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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“As a former member of Roscommon County Council, I recall clearly a motion brought by Councillor Laurence Fallon in February calling on the council to write to then Minister for Education urging the introduction of extra time for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties in State exams. Support across the chamber was extraordinary - almost unanimous. It was not just procedural support; many councillors across all parties spoke openly about their own experiences - late diagnosis, school struggles and the moment of realisation when they finally understood what they were facing and that it had a name. It was an honest, human discussion - the kind of conversation we need more of in public life. Councillor Fallon reminded us all that one in ten people in Ireland will experience dyslexia in their lifetime.”
“We have faith in her. Earlier this year, Rosie Bissett, CEO of Dyslexia Ireland, and her colleague, Donald Ewing, appeared before the Committee on Education and Youth and made their case passionately and clearly. As a number of people have mentioned, Sive O'Brien is a senior student from Our Lady's Bower in Athlone who has campaigned for this. She is an unbelievable example of the potential of a young person who is overcoming a difficult situation. She left an impression on everybody at that committee. The question we all left the meeting asking is why it is taking so long to get these students additional time. It is not just an abstract policy question to me.”
“That uncertainty is more than an inconvenience; it is causing real anxiety for students and parents trying to prepare for next June. Schools are being asked to plan in the dark. We need clarity now, not next spring. We do not need another review; we need this now. This issue did not appear overnight. In fact, the SEC's expert advisory group recommended the introduction of extra time as far back as 2009. Some 16 years later, that recommendation remains unfulfilled. To clarify, a number of Ministers have held the office during that time. I understand there were Fianna Fáil Ministers for five and half years and Labour Party Ministers for just over five years. We are now coming up on five years of Fine Gael Ministers. I join with Senator O'Loughlin in saying that we believe the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is the one who can deliver on this.”
“It is already standard practice in third level institutions here, yet somehow we continue to ask young people in our second level system to compete on an uneven playing field. As everybody has said, in recent weeks the SEC published the RACE 2026 instructions. Schools can now play for reading and writing assistance, spelling, grammar waivers and other established supports, but the crucial issue, and the one families have awaited for years, is extra time and that remains uncertain. The SEC has stated it intends to introduce a pilot scheme for extra time for certain candidates already eligible under the RACE scheme in 2026, but beyond that single line there is no detail. Dyslexia Ireland has information on its website. It wonders which students will qualify, how much additional time will be given and when the information will reach schools.”
“The Minister is welcome. I, too, commend Senator Curley and the other Senators on bringing forward the motion. It was before the education and youth committee. I would like to acknowledge all of the members of the committee present. Extra time for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia in State examinations is an issue that affects families and schools in every county in Ireland. It is long past time that it was addressed properly. Over the years, we have seen remarkable advocacy from Dyslexia Ireland, teachers and parents who simply want fairness for their children. The call is clear and consistent: students with dyslexia and other specific learning differences should have access to reasonable accommodation, including extra time when sitting junior and leaving certificate exams. It is not radical; it is common practice internationally.”
“A number of the farmers there benefited from this programme, so much so that a lot more people in those communities are looking for more of these programmes to be rolled out. I hope the Minister of State takes the example led by Laura Tully with the Fit Farmers programme and looks at rolling it out and spreading the good news and good story we have in the west of Ireland to the rest of the country.”
“For years, we have seen health and safety campaigns on farms and we have had mental health campaigns, but this is one of the few times they have truly come together in a way that makes sense to the farming community. It is not a lecture leaflet. It is about real people helping each other to build better habits, support networks and safer farms. I commend Laura Tully on her leadership and vision. I also acknowledge the community spirit that has made this work, from local farm groups to the Roscommon support partnership and the volunteers who helped her to bring this programme to life. It is a great example of how solutions often start locally but grow outwards when people see their value. Laura had a stand at the ploughing championships this year. We talked about the community in Garranlahan in terms of the recent fires.”
“In Roscommon and Leitrim alone, over 90% of participants are showing measurable improvements in health, including lower blood pressure, better fitness and improved sleep. Farmers have said they are eating better, feeling stronger and, more importantly, feeling more connected to their communities because of that engagement. It is not just the physical side. We are talking about mental health as well and connection. That comes from getting off the farm, meeting others and realising you are not on your own. The sense of isolation that so many farmers experience has been chipped away. When a farmer feels supported and less stressed, that directly helps and improves farm safety. Fatigue, distraction and worry are among the biggest risks on farms, so by tackling well-being we are also preventing accidents.”
“That is why Laura came up with this Fit Farmers programme. She has very successfully rolled it out and delivered it in Roscommon and it is now going further afield, which the Minister of State is fully aware of. She is now delivering the programme in Leitrim, Westmeath and some other neighbouring counties. What is different about the programme is it goes out to meet farmers where they are and where they want to be in their own communities, in local halls and community centres, with sessions that fit around their lives. Over six weeks, farmers come together for fitness training, health checks and honest conversations about well-being, which would not be home territory for a lot of the farmers we are talking about. It is practical, local and delivered by someone who genuinely understands the pressures of rural life.”
“The Minister of State is very welcome. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this topic. I will highlight a programme that has been running in Roscommon for a number of years. When I formerly sat on the local community development committee, LCDC, I remember supporting it with funding in the past. It is called the Fit Farmers programme. It was created and delivered by a lady, Laura Tully, a Roscommon native who saw at first hand the strain farming life can take on the body and mind. Anyone who grew up on a farm will know that it is a way of life. It is not a 9 to 5 job. There are long days and there is unpredictable weather and, often, working alone. Farmers are expected to be mechanics, vets, business managers and labourers all in one. Too often, their own health and safety gets pushed down the list and taken for granted.”
“Yesterday's edition of the Roscommon Herald recognised Paul Kelly, a new postmaster who is moving the post office from the old premises to Kelly's SuperValu in Boyle. This new premises will open in February 2026. The support of the Minister of State in getting access to funding has enabled that to happen. I thank him for that.”
“I spoke earlier today about older people and addressing loneliness, isolation and mental health. We can never forget the position of the post office network in addressing that. Yesterday, I had a tour group of 46 people from Drum in south Roscommon in the House. They asked after a postman named Danny Burke from Castlerea who is in his late 80s. The people from Drum were still asking about him because of his impact on them when he served them and their community. We cannot forget that. People do not want to see old post office buildings closing down and they are fighting such closures. The post office network is not just bricks and mortar. It is a living institution that has and always will have a place in all of our communities because of the support it has received.”
“Deputy Carrigy said that the funding will help secure the future of a 933-strong network, including 880 branches operated by independent postmasters. It is also worth acknowledging that these post offices are small businesses and employ over 1,400 people nationwide so their contribution to our local communities cannot be lost out on either. Senator Ní Chuilinn spoke about some of the statistics. When we spoke earlier this year, we heard about findings from a Red C poll. It revealed that 91% of respondents agreed that the post office remained crucial in today's digital world, while 78% stated that their local post offices offered valuable services that cannot easily be found elsewhere. We did not have to shout too loud to get the message out there about the importance of this rural network.”
“I echo the sentiments of the previous speakers and thank the Minister and Minister of State for listening to the numerous contributions in this House earlier this year calling for additional support for the post office network. I thank the Minister of State for taking that on board because, as previous speakers have mentioned, we are not just talking about a service. We are talking about an institution in rural Ireland. We are talking about the cornerstone and flagstone of rural communities. It is great to hear that the long-term future of the post office and the post office network in rural Ireland has been protected from 1 January with the additional allocation. I compliment Senator Joe Conway on acknowledging Deputy Carrigy's statement. Thank God, he did not mention the lines I was going to use from the same statement.”
“The Government, insurers and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland need to work together to raise awareness, simplify insurance reviews and explore ways to protect homeowners from sudden cost increases. Owning a home should bring security, not a fear of what happens if costs keep climbing. It is time that we had a conversation in the Seanad and work to ensure families across Ireland can protect their homes fairly and affordably. I welcome the call to have the Minister, Deputy Browne, address the Chamber on this and other issues.”
“That is where the problem arises. When people update their insurance to reflect higher rebuild costs, their premiums can rise sharply, which hits families hard, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. We must have a real discussion in the House. It is encouraging to hear other Senators call for the Minister, Deputy Browne, to come to the House for a debate on defective blocks because we have to consider how these cost increases are affecting homeowners, not just in terms of affordability but also in terms of risk. Too many families are underinsured without even realising it and if disaster strikes, such as a fire, flood or defective blocks, they could face paying tens of thousands out of pocket because their policies no longer cover the full rebuild cost. We cannot ignore this.”
“I, too, join in the sympathies expressed to former Councillor Jim Finucane. I also welcome the guests of Senator Cosgrove. Some have been in the Seanad so many times over the past couple of weeks, I am worried they are eyeing up some of our seats. They are all very welcome here today. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland recently published a report showing the average cost of rebuilding a home rose by 7% nationally over the past year, following an increase of 6% last year. Thankfully, it is below the 12% increase we saw in 2023. Increases vary across the country, from 3% in Cork to 5% in Dublin and 9% in the north west. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland is rightly urging homeowners to check their insurance policies and use its rebuild calculator to make sure their properties are properly insured.”
“The isolation and mental health impact costs the State significantly more than what we are talking about in investment here. I know it is not possible to produce this sort of money overnight. We are looking at the next budget cycle and I will speak to the Minister about this, but I would not be doing my job if I did not stand up for this particular demographic and for the 9,117 ALONE volunteers who, in 2024, delivered 264,000 voluntary hours to this particular sector, something that ALONE has estimated is valued at €7.81 million in voluntary hours support. It is about providing a lifeline, keeping in touch and keeping connected. By doing so, it is enabling these people to have independent living, which we are all here to support and support them in doing.”
“I thank the Minister of State very much. I fully welcome all of the additional supports that were put in place following the budget. I am looking forward to 2026. As part of the programme for Government, there was a review put in to review the fuel allowance, the household benefits package and the living alone allowance, and they were all welcome. However, I would not be doing my job if I did not try to fight for every penny to support this demographic and for every opportunity to give them that extra bit of financial support and financial independence. These people get up in the morning and make decisions whether they will use one service or another or whether they will eat twice a day, because they are living on the margins.”
“When we talk about tackling loneliness, this is one of the most effective and immediate ways to start. A phone call, an email or a video chat seem small, but they can mean the world to someone who lives alone. Let us make sure that no older person in Ireland is left disconnected.”
“It allows older people to pay bills, book medical appointments or simply hear a friendly voice at the other end of the line. We cannot talk about digital transformation, inclusion and connected communities and leave behind the very people who most need these connections. I am asking for the telephone support allowance to be increased by a minimum of €7.50 per week, a benchmark to be created so it stays in line with real costs, and for it to be expanded to include broadband, renaming it the telephone and Internet support allowance. This would help more than 160,000 people by 2027. These are people living alone, people who are already struggling and people for whom communication means safety, dignity and connection. We must review the telephone support allowance.”
“In Roscommon, ALONE is doing incredible work supporting older people to age at home with dignity and independence. ALONE has 141 active volunteers in Roscommon supporting over 600 older people so far this year. Each one of these people depend on being able to stay in touch, whether it is a phone call from a volunteer, check-in from a support worker or even a video call from a family member. Communication is often their lifeline. Loneliness and isolation are not small issues; they are public health challenges. We know that being cut off socially can have the same impact on health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. A phone line or broadband connection may seem like a simple thing, but it is often the first and easiest way to prevent loneliness. It keeps people connected with family, friends, neighbours and services.”
“These are some of the most vulnerable people in our communities who often live alone and are struggling financially. I am asking for a modest, but meaningful change, which is to increase the allowance by at least €7.50 per week, develop a benchmark so it keeps pace with real communication costs, and expand it to include broadband, renaming it the telephone and Internet support allowance. The cost estimated by ALONE is an additional €64.7 million, which is small compared with the social benefit it would deliver. ALONE is a national organisation that enables older people to live well at home and as long as possible. It works to improve physical, emotional and mental well-being through an integrated network of staff and volunteers across the country.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. I wish to speak about something simple but powerful, namely communication and the role it plays in tackling loneliness and isolation among our older people. The telephone support allowance was introduced in 2018 to help people living alone with the cost of staying connected through a phone or home alert system. It is paid at a rate of €2.50 per week. In seven years, that has never once been increased. To put this in context, a landline can cost anywhere from €30 to €40 a month and the monitoring fee for a personal alert system can be up to €90 per year. This small allowance no longer meets a fraction of those costs. It is also a highly targeted support available only to those who live along, qualify for the fuel allowance and are already receiving payments like the state pension or disability allowance.”
“We had to go back 100 m, cross the road and travel 200 m to access public transport. When you see these problems, it is easy to address them, but this needs to be built in earlier when we are doing these strategies. I will not go on. The national strategy for disabled people 2025 to 2030 has the potential to be a real turning point. I wish the Minister luck with it, and I hope we can work with her on it. I felt the need to highlight some of those areas that people in Roscommon have addressed with me.”
“As we talk about revitalising and rejuvenating our towns and villages nationwide, we have to make sure that accessibility is built into the process from the start. Accessibility is not an add-on. It is a right. It affects people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities and many others. Local authorities need to adopt this strategy as well. They need to engage with all local groups and representative bodies and not react later when the problems arise. As I mentioned, I recently did a walkability survey with a group of clients from the Brothers of Charity. It was a real eye-opener, I have to say. We walked through town and saw first-hand the barriers that people faced every day like uneven footpaths, poor signage, narrow doorways, crossings, kerbing and even access to public transport.”
“One mother I spoke to works as an occupational therapist helping children with autism and additional needs. However, she has had to reduce her own hours because AIM does not cover the full day her child needs for care. Here we have a policy that is actually making staff shortages worse in another critical area. It is a clear example that the policy unintentionally creates problems somewhere else. We need to look at a proper review of AIM and make sure it is flexible, fair and fit for purpose so that parents are not being penalised for wanting to work or to provide for their families. Another area I would like to highlight is accessibility. With the same service users, I recently did an accessibility survey of our town at home. It is a key part of inclusion. They do not want to be forgotten.”
“We need staff support for a full day not 6 hours per day. Many people with disabilities want to work and go to college. We want to contribute to our communities. We cannot do this when our service ends at half three. We need day services funding for 39 hours per week. This will help to get more staff. It would also mean people supported could achieve all the things they want to. I would also like to talk about the childcare side of things. Inclusion does not just start at work. It starts earlier than that in childcare and education. Too many parents have told me that children cannot be looked after under the access and inclusion model programme because the hours they need are not covered. That means parents, often mothers, are forced to cut back or leave work altogether.”
“Sometimes we do not know what staff will be on duty when we come in. We have agency staff filling in who do not know us or anything about us. This is very difficult for people supported. We would like the government to make working in the disability sector more attractive for staff so more people will apply to work with people with disabilities. That was just one piece of feedback. Another was about funding for day services: Day services for people with disabilities are funded for 30 hours per week [This feedback came from service users in Roscommon]. Staff working hours are only 30 hours for a 5-day week. People cannot afford to live on this many hours. This is why we are finding it so hard to get staff and keep them. This funding means services are open for a shorter day. People supported cannot have a proper job or go to college.”
“I have heard from many people who tell me that the funding available just does not go far enough and it is holding them back from working the hours they want to work or taking up new jobs. We cannot talk about inclusion and equality if the supports that make those things possible are not properly funded. If we are serious about equality, we have to put our money where our mouth is and ensure that people get the level of support they need to work independently. On that subject, I recently had a group here from the Brothers of Charity, an advocacy group from Roscommon. They gave me a number of pointers. In relation to staffing: The lack of Staff in the service at the moment is very upsetting for people supported. Services are short-staffed a lot and this means that people have to miss planned activities.”
“Too many people with disabilities are still being left out of the workplace, as my colleague has mentioned. This is not because they cannot work, but because the right supports are not there, or employers do not know where to turn to for help. I know that supports have increased in the past budget, but the Department of enterprise has introduced a new enterprise hub, which has all of the information for them in one place. Something like that would be useful on the disability side of things as well. We need to back employers who want to do the right thing, to give them clear information, practical supports and confidence that the State is with them every step of the way. I also want to talk about funding for support workers. A huge part of that is making sure proper funding is there for support workers.”
“They want opportunities and the chance to use their skills and creativity to contribute to workplaces that value what they bring to them. We have seen what can be done when that is done well. An example in my area is Triest Press in Roscommon, a social enterprise that shows exactly what is possible when inclusion and ambition go hand in hand. Triest Press was recently awarded third place in the innovative work, innovative, social enterprise, WISE, category at the European Social Economy Awards in Spain. It was the only Irish social enterprise to be named a finalist and invited to the social economy summit 2025 in Spain. That is an incredible achievement and a real credit to everybody involved. It also proves the standards that are possible. However, we need to make sure more people have those opportunities.”
“The Minister is welcome. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. I want to use this time to highlight feedback I have got from a lot of people and others I have engaged with on the ground, so that when we look back after the term of this strategy, we will have hopefully addressed some of these and things will have moved on. At its core, the strategy is about fairness and making sure everyone, no matter their ability, has the same chance to live, work and take part in their community. It is about giving people opportunities and not obstacles with regard to access to work and employment. When we talk about rights and inclusion, access to work has to be front and centre. People with disabilities do not want handouts, as the Minister has said.”
“What we are talking about is the cost of journeys being increased by 10 cent or 20 cent, but that is each way. This prevents visitors such as those who we have with us in the Chamber today from travelling to see family and friends, to visit places like Leinster House or the Guinness Storehouse, which they enjoyed earlier on today. This is going to impede certain sectors of our economy. I call for a debate on this matter in order that, I hope, we might be in a position to stop that increase before it is implemented on 1 January.”
“I also welcome the visitors from Clann na nGael GAA in south Roscommon. This tour was organised in conjunction with former Deputy Denis Naughten. It was great to be able to facilitate it and that of the next group that is going to be in here. While I am talking about welcoming visitors from the west of Ireland, I take the opportunity to raise the issue of the increase in toll charges that is going to be implemented from 1 January 2026. At time when the cost of the living is increasing, it is a bit much to look to increase the cost of accessing some of this infrastructure across the country. As an example, total revenues from toll roads in Ireland at the moment stand at about €478 million. Some 153,000 vehicles use the M50 daily. Annually, 58 million vehicles use the motorway.”
“It is about using the systems that are already in place to make life a little bit easier for those at their most vulnerable. Therefore, I support this Bill in principle, but I ask, as my colleague beside me said, that the amendment be accepted by the Government to have the Bill read a Second Time in 12 months to allow for consideration and ensure that the measures are workable, implementable and sustainable.”
“The Senators have put a great provision in there for Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, Luas, Local Links and participating private operators. It would be issued through trusted organisations. I mentioned Cuan already, but also domestic violence services so survivors do not have to tell their story over and over again. I must commend the Senators on that. The free travel scheme is something that this Government and previous Governments have constantly invested in, and it is very well supported. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2025 is €107.6 million, so it is not a small figure that is going into this. What the Minister has always tried to do is ensure that those who need it most are getting that particular service. I acknowledge the compassion and common sense of this Bill.”
“That is why they are working with the bodies there that are trying to work with them, which directly results in their organisation having to refer people to refuges outside of County Roscommon. They said that without a means of transport, alternative refuges often result in survivors staying in unsafe situations, as the Minister said himself. In principle, this is a very good Bill. In principle, there are a lot of the means in there that are going to address issues like people is Roscommon having to travel outside of the county to Galway, Sligo, Longford and elsewhere to find safe refuge. It is addressing an issue for those people. This Bill would give survivors of domestic violence free travel passes for three months with an option to extend it if needed.”
“We are working through that. To highlight that, since August 2025, Roscommon Safe Link can now offer two safe-home units to survivors of domestic abuse. We are gradually getting there and, as I said, these things do not happen overnight. However, when I spoke to representatives from Safe Link, they did say that a major barrier for most is safely accessing their service, especially when there is no means of transport. They told me they had situations where clients had been extremely reluctant to leave unsafe situations due to the fear of having no transport to maintain their children's education and no means of even travelling to a refuge or safe home in the first place. With a project as large as a refuge development, they acknowledged that it will take a significant amount of time to progress.”
“The Minister is welcome. I thank him for the opportunity to speak on the Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025. I commend the Senators on bringing this Bill before us. It is a very simple, practical idea that could make a big difference in people's lives, especially to women and children trying to escape violence at home. I come from County Roscommon, one of the nine counties the Senator referred to that currently do not have a domestic violence refuge. However, work has started on that, and a multiagency approach is taking place in Roscommon at the moment. None of these things happen overnight. Cuan and Roscommon County Council are putting proposals together and working through them. A memorandum has been done up for this. My constituency colleague Deputy Daly has brought this up with the Minister. We are getting there.”
“Our international relationships are very important and we rely on them very much. In the coming months, when our country is going to be looking for support from our European partners in respect of CAP negotiations and our derogation, those relationships with our European partners are going to be very important. People's opinions on these countries and what they say about them matter. People need to be very cognisant of that. I call on people to think about that before they vote on Friday. In addition to that, some previous speakers have spoken about spoiling votes. The only thing a spoiled vote does is remove someone's opportunity to have a say in who is elected. I would like to acknowledge that as well.”
“A few weeks ago, I called for additional support in the telephone allowance for older people. I called for it to cover broadband and to potentially become a communications allowance. Following recent storms, a number of households all over the country have been without electricity or water. At the same time, our providers are still applying standing charges to these people's bills. I do not know any other sector in which you still have to pay for a service that is not provided. I am particularly defending and standing up for our older community. Could we have a debate in this House on older people, the supports available to them and how we can better provide supports to serve those people? I also welcome and acknowledge the delegation from Finland that was here.”
“The difference between apprenticeships and a third level course is the opportunity to earn while you learn. That is the real thing we need to push.”
“He stated, "Solas and my Department will continue to work with GRETB to support ongoing consideration of current and future FET provision for the Roscommon and wider region to ensure that appropriately scaled infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of learners." Senator Joe Conway mentioned regional balance and delivering apprenticeships where they are needed most. I welcome the opportunity for the Minister to meet with the GRETB, me and any other representatives interested to see if we can agree on a plan that might deliver much-needed apprenticeships in places like Roscommon, one of the few counties without such a centre. It is regional balance, and it would help the costs for people doing the study. I also highlight that the important thing with apprenticeships is the opportunity.”
“In the Generation Apprenticeship progress report 2024 and plans for 2025, statistics show huge progress in apprenticeships and the availability of them. However, I note that capacity in carpentry and joinery places is only increasing by 8%. Places in plastering, which is a key skill in retrofitting and insulation, are only increasing by 3%. Permanent places are only increasing by 13% for the new heating systems. I looked a few moments ago and industrial insulation is down 25%. Wind turbine maintenance technicians are down by 71%. There is a capacity issue and demand out there. I welcome the sectors mentioned here where there is potential for apprenticeships moving forward. The Minister sent a letter to me on 2 May 2025. He should not worry because this is not bad.”
“Dental hygienist training is a big sector and I hope the Minister will look at it next. The next area is apprenticeships. The National Survey of Apprentices 2024-2025 stated there were 28,434 apprentices in 2024. Budget 2026 has allocated additional funds of €79 million, enabling an additional 12,500 apprenticeships by 2030. That is once again an example of the Minister listening to what has been said in this House, in the Lower House and on the ground and delivering on that. I mentioned after budget 2026 that it allocated €130 million to house adaptation grants for older people. It allocated €140 million for retrofitting social homes. As we know, both of these grants take time to process and complete. That is mainly down to the lack of skilled tradespeople on the ground able to do that particular work.”
“I especially welcome that because it was one of the first issues I raised in this Chamber back in February. There is a shortage in capacity for people with medical cards to access dentists. I hope the Minister will continue on that path. I welcome that he has listened to people in respect of these measures. Earlier this year, Senator Boyhan and I tabled a joint Commencement matter on the lack of dental hygienists. There are only 20 places available in Ireland for dental hygienist trainees. There is huge demand for their services. Trained hygienists are travelling abroad and not coming back. An expansion in training places will alleviate pressure on dentists. The dentists being trained now will be able to be targeted in the services they can deliver for people in our constituencies.”
“I welcome the Minister once again to the Chamber. Like the previous speaker, I will not spend my time clapping him on the back but nor will I kick him. If he is a success in his Ministry, we will all benefit. That is how we must look at it. Budget 2026 shows that he listened to what people were saying and he delivered where he could deliver. As Senator Dee Ryan said, he put a mechanism in place in respect of student fees that will enable sustainable delivery. I hope he will answer what other speakers asked about giving a clear path as to where that will go. As I said, the Minister listened. I welcome the funding for medicine and nursing education, which will deliver 1,100 additional places, or an increase of 25%. That increase is much-needed in our economy at the moment. I noted the provision for 20 additional dentistry places this year.”
“We are already talking about making this an annual event to support everything Senator Rabbitte just said about the delivery from Croí. Senator Nelson Murray spoke earlier about the shortage of blood stocks in Ireland now and called for a debate on this matter. Effectively, the Senator was calling for more education on this matter. We need the very same discussion in relation to Croí and the work the organisation does to prevent heart disease and strokes. It would be very useful if a debate in this regard could be facilitated.”
“Generally, someone has an idea. Some family member, neighbour or friend has experienced the support, help and assistance of an organisation such as Croí. I acknowledge the volunteers in County Roscommon, and in Castlerea specifically, who arranged this event last Friday night at 8 p.m. Susan Gaynor, Yvonne Ryan, Breege Callahan, Nial Tully and I formed the initial committee. I also wish to highlight that the transition year students of Castlerea Community School came on board. In organising a night-time event, they got involved in organising something they did not know much about, including health and safety, promotion and fund-raising. They took ownership of it, engaged and delivered what everyone who attended last Friday night agreed was a safe, engaging and very enjoyable evening.”