THOMAS

PRINGLE T.D.Independent Donegal South West

Dáil Éireann, Phone: 01 618 3038Fax: 01 618 4118

Constituency Office, KillybegsPhone: 074 974 1880Fax: 01 618 4118

Constituency Office, Ballybofey & Dungloe. Phone: 087 216 8719

Contact: Email: thomas.pringle@oir.ie Web: www.thomaspringle.ie

Voting recordMy voting record since taking office in respect of the 254 votes taken is:• Totalvotestaken:203• %votestaken:80%My voting record since September2011inrespectofthe105votestakenis:• Totalvotestaken:72• %votestaken:69%

Autumn/Winter2012

Office hours: Every Wednesday, from 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pmCall 087-2168719

New constituency office in Ballybofey now open!

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www.thewheel.ie

MedicalCardDelaysI know that many of you who have applied for medical cards have been experiencing long delays and other difficulties and this is completely unacceptable. A lot of people from all over the constituency have been contacting my office for help with their applications and telling me the problems they are having, such as missing documentation and misplaced applications, which is causing significant

delays in their applications being processed. I have recently written to the Minister for Health on this matter and have stressed the many concerns I have regarding the application process. I will be sure to keep you up to date on this matter.

InvalidityPensionAppealIssuesOver the past few months, numerous constituents have been in contact with me who are stressed over the length of time it is taking for their Invalidity Pension applications to go through the appeals process. After making numerous representations I have discovered that the delay is not linked to the length of time the appeals section takes to process appeal applications, but occurs when an individual wishes to appeal a decision the Appeals Office register the appeal and then request the person’s relevant documentation to their case from the relevant Department, which is what appears to take the most time. Since becoming a TD I have found this section to be the slowest and have written to the Minister for Social Protection urging her to introduce measures to ensure that such lengthy periods for having application files sent to appeals for assessment are significantly reduced, so that people who are awaiting on their appeals to be processed can expect to have an outcome within a set timeframe which is adhered to, eliminating the undue stress and suffering they are currently experiencing.

If you are experiencing any difficulties with your Medical CardapplicationorInvalidityPensionappealdonothesitatetocontactmyoffice for assistance.

Over the last year and a half many community groupsandclasses fromallover theconstituencyhavetravelleddowntoDublintotakeatourofDáilÉireann.ItgivesmegreatpleasuretomeetwiththesegroupsandwatchthemengagewiththepoliticalprocessandemmersethemselvesinIrishhistory.Ilookforwardtowelcomingmoreoverthecoming years.

VisitingtheDáil

HelpKeepourCountrysideCleanfrom Waste Over the last few months people from all over Donegal have contacted my office to report large volumes of illegalwastebeingdumpedthroughout our countryside.I understand that many people are going through tough times, but it is very important that we all do what we can to keep our area clean and safe, for locals and visitors alike.Nobody wants to live in an area with waste everywhere,

causing pollution and being an eye-sore to all who pass by. Unfortunately, at present, this is what we are facing. But there are ways that we can all pull together and contribute to making our area nicer for everyone’s benefit.During the drier months, Donegal County Council encourages everyone to help clean up our rural areas and blue flag beaches. This can be done in groups or for anyone who’d like to make a difference in their area. Equipment can be provided by Donegal County Council to assist in cleaning-up – all that’s needed is your free time!Clean up Registration forms are available in my office for anyone who would like to avail of these resources in the next mild season, so drop in or ring 074-97-41880 and let’s help make Donegal a cleaner place!”I would also like to applaud Killybegs Community Group for their outstanding work throughout my local area of Killybegs. I am proud to be part of a community who are actively trying to keep our area clean, despite the challenges of illegal dumping and encourage others to do the same.To report illegal dumping in your area, contact: SuzannTinney,WasteAwarenessOfficer,DonegalCountyCouncilon074-91-76276You can also contact my office if you need assistance in forming a group for a clean-up day in your area.

NiallMórNS,Killybegs

SNMhinTeineadhDe,Ardara

HouseholdChargeUpdateThe Government has cut local funding and as a result, Donegal County Council has been informed that they must make a further cut of €4m by the end of the year. The Minister for the Environment has claimed that this is due to the low level of registration for the Household Charge in Donegal. The fact is people in Donegal were experiencing cuts in services before the introduction of this charge. Already this year library services have been cut by €€600,000. We’ve seen the closure of Killybegs library and Ramelton library, as well as the reduction in hours for Donegal Town and Ballyshannon libraries.

ClosureofGynaecologyWardatLGHIn order to facilitate the opening of the new Emergency Department and Medical Unit with no additional funding it has been decided to close the gynaecology ward at Letterkenny General Hospital (LGH). This is an integral specialist ward which also accommodates cancer patients.Last month the Regional Director of Operations for HSE West visited the hospital and told management that the budget must now be cut from €8.8m per month to €7.7m per month. This will amount to an astonishing budget cut of €€13.2 million per year.LGH has had many major achievements over the years which have never been acknowledged. But the decision to close the gynaecology ward cannot be ignored.The people of Donegal deserve a health service which they can rely on and where they can expect to receive the care they need without fear of further closures and cutbacks. This is one closure we cannot allow to happen and I am calling on Minister Reilly and the HSE to reverse this decision as a matter of upmost importance.

ThomasCallsforImmediateReversalofHospitalCatchmentPolicyI have recently called for the immediate reversal of catchment area policy in Dublin hospitals which refuse to treat patients who reside outside their catchment area.Following from when I brought this urgent issue to the forefront in the Dáil at Leaders’ Questions last May, I was informed that a set of rules were being determined with regard to catchment areas to reach a final position in relation to individuals who reside outside a particular hospital’s catchment area and require specialist treatment.In the meantime all hospitals have been ‘advised’ to stop refusing to accept referrals of patients from outside their catchment area. They have also been

‘requested’ to reverse any such decisions implemented since the start of this year.While I welcome the attention this issue has received and that this matter will be reviewed with a view to reaching a final position on the catchment area issue, an immediate and complete reversal of hospital catchment policy is the only satisfactory solution.At this very moment there are seriously ill people across the country who have been refused treatment from these specialist hospitals with no alternative arrangements in place. I’m sure they’re grateful that this issue is being looked into and that the Minister has ‘requested’ that these hospitals implement the interim measures immediately, but I have yet to hear from anyone who has been contacted following this announcement.I have called for this matter to be addressed immediately in the interest of those who need urgent treatment. The resolvement of the catchment issue is key to this. If this current Government ever hopes to achieve a universal healthcare system, they need to start by not refusing to treat patients because of where they come from.

ThomasCallsforFishingBantobeRelaxedonDonegalIslandsI have called on the Government to introduce measures to relax the ban on salmon fishing in the Donegal Islands.Legislation in 2006 effectively outlawed the tradition of fishing for wild salmon in Ireland. To compound matters, area V1 A was then closed in November 2008 which directly affects Donegal fishermen. This has had devastating consequences whereby the only stock islanders can fish is lobster and brown crab which means that these species are now being fished to extinction in our areas.The Donegal Island Fishermen, who spoke in July to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine of which I am a member, called for the fair treatment of small island communities, respect for fishermen as custodians of our fisheries and the sea. They also asked for the responsibility and right to practice traditional livelihoods that are ecologically sustainable, socially just and culturally diverse and pass down our traditions, knowledge and skills to future generations.This comes on foot of the Donegal Islands Survival Plan, a three-year survival plan for Donegal islands to tackle the mass unemployment, emigration and loss of heritage that these islands are now facing.If an agreement could be made to relax the ban on salmon fishing it would then be possible for Arranmore to be linked with other European and International small islands, sharing experiences, strategies and visions for resilient communities and ecosystems. From there it could be ensured that the marine ecosystem is in balance and that activity is within the ecosystems regenerative capacity.The case of the fishing ban in Castlemaine, Co. Kerry, and the subsequent reopening of the harbour for commercial fishing is living proof of this. Arranmore, which is of a similar size to Castlemaine, would be very likely to reap similar benefits if such changes were to be implemented there, having a considerable positive impact on the local industry and community alike.I have been a strong advocate of the Donegal Islands Fishermen and have, over the last number of months, been making numerous representations to Minister Coveney and Minister O’Dowd over the seriousness of the situation and the potential for growth. As it stands, Arranmore has lost €800,000 from its annual economy, and there have been many business closures and mass emigration from the island. We cannot allow this to continue.I have asked that the salmon fishing ban be relaxed for a period of 5 years during which the fishermen could work with the authorities to collate all information on stocks, conservation and records.

Date announced for CJEU

I welcome the Court of Justice of the EU’s (CJEU) announcement of October 23rd as the date for an oral hearing regarding the questions referred to it from my recent case in the Supreme Court.

I am very pleased at the decision of the CJEU to use the accelerated procedure available to it to allow for an oral hearing in October. This shows that the Court recognises the urgency of this matter and its upmost importance to all EU states involved, including Ireland.

Thomas Calls on the Government to end its attack on the vulnerable At Leaders’ Questions in July I called on the Government to end its attack on the vulnerable by increasing the tax take in order to stop making cuts to public services which so many people rely on.It seems the poor are becoming poorer while the rich just keep getting richer. In fact, the gap between the rich and poor in Ireland is widening, with disposable income for the least well-off falling by over 18%, while income has risen by over 4% for the most well-off. Additionally, the top 10% of the population receive almost 14 times more disposable income than the poorest 10%. There is something profoundly wrong in that.It wasn’t so long ago that this Government was promising to break away from the old and begin a new politics. Reform, transparency and fairness were the talk of the day. We all know how that worked out. The extravagant pay rates for special advisers are constantly breaching the pay cap, cuts to social welfare payments and indirect taxes have ravaged the country and jobs are as sparse as they ever were, while more and more people are being forced to emigrate to make a life where a living can be made.We also have a situation where, as a result of the reduced rate of social welfare payments, young people who are made homeless are left trapped in emergency accommodation because they cannot receive the assistance they need to make a life for themselves. This could be easily resolved and addressing this would actually reduce the cost to the State. This is yet another group which is being failed by this Government as a result of its attack on the vulnerable.It’s clear from this that the Government are making very questionable decisions that result in such a lop-sided distribution of wealth, with so many people struggling just to make ends meet. We have the fourth lowest tax take as a percentage of GDP in the EU. Increasing this would do much to address the inequity we now face in our society. There is also a great need to equality proof the budget to assess the impact it would have on society’s most vulnerable, and ensure that these people are protected.Changing the ratio of spending cuts to tax increases in the next and subsequent budgets must be achieved. Being a poorer nation should not equate to it to being a more unequal one, but this seems to be how it’s panning out here.

Dáil Éireann, Phone: 01 618 3038Fax: 01 618 4118

Constituency Office, KillybegsPhone: 074 974 1880Fax: 01 618 4118

THOMASPRINGLE T.D.

Independent Donegal South West

Constituency Office, Ballybofey & DungloePhone: 087 216 8719

0612

ThomasintheCommunityI have been delighted to attend so many events in the constituency over the last few months. Being a part of the Blessing of the Fleet, Sandra’s Run, the Donegal Town Festival opening, the Irish National Forresters Convention, the opening of Little Mac’s chipper in Donegal Town and so many more is very enjoyable for me as I love the opportunity to get talking to everyone from the area . It’s a great honour for me to get out into the community and attend all of these wonderful events, something which I am glad to be able to do more often during the Summer. It’s events like these which reflect the community spirit of Donegal and I am proud to be a part of it.Something close to my heart was the Church Road 50th Reunion which was held on Saturday, 28th July, where cottage 91-100 celebrated their 50th year in existence. Being from this area, It was a great honour for me to present Church Road with a memorial plaque to mark the occasion.

Contact:Email: thomas.pringle@oir.ie Web: www.thomaspringle.ie

Thomas at Church Road Reunion

Blessing of the Fleet Sandra’s Run

Donegal Town Festival Opening

Thomas with Donegal Action for Cancer Care

To keep up to date on the work I’m doing on your behalf, visit: www.thomaspringle.ie