Gareth Scahill
Nominated by the Taoiseach · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Before we finish up I call for a debate on home care services when we come back in September. We all know the value of carers in our society but an awful lot of the HSE support service staff going into houses are private agency staff and when the person they are looking after goes into hospital or into respite the support they are getting…”
“Can we reset the clock? I will start by mentioning the "parents notify" portal on the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, website for special classes and special places, which has a deadline of 1 September.”
“Like previous speakers, the Leas-Chathaoirleach might allow me to thank the staff of the House, including the ushers and all the catering staff and, reluctantly, all of my colleagues in the House. We do not always get on or agree but there is great respect in the House.”
“I welcome the Minister to the House. Like so many of the previous speakers, it would be disingenuous of me not to concede I agree with some of the points in the motion.”
“The whole country has these facilities now, meaning that should we ever experience something like Storm Éowyn in 2025 again, we will have supports to allow people to continue to work remotely, provide for their families and live where they want to.”
“I do not believe one size fits all in Ireland. The Minister's county, my county and Longford are all in one big district and we have not benefited from additional Garda numbers in quite some time.”
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“The poll found that 91% of people believed post offices remained crucial in today's digital world. At a time when online transactions are growing, the need for human contact, trustworthy advice and access to physical services has not disappeared. In fact, they have become even more valuable, especially for those who are vulnerable or isolated or simply prefer face-to-face engagement. I have seen postmasters put credit on mobile phones for elderly people who are not able to do that job. They do work that is not in their remit. Another detail that came through the RedC poll is even more striking. Nine out of ten people believe their community would be worse off without a post office. That is not just a statistic. It is a powerful statement about belonging, identity and the infrastructure that keeps communities connected.”
“The Minister of State is welcome. It is great we have a rural Minister of State who understands this brief and the impact of post offices on rural communities. Post offices have long been more than simply places to post letters or collect a parcel. As we have heard tonight, they are trusted local institutions that support the day-to-day lives of people in every corner of our country. They are community hubs, lifelines for the elderly and, increasingly, essential service providers in an age when banks and other supports are disappearing from rural Ireland. The Irish Postmasters' Union commissioned a recent RedC poll and we know the value and weight this House puts on RedC polls. That poll put figures on what many of us already knew in our hearts, namely, that post offices mattered.”
“While I speak of Ballaghaderreen, I also recognise the mediation that took place over recent weeks with regard to public realm works in the town. The business community stood up for the elder community and their customers and worked out with a mediator an acceptable compromise for public realm design. It is great to see that all parties came to the table, including Councillors Micheál Frain and Liam Callaghan. The mediation was successful and that will now be completed in Ballaghaderreen to enhance the centre of the town.”
“I rise today following a visit to Ballaghaderreen in west Roscommon last Friday with Deputy Grace Boland for the unveiling of a mural dedicated to her father and his enactment, as Minister for Education in the early 1980s, of the abolition of corporal punishment. It was very poignant on the day to hear it was not a very popular suggestion when he brought it up. However, he did it because, as a politician, he knew it was the right thing to do. It was 15 or 20 years later that we realised the impact of the decision he made. I acknowledge that. I also acknowledge Councillor Micheál Frain and the committee of An Bealach, who are doing great rural regeneration work in Ballaghaderreen and came up with this idea.”
“Its co-founder, Tracy Keogh, recently spoke about the programme for Government. The cross-party group needs to set up an agency responsible for winning a proportion of remote jobs available to the market. If we were to land 10,000 of the available 100,000 jobs, it would mean €130 million for the taxpayer and jobs in the most remote regions of Ireland. It will require structural changes, as we are not currently set up to drive this. Some EU funding structures do not incentivise remote work. We need quick wins to ring-fence remote jobs to the island of Ireland. We have invested heavily in this particular sector. We just need to follow through and support the delivery of these jobs and the investment we have already made in the sector.”
“I thank the Minister of State. At a time when Ireland has nearly 100% employment, we have the capacity to deliver high-paying, knowledge-based jobs directly into the heart of rural communities. Tens of thousands of remote-working roles are available globally. Ireland is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market. By establishing the right structures, Ireland could create a fourth pillar of employment, complementing indigenous companies, foreign direct investment and agriculture. I met a lady on Saturday. She is a Dublin native, but lives in Ballyhaunis in east Mayo. She said she is getting a city wage in a rural community, which means she is in the position of living a much better quality of life through remote working. She thinks it needs to be encouraged a lot more. I spoke to employees of Grow Remote recently.”
“We need measurable targets, firm timeframes and transparency. This is the only way to guarantee that the investment of more than €100 million, the broadband upgrades and the hub network will translate into decent, high-paid jobs, rising rural populations and sustainable communities. I ask the Minister of State to outline his Department’s remote working targets for 2025 and beyond, the tools it will use, such as relocation supports, targets and reporting, and how he will hold himself and his Department publicly accountable for delivering on these targets.”
“It supports town footfall, boasts local economies, reduces commuting and carbon emissions, and sustains services and schools. It also delivers high-paying jobs to rural communities, which will strengthen the long-term economic sustainability of those communities. It is for that particular reason I raise this topic today. I recently spoke with a number of rural GAA clubs, especially dual clubs, that were struggling to field teams on a weekly basis across all grades. While we are in a housing crisis, we really need to take advantage of the infrastructural developments that we have already invested in in rural Ireland and better promote the quality of life we can deliver in those areas. There is a community benefit to attracting these jobs to the area. The blueprint is clear and momentum is building.”
“The target rose to more than 200 hubs in 2022. Most recently, Connected Hubs reported approximately 300 hubs as early as 2025, with the 400-hub ambition still the policy as a central target. A lot of money has been invested in this. Coupling that with the investment in our rural broadband plan, we have made huge strides in delivering vital infrastructure to support these rural communities. The attractiveness of high-paid jobs in this sector has been proven. A remote working survey undertaken by the University of Galway and the Western Development Commission in 2023 had plenty of proof that remote-enabled jobs yielded economic and demographic dividends, especially in rural areas, such as those in west Roscommon where I come from. They secure the prosperity, longevity and sustainability of rural communities. Remote working fosters survival.”
“I thank the Minister of State for once again gracing us with his presence. He is a great friend to this Chamber. I thank him for always making himself available to us. I call on the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to make a comprehensive statement on the Department’s remote working strategy and the specific targets set out for the remainder of this term. This is a vital plea for the future prosperity and sustainability of rural communities, a future that hinges on decisive action and clear accountability. It is building on the framework set out in Our Rural Future 2021-2025. When Our Rural Future was launched in March 2021, it committed to the establishment of a network of 400 remote working hubs nationwide, a key element of the Government’s policy to revitalise rural Ireland. By mid-2021, 66 hubs were live.”
“We are not looking for increased funding for a bus route there, but for a more efficient route that would take in a much wider proportion of the population and the additional village of Ballymoe. It is timely that we have a conversation such as this. The very fact that we are not looking for money and are talking about efficiencies, which is what we are here to do, is important. I hope the House can facilitate a conversation on this in the near future.”
“I wish to bring up an issue that I am sure is relevant for every Member of this House. It is also a timely intervention at the moment as it is with regard to school transport. I call for a debate in this House on school transport. Like many of the Members of this House, I have regularly used the representatives at Bus Éireann's email address to try to raise issues about routes school buses are taking and capacity. The timely manner of responses is totally inadequate. At this time of year, it is important that we are seen to ask for these things. An example I wish to raise is Glenamaddy Community School in Galway. Since March, I have been contacting Bus Éireann with regard to this issue.”
“Hopefully, today is going a small way towards addressing that, but I wanted to be clear that this is not the end of the process but the beginning of a new phase in how the State supports those who were so gravely wronged. It is a statement that we will not forget, we will not abandon and we will not fail to act. Like the Minister, over the past couple of weeks, I have learnt an exceptional amount about the history and what has happened. I commend everyone who has made statements in the Chamber on this. I commend the Minister and her Department and also the research department within the Seanad here for the work that it has done. I commend everyone on passing this Bill.”
“I welcome the survivors in the Gallery: Sheila, Mary, Miriam and Mary. I thank them for sharing their stories with us. I commend our colleague Senator Victor Boyhan on the way he has explained his story over the past couple of weeks and opened up on it. The survivors have an exceptional advocate in this Chamber. After their ten requests there, I am sure my Government colleagues and I will be happy to work with them to see how we can develop that. This legislation, as I have said previously, is a reaffirmation of our commitment to the survivors of some of the darkest chapters in the State's history. For too long, the voices of those who suffered in residential institutions were not heard.”
“I, like my fellow Fine Gael Senators, cannot stand by and see increased costs going onto constituents. Over the past two days since the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Lawless, on RTÉ Radio 1 on Sunday morning, I have received numerous calls from constituents such as working families and tradespeople, all of whom had put provisions in place to send their kids to third level education this September but will now have to come up with additional funds. Like Senator Harmon, I ask that this be rolled back and the money found. We are talking about €99 million out of a budget of €4.54 billion. Constituents and students - the next generation - deserve that. Investing this money in third level education and access to third level education will pay tenfold back into our economy.”
“On 5 May, Fine Gael Members of this House brought forward a motion to ensure students' concerns regarding the costs of accessing further education were heard. In that motion, we stated it was urgent and it reflected the daily reality of thousands of students and families grappling with financial pressures. We commended on 5 May the €1,000 reduction in each of the previous three years. These cuts were not just symbolic. For many families they were a lifeline that made the difference between sending their son or daughter to college and facing financial hardship. We said this work must continue. The House was fully supportive of that motion and we want to see these fees reduce even further over the life of this Government, as per the commitment in the programme for Government.”
“I call for a debate with the Minister of State, who very kindly facilitated a meeting this week with a delegation from Gorthaganny affected by this issue. We as legislators can try to put measures in place to assist in this matter. I call on the House to initiate a comprehensive and open debate on forestry insurance. We need to explore the true meaning and scope of the forestry insurance policies, the gap between re-establishment cover and the value of the crop, and a mechanism to ensure fair and adequate compensation for the loss of the timber value.”
“I rise today to discuss the issue of insurance for forestry owners. Recent events, particularly in west Roscommon and in Longford and Achill, have laid bare the critical inadequacies of the insurance landscape. We often hear about re-establishment costs being covered but I fear the term is often misunderstood and, frankly, it falls short of what our forestry owners truly need and deserve. Let us be clear that the re-establishment cost primarily covers the cost of clearing debris and replanting the trees. It helps farmers to get back their land to a basic starting point, and this is very important, but what it fundamentally fails to cover is the value of the crop. The value of the crop increases every year until it is harvested.”
“He is in a situation where he cannot sell his beer in the petrol situation right beside his brewery, but it can sell bottles of wine from Argentina or Chile for €7.99. He cannot sell his beer to a visitor without it prohibitively costing him a lot for a licence. We need to protect and look at supporting these rural businesses. We must be creative with some of these ideas. The potential is out there to help them to thrive an awful lot more.”
“We need to be a lot more proactive in this space in trying to encourage those roles. I will attend the enterprise hub in Castlerea this Friday for the official opening of a new bespoke ice cream business which has been up and running for the past three months. The Minister, Deputy Calleary, is coming down to cut the ribbon. For anyone wanting some ice cream, they may make sure they get their speech in early. During the Order of Business this morning, I also spoke about a microbrewery in Ballinlough whose owner has called time on his business after 12 years in existence. This microbrewery was the only one in the country using local yeast to make its craft beer. He is closing because our licensing laws prevent him from tapping into the tourist potential of his brewery in Ballinlough in west Roscommon.”
“Since I have joined the Seanad, I have been lucky enough to travel around County Roscommon to see some of the new businesses and opportunities open and develop. I was in Ballaghaderreen recently where a new training centre has been set up to supply trainees to the engineering sector. There are multiple businesses in the locality that will avail of this centre. These are all important interventions. Approximately two weeks ago, I spoke in this Chamber about an apprenticeship centre in Roscommon. I was told that the demand was not there for what I was looking for at that particular time. We have spoken about the warmer homes scheme and future need. We do not even know the jobs that have been created yet. We need to provide the outlet for these apprenticeships and for the roles our policies will create in two or three years’ time.”
“He said the problem we have in rural Ireland is that businesses are closing and leaving our communities because you could not pay someone to provide those services which have been provided for so long in these rural communities. We need to come up with mechanisms to support them. That is why I welcome the enterprise hub that has been created on the Department’s website. Having a space where I can go to try to find the potential different supports I am looking for at a given time is great. It is great to have them all in one spot. I am surprised no one came up with that idea before this term. It is good to see that we are listening to the feedback from businesses and actually getting out there to support them.”
“I explained to her that if she is seeking finance or anything like that, it will help her to put together a business plan to take to her bank. It will also be in a position to help to set her business up online. There are supports for all that. We need to be proud of the fact those supports are there. She also gave me a few jobs which I must go off and do to see if I can get some supports for her. First, she needs premises. Second, if she gets set up, she needs to see whether there is public access to opportunity for her as well. She will meet a demand that is not currently being served. This brings me back to another conversation I had with a gentleman upstairs earlier. He is from north Longford. He is not a Senator; just to put that on the record.”
“Always and ever, it was never about what you were talking home at the end of the week, rather about covering the staff and being able to pay suppliers at the end of the week, as opposed to anything else. Small businesses owners still got up on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings to put in 12- or 14-hour days. In most cases, it was more hours than that. Having the Government back small businesses with those supports was timely. I had a meeting with a lady last Friday who is looking to set up a new business in north-west Roscommon. She explained to me that she had an idea for which she knew there was demand and wanted to know how she could go about staring this business. First and foremost, I was able to point her in the direction of the Roscommon local enterprise office.”
“I support this motion. My colleague, Senator Nelson Murray, has been an advocate of SMEs and rural business, as have I, since we entered the Chamber in February. I was a third-generation retailer in Roscommon. I know the effort and industry our small businesses put into everything they do. It is not just about the bottom line. Rather, it is about being part of the community. It is part of their drive. Small businesses embrace the essence of what being Irish means and what community and rural life are all about. I welcome a lot of the supports put in place for businesses in recent times. The energy supports were timely and necessary for rural businesses. I remember getting the first bill in after the energy prices went up and seeing that it was a multiple of what previous bills had been.”
“We need to learn from projects such as The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, where we have created a tourist attraction for a section of the country that does not currently have an attraction. People are now travelling to Drumshanbo to visit The Shed and see how the process works. That is sprouting cafés and other industries in the locality, which benefits rural Ireland. Mr. Siberry explained to me that there is a petrol station beside the brewery. Somebody can go into the petrol station to buy a bottle of wine from Chile or Argentina for €7.99 but cannot go into the brewery right beside it and sample one of the craft beers. We are doing a disservice to rural businesses and the heritage sector. I believe it could increase footfall and benefit a lot of our rural attractions, such as walking trails, farms and so on.”
“I rise to discuss a sector that had a turnover in 2022 of €52 million and employs approximately 555 people. It is the craft beer sector in Ireland. We need to have a debate on the laws around licensing. The microbrewery in Ballinlough, west Roscommon, Black Donkey Brewing, recently announced it will cease trading. It has been in existence since 2013. Ms Michaela Dillon and Mr. Richard Siberry came up with the idea. It was the first brewery to brew commercially with native wild yeast. They have cited Ireland's outdated licensing laws as the reason for the closure of the brewery. They also cited a lack of ability to compete and attract other sectors that would be beneficial to the brewery, such as the tourism sector. Tourists could have been brought in to see how the brewery does its process.”
“We need to keep building on the successes and the positive numbers coming out of her Department. I hope that, through the national development plan, she will be supported with the building blocks she needs to deliver on that regionally.”
“The equivalent of Safe Pass in the UK is the Construction Skills Register card, training for which is delivered online. Looking at something like that would be another way of removing barriers. Delivering a world-class education system that breaks down barriers and ensures every child can achieve their full potential is a continuous journey. Through strengthening our teacher supports, prioritising special education, valuing our SNAs, integrating vital therapy services, ensuring nourishing meals and providing free school books, we are systematically building a more inclusive, equitable and excellent educational landscape for all children in Ireland. These initiatives are not just policies but investments in our children, in our communities and in the bright future of our nation. As the Minister said, we cannot just sit still.”
“That is something that needs to be looked at seriously in conjunction with the RSA to ensure it could be rolled out as a module within transition year and supported nationally. On Safe Pass, I spoke about an initiative recently in this Chamber. It is the brainchild of a lady from Roscommon called Selina Galvin and supported by JF Hanley Limited. Transition year students were allowed complete industry standard health and safety training free or charge with a view to encouraging interest in the construction sector. The pilot scheme is being jointly sponsored by JF Hanley Limited and Shannon Valley Limited, which are both Roscommon-based companies. Selina said the idea was to remove cost barriers and provide a pathway for students to explore the industry with real, recognised certification.”
“I, along with my fellow Fine Gael Senators, believe we need to do more in providing life skills to our students in secondary education. We have had discussions on the delivery of driver theory within secondary education and Safe Pass courses. We are looking at a programme like that because we talk about young people nowadays not having job opportunities during the summer or when they go off to third level education. If we can provide the skills within second level education, we can empower them to do what we all had the opportunity to do years ago, that is, work on building sites and drive to and from work. The Irish School of Excellence down in Clare delivers training to 30,000 transition year students annually across 727 schools.”
“iScoil is just one organisation but it is a not-for-profit delivering online learning services that offer a pathway to learning, accreditation and progression for young people between the ages of 13 and 16 who, for a range of reasons, cannot attend mainstream school. As we are talking about an education system that delivers for all, we need to start looking at the really small grouping that is not currently being served. iScoil is a national service that works with some of the most vulnerable and hard to reach young people in the State and provides a safe learning environment where young people can re-engage with education, achieve recognised QQI certification and access further education, training and employment.”
“I mentioned to the Minister recently that I would like us to look at procurement to open up the potential for smaller, more rural caterers to deliver these meals to the schools. If the tendering thresholds can be brought up in line with Europe, we may be able to deliver better quality meals to more rural schools while also serving rural businesses as well. We should be very proud of the world-class education system we have but we should not be getting complacent either. Regarding educational disadvantage, which the Minister mentioned, I wish to highlight the work of iScoil, as it is an organisation we can look at working more closely with to ensure every child can achieve their full potential.”
“It is an ambitious plan that will see therapists working directly in schools across the country and will begin with speech and language therapy and occupational therapy being provided in some special education schools later in the next academic year, with a further roll-out in September 2026. By providing these crucial therapies directly within the school system, we are ensuring the children who require the most intense support can access the services they need precisely where and when they need them. This seamless integration of therapy into the educational environment will be a game-changer for many families. I also commend what has happened with the hot school meals. Almost 500,000 primary school pupils across 2,850 schools nationwide are now receiving a hot, nutritious meal every day.”
“Recognising their pivotal role, the Minister has confirmed a new SNA redeployment scheme is now under way and for the very first time SNAs in posts that may no longer be required, perhaps due to falling enrolment numbers, reduced care needs or changing demographics, will be redeployed to schools with vacant posts. This is a vital step in increasing job security for SNAs, encouraging new talent to enter this essential workforce and ensuring our children and schools continue to benefit from their immense wealth of experience. I heard the Tánaiste speaking recently about how we are about to embark on the transformative initiative of introducing national therapy services in education.”
“This proactive approach gives schools ample time to prepare, open enrolment and ensure classrooms are fully ready for September. The Minister is working with the National Council for Special Education on this so schools can expedite the process. As she said, from September there will be 3,900 additional places in special education. Similar to the DEIS programme, we need to build on that and continue to invest in that. Beyond teachers, our unsung heroes are probably our special needs assistants. Thousands of students in both mainstream and special education settings benefit every day from SNAs’ invaluable skills, dedication and knowledge.”
“Key achievements include increased retention rates, higher levels of school completion and enhanced access to higher education. The programme has also contributed to school planning and teaching practices. As the Minister said, we need to continue to invest in that programme and to further develop it. A cornerstone of the Government’s commitment is special education. Supporting children with additional needs is not just a priority but an absolute imperative for Fine Gael, and for the upcoming school year the Minister has sanctioned an incredible 399 special education classes. These classes are strategically placed in areas with identified needs and, crucially, the Minister has sanctioned them much earlier this year.”
“I welcome the professional development and empowerment for teaching staff. I am glad to hear the Minister is committed to recognising the evolving needs of our world, bridging skills gaps and enhancing curriculums for our teachers. The Minister confirmed that three new upskilling programmes for post-primary teachers would commence this September, offering free and flexible two-year courses in computer science, French, and politics and society. Upon graduation, teachers will be empowered to teach these subjects at a higher level. I will also highlight some key areas. The Minister mentioned the delivering equality of opportunity in schools, DEIS, programme. Schools in disadvantaged areas get support to help children succeed. This programme has shown considerable success in improving the outcomes of students from disadvantaged areas.”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the Seanad. This is an important issue and I am proud to speak about something that matters deeply to all of us, namely, ensuring that all children get a chance to learn, grow and reach their full potential. That is what our education system is all about. Ireland is working hard to build a world-class education system, not just for some children, but for all children no matter where they come from or what challenges they face. This system is built on a strong foundation, supported by dedicated professionals, and I take this opportunity to acknowledge all those working in our education system who play a part in ensuring a standard of education is delivered and the potential of our youth is fulfilled. I listened to the Minister's words and a lot of things from her speech tick the boxes I have written down.”
“The Minister of State obviously will not know this, but since I came to the Chamber, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon, has announced a €10 million fund for projects under the bioeconomy demonstration initiative as part of the just transition. I hope that solutions will materialise as the day goes on.”
“I appreciate that this is not the Minister of State's brief. The opportunity for energy independence cannot be something we let go. I have some feedback. A leading industry body has warned that biomethane production in Ireland must be incentivised and supported ahead of cheaper imported biomethane. The current Government target for indigenous production of biomethane is 5.7 TWh each year but the Irish Bioenergy Association has highlighted that there is a need to urgently address the fundamental issue of fraudulent activity in the non-EU bio-liquid supply chain. This is something we need to be aware of.”
“Only two or three of those projects have commenced as there is no market for biomethane because the Government is yet to publish and announce details of the renewable heat obligation, which is required to drive the market for biomethane produced and give investment certainty to the funders. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could make a statement on the Government's commitment to the biomethane strategy and confirm the timeline and steps for the introduction of the renewable heat obligation.”
“It is expected to be implemented in late 2025 or early 2026. The Government has undertaken extensive consultation to finalise its design and ensure its smooth introduction. Last autumn, with assistance from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine administered a capital grants support programme for biomethane plants. This was a 20% capital grant with a total budget of €40 million from RePowerEU funding. Some 18 projects were given letters of offer with a deadline for the completion of works of 31 December 2025.”
“Key supports include the upcoming renewable heat obligation to create market demand and capital grants for AD plant construction. The biogas and biomethane industry in Ireland offers significant advantages and opportunities including energy security, decarbonisation as we move away from fossil fuels, jobs and economic activity in rural areas, farm diversification in the production of silage and other feedstocks, water quality improvements, alternative organic fertilisers, and rural growth and development. Ireland's renewable heat obligation is a planned policy designed to significantly increase the use of renewable energy for heating across the country. The RHO is considered a crucial support mechanism for Ireland's broader climate targets including its ambitious biomethane strategy.”
“While I have the Minister of State here, I will thank him for his recent help regarding the special area of conservation in Gorthaganny in Caher, west Roscommon, following the recent gorse fires. I thank him and his Department in that regard. My question is on the national biomethane strategy. The Government published the national biomethane strategy in 2024. It sets out an ambitious scaling up from a few plants to 200 anaerobic digester facilities with an output of 5.7 TWh annually by 2030. The strategy is agriculture-led and farmer-centric and focused on using agricultural feedstocks like slurry and silage to create a new income stream for farmers. It outlines 25 key actions across five pillars: sustainability, demand for biomethane, bioeconomy and circular economy, economics, and enabling policy.”
“Let us be clear: this is not the end of a process but the beginning of a new phase in how the State supports those who are so gravely wronged. It is a statement that we will not forget, abandon or fail to act. I commend the Minister and the Department on their work on this Bill. I urge all Members of the House to support its passage.”
“This Bill acknowledges not only the past suffering but also the ongoing needs and dignity of survivors today. I especially welcome the inclusion of advocacy support through Sage Advocacy, which directly responds to the survivors’ own calls for help in navigating services. It is a compassionate and practical measure that ensures no one is left behind simply because they struggle to access the assistance available to them. The work of the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the education and finance board, Caranua, collectively represents nearly €1.1 billion in support, but we know money alone cannot help heal those deep wounds. What this Bill does and why it matters is that it continues the State's recognition and care for survivors in a structured and sustainable way.”
“As the Minister said regarding education supports, cash grants ranging from €500 to €2,000 will be available to eligible survivors wishing to undertake education or training courses. This applies regardless of whether they live in Ireland or abroad, and there is a maximum overall cap of €8,000 depending on their course level. Survivors can make one application per year. Second, the Bill provides for the orderly and respectful dissolution of Caranua, a body that played a vital role in supporting survivors and whose work is now complete. Crucially, this legislation ensures survivors, both those living here in Ireland and those living abroad, will continue to receive targeted, meaningful supports, whether through health services, education grants or the waiving of student contribution fees.”
“This Bill, as the Minister said, has two key objectives. First is to ensure the continued delivery of essential health and education supports to survivors. The Bill ensures eligible survivors, particularly those receiving compensation from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or similar court awards or settlements, will continue to receive crucial health and education assistance. In respect of health supports for Irish residents, the HSE will be mandated to provide a range of health services, including GP services, prescribed drugs, medicines, home nursing, home help and dental among others, but also to provide health supports for non-Irish residents. Survivors living outside Ireland will receive a health support payment of €3,000 to assist with their health needs.”
“I thank the Minister for her detailed statement. I welcome Sheila O'Byrne and Catherine Coffey O'Brien to the Chamber today. I thank them for engaging with me beforehand and for their candour as they told their story. I look forward to seeing how we can meet their demands and requirements later on. I rise to express my support for the Supports for the Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024. The Bill represents more than just legislation. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to the survivors of some of the darkest chapters in our State's history. For too long the voices of those who suffered in residential institutes were not heard, and in more recent years, we have taken steps to acknowledge those wrongs through redress, the work of Caranua and the Ryan report. Today we take another necessary step forward.”