Kieran O'Donnell
Limerick City · Fine Gael · Ireland
“The triangle of supports of home care, day care and meals on wheels services — including dementia-specific supports — plays a vital role in helping older people to age well in their own communities. Meals on wheels services provide much more than nutritious meals.”
“The organisation currently operates a day care service four days per week, supporting approximately 60 registered users, and a meals on wheels service with 104 registered users. The HSE has advised that increased funding has been committed to support the organisation.”
“I join the Leas-Chathaoirleach in welcoming the Kellehers to the Seanad, which is a beautiful building in its own right. I thank Senator Kelleher for raising this important matter. He has advocated for Westgate Foundation over a sustained period of time and that has to be acknowledged. I know the work it does is close to his heart.”
“I again thank the Senator for raising Westgate Foundation in Ballincollig and the work it does on behalf of the community, particularly older people. The Senator referred to housing on-site. It is very much an integrated model. I could see how committed the staff and the board, many of them voluntary, were.”
“The Government has significantly increased investment in meals on wheels services in recent years. Funding increased from €3.5 million in 2022 to €6.25 million in 2025, with a further €2 million allocated in budget 2026 to support service expansion and maintenance.”
“The shared objective of the HSE and Westgate Foundation is to ensure high-quality day care and meals on wheels services continue to be available to older people who rely on them, particularly in the greater Ballincollig area.”
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“It is a huge body of work I want to do, along with other areas. Another area that is extremely important is that of dementia. It came up repeatedly. It is a significant part of the programme for Government. I want to see a register for dementia up and running and to get the other areas, such as the 20 centres, rolled out over time. We had a good debate. I enjoyed the engagement and look forward to further engagement. People will know from the past that I enjoy a robust discussion. I may not agree with everything, but I will certainly listen. I thank the Senators.”
“I will go to Inchicore tomorrow to look at a pilot scheme involving the Departments of Health and Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is a scheme for older people, a retirement village, and I want to see how it works in practice. I want to bring forward a policy that will give rise to a statutory home care scheme. We all have elderly parents and they all want to remain in their homes. The question is whether we can extend that. We still need nursing homes. They are huge part of the sector, but what can we do? For me, as Minister of State, it is about looking at a structured approach. The first step is to regulate the area like we do nursing homes. That has to be done. The next step is to look at what is involved for the care staff and how we define statutory care. Then we move on to how we can roll it out.”
“Senators Costello and Kelleher spoke about loneliness. Senator Lynch referred to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act, which comes under the remit of the Department of children. We will follow up on it. Senator Keogan spoke about housing adaptation grants. I want to improve them. We have done a considerable body of work in that regard but, as with everything, we are always looking to make further improvements. Senator Byrne, who is my colleague in Limerick and the Leas-Chathaoirleach, referred to nursing homes. I have already addressed the issues relating to public beds and the home supports. My role is a new one that dovetails between the Departments of health and housing. I am energised by the assignment and the role. I want to work with everyone. I am practical by nature.”
“Senator Murphy O'Mahony made reference to the work of carers and the ageing population. Senator Scahill referred to ESB and vulnerable groups. We will follow up on that. Senator Brady mentioned retirement villages. I very much take on board the points Senator Tully made about a particular boarding home. Perhaps she could come back to us on that and we will follow up on it for her. Senator Kennelly made reference flooding and what can be done. In response to Senator Ní Chuillin, the programme for Government refers to a review of the immunisation scheme. Perhaps she could follow up with the relevant Minister on that. It is not under my specific remit but it is relevant to older people, so perhaps we can follow up and do something about it. Senator Cosgrove spoke about staff, and I have covered that.”
“That is the reason our party, in particular, and the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, were passionate about having a Minister specifically for older people, with that Ministry lying between health and housing to bring those synergies together. That is where my body of work is at. Senator O’Donovan mentioned loneliness and I take that on board. Senator McCarthy referred to age-friendly housing. That relates to right-sizing of housing in both the social and the private sectors. In terms of policies, an awful lot of good work is being done. My role as a politician is to bring more policy structure and ensure it is nationally applied. A number of local authorities have financial contribution schemes for people who want to downsize or right-size, but it is not universal so we need to look at that.”
“It is a huge body of work and we are committed to that. Senator Stephenson referenced digitalisation and the carer’s allowance. Senator Black referenced adult safeguarding, which I have addressed. Senator Rabbitte made reference to home care packages, home carers, funding and so forth. She also made reference to Dónal, who was from the mid west. If there are issues we can help with, she might let us know. Senator Murray referred to the housing adaptation grant and the impact it had on her dad. We will not cover everything here but if issues come up, write to me. I will meet people and we will do whatever we can because we owe it to the older section of society.”
“I am open to any suggestions about this scheme. It continues to fall under my remit in terms of both Departments. I want to have a scheme that allows for deductions in nursing in home fees and carer’s fees so it is a scheme I believe in passionately and that is always open to improvements. I take on board Senator Boyhan’s point about coming back and the review on pricing. The Senator might send on the information about concerning Councillor Donohue in Loughrea. We can follow up on that. Senator Costello made reference to difficulties experienced by older people online. I will look at this matter. Senator Ryan mentioned the statutory home care scheme, adaptation grants and adult safeguarding legislation. The programme for Government commits to a national adult safeguarding policy. We hope that will be brought forward very shortly.”
“Senators have referenced age-friendly schemes that are highly effective and work very well. It is an area we need to examine both in terms of people who want to rent and social housing provision, but also in the context who people who may wish to downsize in the private sector. It is something I am very keen on and will progress further within the Department of housing. Senators referenced the care and repair models. I will deal with questions raised by Senators. Senator Kyne referenced the statutory home care scheme, and that is a priority for me. Senators Boyhan and Keogan referenced the housing adaptation grants. I worked on that scheme when I was a Minister of State at the Department with responsibility for local government. I am very familiar with that scheme and want to get to 100% of costs being met if income is below €37,500.”
“The general scheme has now been referred to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for final drafting with a view to presenting the Bill to Cabinet in quarter 2 of 2025. That is my key focus at the moment. As well as delivering on the legislative elements of this commitment, my Department is working to ensure the future statutory scheme can be delivered equitably, transparently and at scale, and based on standardised assessments of needs. Ongoing work programmes are addressing the future financing of home support, the reform of the model of service delivery and the breadth of issues relating to this. I have dealt with the issue of loneliness and a few other issues. A number of contributors referenced my dual role in housing. I want to do substantial groundwork around right-sizing.”
“That will be achieved and I am progressing that with my officials. This will consist of primary legislation for the licensing of providers, the health (amendment) (licensing of professional home support providers) Bill 2024, secondary legislation in the form of regulations that set out minimum requirements, and HIQA national quality standards. At present, nursing homes are regulated by HIQA. If we bring in a statutory home care scheme, we must have a similarly regulated sector. The first step is to bring in the legislation. We are examining the general scheme that was brought to the Government last May. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health conducted pre-legislative scrutiny.”
“In budget 2025, there was an additional €120 million to maintain substantive increases in home support activity from a target of 22.4 million hours in 2024 to 24.3 million hours this year. The funding has increased by 70% since 2020, from €487 million to €838 million. I acknowledge the issue raised by Senator Cosgrove who made reference to the staff and the great work they have done. It is hugely important that whatever conditions are there are adhered to, so I take that point. We have a delivery model that involves both the public and private sectors. My main concern is the delivery of a good-quality service to the people on the ground. Speaking about my priorities as Minister of State, my core priority is to bring in a statutory home care scheme through the Department of Health. The first element is to have a regulated market.”
“It is something I am very keen on and also a commitment in the programme for Government. For nursing homes, €10 million was provided last year to raise standards to meet fire regulations. Recently, I announced €10 million to upgrade premises. It is something we are conscious of. Senator Byrne and others referenced the availability of public beds in community nursing facilities. A sum of €4 million has been allocated to provide staff and 615 community beds in 2025. This builds on €13.7 million provided in a previous budget to deliver 985 community beds in 2024, which are continuing to open into 2025. It is something I am very conscious of and have spoken to Department officials on. It is something I am very keen on. Senators spoke about home care.”
“It is an area I commit to looking at again. Through the HSE, investing in services for older people has been a national priority over recent years, resulting in an increase of approximately €1 billion in funding for services for older people since 2020 to close to €3 billion. This year alone has seen an increase of approximately €350 million on the amount secured under budget 2024. Although our desired direction of travel is to allow people to remain in their homes, nursing homes play a vital role. There was an increase of €67.6 million allocated to support individuals to access nursing home care through the nursing homes support scheme, which is now funded at €1.2 billion. Senator Boyhan made reference to the review. I met the National Treatment Purchase Fund in the past couple of days and I want to see that review finalised.”
“We are funding schemes to the value of approximately €1.9 billion in 2025. The programme for Government commits to continuing to significantly increase the income disregards for the carer’s allowance in each budget with a view to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of the Government. That is directly written into the programme for Government. The Senator spoke about ALONE and loneliness. Senators will appreciate I am new in the role but it is an area that has been raised by many people. Being practising politicians, Senators will know that if, they listen and an issue comes up two or three times, it is of significance. This is coming up and is something I will look at with the Department. Through ALONE, there are various policy initiatives and funding has gone into that area, particularly concerning mental health.”
“Ireland now has the fifth highest life expectancy in the EU and the third highest number of healthy life years at age 65. The growth in our older person population shows that we not only need enhanced services but also more services. Speakers referred to the carer's guarantee. As per the programme for Government, we are very committed to further funding in that regard. The core message is that the Government recognises that family carers have an essential role in helping older people to live with dignity and independence in the homes and communities of their choosing. It is set out in Sláintecare, which is a cross-party initiative, that people who choose to stay at home must be able to do so for as long as possible with dignity and supports. All speakers referred to carers and the phenomenal work they do.”
“Ensuring that older people live longer and healthier lives will take sustained and focused investment in our services over the coming years. As highlighted in the motion, the programme for Government sets out an ambitious and achievable set of commitments to improve and expand services for older people, which will be delivered over the term of the Government. There were repeated references to the fact the demographic landscape is changing considerably. Information from the Central Statistics Office, CSO, shows that the population aged between 65 and 84 will increase by more than 65% up to 2044, which is less than 20 years away, while the number of those aged 85 and over will more than double. There are positives to note.”
“The Minister for Health proposes that the motion not be opposed by the Government. Like everyone here, I acknowledge the valuable contributions of older people in Ireland. The Leader referenced what they brought to Irish society in educating their children. In many cases, they made huge sacrifices and had to come through very difficult times. Senator Keogan spoke about how people are living longer. Some people choose to work beyond retirement age. My father worked until he was 80. It suits certain people to keep working and it does not suit others. It is about people having that choice. Older people are the backbone of any community, including at a voluntary level. Even though they avail of a lot of services, they are also, in many cases, the providers of those services.”
“My brief crosses both the Department of Health and the Department of housing. As such, it is a role that deals with both the health and housing needs of older people. I have been asked specifically by the Tánaiste to look at the issues Senators are dealing with in their communities. I dealt with the same issue for many years. It is about covering all aspects. In the limited time available to me, I will go through my reply and then come back on specific issues. I may not get to every point but I understand copies of my script have been made available to Members. As Minister of State with responsibility for older people and housing, I welcome the opportunity to discuss and support the enhanced provision of services for older people. I thank the Fine Gael Senators for tabling the motion.”
“I thank the Acting Chairperson. As a former Member of the Seanad, I have great respect for the House. There were 23 contributors to this debate, which is quite extraordinary. It shows how significant the issue is that we are discussing. I propose to give a general response before coming back to some of the specific issues raised that were not covered in my response. I see this as very much an interactive engagement. Several Senators suggested they would like to revisit certain issues in six months. I have no issue with that at all, as anyone who knows me will realise. No one is a fountain of knowledge. I very much take on board everything that comes forward in these discussions. Whatever makes a system better, wherever that proposal comes from, I am very receptive to it.”
“However, with respect to the key element the Deputy raised - the removal of 24-7 advanced paramedic cover in Roscommon - she is effectively speaking about the roster for daytime services on Thursdays. I have been led to understand that an offer has been made for one of the two vacant posts through the NAS transfer process and that the options for filling the second post are being examined. We will be following up with the NAS on those particular two vacant posts in the context of providing a roster for the daytime services on Thursdays.”
“I note the points the Deputy raised in respect of Roscommon and the roster. There are currently two vacancies. I understand an offer has been made for one of the posts through the National Ambulance Service national transfer process and options for the filling of the second post are being examined. I have asked my Department to follow up on that issue with the NAS and to look at the particular issue of rostering for daytime services on a Thursday. I understand the needs of the people of Roscommon. The Deputy raised other issues, including the AP courses. My Department will follow up with the HSE on that matter as well. She also referred to the air ambulance service, which was supposed to be in place in January. We will also follow up on that point.”
“Patient demand for national ambulance services continues to rise, with nearly 430,000 urgent and emergency calls received last year, a year-on-year rise in volume of 8%. The further development and expansion of alternative care initiatives are vital, therefore, in transforming the delivery of urgent and emergency care, improving patient access to care and enhancing patient healthcare experiences and outcomes. I know the National Ambulance Service is committed to the continuing development of these alternative pathways. I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff of the National Ambulance Service and to the staff of all our ambulance services for their commitment and dedication to patient care, both in County Roscommon and throughout the country.”
“As well as front-line urgent and emergency care, the National Ambulance Service is also a vital partner in the development and expansion of a range of clinically appropriate alternative care pathways to improve patient flow and reduce pressure on emergency departments. I particularly welcome two alternative care pathway developments in Roscommon in recent years involving the implementation of medical assessment unit and local injuries unit patient pathways for 112 and 999 patients. This means patients who are deemed clinically appropriate and do not require treatment in a busy hospital ED can be better looked after in an alternative care setting such as a medical assessment unit or a local injuries unit.”
“I understand an offer has been made for one of these posts through the National Ambulance Service national transfer process and that options for the filling of the second post are being examined. The rapid response vehicle had been delivered in Roscommon through a combination of basic pay and overtime, but I understand that the rapid response vehicle is not currently rostered for daytime services on Thursday, which the Deputy alluded to. However, the National Ambulance Service operation of dynamic deployment means that Roscommon continues to be served by neighbouring National Ambulance Service bases for both emergency ambulance and rapid response vehicles.”
“I acknowledge the engagement by the Deputy on the establishment of the national ambulance base in Loughglinn. Ambulance resources in the Roscommon region are deployed by the National Ambulance Service dynamically in line with international best practice. This means the National Ambulance Service prioritises resource allocation to the highest acuity calls that require an immediate emergency response, in direct response to patient needs. On the specific issue raised by Deputy Kerrane, I am informed that the National Ambulance Service currently operates two rosters at its Roscommon base. One is for the operation of a rapid response vehicle and the other for the emergency ambulances. The rapid response vehicle roster has four paramedic posts and, in February 2025, had two vacancies.”
“On behalf of Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, I thank Deputy Kerrane for the opportunity to update the House on the delivery of pre-hospital emergency care in County Roscommon and the important emergency response role delivered by our National Ambulance Service. The National Ambulance Service serves the county of Roscommon out of three bases located in Roscommon, Boyle and Loughglinn, which all operate on a 24-7 basis. All three bases are staffed by a highly skilled workforce of pre-hospital emergency care practitioners, including paramedics, advanced paramedics and emergency medical technicians. In addition, the National Ambulance Service operates a fleet of modern emergency ambulances, intermediate care vehicles and rapid response vehicles from these bases.”
“Conlon's, Nenagh, continues to provide excellent care to its residents during the interim period. The new Nenagh community nursing unit will ultimately replace St. Conlon's community nursing unit. I also reiterate that older person services in the north Tipperary area ultimately will be enhanced by the opening of a new state-of-the-art 50 bed community nursing unit in Nenagh, following a significant intervention to help alleviate significant pressure on University Hospital Limerick. They are the facts as I understand them as of today. Ultimately, my concern, as a Minister of State, is to ensure those residents in St. Conlon's move across and assure their families that they will move across to the new facility in quarter 3 of this year.”
“I will repeat particular clarifications on a number of points. First, the decision to utilise the Nenagh community nursing home building on an interim basis as a step-down sub-acute and rehabilitative facility was taken to alleviate the significant pressures at UHL. It is about the pressures and that is a fact. I also reiterate the HSE is working towards a HSE-led model of delivery at Nenagh community nursing unit with long-term residential care services, commencing in quarter 3 this year, for the current St. Conlon's residents. The cohort that I want to have significantly transferred, obviously, is that cohort of people who currently are residents in St. Conlon's and they will move to the new facility in quarter 3 of this year. The current community nursing unit in St.”
“I reiterate the particular point the Deputy raised, which is that the HSE is working towards moving the residents from St. Conlon's to the new community nursing facility in Nenagh within 12 months of the contract being signed with the private provider. That is still the case. Obviously, it arose because of the huge pressures in UHL and I appreciate what this means for the residents of St. Conlon's and their families. I will be working to ensure the residents of St. Conlon's are transferred to the new state-of-the-art facility in Nenagh within 12 months of the contact being signed with the private provider to provide the services for the alleviation of pressures on UHL with that 50-bed unit in the community nursing facility in Nenagh.”
“It has always been the intention that this temporary arrangement would be reviewed within one year and that the unit in Nenagh would open for long-term residential care services 12 months after the contract commenced with the private provider. This is still the case. I have followed up on this and it is still the case. I wish to inform Deputy Kelly that HSE mid-west is working towards a HSE-led model of service delivery at Nenagh community nursing unit. This will include long-term residential care services, commencing in quarter three this year, for the current St. Conlon's residents. I also assure the Deputy that I am committed to working alongside the HSE to address all concerns in respect of residential care for older people in Nenagh and north Tipperary, now and into the future.”
“The unit will provide a high-quality living environment, which will be in line with all regulatory requirements. As Deputy Kelly is aware, in order to alleviate the significant pressures at UHL, a decision was made to utilise the new Nenagh community nursing unit building, on an interim basis, as a step-down sub-acute and rehabilitation facility for UHL. As Deputy Kelly has said, it is run by a private provider with expertise in such services. The interim use of the unit in Nenagh has provided highly valuable support to the region pending the completion of the first of two 96-bed blocks for UHL, scheduled to be completed in mid-2025.”
“On the specific point raised by Deputy Kelly, this investment includes the community nursing unit capital programme, which was launched in 2016 to ensure that up to 90 of our public community nursing units and community hospitals would be refurbished or replaced to ensure the best quality for our older people. As part of this capital programme, older person services in the north Tipperary area are being enhanced by the opening of a new state-of-the-art 50-bed community nursing unit in Nenagh, replacing the St. Conlon’s community nursing unit, to which Deputy Kelly referred. A significant investment of €22 million was allocated to this project. The new Nenagh community nursing unit will have a complement of 50 beds, as Deputy Kelly has stated, providing long-stay care, respite care and palliative care services.”
“I thank Deputy Kelly for raising this important matter. By way of overview, long-term residential care is a crucial part of the overall continuum of care throughout the country. Our HSE community nursing units and community hospitals play a vital role in the provision of long-term care and other services. I am also very conscious of the importance of strengthening the capacity and resilience of our health system through the delivery of health and social care infrastructure. This Government is committed to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure which supports the highest quality care for our older population.”
“The rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital is a project currently included in the updated version of the spatial plan 2024-25. The development of new or refurbished healthcare facilities anywhere in the country cannot be seen in isolation or separate from the delivery of related healthcare services. The capital plan is an annual document that sets out the planned health infrastructure investment in a given year. Capital investment plays a critical role in enabling and enhancing health service provision. The capital plan 2025 will outline the planned investment in health infrastructure throughout the country. As I have stated, it is expected the capital plan will be published in the coming weeks, in line with established procedures.”
“Once again, I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which is very important to the people of Roscommon. Roscommon University Hospital is a model 2 hospital in the HSE west and north-west region which provides vital services to the local population. There are robust systems and procedures to appraise management of and deliver health infrastructure projects to ensure delivery of the right care in the right place at the right time. As I have stated, a review of the spatial plan at Roscommon hospital has been concluded and a clinical planning consultant is being engaged to verify service brief requirements, including the updated version of the spatial plan as well as an alignment with other hospitals in the catchment and national programmes.”
“The capital plan is an annual document that sets out the planned health infrastructure investment within a given year. Capital investment plays a critical role in enabling and enhancing health service provision. The capital plan 2025 will outline the planned investment in health infrastructure throughout the country. It is expected the capital plan will be published the coming weeks in line with established procedures.”
“Once approved by the HSE central steering committee, the project is eligible for prioritisation and inclusion in the capital plan, subject to the level of funding. In addition to the above process, and to enhance capital investment, the Department of Health has developed and published a strategic health investment framework to ensure investments are evidence based and equitable and that Sláintecare reforms are achieved, with the overall objective of having better health outcomes for the population of Ireland. The strategic health investment framework is a high-level framework which sets out the investment criteria and an intervention hierarchy based on the principle of continuity of care by which all capital investment proposals in the public health sector are to be assessed.”
“In recent weeks, HSE capital and estates and integrated health area management have requested that clinical planning consultants be engaged to verify service brief requirements included in the updated version of the spatial plan 2024-25 and in alignment with other hospitals in the catchment and national programmes. The rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital is a project currently included in the updated exercise of the spatial plan 2024-25. The development of new or refurbished healthcare facilities anywhere in the country cannot be seen in isolation or separate from the delivery of related healthcare services. Projects are approved by HSE services before being submitted to a HSE central steering committee for approval and then progressing through the capital process.”
“A review of the spatial plan at Roscommon University Hospital was re-initiated in 2024 following the completion of the hospice built off the hospital site, the need to update site ward expansion and the replacement of existing facilities with modern and compliant accommodation. A possible site for the replacement acute adult mental health unit was to be considered. The Minister for Health has been informed by the HSE that the physical review of space has been substantially completed, based on a brief confirmed by the hospital service.”
“I thank Deputy Daly for giving me the opportunity to update the house on behalf of the Minister for Health on the developments at Roscommon University Hospital. To ensure delivery of the right care in the right place at the right time, there are robust systems and procedures to appraise, manage and deliver infrastructure projects required for the provision of health services. Projects are appraised by the national capital and property steering committee of the HSE. This is to ensure compliance with service priorities and policies and the feasibility of delivery. It also ensures alignment with the national service and capital plans. The national capital and property steering committee then recommends projects for inclusion in the capital investment programme. A prioritisation process is conducted to inform the annual capital plan.”
“There is the question of whether it would result in increased sport participation, as well as whether it would simply benefit those who are already members of gyms. In other words, we must ask whether it would have an incentive effect. With that said, the Department of Finance will continue to consider the issue with a view to providing an update as part of the annual tax strategy group this summer.”
“These considerations include whether tax relief is the best approach to achieving greater participation in sport and fitness activity. There are individual households that do not have a tax liability for whatever reason, so a tax measure would not be of benefit to them. There is the matter of how one defines what comes within the scope of the measure and how much tax relief for gym membership would cost, which the Deputy has already alluded to. With any budget there is a decision to be made regarding the allocation of tax measures, and cost is a very relevant consideration. There is also consideration of what impact the tax relief would have. The Deputy has outlined some of that.”
“I thank the Deputy. I have listened to the points he has raised, which are very comprehensive in nature. We all agree on the importance of encouraging greater participation in sport and fitness activities and continuing to support to those already participating in sport across all age groups. This acknowledgement is underpinned through the programme for Government commitment, as the Deputy stated. This includes supporting our sporting ecosystem so more people can participate, reap the benefits of sport and fill their potential from grassroots right up to high-performance level. There are a range of relevant considerations about the tax relief for gym membership raised by the Deputy that must be taken into account and I will give an overview.”
“Officials in the Department will consider measures to encourage gym membership and active participation in sport and exercise over the course of the coming months. It is expected an update on this work will be outlined in the annual tax strategy group process during the summer. As the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, I take the Deputy's point about the benefits. People are living longer and being more active and going to the gym is of benefit to all age groups, including the older cohort.”
“I take this opportunity to note that the tax code already provides for a number of fitness-based measures more generally. For example, the cycle to work scheme provides that bicycles and associated safety equipment provided by employers to employees will be treated as a tax exempt benefit-in-kind, subject to certain conditions being met. One of the benefits envisaged from the scheme was that more people cycling to and from work would improve health and fitness levels. In addition, the accelerated capital allowances scheme for childcare facilities and fitness centres encourages employers to develop on-site childcare facilities and fitness centres for their employees. The scheme provides accelerated allowances for qualifying buildings or structures over a seven-year period and accelerated allowances for related equipment at 100% for a year.”
“In line with best practice and as with all proposals for the introduction of new tax measures or the amendment of existing tax reliefs, the proposal to encourage gym membership and active participation in sport and exercise through the tax system must be assessed in accordance with the Department of Finance’s tax expenditure guidelines. These make clear the importance that any policy proposal that involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances where there are demonstrable market failures and where a tax-based incentive is more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention. Any decisions regarding taxation measures are made in the context of the annual budget and Finance Bill processes at the appropriate time and having regard to available resources and the sound management of the public finances.”
“This can be achieved through a variety of means including increased participation, education, increased funding, supporting high performance and governance. On the commitment to consider measures to encourage gym membership and active participation in sport and exercise, officials in the Department of Finance will consider the matter over the coming months with the expectation that an update of the examination will be provided as part of the annual tax strategy group process during the summer. That normally comes out around July.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Finance. As Deputy Byrne will be aware, the programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, includes a commitment to "Consider measures, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, to encourage gym membership and active participation in sport and exercise". The programme for Government also acknowledges that "sport holds a special place in Irish life and society ... promoting health and well-being, encouraging community participation and instilling a sense of pride in our people". It also commits to supporting our sporting ecosystem so more people can participate, reap the benefits of sport and fulfil their potential from grassroots right up to high-performance level.”
“The decision to close is not related to the availability of funding from the HSE. In the meantime, it is essential that people who rely on the service are provided with reasonable alternatives, as I stated. As well as working to find places in other services, the HSE is examining the possibility of engaging a new provider to deliver the service. Through my officials, I have asked the HSE to expedite that. I am available to meet anyone. The Senator has written to me and I will set up a meeting. I understand Karen Gorey wrote to my predecessor. I am taking up the issue. It is something we can discuss again. The most important thing is to try to get a resolution to this as quickly as possible for the people who use the Allenwood service.”
“I once again thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this issue. As I said, the service in Allenwood has been very important to communities. It is essential that people who are affected by the closure are accommodated quickly. It is important that there is good communication between the HSE and the service provider and the people who have been affected and their families. As Minister of State with responsibility for older people, I am conscious of the significant contribution made by day centres like Allenwood across the country to support older people living in communities. I appreciate the considerable upset the closure has caused to the people who use the service. As I have stated, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is conducting an internal review and the HSE is awaiting its outcome. I note the points the Senator raised.”