National Driving Licence Service “blackguarding” the elderly, says McNamara
Junior Transport Minister Hildegarde Naughten has confirmed that the temporary Covid downgrading of all National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) offices across the State, including the Tipperary offices in Clonmel and Nenagh, has now been made permanent.
“The walk-in service previously available was originally discontinued to ensure social distancing and compliance with occupational and public health requirements,” she told Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara in the Dáil this evening (Thursday), continuing: “the current NDLS contract, which was put in place with the front office service provider in 2021, no longer offers a walk-in service.”
She outlined that an online service is available for all application types but stated that a “verified MyGovlD account, which requires a public services card (PSC), is needed” to avail of the online service. “This is despite a Data Protection Commission investigation into the legality of the Public Services Card which found that there was no lawful basis for a person to be told they needed the card for anything other than accessing social welfare or benefits,” Deputy McNamara explained.
In the Dáil this evening, Deputy McNamara raised the issue of difficulties encountered by his constituents in availing of the NDLS service in Ennis and explained to the Minister that not everybody was able to go online. He pointed out that government TDs were rightly critical of banks moving their services online because of the effect it had on various sectors, especially the elderly, and here was a government agency doing exactly the same thing.
He told the Junior Transport Minister that a man of retirement age in his constituency had to get his grandchild to make an online appointment for him, as he could no longer walk into the NDLS Centre. Having completed the forms at the office, he received a form in the post to be signed and he returned same to the NDLS and the form would not be accepted. The man subsequently went to the TD’s office, where he was assisted and the paperwork was emailed.
Another constituent took time out of work to attend his appointment in the NDLS Centre in Ennis and his paperwork was in order – only to discover that the staff would not accept cash from him and he did not have a card. He rang his wife for card details but this would not be accepted as his wife was not present.
McNamara informed the Minister that a woman in her 80’s had told him she spent an hour and a half on the phone trying, in vain, to get an appointment. The TD’s office rang the NDLS and spent 45 minutes waiting, but nobody answered.
Minister Naughten claimed that no ‘show rates’ at the Ennis office in January were 12.3% of all booked appointments and to date in February same were 13.3% and she urged customers to ensure that they attend at their appointed time as, where appointments are not held on time, this affects the service for following appointments.
However, Deputy McNamara said he had received reports from neighbouring businesses of elderly customers leaving the office in distress, as they had been turned away for being a couple of minutes late, but within their 10-minute allotted slot which, he said, might account for the apparently high “no-show” rate.
Minister Naughten confirmed to the Clare TD that an additional staff member was due to commence employment at the centre which, she said, would enable the Ennis office to operate at a two-booth capacity. She also confirmed that she would have the long telephone wait times looked into.
McNamara insisted that the NDLS were “blackguarding the elderly” with the service currently being provided.
Thurles.info is pleased to announce €31.2 million euro for roads across Co. Tipperary, confirmed yesterday by Transport Minister.
One window on Kickham Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
As I listen to the filthy, scummy water strike the front window of my humble home for hours today; I read the positive, yet imaginary scripts, in the press and social media, attempting to bolster Mr Michael Lowry TD’s position in Government.
Mr Lowry, who rarely can be spotted in our principal chamber, of the Oireachtas, got in first with his press release to local press, (latter who would publish anything), highlighting and welcoming recent funding of €31.2million, allocated for the neglected roads across Co. Tipperary.
Sadly, Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Jackie Cahill’s PR agents were too slow off the mark; only managing to make Mr Cahill’s own social media page; declaring only €32 million.
Mr Cahill, always faster to get in touch, when it comes to announcing that which he had no hand act or part in; thus supporting his efforts to appear powerful; was also like Mr Lowry, very pleased, “to receive confirmation from the Minister for Transport, that Tipperary County Council has been allocated over €31 million in this year’s Regional and Local Roads Programme“. No one told his Press Team about the extra €218,438 received in loose change.
But the joke was in the finer detail of Mr Cahill’s PR social media script,quote; “I am continuing my work as Tipperary’s Government T.D. to ensure that these strategic developments happen (Namely the Thurles Inner Relief Road announced in 2013, planning to wipe out the Great Famine, Double Ditch & the Latteragh Road Realignment Upgrade announced in April 2017), and I will continue to work with colleagues in Government to see these projects progress”. Mr Cahill or Mr Lowry, despite chasing millionaires, did not mention their continuous failure, over past number of years in office, to get funding for that elusive “Thurles Bypass”, plans of which were first put on display for public consultation 13 years ago, on October 1st, 2009.
Neither Mr Lowry and his “Lowry Team” nor Mr Cahill and his “deceptiveimagination”, have the power to fill a couple of potholes on the badly neglected streets of Thurles.
Although both TD’s were contacted; together with all local Municipal District councillors and officials, about the current neglect of Kickham Street, Thurles, all have remained incapable of sending even one simple positive reply or even filling one small road depression.
The Department of Health here in the Republic of Ireland have confirmed a further 5,268 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19; with a further 4,613 positive antigen tests logged through the HSE portal. Same above confirmed figures bring the total number of virus cases in the Irish Republic, to 9,881; up a further 1,066 cases on yesterday’s reported figures.
On the Irish mainland in the past 24 hours, 12,770 new cases have been confirmed; up 968 on yesterday’s reported figures.
The Department of Health has also reported 108 deaths related to Covid-19 since last Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths linked to the virus to 6,399.
There are 631 people currently in hospital with the virus, down 6 on figures reported yesterday.
A further 2,889 cases of coronavirus were reported in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours, down from 2,987 on yesterday’s reported figures.
There were 474 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals; down 2 on yesterday and of these, 12 patients remain in intensive care units, down 1 on yesterday.
Sadly, 5 Covid-19-related deaths have also been reported in Northern Ireland today, bringing the total number of deaths linked to Covid-19, since the start of the pandemic, to 3,165. Yesterday also, Stormont’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Ian Young, warned people residing in Northern Ireland that the lifting of Covid-19 legal restrictions, should not be viewed at present as “freedom day”.
In New Zealand Covid-19 infections have reached a record high, as police fail to clear anti-vaccine protesters and their vehicles, latter blocking the streets around their countries parliament.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s daily count of new coronavirus cases has topped 90,000 for the first time, same caused by the fast-spreading Omicron variant; almost doubling their previous daily tallies, within the past 7 days, despite 86% of their population having been fully vaccinated and 58% having received a booster shot.
In Japan yesterday, there were 236 new coronavirus fatalities, their worst ever one-day Covid death total.
Two TD’s in Thurles town, yet no announcements by either Mr Jackie Cahill TD or Mr Michael Lowry TD, on Kickham Street upgrade.
Road structure in question is on Thurles MD’s three year roads programme for an upgrade, with work likely to be scheduled next year 2023, or maybe the year after, 2024.
This was the state of Kickham Street Thurles today, February 12th, 2022. See video hereunder. _______________________________
When there’s a funding announcement every TD and Local Councillor rushes to claim that they were part of it, despite having had no hand, act or part in any such acquisitions. TD’s and Local Councillors have absolutely no power in current decision making, and none of them want to take responsibility when unpopular decisions have to be made.
Instead, local elected public representatives choose silence; not wanting to be associated with negativity and obvious failure, in case it should impact on their vote, come next election. Let’s examine recent announcements all claimed by every idle local elected politician and Thurles Municipal District Councillors, regardless of their political affiliations.
€86,200 announced, on 22nd September 2021, for upgrade to Old Baker Street.(Nothing ever happened.)
€3 million announced on 18th September 2020 for a multi-functional tensile weatherproof venue, for Thurles Town Carpark, Cathedral Street Thurles, rooting up what was officially upgraded and opened to great acclaim less than 6 years ago (March 2016). (Nothing has ever happened.)
€75,000, which had been allocated in February 2019, to allow for the construction of a new raised roundabout on Abbey Road, Thurles, at the junction of the entrances to Lidl Supermarket and the Kennedy Park housing estate.(Work eventually got underway in September 2021.) See Link Here
Cost not known for second re-alignment upgrade to the junction at Slievenamon Road and Clongower Road in just a 2 years period, caused by engineering errors.
Cost not known for Parnell Carpark upgrade, announced on January 12th, 2022, due we were then told to get under way in the coming weeks.
Cost not known for Liberty Square (Ulster Bank) Car Park, announced on January 19th 2022, and promised to start on next weekend.
Kickham Street roadworks upgrade, now placed on Thurles Municipal District’s three year roads programme.
Several times each week, at least, Mr Jackie Cahill TD and Mr Michael Lowry TD, travel this busiest road into and out of Thurles, namely Kickham Street(as indeed do our elected councillors). It is fair to assume they are continuing locally to chase elusive millionaires, since they rarely can be viewed, sitting in boring old Dáil Éireann.
On the 16th January 2022, we wrote to Ms Sharon Scully, Thurles Administrator, regarding neglect and waste here in Thurles town. See Link.
We wish to point out that all communications with Ms Scully were sent/forwarded to and received by Mr Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive of Tipperary Co. Council, Telephone (Work): 0818 06 5000joe.macgrath@tipperarycoco.ie. As was expected, noreply was ever received from Mr Joe MacGrath.
We received a ‘slap on the wrist’ contained in Ms Scully’s reply of two days later, which read as follows: “Firstly let me say that the issue of road signage facing in the wrong direction will be addressed. District staff will be asked to rectify this issue over the coming weeks. However, resources can only be dedicated to this task when more urgent works such as housing repairs, burials and roadworks allow.Four weeks later and nothing has been achieved. Ms Scully went on to highlight the good work that has been carried out, by her office, such as works on Liberty Square and the River Suir Walkway, as well as funding that had been secured to redevelop Thurles Market Quarter. No mention of TD’s being involved in these acquisitions by Ms Scully, despite TD’s claims.
Then came the verbal ‘slap’, “When we highlight only the negatives, in a public forum, it misleads people as to all the town has to offer and paints the town of Thurles in a light that I’m sure neither you nor me want.“
We have often been “Slapped on the Wrist” before. Ms Scully, Local Newspapers, Radio and Thurles.Info continuously discuss Drugs, Crime within the Thurles area. Should we stop, in the interests of “not painting the town of Thurles in a poor light”? Yes, we at Thurles.Info are the only people who refuse to publish the “positive spin” from the MDC’s offices. From last year, we refuse to accept weekly press releases from local TD’s; contents of which can be clearly characterized as occurring only in fiction from those on vast salaries and wishing to remain on them courtesy of their electorate..
Well as everyone in this town will be aware, I most certainly do not want to denigrate Thurles. However, one word stands out in Ms Scully’s reply; note the single word “roadworks”.
“TII’s purpose is to provide sustainable transport infrastructure and services, delivering a better quality of life, supporting economic growth and respecting the environment.” – According to TII’s own Website.
Early last year 2021, we logged a serious issue with Tipperary County Council Service Desk [reference number T-151500-F3F10761 065000]. The problem raised questions about the ability and failings of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), regarding work on Kickham Street, Thurles. Mr Thomas Duffy, (Senior Executive Engineer), contacted me by phone, following my complaint. I was led to believe that action to correct the roadworks would be undertaken, thus protecting the houses and homes on Kickham Street, Thurles.
On 8th March 2021, almost one year ago, local radio and local newspapers announced, (quoting from one source):- “The first area to be tackled is the N75 at Kickham Street which will continue until next Thursday. District Administrator Sharon Scully says this will result in a road closure. Traffic leaving the Square – so outbound traffic – will be diverted up Mitchell Street. We will keep a two-way traffic flow on Mitchell Street but that will mean there will be parking restrictions. So the diversion will be up Mitchell Street – up as far as the Mace shop – and then you’ll be brought back over onto Kickham Street. Inbound traffic then will be diverted at the nursing home at the Mill Road junction – along the Mill Road and back onto Slievenamon Road.”
Transport Infrastructure Irl., employees worked Monday & Tuesday, a half day on Wednesday and then left the area, but not after their road sweeper had removed/sucked-up all the tarmac/asphalt from the holes they had patched. A depression outside my own home was never included in their repairs. Mr Duffy was sent pictures of TII’s handywork via Tipp, Co. Co. customer service.
On January 19th 2022, almost one year later from my initial Customer Relationship Management raised issue; I again communicated with Ms Scully, stating:- “As your office is aware Kickham Street is now the busiest and the most dangerous road in Thurles, and all I requested from your Mr Thomas Duffy (Senior Executive Engineer) was to fill one depression outside my home to stop water being splashed, damaging the front wall of my home. (See Video). I asked that asphalt be used and not cold tarmac, to avoid gravel also being fired at my front window. Evidence was provided – Nothing was done. See link and date HERE and also HERE.
The reply, by return, from Ms Scully stated:- “I have followed up with the District Engineer in relation to the CRM you have quoted below. He has confirmed that the road in question is on Thurles MD’s three year roads programme for an upgrade, with work likely to be scheduled next year. The District Engineer confirmed that any drainage issues and chambers will be addressed during those works”.
Despite my badly stinging wrist; Ms Scully added:- “My email to you of the 18th January was in no means meant as a criticism of you. I apologise if you saw it as such.” This was followed by what I interpret as some sort of humour from Ms Scully;- “I think it is very important that any town has strong community engagement where issues that are of importance can be highlighted and discussed. However, when this is done in a public forum it can paint the town in a negative light, particularly when the positives are not also highlighted.”ViewHere.
With regard to “strong community engagement”; what was the individual costs of both re-alignment upgrades to the junction at Slievenamon Road and Clongower Road last year, including the cost of added new traffic lights?
According to Ms Scully, it took Mr Thomas Duffy (Senior Executive Engineer)7 days to examine the depression housing a reservoir of filthy, leaf filled water, outside my home; same transferred by speeding traffic every 5 seconds onto the window, door and wall of my home. He never got around to clearing the drains reported to his office, last July, 2021, still on view today.
On February 10th, 2022, just before planned litigation was due to be put into operation, Ms Scully informs us that:- “Further to your email below dated the 9th February, I can confirm that we are continuing to follow up with Irish Water to ensure that work is carried out to rectify reinstatement works, carried out recently (No Not Recently) outside your property on Kickham Street. As previously stated, Tomas Duffy, District Engineer inspected the location on Kickham Street, outside your property on the 8th February. Mr Duffy reported that the water ponding is directly due to reinstatement works associated with water main works carried out by Irish Water. The complaint was referred to Irish Water in order to rectify the matter. Mr Duffy then followed up the report directly with the Water Services in Tipperary County Council and impressed on them the urgency to have this work rectified.” Now, some 12 months later, Mr Duffy has decided to correct the situation by “passing the buck” to another internal Tipperary Council organisation.
To add to this current ludicrous and humiliating failure, that is Kickham Street, Thurles, today, one year on; last week contractors currently working on the “Widows Homes“; latter also under the direct control of Tipperary Co. Council housing department, have chosen to spread their construction waste, muck and gravel on east Kickham Street.
This main thoroughfare into Thurles, today, looks like an unkempt, waterlogged, farmers laneway, as our video above shows. Pedestrian traffic-safety-islands are filthy and damaged signage from same islands; for several months, now not replaced, yet clearly on display, dumped in the Thurles MDC’s Parnell Street carpark.
These issues raised today are factual, shameful and a disgrace, as Thurles attempts to attract tourism from home and abroad. Why do we continue to pay ‘Property Tax’, when home owners are obliged to purchase traffic cones, in order to protect the fronts of their property, from the failed actions of our Municipal District Council officials?
Thurles Municipal District have now been given a further 7 days with which to repair at least portion of the damage being caused by Kickham Street traffic, to property, before litigation is once again entered into.
The Department Of Transport and all local councillors and local TD’s have been notified in person.
Let’s be honest, come next Local and National elections, the people of Thurles have no one person worthy of their vote. Sad to say, Fianna Fáil, Labour and Fine Gael have no one person fit or capable of representing their particular political party in County Tipperary.
The Department of Health here in the Irish Republic has today confirmed 5,677 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19, together with 5,578 people registering a positive antigen test through the HSE portal, over the past 24 hours.
Both figures bring the total number of confirmed cases to 11,255 today; an increase of 1,890 cases, based on yesterday’s reported figures.
Further data confirmed this morning shows that there are 627 people in our Republic’s hospitals with Covid-19, a decrease of 19 on yesterday, and of these, 68 are currently in intensive care units around our State, down 4 on figures reported yesterday.
The department has sadly, also confirmed 19 new Covid-related deaths, which occurred in the past week, bringing the total number of virus-related deaths in the Irish Republic to 6,291.
In Northern Ireland, a further 3,837 cases of coronavirus were reported today, down from 3,959 reported yesterday.
There are 379 patients with Covid-19 in in Northern Ireland’s hospitals, down from 382 yesterday, with 14 patients in hospital intensive care units, down 1 on yesterday.
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