon as possible.”