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 Department and the Department of the Taoiseach will continue to engage with key stakeholders to agree a series of actions with real impact on addressing child and family homelessness. As the Deputy said, the issue of transportation was one of the points raised during the consultation and will be further considered in preparation of the action plan. I will bring back to the Minister and Department officials the specific points of Cork, the Leap card and families experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, of the funding being provided, €513 million is current spending for homeless services this year. There is €50 million in capital to support delivery of high-quality transitional and emergency accommodation for individuals experiencing homelessness. This will be kept under ongoing review throughout 2026.”
“I again thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. I reiterate that resources and funding are not an obstacle to the urgent efforts required. More than €563 million has been allocated to homeless services in 2021. On the specific point raised in respect of the Leap card, the Government's new housing plan includes a strong focus on measures around homelessness and a key measure in the plan is a child and family homeless action plan. There was a public consultation in January and 60 submissions were received. That was followed by an in-person event last month at which 100 people were in attendance. The feedback and recommendations are currently being assessed.”
“My Department and the Department of the Taoiseach will continue to engage with key stakeholders to agree a series of actions which will have a real impact in addressing child and family homelessness. The issue of transportation was one of the points raised during the consultation process and will be further considered in the preparation of the action plan. The Deputy has raised a specific issue in relation to Cork. It is anticipated the plan will be published by the end of June 2026, after which a steering group will be established to drive delivery of actions within the plan.”
“My Department is working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach as well as a range of key stakeholders on the development of this plan. A public consultation was launched in January and 60 submissions were received from a range of organisations involved in providing supports to children. An in-person event was then held at the end of last month with more than 100 individuals in attendance. These included representatives from a range of organisations, including Government Departments, State bodies, local authorities and NGOs, as well as adults and children with lived experience of homelessness. The feedback and recommendations received during the consultation process are being assessed.”
“This scheme was introduced in Dublin due to the numbers of families in emergency accommodation and the difficulty in providing emergency accommodation to all families close to the area where the children were in school. The Department is committed to considering all measures necessary to support children and families in emergency accommodation nationwide. The Government's new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, includes a strong focus on measures to eradicate homelessness. A key measure in the plan is the development of a child and family homelessness action plan. The plan will set out new measures to provide enhanced supports for children and parents experiencing homelessness, as well as measures to accelerate exits and reduce the time spent by children and their families in homeless emergency accommodation.”
“I thank Deputy Gould for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority, and the increase in homelessness figures is a concern for the Government. Budget 2026 allocated €513 million in current funding to ensure that individuals and families experiencing homelessness are provided with emergency accommodation and other supports. The key objective is to support families to exit homelessness to a secure home. In Dublin, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive provides Leap cards to families to ensure access to free public transport for essential school journeys. Deputy Gould has referred to that.”
“I will continue to work with my ministerial colleagues, Members from all sides in this House and in the Seanad, and all stakeholders to deliver homes and build the communities we need to meet housing needs now and into the future.”
“The Government continues to invest in high-quality Taveller-specific accommodation, with increased capital funding of €26 million provided in 2026. The caravan loan scheme provided accommodation for 85 Traveller families in 2025 and will continue to deliver for Traveller families in the years ahead. The Government will continue to ensure that housing is delivered though the well-established capital funding schemes for both local authorities and approved housing bodies to meet the needs of all people accessing social housing, including vulnerable groups. We are fully committed to ensuring the measures outlined in the new housing plan are implemented to address homelessness, including for older people, disabled people and Travellers.”
“This increase of €30 million on 2025 funding is in line with commitments in the programme for Government and ensures the continued year-on-year increases in funding for the grant scheme since 2014. This funding will facilitate the payment of some 17,000 grant claims as well as the continued implementation of the revised scheme. The continued enhancement of this significantly important grant scheme is a priority for the Government. Addressing the accommodation needs of Travellers continues to be a Government priority. In the past six years from 2020 to 2025, a cumulative capital investment of more than €125 million has been provided to local authorities for delivering Traveller-specific accommodation. This investment continues in 2026 in line with the action set out in our new housing plan.”
“Co-operation and collaboration among Departments, State agencies and others are key in delivering housing and related supports for disabled people. The housing adaptation grant for older people and disabled people is an important support in assisting people in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. These grants are available to people with an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability, and to older people who experience mobility issues or require essential necessary repairs to their home in order to continue to live independently at home. Funding for the housing adaptation grant has been increasing year on year since 2014, facilitating the payment of more than 180,000 grant claims. We have increased the allocation for the housing adaptation grant to €130 million for 2026.”
“Delivering Homes, Building Communities is a reflection of this and of the Government's commitment to ensuring older people have the opportunity to avail of increased housing choice for ageing in place. Census 2022 indicated that 22% of the population, or just over 1.1 million people, have experienced at least one long-lasting health condition or difficulty to a greater extent. The National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 and its associated implementation plan, operating under the new housing plan, present the framework for delivering housing for disabled people in conjunction with the necessary support, as required. The Government is committed to ensuring disabled people are supported and encouraged to live independently and to addressing homelessness.”
“If people wish to purchase a home more suitable to their needs, we will support them by, among other measures, advancing consideration of the availability of bridging finance. If people wish to adapt their homes to suit their needs within the home, perhaps by converting their homes into separate living spaces, we will support that. We are looking at planning exemptions in this area to support greater choice. It is all about providing choices to older people that they can avail of on a voluntary basis. As our population ages, it is essential that we increase delivery of homes for older people and deliver more homes that are suited to their needs. We must provide choice for older people in a way that supports them to live independently and remain connected to their communities.”
“The new housing plan includes a Government commitment to work collaboratively through the establishment of a co-operation framework between the Departments of health and housing, across which I have responsibility for older people, to improve the integration of health and social care supports and housing for older people. I saw that in action at the Richmond Place housing project today. This work will include building on the learnings from existing projects of supported housing for older people to support wider future delivery. The housing needs of older people are diverse. Policy responses will need to address housing choice and deliver solutions in both public and private housing as well as support those who choose to voluntarily right-size. We want to provide choice.”
“Therefore, the new housing plan commits to examining the affordability challenges for older people approaching retirement in this sector. Work on how to address these challenges and deliver this commitment is under way. Delivering Homes, Building Communities also includes actions to provide greater choice to older people, including through increased delivery of more suitable homes through housing strategies in all tenures. We will continue to work with the AHB sector, local authorities and other stakeholders in supporting the continued delivery of housing for older people.”
“The national housing plan includes commitments to work with local authorities in a number of ways, including the introduction of dedicated older people social housing annual targets in each local authority's housing delivery action plan. This is something on which I am very strong. The plan commits to the introduction of more efficient collection processes for data on older people housing delivery and allocations, having regard to older people and homelessness. There is also a commitment to improved site identification to support more targeted local authority and approved housing body delivery specifically for older people and provide accessible locations within local communities. In addition, we recognise the increased number of older people renting in the private rented sector.”
“It is highlighted in the plan that the overall aim of policy is to increase delivery of house choices for older people across both public and private housing to facilitate them to age in place, in their own homes or in their community, with dignity and independence. I have just come from the launch of a collaborative housing development in Richmond Place, Inchicore, involving the Departments of health and housing, Dublin City Council, Circle Voluntary Housing Association and ALONE. A total of 68 residents are getting supports in addition to housing. It is very much an innovative approach in terms of people being able to live independently. People are moving there from areas close by and it is catering to their needs. It is an approach we are looking to progress in greater numbers.”
“The Government is committed to increasing housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence and to supporting right-sizing on a voluntary basis. The Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland's Future, recognising this demographic change for older people, includes commitments to deliver practical housing options for positive ageing. A working group established in my Department considered how best to progress these commitments and informed the development of the new national housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. The delivery of more suitable homes and choice for older people, including measures that support independent living, has been firmly prioritised in the actions set out in the plan.”
“Some €560 million is available in 2026 to ensure local authorities can provide sufficient emergency accommodation, as well as essential related services, including homelessness prevention supports, day services and tenancy sustainment measures. We are taking measures to increase the delivery of housing for older people and address homelessness in this cohort. As we are all aware, Ireland has an ageing population. Census 2022 data confirmed that lreland's ageing population is increasing significantly, with the population aged 65 and over growing by 35% since 2013, which is over double the EU average increase of 17.3%. Projections indicate that the number of older people in Ireland will be approximately 21% of the population by 2040. In addition, it is expected that the population aged over 85 will increase by more than 140%.”
“The Department of housing is leading on the development of this framework and all key stakeholders, including other Departments, are closely involved in the process. The focus of the prevention framework is to ensure there are increased efforts to tackle the causes of homelessness and increase the level of activity aimed at reducing presentations to homeless services. We recognise the need to focus prevention measures on cohorts most at risk. As such, we will explore additional measures that can be put in place to support at-risk cohorts such as older people, disabled people and Travellers, as I have referenced. In addition to developing the framework, we are also working closely with local authorities to accelerate exits from emergency accommodation. We are committed to ensuring the necessary funding is in place to address homelessness.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to address the House on this important matter. Addressing homelessness is a top priority for the Government. We remain committed to working with all key stakeholders to reduce and prevent homelessness across Ireland, including homelessness among our more vulnerable people, including our older people, disabled people and Travellers. Our new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, is an integrated housing and homelessness plan in which the Government recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue that we face. The plan introduces a number of new measures to address homelessness. One priority action is the development of a whole-of-government homelessness prevention framework.”
“As of this month, there are 3,237 GPs with at least one HSE contract, an increase of 9% from 2020. The recent increase in GP training places and the ongoing recruitment of GPs under the international medical graduate, IMG, programme will see the number of GP practices across the country increase, while the strategic review of general practice will set out further measures to be taken to support and grow our general practice services over the coming years. The Minister for Health and the Government understand the need to expand access to GP services and have undertaken measures that reflect many of those proposed by the motion. As already stated, the Government does not oppose the motion. I ask that the other areas that I did not have an opportunity to deal with in my speech be read into the record.”
“While the Bill brought forward by Deputy Sherlock relates only to GP services, the Government is focused on building fair and equitable access to all services. We will continue to work towards that goal. It is difficult to see how the HSE could fulfil the legal obligation that this Bill would impose without clarity around the additional expenditure that would be required. For these reasons, the Government will oppose the amendment to the motion tabled by Deputy Sherlock. The Minister for Health and the Government fully recognise the important work of general practice. We have invested significantly in general practice to increase GP capacity and to provide for increased supports for the provision of GP services. There are an estimated 4,000 GPs practising in Ireland.”
“The 2023 GP agreement introduced additional supports for staffing, enabling GPs to take on additional health and social care professionals to aid their patients. The strategic review of general practice will further address the issues of delivering a balanced GP service able to meet the needs of patients at the local level. However, the Government has concerns about how the Health (Availability of General Practice Services) Bill is currently set out. In the first place, there is a lack of clarity around the terms of the Bill. No attempt is made in the Bill to define what a fair and equitable distribution should be or what constitutes the social determinants of health status. The Minister and the Government are fully aware of the impacts of social deprivation on health status.”
“The common conditions service, CCS, recently commenced enabling community pharmacists in Ireland for the very first time to provide advice and treat eight common conditions. This private service is accessible to all patients and will help reduce the need to attend GP practices for the eight conditions. I would like also to address the amendment to the motion tabled by Deputy Sherlock. The Government is fully committed to supporting the balanced delivery of GP services. Although not set out in legislation, it is accepted that GP services should be delivered at the local level, and that where possible service provision should be sufficient to meet local demand. To this end, we provide additional supports to practices in rural areas, and since 2020 have provided additional supports to practices in areas of urban deprivation.”
“While the existing GMS-GP contract has been significantly updated under the 2019 and 2023 GP agreements, and via circular, it is acknowledged that a new contract should be developed. The findings of the strategic review will serve as a blueprint to bring forward a new, modern GP contract. Work is also under way in other areas to improve the level of GP service provision. For example, a comprehensive women's health programme in general practice is also being developed in line with a relevant programme for Government commitment. A strong pipeline is in place for the continued construction of primary care centres, which serve as ideal locations for the provision of GP services alongside other primary care services.”
“With regard to strategic planning for GP services, a strategic review of general practice is currently under way led by the Department of Health and with support from the HSE. The review, with stakeholder input, is examining a range of important issues affecting general practice, including issues around GP capacity, the reform of GP out-of-hours services, possible improvements to the GP training system, and the need for further and revised GP supports. The potential for HSE-employed GPs, as well as other possible measures to bring more GPs to underserved areas, is also being examined. Significant progress has been made under the review, which is to be completed this year. The report will identify the arrangements necessary to improve the current system of GP care.”
“The 2023 GP agreement introduced a new grant for additional practice staff capacity and a support for staff maternity leave taking. It also introduced a locum sourcing support for rural GMS practices. These measures have helped to make working as a GP in Ireland increasingly attractive to doctors, and the positive impact of this is being seen in the number of GPs undertaking GP training. Medical graduates are showing an unprecedented level of interest in general practice, with record numbers of graduates applying for GP training in recent years. The 2023 agreement also provided for the expansion of eligibility for a GP visit card from children under six years of age to all children under eight years and to all those earning up to the median household income. In the limited time I have I want to cover certain areas.”
“In addition, we need to recognise the unique relationship that is at the heart of the programme when it comes to determining which clinical conditions it can best serve. The programme requires active engagement on the part of patients to manage their conditions, in co-operation with the GP and the GP nurse. Any additional clinical conditions to be added would have to be amenable to this approach. Almost all GP practices are digitalised. The 2019 GP agreement also sets out measures agreed in relation to the further digitisation of health services and GP engagement with these initiatives. More recently, GPs have used digital solutions to switch from paper to electronic prescriptions, for electronic referrals to hospitals and for managing the sharing of patient data under the CDM programme.”
“The programme is well regarded by patients and GPs, and helps to bring care for chronic disease further into the community. It has been successful in shifting care away from hospitals, with over 90% of patients on the programme managing their conditions in the community. In 2025 alone, over 650,000 GP-led patient reviews were provided under the CDM treatment programme, including approximately 400,000 reviews for people aged over 70 years of age. Work is under way to expand the conditions covered under the programme to include chronic kidney disease and familial hypercholesterolaemia. Further expansions of the programme would require careful consideration and consultation with GPs. First, we need to be sure that we have the capacity in place to manage any expansion in eligibility.”
“To make general practice in Ireland more attractive as a career, and to increase the level of services provided to patients, investment in general practice has been increased by over €340 million under the 2019 and 2023 GP and general medical services, GMS, agreements. Both agreements increased payments to GMS GPs and increased the range of supports provided to GP practices. Under the 2019 GP agreement rural practice supports were increased and a support for practices in urban areas of social deprivation was also introduced. The social deprivation grant available to eligible GPs supports practices to cover the costs of additional clinical supports to meet the needs of patients within the practice from socially deprived urban areas. The 2019 agreement also introduced the GP-led chronic disease management, CDM, programme.”
“In the case of older people, the relationship often carries even greater weight. All people aged over 70 have access to GP care without charges, and by virtue of this have access to the full range of GP services, including the chronic disease management programme, which I will speak about more in few moments. Having said that, we recognise that the Government needs to continue to improve access to GP services, particularly in underserved areas and more remote rural areas, to meet the growing demand for GP services. Increasing access to GP services is largely dependent on increasing our GP workforce and the programme for Government commits to increasing the number of practising GPs. Significant work has already been undertaken in this regard, to increase GP numbers and improve access to GP services.”
“GPs help to direct the care of their patients, acting also as the gatekeepers to other primary care services and the wider healthcare system. Indeed, central to the Sláintecare vision is a more community-centred healthcare service, which Deputies have name-checked, with care provided to more patients closer to home in primary care settings. Access to GP services is essential to realising this vision. GPs provide care to patients over their entire lifespan. They develop patient-doctor relationships that improve the service provided through a greater understanding of the patient and their health needs. At times of serious illness that relationship is of particular value as the trust built up over time is of enormous assistance in both recognising health issues and in helping patients to manage them.”
“Ciarán Ó Domhnaill. I welcome the opportunity to engage with colleagues on the important matter of expanding access to general practice care. I wish to thank the Social Democrats for raising this issue, and Deputy Rice for leading on the motion. I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who is travelling to the EPSCO meetings today. The Government will not be opposing the motion. We are all aware of how central general practice is to the provision of healthcare in Ireland. For the majority of patients the GP is the primary care provider, acting as the first point of contact for most health issues. We all know that GPs provide an invaluable service.”
“It is worthwhile to acknowledge and thank both HIQA and the HSE for their prompt and personal response to the situation. As I said, poor care, mistreatment, neglect or any form of abuse of any person living in long-term care is completely unacceptable. The primary focus is ensuring that we protect the safety and welfare of the 39 residents in Droimnín nursing home. That is obviously the key focus. In terms of the other matter the Deputy raised, all options are being explored by the HSE.”
“Furthermore, as the Deputy is aware, the eight-bed dementia unit will continue to operate in the existing building. The HSE is looking at doing a feasibility study on the existing building to see what can be done within it and its utilisation across a range of areas, including additional rehab and long-stay and short-stay beds in the community nursing unit, CNU. That is a general summary of where we are with St. Vincent's in Mountmellick. The residents will transition very shortly. It is a 58-bed unit consisting of 57 long-stay beds and one short-stay bed. I will take that particular issue the Deputy raised in respect of the church up with the HSE and I ask him to follow up with it as well. I will finish on Droimnín nursing home.”
“Once again, I thank Deputy Aird for raising this important matter of Droimnín nursing home in Stradbally. As I said earlier, all options are being explored by the HSE. Specifically, in terms of St. Vincent's in Mountmellick, I know the Deputy has a keen interest in that community nursing home run by the HSE. I would like to give him clarity on a couple of points. First, the church will continue to be accessed by residents and staff, as required, and the day care will remain operational in its current location. The specific point the Deputy raised in respect of linking the new building and the church is something I will take up with the HSE. I have no doubt the Deputy will have written to the HSE on it in his own way. It is expected that the existing residents' transition to the new building will be during the week beginning 23 March.”
“All options have been explored by the HSE for Droimnín nursing home. The particular issue the Deputy has put forward is being considered by the HSE as well. At this moment, however, the most important thing is to ensure the welfare and safety of residents and that they feel they are in secure environment in Droimnín nursing home. That is very much happening with the HSE in situ operating the nursing home.”
“The situation continues to be actively monitored at senior HSE level with daily oversight and contingency planning in place. The HSE has assured me that it will keep the position under review while engaging with HIQA and other stakeholders on the next steps. Ensuring the welfare and safety of the residents is secured is of the utmost importance, and work to alleviate the concerns of residents, their families and staff is a priority during this difficult time. I know how important this is to Deputy Aird. He knows many of the residents in Droimnín nursing home. I met with the HSE in the days following the HSE taking over the nursing home and discussed clearly the procedure that we are putting in place. As the Deputy said, it has moved to put a range of measures in place in terms of the welfare and safety of residents.”
“The HSE has put an interim management and clinical governance structure in place, including the appointment of a person in charge, supported by senior operational and clinical teams. Arrangements are in place to ensure appropriate staffing, payroll and clinical oversight. Following the HSE intervention, the 39 residents have benefitted from consultant geriatrician reviews and individual GP correspondence, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and tissue viability nursing input, and access to education and training programmes for staff. The HSE’s intervention is solely focused on protecting residents in Droimnín nursing home and ensuring continuity of safe, appropriate care. Residents in Droimnín nursing home remain in place and are being cared for in a safe, supportive environment.”
“HIQA inspections in April and September 2025 identified significant and persistent non-compliance across a range of regulations with issues identified pertaining to governance and management, staffing and training, care planning and healthcare and residents’ rights and complaints procedures. HIQA subsequently sought cancellation of the centre’s registration, leading to the court direction requiring HSE intervention. At the time, the HSE assumed control, there were 39 residents living in Droimnín nursing home. We must ensure that the highest standards of care are provided to all nursing home residents and ensure they are maintained in a safe and secure environment. Their safety and well-being are of paramount concern.”
“I thank Deputy Aird for raising this very important matter. On Wednesday, 4 February 2026, following an application by HIQA under section 59 of the Health Act 2007, an order was made by Portlaoise District Court cancelling the registration of Droimnín nursing home. The HSE was directed to step in and take over operational control of the centre, acting as the provider of last resort. The focus at this time is to ensure the safety, care and welfare of the residents living in the nursing home while longer-term arrangements are progressed. The Deputy has already alluded to that. Droimnín nursing home is situated in Stradbally, County Laois. The nursing home was registered to accommodate up to 70 residents and to provide long-term, respite and step-down care.”
“I think she will agree that we wish to see the additional day care centre service for people in Macroom operational to complement the other supports available in the local area. I will come back to the Senator on the specific proposal.”
“I again thank Senator Lynch for raising this issue. The Government’s objective to support older people to live well with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Providing the supports of home care, day care and meals on wheels, including dementia-specific supports, is a key factor in supporting people to age well in their own homes. Day centres like this proposal for Macroom are a crucial part of social provision in our communities. They are an invaluable resource to help older people in our communities to maintain their health and independence. I will personally follow up with the HSE on the day care centre for Macroom and revert to the Senator on the specific matters she raised.”
“We will continue to engage with the HSE to get the day care centre in Macroom, which will be part of the revamped health centre at Macroom hospital, progressed as quickly as possible for people in Macroom and surrounding areas.”
“On completion of the tender process, the HSE will be able to provide estimated timelines for the completion of this day centre for Macroom. The development of the day centre in Macroom will add to and complement the network of social support services that is already available for older people in the Macroom area. This includes Macroom Senior Citizens, Sullane Haven, Aghinagh Active Retirement Group, Coachford Active Retirement Association, Ballincollig Men's Shed and Ballincollig Senior Citizens Club. I am not sure of the correct pronunciation of "Sullane" and "Aghinagh". It is important to get the pronunciation right. I expect the new day centre in Macroom to be a very welcome addition to the range of health services in the area and I look forward to its completion. I have followed up with the HSE on the particular matter.”
“The HSE reports that, as of quarter 2 of 2025, there were 313 HSE and HSE-funded day centres operating across the country, providing community-based support to approximately 15,600 older people. An additional €500,000 has been provided in budget 2026 to address cost pressures and enhance day care services. The HSE has advised that it intends to use part of the revamped health centre building at Macroom hospital to establish a day centre for older people from Macroom and the surrounding areas. Senator Lynch has alluded to this. At present, the project is awaiting the allocation of capital funding. Once the capital funding allocation is in place, the HSE will progress the planning for this project to the tender phase.”
“I thank Senator Lynch for raising this important issue. It is a key priority for the Government to increase access to services that help older people to remain independent and live in their own homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible. Alongside home support, meals on wheels and similar services, day centres are an essential support for older people, particularly in rural communities. They provide invaluable assistance, minor treatments, advice and social interaction for older people who may, for any number of reasons, be experiencing isolation and loneliness. Day centres may be HSE-run services, HSE-funded voluntary services or privately operated and funded services.”
“Iran knows what to do to improve relations. We remain ready, both nationally and with our EU partners, to ensure that diplomatic channels with Iran remain open, as there remain many issues for which we need to find negotiated solutions. Dialogue is the only way to achieve this. I hope the Iranian authorities will seize the opportunity for meaningful dialogue to address the legitimate concerns of the international community.”
“Again, I thank the Senator for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Helen McEntee. Ireland supported the decision to designate Iran's IRGC as a terrorist organisation in response to its role in the violent attacks on street protestors. The final enactment of this designation should be completed in only a few weeks. Implementation of this measure will be done in the same way as existing sanctions. Many members of the IRGC are already subject to these restrictions under other EU sanctions regimes. Designation of the IRGC may well negatively impact on EU-Iran relations and our bilateral relations. However, a clear political statement was needed in response to the IRGC's brutal involvement in the repression of Iranian citizens, both during the protests and for many decades.”
“We intend to maintain relations with Iran, including resident embassies in both capitals, and to use these channels and other forums, such as the UN Human Rights Council, to press our concerns upon Iran on these issues of concern to encourage those who oppose repression and violence. Ireland will continue to monitor the situation in Iran. We call for the end of further violence and the full restoration of communication services. The Government will remain in close co-ordination with our EU partners on this issue.”