Nessa Cosgrove
Labour Panel · Labour Party · Ireland
“The Minister of State recognised that there was a grassroots movement and the documentary "Groundswell" captured it. There is also the documentary "Gasland", which was made in America and came out in 2010. We know it is going to come from America. Again, this is the Trojan horse.”
“The amendment defines "fracked gas", which does not appear anywhere in the Bill. This, with amendment No. 13, would make clear that the importation of fracked gas would not be possible under the Bill. LNG particularly when sourced in the US, is usually derived from fracking.”
“I move amendment No. 3: In page 8, after line 39, to insert the following: " "hydraulically fractured gas" means liquefied natural gas, or natural gas in any other form, that has been produced, in whole or in part, by means of hydraulic fracturing within the meaning of section 5A of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960;".…”
“I am sorry but I just do not buy the argument that it is security. A floating LNG storage facility in Qatar was blown up. It is actually more of a risk to our security to have a floating LNG terminal. This whole thing is mad.”
“All of us were probably at the IFA briefing yesterday. When they gave us the briefing document I saw that it was exactly the same as the one last year and I wondered whether it had got anything it looked for. I was told not really, apart perhaps with regard to areas of natural constraint.”
“Historians, no doubt, are going to refer to this legislation in that way, because the reserve is not going to be used solely for emergencies. We are trying to define what an emergency is. There is no definition. Seven years ago, we led the way in the international community by committing to phase out oil and gas exploration.”
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“I welcome the Minister. I commend the Civil Engagement Group on bringing this Bill forward. What they have done is a reflection of the way the Irish public are feeling. As a group, it has used everything in its power to try to stop the genocidal horror that is unfolding in front of our eyes. The Government is way out of step by not listening and doing everything it can to stop the genocidal horror that is happening. We are here today because the number of aircraft permitted to bring military weapons and ammunition through Ireland or on Irish-registered aircraft has hit a 13-year high, with 1,354 flights sanctioned last year. This represents an increase of 14% in weapons flights in a year and a 67% rise since 2016.”
“I know from having been a councillor that the lack of people directly employed to look at small maintenance works means these are often ignored until big grant schemes come into play and then the situation continually gets worse. None of us, in our own homes, would do that and let a problem get worse and worse. There is also a severe lack of funding for housing improvements because the money that comes in from tenancies is often used up and is often the only money they get. I urge the Minister to look at properly resourcing all the local authorities, at least to take care of the stock we have so that people can live in their homes in a comfortable and heated way.”
“If this were a private tenancy, the landlord would quite rightly be issued with an enforcement notice by Sligo County Council and the landlord would be given nine weeks to bring the property up to an acceptable standard, but because it is a council tenancy there is no such recourse. I know this from being a councillor myself. I contacted Sligo County Council to see what could be done. While the staff were understanding of the tenant's situation and empathetic to her needs, they are hampered by two things, the lack of staff directly employed by Sligo County Council and the lack of funds to carry out the necessary remedial works.”
“As Senator Andrews said, people in social housing do not deserve to be treated like second-class citizens. I was contacted last week by a tenant of a local authority home in Sligo. She is a proud person who does not like to complain or ask for help but the situation had become so bad that she felt she had no option but to reach out. Her home is draughty with old timber-framed windows. Having shrunk, the wooden door no longer fits snugly to its frame and there are gaps with the wild Atlantic wind blowing straight in everywhere. This lady’s home is impossible to heat no matter how much money she throws into it.”
“Only this morning, Ocean FM reported on a report from Donegal County Council which identified the need for 430 more social homes in south Donegal alone. A 2023 summary of housing assessments published by the Housing Agency clearly tells us that more people are entitled to social housing. It said that about 40% of people on the housing list are in private rented accommodation and are in receipt of support payments such as HAP. As minimum standards apply to all private rentals, people living in private rentals theoretically receive the protection of the Residential Tenancies Board when it comes to the standard of their housing. However, not all of these standards apply to social homes supplied by approved housing bodies or local authorities, and they should.”
“The Minister is very welcome. I echo what Senators Noonan and Andrews have said. This is not an easy task and we all need the Minister to succeed in his role. The release of the latest record homelessness figures showed that there are 158 adults in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal in emergency accommodation along with 16 families, including 43 children. We have outlined all the problems here and it is clear that the Government’s approach is not working. Surely it is madness for us to continue to pursue a policy direction that is taking us from a housing crisis to a condition of permanent and chronic disaster. The need for social housing is phenomenal. More people are entitled to and seeking social housing than ever.”
“The chart of accounts was introduced without any meaningful consultation with the people who implement it. Many services are struggling to get their chart of accounts done again. I see I am running out of time. I hope the Minister will listen to the Labour Party recommendation to take over the childcare in situ scheme. We will encourage the move towards a fully publicly funded model for early years childcare.”
“They feel the Department of children has no interest in them. Last week, I got a text from a woman saying that early years providers needed to have a real job with real pay, real benefits and with a real structure to ensure they are eligible for a pension when the time comes. This text sums up how many of the providers are feeling. I know the Minister, Deputy Foley, is new to her role but she must have been aware, when she was in the Department of Education, of the destruction to the sector and the loss of goodwill which came about as a result of the introduction of core funding and the imposition of the chart of accounts upon the sector. I do not work in the early years sector but the name "chart of accounts" and the whole process around it have been raised with me as a local representative so many times.”
“A further provider, a young woman, has confirmed her intention to leave the sector and will close her doors in June 2026. This week alone, I have been contacted by two Sligo childcare providers, each running a successful preschool service. I know them personally and can attest to their commitment and the quality of their services. One is an honours graduate with experience of lecturing in early years and both are women with immense knowledge and experience of the sector. Each is desperate to exit her private business in a sector which has become so toxic - though I hate to use the word - to many of its leaders. One has identified that going into the area of special needs is more rewarding both professionally and financially and the other would like the State to acquire her business. The women feel taken for granted.”
“This ongoing lack of respect has led to the various crises that engulf the sector today and will continue to engulf it until a radical and total overhaul of this most important element of our economy is addressed and undertaken. I am talking about the crisis in recruitment and retention of staff, which is fuelled by the crisis in pay and conditions. We have all spoken about this today. I am talking about the shortage of places, particularly for babies - this too has come up loads of times in the debate - and younger children. This crisis is preventing many people, again, chiefly women, from engaging in the workforce. On a single day last June, in Sligo alone five private providers left the sector. One service was taken on by the community, resulting in the net loss of four excellent small service providers.”
“The Minister, Deputy Foley, is very welcome. While the title of this debate is childcare, the preferred title for the sector among early years educators is “early childhood care and education and school-age care”. I know that many educators and their trade union SIPTU have communicated this message to the Department of children on many occasions. The shortening of the title of the debate to childcare can perhaps be seen as indicative of the lack of respect being shown to the sector, which is led by some of the most highly qualified and dedicated women I meet in my day-to-day life. I say "women" because the early years sector is still female dominated, with 98% of those in it women. I am a mother of three children so I have had a lot of interactions with early years educators over the years.”
“All forms of hospitality, including hostels, hotels and Airbnbs, legally must admit guide dogs. This extends to cafés, restaurants, pubs, etc. Sadly, compliance with the legislation does not seem to be observed. Jackie reported to students that she had been refused entry to Sligo University Hospital. The word "humiliation" was used by Sligo barrister and Paralympian Martin Gordon, who was also refused access to a Dublin restaurant in 2023. This kind of discrimination is not okay. The Ursuline College students recommended that we address private bin providers, e-scooters and electric bicycles. The owners of these should be held accountable and training should be provided to all hospitality staff and public service staff.”
“A survey carried out by the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind in December 2023 found that 83% of guide dog owners had had a negative experience while trying to access and participate in services and amenities in the previous 12 months. This is in spite of legislation that allows guide and assistance dogs to enter otherwise restricted spaces. Institutions and businesses throughout our State are subject to the Equal Status Acts. Ireland is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which compels, not requests, services and amenities to make themselves accessible to those requiring the aid of an assistance dog. This includes all forms of public transport, which should be a given, such as planes, trains, trams, ferries and taxis.”
“Last week I was contacted by three second-year students - Dara Flynn, Avie O'Brien and Abbie McMorrow - who attend Ursuline College in Sligo town. Their names are . As part of their CSPE project, under the guidance of their teacher, Regina Grennan, they invited an ambassador for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind to talk to their class and discuss her experiences of navigating Sligo town with her guide dog, Sasha. As well as being an ambassador, Jackie McBrearty is also visually impaired. She spoke with warmth about how her guide dog Sasha had opened up the world to her, allowing her to explore her surroundings in confidence. However, Jackie also made very clear to the students that she faces challenges daily and, most shockingly, discrimination, which is clearly a breach of laws.”
“This raises a wider issue of the many individuals who are working in voluntary and community sectors, that is, sections 39 and 56 workers, who deliver vital public services on behalf of the State but do not enjoy the same employment protection rights. It is not good enough for us to keep talking about this. I urge the Minister for Education to please listen to the people on the ground and ensure that the board of management will engage properly with all the stakeholders. There is a lot of concern and there is cross-party support.”
“Donegal Education Centre needs to stay in Donegal town. The organisation, which is fully funded by the Department of Education, has instructed these six women to move their place of employment to Letterkenny, which is 53 km away. If these six women were treated as public servants, which they are in all but name, they could not be compelled to move their place of work by more than 45 km. The Minister for Education has repeatedly asserted that these six women are not State employees or public servants despite being funded by the State to deliver an important service to others who are directly funded by the State, such as teachers and special needs assistants, and they do not enjoy the protections and employment benefits enjoyed by public service employees.”
“Last week, I raised the proposed move of Donegal Education Centre from Donegal town to Letterkenny. Unfortunately, it looks as though this imminent move is still to happen. I urge the Minister for Education to intervene. Last night, an AGM was held in Donegal town, and the board of management is still refusing to properly engage with public representatives and the six employees, whose jobs will be moved from Donegal town to Letterkenny. The decision to move Donegal Education Centre is important not only for the six women employees, whose whole lives are built around Donegal town, but also for footfall in the town itself. Donegal town, like any other rural town, relies on people coming into it, visitors and people working there to support the local economy. Letterkenny is a much bigger town.”
“Is the Government totally reversing its policy, which was previously stated, to not choose fracked gas? Is that now null and void? Is this the way the condition is now?”
“If we are under threat, I suppose from the Russians targeting our existing pipelines, then surely a floating LNG terminal would be the first thing someone would target. Would it not be better to use these resources to access, store and distribute the limitless and free natural resources we have in wind, solar and wave technology and to invest in the proper and smart electrification of these resources? The Minister of State spoke about an energy reserve. This is where the research is coming in very clearly. It is not a matter of filling the terminal once. LNG needs to be fresh to maintain this. To maintain a seven-day strategic reserve requires six replenishments of the gas per year. I again call on the Minister of State to please try to push this back. This is such a concern.”
“The Minister of State mentioned a temporary gas reserve, energy security and an emergency reserve. In the area I represent in Leitrim, people have been campaigning for this for years. I believe the evidence is very strong. Will the Minister of State ask the Minister what does he mean by "temporary"? How long will it take to build the terminal? It took five years to build a terminal in Poland. If we are actually supposed to reduce our emissions by 2050 how does it make sense? Do we really want to invest this money? We want to move away from fossil fuels but it will take five years to build it. The Minister of State also talked about energy security, a term that is floated all the time.”
“I would like the Minister of State to clearly state if in fact that the Government policy has changed towards the use of LNG, how this will impact on our commit to reduce our carbon footprint by 51% by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050 and if we are to permit the importation of fracked gas, why has this policy changed. I also call for the release of all information, particularly any reports commissioned by the previous Minister, Deputy Ryan, relating to Ireland's future energy needs.”
“We cannot be part of a system that enriches fossil fuel exploitation co-operation at the expense of the health and lives of children in Pennsylvania. The granting of planning permission to Shannon LNG for a 600 MW gas-fired power plant in County Kerry appears to confirm the Government's direction of travel. There is a meeting this afternoon in Buswells Hotel with many environmental groups at 12 p.m.. A total of 12 senior climate academics based in Irish universities wrote to the Taoiseach in February warning of the dangers of LNG. The Minister for the environment appears to be ignoring them and it seems that they are inconvenient voices.”
“The two previous Governments from 2016 to 2024, both of which included Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, either directly or through confidence and supply, have clearly directed the State away from the increased use of fossil fuels and emphatically rejected the use of LNG obtained through fracking. This has appeared to have changed in recent weeks. The Minister for the environment brought a memorandum to Cabinet, which approved a plan to develop a State-led LNG terminal to be based at coastal location. This is quite near the Minister of State's own constituency. It was confirmed that the Minister believes that the legal position is that we cannot distinguish between fracked and non-fracked gas. If that is the case, is it not better to not accept any form of LNG?”
“the Government does not support the commercial import of LNG as the development of the infrastructure for the commercial import of LNG would be inconsistent with the decarbonisation strategy". He went on to say that Ireland's natural gas supply and infrastructure were adequate. He also recognised that a terminal for LNG would theoretically be filled with non-fracked gas. He said there was no Trojan horse. It is not feasible, however, to expect shipments of LNG to not contain fracked gas. What other threats are concealed inside this particular Trojan horse?”
“The 2020 programme for Government, Our Shared Future, stated: "As Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality we do not believe that it makes sense to develop an LNG - gas import terminals importing fracked gas." A moratorium on the construction of any LNG infrastructure followed in 2021 and when the Planning and Development Act made its way through the Oireachtas last year, the Government repeatedly assured us that there were no plans to import fracked gas. In a Dáil debate on 15 October 2024, only less than six months ago, previous environment Minister, Deputy Ryan, said: "The Government policy has not changed ... the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas ...”
“There are communities in parts of the US where fracking is allowed, such as Pennsylvania. This is a high-profile issue. Much higher instances of devastating diseases, such as childhood leukemia, lymphoma, heart, skin and respiratory issues, have been verified. Thanks in part of the tireless work of Country Leitrim-based campaigners and former Fine Gael Sligo-Leitrim TD, Tony McLoughlin, a ban on exploration for the fracking of gas on the Irish land on inshore waters was introduced in 2017.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. In 2021, Ireland banned the importation of fracked gas. The Cabinet decision on Monday, 3 March to procure a State-owned liquified natural gas, LNG, terminal coupled with the granting of planning permission by An Bord Pleanála last week for a 600 MW gas-powered power station indicates a reversal of this policy. Conventional natural gas is damaging to the environment. LNG or as we know it, fracked gas, is particularly and immediately damaging to the local environment. It is known around the world that fracking leads to the contamination of drinking and ground water by both the fracking chemicals and escaping gas. It has been linked to earthquakes, including at least one in Lancashire that contributed to the UK's Government decision to ban fracked gas in 2019.”
“It is an insult to us and an insult to the people who voted for us. On 3 February, the Ceann Comhairle ruled that Government backbenchers cannot pretend to be members of the Opposition in a cynical attempt to avail of Opposition speaking rights. Homeless figures are rising, parents of children with special needs are forced to protest and sleep out overnight outside the gates of Leinster House, and the genocidal horror of Gaza is unfolding in front of our eyes while the Taoiseach continues to have this farcical display in the Lower House and continues on with this masquerade. I ask the Government-supporting Senators to please use whatever influence they have and talk some sense into the Taoiseach and the Government Chief Whip so that we can all get on with the jobs that we are paid to do.”
“On the day that is in it, I wish I did not have to read this but it is the elephant in the room that is preventing us here in the Seanad from fully doing the job we are elected and paid to do. The notion that TDs who negotiated the programme for Government are in opposition and should be allowed speaking time from the Opposition benches is farcical and flies in the face of democracy. It does not just affect the Dáil but it also affects us in the Seanad Chamber. Since I was elected to the Seanad as a first-time Senator at the end of January, we have all been here waiting to form part of committees, which are vital for the role for which we are elected and paid to do. There are committees on public spending, climate, disability, housing, drug use, infrastructure and young people. We are all just waiting and we cannot just ignore it.”
“When this Bill is enacted, it will hopefully ensure that the focus has to stay on the treatment of scoliosis and that there will be a rights-based approach to treatment.”
“I may be moving to the second part of the Bill in this regard. The training, recruitment and retention of appropriate levels of suitably qualified staff have become a matter of obligation for the HSE. The HSE has already conceded this through the formation of a specialist spinal multidisciplinary team for the particular needs of those involved in scoliosis treatment and care. I am glad that the Bill will, in effect, compel the HSE to plan for, staff and maintain this level of staff in the HSE. We have seen in other areas in other public spending Departments that the focus can sometimes be put in jeopardy if areas in the HSE are changing or there are structural changes in the HSE.”
“It is important that the State recognises that resources such as the €19 million allocated to alleviate the suffering of children are correctly and appropriately applied. That funding, no matter how well spent, was asked for and granted specifically to reduce the waiting lists. It is important that there is clarity about where it went and where it was spent. Regardless of whether it was spent on other areas of children's health, it is important that there is clear information about it. It should have been spent on helping to reduce waiting lists. I hope this Bill will ensure that happens. As Senator Clonan said, it can take approximately 250 hours for a qualified nurse to train for spinal damage care and 18 months for a surgeon to complete higher specialist training. This is key.”
“For far too long, hundreds of families living with scoliosis have felt ignored by the State. Despite promises made in, I believe, good faith by the then Minister, now Tánaiste, in 2017, Children's Health Ireland has failed to provide the focus required to address the waiting lists. People, especially children, who have scoliosis deserve to be prioritised. Their unnecessary ongoing suffering and premature deaths cannot be tolerated or allowed to continue. We all know that delaying a required response to any problem does not help matters. The opposite is true. Delays have caused more suffering and we have seen cases where they have resulted in death. I am sure this Bill will be enacted and I have no doubt it will be. We are lucky that we have the Minister at the forefront of this. I know she will support the Bill.”
“The Minister is very welcome. It is good to see a senior Minister here. This is the second time that she has come in, which is appreciated. I commend Senator McDowell and the rest of the Independents on bringing this Bill forward. It is unfortunate that it has to come to this, as Senators have outlined clearly. Well done. It is long overdue. I thank Senator Clonan for outlining what he did. It cannot be easy to stand up in the House and tell a personal story like that. I know how much it has affected him and his son. I thank him for giving that insight to us. Parents have said that scoliosis squeezes the life out of their children as they wait for treatment, be it surgery or not. The issue has come up many times. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment, which I hope will come from this Bill, are important.”
“There are concerns that some email addresses were not fully active at the time. They want to know exactly who the stakeholders were.”
“I thank the Minister of State for her response. I am aware that Fórsa is engaging and that there may be WRC intervention, which is welcome. The bottom line is that Fórsa would like to see a copy of the business plan. I do not think any campaign happens unless there is a reason. There is strong support from all the elected representatives. The move will have an effect on the business in Donegal town and footfall for the local economy there. It is also the case that 95% of the courses are delivered online and, although the move might possibly affect some part-time teachers who are travelling, this does raise questions as to why there is a need to move in the first place. I would still request that the Minister of State see if the business plan, which shows exactly where the consultation was, can be made available.”
“While I am aware the Minister of State has come back saying she is looking into it and that the management committee has put forward a substantial business plan, I am seeking the evidence that is supporting that business plan, to find out whom the consultations were with, as well as more information regarding how this development plan came about.”
“I would like the Minister of State to provide and release information, which would include the business plan, some of the evidence of the consultations which informed this business plan, who the stakeholders were and where they were based, as well as how the information was actually gathered that is trying to inform this plan. I would also love to see the State recognise the fact that if the six female staff employed directly and funded by the Donegal Education Support Centre were seen under the public service agreement, it would be seen as inappropriate for them to move more than 45 km from their workplace, whereas Letterkenny is more than 60 km.”
“Deputy Charles Ward and particularly Councillor Jimmy Brogan in Donegal town have been raising this issue a lot. There is another meeting happening tomorrow night. I would like for the Minister of State to come back with a clear answer. The trade union, Fórsa, is involved and has requested that the Donegal Education Support Centre releases the business plan and evidence of consultation which has informed the move from Donegal town to Letterkenny. To date, however, it is refusing to do this, citing confidential matters.”
“That is great. The Minister of State is welcome again. My Commencement matter is in regard to Donegal Education Support Centre, which provides training and CPD training to primary and post-primary schools for the past 28 years in Donegal town. A total of 95% of classes are delivered online and there are outreach services throughout the country. It employs six female staff who are based in Donegal town. The Donegal Education Support Centre, however, has required that the staff move their place of work to Letterkenny, which is more than 60 km away. This issue has been going on now for a while. The Minister of State has met with a lot of local representatives. I know they have had a meeting here. Senator Manus Boyle has been very supportive in this regard.”
“She is very welcome. My Commencement matter today is on an issue the Minister of State will be very familiar with as she is from our own area. As background for everyone else in the House, Donegal Education Support Centre has been based in Donegal town for 28 years. It offers CPD support for primary and post-primary teachers across County Donegal. Some 95% of its classes are online. It is 100% funded by the Department of Education. The Department and the management committee have been negotiating on proposals to move the centre to Letterkenny. There is a lot of resistance to this proposal, primarily from the six women employed in the centre but also from many local councillors and TDs. I give great credit to Councillor Jimmy Brogan and Deputy Charles Ward for raising this matter.”
“I did a course in Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board in Gaelchultúr last year. There are wonderful opportunities within the public sector. That is where we need to start where people are encouraged to speak, to learn and to feel comfortable using their cúpla focal. Is fearr liom Gaeilge bhriste gan aon Ghaeilge ar chor ar bith. Mar sin, Seachtain na Gaeilge shona daoibh go léir agus bain úsáid as an cúpla focal.”
“Is breá liom a bheith ag caint and exploring the possibilities of expressing thoughts and emotions and it is such a wonderful, poetic and spiritual connection to our language that is often lost because we do not use it enough. Research over many decades has shown that multilingualism is the natural state and that monolingualism is a modern phenomenon that is not holistically beneficial. Multilingualism holds benefits across a range of human experience, psychologically, cognitively, emotionally and, of course, linguistically. An scannán “Kneecap” has shown the potential of what our native language can do and I think that they are making fantastic strides with the language up North. It is important that we learn to express ourselves well and to improve our proficiency. Táim féin ag iarraidh agus ag éirí níos fearr.”
“They are delivering the Welsh language by means of an education strategic plan, expanding social opportunities for people to use the language and increasing awareness of language training opportunities. We should seek to match this and should look at bilingual signage, particularly in the context of road signs, where an Ghaeilge is smaller than an Béarla. It should be the other way around. We need to look down the line at bilingual packaging on all products. I know that is a big ask, but it is something we could do. Seachtain na Gaeilge reminds us of the deep connection between our language and our identity, but we need to move beyond rhetoric. Tá sé an-bhrónach nach bhfuil go leor daoine feeling comfortable á caint.”
“Is breá liom Gaeilge a labhairt ach níl go leor di agam. Gaeilge bhriste is better than no Gaeilge at all. There are practical steps the Government can take. Right now, we need well-resourced community facilities in every town and welcoming open spaces where people can gather to learn and speak the language in cafés and shops. In Cartron, the area where I live, we have set up a grúpa cainte just for our own group, grúpa tosaigh. We started two weeks ago and already the numbers are growing. We are going from focal amháin go Gaeilge líofa. We need to create opportunities for everyone to practise a cúpla focal and we need to look at what our neighbours in Wales did. The Welsh Government set an ambitious goal of 1 million speakers by 2050.”
“The majority of people in Ireland learn Irish for 14 years but sadly do not speak Irish once they finish school. Tá náire ar a lán daoine nach féidir leo Gaeilge flúirseach a labhairt agus mar sin ní labhraíonn siad ar chor ar bith í. Tá go leor daoine cosúil liom. Ní thagaim ón Ghaeltacht. Níor fhreastail mé ar Ghaelscoil ach is breá liom bheith á labhairt. Uaireanta bíonn náire orm. We need to get serious about creating a truly bilingual society. We need action to protect and grow our language. I mo thuairim, Voltaire said that the best is the enemy of the good. Instead of striving for perfection, we should be encouraging the cúpla focal, cosúil liomsa. We should be encouraging Gaeilge bhriste. There is a wonderful expression, "Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí". Ceapaim go moltar daoine a labhraíonn an Ghaeilge, an teanga.”
“Is mór an onóir dom é seasamh anseo inniu sa Seanad ag labhairt ár dteanga dhúchais. Ba mhaith liom buíochas mór a ghabháil le m'athair a thug grá mhór don Ghaeilge dom. Ba mhaith liom Gaeilge líofa a labhairt ach ní féidir liom. Tá mé ag éirí níos fearr agus inniu labhróidh mé as Gaeilge agus as Béarla. Ar dtús, our teanga iontach is a vital part of our cultural identity, not just in Ireland but across Europe. It stands as one of the oldest spoken and literary languages still in use. Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. While more and more young people are embracing Gaeilge and we can see a rise in TG4 and an increase in people, particularly adults, going to the Gaeltacht, very sadly the latest census shows a decline in daily and weekly speakers.”
“Beyond the patent unfairness of this situation, low pay has had a significant negative impact upon family prospects for migrant workers who want to be reunited with their families and on whom the sector is very much dependent. There are glaring differences between private and public sector workers. I urge that the State look towards a fully publicly funded sector with employment opportunities for all working within that sector.”
“Why is there such a difference? Yet again, we see what happens when the State's responsibilities are farmed out to the private sector. Despite commitments made to ensure that home care workers receive a living wage and are paid for mileage and travel time, these rules are regularly flouted. Workers employed directly by the HSE benefit not only from better starting pay of €35,000, as opposed to a minimum annual remuneration rate of €30,000, but also from additional benefits which their counterparts in the private sector do not receive. There is no such thing for private care workers, and often there can be a pay difference of €14,500 between someone at the top of the HSE pay scale and a private sector worker.”
“Feeling useful in and around the home helps to combat loneliness, which has come up a few times today. This in turn improves health outcomes, particularly in terms of longevity and cognitive function. However, unless we meet the basic care needs of individuals, we are not going to be able to meet the needs outlined here. Even Ibec, in its Better Care, Better Business report from February 2024, not only recognised the shortcomings in professional care but also identified some of their causes. In 2024, the HSE employed fewer home care assistants than in 2017 while only 40% of home care hours are directly delivered by the HSE. There are vast differences between rates of direct employment depending on where one lives. In Donegal, 90% are HSE-employed and 10% are in the private sector. In Sligo-Leitrim it is 50:50.”