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Last year's census showed there were 3,607 carers in Westmeath and, for this group, the budget was "the straw that broke the camel's back," according to a spokesperson for their representative group.

Claire Duffy of the Carers Association said its Midlands offices, in Mullingar and Tullamore, have been inundated with calls since it emerged that the budget would cut the respite care grant by $425.

"It's hard to explain what the reaction from carers has been like. There is so much hurt, so much anger and so much disappointment given the work that these carers to do and the money that they are saving the State," said Ms. Duffy.

"The health system is completely dependent on the provision of family care in the home and for this care to be targeted in this way makes no sense.”
[Source: Westmeath Independent]

WEXFORD

Resident of an Ardamine estate, where an abandoned horse collapsed and was left to die on an undeveloped site in the estate, are appalled at the callous nature of neglect and disregard shown towards the animal.

Witnesses say a man drove up to the site, helped the animal from a horsebox, and drove away.

Locals claim that the horse was showing signs of difficulty with one of its legs. It eventually collapsed and was unable to get up.

Inspectors from the North Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (N.W.S.P.C.A.), were alerted to the situation and called in the society’s veterinarian, but despite his best efforts, the unfortunate horse could not be saved.
[Source: Wexford Echo]

WICKLOW

Up to 35 new jobs are to be created in County Wicklow following a $84 million deal between energy services company Crowley Carbon and Emrill.

Emrill is one of the biggest facilities management companies in the Middle East.

The deal will see the Wicklow-based firm deploy its ''smart building'' technology to some of the tallest residential and commercial towers in the world from its carbon control center in Enniskerry.

The agreement, which covers the next three years, will result in the new jobs, including roles for engineers and project managers.
[Source: RTÉ News]
 

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