Latest news with #FrancesFitzgerald
Irish Examiner
04-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Public-private partnership could deliver optimum homecare solution
Homecare should be delivered by the State and private providers working together rather than waiting for more public-only services, Frances Fitzgerald has urged. The former justice minister and MEP was recently appointed chair of Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI) representing private and voluntary homecare providers. Her comments come as 4,888 elderly people either do not have a carer at all or are waiting for more carer-hours despite the state increasing the hours provided this year compared to 2024. Ms Fitzgerald said the independent sector — private and voluntary — is developing strongly in Ireland. 'As long as the service developing is quality and has standards, I think that's where the public is coming from unless one wants to take a highly ideological approach to it that it has to be the State,' Ms Fitzgerald said. 'I think we recognise now in many areas it is a public-private partnership gives the optimum result.' She highlighted the growing proportion of private care in many counties. It seems to be responding more than the State has been able to, and I think what needs to be recognised is this is an on-going partnership. Ms Fitzgerald was closely involved with the European care strategy in 2022. She acknowledged the sector 'needs development in relation to the status, the pay, the valuing, the career path just like in childcare'. She called for 'a real flexibility' in how private, voluntary, and HSE services co-operate together. She added 'the relationship seems good' now, but said: 'We have to think about the client and what's best for the person.' Among hospital patients delayed in leaving after treatment is complete are some people waiting for homecare, the HSE has previously said. Ms Fitzgerald said this essentially means 'there are people in hospital who would be out of hospital if they had the right homecare'. In this situation, she urged: 'The costings actually become a moot point, because we've just got to get people into the community and keep people in the community because it's what a lot of older people and their families want.' Support in the community for people with disabilities This is also an issue, she indicated, for people with disabilities living with support in the community. 'One size fits all isn't going to work here,' she said. 'Clearly disability services need to be integrated into the homecare services, there's a need for homecare to be provided. 'They are doing it at the moment, and that's going to be a big area in the future definitely I think.' Services have moved away from large institutions and she said: 'We're gone away from that, and there are implications. You're not paying for institutions, you're paying for what should be quality care at home.' New HSE data shows between January and March 58,898 people got homecare coming to over 5.9m hours. The HSE said this was an increase of 313,185 hours compared to early 2024. 4,888 people waiting for care However by the end of March some 4,888 people were waiting for care. This includes 2,195 people who do not have a carer. Some 2,693 people have some help and were assessed as needing more but local services cannot find a carer. There are no delays in accessing funding for packages. A HSE spokesman said home support is helping older people live at home with 'confidence, security and dignity'. It is estimated Ireland will see a 38% increase in people aged over 65 by 2031. 'As a result of the increase in demand, there are waiting lists for home support, now primarily associated with an increasing capacity issue related to the availability of care staff,' he said. 'Priority is given to people in the community with acute needs and people assessed and waiting in acute hospitals, who are in a position to return home with supports.' Minister of state for older people Kieran O'Donnell has committed to funding homecare in a similar way to how nursing homes are funded. This was first proposed in 2017. Read More Homelessness situation is set to deteriorate, Oireachtas committee will hear
Extra.ie
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald rules herself out Presidential race
Former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has ruled herself out of the presidential race, confirming that she would back whoever is picked for the Fine Gael ticket. The race is set to kick off later in the summer, with Michael D Higgins already serving the maximum of two terms (14 years) as the Irish Head of State. An exact date has yet to be officially announced, though an election must be held within 60 days of the end of the current term, which is October 26. Former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has ruled herself out of the presidential race, confirming that she would back whoever is picked for the Fine Gael ticket. Pic: Sasko Lazarov / There has been much speculation about who will run for the seven-year post, with many refraining from ruling themselves in or out as of yet. Despite being approached by 'many people' to run for Fine Gael, Ms Fitzgerald has revealed she has 'decided I won't be contesting.' The Limerick served as Tánaiste from May 2016 to November 2017 and has also acted as Minister for Business, Minister for Justice and Minister for Children. In 2019, Ms Fitzgerald was voted as an Member of European Parliament (MEP) and served one term as she didn't contest the 2024 elections. Pic: Eamonn Farrell/ In 2019, Ms Fitzgerald was voted as an Member of European Parliament (MEP) and served one term as she didn't contest the 2024 elections. Speaking to the Irish Times, Fitzgerald revealed she had decided not to put herself forward for the Presidential Elections following a lot of consideration. 'I will be supporting whoever emerges from the [Fine Gael] convention whenever it is held,' she told the publication, adding her hopes that the mould would be broken and Fine Gael would have success in the race. Other potential Fine Gael candidates include former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and Ireland South MET Seán Kelly. Ms McGuinness was widely tipped as the favourite to succeed President Higgins earlier in the year, with the Louth woman revealing she'd confirm whether she is running or not in May.
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
The new Irish President contenders from ex-Taoiseach to mystery Sinn Fein plan after hotly-tipped big name pulls out
JUST over 200 days to go until the election to decide who will become Ireland's next President, and we still have no real contenders putting up their hand to try to take the top job. After 14 years, Michael D Higgins will leave Aras an Uachtarain at the end of the year, with November 11 being the latest date an election can be held. Advertisement 6 President Michael D Higgins is unable to run again after serving his two terms Credit: PA The However, with Michael D unable to run again, after serving his two terms, expect some big names in politics to come forward this time around to try take the role. Political parties and potential candidates are playing their cards close to their chests so far, with no one wanting to be the first runner to declare for the race. Presidential campaigns can be difficult, exhausting, and personal affairs, so it seems the political parties want to try to keep the election as short as possible. Advertisement Read more in News Former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald today pulled out of the race before it even began as she ruled out a run for the Aras – despite being widely tipped within Here, we take a look through the potential candidates being talked about in the Leinster House rumour mill. THE FINE GAELER LAST year, there were rumours that coalition pals Fine Gael and Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun 6 Former European Parliament Vice President Mairead McGuinness is definitely the front runner for Fine Gael's candidacy Credit: Reuters A host of big names in the party have been floated about political circles, including ex- Frances Fitzgerald's announcement today that she will not be putting herself forward would indicate that party may have decided who they want. Some figures in the party have talked up Advertisement Heather Humphries' surprise decision not to run in the general election looked like a play for the Aras and she has not ruled out a run. However, former European Parliament Vice President Mairead McGuinness is definitely the front runner for Fine Gael's candidacy. The popular former MEP has been working the TV and radio circuit to keep her name in the frame, and I think that will put her at the top of the list for Fine Gael. WILL BERTIE RETURN? FORMER Taoiseach Advertisement The 6 Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been enjoying having his name linked with the Presidency Credit: PA I was in the Helix in DCU in March 2023 when a group of students interrupted a ceremony where Bertie was getting an honorary doctorate. They were furious that their college would celebrate a politician who was involved in financial scandals and claimed he was an 'architect of the financial crisis'. Advertisement Do Fianna Fail really want to see Bertie and the party's past dragged up in a high profile election campaign? I don't think so. Insiders in Fianna Fail are instead talking up Dublin MEP Barry Andrews as a possible Aras candidate after he topped the poll in the Europeans. But could a potential celebrity-turned-Fianna Fail politician steal his thunder? More on that later. SINN FEIN Advertisement 6 Mary Lou McDonald has not ruled out Sinn Fein backing a united opposition candidate Credit: PA The most recent opinion poll puts them back on top as the most popular party in the country. A series of scandals rocked the party in the run-up to the general election, and they failed to hit the heights they had previously expected. Advertisement But the Aras election could be coming at the right time for Sinn Fein this time around and what a win it would be for the party to have the presidency. But who can they run? One thing for certain is it won't be Mary Lou McDonald. She's ruled herself out. While former leader Some have talked about Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill possibly running for the Aras but that also seems unlikely. Advertisement So it is still unclear who Sinn Fein will run in the presidential race but party sources indicate that they will put someone forward instead of backing a joined opposition candidate. INDEPENDENT'S DAY? THE new Coalition haven't achieved too much yet since they took office, but one thing they have managed to do is unite the opposition parties. The 6 Frances Black announced that she will not be putting herself forward Credit: Alamy Advertisement The opposition eventually lost that battle despite all their protests, but could they get their revenge in the presidential election? Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan has also declared an interest in running for the Aras this time around. The Advertisement While the leaders remain tight-lipped on their potential runners, two names have emerged: Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Independent Senator Frances Black. Senator Black has also confirmed that she has been approached by a couple of parties about potentially running for them in the election. Outside this, former Tanaiste-turned-Independent Senator Michael McDowell is also rumoured to be considering a run and would easily secure the nomination through the Advertisement 6 November 11 is the latest date an election can be held Credit: Getty
RTÉ News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Frances Fitzgerald rules out Presidential bid
Fine Gael's Frances Fitzgerald has confirmed that she will not seek her party's nomination for this year's presidential election - despite giving it serious consideration. The former tánaiste, minister for justice and MEP said she had been approached about the possibility of running but, while flattered, has opted against contesting it. Ms Fitzgerald said she would support whoever emerges as the Fine Gael candidate for Áras an Uachtaráin. Among those in the party widely thought to be considering a tilt include former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly. Ms McGuinness has said she will
