Government under fire for 'pattern' of attacks on rural areas

on 25/01/2013 18:30:46

The government is coming under fire tonight, for what opposition parties say is a pattern of attacks on rural areas.

It comes after the news that another health centre is to close shortly in Monasterevin in Co. Kildare.

According to Fianna Fail, HSE staff at the centre are shocked by the news, which came without warning.

Sean Fleming of Fianna Fail says the closure is indicative of the government's attitude towards rural areas:

"Just looking at it right across the country there have been big announcements of cuts in local garda stations quite recently, Bus Éireann is pulling out the rural services in many of the small towns and villages and bypassing them completely", he said

"Now we are seeing the HSE coming along to possibly removing some health centres and it's really a pattern of taking all these services out the areas"