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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“The Ireland we see today would not have been possible without people who believed change was possible long before it became reality. A mission has always been at the heart of progress. We have listened carefully to everything raised in the House today and I thank all Members for their continued engagement on this important matter. These discussions will inform our HIV action plan, on which work has commenced. I look forward, with my colleagues in the Department of Health and the HSE, to engaging further on our action plan in the months to come. I thank those in the Public Gallery for helping to build a healthier, fairer and more compassionate Ireland. I thank the Members for the contributions and look forward to further engagement on this very important matter.”
“Now, it is also a story of extraordinary courage and progress. It is a story of communities who refuse to be ignored, of scientists who refused to give up and of communities, activities and healthcare professionals who cared for those living with HIV and campaigned for more effective prevention strategies. It is also the story of people living with HIV, who transformed our understanding through their determination and openness. As we leave here today, let us carry forward the spirit of Irish AIDS Day. Let us continue challenging stigma, supporting those living with HIV and working to make testing, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and wider supports more available. Let us continue working together towards a future where new HIV transmissions are eliminated and where nobody is defined by their diagnosis.”
“Knowledge matters and accurate information saves lives. Every conversation, radio or TV advert or website that challenges the misinformation helps move us forward and compassion does matter. Stigma thrives in silence and judgment. It is overcome through understanding, empathy and human connection. Every discussion that encourages testing may make a bigger difference than we know. Many thanks are again due to the Poz Vibe Tribe and the HSE team that made the you, me and HIV campaign such a success. Awareness is improving and this work builds on that completed by previous generations. We celebrate that today. Action matters, and strategies, commitments and ambitions become realities when they are supported by work, time, investment and partnership. Hope also matters. The history of HIV up to the 1990s was too often one of tragedy.”
“Given our rapidly growing population, services can come under pressure. We acknowledge that. Our challenges are about access, but also equality, inclusion, dignity and respect. The good news is that we are not starting from scratch. Ireland has a clear national roadmap for improving HIV awareness, testing, diagnostics, treatment and supports for people living with HIV. Our new national sexual health strategy and the international commitments to which Ireland is signatory commit to eliminating HIV transmission. We have community organisations and healthcare professionals who have decades of experience in preventing HIV, and in supporting and treating those living with HIV. We have inspiring community leaders living with HIV whose resilience and advocacy continue to inspire change for the better.”
“However, as was acknowledged, we also have a lot more to do. Today people living with HIV can access highly effective treatment. They can live long and healthy lives. They can work, raise families, pursue their ambitions and contribute to every part of Irish society. Effective treatment means HIV can no longer be passed on to partners where viral suppression is achieved. That was alluded to by other speakers. That is one of the greatest public health success stories of our generation, as Senator Harmon also alluded to. Yet, we have also heard today why our work is not finished. Too many people fear testing, or encounter barriers in accessing services and are still diagnosed late. Too many people continue to encounter stigma, misinformation and discrimination. Too many people face barriers when seeking prevention, treatment or support.”
“I take the opportunity to thank our community organisations, healthcare professionals, advocates, volunteers and most importantly the people living with HIV, whose experience and voices continue to guide and strengthen our response. Today has been a day of reflection, learning and remembrance, but it has also been a day of renewal. Throughout our discussions one message has emerged again and again - Ireland has come a long way. People have acknowledged that in the Chamber. There was a time when a HIV diagnosis was viewed with great fear, a fear that in many cases outweighed facts but was nevertheless a huge fear. There was a time when people living with HIV felt isolated, invisible and unsupported. Thanks to decades of advocacy, scientific advances and community leadership Ireland has made progress.”
“I thank the Members for their genuine and thoughtful contributions. I join with the Senators and welcome the advocacy groups in the Public Gallery, including HIV Ireland, Outreach and LGBT campaigners. There are probably many others so forgive me if I do not namecheck everyone, but I acknowledge the work they do. I welcome them to Leinster House and to the Seanad. Today the House had an opportunity to reflect on HIV and AIDS in Ireland. I thank everyone who has participated in this discussion. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, gave the opening statement and listened to many of the contributions. We have officials here as well. It is something we take seriously and we are proactively working on it. The Minister will look at the rest of the debate when it has concluded.”
“What we want to do is progress it. It is the first step in designing a statutory home care scheme, which we are actively working on. It is something I am looking to bring forward as quickly as possible but I want to do it in a way where we have a structured approach, so that we get that something that is very much sustainable and is based around need in particular. I hope that covers all the aspects. We can obviously go through the various sections of the Bill in great depth when we have Committee Stage, which will be next week. I thank the Seanad for facilitating it. This is about independent regulation of a sector that up to now has not been regulated. I think it is something that everybody can collectively agree on. I look forward to further engagement on Committee Stage and I thank Senators for their contributions.”
“There are many areas of the country where there are not waiting lists. There are other areas where there are and I want to do a concentrated body of work. It is not just about putting the legislation in place. It is also about doing the day-to-day work, along with the officials. Senator O'Reilly has gone. On the legislation itself, we are now proceeding to Committee Stage with Members and I really look forward to the contributions. There will then be regulations put in place in regard to how it works in practice. There will be a lead-in period. We have gone through this legislation in great depth and I think it will add to the quality, consistency and regulation of home support for people living at home, particularly for the service users themselves but also for their families and to give that level of assurance.”
“In our case, it would be three or less. The main reason that was done was proportionality. It is in this Bill as well. We are not including personal assistance, PA, services. The Department of children wished that PA services would not be included so we are not including them. If it wishes, we will but for the moment, that is its decision. PA services, in many cases, will be delivered by that lower number. We want a standard of care and it is something we will be looking at. The proportionate model was done in a way to ensure that it worked in practice. Senator Collins made reference to the human aspect. It is something I am working on with the HSE. I want to see the HSE recruiting more staff. Senator Collins made reference to rural areas in many cases, and these are the areas I want to tackle with regard to bringing down the numbers.”
“There is a number of components. Regulating home support is hugely important because it will give that certainty. I covered the points Senator Tully raised in sequence including, once again, the home support. While I think Senator Stephenson has gone, that dovetails into the key points Senator Clonan raised. When I came in, I wanted to look at what the background was. It is effectively less than four but it is three or less. It was looked at as a proportionate measure. I happened to be in Wales for St. Patrick's Day and I met with the Minister in that area, along with her officials. At the time it was the Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden. I went through, in depth, what they have done. In Wales, they have had it up and running for a long number of years. In their case, it is four or less.”
“Once again, we must get it right. The next issue Senator Boyhan rose came up everywhere. I am doing a body of work with the HSE at the moment around home support delivered by the HSE. I want to bring down the waiting lists. They are coming down but not at the rate I would like. The HSE has been given funding and, in regard to a reference Senator Tully made, there is no embargo on recruitment. The HSE has been given funding to recruit 257 additional home support and HSE home care workers, along with recruiting a number of people for vacancies. That is actively under way. It is something I want to see. I meet the HSE regularly on this and I very much want to see a structured approach. Senator Costello made reference to it being an essential service. She referred to her own parents and the issues around protecting vulnerable people.”
“Home care is a huge element to that; meals on wheels is another element. It is across the spectrum, including nursing homes and acute hospitals. That is what we are looking to build into it. Senator Boyhan raised a number of points. As for where safeguarding overall is, it was something I felt very strongly about when I came into the role because it is a key element in regard to older people in particular. The first thing I wanted was a commitment in the programme for Government to bring forward the first ever adult safeguarding national policy. We published that last December and the Government approved that policy. It equally approved us to proceed to bring forward legislation. We are working actively on it at the moment. I want us to bring that legislation forward towards the end of the year in regard to a general scheme.”
“They are all doing great work and that is hugely important. What we are doing here is regulating the sector. It is the first step in designing a statutory home care scheme. We have to have a scheme that is based around need. We have to look at assessing that need. We need to put in place a service that serves people and is sustainable. It is something that, in my role, I am working on with the officials. What I would like to do now is address, as well as I can, the particular issues raised by Senators. Senator Byrne made reference to demographics. We have an ageing population and we want to give more and more people the option of remaining at home. It is choice and for me, it is all about choice. As people get older, we want people to be in better health condition now than they may have been a couple of years ago.”
“In many cases, a lot of the work is hidden but it is a huge amount of serious work and I wanted to acknowledge that. I have no doubt but that we will discuss it in a lot more depth on Committee Stage. It is something I very much value. I wish to acknowledge again what everyone else has done here. I will perhaps do it in reverse order. I want to acknowledge the family carers; the people in their homes. All Senators spoke but in particular, Senator Collins spoke about her mother and what her dad is doing. If there is something I can do, we can maybe talk. That is complete dedication from the Senator's dad. He is giving her that commitment and that is to be admired but it has an impact on the carers as well. I want to acknowledge the professional home carers across the public, private and voluntary sectors.”
“I thank the members for their very constructive and heartfelt contributions. Virtually everyone spoke about a family member. There is probably no one out there who has not been in some way involved with family members, friends or relations of any form, in dealing with home support. To give context to my role, I have responsibility for older people in two Departments. The programme for Government outlines a commitment to design a statutory home care scheme, which I am utterly committed to doing, but I want to do it in a structured way. The first key element of that is to regulate the sector, which is unregulated at the moment. I acknowledge and compliment the officials here with me on the serious body of work they have done on it.”
“These amendments were technical in nature and sought to improve the clarity and readability of the legislation. This legislation is a major step forward towards designing a statutory home care scheme, which is in the programme for Government. It is something I am very committed to as Minister of State, as are the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and the Government in its entirety. The establishment of a regulatory framework for home support providers will act to provide new protections for service users and will raise the quality and consistency of care nationally. I thank the Acting Chairperson and all the Members for their patience. I look forward to their contributions.”
“Section 21 provides the Minister for Health, in consultation with the Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, as appropriate, to make regulations for home support providers to ensure proper standards in relation to the home support services they provide. Section 22 inserts a new section 101C into the principal Act providing the Minister for Health with regulation-making powers to prescribe the collection, sharing and publication of data with regard to registered home support providers. Regulations will determine the type of data to be collected, shared and published and the frequency of the submission and sharing of information. During Committee Stage as the Bill progressed through the Dail, I brought forward 31 amendments to the Bill on behalf of the Government.”
“Registered home support providers will have the right to make an appeal to the District Court within 14 days. Section 18 requires the chief inspector to maintain a non-compliance list of providers on whom a fine or penalty has been imposed. Section 19 amends section 79 of the principal Act providing for offences for home support providers. Section 20 amends section 99 of the principal Act providing the Minister for Health, in consultation with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality as appropriate, to make regulations relating to the registration of home support providers under the Act.”
“Section 15 provides for the inclusion of a reference to home support providers in relation to the further circumstances in which the District Court may issue a warrant. Section 16 provides that HIQA may prepare and publish reports relating to the monitoring of compliance and standards by registered home support providers, and the manner in which those reports should be prepared. Section 17 provides for the serving of compliance notices on registered home support providers. Under this amendment, where the chief inspector is satisfied that a registered home support provider has contravened a relevant provision of legislation, he or she may issue a compliance notice. A registered home support provider who fails to comply with the compliance notice by the date specified in the notice shall be guilty of an offence and liable to prosecution.”
“Section 12 provides that if the chief inspector has reasonable grounds to believe that the business of a home support provider is being carried out on a premises which is not registered, the chief inspector may enter the premises to inspect it. Section 13 provides for the District Court to issue a warrant to authorise the chief inspector entry to premises where the chief inspector suspects the business of a home support provider is being carried out, if required. Section 14 provides for the inclusion in the definition of “dwelling” of any part of the business premises of a registered home support provider that is occupied as a private residence by that person or a member of staff of the provider.”
“Section 10 provides for the HSE to appoint persons to examine business premises of a home support provider that is providing service on behalf of the HSE. A person appointed under this section will be authorised to enter any business premises of the home support provider and examine any records relating to the service and interview any employees of the provider. Section 11 provides the right of entry and inspection by the chief inspector to the business premises used or proposed to be used by a home support provider or the private dwelling of a service user where a home support service is provided with the consent of the service user concerned.”
“Section 69ZA provides that where a registered home support provider ceases to carry on its business, the chief inspector will make a note in the appropriate register and cancel the registration of the provider. Section 69ZB provides that where a person is appointed by or under law to take charge of the business of a registered home support provider, that person is to notify the chief inspector as soon as practicable and no later than 48 hours after the appointment. Section 69ZC provides for the notifications by the chief inspector relating to certain home support providers. Section 69ZD provides for transitional arrangements for persons providing a home support service immediately before this Bill comes into operation.”
“Section 69W provides for the submission of information to the chief inspector by registered home support providers. Section 69X provides for the collection of key data from registered home support providers, the sharing of information with the Minister and public bodies, such as HIQA and the HSE, and the publication of this data in aggregate form by the chief inspector. Section 69Y provides that a registered home support provider shall not submit false or misleading information to the chief inspector under sections 69W or 69X. Section 69Z provides that where a registered home support provider decides to cease to carry on the business of a home support service, they are to notify the chief inspector of the date in which they are to cease operating in accordance with the timeline set out under regulations.”
“Section 69R provides for the chief inspector to seek a District Court order where they believe there is a serious risk to a service user due to the actions of a registered home support provider or person acting on their behalf. Section 69S provides for the chief inspector to make an application under section 69R as an ex parte interim order. Section 69T provides for a final determination of matters dealt with in an ex parte interim order under section 69R. Section 69U provides that an appeal of a District Court decision under section 69N lies in the Circuit Court. Section 69V provides that the chief inspector is a party to any court proceedings taken under this Part of the Principal Act and is entitled to appear, be heard, adduce or give evidence.”
“Section 69N provides for when the chief inspector proposes to make certain decisions where the home support service is provided or proposed to be provided by an applicant or a registered home support providers from more than one business premises and a single application has been made for registration. Section 69O provides for required and prohibited conduct for registered home support providers. Section 69P provides for the appeals process from a decision of the chief inspector regarding an application for registration. Section 69Q provides for the chief inspector to seek a District Court order enforcing certain decisions under sections 69G, 69J, and 69H.”
“Section 69L provides that an applicant or registered home support provider, as appropriate, has 14 days after a notice is given of a proposed decision of the chief inspector under section 69J to make a written representation to the chief inspector concerning the proposal. Section 69M provides that the chief inspector is to give written notice to an applicant or registered provider of a decision to refuse or grant an application, to cancel a registration, to remove or vary a condition or to attach an additional condition or to remove a condition of a registration.”
“Section 69I provides that the chief inspector may remove a condition attached to a registered home support provider's registration where they deem it is appropriate and will not adversely affect a service user receiving support from that provider. Section 69J provides that a registered home support may apply to the chief inspector for the variation or removal of any condition that has been placed on their registration. Section 69K provides for notices to be issued by the chief inspector to an applicant or a registered home support provider, as appropriate, in respect of a proposed decisions to an application submitted under sections 69E and 69J.”
“Section 69D provides for a prohibition on making false or misleading statements in a material respect when applying for registration or renewal of registration. Section 69E provides for the application process for a person seeking to register or renew the registration of a home support provider. Section 69F provides for the establishment of a register of home support providers. Section 69G provides for the grant or refusal of the registration of a home support provider. I will not be able to finish in the required time. I ask the Acting Chair for another minute to conclude. Section 69H provides for grounds under which the chief inspector can cancel, vary or remove a condition, or attach an additional condition to a registration of a home support provider.”
“Section 8 expands the functions of the chief inspector to establish and maintain a register of home support providers, collect key data in relation to home support providers, inspect premises where he or she suspects the business of a home support service is being carried out, and register and inspect home support providers against both ministerial regulations and HIQA standards. Section 9 inserts a new Part, Part 8A, to the principal Act to provide for the registration of home support providers through the insertion of 29 new sections, 69B to 69ZD, inclusive. Section 69B provides for the definition of key terms used in Part 8A and provides for exemptions to the requirement to register as a home support provider. Section 69C provides for a prohibition on carrying out the business of a home support service without being registered.”
“Section 3 provides that the operation of the Act must be reviewed within five years of its enactment after which a report on the findings is to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Section 4 repeals a section of the Human Tissues (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024. Part 2 sets out amendments to the Health Act 2007 and consists of 18 sections. Section 5 amends the principal Act to provide for the definition of key terms relating to the regulatory framework for home support providers. Section 6 amends section 8 of the principal Act to provide for new functions for HIQA to set standards on safety and quality in relation to home support services. Section 7 provides for HIQA to conduct investigations of registered home support providers.”
“The chief inspector will also be responsible for monitoring and assessing compliance of registered home support providers against regulations and HIQA standards. The new system of regulation for home support will ensure that the public can be confident that the services provided are of a high standard and will bring Ireland in line with best international practice. I will take the House through the Bill to briefly outline the content of each section. The Bill has two Parts consisting of 22 sections. Part 1 relates to preliminary and general matters and contains sections 1 to 4, inclusive. Section 1 provides for the Short Title, collective citation and for the commencement of the Bill's provisions. Section 2 provides definitions of key terms used in the Bill.”
“These amendments will act to safeguard service users and raise the quality and consistency of care nationally and will be a first step in meeting the programme for Government commitment to design a statutory homecare scheme. The framework will extend to all service users regardless of age who, by reason of illness, frailty or disability, require a home support service. As such, it applies to home support provision funded by both the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The Bill will introduce for the first time the registration and regulation by HIQA and the Chief Inspector of Social Services of all home support providers in Ireland. Among other measures, it will provide the chief inspector with a range of powers and make it an offence to provide a home support service without being registered.”
“The Health Act 2007 established the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, and Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services. It also provides the regulatory framework for residential services for older persons, persons with disabilities and children in need of care and protection. The Chief Inspector of Social Services monitors compliance with this regulatory framework. The Bill before the House is modelled after the regulatory framework for the designated centres as set out under the Health Act. It amends the Act, establishing a regulatory framework for home support providers, which will be required to meet minimum requirements set out under ministerial regulations to provide a home support service. This framework will be further supported by HIQA's national standards for home support services.”
“However, there are currently no consistent minimum standards of care applied universally to home support providers. There is also no independent oversight of the provision of services. Therefore, there is no independent mechanism to ensure that standards that exist, such as HIQA's National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare 2012, are complied with. The regulations that will be made on foot of this legislation will, therefore, offer quality assurance to service users that their service meets the same minimum standards wherever and by whom it is provided. The introduction of a statutory framework to provide independent oversight of home support providers will ensure increased compliance with regulations and quality standards, which will increase public confidence in home support services.”
“The first essential step towards the scheme is to ensure that homecare is regulated and there are quality standards in place that services can be inspected against. This legislation will therefore ensure that for the first time in Ireland, home support providers, whether public, private or voluntary, will be required to operate in a regulated environment. There are inherent risks for service users in the provision of health and social care services by an unregulated sector. In vital areas such as infection prevention and control, staff training and clinical governance, there are no standards or regulations that all home support providers must comply with. There are standards of service that can be expected of the HSE through HSE-funded services or through the terms of private contracts.”
“As a result, our most vulnerable citizens have received professional and compassionate care. I also acknowledge that it is not only State-funded services that help keep people at home and well in their communities. While increasing the provision of home support hours is a key priority for the Government, we must recognise that family carers have an essential role in helping people to live with dignity and independence in homes and communities of their choosing. The Bill will provide families with peace of mind that the care their loved ones receive is regulated, monitored and of the highest standards. I acknowledge the fantastic work of family carers. The programme for Government commits to designing a statutory homecare scheme to allow people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.”
“I thank the Acting Chairperson. I am pleased to introduce the Bill following its recent passage through Dáil Éireann. I look forward to hearing the views of the Seanadóirí and working with them to progress this important legislation through the House. Home support is a vital service that is delivered to thousands of people nationwide every day. This highly valuable service has users of every age and their families. It enables people to maintain independence and dignity while living at home. In line with Sláintecare, this Government is committing to ensuring we take concrete actions that will support and empower people to stay in their own homes and communities. I must acknowledge carers and service providers who provide formal home support. In recent years especially, they have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and diligence.”
“Aside from eligibility and affordability, there remains a continued focus on improving the services available to people, as seen in the programme for Government commitments. The Senator raises important points. As I said previously, I will bring back to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, the specific points raised around Addison's disease and the long-term illness card.”
“As mentioned, measures such as the substantial reduction of the drugs payment scheme threshold; the introduction of a GP chronic disease management programme, under which eligible patients will receive annual scheduled reviews with a GP and practice nurse; the expansion of access to free GP care to include more children and adults; and the abolition of all public inpatient hospital charges for both children and adults have had substantial impacts on the affordability of healthcare. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare. Senator O'Reilly will be aware that individuals may also be entitled to claim tax in respect of the costs of their medical expenses including medicine prescribed by a doctor or dentist with relief at the standard rate of 20%.”
“I thank Senator O'Reilly again for raising this important matter. As I stated previously, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I have very much taken on board the points the Senator has raised. I will revert to the Minister for Health on those specific points. While there are no plans to extend the scope of this scheme, the long-term illness scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework. The Government is focused on expanding eligibility and improving the affordability of healthcare through a wide variety of measures.”
“Taken together, these significant changes and expansions in eligibility continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to healthcare to more people. In respect of the points that the Senator made about Addison's disease, these are matters that I will bring to the attention of the Minister for Health and her Department officials.”
“Major expansions in eligibility include the following: the removal of public inpatient charges in public hospitals for children in 2022 and for adults in 2023; in 2023, the provision of free GP visit cards to include children aged six and seven, and those earning no more than the median income, and these changes had an impact on up to 500,000 people; and the reduction of the drugs payment scheme, DPS, threshold, which caps monthly expenditure for approved prescribed medicines. The DPS threshold was reduced to €80 per month in March 2022, which is a 35% reduction since 2020 when it was €124 per month. The DPS is not means-tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland.”
“The issue of providing a patient with medical card eligibility on the basis of illness or a disability was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE's expert panel on medical need and medical card eligibility. The group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable or ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the expert group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card. However, over the past several years, there has been a significant focus on improving access to, and the affordability of, healthcare services. This has been advanced through substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility and services in line with Sláintecare.”
“People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card. Eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, primarily based on an assessment of means. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE affords applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment, including medical evidence of costs and certain expenses.”
“I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I thank the esteemed Senator for raising this matter. The long-term illness scheme was established under section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970, as amended. Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 prescribing 16 conditions covered by the scheme. There have been no changes to the list of 16 conditions since that time. Under the LTI scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness free of charge. While there are no plans to extend the scope of this scheme, it is important to recognise that it exists within a wider eligibility framework.”
“The Minister appreciates the concerns among beekeepers' associations that it has taken time for the outcome of the research to be published, but wishes to assure the House that his Department is currently finalising the overall response to the report. The points Senator Murphy made today will be brought to the attention of the Minister and the Department of agriculture.”
“I thank Senator Murphy again for raising this matter. As I stated, I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Martin Heydon. The Minister fully recognises the important role played by honeybees, especially in terms of honey production and the pollination of horticultural crops. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is fully supportive of the work carried out by beekeepers and the beekeeping association in relation to the conservation of the native Irish honeybee, which is evident in the level of support provided through various initiatives.”
“In 2025, the four national beekeeping federations received a total of €25,500 through this measure for initiatives, including the conservation of the native Irish honeybee. Funding has also been provided for the conservation of the native Irish honeybee under conservation of plant and animal genetic resources scheme. Irish beekeeping is supported through the provision of grant aid for capital investments by individual beekeepers in specialised beekeeping-related equipment and structures, including specialised bee breeding equipment. Lastly, €121,000 was paid out under the national apiculture programme in 2025 to support beekeeping through an approved applied research project.”
“The research work concluded in December 2024 and the research report was subsequently evaluated by an external expert. Following the completion of the evaluation, the research service provider, NUIG, was afforded the opportunity to respond to the evaluator's comments and these comments were received in September 2025. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is currently finalising the overall response to the report. The Government is very supportive of beekeepers and beekeeping associations in their efforts to conserve the native Irish honeybee. The Exchequer-funded grants to Irish national beekeepers' federations provides an annual grant to the four Irish national beekeepers' federations.”