Live Pre-election Q&A session

with Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames, Fianna Gael

Mykidstime Ok we have to wrap it up now everyone, thanks for your questions. We will make sure Fidelma see's any questions she
did not get to answer. A big thank you to Fidelma for joining us this morning
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Niall Devitt Thanks to Fidelma for taking part :)
11 hours ago · LikeUnlike · 3 peopleLoading...

Fidelma Healy Eames
Thank you so much for engaging with me, this has been a great session.
I hope you found my replies worthwhile.
I am asking you to support me on Friday if you live in Galway West with your number one vote.
I believe I have a lot to offer. I ...am excited about our mission and I am ready to contribute, it's in
your hands. Rushing to anothe...r meeting, Fidelma.

P.S. Eamonn in my office will follow up with further queries
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Debra Crawley Doyle Thanks for taking the time to answer Fidelma :)
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Fidelma Healy Eames Also please free to add me on Facebook and Linkedin and all relevant social networking
sites. My main focus is on education and the need for a just society and I feel this forum, and your concerns, are perfect for dialogue on this.
Thanks again!
3 people like this

Debra Crawley Doyle Will do :)

Bridgette Keane
Question for Senator Healy-Eames will FG overturn the capping of SNA's for children with Disabilities in school
this cut is causing severe worry to families and its saving is minuscule compared to the monies that will need to be
spent on the future.

Fidelma Healy Eames
FG will protect the frontline. i.e. that includes SNAs. It is critical to have an SNA to ensure that
a child with SEN can be mainstreamed. I recognise the difficulties with current SNA cuts that the government forced through last year,
I fought these hard at Oireachtas education committee level, and supported the parents in the process. As you know we're taking over an absolute financial mess, it would be irresponsible of me to promise more at this juncture. I will always stand up for the rights of children with SEN. We will be pushing through the implimintation of EPSEN Act in the next term.See More
3 people like this

Bridgette Keane Not looking for promises but that the most vulnerable on our society especially children due to start school in Sept and are now
being refused a place in school due to these cuts are looked after perhaps if all TD's who have pensions etc from previous employment
i.e teaching put this money into providing SNA's this could be reversed. Otherwise prepare for a number of Section 27 court cases.

Mandie Duke Leenheer
Same question....
What is your policy about providing secular education. Also, how are you going to ensure that all faiths and none are welcomed as teachers ie
creating a multi- denominational teacher training facility?

Fidelma Healy Eames We support parental choice in education. I feel it's important given the need to build an inclusive society. No plans that I know of for a denominational teacher training facility, however, I do know that when I was a lecturer in Mary I. for example, we taught all faiths and belief systems to the trainee teachers with a view to them being prepared adequately for non denominational schools. This may need to be strengthened into the future
3 peopleNoelle Geary and 2 others like this.
Mandie Duke Leenheer Thank you for answering. I have heard from a number of teachers who have to lie about their faith to ensure that they have a
job, especially in National schools....
11 hours ago · LikeUnlike · 3 people

Debra Crawley Doyle
Hi Fidelma, I've been following Barnardo's on facebook recently and noticed their stand for children campaign.. how are FG standing for children?
Bridgette Keane Is excellence in Education for those teaching children without disabilities as without SNA's how can this happen?

Fidelma Healy Eames
Follow up comment from the office - Just wanted to direct your attention to a previous response to similar question. Thank you for your interest

"FG will protect the frontline. i.e. that includes SNAs. It is critical to have an SNA to ensure... that a child with SEN can be mainstreamed.

I recognise the difficulties with current SNA cuts that the government forc...ed through last year, I fought these hard at Oireachtas education
committee level, and supported the parents in the process.

As you know we're taking over an absolute financial mess, it would be irresponsible of me to promise more at this juncture. I will always stand
up for the rights of children with SEN. We will be pushing through the implimintation of EPSEN Act in the next term."

Aileen Curran
what is the plan for social welfare and incentives to get out to work?
Fidelma Healy Eames
Work must always be more valuable than welfare. Therefore, FG will reverse the recent reduction in the minimum wage. This is an important incentive. We will also look at the unfair across the board application of the universal social charge... in our next budget. In terms of social welfare into the future, it is planned that there will be some cuts in the order of €10 over the next three years. This will not touch groups such as carers, the blind, or OAPs. Against this background it's important to say that we recognise the need to create jobs and grow the economy so people have work opportunities to take up. We will also pursue welfare fraud.

Siobhan Kidstime Laois
Have Fianna Gael any plans to review the management structures for schools, in particular the Boards of Management  *
5 people like like this.

Fidelma Healy Eames
FG are committed to devolving budgets locally. This means that the principal and the board of management will have more say in, for example, the school building projects and extensions needed throughout the country. Managed centrally as is ...currently the case, schools often wait in excess of 10 years to realise a basic extension. Where schools have had devolved schemes, the local community and board of management have managed to get the projects underway in jig time.

I would have to check to see if we have any plans to review the makeup of the board.

Helen Gaffney
Are FG planning on assisting people in negative equity?
Aileen Curran, Noelle Geary and Mykidstime like this.

Fidelma Healy Eames
Yes. We have a very realistic plan. I recognise that losing your home is one of the biggest blows that could befall any family. FG will:

1 - Increased income tax relief up to 30% for families who bought in between 2004 to 2008
2 - Deferred in...terest payments
3 - A ban on penalty interest for people who restructure their mortgages.

Check out our manifesto on www.finegael.ie
2 people like this

Debra Crawley Doyle
Children can't vote, drink or drive until they're 17/18, but at the moment can legally leave school at 16 and take responsibility of their own health care
(with regards to medical cards etc.) what is your opinion on this? Should the legal age for leaving school be increase   *
7 people like this.

Fidelma Healy Eames When I was writing up the results and recommendations on my Oireachtas early school leaving report last May (check out www.fidelmahealyeames.ie to see the report), I came very close to recommending that the school leaving age should be 17/18 or your LC, which ever comes first. The concensus of the broader team involved in the report was to leave the legal school leaving age at 16.

Debra Crawley Doyle Not close enough it seems, if children don't legally have to be in school the EWB have no way of holding parents or teachers who can't/aren't willing to fight teenagers on the issue to account. 16 is not an age to be making such a huge life forming decision.
1 person Michelle Rudden likes this

Angela Brady Kelly
will F G BRING BACK SCHOOL GRANT FOR FAMILIES ON LOW INCOME I KNOW OF ONE FAMILY HAD CHILD GOING INTO 1YR +3 YR +4 YR THEY GOT NO HELP OF ANY SHAPE OR
FORM WITH THE EXPENSE OF BOOKS IN THE END THE LAD FOR 4YR LEFT SCHOOL TO EASE THE EXPENSE

WHAT GOING TO B DONE TO HELP AND ENCOURAGE KIDS TO STAY AT SCHOOL
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Fidelma Healy Eames
This is a really important question. I, and FG, are completely committed to ensuring kids complete their LC at a minimum. Last June I completed an Oireachtas report on early school leaving, and how to prevent it. It's available on my websit...e at www.fidelmahealyeames.ie

I will be doing everything to ensure that resources are put in place so children can complete their education. Otherwise we are cutting
off our nose to spite our face!

Mykidstime
Angela asks: what about animal welfare what ur veiws on this and why is F G lifting the ban on stag hunting and what will F G do about puppy farming
Debra Crawley Doyle, Noelle Geary, Helen Gaffney and 3 others like this.

Fidelma Healy Eames
Follow up from the office - Unfortunately I can't comment personally for Fidelma so instead I'll give you the basics facts in terms of
Fine Gael on these issues.

In relation to puppy farming. I'm sure you're aware that our colleague, Andrew ...Doyle, has spoken out about this issue on numerous
occasions. In the past he has been highly critical of the lack of action from Government on this issue, stating, “Regulating puppy farms
is a simple dog welfare issue but it has been delayed for four years. Intensive commercial farms currently operate without any regulation
and the evidence of abuse is clear."

In May of last year Deputy Doyle followed up these comments by saying "There is a cheap simple solution to the control of Puppy Farms in
the power of the Minister for Agriculture. It requires a simple change in the live animal transport regulations so that every dog or puppy
commercially exported has to have a vet checked Pet Passport – as for every other EU country, and a microchip. All professional dog breeders
fulfil the Pet Passport requirements already but ‘Puppy Farmers’ will be exposed. -And this solution could be implemented immediately,
with minimal costs to the taxpayer."

On the stag hunting ban being reversed, it is indeed part of the Fine Gael manifesto. Obviously we can't speak directly for the Senator and I do apologise that I can't elaborate further on this issue for you. However, I do hope you find this answer somewhat useful and thank you very much for your interest.See More
1 personDebra Crawley Doyle likes this.

Sean Maguire yes very useful...you won't be getting my vote!

Mykidstime
Siobhan asks: Have Fianna Gael any plans to review the management structures for schools, in particular the Boards of Management?
Noelle Geary, Belinda Jane Higgins and 2 others like this.

Mykidstime
Fidelma said :FG are committed to devolving budgets locally. This means that the principal and the board of management will have more say in, for example, the school building projects and extensions needed throughout the country. Managed ce...ntrally as is currently the case,schools often wait in excess of 10 years to realise a basic extension. Where schools have had devolved schemes, the local community and board of management have managed to get the projects underway in jig time.

I would have to check to see if we have any plans to review the makeup of the board.

Siobhan Kidstime Laois Completely necessary in my view. Parents don't have any real say!
2 people like this

Mandie Duke Leenheer Or in our experience get totally ignored....
Sharon Fitzgerald Agree explicitly with the previous two comments

BoughtForLess
In relation to Small & Medium businness what are you proposing to keep these open or if things turn sour who can help them.
Currently there is no state help for business owners who fall foul of the current climate.

Mykidstime
Frank asks: "where is Fine Gael getting the money to fund their election campaign in these cash starved times, it dont look like theres a recession in Fine Gael,ie their are thousands of posters on every issue all over the countrythousands of ads,the cost of hiring out the aviva stadium for 1000 people & Enda Kenny TD getting an air taxi back for a tv debate at a cost of 30000 euros"
Noelle Geary, Helen Gaffney, Debra Crawley Doyle and 8 others like this.
Fidelma Healy Eames
Our national draw is very well supported at a cost of €80 per ticket. Each year, despite the recession, this draw has amazingly taken in the region of €1.5m.

At an individual level, many candidates invest their own money in their campaigns, ...and some even borrow to do so.
Aideen Ní Chéilleachair it's good to know some people can get loans these days!!
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Maria McKevitt Yeah cos those who need the loans arent getting them!
Frank Brennan is there not a legal cap on what each g e candidate can spend ?
Claire Munnelly Would FG not consider giving the proceeds of their National draw to something worthwhile, like a charity. Instead of wasting money (and trees) polluting the entire country with pictures of themselves. It's an insult to the population's intelligence that they might cast a vote on appearances rather than what actually matters - ie policy
Sharon Carroll and amazing you have in the region of 1.5 million to spend on an election campaign, That money would be better spent elsewhere.

Mykidstime
Liz asks a 2 part Q "Fidelma, If I'm undecided which way to vote, What can you tell me today that will secure my vote! and can you give me YOUR number
1 issue that needs addressing as a priority. Thanks"
Debra Crawley Doyle, Noelle Geary, Helen Gaffney and 5 others like this.
Fidelma Healy Eames
Of the 4 FG candidates standing in Galway West, I'm the only candidate with national experience coupled with a track record of local achievement.

My number 1 issue would be to highlight and oversee the importance of education as a driver of ...personal and national growth. I
fundamentally believe that education touches every aspect of our lives. It is the route out of poverty and the passport to succeess.
6 people like this

Dee Jay Paulie What is the stance on drinking in public ? There's a load of drinkers setting up a 'drinking camp' at the back of St Joseph's hospital, Raheny. They light fires & I'm sure they don't go to the loo in the hospital.
3 people like this

Fidelma Healy Eames
Follow up from the office - Fine Gael has a strong track record on the need to resolve and eliminate anti-social behaviour in all its forms.

In our manifesto available at www.finegael.ie, it states our intention to target the anti-social hot...spots such as the one you've mentioned above.

Fine Gael will target bad planning and anti social hotspots by developing a ‘Good Practice Guide’ for planners and developers to make housing developments, streets and parks safer, better places. The aim will be to draw attention to crime prevention principles which has been lacking in many modern high density housing areas.

Thank you for your question, I hope this was somewhat helpful.

Mykidstime
Sharon asks "what her stand on SHELL and what they are doing up in mayo"
Noelle Geary, Helen Gaffney, Debra Crawley Doyle and 2 others like this.

Fidelma Healy Eames My stance on Shell is I believe a royalty tax should be introduced through a piece of legislation so that Shell have to return X percentage amount of the profits to the Irish State. Personally I am very angry with how previous FF governments abused our natural resources.
4 people like this

Mykidstime
Bridgette asks: Question for Senator Healy-Eames will FG overturn the capping of SNA's for children with Disabilities in school this cut is causing severe worry to families and its saving is minuscule compared to the monies that will need to be spent on the future.
Noelle Geary, Helen Gaffney, Debra Crawley Doyle and 4 others like this.
Mykidstime
Fidelma Healy Eames said:
FG will protect the frontline. i.e. that includes SNAs. It is critical to have an SNA to ensure that a child with SEN can be mainstreamed. I recognise the difficulties with current SNA cuts that the government forc...ed through last year, I fo...ught these hard at Oireachtas education committee level, and supported the parents in the process. As you know we're taking over an absolute financial mess, it would be irresponsible of me to promise more at this juncture. I will always stand up for the rights of children with SEN. We will be pushing through the implimintation of EPSEN Act in the next term.
11 hours ago · LikeUnlike · 4 peopleNoelle Geary, Debra Crawley Doyle and 2 others like this.
Ciara De Burca Putt
Can I ask about the plans for the new childrens hospital. Many services in Our Ladys hospital in Crumlin have been suspended. For example the spina Bifida clinic had funding pulled. We now have to attend every consultant on an individual ba...sis. We have doctors in Crumin and Temple street and Beaumont. Its nonsensical.
I degress from my point. Will the new Childrens hospital in the City Centre go ahead?
Fidelma Healy Eames
Follow up from the office - Dr. James Reilly (Deputy Leader and Health Spokesperson) released a statement on this issue back in October of last year.

In the statement Dr. Reilly responds to the resignation of former Chair of the National Pa...ediatric Hospital Board, Philip Lynch. In his statement Mr. Lynch stated that there was clearly a severe funding gap of in or around €200m for the Mater site plan.

Dr. Reilly believes that this funding inaccuracy must lead to a re-think. In his own words, "We don’t serve our children well by telling them fairy tales about a hospital that may never be built.....We must ensure that our sick children get care when they need it".

The full statement can be found at http://research.finegael.org/news/a/4150/article/

Unfortunately this is the most detailed response we can get you at this time. Partly because of this obvious funding gap there has been no solid commitment made on this issue as to do so would be irresponsible at this point.

For more information on Fine Gael's policies in the areas of children and healthcare please feel free to visit www.finegael.ie. Thank you very much for your interest and I hope this was somewhat helpful
1 personDebra Crawley Doyle likes this.

Mykidstime
Liz asked: Fidelma, what is the FG job-stimulous package and does it focus on a particular sector or region of the country?

Debra Crawley Doyle, Helen Gaffney, Noelle Geary and 4 others like this.
Fidelma Healy Eames
The FG job stimulus policy will apply across the whole country. NewERA is our main investment in key infrastructures i.e. Water, Renewable Energy, and Broadband. By investing €7bn from the pension reserve fund in these areas we will create ...construction jobs in the short term, but in the longer term, we will ensure that a business has a more competitive cost base to operate from in Ireland. This will enable SME's and FDI to be more profitable in Ireland and thus create more jobs.

We also have very exciting propositions for small business. More info on this can be found in our manifesto.See More
2 people like this.

Mykidstime
Darren asks: What are Fine Gael's plans for Childrens Allowance, are there more cuts on the way?
Noelle Geary, Belinda Jane Higgins, Debra Crawley Doyle and 10 others like this.

Fidelma Healy Eames We believe in a universal payment to all children. However, we recognise that some parents and families are more needy than others. The mothers of the 300k children in poverty will receive more allowance than others.
3 people3 people like this.

Mykidstime So means testing is the way forward?
2 peopleDebra Crawley Doyle and Joanna Morrissey like this.

Ger Poff How will this be enforced? Means tested ?
3 people like this

Suzanne Cahill Its unfair, try looking at people surviving on modest incomes that have deal with all the cuts and get no handouts.
Fidelma Healy Eames
Follow up comment from the office - Just to clarify the Fine Gael position on Child Benefit. I hope this is helpful to you and thank you very much for your interest.

"Fine Gael will implement a rebalanced and integrated “Child Income Support...” with both universal and targeted components to make the system of child support better targeted at child poverty."

Mykidstime
Welcome to our live Q&A with Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames. Welcome Fidelma and thanks for joining us.
Noelle Geary, Debra Crawley Doyle, Helen Gaffney and 4 others like this.

Fidelma Healy Eames Hello everybody, delighted to be here to answer some questions with you today. As you probably understand my scchedule is extremely tight so with your blessing I need to exit at around 10:50am. Looking forward to getting started!
Mykidstime No problem Fidelma

Mykidstime Remember folks, you will need to refresh the page to keep up with the conversation

Frank Brennan good morning Fidelma,just a simple question ?where is Fine Gael getting the money to fund their election campaign in these cash starved times, it dont look like theres a recession in Fine Gael,ie their are thousands of posters on every issue all over the countrythousands of ads,the cost of hiring out the aviva stadium for 1000 people & Enda Kenny TD getting an air taxi back for a tv debate at a cost of 30000 euros