Thurles Information

Thomond Park, Limerick To Host Inaugural Nursing Homes Conference.

Revised funding model required for sector to cater for Ireland’s ageing population – The Alliance

Nursing home providers, health professionals and politicians will gather at Thomond Park in Limerick on February 28th next for a conference focusing on the future of nursing homes and the challenges faced by the sector.

**Pictured ahead of The Alliance “Shoulder To Shoulder” Nursing Home Expo 2024 are** *(left to right)* **Ms Karen Ronan**, *(General Manager of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau)*, **and Shane Scanlan and Marcella Scanlan of** **The Alliance**.

Ms Mary Butler TD, (Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People), will perform the opening address at The Alliance “Shoulder To Shoulder” Nursing Home Expo 2024, which is being hosted by Ireland’s newest and second largest trade association for nursing homes with the support of The Shannon Region (latter comprising County Tipperary, County Limerick and County Clare), and Conference Bureau and Guerin Media.

The closure of 60 nursing home closures during the past five years, the dangers of a multinational operator-dominated sector and the need for a revised funding model in light of Ireland’s ageing population are amongst the key issues set to dominate the conference.

The one-day inaugural event will feature an address entitled ‘Solutions for an ageing population’ by Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Mr David Cullinane ahead of a political panel discussion chaired by Newstalk presenter, former GP and columnist Dr. Ciara Kelly and featuring Mr Michael McNamara TD (Independent), Ms Patricia Ryan TD (Sinn Féin spokesperson for Older People), Senator Mr Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fáil) and Mr Richard O’Donoghue TD (Independent).

Ms Susan Cliffe, (Deputy Chief Inspector of HIQA), and Ms Auriol Kelly, (Business Manager for PTSB), will address the key nursing home industry issues of regulation and finance, while a panel discussion centering on the importance of further education will feature contributions from Ms Niamh Condon (Dining With Dignity), Mr Jonathan Murphy (Griffith College), Ms Wendy Blakely (Strategic Thinking), and Ms Carmel Kelly and Ms Clodagh Killeen (LHP Skillnet). There will also be a few surprise guests on the day, providing insights on leadership and team building.

“Nursing homes are at a critical juncture and it’s time for change” commented Mr Shane Scanlan, (CEO of The Alliance Supporting Nursing Homes).
Mr. Scanlan, who is the Director of Nursing for a small family-owned nursing home in County Kerry, added, “A significant number of nursing homes have closed since 2018 and while the funding model afforded to Nursing Homes has served its purpose for a period since its introduction in 2009 with the establishment of the Fair Deal scheme, we have reached a tipping point for the sector where we must decide the changes required to adequately fund the care of Ireland’s increasingly ageing population.
As a group of people who actively works within the sector, The Alliance membership believes official representation of our sector must improve and should comprise of those directly working in the industry,” he continued.
“We are seeing consolidation in the nursing home market from large operators which take a huge percentage of nursing home beds presently and, most likely, into the future if the current trend persists. A blended model of independent, public, voluntary and private equity funded operators is favoured over the sector being controlled by 8 to 15 large multinational operators, which would be detrimental for an ageing population.”

Mr. Scanlan said recent reports from HIQA and the ESRI have highlighted how the current funding model is no longer fit-for-purpose and has led to regional inequalities in funding with a widening of the gap between the number of beds per capita in rural areas compared to that of Dublin and the commuter belt counties.

“The Alliance is fighting for a cost of care model to be introduced where the funding in relation to residents’ care follows the individual resident on a case-by-case basis and is centred on their care needs which, in turn, would adequately fund nursing homes for all residents under their care,” he explained.
“Community-based nursing homes are no different to other local services in terms of their socio-economic benefit to the communities in which they operate,” stated Mr. Scanlan. “They allow for people to be cared for in their communities and create substantial employment which has a positive knock-on impact for local suppliers. Community-based nursing homes provide an added incentive for government to support the sector and we are very much looking forward to hearing Minister Butler outline the Government’s plans to deal with the key issues affecting our sector“.

Visit HERE for more details on The Alliance “Shoulder To Shoulder” Nursing Home Expo 2024 at Thomond Park, Limerick, on Wednesday, February 28th.

Free Talk on Kids, Teens and Screen Time Challenges.

Tomorrow, Tuesday February 6th, 2024, is ‘Safer Internet Day’.

Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. Webwise is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, funded by the Department of Education and co-funded by the European Commission. They provide excellent information and support for parents on how to promote safer internet use, so do visit HERE.

Another helpful site can be viewed HERE, which provides up-to-date information on movies, apps, podcasts, games and other media aimed at kids.

Please watch the YouTube video hereunder, for a previous talk given by Avril Ronan on Gaming Safety and Kids.

For Safer Internet Day 2024, Avril Ronan, from Trend Micro (a global cybersecurity leader), is offering a free webinar for parents, teachers and other adults working with young people, on ‘Let’s Talk Kids, Teens and Screen Time Challenges’.

Her talk will explore the screen time battles and challenges faced by so many parents today and it will offer practical advice, top tips, and a question and answer session.

This event is totally free and takes place on Tuesday 7th February 2024 at 7:00pm. It will last approximately 1 hour followed by 30 minutes of question and answer time. You can register to attend this Zoom webinar from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device: https://www.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/eventsie. [Please note also that Irish Sign language interpreters will sign at this event.]

Death Of Peter Fahey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Sunday 4th February 2024 of Mr Peter Fahey, Mount George, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and late of Greenane Cross, Templederry, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Edward and Annie, his brother Eddie and his daughter-in-law Helen; Mr Fahey passed away peacefully at his place of residence, while in the tender loving care of his wife and family.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his devoted wife Kathleen (nee Cleere), sons Peadar, Mark, Damien, daughters Cathriona (O’Connell), Jacinta (Byrne), Ann (O’Dea), Marguerite (Swords), his brothers Dinny, Tom, Jack, Joe and Edward, sisters Mary, Eileen, Anna, Angela and Teresa, sons-in-law, their partners, adored grandchildren and great-grandchild, aunts, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Fahey will repose on tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday February 6th, at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Castlequarter House, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary (E41 VX81), from 5:00pm until 7:00pm.
His remains will be received into the Church of the Sacred Heart, Borrisoleigh, Thurles on Wednesday morning, February 7th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in nearby St Brigid’s Cemetery, Upper Main Street, Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Fahey, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Fahey family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Note Please: House strictly private on Wednesday morning.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Death Of Laurence Doyle, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 3rd February 2024, of Mr Laurence Doyle, Ballyduff House, Ballyduff, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents Jim and Eileen (née Carey), and sister Marian; Mr Doyle sadly passed away unexpectedly at his place of residence.

His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by his heartbroken family; sisters Una and Aoife, brother James, adored niece Aobhín, brothers-in-law Ted and Adam, sister-in-law Eibhlís, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended relatives, good neighbours and friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr Doyle, will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, on Thursday afternoon next, February 8th, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same ecening.
His funeral cortège will leave his residence on Friday morning, February 9th, to be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street Thurles, at 10:30am to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Moyne Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Doyle, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended Doyle family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Daffodils Set To Hail Arrival Of Spring.

Out on Brittas Road, near Thurles town, where the latter joins the junction with the N62, the daffodils (‘Lent Lillies’ or ‘Peter’s Leeks’) have been in full bloom for some weeks, “stretched in never-ending line” along the roadside, “Tossing their heads in sprightly dance”.

**Daffodils ready to display their single flowers.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby, ©*

In Thurles town gardens, despite the recent cold spell of weather, it appears later arrivals will again be, “flashing upon our inward eye”, well before the first day of spring, which is set for Wednesday March 20th, (Vernal Equinox), 2024.

Interesting to note that a substance extracted from daffodil bulbs, called ‘galantamine’, is used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Extracts from daffodil bulbs have been used as traditional medicines for a wide variety of diseases, including tumours, for thousands of years.