Midlands Home Help workers to hold protest

SIPTU Home Helps and their supporters from across the midlands will march on Wednesday, November 21, in Tullamore to protest against cuts to Home Help services. The workers will assemble at the SIPTU Unity Hall, Church Street, at 3.00 pm and march to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Central Offices, Arden Road. At the HSE Offices a petition calling on the agency to reverse its decision to implement massive cutbacks in Home Help hours will be handed in by workers. SIPTU Organiser, Dimma van Dulmen, said: "We are calling on Home Help workers throughout the midland counties of Laois, Longford, Westmeath and Offaly to join the march and send a clear message to the HSE that these cuts must be reversed. We are also seeking support from the general public." Gertrude Fitzgerald, a Home Help from Kilbeggan and SIPTU shop steward, explained that she would be attending the protest because "Our service is reaching breaking point and it is our clients-the elderly and vulnerable-who are suffering because of these cuts. It's time for all Home Help workers to make a stand and say 'enough is enough'".