Latest news with #MurnaneO'Connor
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Community drug projects welcome Government funding of €1.9m for addiction treatment services
Community drug projects have welcomed Government funding of almost €1.9m over a three-year period to assist in the 'essential life-saving' work carried out by local organisations. The monies will be allocated across six health regions and are focused on increasing drug treatment in local areas. Minister for the national drugs strategy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor said the allocation of €1.89m was being made available through the Community Services Enhancement Fund. 'This funding represents another practical step in our efforts to strengthen the health-led response to drug use by enhancing access and delivery of drug services in the community, in line with the national drugs strategy,' she said. 'The six HSE health regions will each receive between €252,000 and €378,000 per year, with allocations based on population needs.' The minister of state at the Department of Health said by making drug treatment available as part of primary care, the State was helping to 'reduce stigma of drug use' and meet the needs of those presenting. Ms Murnane O'Connor said the programme for government committed to increase funding for drug addiction services, including local drug and alcohol taskforces. She said the funding also aligned with the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use, which reported in January 2024. HSE clinical lead for addiction services Professor Eamon Keenan welcomed the announcement: 'This funding will enhance the delivery of drug and alcohol community services in the newly established HSE health regions across the country. "This will allow evidence-based interventions to be provided in those areas of most need and these initiatives will be subject to measurements of outcomes, thus ensuring that the identified service need is met.' The funding will be allocated on three-year cycle, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation. The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), published by the Health Research Board, shows there were 13,104 cases in 2023, which is an increase of almost 50% from 8,922 in 2017. Anna Quigley, coordinator of Citywide, a national group representing community drug projects, said: 'Citywide welcomes any additional funding that is made available for the essential life-saving work that is carried out by community drug projects across the country. 'There is very little recognition of the range and extent of the work they do on a daily basis, not only to support people who are using drugs, also their families and the wider community — our communities would be devastated without them.' Ms Quigley added: 'However, we would emphasise the importance for the projects of having secure long-term funding that can be depended on and it is essential that the next national drugs strategy commits to putting this secure funding in place on a muti-annual basis. 'It is not acceptable that so many of our essential local services face into each new year with insecurity around funding levels and the resulting difficulties in planning ahead and recruiting staff.' Read More Opioid addiction three times higher in Dublin than the rest of Ireland, new study finds
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Carlow Minister honoured to have met the Pope twice – ‘He was truly a people's person'
The Carlow-based minister first met Pope Francis on a visit to the Vatican six years ago. During the visit, Deputy Murnane O'Connor had an audience with the Pope as he shook her hand, gave her a blessing and gifted her rosary beads. "I first met Pope Francis six years ago,' Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor told The Irish Independent. 'A group of us went through the Oireachtas and we had an audience with him. "He was an absolute gentleman. You knew when you were in the room with him that he was a very spiritual person. He was truly a people's person, so approachable. I was so honoured to have met him and to have gotten a blessing from him.' Deputy Murnane O'Connor said that in person, Pope Francis exuded kindness and made time for everyone. "He was a Pope of the people. When I met him it was so evident that he wanted to represent everyone and every walk of life. He really looked after people who were in need. "For me, Pope Francis' legacy will be his kindness,' continued the Minister of State. 'When I met him, you could sense his spirituality and it was clear he represented everyone. The best way to describe him is that he really was a Pope of the people. "To have met him twice was a great privilege and honour. The experience of being in his presence is something I will always remember. The memories will stay with me for the rest of my life.' The late Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 from a stroke and irreversible heart failure. His funeral will take place at 9am on Saturday, April 26.
