A Co Clare Labour councillor has quit the party in protest at the Government’s planned “draconian cuts in home and community care.” Ennis Town Councillor Paul O’Shea has also resigned from his party’s International Affairs Committee and says he will only reconsider his position if the proposed cuts are reversed.
Mr O’Shea said: “The €130 million cost-cutting package will result in those who are in dire need of care being unable to access services. The announcement by Government has caused panic and distress for families throughout Clare and all over the country. The loss of home-help and personal assistants will have devastating consequences on the quality of life for the most vulnerable in our community.
“As someone who works on a daily basis with the elderly, I cannot stand passively by and allow the pain and suffering that people will have to endure take effect,” he said.
“The Labour Party must call a halt to this onslaught, that will also affect children at home with life-threatening medical conditions,” Mr O’Shea said.