Emer Higgins
Dublin Mid-West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“With regard to the background, and as the Senator has touched on, this project was designed on the basis of a 30-year operational lease, with the primary objective of delivering value for money over the lifetime of that lease.”
“Regarding the specific situation in Castlebar that the Senator has raised, Tusla has indicated that following careful consideration, including extensive negotiations, which he referred to, and legal mediation with the developers, it was unable to reach an agreement.”
“They came forward, often at enormous personal cost, and continued to seek answers and accountability when the very systems that should have protected them had failed. For many survivors of child sexual abuse, the abuse does not end when it stops.”
“The strongest projects are those that invest in feasibility studies, site assessments, stakeholder engagement and detailed design from the outset, because decisions made at the earliest stage often have the greatest impact on cost, quality and operational performance.”
“As a result, it made a significant uplift on its original offer. The additional increase sought could not be justified, however, when benchmarked against comparable projects across both Tusla and the HSE. That comes back to the value-for-money argument.”
“Justice Michael White for their significant work and acknowledge how deeply distressing the findings are. They reveal repeated missed opportunities, ignored warning signs and systemic failures that allowed abuse to occur over many years. Children who should have been protected were instead left vulnerable.”
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“Some concerns were raised. Senator Boyhan raised concerns in regard to medium and long-term planning in particular. The medium-term fiscal structural plan is going to be announced in the coming weeks and will set out the framework for the next five years, so there will be certainty in terms of medium-term fiscal planning. However, as Senator Kyne made the point, it does not give us the visibility to see things that are not on the horizon. For example, we would not have seen the tariffs this time last year, and that is, unfortunately, the reality of the economic conditions we live in now. In case Members are not aware of it, IGEES is the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service. It is a key initiative that supports evidence-informed policymaking across the Civil Service.”
“Senator Joe Conway spoke about listening to budgets on the wireless. I hope that we are in a very different economic landscape compared with then. We are now at full employment, with people living longer and healthier lives. I hope it is agreed that that is a good thing. Many measures were welcomed, for example, the tillage scheme, the TB eradication scheme and the postmasters’ network. The Senator mentioned that this was particularly welcome in rural areas, and I know postmasters in Dublin are happy with it too. There were also many comments about the basic income for artists and how welcome it is. It was an initiative by the former Minister, Catherine Martin, and I am pleased that it is being extended this year. Several speakers welcomed the cancer care strategy and the funding allocated to that, which is good to see.”
“If Senators will indulge me, I might just let people know, in case they are not aware of it, of a website run by our Department, [ www.whereyourmoneygoes.gov.ie ], which outlines all of the decisions taken in yesterday's budget and puts them in infographics. It is a very good and interactive way for members of the public to see how tax that is collected in the State is invested, spent and allocated by the Government. This is run every year and exists for the whole year. This year, along with updating it with all of the new information from budget 2026, we are also running an online public consultation, asking people to engage with us and let us know what it is about the site they like or do not like, and what features there are. We would appreciate it if Members would help spread the word on that.”
“I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and welcome our guests. I am going to attempt to respond to all of the comments raised today. I say “attempt” because a huge variety of comments were made. I appreciate the time people have taken to dig deep into the detail of the budget and to raise both positive feedback and concerns. Senator Cathal Byrne set the scene quite well when he spoke about the need to safeguard the economy, improve public services and deliver key infrastructure, including housing. Senator Kyne talked about the need to make sure we are backing all of that up with contingency funding to ensure our economy remains resilient. Senator Boyhan commended The Budget in Brief, which I have and I am sure everybody has and is using a lot.”
“It is important in these divisive times that we purposefully work collaboratively to create a fairer and better shared future for ourselves, our children and generations to come, not just investing in today but planning for the Ireland of tomorrow. With that in mind, I conclude my address and look forward to engaging with Senators.”
“Our allocation to the Defence Forces demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensure that Ireland remains a safe and secure place to call home. Allocations to justice will support the recruitment of additional staff in our Prison Service, as well as trainee gardaí who work tirelessly to build stronger and safer communities across Ireland. This budget sets out an inclusive and compelling vision of a thriving country where enterprise can flourish and people can feel valued. Its implementation will make an impact on the lives of all of those who are proud to call our nation home. It provides for long-term investment in Ireland's infrastructure and public services, building foundations for a strong shared future.”
“Allocations made in the area of culture, heritage and sport will continue to support the development of cultural and sporting initiatives and ensure we can continue to invest in our culture and heritage and in the artists, writers and athletes who inspire us and the tourism and cultural activities and initiatives that showcase Ireland to the world. I was delighted the basic income for the arts scheme has been so successful, as I am sure it will continue to be going forward. As well as our culture and heritage, we can be very proud of Ireland's reputation as a peaceful, fair and welcoming country. Reflecting on our role in Europe and, indeed, our position globally, I am endlessly grateful to the men and women of our Defence Forces who work to safeguard Ireland's security, peacefulness and stability.”
“Investment in digitalisation will help us to upskill our young people with the skills they will need in the workforce of not just today but tomorrow, supporting a strong digital economy. This budget has been developed to strengthen our economic resilience, build an adaptable enterprise sector and support local businesses which, along with the agrifood sector, are the cornerstone and lifeblood of communities across the country. The pandemic brought home to many of us the place that artists, writers and athletes play in society and our hearts. Imagine going through that time without books, the media or music. Sport is also a key part of our incredible heritage and culture. Watching our athletes punch above their weight and deliver outstanding performances on a global stage is something we are all so proud to see.”
“In addition to supporting infrastructure, the budget supports the delivery of thousands of new build social homes and the second-hand acquisition programme. A new housing activation infrastructure fund will support the recently announced housing activation office. This significant investment in housing will benefit people, couples, families and young people for generations to come. We are also investing in sustainability. Retrofitting homes, supporting energy upgrades, enhancing public transport and investing in our greenways are all part of our commitment to tackling climate change and securing our shared future. Budget 2026 has been delivered against a backdrop of trade and geopolitical uncertainty, but our economy continues to grow and has shown remarkable resilience despite these challenges.”
“The allocations for infrastructure in budget 2026 will ensure that every corner of Ireland benefits from modern and efficient public assets. This infrastructure is also essential to our efforts to tackle issues around housing delivery. Having a place to call our own is essential for well-being, providing shelter, stability, safety and certainty. Housing is one of the most challenging issues in our society. So many people, couples and families are struggling to find secure and affordable homes. The Government has prioritised housing delivery in this budget in order to provide more homes for our people. Naturally, more housing requires more water, energy and public transport, as well as education and health facilities.”
“These supports, along with additional SNAs and an increased number of teachers working specifically to support students with additional needs, will be welcomed by families around the country, as will the new acute hospital and community beds announced today. Budget 2026 is a positive budget for our country and builds on the revised €275 billion national development plan announced in July. The Government is focused on investing in infrastructure, such as housing, schools, healthcare facilities, water, energy, public transport and our roads network, that is critical to our economy and essential to providing for our growing population. It connects communities, powers economies and ensures access to essential services.”
“We have also announced a permanent fee reduction in the third level student contribution. The budget provides significant supports for the most vulnerable groups in our society and represents a step forward for people with disabilities and their families. Particularly welcome are significant increases to the carer's allowance income disregard and in the domiciliary care allowance payments to support Ireland's carers who work tirelessly to support loved ones. To complement that, there is provision in the budget for new residential care placements and day service placements for those who need them. This, along with funding for assessments, home support and personal assistants, will bring welcome relief to those caring for people with disabilities and will support people to live independently in their own homes.”
“As well as improvements to public services, this budget, the first from our new Government, introduces targeted and permanent measures that provide certainty for people, especially those in society who are most vulnerable, in the form of social protection. As a Government, we are acutely aware of the challenges people face today. The €10 increase in weekly social protection payments will benefit pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, jobseekers and lone parents. Increases to the working family parent income threshold, the expansion of the back-to-school clothing and footwear payment to younger children and the extension of the fuel allowance scheme to everybody availing of the working family payment bring welcome relief for families around the country.”
“A key focus of the budget was to support improvements in our public services that deliver for the people of Ireland. We can all see the pressures in public services all around us and the demands on housing, health and education. They are all increasing due to demographic changes and a growing population. We are living longer and families need different types of support. People expect inclusive, integrated and high-quality public services to deliver that. This budget will help to support ambitions in this area. Budget 2026 will support a social welfare system that protects the most vulnerable people in our society, an education system that supports our students and fosters talent and a health service that improves patient outcomes and supports longevity.”
“I thank the Cathaoirleach. I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on budget 2026, which was, of course, presented to the Dáil by the Ministers for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and Finance yesterday. Each year, my Department is presented with a finite budget and is tasked with making things better for the people of Ireland. I know this is a cause that we all share and are passionate about. Budget 2026 is fair and inclusive, and has a focus on strategic and long-term priorities while delivering better outcomes for everyone. It has been designed to protect and create employment, supporting and strengthening our growing economy. It provides for and encourages long-term sustainability and sustainable strategic investment in our country and its future.”
“This budget supports the delivery of thousands of new build social homes and supports second-hand acquisition programmes as well as delivering for key investments. Housing and infrastructure are key goals in this budget. It strengthens our economic resilience through investment in digitalisation and skills and supports local businesses, food and the agri sector. We have benefits for sport, culture, heritage, communication and, overall, any fair analysis of this budget will say that it reflects the values. It is inclusive, compassionate and forward-looking. It balances economic strength with social progress and delivers for our people.”
“The delivery of hundreds of school building projects will enhance educational experiences for our children and young people across the country. Increases to the working family income threshold, the expansion of the back to school clothing and footwear payment and the extension of the fuel allowance scheme to those on the working family payment will bring welcome relief for families around the country. Housing remains one of the most pressing challenges we face. Budget 2026 builds on the revised €275 million national development plan, with significant investment in housing, schools, healthcare, water, energy, transport and infrastructure. It is clear from this budget that our Government's priority is to strengthen the foundations for housing delivery and build more homes for our people. We do that while we also support infrastructure.”
“The reforms outlined in the budget for the HSE are to be welcomed, as are the new acute hospital and community beds which were announced yesterday. Patients can also expect digitalisation to play an increasing role in supporting their well-being. The wider deployment of the HSE care app will give patients secure access to their health information, and virtual wards will allow patients to receive care from home. These are fantastic initiatives which showcase the power of digitalisation to improve public services. In today's Ireland, families come in many forms. We are committed to supporting them all. The significant increase in the standard capitation rates paid to all schools is a welcome change for children and staff.”
“That includes everything from new residential care placements and day service places for those who need them, along with funding for assessment, home support and personal assistance, which will bring welcome relief to those caring for people with disabilities and will support people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. Additional SNAs and an increased number of teachers and of teachers working specifically to support students with additional needs are also welcome. We need to ensure that the money invested in disability works for service users in the best possible way. I welcome the review of these services that was outlined in the budget yesterday. The same goes for Ireland's health service.”
“The 1.5 million people receiving weekly social welfare protection payments will welcome the increase of €10 a week. That includes people with disabilities, carers, jobseekers, lone parents and our pensioners. Our older people will of course also benefit from improved public services and more capacity in our hospitals and nursing homes, as well as a significant increase in home support hours which will enable more people to live for longer and more independently in their homes. I particularly welcome the significant increases to the carer's allowance income disregard and an increase in the domiciliary care allowance payment to support Ireland's carers. This budget provides an increase of 19% in the disability budget.”
“Every year Government is faced with the challenge of balancing finite resources with infinite ambition to make things better for the people of Ireland. No single budget can deliver that in full but budget 2026 certainly rises to the challenge. I thank everyone involved in putting together this budget, in particular officials in my Department and the Department of Finance who worked around the clock over these past few weeks to make this budget happen. They worked over the weekend, late into the night and indeed early into Tuesday morning. This budget protects and creates employment, strengthens our economy and lays the foundations for long-term strategic investment in our country. It does so while supporting our most vulnerable people. It provides targeted, permanent supports.”
“There was also a call for data capturing by agencies like the HSE when it comes to things like equine therapy, and these are really good pieces of feedback because we need to make sure we are not only looking from the value for money perspective to always make sure we are delivering value for money but also celebrating where that is happening, taking the best practice and the learnings and making sure they are shared throughout other agencies and Departments. I thank everyone for their comments here today. It was a really constructive and engaging debate and it was a pleasure to be a part of it.”
“That is something our Department is working very closely with the Department of housing and planning and many other Departments to ensure happens. Value for money initiatives were also mentioned here today and we had special mention of procurement best practice and how we learn best practice. I think our new national public procurement strategy will be a great example of how we share best practice and how we get better safeguards and better railings there for people to be able to work through.”
“We have had people put forward the case for more investment in affordable housing, in social housing, in emergency housing, in student accommodation and in older persons' accommodation. To reiterate, our national development plan which was launched over the summer, is all about putting funding into those key infrastructure projects that are going to unlock housing, whether that is unlocking service sites in places like Galway or whether that is delivering new homes right across the country. It is all about making sure we are investing in our water, our energy and our roads with the ultimate goal of improving Ireland as a place to come, to live, to work, to grow old in but also to ensure we are delivering more and more houses.”
“There are challenges and some changes are, of course, necessary if we are to build an economy that is capable of sustainable prosperity, but we have the will, we have the workforce and we have the tenacity to do this. I want to respond to some of the comments and remarks made by Senators here today and to acknowledge there was a huge call for investment in infrastructure projects and for Ireland's infrastructure in general, whether that is wastewater in Galway, bypasses in Virginia, national roads in Roscommon, sports halls, amenities or societal amenities. That was very clearly heard. There were calls for further investment in our Defence Forces and I am sure the Department of Defence will be making that case in the ongoing budget negotiations, but there has also been a huge focus here today on housing.”
“As custodians of public funds, we have a responsibility to spend money in a judicious and diligent way. From a procurement perspective, this includes not just looking at the cost and the price, it also means looking at things like quality, specialist expertise and the social, environmental and economic impacts. The Minister, Deputy Chambers, and I are developing an ambitious but achievable work programme and we will be delivering world-class public services because we know that involves not only turning public expenditure into outcomes that citizens value, but today it also involves digitally accessible and changing definitions of value for money that include that environmental and social value. We saw that through, for example, our new green public procurement policy.”
“One of the key areas is to deliver improvements in data analytics. This will assist with evidence-based policy and will provide more transparency when it comes to public procurement. The work of the council is progressed through three subgroups, one of which, the data analytics working group, is tasked with assisting the council in the alignment of data requirements to facilitate monitoring and examining the potential to leverage the information generally maintained in the contract register as an aid to public procurement data analysis. That work is ongoing. Earlier, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, highlighted value for money as a key priority for the Department. Value for money is absolutely central to everything we do and it is central to public procurement. It will constitute one of the three themes that will permeate our new strategy.”
“The programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reviewing the public procurement process to work to ensure greater participation from SMEs in Ireland. This commitment is reflected in another of the foundational principles of the strategy, to make public participation in public procurement easier for suppliers and particularly for microcompanies, startups, SMEs and social enterprises. Reflecting another of our Department's values and progressing a programme for Government commitment to make public procurement more transparent, the Minster and I are committed to enhancing transparency at all stages of the procurement process. I chair the public procurement advisory council established in 2024 to advise the development of public procurement across the public sector. This council focuses on six priority areas.”
“This position is reflected in the ambition of the strategy to improve the lives of those building their lives in Ireland through the delivery of strategic, innovative, sustainable and transparent public procurement that supports competition and value for money. The Minister and I are committed to using public procurement as a strategic tool to deliver wider societal, environmental and economic impact. The Department works with colleagues across government to explore ways we can leverage the collective spending power of the State to drive positive change, deliver better public services and improve the lives of the people of Ireland. We recognise the crucial role that SMEs, including social enterprises, play in driving economic and societal prosperity.”
“For that reason, the Department has developed a digital public procurement roadmap and is developing Ireland's first-ever national public procurement strategy. That will set out the strategic direction of public procurement for the next five years. The digital roadmap will support some of the key deliverables of the strategy. Our Department's values, which are serving the public interest, transparency, accountability, integrity, fairness and inclusiveness all align with what we are trying to achieve through that strategy. It is a national public procurement strategy. For that reason, it is only fitting and appropriate that the public sits at the very heart of it. A foundational policy position of the strategy is that it must be in the public's best interest.”
“I thank Members for the opportunity to attend today and for their engaging and valuable contributions. It is clear from the contributions that there is significant interest in the work of the Department. As the Minister, Deputy Chambers, set out earlier, the Department operates from the centre of government. It does so to drive the delivery of better public services, improved living standards and infrastructure across the island of Ireland. As Minister of State, I have special responsibility for public procurement, digitalisation and egovernment. I work closely with the Minister towards the Department's aims. Delivering reform is central to everything we do in our Department. As Minister of State, a key area I am keen to reform is how the State procures, building on the work undertaken in the Department since it was established.”
“The availability of quality business parks and strategic sites shows that there is a critical component of the regional value proposition there, which is there to be able to win investment into the regions. It is crucial that the midlands region have a competitive and sustainable property offering to enable the attraction and retention of investment in jobs. The IDA has made considerable investments in land, buildings and infrastructure across the midlands region. As the Deputy mentioned, the IDA acquired 18.46 ha of land adjacent to the business and technology park in Portlaoise in October 2022 and an additional 4.25 ha last year. That land is currently available for promotion on the business and technology park in Portlaoise and is almost 30 ha at this point.”
“As a Government, we will continue to focus on building the resilience of businesses and on keeping innovation at the heart of that. The IDA continues to work effectively with national and local stakeholders to ensure that each region has the necessary conditions in place to foster enterprise and innovation and attract investment and talent. The IDA enjoys a close working relationship with all key stakeholders across the four counties in the region and is heavily involved in a significant number of initiatives across that region to improve the value proposition of FDI, including the just transition, the midlands regional enterprise plan steering committee, the ICT network, the ATIM cluster steering committee and the regional skills forum. There are loads of them.”
“Ireland has seen very positive jobs growth in recent years, and we are now at virtually full employment. However, announcements like this show that we can never become complacent and take any jobs for granted. It shows that there are challenges in certain markets that are beyond the State's control at times. Inflationary pressures, energy costs and the recent increase in US tariffs have created additional challenges for businesses across the country. The Minister, Deputy Burke, can assure the House that the State will provide appropriate supports to employees impacted by this particular closure. The Intreo office of the Department of Social Protection will proactively help them to access opportunities available for employment or appropriate training and development options.”
“The IDA's current strategy includes a partnership with Laois County Council to deliver an advanced planning permit in Portlaoise.”
“IDA Ireland partners with clients and key stakeholders to build on the strength and competencies of the midlands region, with the particular focus on high-value manufacturing, services and research and development opportunities across a number of established clusters, whether they be in life sciences, technology, global business services or engineering technology trends. It has created, and will continue to create, new opportunities across the region in areas including data analytics, smart manufacturing and cybersecurity. It will also look at new approaches to working, such as co-working hubs. A core objective of IDA Ireland is to deliver a competitive property offering that supports FDI and the growth and expansion of indigenous clients within the Enterprise Ireland portfolio.”
“As the Deputy said, 145 people are currently employed across five IDA Ireland-supported companies in County Laois. He expressed dissatisfaction with the growth in that area and in particular with the number of visits IDA Ireland has undertaken to the county and I will pass that message on to the Minister. However, as he pointed out, we now have new motorways, upgraded infrastructure, and upgraded and new serviced sites, all because of Government investment. These are going to make County Laois an even more effective location for investment.”
“IDA Ireland has continued its strong commitment to regional development, which is one of four key strategic objectives of its 2025-29 strategy, Adapt Intelligently. This ambitious strategy aims to secure 550 foreign direct investment, FDI, projects outside Dublin, accounting for 55% of all planned investments. The overarching goal is to create 75,000 new jobs nationwide and generate a projected €250 billion in economic impact. IDA Ireland has also set ambitious targets for every region, including the midlands region. The FDI performance in the midlands has been strong over the past five years, with employment among IDA clients increasing by 26 and a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across life sciences, technology, global business and financial services and engineering and industrial technologies.”
“Under the Protection of Employment Act 1977, employers planning collective redundancies must undertake a 30-day consultation and information process with employee representatives and notify the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment of the proposed redundancies at least 30 days before they take effect. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Social Protection will support the company and its employees in any way they can. Enterprise Ireland supports both national and international food and drink manufacturers and will continue to engage with them to set up in Ireland, supporting them to scale, expand and access our world-leading food innovation ecosystem.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke. We were all very concerned to learn of the difficulties being experienced by Leprino Foods in Portlaoise. The Minister extends his sympathies to all employees and their families who may be affected by this decision taken by the company, and he knows that this news will be very concerning for all the workers involved and their families. I understand the Minister received a collective redundancy notification from Leprino Foods EU Limited on 19 August 2025. The Deputy will be aware that Ireland has a robust framework of legislative protections and supports for workers who are affected by redundancy.”
“The NICU welcome pack is a small example of the kind and supportive way in which they carry out their important work so well. The Government will continue to invest in the Rotunda Hospital's infrastructure and services. The primary motivation for investment and development of the Rotunda is to continue to provide the highest standard of care now and in the future for women and babies.”
“Three additional consultants, a registrar, 13.5 full-time equivalent midwives and nurses and ten health and social care professionals have been funded at the hospital through that strategy. Significant capital funding has supported refurbishment, the purchase of training, equipment for emergencies, birthing aids, monitoring equipment and research projects. In addition post-natal hubs are currently in development in Dublin. They will be run jointly by the Rotunda Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital and the Coombe hospital. This is supported by funding of €400,000 from the women's health task force. These hubs will provide a range of services and supports for women, infants and families in the weeks immediately following birth. The staff in the Rotunda neonatal intensive care unit, NICU, care for some of our most vulnerable patients.”
“It is my understanding that at this point no objection has been lodged. I hope the Deputy's passionate plea tonight has an influence on whether it will be lodged. I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Increasing capacity at the Rotunda Hospital to ensure it can meet the needs of women, infants and families is a priority for the Government. The health needs of women and infants presenting to our services are becoming more complex. The National Maternity Strategy – Creating a Better Future Together 2016-2026 is in its final year and it has been driving national reforms across our services to better meet those needs. Of the €28 million new development funding, over €100 million in capital funding has supported that strategy since its development and significant investment has been directed into the Rotunda Hospital.”
“This welcome pack has been designed for parents of babies transferred to the Rotunda NICU, and particularly those who have been unexpectedly transferred from maternity units around Ireland. It includes a variety of immediate practical support and guidance, including leaflets, toiletries and gift vouchers for accommodation and groceries. This is just one example of how the Government will continue to support the Rotunda Hospital to meet the needs of the women, infants and the families it serves.”
“However, while the planning process for the critical care wing progresses, the Government is investing to ensure the Rotunda continues to deliver the highest standards of quality care, including for neonates. The hospital's budget has increased to €109 million this year. This is an increase of 47% or €35 million since 2020. The HSE has purchased an additional building, Hampson House, to extend capacity. Hampson House was officially opened in January this year. Over 100,000 outpatient and ambulatory patients are expected to attend there annually. Several service improvements are also being driven by the hospital and through the national maternity strategy. The Minister for Health visited the Rotunda in June to launch a new NICU resource for parents.”
“Professor Daly noted concerns raised from An Taisce and the Dublin Civic Trust regarding this development despite engaging with them at a local level. He advised that the Dublin Civic Trust has indicated its intention to appeal the planning decision. It is important to note that neither the Minister nor the Department of Health, as the Deputy noted, have any remit over planning regulations. Planning regulations lie within the remit of the Department of housing, which has responsibility for the implementation of the planning Act 2024, including the design and implementation of planning regulations under the Act. Neither the Department of Health nor the HSE can comment on the review of planning regulations currently under way.”
“The Deputy will be aware that the critical care wing is a planned development on the existing Rotunda Hospital campus to address high-priority clinical areas. The new wing will provide additional NICU capacity, more single rooms, more delivery suite capacity, and a new theatre. This development will increase capacity at the hospital and ensure that the hospital can provide for the increasing number of presentations. The HSE has advised that this project is currently at stage 2B of design, and is looking to progress procurement of enabling works. In August of this year, the Master of the Rotunda, Professor Sean Daly, wrote to both the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, among others, concerning the development of the critical care wing.”
“I thank Deputy Gannon for his Topical Issue on this subject. I was born in the Rotunda Hospital and my mother used to work there, so I appreciate the opportunity to address the concerns relating to the expansion of neonatal facilities at the Rotunda Hospital. I do so on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. As the Deputy said, the Rotunda is one of the busiest maternity hospitals in the whole of Europe. More than 8,600 babies were delivered there in 2024 and more than 1,300 babies were cared for in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, the NICU. This NICU is one of four tertiary NICUs in Ireland, providing essential support for some of the sickest infants and their families.”
“As I have stated, the Government has committed to examining the feasibility of minor capital works grants schemes to support arts and culture facilities that are not supported through the Arts Council. I will take Deputy Byrne's feedback in relation to that cap on board and present it to the Minister. These plans are, of course, resource dependent, as is everything, and as we are getting towards the crunch when it comes to budget negotiations this year, I expect this to be discussed there.”
“I will pass on the Deputy's specific ideas and feedback to the Minister and ask him to consider how those can be used to better support arts organisations. We have spoken about professional artists, about local dramatic societies and about the really amazing work that groups like Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann undertake up and down the country. I take this opportunity to thank everybody involved in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which I believe took place in Deputy Byrne's neighbouring constituency and in the Ceann Comhairle's constituency. I commend everybody involved in that. It was absolutely terrific. I was lucky enough to spend two nights there. It was an amazing showcase of the talent, both amateur and professional, that Ireland offers. That is something the Government is committed to supporting.”