Linda Nelson Murray
Industrial and Commercial Panel · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Navan hospital always needs to be strengthened, not sidelined. We need investment in that to grow with the population that is growing in Meath, and that Meath people have a hospital that grows with their needs and does not fall behind. I am discussing this with the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.”
“The Irish Cancer Society is in the news today. We met its representatives last week and had a very good engagement over in Buswells Hotel where they were giving us some numbers. I wanted to home in on bowel cancer. There are 2,500 people diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in Ireland.”
“We have had amazing debates in here from all sides of the Chamber. Everybody, without a shadow of a doubt, is a pleasure to work with. We can achieve things together whether we are in opposition or in government. I thank everybody. It is really nice to come in to the Chamber and I look forward to it every Tuesday.”
“I thank everybody in that group, particularly the Senators in this Chamber who worked on the group, because it is a day to be acknowledged. Hopefully, we will see it come through quickly. I want to follow on from that by asking the Leader to speak to the Minister, Deputy Calleary, who is working very hard on a baby loss register.”
“Senator Nicole Ryan and I, with other Senators, including Senators Patricia Stephenson, Tom Clonan and Evanne Ní Chuilinn, and many TDs - it was a complete cross-party Oireachtas group - came together and have been working on how to actually do this over the last year. Today is a very positive day for all of us in our group.”
“It was about a year ago that we had a very emotive debate in the House when Senator Nicole Ryan brought suggestions for a Bill on miscarriage leave. I was on this side of the House. It was very hard to actually be debating it when I think everybody in this House wanted to see something like that happen.”
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“I second my colleague. I met Jordan and Cian yesterday at the start of the Navan run and my goodness, it was such a humbling experience to hear them speak about what is going to lie in their future, what they are doing and the money they have raised. I advise everybody to get out in their counties to meet these two boys when they arrive. They have only done nine counties so far, but Members should make sure they are there when they arrive because it is a very special time. I wish to use the remainder of my time to talk about Navan rail. Meath now has a population of 230,000 according to the last census and I have no doubt but that the figure is much larger than that.”
“It might be a good way of doing something because it is better than doing nothing. I ask the Acting Leader to let the Minister know that all the Senators have mentioned it here in the Seanad over and over again. The Minister is doing a great job in the Department of Transport. The Acting Leader might let him know that I would like to meet him and go through that. I think everybody across the Chamber would like to see more safety outside our rural schools.”
“If we are not going to maintain the safe routes to school programme because of maybe financial pressure in the Department of Transport, would the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, consider maybe preliminary funding for every rural school in the country so they can act and so the councils can actually provide interim supports for the school to let kids go safely? I am definitely going to try to meet him to discuss this. If the Department cannot afford to do the safe routes to school programme for every school in the country, could it provide bollard pencils, red boxes, yellow zig-zag lines, maybe the emoji camera with the with the happy face and sad face and the yellow diamond-shaped sign that lets people know they are approaching a school? Those measures do not cost the hundreds of thousands of euro that the safe routes to school programme costs.”
“Just yesterday morning, I was out with the road safety officer from Meath County Council who did an amazing job in Dunderry National School talking about road safety. In that brilliant presentation, she was encouraging kids to cycle and walk to school. In my head, I was thinking that they will be dead outside if they do that because there is not even a footpath near where the bridge is there. We had a really good discussion with the road safety officer, however, and the council will put in interim traffic calming measures identifying that there is a school nearby, such as the pencils we see instead of bollards outside schools. They are going to put some red boxes and yellow markings near where the ramps are to let motorists know they are coming close to a school. I had a little bit of a lightbulb moment.”
“Over and over in this Chamber, many of the Senators bring up the safe routes to school programme. It is brought up a lot because we all recognise in our communities that we really want to get kids to school safely. Over the past few weeks, I have visited Killyon National School, Dunderry National School, Cannistown National School, Kilmessan National School, Kiltale National School and Kildalkey National School. They all have the same issue. The school authorities are asking how they get the kids more safely to school. There are more trucks and cars on the roads, and many of these schools were built many years ago when there were not nearly as many vehicles. There are narrow roads with no footpaths.”
“The population is expected to go up to 240,000 people in the next two years and possibly to 270,000 people by 2040. Meath is heading towards having a 250,000 people very soon, so a strong, reliable hospital is an absolute must. With Meath's current population now larger than some Irish counties that have far better hospital infrastructure, now is the time to make sure this happens. It has the population of a city but the healthcare infrastructure of a small county, and that gap is no longer acceptable. I welcome everything the Minister is doing but I would also welcome a discussion on Navan hospital here in the Chamber when we can have one.”
“Discussion focused on the rising demand for services across Louth and Meath and the pressures on hospitals in the region. A further meeting is planned, which I am delighted to hear, and I am looking forward to the review on that. Navan hospital still treats a large portion of patients locally, particularly through medical assessment and injury services, and plays a vital role in reducing the pressure on Drogheda. Navan hospital remains a crucial local healthcare facility. It provides local access to care but also has a dedicated workforce, increases in funding and staffing, ongoing infrastructure upgrades and planned expansion of bed capacity. However, although all that sounds great, Meath has a current population of 220,000 people, a 13% increase since 2016, making it one of the fastest growing counties in Ireland.”
“These figures clearly indicate a strengthening of the hospital's operational capacity, and it is good to know that the HSE has put in place a detailed compliance plan addressing the risks identified by HIQA in 2024 and 2025. Improvements have been made in governance, management and clinical environments following inspection. Only a few weeks ago, I had a fall at home and had to attend the minor injuries unit in the hospital. I have nothing but admiration and respect for all the staff there, including Dr. Jamal, for their efficiency and professionalism in looking after me at the time. I also have to mention the phenomenal new rheumatology extension, which has had a positive impact on outpatient clinics. Recently, a meeting was held between the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and senior HSE management.”
“Today, I wish to talk about Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, and its continued future as one of the most important healthcare facilities in County Meath and the wider north east. It is important to mention this because so many people ask me if the hospital is going to close and what will happen to it. Despite ongoing debates, we are going to see continued investment in the hospital, which will only benefit patients and staff alike. Future capital investment for Navan hospital includes a new minor injuries unit and an upgrade to the hospital's power infrastructure. Since 2020, the number of staff has increased by 17.5% and in the same period the budget has increased by 51%. Under the acute hospital bed expansion plan, a total of 46 new and replacement beds will be in by 2031, although most are in now.”
“Safe routes to school programmes should be fully funded, widely implemented and demonstrably effective before any serious consideration is given to removing wardens. Safe routes to school programmes should be available for all schools. I again call for that.”
“While there is no safe routes to school programme at that junction, surely we should not consider taking away the school warden until such time as the safe routes to school programme is reintroduced and the school can apply for it. Removing school wardens before safe routes to school programmes are fully and effectively implemented is not just premature, but potentially dangerous. School wardens perform a role that goes far beyond holding a sign and stopping traffic. They are a visible and human safeguard at some of the most unpredictable points on road networks. They work at crossings near schools where children's behaviour can be impulsive - they can be excited going in and leaving school - and traffic patterns are chaotic. If the goal is for schools to transition towards safer and more sustainable school travel, sequencing matters.”
“I can only imagine what would have happened to a child. That incident happened at lunchtime. The county council has said the junction should not have a school warden. Although I represent Enfield, I am not from the area. Even I can clearly see the junction needs more support for children going in and out of school. Meath County Council outlined that, as each school warden retires or resigns, each location is reviewed. It also said that it was satisfied that the junction was functioning and safe and that no other measures were envisaged. We in this House constantly discuss the safe routes to school programme, and we need to continue to speak about it and how important it is for schools. The school warden was doing an excellent job of getting kids across the road safely.”
“The county council mentioned that school wardens would not continue and that it was satisfied that safe crossing points were provided on the street in the form of traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossings. The reply referred to a table and railing guide to guide pedestrians at the crossing points. However, between 150 and 180 children cross the road and they are used to having a school warden. This particular junction is very busy. Last Friday, I had a clinic in Enfield. When I walked up Main Street, I went to cross over at the junction to go towards St. Mary's Special School. The green man was on the pedestrian crossing and, lo and behold, a bus came straight through the junction. Luckily, I had turned right and did not put a foot onto the road or God knows what would have happened.”
“There are major concerns in Enfield, County Meath, due to the removal of a long-standing school warden from near St. Mary's Primary School. For 32 years, a long-serving warden, who we used to call a lollipop lady, has looked after the children going to and from the school. The position has now been removed. As is completely understandable, community members and local representatives have expressed real concern, citing high traffic volumes during the school run and the risk to children. My office wrote to Meath County Council expressing the concerns of the community of Enfield and we were advised that the current school warden, who operates at the Main Street and Johnstown Road junction, will soon reach the mandatory age of retirement from public service and will not be replaced.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber today. I urge the Minister and the HSE to move from the report and unpause these roles.”
“I was proud that the staff and hospital’s first experience of a student Physician Associate was a positive one. That in my time spent there I could prove our potential and that they were interested in pioneering this role in their hospital model. She continued to document her time during Covid and said: I am extremely proud though that I have been present as a Physician Associate on the frontline. That we have been given the opportunity to pioneer our profession and truly represent our practice as competent generalists throughout this crisis. So far our feedback has been really encouraging and we have all been accepted with open arms as valuable members to the team. That is from a physician associate in Navan hospital. It can be seen how critical it is that we have these roles to help our healthcare system across all our hospitals.”
“I did not know that. It is great to get new information in a Commencement matter reply. It is great that the report will be published on 1 May. I urge the Minister of State to go back to the Minister for Health and let her know that I hope this results in ending the pause on recruitment so that we can keep that worry away from these students. I will finish off by talking about the experience I read of another lady being a medical physician associate in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan. She started on 23 March 2020, a time we all remember. She said: I had completed my Emergency Medicine rotation and then elective placement ... I loved the team and was thrilled to be asked to stay. The hospital even hired 2 others in my class to be Surgical Physician Associates too!”
“We were told that we would see the implementation plan by the end of February and I hope the Minister of State has an answer for me and can tell Emma and other people who are studying for this role that they will see light at the end of the tunnel.”
“The review has been completed and has now been submitted to the Minister for Health. The review makes recommendations with respect to governance and scope of practice. The Minister for Health has requested the HSE to submit an implementation plan by the end of February 2026. Given the commitment to carry out an independent review, the HSE decided to pause the recruitment of Physician Assistants. Following publication of the report, the HSE will work towards the implementation of the recommendations and the establishment of an appropriate HSE grade code for the role. We are at a standstill. We have been putting this in since the beginning of the year.”
“Emma goes on to explain that it is a worrisome time and that she and others do not know what is happening. The pause in recruitment means a pause in their lives with some graduate students currently on jobseeker's benefit and others working in retail. They are a trained Irish workforce that is motivated to work and is looking for help to get that going forward. I put in a representation to the Minister for Health and received an answer from the workforce reform policy unit at Department of Health that read: The HSE committed in the 2025 National Service Plan to undertake an independent assessment of the Physician Assistant role. The HSE commissioned a review of the Physician Assistant role with the aim of making recommendations regarding the governance of the role, scope of practice, and appropriate and safe deployment in Ireland.”
“The problem currently affecting our profession is a pause in recruitment by the HSE while they undertake a review into the profession. The HSE has funded this master’s course for all 26 of its current second year students with an undertaking for us to be employed by the HSE for 3 years after we graduate. The course fees are approx. €24,000 which works out at approx. €600,000 which has been financed by the HSE. There are currently four Physician Associates working within Our Lady's Hospital Navan and I have seen first hand the impact they are having on our local hospital. They facilitate extra clinics; they have added extra surgical lists, and they are a constant member of the team for patients to see every time they revisit the hospital.”
“I will start with Emma's story. She said: Linda, I'm looking for your help as a government representative. I am currently undergoing a 2-year masters in the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland in a new healthcare profession. The profession is called Physician Associate. The role which began in 2016 involves working within the medical team under the supervision of a consultant or GP to diagnose patients, order tests, perform procedures, assist in surgery, and provide continuity of care among many other responsibilities. The role originated in the US and is very well established there now with Physician Associates providing care across all medical specialities. RCSI Physician Associates train to work in the Irish Healthcare System, a system which is falling apart at its seams with overcrowding, unprecedented waiting lists and ill resources.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming in here today. Physician associates in Ireland are healthcare professionals who work under consultant or GP supervision. It was lovely for me to learn about this role because I did not fully understand it until somebody approached me about this. Physician associates support medical teams providing continuity of care by taking patient histories, conducting exams, formulating diagnoses and managing care. They work mainly in hospitals across surgical and medical subspecialities offering a stable presence compared with rotating junior doctors. I did not really understand this role until a lady called Emma came into my office looking for help. I also did not know that our own very valuable hospital in Navan has added physician associate roles as valuable members of its medical team.”
“The UK allows the building of ramps, the widening of passageways and walls, the adaptation of bathrooms, etc., to be VAT exempt. Other works have a VAT rate of 5%. I see this not as a benefit but a necessity, and not as generosity but justice, because no one should be taxed for trying to live safely and independently in their own home. The Minister of State is doing an incredible job. I see it in the work she is doing. I know she totally gets this and that she is putting everything into being a Minister for people with disabilities. This is absolutely obvious to me and, I hope, everyone else, but I ask that in her conversations regarding housing adaptations for disabled people, she consider the points we have raised. People could really do with this.”
“We need to remove VAT on housing adaptations for disabled people, starting with the 8% of people with profound disabilities and working from there. I would also like to examine the number of grants available. A couple earning about €74,000 is only entitled to €12,000 towards building costs. For example, a couple who got married and bought a three-bed semi they lived in a couple of years may then have a child who is profoundly disabled. The couple wants to prepare that house for their child in the future, but €12,000 would not even get a bathroom done and there is VAT on top of that. I appreciate that we are doing amazing work on disabilities, but when it comes to children with complex needs and adjusting homes for them and their families we need to look at the grants and consider a reduced rate of VAT or no VAT rate.”
“She will be asked to pay €76,000 in VAT alone to adapt a house for a profoundly disabled child. That is not right. Families already under pressure must pay thousands of euro simply because the works are deemed taxable. Let us be clear; this is not discretionary spending or renovation for comfort and style. This is essential work and we are taxing it. We are effectively placing a financial penalty on disability. At a time when we are supporting, and want to support, independent living, we are adding costs that make it harder. When people can remain in their homes, it reduces pressure on hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care services. That approach supports families and carers. It prevents delayed discharges and, ultimately, saves the State money. If we are serious about inclusion, dignity and fairness, it is a straightforward step.”
“A sum of €117 million has been allocated to this to allow 13,000 older and disabled people to live independently in their homes. In my county, Meath, about €3.3 million in housing adaptation grants was provided in 2024. About 80% of the funding came from central Government and 20% was funded by the council. Despite this investment, some families are still carrying a significant financial burden because the maximum grant available is €40,000 and it is means-tested. For many households, in particular those on modest incomes, that does not come close to covering the full cost of works, especially when major adaptations like extensions, accessible bathrooms or lifts are required. Crucially, the grant does not cover VAT on the works. I would like us to open a conversation about this. I am dealing with a lady who sent me her bill.”
“It is my time to speak. I appreciate what Senator Clonan spoke about, but now it is my time. I will speak about something that goes right to the heart of fairness, dignity and basic human rights. Many families like Senator Clonan's have a child with profound disabilities and are trying to adapt or build a house or build an extension for that child. As mentioned, over 1.1 million people, or 22% of our population, live with long-term health conditions or disabilities. For many, adapting their home is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity. It is the difference between independence and dependence, safety and daily risk and staying in a home or being forced into care. The State recognises this. That is why we have the housing adaptation grant.”
“I have not heard a Minister say in the House that things are fantastic and great and look for a round of applause or pat on the back. What I saw was a Minister of State who told us about budget increases and what the Government is trying to do to help the situation. Senator Tully, who always speaks very passionately, mentioned that nothing happened in the last budget. We increased the budget for disability by €620 million. That is not nothing. It is not enough. Everything that we are doing is not enough, but we are trying and we have to recognise that.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. Senator Clonan is a great advocate for his son. I cannot imagine walking a day in his footsteps. I cannot imagine walking a day in Tracy Caroll's footsteps or understand what it is like, and I never claimed to know what it is like. I have a friend with two beautiful daughters and I cannot imagine what it is like walking in her shoes or those of the lady whose daughter I helped to get into a residential facility. I will never claim to understand even for a second what the lives of the people who came before the disability matters committee are like. However, I did not hear a Minister come in here and say that everything is awesome. That was inappropriate.”
“I empathise with Senator Flynn completely. She should never have had to face the barrage of comments she did. It is absolutely disgusting. All of her colleagues are around her.”
“Towns like Navan face challenges around late night disorder, loitering and intimidation, and CCTV can help identify repeat offenders. CCTV is a welcome thing, especially for the retail and hospitality industries. People's perception of safety matters as much as actual crime rates. If residents feel unsafe, they avoid certain areas, especially in the evening. Navan is a beautiful town, with many lanes going through it, but people feel very unsafe going through those lanes in particular. CCTV will be a great addition to Navan, but only if we have gardaí there to be able to follow up on the reporting from the CCTV. It is all very welcome having the cameras, but we need the follow-up. I would like assurances from the Minister for justice that the CCTV system in Navan will have backup from An Garda Síochána. For now, I very much welcome it.”
“I am delighted to say that, at the Navan municipal district meeting tomorrow, there will be a briefing on where all of these cameras will go on the map. There are more than 100 of them. Although it has taken many years for this extension, I welcome the significant development that the CCTV cameras across the town of Navan will bring. CCTV in a town like Navan is not just about watching streets. It is about making the town feel safer and more confident and attractive for people to live, work and visit. Visible CCTV cameras can make opportunistic crime far less likely. Things like vandalism, theft and anti-social behaviour are reduced, and when crime does happen, the CCTV provides clear, time-stamped evidence that can be used by An Garda Síochána. With footage, investigations move faster and prosecutions are stronger.”
“I raise the town of Navan and CCTV cameras. The people of Navan deserve to feel safe while walking around the town, but many do not. In my day, I could go to the disco, come out of it at about 2 a.m., and be able to walk home and feel safe. Many people cannot do that these days. We have raised the issue of needing more gardaí in the town and county. Meath has the lowest number of gardaí per capita in the country. We have also been raising the issue of CCTV cameras. Fine Gael councillors, including myself when I was a councillor, and every councillor from every other party are in agreement that more CCTV cameras are desperately needed in Navan. This conversation has been going on for years.”
“Locally, Willow Domestic Abuse Services reported a 22% increase in helpline calls in 2024, with 1,376 calls for help received and 194 women and children stayed in refuge accommodation while hundreds more accessed outreach and core support services. Funding for the women's refuge has been improved and I welcome this major investment. This investment represents not only additional accommodation but a critical response to a growing social need, ensuring that women and children in Meath have access to safety, dignity and specialist support when they need it most. Although this is a wonderful investment, it has never been more important to keep up this investment across County Meath and Ireland.”
“It will include a main building offering day services, counselling and support facilities, together with 12 secure residential accommodation units designed to meet urgent safety needs. It will also include secure parking and a protected residential courtyard featuring a secure sensory garden to create a safe, therapeutic and supportive environment for residents rebuilding their lives after abuse. It comes at a time when domestic abuse services across Ireland are under unprecedented pressure. In 2024, Women's Aid recorded 46,700 disclosures of domestic violence, with 41,000 of those against women and 5,000 of them involving children.”
“I second Senator Kennelly's wonderful idea for an event in recognition of the lovely Jessie Buckley. Allow yourself to bend like a willow in the wind, so that you will not break. A willow tree represents resilience and adapting to the wisdom of life's storms. Last week, I had the honour of going to the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan where Meath Women's Refuge changed its name to Willow Domestic Abuse Services. My council colleagues have approved plans by Meath County Council for a new women's refuge on a 1.3 ha site in Navan. This is a major step forward in addressing domestic abuse and providing vital protection for women and children in Meath. The new refuge will provide a modern, purpose-built facility, delivering essential front-line support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.”
“Children are our precious cargo and our future and we are putting them into piles of junk to get to school. I am sorry; I do not normally use language like that but that is all our school bus is. I never advocate for increasing the cost of anything. A bus ticket costs about €50, which is unbelievable value. However, it is not unbelievable value if the bus keeps breaking down. Where people can afford it, should we try to increase the cost of the ticket, but not by a lot? Would that help to ensure there are more buses on bus routes around the country? As I said, it is very good value. I trust that the Minister of State will bring this matter back to the Minister. Can I be assured that this specific route will be considered favourably for a new bus for the children and for Linda, the bus driver?”
“There have been far more than three incidents between 2025 and 2026. I would be happy to work with the bus driver and produce a proper list for the Department so it can see how bad the situation is. I know there is a rule whereby buses should not be older than 20 years, but they do not need to be that old. We speak about it being hard to recruit bus drivers. We have a precious one called Linda who drives this route, and also gets out of the bus to check the engine. We will not get people like that if we do not give them a good bus. We need newer buses and more mechanics, as the Minister of State acknowledged. I have first-hand experience of this and realise things need to be changed. I specifically ask that the bus route be given one of the new school buses. I also ask for serious investment in school buses.”
“She said Linda, the bus driver, had to get out of the bus to look at the engine and when she came back in, the door was jammed and she could not close it. She had to get all of the children to move to the back of the bus and she drove really slowly the rest of the way home with the door open as it was dangerous. This is like the "Fawlty Towers" of bus routes. I appreciate that the Department is under budgetary constraints, but it is simply not good enough for our kids. I urge the Minister of State to ensure schoolchildren get better quality buses, in particular on the Trim-Kilmessan bus route.”
“How is she expected to get up every morning and do her job? I am very lucky that my kids have the opportunity to get a school bus, but more often than not the bus is broken. It causes stress to parents, to schoolchildren and to Linda, the poor bus driver. Linda makes sure that every child gets on and off the bus and that schoolbags are not forgotten. She ensures children have their football and camogie gear. She is like an extra parent in the mornings and afternoons. I give this recognition to Linda because she deserves it. She is on the Trim-Kilmessan route in County Meath. What Linda deserves is a decent bus. I recorded my daughter, who is ten years of age, describing her journey home from school last June. She said the engine was overheating a lot because of the warm day and the bus kept having to stop.”
“A few days later, we get a text saying, "private bus will cover the school bus run tomorrow" because the bus was broken down. Another message read, "no bus this morning due to dangerous road conditions private bus". It continues and continues. Another read, "no bus this morning it has broken down please take your child to school". Later that day we got a text saying, "I have a bus for the afternoon see you all later". Then again a text reading "I've broken down ....private bus on the way to collect the children". It continues. How is it possible that this is allowed to happen in this day and age? This is just one route. I know about it because it is a route that my children use. How is Linda, our lovely bus driver, expected to drive a bus that continually breaks down and is 20 years old?”
“Another read, "Bus has a breakdown issue if you can pick your child up at school please do". Another message read, "sorry for the late message I've broken down no bus this afternoon". Another read, "I'm very sorry my bus is broken down again this morning". Another text read, "I have broken down bus private bus cover today". Another read, "bus has broken down I may not get back on the road for primary school children". Another message read, "no bus please bring your child to school". A day later, we got a text saying, "private bus will cover the rest of the week". A further text read, "bus has broken down I will have a bus for the afternoon". Another read, "Massive thank you for all the parents help this morning you're all super helpful it's much appreciated".”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss the very important issue of the bus route between Trim and Kilmessan. I will give the Minister of State a small snapshot of the texts I receive as a parent. One message read, "Slight delay this morning due to breakdown private bus on the way". Another read, "Private bus tomorrow thanks". Another text read, "Hi all private bus again tomorrow". Another read, "Hi bus running a little late due to breakdown". On the same day, I got a text saying "I found a bus so see you all tomorrow morning". Another read, "Bus is broken down so delay waiting on private bus to come will be very late". Another message read, "Bus broken down please bring your child to school as we've no spare bus this morning". Another two texts read, "private bus today all".”
“The State pays these entitlements directly through the Social Insurance Fund. The outcome will be that the staff in Linda's Florist would recover much of what they are owed, even though the owner never entered a formal insolvency process. I am delighted this legislation has passed through all the relevant Stages so far and I welcome the legislation coming to the House today.”
“The employees would have been stuck. They could not have claimed unpaid wages from the State because the employer had not legally entered insolvency. They might have lost important holiday pay, unpaid minimum notice and other entitlements that were unpaid. What happens under this Bill, though, is that each employee will send the owner, Linda, a prescribed notice listing money owed, for example, three weeks' pay or holiday pay. If nothing is paid within eight weeks, that person would apply to the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to have the employer deemed insolvent. When the employer is deemed insolvent, employees gain full access to the insolvency payment scheme, which reimburses them for unpaid wages, holiday pay, unpaid minimum notice and pension arrears up to €600 per week.”
“It addresses historical entitlements not previously covered, rectifying a 40-year gap in Irish law in the protection of employees. It establishes a legal mechanism for employees to seek financial redress if their employer ceases trading, thereby enhancing their rights and protections. This legislation is crucial for safeguarding employee rights and ensuring they receive the benefits they are owed in the event of the employer's insolvency. I will give an example. We have Linda's Florist, a small flower shop employing four staff that suddenly shuts because Linda, the owner, becomes seriously ill and cannot continue operating. The owner never formally goes into liquidation; she simply locks the shop and stops trading. In a situation like this, what would have happened under the old system without this Bill?”
“I thank the Minister of State for being here today. Sometimes when we get opening speeches, I find them hard to follow and understand. The Minister of State's opening statement very much explained what we are talking about today in an informative way for businesses and employees. Rather than going through a lot of what was said, I will set out a few points myself. The Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025 is important because it provides greater protection for employees in the event of their employer's insolvency, ensuring they can access pay-related entitlements. It amends the insolvency payments scheme, as the Minister of State mentioned, allowing employees to claim for arrears of wages, holiday pay and other entitlements owed by insolvent employers.”
“Ultimately, reducing online harms requires not only regulation and digital literacy but meaningful investment in offline alternatives like youth centres, arts spaces, libraries and other community facilities so that young people have real-world places to go to. As Senator Clifford-Lee said, we were brought up in the age of television and there might have been a bit of Space Invaders on the Atari, but young people are exposed to so much more now. They need real-world places to belong, connect and thrive. As one young person said, we might have to sometimes be brave enough to switch the screens off in order to switch ourselves back on, to disconnect in order to reconnect.”
“Youth work contributes to online safety in three key ways, providing education and guidance to help young people to navigate the digital world confidently and critically, offering responsive support when online harm or abuse occurs and creating save online environments that foster connection, resilience and well-being. The approach to online safety must be grounded in children's rights and reflect young people's lived realities. Online platforms should be safe by design and by default, not as an afterthought, with primary responsibility placed on technology companies and regulators to uphold safety standards. The online health task force reports are welcome. They recognise the importance of youth spaces and recommend stronger investment and cross-departmental co-ordination.”