Maurice Quinlivan
Limerick City · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“The Kilteragh estate in Dooradoyle, where hundreds of homes are also located, has no bus service. The nearest bus stop is located outside the Crescent Shopping Centre, which is 2 km away. Another area that is lacking a bus service is that which lies between St.”
“In recent years, there have been some improvements on the bus transport in Limerick city, with routes such as the 310 from Annacotty to the city centre being rolled out. These new routes and improvements have to be welcomed, but significant gaps remain in the provision of bus services across Limerick city.”
“We have already seen a four-year delay in the delivery of BusConnects, which has impacted the economic development and liveability of Limerick. When raising the issue of University Hospital Limerick on many occasions, I have spoken about the growing population of Limerick and the wider mid-west region.”
“We have faced major challenges in making the Limerick city centre a liveable and enjoyable place. Efforts have been made to improve the city and make it a more attractive place to visit and enjoy. We have had some great success with the promotion of King John's Castle as a music venue, Thomond Park and the annual Great Limerick Run.”
“As stated, good progress has been made regarding transport in the mid-west, but we still lag way behind other areas across the State. Last year, I published a report on bus infrastructure in areas on the north side of Limerick City.”
“What they have done with the route, with buses coming onto O’Callaghan Avenue from Kileely and then onto the High Road and Thomond at Johnseys shop, is very dangerous. The road has been narrowed so much that buses have to mount the footpaths on both sides. Somebody is going to get seriously injured unless something is done.”
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“Would the Tánaiste live next to one of these voids? I do not expect anyone to have to live next to one. They would not be tolerated in middle class areas across the State but they are put into local authority, working class council estates and often left for years because the council does not have the money to do them up. The Government's plan today does not have any additional money to deal with the voids. It is an average of €11,000. I have spoken to my local authority, which is beyond frustrated because it does not have the money to do it itself. It is the simplest way to put people back into homes.”
“Today, the Government launched its housing plan. To be honest, the failure to date and the failure to mention any additional funding in the plan for voids leaves me with huge concern. I have raised this specific issue on a number of occasions in the Dáil. My council in Limerick is probably one of the better ones in dealing with voids, but it still cannot deal with the voids if it does not have funding to do it. A total of €11,000 on average is allocated per house to do voids up. Many of the houses are over 90 years old and some of them could be 100 years old. They need a lot more than €11,000, so they lie vacant for years. These are not just homes that could be used to house families because when they are boarded up, they become magnets for antisocial behaviour. They lead to criminality and dumping, which often continues for years.”
“Those who have made Ireland their home contribute enormously to our economy and communities. Those who are granted protection must be welcomed, supported and integrated into our communities.”
“The failure of the Government to manage the migration process has led to an erosion of public confidence. This stems from a failure to manage the system but equally a failure to communicate with local communities. This has often being exploited by far-right agitators, often from outside of the State, to spread their fear and message of hate. Their distorted and xenophobic message must always be challenged. Local communities, where they have legitimate concerns, need to be listened to. Our IPAS system must be fair for both our citizens and those seeking international protection. The Ukrainian accommodation recognition payment contributes to the belief that things are not equal. We need an international protection system that is fit for purpose. It is essential we continue to be a welcoming country.”
“There was no plan whatsoever to deal with that projected figure, and we struggled to deal with the half of that number who eventually came to Ireland. Approximately €1.2 billion is being spent on IPAS accommodation, with hundreds of millions of more euro for Ukrainian refugees. A small number of people are getting rich from the Government's dysfunctional approach to accommodation. In one year, two directors of Igo Cafe Limited, an accommodation provider, paid themselves €4.6 million. This is a company that has been one of the largest beneficiaries of State contracts. Between the number of deportation orders signed and the actual numbers of deportation, there is a huge gap. In 2024, there were 2,400 orders with only 156 confirmed deportations. The level of enforcement is not good enough.”
“This is a strength and a measure of our collective humanity. It is strength we cannot afford to lose. The Irish across the centuries have been forced to emigrate. My mother's whole family emigrated. I know the pain of having to say goodbye to loved ones at airport terminals. Like any sovereign state, however, we must manage migration to ensure the process is orderly, rules-based, enforceable and fair. This is something that Government parties have failed to deliver, leaving an immigration process that is an absolute mess. Processing applications and appeals takes too long, deportation orders are not enforced and massive profiteering exists in the provision of inappropriately placed and maintained IPAS centres. In March 2022, the Taoiseach said that as many as 200,000 refugees could arrive from Ukraine.”
“In the summer of 1988, having graduated from third level, like thousands of others, I boarded a plane at Shannon Airport with a tourist visa and headed to New York city. I worked there for 18 months and later returned to Ireland. Unfortunately, due to Government policies at the time, unemployment was rampant. As I was unable to access employment in Ireland, I secured a job in London, where I spent nine years. I was fortunate enough to be able to come home. I am sure there are many more Irish people across the world who would like to return but they see the housing crisis and the ever-rising cost of living as barriers. We must do more to encourage and help them to come home. We in Ireland are a very welcoming and open society that treats those fleeing war and persecution compassionately.”
“Fifty percent of them say they are worried about back-to-school costs, with many relying on loans or savings to purchase essentials. Our Bill provides that only iron-on or sewn-on crests should be required for school attire and that the monopoly in the supply of school uniforms should be ended, allowing parents to purchase required clothing from an expanded number of clothes shops. The Government has failed to address the funding crisis across schools. It did not increase the capitation grant by €75, as recommended by unions and other stakeholders, but by just €50. The burden falls on cash-strapped parents to make up the difference. I ask all Members to support our Bill and provide some alleviation to those families struggling to meet ever-rising school costs.”
“He remarked that he was fortunate to have only one child in the school at the moment, but that child is a growing teenaged boy, so next year, if this Bill is not introduced, the family will face the same costs again. With the cost of everything in the State spiralling out of control, this is just not sustainable for working families anymore. Parents face high uniform costs and not long after their children return to school, they face the so-called voluntary contribution that schools seek. I do not blame the schools for this; they are cash-strapped themselves. I was also contacted this morning by a parent of a child who attends primary school in Sixmilebridge, County Clare. The school, she advised, is holding a fundraiser not for anything new and shiny but just to afford day-to-day costs. Parents are worried.”
“Generally, students wear the uniform four days a week and a school-labelled tracksuit once a week, so parents must buy a tracksuit, at least two school jumpers, two school shirts and two pairs of pants or skirts. A constituent I spoke to who has one child in secondary school in Limerick outlined the amount he had to spend on school uniforms this August. The school opted this year to redesign the school tracksuit, adding more cost for parents. The father I spoke to advised that he had purchased two school uniforms at €31 each and one school tie at €8. He opted to purchase school shirts and grey trousers but not from the recommended provider. He paid €50 for a school tracksuit top and an additional €36 for the school-labelled tracksuit pants. He advised he spent nearly €200 on school attire this year.”
“People across the State have faced successive years of profound financial hardship. In recent years, families have faced significant increases in the cost of the weekly shop, excessive increases in the costs of necessary utilities such as electricity and gas, increases in rent, and – every August – the high cost of returning children to school, with school uniforms being one of the biggest costs. The cost of a uniform is not just once off; it is yearly for most families. Children, particularly teenagers, grow out of their uniforms each summer, requiring further investment by parents. The Irish League of Credit Unions has noted that compared to 2024, costs have increased by €364 for primary students and €169 for secondary students.”
“Will the Taoiseach commit to doing that? The mid-west region has been let down since the reconfiguration in 2008-09 when the emergency departments in Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's hospitals were closed. Unfortunately, people in the region have suffered since then.”
“The Minister for Health is present. On Monday, she opened a 96-bed unit in Limerick, which is very welcome, as it has been long awaited. Unfortunately, it will only be able to play a small part in dealing with the crisis we have in University Hospital Limerick, UHL. The ESRI estimates that we need 600 beds in the region. The UHL group itself tells me that 400 beds are required in the region just to stand still, not taking into account the demographics or any growth in population. The recently released HIQA report had three recommendations. I ask the Government to accept all three of them. The first is extra capacity at UHL. The second is to build an additional site very close to UHL, which would be managed by it. The third one is a model 3 hospital for the mid-west region. We definitely need an answer on the third recommendation.”
“The Government's election promises have been shown to be empty, a mere ruse to attract votes. It was a charade that was abandoned as soon as the votes were counted. The Government acknowledged poverty in the run-up to the election but soon afterwards abandoned those facing it.”
“We urge the Government to take heed of this financial challenge for vulnerable citizens, to introduce a cost-of-living disability payment and to increase social welfare payments for those with a disability by €20. The Government should recognise that budget 2026 will have a devastating impact on people with disabilities and it should act immediately. It should also provide a lump-sum payment that recognises the additional costs that burden those with a disability.”
“Indeed, in real terms, the disability allowance is worth less than it was in 2020. It has always been a financial challenge to live with a disability. Unfortunately, because of the Government's failure, 2026 will be even harder, with an effective €1,400 drop in annual income compared with last year. Last week's budget was a bitter blow to those who live with a disability. Despite the pre-election promises and high-profile confrontations, the Government parties have done virtually nothing. This motion is about providing a level of fairness to those who live with a disability. It is about keeping them out of poverty and deprivation, something that last week's budget absolutely failed to do.”
“Their prebudget briefing contained quotes from services users and included comments about people's families buying their clothes and about people having enough to buy the essentials but having absolutely nothing in the event an emergency comes. Others had to move back home now because they could not afford to keep paying high rent. Those with a disability are already suffering financial hardships. The €10 disability allowance increase in last week's budget will not alleviate any of the financial suffering for those with a disability. This increase does not keep pace with inflation. Even with the cost-of-disability measures, 2024 figures show that one in four recipients remained in poverty. If a council tenant gets a €10 increase, €2 of that will be taken in rent.”
“One of our citizens who is living with a disability said they cannot afford medication the doctor says they cannot need and that they drag out blood tests as long as they can. To hear this in 21st century Ireland is an absolute disgrace. People are already facing a challenge or risking their health because of their financial circumstances. In September, in advance of the budget, I had the pleasure of hosting the Rehab group in Leinster House. Those who spoke on the day were mainly Rehab service users and National Learning Network users. They highlighted the numerous financial challenges faced by those with a disability.”
“I do not have to tell the Minister that people across the State are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. The cost of the weekly shop, the cost of utilities, the cost of rent and the cost of fuel are all rising, with little to no support offered in the most recent budget to alleviate some of these pressures on people. People with a disability have these increases to contend with along with the additional financial cost of disability. The 2021 Indecon report estimated the average cost of living with a disability as being between €9,500 and almost €12,000 per year. The previous cost-of-disability package, which included a €400 lump-sum payment, a €12 increase in the disability allowance and a €250 energy credit, has now been stripped away. Even with these offerings, those living with a disability struggled with their costs.”
“During the summer, I was heartened to hear the Minister for justice say that this service should be expanded across the State. It really is working. Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman told the health committee that over 40 people have avoided arrest by availing of support services. As the Minister of State knows, the emergency department in UHL is the most overcrowded in the State. There are positive things being done that should be retained and expanded. Unfortunately, such positive interventions are often quickly followed by a regressive step. One such regressive step was the announcement in Tuesday's budget of the cuts to transport.”
“There were many false dawns in establishing this team, and the launch date was were pushed back several times. However, it was launched eventually and has become a crucial tool in combating out-of-hours mental health emergencies. For those who are unaware, CAST comprises gardaí, medical professionals and paramedics who assess and respond to mental health issues, particularly out of hours. Between January and May of this year, the team has had over 200 interactions with people. An assessment suggests that 80% of those interactions had an impact on the person in crisis. This project has been a success but it continues to operate on a pilot basis. I urge the Government to ensure that it is maintained and supported through central funding and not funded by already hard-pressed local HSE and Garda.”
“There are also suicide prevention teams such as Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention and Limerick Suicide Watch. These women and men give up their time to walk the city and the banks of the Shannon to offer support and the hand of friendship to anybody who may be considering entering the water in a last desperate act. The Limerick Mental Health Association, which has been in existence for 23 years has done great work in raising awareness of mental health issues and has worked to reduce the stigma associated with the challenges in this regard. I encourage anybody in Limerick to visit its website this week to see all the events that are scheduled to occur. Last October, the Minister of State and I attended the launch of the community access support team, CAST.”
“In Limerick, the CAMHS system is being overwhelmed with referrals. Since 2020, the number of young people waiting more than a year for assessments has increased by 145%. In an area of health where early diagnosis is critical, that is extremely disappointing for these kids and their families. In the absence of available and consistent State support for those in need of mental health supports, volunteers have stepped into the breach. In my home city of Limerick, we are extremely fortunate to have so many volunteers who are ready to assist people. Various groups, run by individuals who give up their free time, have been critical in our efforts to address mental health challenges. I refer to places such as the Haven Hub, where people can walk in and talk to someone who cares and wants to help.”
“As the Minister of State knows, a 2022 report noted that 42.5% of Irish adults met the criteria for at least one mental health condition, while 19% of people have sought professional help to deal with mental health challenges. These are huge numbers and demonstrate how difficult life can be for so many people. One of the most difficult things to do is recognising that something needs to be addressed and then taking the steps to do so. I commend all of those who have taken that brave first step. World Mental Health Day, which falls tomorrow, 10 October, is a day that can be beneficial in raising awareness of mental health issues. Unfortunately, it can often be very difficult for people to access State supports. In recent years, this has particularly impacted young people who have tried to engage CAMHS.”
“As I am running out of time, I would like to finish with a quote from the Parliamentary Budget Office, which published its 2026 flash impact analysis. This examines how announced tax and welfare measures affect households incomes. Among its key findings it noted, "On average, low-, middle- and high-income households face average income losses from Budget 2026." Never has so much been spent to benefit so few.”
“Today, in UHL there were 91 people being treated on trolleys. Almost 19,000 people at UHL have been treated in this way already in 2025, and we have not even reached the core of winter. I remind those on the Government benches that we remain in the housing crisis of their making. This crisis has led to 16,000 plus people including over 5,000 children awaiting State- provided accommodation. Anyone listening to the budget speeches on Tuesday would not have known. Neither Minister mentioned homelessness. Are these people invisible to them? Who was not invisible to them? The landlords and developers. They certainly were heard. Renters got no increase but developers will get a quarter of a billion euro tax cut next year.”
“It could have reduced the cost of childcare to €200 a month, as it promised to do in the election. What has the Government delivered in terms of the dire state of much of our health service? It has delivered maybe 220 beds across the State, with UHL alone needing more than 400. We are not even sure if there are new beds. We have got little detail and details provided were scant. Last week, HIQA published its long-awaited report on the delivery of urgent and emergency health care in the mid-west region. Acknowledging the crisis with capacity we have faced for years in the mid-west region, it made three recommendations. One of these was the delivery of an additional model 3 hospital in the mid-west region. Yesterday's budget offered no comfort that this much-needed hospital would be delivered.”
“It delivered a budget that prompted the Parliamentary Budget Office to note that on average, low-, middle- and high-income households will face average income losses from this budget. Where is the help for workers who struggle with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis in this budget? They got nothing or rather they got another increase in fuel costs, with the latest increase in the carbon tax. The Government could have scrapped the USC for every worker on the first €40,000 people earn, like we would have done. This would have put €746 back into every single worker's pocket. The Government could have delivered an energy credit of €450 at a time when many people are facing double-digit price increases. It could have increased renters' credit, giving them a break.”
“The fingerprints of Fine Gael are all over this budget. From here, it looks like Fianna Fáil has given Fine Gael free rein. Yesterday I looked back over the Fianna Fáil election manifesto, entitled, "Moving Forward. Together.". It contains promise after promise to the electorate. There are promises about addressing the cost-of-living crisis, a promise to reduce energy prices, a promise of progressive tax changes to put money back in workers' pockets. The Government promised to make services, including healthcare, childcare, and education affordable and to reduce the cost of the weekly shop. It seems that promises made by the Government in elections are soon forgotten after the votes are counted. What has the Government delivered? It has delivered a budget that abandoned workers and families.”
“The sports capital grants and other grants have served clubs well, and grassroots funding programmes must be maintained in the upcoming budget. The League of Ireland academies, the large-scale sports infrastructure fund and sports capital grants must be properly funded for the future of grassroots sports. Let us support all these volunteers, who get out and help, do voluntary work, keep all the clubs going and ensure that clubs and societies are funded properly.”
“Since 2023, the numbers attending the home leagues have more than doubled. We must keep participation going beyond the teenage years. I urge the Minister of State to ensure enhanced funding for LSSIF, CSFF and sports capital so that sporting clubs can continue to enhance their facilities and attract more young, and indeed not so young, people back into sport and a lifestyle that benefits them all. I want to mention specifically Madison McGuane from the Lee Estate in Limerick. Madison is just 15 years of age yet she is already standing out. She has been excelling in her debut season at senior level with Treaty United and recently had her superb form recognised by winning the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division player of the month award.”
“They have outlined what they need, namely, 81 new full-time academy jobs, a women's under-15s programme for all clubs, athletic development testing equipment for all clubs, a centralised playing platform to track all League of Ireland academy players and a quality assurance process for all the clubs. Sports can unite people. In some towns it is incredibly important, as a tiny minority seeks to divide us at the moment. In my hometown of Limerick, we have had tremendous growth through sports partnership among young girls in our local clubs. Be it GAA, rugby or soccer, I have seen a huge increase in the number of young girls participating in sports. Our premier division women's team of Treaty United have fought well this year and it has been encouraging to see the growth in their spectators.”
“Under the leadership of Christian Meehan, Ray O'Halloran, Ger Doherty and others, with sports capital assistance from 2024, they recently launched a fantastic new pitch, Bateman Park, which will serve the community for generations to come. Staying with soccer, I urge the Government to ensure funding for League of Ireland academies is included in next week's budget. Such funding is crucial to protect the game in this country and for the enhancement and evolvement of it. League of Ireland clubs have been waiting on Government funding for their academies for some years. A recent audit noted that football academies are lagging significantly behind international competitors in terms of full-time staff and player contact hours, requiring significant investment in infrastructure and personnel to meet the required standards.”
“As we talk about the sporting landscape, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the tragic passing of a well-known Limerick sports fan, Luke Grimes, who passed away in recent days at the tender age of 24. Luke was an infectious personality and a regular attendee at junior soccer matches across Limerick. It was fitting on Sunday that clubs across the county observed a minute's silence in his memory. I extend my sympathies to Derrick, Noreen, his sister Danielle and the rest of his family and friends. Luke's funeral mass takes place tomorrow. May he rest in peace. The sports capital programme, in particular, has been beneficial to sports clubs up and down the country. I can verify that it has been of great benefit to sporting clubs in Limerick, including my local soccer club Ballynanty Rovers.”
“We also need to see the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement and an end to the unconditional and unqualified support of Israel by the EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. Domestically, we must pass the occupied territories Bill without further delay. The Bill must include both trade and services. There is no credible excuse to drag this process out any further. We must enact the Bill as a matter of priority. I hope the Government will keep its election commitment to do so.”
“We have seen a rogue state operate with impunity, yet despite overwhelming firepower, US armaments and political cover, Israel has failed to achieve its stated war aims, including the destruction of Hamas and the release or rescue of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza. I am conscious that as we speak today, Irish citizens, including our Oireachtas colleague Senator Chris Andrews, are participating in a flotilla of humanitarian aid aimed at breaching Israel's blockade of Gaza. I am also conscious of the Israeli naval commando raid on a flotilla in 2010, in which nine activists were murdered by Israeli forces. The European Union needs to do much more to pressurise the rogue state of Israel to end its appalling massacre of the Palestinian population.”
“We have witnessed genocide through the deliberate mass displacement of people and the killing of more than 66,000 people, including 25,000 children, which is an average of 2,750 people every month. The vicious attacks on the Palestinian people have been going on for decades, yet they remain steadfast in their demand for self-determination, including the release of those interned by Israel, which includes the release of Marwan Barghouti, who has been in prison since 2002. It is my sincere hope that a ceasefire can be declared and that the Israeli army halts its daily murder of civilians, as we see on our TV screens every single night. I also hope that the Israeli hostages currently held by a variety of militant groups in Gaza are released unharmed, and that all Palestinian prisoners are returned to their families.”
“Before I start, I extend my solidarity to the people of Palestine at this terrible time for them. What we have witnessed in the Palestinian territories over the past 24 months has been genocide - the wanton destruction of the territories, the murder of men, women and children in the most horrific air and ground attacks, and the blockading of a people. The denial of humanitarian aid to those who need it, including starving people, reminds us of our own Gorta Mór here in 1847. We have seen the denial of journalistic reporting from Palestine and the wide-scale murder of journalists based in Gaza. We have also seen state terrorism inflicted on the most vulnerable population by one of the most advanced military forces, unfortunately supported by America, the world has ever seen.”
“We should also start tomorrow on option C, which is to deliver what everyone says we need, knows we need and will tell you we need, which is a new model 3 hospital in the mid-west region. That is what we need to deal with the issue of capacity. The people of Clare, north Tipperary and Limerick have suffered enough. They have been abandoned for years and years. There is no plan. The Minister of State talked about a second 96-bed unit. At the moment, that is with An Coimisiún Pleanála, so we can imagine when that will be built and when it will have any impact on the situation in UHL. As I said, we are here on 30 September following the worst month ever in the history of the UHL trolley crisis. The Government should be ashamed of itself.”
“The University Limerick Hospitals Group says it needs a minimum of 400 beds to deal with capacity. This does not take into account the factor of population growth, so it will probably need more than that. Today must be remembered as a positive day for the mid-west but the three options that are on the cards need to be taken simultaneously. We need to increase capacity in the hospital. We have to be careful when we talk about increasing capacity because we have a plan to move maternity services across and there is no space to do both. Either we are doing one or the other, and we can do part of this under option A. Option B is for additional capacity near the campus, which I would also support. We can do both and, in fact, we could start them tomorrow.”
“I am conscious that, while we debate tonight, there are 133 people on trolleys in UHL today. When I speak on this issue in the Dáil, I am always mindful of the families who have lost loved ones in UHL due to this issue of excessive overcrowding. Unfortunately, the report has come too late for them. I know the Minister of State is not the Minister for Health or in a health Department, and he probably just read out his response. He has probably never been in University Hospital Limerick in his life. The 96-bed unit will open on Friday for the first 24 patients, followed by 24 on Monday, 24 on Tuesday and 24 on Wednesday. That is welcome, but it will not have a significant impact in the hospital, where senior staff tell me it will reduce by 17 the number of people on trolleys for the day.”
“I have a concern about Government underfunding of the health service capital plan in the national development plan. I am concerned that despite this report and the obvious need for additional services in the mid-west, the Government will not plan to deliver an additional model 3 hospital. UHL desperately needs more capacity and it needs it now. The mistakes made when St. John's, Ennis and Nenagh were downgraded cannot be repeated. I urge the Minister for Health to act urgently in advancing all the options outlined in HIQA's review. This review has provided the clinical underpinning to the solutions offered by my party, Sinn Féin, and healthcare managers in the mid-west. I look forward to discussing this further.”
“The staff do a very good job at the hospital when they can, and I have witnessed this myself on numerous occasions. They do so under very challenging working conditions, where they navigate between trolleys packed together in hospital corridors. Some 2,386 people were treated in these conditions in September alone. This is the highest number of any month ever. It will be part of the Government's legacy. If we are hitting these record numbers in September, many people, including senior medical staff, are seriously concerned about what the winter months will be like for both patients and staff. Today's publication is welcome. It points towards recognition of the problems caused by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments’ failure year after year to take the needed actions when it comes to UHL.”
“Already in 2025, over 18,000 people have been treated on trolleys and in corridors. All 18,000 of these people were deemed in need of a bed. It is worth remembering that they are friends, neighbours and family members. They are people who have been deemed in need of a hospital bed yet no bed is available for them. Last year, a record 23,203 people were treated in this unacceptable manner, and that number will be exceeded in 2025. Indeed, since 2011, when Fine Gael came into government, there has been a more than 500% increase in the number of people being treated on trolleys at UHL. The Taoiseach at the time said he would end the scandal of people on trolleys. The people of Limerick and the wider mid-west deserve much better than they are getting. The staff at the hospital deserve better from Government Departments.”
“The report has verified that the core issue impacting healthcare delivery in the mid-west is inpatient capacity deficit, both in UHL and across the mid-west. It goes on to note that this capacity deficit, coupled with the ever-growing demand for services, presents a risk to patient safety. In the legacy of the inexcusable decision by previous Governments to downgrade the facilities at St. John's, Ennis and Nenagh, this is where we find ourselves. The HIQA report that we are discussing was commissioned by a previous Minister for Health following the inquest into the tragic and untimely death of young Aoife Johnston at UHL. Her tragic death occurred on an evening when the capacity challenges at UHL were evident. Despite her death and the following inquest, these capacity deficits have continued unabated.”
“At the outset, I welcome the publication of the report, one that we in Sinn Féin requested. We have waited a long time for it. I thank HIQA and the ESRI for their diligence in compiling it. The report has presented three options to the health Minister in terms of addressing the capacity at University Hospital Limerick: the expansion of capacity at UHL; extending the UHL campus to include a second site under shared governance; and an additional model 3 hospital in the HSE Mid-West, providing a second emergency department. While I agree the first two options are the quickest in terms of addressing the immediate capacity challenges, I would urge that these be advanced in conjunction with the third option, namely, the development of an additional model 3 hospital in the mid-west region.”
“First, I wish to put on the record my disappointment, to put it mildly, that there is nobody here from the Department of Health. The Minister for Health is not here and neither are any of the junior Ministers. I do not believe they are all abroad. They could be here. They will be here in the morning as well. It shows utter contempt for the people of Limerick. This is an important day, 30 September. It is the end of September, which has been the worst month ever for people on trolleys in University Hospital Limerick since we started counting figures. In my maiden speech in 2016, I spoke about University Hospital Limerick. Here we are again. Today, as the Minister of State will be aware, the HIQA report on emergency healthcare in the mid-west was published.”
“The Department of housing and local government has stated that the funding should be transitioned to a sustainable model under the auspices of the council. With many community groups and leaders, I am worried that the level of funding needed cannot be sustained without Government support. I am putting this on the record of the Dáil today.”
“They offer a wide range of services to users of all ages, from early years education to youth services and an assortment of other benefits, all provided with the needs of the community at the forefront. There is, however, a sense of foreboding in the four Limerick regeneration communities of Moyross, Ballinacurra Weston, St. Mary’s Park and Southill. This is because a crucial part of the Limerick regeneration programme was the economic and social intervention fund, which supported many social, educational and economic initiatives to strengthen local regeneration areas. There are plans to cut this funding from €4 million annually to €500,000 in 2028. There is great concern that many important community initiatives will end due to lack of funding. This should be a wake-up call for the Government.”
“We have communities that rightly feel abandoned and isolated from the rest of society. It is in these circumstances that social enterprises have a critical role to play. One such enterprise group, and there are many more in Limerick, is the Our Lady of Lourdes Community Services group. It provides services and supports to needy people living in the Ballinacurra Weston community and its surrounds. The community is filled with some of the most decent, fun and kind people you would ever know, but it is a community that is socially and economically disadvantaged. The service seeks to help them, and it has become part of the fabric and a place of refuge. It is just one example and there are many more.”