Imelda Goldsboro
Nominated by the Taoiseach · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Rail offers a cleaner, more efficient and more inclusive alternative. It is a vital step toward connecting the unconnected and bringing opportunity, mobility and economic growth to communities that have long been left behind.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming in this afternoon. This is a great opportunity to comment on the all-island strategic rail review, a landmark initiative jointly commissioned by the Department of Transport in Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.”
“Four of the five busiest airports on the island, including Dublin Airport, the busiest in Europe without a rail or metro connection, remain disconnected from the network. The differences are striking when we compare today’s rail map with that of 100 years ago.”
“They include: the DART+ programme; the Cork area commuter rail; the national train control centre; investment in Galway, Limerick and Waterford; Rail Freight 2040; the new Enterprise fleet; new stations; the Navan rail line; east coast rail infrastructure protection projects; and capacity enhancement studies for a range of routes includin…”
“We can do the same. We are no different. If all recommendations in the review are delivered, over 700,000 more people could live within 5 km of a railway station, a 25% increase in population catchment.”
“These efforts support not only our national goals but also our European decarbonisation commitments. Let us not forget the role of affordability. Travel costs are subsidised by the Government to ensure public transport remains accessible to all.”
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“If that son or daughter had a full driving licence, it would have a positive impact on their lives and those of their parents. This is an issue in Mullinahone, Clooneen, Fethard, Ballyporeen, Emly and right across Tipperary South. I have spoken to students, younger people and people in their late to mid-20s who are still waiting for a driving test. It is not good enough. This is a matter of urgency. I know the Minister of State will convey this information to the Minister but my concern is about who will monitor the situation over the next few weeks to ensure the waiting list is reduced to ten weeks by September.”
“It takes people out of the workforce and away from having a bright future here in Ireland. It means they have to go back on social welfare or consider emigrating, all through no fault of their own. Younger people are trying to get on the employment ladder or looking for work experience. In rural areas, we do not have a lot of businesses or shops. These young people have to travel. They need to get to the nearest town or city from their houses. Parents are working and it is up to family members such as grandparents to step in. They cannot do this on a regular basis. When we look at challenges families face every day we see students going to college and trying to educate themselves. It is difficult for families financially to put a son or daughter through college because they must pay fees and accommodation fees.”
“When we look at the figures, we see 8,000 no-shows. That is 8,000 people who did not show up for their tests over the past two years. We need to consider penalising no-shows. I understand that there can be emergencies, illnesses or a sudden need for a cancellation, but 8,000 tells its own story. In rural Ireland, we do not have a metro, a Luas, a DART or even public bus services in many of our villages. We rely on our parents and on our licence to drive a car to give us independence. In the terms and conditions of most jobs now, the first criteria are about education. Many of our sons and daughters can meet the education criteria, but when one reads the fine print, it says that a full licence is required. People not having a full licence, through no fault of their own, is a significant barrier.”
“As the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for transport and as a member of the transport committee, I welcome the Minister of State. I will not to reiterate what my colleagues have said. We all know the figures and the statistics, which are there for everybody to see. There are a number of concerns. I acknowledge the proactive work of the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, in addressing this situation as a matter of urgency. I look forward to the website being updated. What is the timeframe? We have heard that the waiting times will be reduced to ten weeks by September. Is there a contingency plan in place? Will this situation be monitored closely? Will somebody be held accountable if we do not meet those targets? Where I am from in Tipperary South, the waiting time is 27 weeks. Waiting times in Thurles are 23 weeks and in Clonmel they are 28 weeks.”
“I could not turn around and tell that person to hang on until the following morning with their suicidal thoughts. I got off the phone and proceeded to ring in a favour. I told somebody I was in dire straits and asked if they could help. I was told it was a bank holiday Monday night. That is not good enough. That is not what somebody with suicidal tendencies needs to hear. Thankfully, we were able to come to a positive outcome.”
“We need to create more awareness among parents through the Department of Education, relevant stakeholders and other agencies to let them know what is going on. If we were able to go in in a timely manner before these negative thoughts come in teenagers' minds, we could deter, stop and prevent some of the negativity that is happening. It can range from self-harm to suicidal tendencies. It can encompass sleep deprivation and can go into numerous eating disorders to name a few mental health difficulties. I acknowledge the great work a lot of the voluntary groups are doing and the great work of Pieta House and the different bodies. However, I have a big issue. Last Monday night week, on the bank holiday Monday night, I had to contact somebody for a constituent and I was told to call back the following morning at 10.30 a.m.”
“The Minister of State herself was in Ballingarry to open up the community café, which is something that we are very proud of, and as mentioned here already today, our main function and focus of opening the community café was to reduce loneliness. Loneliness is a problem for so many people. It opened when we were coming out of a pandemic when people were afraid to leave their homes. To see how that is growing and going from strength to strength, as well as the difference it is making in so many lives, is phenomenal. As a parent of three teenagers myself, I am very concerned with the lack of knowledge that parents have themselves about what is going on online with cyberbullying and the harm and the effects it is causing their children.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. As my colleagues said, it is great to see a Minister who increases a budget by so much year on year. I have experience working with the Minister of State on a number of projects in Tipperary South and have seen what she has delivered there in respect of the crisis house and Jigsaw to name a few organisations, as well as in the neighbouring counties. We all know the challenges that are facing us on a daily basis and we know it does not make a difference what age you are as mental health does not come into that factor. I have a number of queries for the Minister of State. As public representatives, we can play our part and the main thing in society is connectivity and linkage.”
“The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected Senators Tom Clonan, Maria McCormack, Gareth Scahill and Robbie Gallagher and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.”
“Senator Joanne Collins - the need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on waiting times for decisions on domiciliary care allowance appeals. Senator Laura Harmon - the need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on funding for local authorities, including Cork County Council, for the tenant in situ scheme. Senator Mike Kennelly - the need for the Minister for Health to implement mandatory cardiac screening for competitive athletes between the ages of 12 and 18 to reduce the occurrence of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome. Senator Pauline Tully - the need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the shortage of appropriate residential settings for adults with intellectual disabilities and severe autism.”
“Senator Robbie Gallagher - the need for the Minister for Education to review the mandatory retirement age of 70 years for school bus drivers in light of the shortage of school bus drivers available nationally. Senator Nessa Cosgrove - the need for the Minister for Health to introduce legislation to mandate breast density reporting for all women undergoing mammograms. Senator Nicole Ryan - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the protocol for the use of a deceased partner's stored sperm in assisted reproduction through the publicly funded IVF system. Senator Patricia Stephenson - the need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the women's health action plan and to outline the actions being taken to improve women's experiences and health outcomes within the healthcare system.”
“Before we commence, I welcome Kai Guerin, who is here on work experience with Senator Teresa Costello. I hope she does not work you too hard. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Tom Clonan - the need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations of a multidisciplinary report on the care of an individual. Senator Maria McCormack - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the National Ambulance Service in County Laois. Senator Gareth Scahill - the need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the provision of funding for the replacement of older water infrastructure in rural areas.”
“I am looking to see if there is the funding the Department needs to increase the funding allocations to the schools as a matter of priority. I also wish to highlight another issue. After the storms and bad weather we had in recent months, all our county councils have applied to the Department of Transport for extra funding for the damage done to the roads. We can see the fantastic weather throughout Ireland this week. In recent weeks, the works programme for roads has commenced throughout the country, especially in County Tipperary, ahead of schedule. If the Department releases the funding in the coming weeks, these works can be done while the weather is good. A number of roads in Tipperary need to take priority, including the N62 at Horse and Jockey.”
“Great work is being done by the resource departments in schools but, unfortunately, it is the students who are suffering. Students are not being allowed to be educated in the manner in which they should be. They are coming to the end of primary school without having had an assessment. As we are all aware, the State examinations are coming up in two months, so some of these students will sit their leaving certificate or junior certificate and they will not have the necessary equipment they should be entitled to without any obstacles or barriers being in their way. Parents are very limited and constrained in what they can by their financial resources. They have other students and family members to look after as well.”
“I wish to raise a matter concerning the Department of Education in respect of an increase in funding applications to schools for the next National Psychological Education Service programme. This is not just a county-level issue but a national one to address the lack of funding for students who have disability issues, including mobility, visual impairment and hearing, just to name a few. Students can apply for this funding, but, unfortunately, schools are only allocated a limited amount of funding where necessary. There should be funding for the needs of all students and an increase in funding. Usually, it is one child per school. This is not good enough due to the significant increase in demands. It is causing added stress to parents because private psychological assessments cost €700 and upwards.”
“I welcome our guests in the Visitors Gallery. They are the pupils from rang a ceathair in Scoil Mobhí in Glasnevin who are on a tour of Leinster House this morning with their muínteoir, Cillín MacDonnacha. The son of former Senator Marie Sherlock is among the pupils in the class. I wish them an enjoyable visit to the Seanad.”
“I thank the Minister of State. I welcome guests in the Gallery. From Conradh na Gaeilge we have Julian de Spáinn and Kate Ní Dhúbhlaoich as well as príomhoide Ghaelscoil Eoin, Cristín Ní Chairealláin and Karen Hinkson-Deeney, a fifth-class parent. We welcome them here.”
“I thank the Minister of State. Before I come back to the Senator, I welcome guests of Senator Garret Ahearn who are in the Chamber with us today. They are very welcome. I presume they are from Tipperary, the premier county. I welcome the Walsh family along with Sisters from the Cross and Passion Order. I wish them all a wonderful tour here today.”
“I am looking for clarity around whether household grants for disability, home adaptation and mobility can in future include support for generators. It would give a lifeline, a sense of security and peace of mind to those individuals if they were able to apply for funding under these grant schemes, given the climate that is coming down the line.”
“I understand from when the Minister was in the House yesterday that more funding will be released for community hubs throughout the counties and for generators to be brought in so that we can provide the relevant services and supports in our communities. I have a query, though. Each county has a number of household grants, for example, housing adaptation grants, disability grants and mobility aid grants. Following the past number of storms, I have encountered numerous individuals who are medically in need of generators in their homes. It is a matter of life and death. Unfortunately, they are not in a financial position to purchase generators of the capacity required by their medical machines. Some of these people are young children. Some people are at end of life.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. The storm caused havoc throughout the country, both in our local and national areas. Unfortunately, I am in Tipperary South, where Storm Ophelia also caused significant damage. I acknowledge the work that the Government is doing nationally. I also acknowledge the work of Tipperary County Council, those who have been on the ground and the relevant agencies throughout the county and country. These are unprecedented times. We do not know what the future will bring, but there is an opportunity for us now to become proactive more than reactive. It is a learning process for us going forward. Ireland as a whole should not come to a standstill because of the changes in our climate. We can introduce more strategies across the counties and implement changes.”
“I know the past number of weeks have been challenging for many, following the storm and the effects of climate change. However, today is a day where we are all getting to know each other. We all bring our own strengths and abilities to the table. This Seanad will be very productive. I can hear the enthusiasm and positivity. Each and every one of us has our strengths and is inspiring in our own way. It would be remiss of me not to sympathise with those from the Roscommon area on the passing of Councillor Waldron. He did great work for the tourism industry, both urban and local, trying to rejuvenate it. I extend my sincere sympathies to those who were close to him and to his family at this very difficult time.”
“We went through the local and general elections and the Seanad campaign. We took the scenic route, but we got here at long last. Without the endorsement of the Taoiseach, that would not have been possible. I thank my family, including my three children, some of whom I am trying to make into politicians. Others are allergic to politics. I thank my team, some of whom are here today. When it comes to politics, we all know that you cannot do it on your own. You need a team and backup. I want to sincerely thank each and every person involved. I was in the council for 11 years, having started in 2014. I was a community activist long before that. We are all here today and have our agendas and challenges for our constituencies and areas. We are not lacking those in Tipperary South. We will highlight these issues.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his role. It is a great day for his family. I have met some of them here today. I also acknowledge his link with and connectivity to the US. There are murky waters right now for our imports and exports and these are turbulent times. These are also turbulent times for many undocumented Irish in America. There is the fear of the unknown for them – I know quite a number of them myself. I also want to acknowledge Martin Groves and his staff. Since I arrived here on Monday, their kindness and support has meant so much to me and is making this journey very easy. I offer a sincere thanks to all of the staff. I thank An Taoiseach for the nomination. It is a great honour for me. Tipperary South is a new constituency. We have had a long and difficult year.”