Climate change tour in town
THE issue of climate change will be the subject under discussion when Friends of the Earth host The Big Ask in the Absolute Hotel on Thursday, April 2, commencing at 7pm.
Limerick is the first stop on a nationwide tour organised by Friends of the Earth, who have teamed up with Gavin Harte, a high profile spokesperson on environmental issues in Ireland for many years.
Admission to the event is free.
Energy saving grants
GRANTS are available to Limerick householders who want to make their homes more energy efficient.
There are two grants available – the Home Energy Saving Scheme, which will provide funding for people to install roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, internal wall insulation, external wall insulation, high efficiency boiler and heating control upgrade.
There is also a low income housing programme which is aimed at those on low incomes or a social welfare allowance. This programme provides for the installation of energy efficient measures in low income and local authority housing through community based organisations. Further information is available at www.sei.ie/Grants/Home_Energy_Saving_Scheme
Unions move welcomed
THE pull out by the region’s health unions from discussions with the HSE about plans to downgrade Ennis and Nenagh hospitals, has been welcomed by the local Campaign for a Real Public Health Service (CRPHS).
Commenting on the move, which was due to commence this week, Cian Prendiville of CRPHS, makes the point that this would result in thousands more patients being “crammed into the already overcrowded Mid Western Regional Hospital.
“The hospital would not be able to cope – there were 21 patients on trolleys there the other day and the HSE plan would see that number soar until, like what happened in Drogheda, the A&E would have to close its doors to new patients”.
He called on the unions to condemn the move, “Our campaign is extending an invitation to them for joint campaign work against these cuts, as by uniting health workers, patients, community groups and the general public in a campaign to defend our A&Es, we can force the HSE to back down,” he says.
