Right To Change Radio

Right to Change Radio talks to TJ Hogan on the recent Ombudsman report regarding living conditions on local authority sites, discrimination and more.

He talks of experiences, reactions and opinions offered to him. Of Political opinion and willingness offered, of local and European political help, and the growth of bullying as seen daily in social media.

He talks of standing again for election and his reasons for doing it.

But most importantly he talks as a dad, with words worth listening to.

The Report is Generated from a complaint in 2018 from a Traveller Advocacy Group, where 66 Children and their families were living. Or to put it in the description of its original design, a site designed for 10 families .. where up to 38 families have recently been living.

The report found the following failures.

· A persistent problem with rodent infestation

· Inadequate sanitation

· Extreme overcrowding

· Safety concerns about access to the site

· Illegal dumping nearby

· Inconsistent and inadequate waste disposal

· Inadequate heating systems

· Unsafe and inadequate electrical works

· A high rate of childhood illness caused by living conditions.

· No amenities or safe play areas for children

· Housing applications for some families not being progressed.

Do take time to Join Right To change Radio and listen to an inspirational young man .

Ombudsman report

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office presents No End in Site; An investigation into the living conditions of children living on a local authority site. - https://www.oco.ie/app/uploads/2021/05/No-End-in-Site-FINAL-..pdf

Wolfe Tones – Only our Rivers run free

Right To Change Radio talks with Jane Crowe Shop Steward Debenhams Henry St

"Almost 1,000 workers across 11 stores balloted for industrial action last year after around 2,000 – 1,400 directly employed staff, 500 concession staff and 300 cosmetic staff – lost their jobs.

The workers want to see the recommendations of a 2016 report on workers’ rights implemented.

The report, which was published by Kevin Duffy and Nessa Cahill, centred on employment rights where companies separate assets from their operations by moving those assets into a separate legal entity.

The report’s recommendations have never been enacted."

Jane is one of these workers left down by the failure to act in the interests of workers after Clery's closure.

Joan Collins put a private members motion forward that mandate stated - “The time for talking and reviews is now over. What we need is action. This motion today will illustrate to the Debenhams workers which side TDs and political parties are on.”

“What we’ve seen throughout this pandemic is that where there’s a will there’s a way. The government insisted they couldn’t implement rent freezes or ban evictions because they would be unconstitutional. Then they went and implemented that exact legislation at the start of the COVID19 crisis. This proposal from Joan Collins and the Independent group is less complex and is entirely possible if the government were to prioritise workers for once.”