Seán Kyne
Galway West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Yes, there will be public engagement later today and again tomorrow. Residents in the Shantalla area hope to be able to pop in there tomorrow as well, and councillors will be engaging. I will certainly pass on the Minister's strong view on pushing on with a decision on the transfer of land in relation to the helipad project.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. Certainly, the appointment of the design team is hugely welcome and a positive step. She will be aware of the Mater Hospital during the Covid pandemic and the 98-bed block that was built in two years. These things can be done where there is urgency.”
“In University Hospital Galway over recent years we have seen investment in a 75-bed en suite ward, a temporary emergency department and the new radiation oncology building, but so much more is needed.”
“Both blocks A and B are primarily bed-based accommodation, supported by well-established HSE guidance and standard approval layouts. Considering the loss of a number of years in Galway, would the Minister see merit in engaging with the Department of public expenditure and reform on fast-tracking these design stages?”
“De réir MARA, má tá daoine ag baint agus ag bailiú feamainne le haghaidh úsáid tráchtála, nó méid mór le haghaidh úsáid pearsanta, ní mór dóibh iarratas a dhéanamh ar cheadúnas úsáide ó MARA. Tá na rudaí seo fíorthábhachtach. Níl sé soiléir céard atá ag teastáil ó bhainteoirí feamainne.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I welcome the fact that he expects the MPPS to be brought to the Government in the coming weeks. May I assume, therefore, that MARA is not granting licences pending the MPPS? Is that in abeyance? Is there a formal process?”
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Every one of 1,542 lines we hold for Seán Kyne, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 28 of 31.
“Senator Scahill raised the cap on Dublin Airport. I do not have an answer on that. I suggest he raises the matter in a Commencement debate. We would like to see continued growth in the other airports, not just in Dublin. There are wonderful airports in Shannon, Ireland West Airport Knock, Cork and Kerry that have international flights. There are many airports along the west coast. We want to see Dublin grow but we want other areas to grow as well. It is a real issue. If we reduce the number of visitors it will have an impact across the country. I also congratulate Lisa and Aoife O'Rourke on their successes. Senator Keogan called for a debate with the Minister for children on Tusla and child protection. I will follow that up again. Senator O'Reilly raised school bus criteria. It is a real issue.”
“People have still to get their phones back seven or eight weeks later. The work is ongoing. There are Oireachtas lines available to assist people in getting answers. Staff are doing the best they can but there are not enough of them. That is the crux of this important issue. I will seek a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, whom I think is now in charge of that area. Senator Craughwell inquired about the local community safety partnerships. I do not have an answer for him on that issue. There were pilot schemes in Longford, Waterford and Dublin's inner city. Appointments were made to the office of safety partnerships. The Senator is correct that there has been an absence of a structure since the JPCs ended. I will try to get an update on when they will be up and running across the country.”
“It is important to make that point. The Minister, Deputy Heydon, will be in the House tomorrow to discuss matters and there will be an opportunity to raise it with him. I will flag it in advance with him as well. Senator Duffy rightly talked about Eir and issues pertaining to it. Eir has gone through a lot of changes in the past 20 years or so. I cannot say that things have improved. I do not think Eir has the necessary staff. It has good staff on the ground who are doing their best but I do not think the numbers are sufficient. Eir did not do what the ESB did, which was to bring back retired staff, including recently retired staff, following the damage evident after the storms. There are still trees down on lines. Even in Galway city, a tree was still down on a line in Bushy Park in Ballagh. There are ongoing issues.”
“There is significant employment potential in the area when it proceeds. He also talked about CCTV and antisocial behaviour. There were stumbling blocks to the use of CCTV for many years but those have been rectified. We hope to see the roll-out of CCTV in many areas and that the data collected can be used. As far as I know, that has been sorted. Senator Brady raised the suspension of the Stena Line and its importance to the live export trade. It is important in ensuring we have a proper baseline for beef prices in this country. We have seen the strength of the live trade in recent years. It has contributed to reductions in the herd and to an improvement in prices at marts and factories, as can be seen weekly. It is an important issue. Calves are now valuable, which is a good thing. A valuable calf is one that is well treated.”
“There is no doubt that the €12 million concerned could be spent in Donegal, Connemara or different parts of the county. The scheme is always oversubscribed. Funding has increased. Issues were raised by Councillor Tommy Griffin in Kerry last year regarding the value for money of some schemes and whether some counties are able to get more done than others for the same money. There are a lot of issues with the scheme. It is a worthy scheme. Since the former Minister, Michael Ring, reopened the scheme, funding has increased every year. We need to see that funding increase continue. It is an important issue and I will request that the Minister, Dara Calleary, come to the House to discuss the matter. Senator Kennelly welcomed the LNG planning permission in Tarbert. This 600 MW power plant is something that has been discussed for a long time.”
“Obviously, there are costs for any of these things, but what cost for a life or somebody being maimed and hospitalised or suffering an amputation following an accident? As the Senator, who is a former councillor, knows, low-cost accident schemes have been in place. There is always an issue in terms of funding, but it is money very well spent. I will again request a debate with the Minister for Transport on these matters. Senator Boyhan spoke about the Shannonside Foods plant. The Minister, Deputy Heydon, will come before the House tomorrow to discuss related issues and there may be an opportunity for the Senator to raise the matter. He may also raise the matter in a Commencement debate. Senator Manus Boyle spoke about the local improvement scheme. It is an issue in every county.”
“I advise her to submit a request for a Commencement debate on the matter to get a formal response. I will raise the matter with the Department. Senator Linda Nelson Murray referred to the important issue of speed. When we knock on someone's door, whether canvassing outside of an election period or otherwise, it is one of the main issues people raise. They refer to the speed of cars, speed going through villages, speed outside people's houses and red lights being broken. Once upon a time, people were advised that if the light was amber and they could not stop safely, they could proceed, but it now seems to be the case that when a light turns red, two or three cars pass. That seems to be a common occurrence.”
“We as a nation are extremely concerned about the situation in the West Bank, where Israel has conducted the single longest operation over 20 years. More than 40,000 people have been displaced as a result, combined with unprecedented levels of violence and record levels of settlement construction. There is a huge risk of destabilisation. A lot of very important contributions have been made about people starving, genocide and human rights abuses. As I said, I have made a request to the Tánaiste in person to come to the House. He is obviously very willing to do so, subject to getting the diary sorted on that. Senator Murphy O'Mahony referred to returning emigrants and American people coming here for work and business. She made a valid point regarding reciprocal driving tests.”
“He will be in Lebanon next week, but we hope to have him before the House the week after that to talk about the ongoing situation in Gaza. My words will not mean a lot, but I know the Government condemns Israel's overnight air strike on Gaza and other actions which have resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths over the past couple of days. I call on all parties to respect the ceasefire and hostage release deal, for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the deal. All parties should implement their commitments in full. The remaining hostages should be released. There needs to be an immediate resumption of humanitarian aid at scale to the people of Gaza.”
“I have put in a request to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, on that matter. I will see what can be done. There is good news in the EPA report on water quality in some of our rivers. We have seen, over recent years, a reduction in fertiliser use, better management of fertilisers and a reduction in the national herd, which has helped in that regard. The Senator is correct; there is a particular issue in the south east, which is more intensive in terms of tillage, and we want to see improvement in water courses across all parts of our country. Senators Black, Andrews, Stephenson and Higgins raised the ongoing tragedy in Gaza. I have made a number of requests of the Tánaiste to come to the House for a debate. I spoke to him at lunchtime.”
“Senator Tully referred to some Garda stations having fewer gardaí at the end of 2024 than at the start and highlighted Cavan Garda station. Changes have been made to the recruitment process, although we lost some time with the closure of Templemore. The Minister at the time, Deputy McEntee, made changes that have increased the numbers applying for An Garda Síochána, so we will see increased roll-out. Obviously, where gardaí are deployed is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. They are put in areas where there is most need, not just where there is a growing population but where there are threats to public safety and so on. We will keep an eye on that in terms of a debate in the future. Senator Noonan has called for a debate on the Climate Change Advisory Council's report.”
“Senator Ahearn talked about the temporary accommodation measures and host families of Ukrainians. I know he has a keen interest in matters concerning Ukraine, having visited there and having raised this on numerous occasions over recent years. I am pleased that there will be a motion before the House next Thursday, 27 March, in respect of the extension of the temporary accommodation measures, which run out on 31 March. Senator Clonan talked about the Shannon report and the need for voices of survivors to be heard. He called for a public inquiry. I will ask the Minister if he will come into the House. The Senator may wish to put down a Commencement matter on that specific issue, as he will receive a direct response.”
“I thank all the Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin started off and referred to St. Patrick's Day, as did Senator McCarthy. A number of Senators referred to volunteerism in their local parades as well. I compliment the Taoiseach on the visit in Washington and on dealing with President Trump as he did. Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about a visitor that President Trump had on St. Patrick's Day. Obviously, that is his own business but, as Senator Tully said, there are lots of other people who would be more worthy of an audience in the White House on St. Patrick's Day than said individual. I join Senator O'Loughlin in standing with victims of sexual violence. She also spoke about the number of recruits to An Garda Síochána and called for a debate on juvenile crime. I will raise this with the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan.”
“Tá an pholasaí sin suimiúil. Tá go leor rudaí molta ag eagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus eagraíochtaí oideachais. Caithfimid na rudaí sin a chur i bhfeidhm. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Caithfimid leanúint ar aghaidh leis na rudaí tábhachtacha seo ar son na Gaeilge. Is gá dúinn na polasaithe cearta a chur i bhfeidhm ar son mhuintir na Gaeltachta agus lucht na Gaeilge.”
“Labhraíonn siad faoin mhúinteoireacht, mar shampla agus iad ag maíomh go mbeadh soláthair mhúinteoirí agus tacaíocht do mhúinteoirí san áireamh sa pholasaí. Dar leo, tá sé tábhachtach go gcuirfí tacaíochtaí agus acmhainní na Roinne ar fáil i gcomhar leis na hinstitiúidí oiliúna tosaigh múinteoirí agus soláthróirí oiliúna eile le cinntiú go bhfuil dóthain múinteoirí cumasacha agus cáilithe ar fáil chun an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh mar ábhar agus chun ábhair eile a mhúineadh trí mheán na Gaeilge i scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge. Cé go bhfuil cumas teanga ag leibhéal B2.2 luaite faoi láthair mar bhunriachtanas do dhaoine atá ag iarraidh cláru leis an gComhairle Múinteoireachta mar mhúinteoirí Gaeilge ag leibhéal na hiarbhunscoile, ní mór an riachtanas seo a sháineadh i measc na scileanna éagsúla teanga agus é seo chur i bhfeidhm i mbealach críochnúil.”
“Teastaíonn infheistíocht trasna na Gaeltachta agus teastaíonn comhoibriú idir an comhairle chontae, an t-údarás agus Uisce Éireann. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go leanaimid ar aghaidh leis an obair sin in áiteanna eile, cosúil leis an Tulach ina bhfuil TG4 lonnaithe. Tá a lán rudaí sna háiteanna seo - scoileanna, séipéil, tithíocht shóisialta, tithíocht do dhaoine aosta agus eástáit tionsclaíochta agus forbartha - ach níl scéimeanna séarachais acu. Chabródh scéimeanna den chineál seo leis an mbunphrionsabal atá i gceist agam; sé sin, go bhfuil seirbhísí bunúsacha de dhíth chun na tithe atá ag teastáil a thógáil. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil polasaí don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais ón oideachas luath-óige go dtí an tríú leibhéal foilsithe ag a lán grúpaí, ina measc Gael Linn, Gaeloideachas, Conradh na Gaeilge, an ASTI, Údarás na Gaeltachta.”
“Le déanaí tá scéimeanna nua ar an Spidéal, in Uachtar Ard, ar an gClochán, in Áth Cinn, san Fhairche, ar an Líonán, i Leitir Fraic, i mBaile Chlár na Gaillimhe, in Milltown, i gCinn Mhara agus in áiteanna eile. Teastaíonn níos mó. Tá a fhios againn go bhfuil pleananna acu i gCloch na Rón agus ar an gCeathrú Rua ach níl an suíomh feiliúnach. Níl siad in ann aon dul chun cinn a dhéanamh mar gheall nach bhfuil an suíomh atá ainmhithe acu feiliúnach chun scéim séarachais a thógáil. Cruthaíonn sé fadhbanna don phríomhbhaile i gcroílár Ghaeltacht Chonamara nuair nach bhfuil daoine in ann tithe a thógáil. Is rud bunúsach é seo agus muid ag plé ceisteanna tithíochta agus ag iarraidh deiseanna a thabhairt do dhaoine tithe a cheannach ar phraghas réasúnta nó tithíocht shóisialta a fháil.”
“Pléadh an cheist seo ag cruinniú leis an bpríomhfheidhmeannach de Chomhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe agus na feidhmeannaigh sinsearacha i rith an tseachtain. Bhí mé ar líne ach bhí mé i láthair ag an gcruinniú, agus mhol mé go mba cheart cruinniú a eagrú idir an t-údarás agus Uisce Éireann maidir le seirbhísí uisce agus séarachais. Is bunrud é chun tithe a thógáil go mbeadh an t-infreastruchtúr ann. Le 15 nó 20 bliain anuas tá dul chun cinn suntasach déanta i nGaillimh maidir le cúrsaí séarachais. Tá a lán scéimeanna séarachais oscailte anois i nGaillimh i gcomparáid le 2004 nuair a chuaigh mé isteach ar an gcomhairle chontae don chéad uair. Ag an am sin, fuair muid liosta mór de chuile áit i nGaillimh nach raibh seirbhís séarachais aige, ach bhí beagnach chuile áit ar an liosta. Tá dul chun cinn déanta ó shin.”
“Tá ról ag Údarás na Gaeltachta sa chlár Rialtais maidir le cúrsaí tithíochta, agus cuirim fáilte roimh sin. Bhí sé i manifestos Fhine Gael agus Fhianna Fáil agus tháinig an dá ceann le chéile sa chlár Rialtas a fhoilsíodh. Tá an t-údarás ar an talamh, mar a deirtear, sna Gaeltachtaí. Tá oifigigh agus feidhmeannaigh de chuid an údaráis ag obair ar son muintir na Gaeltachta chuile lá. Tá taithí ag an údarás ag tógáil infreastruchtúr mhór cosúil le fiontar tráchtála. I dtuairim an tAire Stáit nó an tAire sinsireach, cén sórt ról a bheidh ag an t-údarás i gcúrsaí tithíochta? An mbeidh ról díreach aige? An mbeidh sé sásta an ról a fhágáil don chomhairle chontae ach go mbeidh comhoibriú idir an dá eagraíocht, nó an mbeidh sé ag tógáil tithe do chainteoirí Gaeilge é féin? Sin iad na ceisteanna tábhachtacha.”
“Bhí mé i láthair ag an gcruinniú sin agus bhí slua maith ann, idir daoine óga is daoine áitiúla, agus polaiteoirí áitiúla freisin. De réir na bhfigiúirí ón stiúrthóir pleanála i gComhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe, tá an ráta d’iarratais pleanála atá ceadaithe an-ard, thart ar 85%. Tá sé sin go maith. Ar an talamh, áfach, go mór mór i gConamara, bíonn fadhbanna maidir le hiarratais pleanála atá diúltaithe faoi dhó nó faoi thrí. Níl treoirlínte pleanála nua faoin tuath againn. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil sé clúdaithe sa chlár Rialtais go mbeidh treoirlínte nua don Ghaeltacht, go bhfoilseofar iad i rith an Rialtais seo agus go mbeidh ról díreach ag an Aire sinsearach maidir leis na rialacha sin. Theastógaí go mbeadh ról láidir ag an Aire sinsearach sna rialacha sin agus go mbeadh sé ag plé na ceiste tábhachtaí seo leis an Aire tithíochta.”
“Caithfidh muid déileáil leis sin chomh luath agus is féidir linn. Tá sé ag teastáil go géar. Tá níos lú airgid ag Foras na Gaeilge inniu, timpeall €17 milliún, ná mar a bhí acu in 2002, nuair a thógtar an ráta boilscithe san áireamh. Tá an buiséad corraithe 45% le 20 bliain anuas. Níl sé sin féaráilte ná ar mhaithe le leas na teanga. Maidir le cúrsaí tithíochta agus pleanála sa Ghaeltacht, tréaslaím an obair atá déanta ag an ngrúpa BÁNÚ le bliain go leith anuas. Is grúpa nua é atá ag cur na bhfadhbanna agus na gceisteanna maidir le cúrsaí pleanála agus tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht chun cinn. Bhí cruinniú aige in Indreabhán i gConamara Dé Domhnaigh seo chaite, áit ar pléadh na ceisteanna práinneacha maidir le tithíocht agus pleanáil.”
“Ní raibh muid in ann aon dul chun cinn a dhéanamh dá bharr. Is í tuairim Chonradh na Gaeilge go bhfuil struchtúr maoinithe Fhoras na Gaeilge bríste. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an Rialtas seo sásta an struchtúr a athrú. An gceapann an tAire Stáit go mbeidh an Rialtas in ann chuige? B’fhéidir go mbeidh sé in ann an cheist agus na moltaí sin a chur ar aghaidh chuig an Aire sinsearach. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil chuile dhuine, lena n-airítear an Rialtas, an Roinn, na heagraíochtaí cosúil le Conradh na Gaeilge agus eagraíochtaí eile, ag iarraidh dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar an ábhar seo. Níl sé féaráilte d’Fhoras na Gaeilge mar níl na hacmhainní aige chun a chuid oibre a dhéanamh trasna an oileáin. Teastaíonn athrú ar an struchtúr maidir leis an gcéatadán airgid atá muid ag íoc ar an mbuiséad idir Thuaidh agus Theas.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Is mór an trua nach bhfuil an tAire sinsearach anseo ach tá a fhios agam go rudaí le déanamh aige. Is mór an trua é sin. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an-suim aige sa phost agus ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis, agus leis an Aire Stáit freisin. Ar dtús báire, tá mé fíor-bhuíoch don eagraíocht, Gael Linn, a thug ainmniúchán dom le bheith ina iarrthóir don Seanad ar an bpainéal cultúir agus oideachais. Is í príomhaidhm na heagraíochta sin ná an Ghaeilge agus an oidhreacht a chothú agus a chur chun cinn ar fud na hÉireann i réimse polasaí agus pobail mar theanga bheo. Mar iarAire Stáit na Gaeltachta, tuigim go bhfuil fadhb ollmhór maidir le maoiniú Fhoras na Gaeilge. I mo dara tréimhse mar Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta, bhí an Tionól sa Tuaisceart ar fionraí.”
“I am not sure whether he could comment or engage on that matter or whether it is a question for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. It may be for the latter, notwithstanding the unique position of the Six Counties. Perhaps the Senator could take that up as a Commencement matter. Senator Duffy raised the very important ongoing issue with the defective concrete blocks affected by pyrite and mica. Again, I will ask for an update on this. The Government has committed over €2 billion over its lifetime to deal with this issue. It is a very emotive issue and a very real one that people are living through. There has been some progress. Money is being drawn down, but we need to ensure whatever roadblocks are there are removed in order to try to fast-track matters.”
“I will certainly try to facilitate that with the Minister, Deputy Burke. The Senator raised important issues about the number of tourists who come here. Obviously, we have a great product, but we cannot take things for granted. We must look at availability of accommodation. We cannot get tourists into the country if there is no place for them to stay. That is an issue, as is value for money. Senator Sarah O’Reilly referred to the tragic death of Noah Donohoe. Again, I ask her to raise that directly with the Minister for Justice, perhaps via a Commencement matter. It is a different jurisdiction, because the matter relates to Northern Ireland, which means that the Minister does not have direct responsibility.”
“If, therefore, purchase of land is included in the pot, we would have a greater number. It could be as simple as increasing the funding pot, but, again, there are limitations on all these things. Senator Keogan talked about lis pendens , which puts any third party on notice that there is a pending legal challenge regarding land or property. Again, I am not up to date on that matter and perhaps the Senator could raise it directly via a Commencement matter with the relevant Minister. I am not sure whether it is in the remit of the Minister for Justice or the Minister who has responsibility for Tailte Éireann, namely the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Senator Murphy O’Mahony talked about how west Cork is second to Connemara as the most scenic and beautiful part of our country and asked for statements on tourism.”
“There has been a rule and a principle that the sports capital grant is not to be used to purchase land because once the land is purchased we are then going back to the Department again for the funding for the redevelopment of it. That is not to say it would not be considered, but it would represent sea change in policy. If it was one or the other and there was money to buy the land but no funding to develop it, we have clubs with land they cannot develop. It could be done but it would be a sea change in policy. Perhaps the Senator could raise it as a Commencement matter with the Minister of State with responsibility for sport to see what the view is. It would depend on the funding issue. There has been a policy for the past few years that where sports clubs have valid applications, they have been funded.”
“I will ask for the Minister to come in for statements on domestic violence in order that we might try to tease those matters out. Senator Comyn referred to another very important issue, namely the request for a commission of investigation into Michael Shine and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. She has met some of the victims – and they are victims – and is calling for a full statutory investigation. I will raise that directly with the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan. It is obviously a very important decision and anything like that would have to go from the Minister to Cabinet for approval, but I will certainly raise it with him. Senator Cathal Byrne was talking about the funding of clubs.”
“We would like to see more of that, but I am conscious of the need to ensure delivery. Senator Ruane talked about a very important issue relating to refuges. Someone else raised it yesterday in relation to domestic violence. It is a very important point I would not have considered. I am aware of the issues with refuge spaces and how not all counties have refuges. We need to get on top of that and address the lack of spaces or issues with spaces in the counties that have refuges. However, I had not contemplated the ancillary issue of women who are victims of domestic violence but who also have substance abuse problems, and how they can be denied access and left in a more vulnerable position. That is a very important point.”
“Senator Ahearn talked about the importance of greenways and blueways and the wonderful funding that was announced for a project that will eventually link up the Rock of Cashel, Dungarvan, Youghal and Waterford along one greenway. I have a concern about the pace of delivery of these projects. There are issues in Galway. There is a photo of me from 2014 with the then Minister for Transport where we are on bicycles shaking hands about a project. Nothing has happened in respect of that project since. Announcements are great, but we need to ensure the follow-up is there, the planning permission obtained and the projects progressed. When people see the end product, namely large stretches of greenway and blueway that are useable and available for kids on tricycles, people on bicycles and walkers, elderly and young, it is great.”
“One is the glacial pace, as he put it, of regeneration and the other relates to drug use and Garda deployment. Perhaps he could table a Commencement matter on the regeneration or engage with Dublin City Council. I will follow up with the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, on Garda deployment. That is obviously a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but we are seeing increased numbers of gardaí coming through the training system. Unfortunately, Templemore was closed during Covid. We have seen changes to allow for further recruitment, such as admission up to the age of 50 and later retirement. These changes are to be welcomed.”
“The Senator might put down a Commencement matter or raise the issue with the Minister when we have statements on disability or local authorities. Senator Craughwell again referred to the triple lock. We will have a debate on this matter. The heads of a Bill went to Cabinet, so we will have time over the coming months to fully thrash out this matter. There are different views in this Chamber and across the country. It is important that all facts are presented and thrashed out. A fact is a fact, and you cannot have two versions of the same fact, so either the Security Council has a veto or it does not. Both cannot be right. As a result, we need to ensure the facts are presented by Government and are debated. Senator Andrews talked about the Glover’s Court and O’Carroll Villas flats complexes. He raised two issues.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator Rabbitte talked about the changing places facilities that are being rolled out slowly across the country. There is a new facility in Salthill. I acknowledge Councillor Clodagh Higgins, who spearheaded that project when she was mayor of Galway city a number of years ago. Senator Rabbitte is right about the design and standards. Obviously, the Oireachtas has legislated and there are regulations in place. It is now incumbent on all other bodies to ensure that those designs are followed through and that, more importantly, those facilities are followed through on in order that local authorities can have them in place for adults and children. They have to be usable, available and located in the correct places.”
“The Order of Business is No. 1, Statute Law Revision Bill 2024 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 12.15 p.m.; and No. 2, ráitis maidir le Seachtain na Gaeilge, to be taken at 1 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 1, whichever is the later, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, those of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.”
“They would be small groups of houses, such as eight, ten or 20 units with wraparound services that are not in the middle of nowhere. They need to be close to the shops, church and wherever else people want to go,.the community supports and day care centres. Those models work. I am sure the Minister of State knows of other cases. They are important. They are a great interim solution for people who live at home whose family lives far away and is worried. They can still live at home in a community setting with wraparound supports, where people can visit, the meals on wheels service is available, a nurse can come in and people can have community support. That would be a great initiative. I ask the Minister of State to look at it as something we can work on and deliver.”
“As a former member of the health committee, I know that the licensing of professional home care support providers came before the committee for pre-legislative scrutiny and we want to see that progress in the coming year. I look forward to that. Members raised many common issues, including housing adaptation grants, loneliness, the fair deal scheme and public and private nursing home beds. I mentioned the small community of Clonbur, where there are eight homes behind the old convent, close to amenities. A local group organises it and determines who gets those houses on the basis of who is most deserving. That has been a life-saver for people who were living miles away. One of the initiatives I would like to see is the roll-out of more of those across the country.”
“It happened because of the initiatives of the Government, the cross-party initiatives, the proposals put forward, the committee discussions and the various strategies that are put in place to improve people's lives, including education so that people know what they should be doing, whether they do it or not, to try to live longer, such as giving up smoking. Some 79.5% of Irish residents reported their health is good or very good in a recent survey. That is the highest percentage in the EU. That is again reflective of policy initiatives and strategies that have been put in place. I welcome the Minister of State's commitment to the statutory home care scheme. It is important that it be one of his top priorities.”
“I will not take five minutes. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for being here. I also thank the Minister of State regarding his enthusiasm for the important role he holds. It is important to say that life expectancy figures place Ireland ahead of the EU average reflecting the country's strides in healthcare improvements over successive Governments. That is important, as is the family support many people receive. Ireland has the fifth highest life expectancy in the EU at 82.6 years. That did not happen by accident.”
“We need to look at ring-fenced home care hours and funding for dementia-intensive home care packages and at doubling the funding for dementia day care in the home. Those are commitments under the programme for Government. It was touched on earlier, and is part of the programme for Government, that we will continue to significantly increase the income disregard for carers. I know this is part of a different Minister's role but it is very important. We need to feed into that in the context of how it is going to be rolled out. It is going to happen over the lifetime of the Government and not in one fell swoop. Which citizens or specific cases are going to be prioritised? Will it be our disabled persons, which might be a commonsense place to start? These are questions we need to look at.”
“There is a commitment by the Government and the Minister of State to enact them and I look forward to hearing how he foresees them being enacted, what his priorities are and how the actions, which we all want to see, which will be taken. Dementia is another area that is talked about in the plan, which commits to looking at the establishment of 20 new dementia-specific day care centres. Dementia is a horrible disease and these people are additionally vulnerable. It is important that there be dementia-specific beds and day care centres and, again, in the case of St. Anne's nursing home in Clifden, which I mentioned, there will be dementia beds in that development, which is to be welcomed.”
“For many of these issues over recent years, and certainly from ten years ago up to recently, we could say they were funding related. We did not have the funding to provide sufficient hours or to fast-track the fair deal scheme. Funding is not as much the issue now as are the staffing and the resourcing of the important roles such as carers that are committed to. This motion, on which I compliment my party colleagues in Fine Gael, calls on the Government to do a range of things that are committed to under the programme for Government. This is something that came from our party manifesto and that of Fianna Fáil and the measures are now part of the programme for Government.”
“Anne's nursing home in Clifden, where €35 million is committed and planning permission is granted, which will proceed, but there are also other examples where beds are empty because of staffing issues, whether in Áras Mhic Dara in An Cheathrú Rua, Galway, or other examples. We need to ensure there are adequate public beds and, obviously, private nursing homes have an important part to play as well. There is a worrying trend of local nursing homes closing for various reasons, mostly to do with the funding model for nursing homes, which has long been highlighted by many in their representative bodies. We also need to look at the fair deal scheme, and one of the commitments relates to reducing the timeline for decisions to be made on the scheme.”
“Unfortunately, we have had problems recruiting adequate numbers for the role of care, so we need to improve support for carers and provide caring to encourage people to take up what is one of the most valuable roles, namely, caring for our older or infirm. In many cases, carers are themselves elderly, and in those cases we have to be mindful of the carer's welfare and well-being as well as that of the person being cared for. Unfortunately, however, not everyone can be cared for in the home and, as I said, some older people may make a decision that they want to go to a form of nursing home or assisted living. We need to ensure there are adequate nursing home beds. We can all give examples of State investment, such as in St.”
“There are families where one person is at home and three or four others are in different parts of the country. Some siblings may be abroad. There are also families with an only child. There may be elderly people who were not fortunate enough to have children or made the choice not to have them. There are many different scenarios and types of families out there, but they all deserve to be given the best possible care. Home care hours are important, as I said, and their expansion is important. The enhanced community care programme provides excellent care for older people in the communities. We need increased home care hours in those cases. Carers provide both great support and company for older people.”
“We would also want our parents and loved ones to be able to stay at home. As I said, we need to ensure that the adaptations that local authorities deal with, including ramps, stairlifts, accessible kitchens and showers, and all of those supports, are provided and there is sufficient funding for them. Home care hours are important for people as they become older and less mobile. Everyone's family is different. I have made this point quite often. There are seven of us in my family and we were able to look after our father at home throughout all of his illness until he passed. That was great, because we were able to keep him at home. We had a rota and were able to do what needed to be done, with the great help of our mother and a small amount of home help. Not every family can do that.”
“Perhaps they were without family or moved into the area ten or 15 years previously. They now have a small community. They are near the shops, the church, the pub and wherever else they want to go to socialise, meet people and be part of the community. I am sure there are hundreds of examples of similar initiatives around the country. In order to keep people at home, we must consider a statutory home care scheme to underpin the policy and the desires and needs of older people and their families. There are always examples of people who are quite happy to go into a community setting or become part of an active nursing home or whatever else, but the majority of people want to live in their own homes for as long possible. I would like to stay at home for as long as possible when I get to that stage and I am sure most of us would.”
“Most older people want to live in their own homes for as long as possible. We need to ensure there is a statutory home care scheme for our older citizens. We need to ensure that the resources are put into adaptations for their houses. I know our local authorities do a lot, and we know the demands on the services and grants they provide. We need to ensure that those grants continue to be available. We must also look at examples. I know there are examples in the Minister of State's constituency and region. There are wonderful developments, such as in Clonbur in Galway where there are eight houses behind the old convent. They are in the centre of the town. There are eight homes for elderly people. That has given a new lease of life to people who were isolated.”
“We also appreciate the great work done by many charities advocating for older persons. Molaim daoine aosta sa tír seo, daoine a d'oibrigh go crua thar na blianta chun a chlanna a thógáil agus deiseanna agus acmhainní a thabhairt dá gcuid páistí. Is éard atá ón bhformhór acu ná fanacht ina dteach féin chomh fada agus is féidir. Caithfimid scéim reachtúil cúram baile a chur i bhfeidhm trasna na tíre. Teastaíonn an deontas a mhéadú chun gur féidir athchóiriú a dhéanamh ar a dtithe. Caithfimid breathnú ar scéimeanna sciath-thithíochta in éineacht le seirbhísí lae agus tacaíocht sláinte. Tá cásanna maithe trasna na tíre, mar shampla i nDún Mhuire i mbaile na Fairche i gConamara thuaidh, áit a bhfuil ocht dtithe beaga i lár an bhaile gar do na siopaí, don séipéal agus d'áiseanna sa bhaile.”
“Their efforts have given us the well-educated society we have today, where knowledge is valued by ourselves and the many foreign companies that choose to locate here. Older people have never played such a strong part in our communities. They remain active and healthier for longer. Older people are visible in voluntary groups and activities. They are the backbone of Tidy Towns groups, meals on wheels and, of course, men's and women's sheds. I will compliment the work of a number of organisations that have highlighted the contributions of older people and the challenges they face in the Ireland of today. The Independent Commission on Care for Older People has raised the issues involved and has indicated a number of measures that would improve the lot of older people.”
“The Minister of State is welcome to the Chamber. It goes without saying that older people have made an incredible contribution to this country. The economic and social success of this Republic is due to the major work, sacrifice and care of previous generations. Many of our older citizens were parents in difficult times in the 1950s and 1960s when money was scarce, opportunities were few and emigration was often the only option left. There resulting sadness and separation were features of the rest of the lives of parents and are still felt often. Education was seen as the great saviour and the route out of poverty. The older people of today sacrificed much to give a good education to their children in order to better themselves.”