Local Fianna Fáil Deputy, Robert Troy, has described as unacceptable any attempt by the Department of Social Protection to penalise retained firefighters that are currently receiving social welfare payments, due to an ongoing dispute.
“Our firefighters are an elite frontline service staffed by very dedicated and selfless people, serving their communities around the clock. My colleagues and I in Fianna Fáil are acutely aware of the invaluable service they provide that is essential to their communities.
“I understand that the Department of Social Protection has stopped or deducted payments to retained firefighters as they are in industrial action and not actively seeking employment. This in my view is wholly unacceptable and I am calling on the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys to instruct her officials not to penalise the firefighters who are involved in this ongoing dispute. Such tactics are unwelcome and unhelpful in terms of reaching a satisfactory conclusion.
“My party colleague Minister Darragh O’Brien, who ordered the review into retained fire services in Ireland, has remained a strong advocate for our retained firefighters. Minister O’Brien is determined to reach a fair settlement which fully recognises their value and is tirelessly working to ensure this can be achieved.
“The actions of the Department of Social Protection are unwelcome in this regard,” Deputy Troy stated.
Families encouraged to register for free GP care for children aged 6 and 7
Meanwhile, Deputy Troy, has urged families to register for free GP visit cards for children aged 6 and 7.
From Friday, August 11, the under 6s GP Visit Card scheme has been expanded to provide free GP care to all children under the age of 8 in Ireland with more than 78,000 children are set to benefit from the change.
The move represents the first stage in the biggest expansion in eligibility for free GP care covering up to half a million people.
The expansion of the scheme is supported by the landmark agreement between the Department of Health, the HSE, and the Irish Medical Organisation signed last month which put in place a series of financial supports for GPs.
“I’m delighted that my party colleague Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has expanded free GP care to under 8s. Families can now register their children aged 6 and 7 for their free GP visit card.
“Fianna Fáil in Government is committed to making healthcare more affordable for families. This is one of a number of measures that our party while in Government has introduced to make sure that that cost is not a barrier to children accessing healthcare. This move will undoubtedly be of huge benefit to children and their families,” Deputy Troy said.
The expansion of free GP care to children aged 6 and 7 is the first stage of the expansion in eligibility for GP care without charges under the GP Agreement 2023. It will be followed by the expansion of free GP care to people earning up to the median income in September and November this year.
In total, about 500,000 additional individuals are estimated to become eligible under this expansion, some 78,000 children aged 6 and 7 and 430,000 individuals earning up to the median income.
