Latest news with #GDD
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
Stark warning: Dublin faces citywide water shortages within five years
Uisce Éireann has warned water shortages will hit 'all customers' in Dublin in 'the next five years' due to 'critical' infrastructure issues. The chief executive of the utility, Niall Gleeson, has written to Housing Minister James Browne seeking 'an urgent meeting' over the matter. Mr Gleeson fears a multibillion-euro proposal to pump water from the River Shannon into the Greater Dublin Area to meet growing demand could be delayed for several years by planning objections from environmentalists. Housing Minister James Browne. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins He pointed to plans for a new wastewater plant that was expected to be operational this year, but now won't be delivered until 2032. In correspondence released to under Freedom of Information legislation, the Uisce Éireann boss said that issues with the supply of water in Dublin have become so dire that a drought in the Liffey today would result in immediate water restrictions. has previously revealed that thousands of new homes in Dublin are at risk because Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) needs tens of billions in investment. Niall Gleeson. Pic: Sasko Lazarov / © But the delivery of new homes is not the only serious problem emerging from Ireland's creaking water infrastructure. Mr Gleeson said the issues will affect 'not just the new housing targets but current and future foreign direct investment' in Dublin and across the country. He wrote: 'Significant population and economic growth over and above forecasts in the GDA (Greater Dublin Area) in the last three years means that there will be a shortage of water for all customers within the next five years. Greater Dublin. Pic: Getty Images 'This shortage can only be adequately addressed by prioritising the delivery of the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region (WSP).' The WSP will see water from the Shannon piped 170 km through counties Tipperary, Offaly, and Kildare to a reservoir at Peamount in Dublin, connecting into the GDA water supply network. The Department of Housing estimates that the project could cost over €10 billion. But Mr Gleeson has raised fears the WSP will run into significant planning delays. He referenced the Greater Dublin Drainage Project (GDD), which provides for a new wastewater treatment plant in Clonshaugh. The office of An Bord Pleanála in Dublin. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos It has been in planning for six years, with the original consent quashed 'on one ground only, over which Uisce Éireann had no control', and which related to a consultation between An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This, he said, was 'a direct consequence of the overly complex multiple consenting regime in Ireland' The planning application was lodged in 2018, and the project was expected to be 'complete and operational by 2025'. However, he added: 'As a result of the ongoing planning delays, we now believe that, at best, the project may be delivered and operational by 2032.' Mr Gleeson then warned that he fears the same problems will befall the WSP. He said: 'Given the issues experienced on the GDD project, we are concerned that the WSP will suffer similar delays and will be tied up for years in the consenting processes.' However, a spokeswoman for the EPA said that An Bord Pleanála had not fulfilled its obligations to seek the agency's views on the DDP. She told 'The judgment in this case did not identify any shortcomings or omissions by the EPA. Uisce Éireann has submitted an application to the EPA, which is currently under review. 'A final decision will be made by the EPA on this licence once the necessary planning decision has been made.' A spokesman for Irish Water said the supply in the GDA is on a 'knife edge'. He said this may result in 'water conservation orders (hosepipe bans) or supply restrictions', particularly during periods of drought/high demand. He added: 'This is an unsustainable situation and is a symptom of the critical need to develop a new source of supply.' On housing, Mr Gleeson said it is estimated that to meet housing targets of 50,000 units per year, Irish Water would need an additional € 1.7 billion in a 'nationally multi-annual ring-fenced fund for housing and growth'. He added: 'Our projects are of national importance and without them there will be significant curtailment of the State's housing programme despite our best efforts'. A spokesman for the Department of Housing said that 'while there are risks to water supply until the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project is completed in the early 2030s, Uisce Éireann will take all possible action to maintain supply and support new connections'.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Death of girl after vomiting at NHS hospital was preventable
Rose Harfleet died at Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford after visiting the emergency department the day before with her mother, as she had been experiencing vomiting The death of a 12-year-old girl at an NHS hospital was preventable, a coroner has ruled. Rose Harfleet passed away at Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford after visiting the emergency department the day before with her mum, following a sudden onset of abdominal pain and vomiting earlier that morning. However, there was "failure" of the medical and nursing staff to "appreciate Rose was clinically deteriorating," a report released on Tuesday read. The tragedy has now led to concerns over the management of children with profound disabilities within hospital settings. Rose was diagnosed with global developmental delay (GDD) at birth, and also had a background of chronic intermittent constipation. But the youngster, who was suffering from intestinal obstruction after she vomited green bile during her admission to the hospital, was treated for constipation the day before she died. According to the coroner's report, Rose's death "would have been prevented" if she had been transferred to St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London for curative surgery. The Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has apologised "unreservedly" to the family for its failures. Although the plan was made to transfer Rose for further assessment and management at St George's, this was not carried out and she died within hours on January 30, 2024 after experiencing a cardiorespiratory arrest. An autopsy confirmed the abdominal pain, and clinical deterioration was due to a caecal volvulus causing intestinal obstruction and bowel ischaemia. The report released on Tuesday noted this and said Rose's mother was not given the opportunity to "actively participate" in the care and management provided to her daughter, which reportedly resulted in "poor clinical decisions" that contributed to Rose's death. In the report, Dr Karen Henderson, assistant coroner for Surrey, said: "This gives rise to a concern that by not listening to parents or guardians as a matter of course leads to discrimination of disabled children." The coroner went onto say she found the ongoing concerns Rose's mother had when she was transferred to the children's ward "were not recognised" by the nursing and medical staff and "consequently not acted upon". She went on to suggest this thereby contributed to the 12-year-old's death. Dr Henderson added: "There appears to be a prevailing culture that in the absence of a patient being able to explain their symptoms themselves the voice of the parent or guardian is not given the significance it should be for the most vulnerable in a hospital setting." Additionally, the coroner's report also found that despite the fact that Rose's admission came during the working week, there was "no consideration or offer given" by hospital staff to provide the mother and daughter with a Learning Disability Liaison Nurse. "This led to Rose's mother being unsupported during this admission or for a nursing professional to be able to liaise and advocate for Rose and her mother with medical and nursing staff in the emergency department." And, as Surrey Live reports, he coroner's report states that had the transfer to St George's hospital been facilitated for Rose, so that she could have had surgery; her death could have been prevented. Louise Stead, group chief executive of Royal Surrey and Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts told SurreyLive: "I unreservedly apologise to Rose's family for the failures in her care and am deeply sorry for their devastating experience. "I appreciate that no words or actions can bring Rose back or reduce the grief felt by her loved ones and can only offer the assurance that we have carried out a thorough investigation into all aspects of this tragic case and implemented several areas of learning." "We will now go through all of the coroner's recommendations to further review our practices and ensure we take every possible action in response to this extremely distressing incident."
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Traitors: Charity receives £30,000 in donations after finalist Alexander shared his brother's moving story
The Traitors finalist Alexander Dragonetti has inspired thousands of viewers to donate to a learning disability charity after he opened up about his late brother who was born with Global developmental delay (GDD). The former British diplomat, 38, who made it through to the final of the latest season of the BBC deception game show, told fellow contestants during the series that if he were to win the show, he would have donated his prize fund to a charity close to his heart. While Dragonetti was banished by the Faithful contestants during Friday night's final and did not win any of the £120,000 prize pot, viewers were been moved after he shared the story of his brother, who died aged 17. The charity, which supports people with learning disabilities and their families, has revealed that it has received more than £30,000 in donations from over 2,000 Traitors viewers since the episode aired last week. Speaking to his fellow contestants about where he would have donated the winning money, Dragonetti said during the show: 'I would like to give away some money to a charity I really care about. My brother had special needs and used to go to a summer camp. I'd love to put some money towards that to help it keep going because it gives parents a break.' 'My brother had global developmental delay, which just meant he was younger than his age and autism. He was 17 when he died and I was 24 and he looked up to me. I miss him a lot,' he added. Dragonetti continued: 'My parents did an incredible job with my brother. And for them to get a break for even a week a year looking after someone with special needs – it can be a challenging job. I thought it was a brilliant thing for my brilliant family. And I'd love to keep that kinda of thing going.' Claudia Winkleman's stylist, Sinead McKeefry, revealed that the presenter's wardrobe in season three of 'The Traitors' has a 'punk flavour' with gothic and dramatic elements. Winkleman's outfits often feature chunky wool, tweed, velvet, and devoré fabrics, complementing the show's moody atmosphere. McKeefry employs a high-low styling approach, combining designer pieces with affordable items from Zara, Spanx, and Amazon. Winkleman's signature looks include monochrome separates, fingerless gloves, boxy silhouettes, and oversized fits, often incorporating kilts, oversized knits, and long coats. Many of her outfits can be recreated with more affordable alternatives from high street brands like H&M, Cos, and Asos. Read the full story. Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability at Mencap, said in a statement that the organisation was grateful to Dragonetti for 'courageously sharing his personal story about his brother'. Sparkes continued: 'Despite not winning on Friday night Alexander remained faithful to the end and captured the hearts of the nation – he is our champion!' 'Telling his story has inspired a tremendous wave of generosity from the public. Their overwhelming support for Mencap has been incredible, with generous donations around £30,000. These donations are needed more now than ever as people with a learning disability continue to face extensive inequalities every day,' he said. "We know that when the experiences of people with a learning disability, and their loved ones, are represented in the media, it helps to change attitudes and make our society more inclusive. We loved watching Alexander's journey throughout the show and want to thank him for all that he's done.' According to Mencap, developmental delay is when a child takes longer to reach certain developmental milestones than other children their age. This might include learning to walk or talk, movement skills, learning new things and interacting with others socially and emotionally. During Friday's The Traitors finale, Jake and Leanne were crowned as the joint winners, taking home £47,300 each, but not before they banished Charlotte, Alexander and Frankie. However, viewers were left disappointed after Dragonetti – a firm fan favourite – didn't win. The reality game show series follows a group living in a castle in the Scottish Highlands, hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Among the contestants are a number of 'Traitors', who conspire to eliminate others without being detected.
The Independent
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The Traitors: Charity receives £30,000 in donations after finalist Alexander shared his brother's moving story
The Traitors finalist Alexander Dragonetti has inspired thousands of viewers to donate to a learning disability charity after he opened up about his late brother who was born with Global developmental delay (GDD). The former British diplomat, 38, who made it through to the final of the latest season of the BBC deception game show, told fellow contestants during the series that if he were to win the show, he would have donated his prize fund to a charity close to his heart. While Dragonetti was banished by the Faithful contestants during Friday night's final and did not win any of the £120,000 prize pot, viewers were been moved after he shared the story of his brother, who died aged 17. The charity, which supports people with learning disabilities and their families, has revealed that it has received more than £30,000 in donations from over 2,000 Traitors viewers since the episode aired last week. Speaking to his fellow contestants about where he would have donated the winning money, Dragonetti said during the show: 'I would like to give away some money to a charity I really care about. My brother had special needs and used to go to a summer camp. I'd love to put some money towards that to help it keep going because it gives parents a break.' 'My brother had global developmental delay, which just meant he was younger than his age and autism. He was 17 when he died and I was 24 and he looked up to me. I miss him a lot,' he added. Dragonetti continued: 'My parents did an incredible job with my brother. And for them to get a break for even a week a year looking after someone with special needs – it can be a challenging job. I thought it was a brilliant thing for my brilliant family. And I'd love to keep that kinda of thing going.' Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability at Mencap, said in a statement that the organisation was grateful to Dragonetti for 'courageously sharing his personal story about his brother'. Sparkes continued: 'Despite not winning on Friday night Alexander remained faithful to the end and captured the hearts of the nation – he is our champion!' 'Telling his story has inspired a tremendous wave of generosity from the public. Their overwhelming support for Mencap has been incredible, with generous donations around £30,000. These donations are needed more now than ever as people with a learning disability continue to face extensive inequalities every day,' he said. "We know that when the experiences of people with a learning disability, and their loved ones, are represented in the media, it helps to change attitudes and make our society more inclusive. We loved watching Alexander's journey throughout the show and want to thank him for all that he's done.' According to Mencap, developmental delay is when a child takes longer to reach certain developmental milestones than other children their age. This might include learning to walk or talk, movement skills, learning new things and interacting with others socially and emotionally. During Friday's The Traitors finale, Jake and Leanne were crowned as the joint winners, taking home £47,300 each, but not before they banished Charlotte, Alexander and Frankie. However, viewers were left disappointed after Dragonetti – a firm fan favourite – didn't win. The reality game show series follows a group living in a castle in the Scottish Highlands, hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Among the contestants are a number of 'Traitors', who conspire to eliminate others without being detected.
