This is the banner from my new blog "Coffee with dis-ability Tom"

Click here to visit my new blog

Seating at the Grotto in Rock Road.

Cllr Tom Doherty requested that the Council erect seating at the Grotto in Rock Rd.

The grotto is a long established landmark in Killarney. It is a place to meet and  centre of reflection. It is also a place frequented by our senior citizens on a regular basis. The council will erect seating at the Grotto within a few weeks.

tomkillarney@yahoo.ie 087 2942260

Home GPS co-ordinates

Home GPS co-ordinates

Cllr Tom Doherty put the following motion before Kilarney Town Council.

That This Council contact the HSE and other relevant authorities to equip all ambulances and emergency vehicles with satellite navigation equipment.  A campaign should be put in place to ensure that households are aware of their GPS co-ordinates so they can relay this vital information in an emergency situation.

These Co- ordinates can be stored alongside other vital contact details such as South Doc, the fire service and other emergency numbers. This list could be placed on a central household point such as the fridge door. With the centralisation of emergency ambulance controls far away from rural communities there is need for real local geographical knowledge  in an emergency situation .Therefor having GPS co-ordinates readily available in a stressful situation gives peace of mind to the caller of the emergency  and the patient in need of medical attention.  It also gives confidence to the ambulance driver that they are heading to the correct address in the shortest possible time.

We are already aware of many stories of emergency ambulance  going to the wrong address so just like a vaccination  campaign the relevant authority will highlight and promote the need for access to this life saving data.

tomkillarney@yahoo.ie 087 2942260

Post Offices

Post Offices

The presence of the post office in our communities needs to stay steadfast and viable. The governments interference with the present system must be defended. We have already witnessed the closure of Garda stations and the ever increasing threat to small rural schools. This has a knock on affect which puts pressure on other local businesses. Therefor l am calling on the Minister for communication, Pat Rabbitte to support viable options to assure the long term future of our post offices.

tomkillarney@yahoo.ie 087 2942260

Elverys Job Protection

Elverys Job Protection

 Cllr. Tom Doherty has called on NAMA to seriously consider the protection of local jobs when considering bids for the sale of Elverys. It seems to me that the best option is a takeover bid from management. The advantage to this preference is that there would be a smooth transition in the takeover process and all expertise would remain in place. The management buyout team have also given assurances to protect all jobs. 

Elverys is a national brand name and is a strong viable business.  The loss of any jobs would be a huge blow to Killarney where the store employs eleven staff which increases during the summer months. It’s vital that the management bid is given serious consideration by NAMA who should not ignore the value of employment protection in any takeover bid negotiations. 

tomkillarney@yahoo.ie 087 2942260

Emergency Ambulance Service

Emergency Ambulance Service

 

Cllr. Tom Doherty is again highlighting the serious issue of the emergency ambulance service in the Killarney area.

 

 A child was left waiting 40 minutes for ambulance in a GP’s Surgery. The young person suffered an acute asthma attack and needed immediate medical attention. Luckily the child had the support from his local doctor and was given oxygen at the Surgery. If this happened in the child’s own home at the time of the asthma attack there may not have been access to oxygen or a nebuliser to stabilise a critically unwell patient. If the concerned family members were to ring from their own home address it would have caused great stress and difficulties.

 

Cllr. Tom Doherty reiterated his strongly held views that a fully functional emergency service is vital. It is imperative to have cover consisting of at least two fully equipped working ambulances for our area. I am also concerned about the centralized call centre as a strong geographical knowledge of local town lands is a must.

 

tomkillarney@yahoo.ie 087 2942260

Child Minders

Child Minders

The news that grandparents are obliged to fill in a 26 page tax return form as child minders even if they receive no income is a ridiculous situation.

The present government is completely out of touch with the struggles of everyday life. The ludicrous decision of revenue to clamp down on grandparents minding their grandchildren is administration at its worst. Tying senior citizen down with red tape is a worry our elderly can do without. Daily on my canvass l come across many grandparents minding their grandchildren in a dutiful and caring fashion. These grand parents have collected a wealth of experience down through the years. While it can be hard work at times this labour of love is reflected in the smiles of the young children. I call on the government to reverse this decision and stop putting undue pressure on three generation of a family.





tomkillarney@yahoo.ie 087 2942260

House Adaptation Grants

That this Council give a update on the 2014 funding for “ house adaptation grants” for those with a disability and/or for senior citizens.

The housing adaptations grants schemes are administered by Kerry County Council. The various schemes are funded through direct state support of 80% allied to direct financial support of 20% from the County Council.

At the present time there is a backlog for these services in the County. There are also a high number of new applicants applying for the various grants. Any new applications will have to review their details as the government have increased the eligibility age and income threshold.

Cllr Doherty stated, “We must again this year request the department to releases more monies to Kerry County Council. It is disappointing that the household tax raised is not being used to support seniors and those with a disability to live independently their own homes”  

tomkillarney@yahoo.ie 087 2942260

Telephone Allowance

The telephone allowance cuts will have a detrimental effect on the well being of our senior citizens. They rely on the phone system for personal security and peace of mind if a mishap occurred such as a fall or other emergencies. This is because their personal panic alarms are connected to their landlines. This of course also affects those with a disability and those who are carers. It was claimed that a mobile phone could be used instead. But we are all aware of the poor signal coverage that regularly occurs in rural Ireland. I have requested that Killarney Town Council write to the relevant department and Minister to re-evaluate this decision and put in place effective outcomes. 

tomkillarney@yahoo.ie 087 2942260

School Traffic Warden: Rock Road

Cllr. Tom Doherty put forward the following motion at the September meeting of Killarney town council

“That this Council seeks, to keep the school traffic warden at Rock Road adjacent to the library.”

The response from the Council management was as follows, “A controlled pedestrian crossing has been provided at this location to facilitate pedestrians crossing the road. Therefore there is no requirement for a school warden at this location.

Cllr Doherty expressed his great disappointment at the response. Cllr. Tom Doherty said that "the Council is after changing the vehicular traffic system in the New Road during school times and this change needs to have the crossing supported at presen". He also referred to the walking bus from the High Street car park. "For the present time the school warden should be provided".

It was agreed by the members to pass the motion.

tomkillarney@yahoo.ie 087 2942260