Hidden costs and challenges faced by parents of children in hospital must be addressed
16th February 2021 - Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD
Fine Gael Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Fine Gael Councillor Vicki Casserly met with Minister Heather Humphreys today to discuss the costs and challenges for parents of children in hospital.
Deputy Carroll MacNeill, who represents Dún Laoghaire, said: “I’m very grateful to Minister Humphreys and her team for meeting with me and Cllr Vicki Casserly this afternoon to discuss the costs of having a child in hospital faced by Irish families.
“Parents with children in hospital face a range of practical challenges, in addition to the medical issues faced by their children. Increased expenses, multi-discipline clinical coordination and time away from work and family are frequently the biggest issues.
Racism exists in Ireland, and we cannot turn a blind eye to it – Carroll MacNeill
22nd January 2021 - Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD
IHREC’s campaign #AllAgainstRacism highlights the responsibility individuals have in combatting hateful and racist harassment experienced by too many people in Ireland today, a Fine Gael TD has said.
Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s campaign shows that casual and systematic racism is a daily reality for people of different backgrounds.
Deputy Carroll MacNeill said: “The campaign features eleven interviews which give voices to those who aren’t often heard. We must listen to those who share their stories with us, but listening alone does not bring about change.
Labour TD Seán Sherlock spoke about, Dr James Deeny Chief Medical Adviser of the Republic of Ireland, who worked in the Bessborough mother and baby home.
He got choked up as he spoke about a report where the children were described as “miserable scraps of humanity, wisened and emancipated and almost all had rashes and sores all over their bodies, hands and heads”.
“Forgive me for getting upset, Leas Ceann Comhairle, that has to be dealt with, we have to deal with it face on,” he told the Dáil.
Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carrol MacNeill also had to hold back tears as she spoke about the “animalistic” scream that came from a mother who had found out that her baby had been taken away from the home for adoption without notice or consent.