Results 1-20 of 515 for long speaker:Thomas Pringle

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: I thank the Chair for the opportunity to contribute to this social welfare Bill. I welcome the introduction of a pay-related jobseeker's benefit, which is long overdue. However, the Bill missed the opportunity to also address the extremely low rate of illness benefit. It is my understanding that under the new system, those who lose their job will now be entitled to a maximum rate of...

Neutrality and the Triple Lock: Motion [Private Members] (29 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...this. We should not take direction from Europe, which has no interest in peace or progress and only wishes to conform to German and French military policy. We have nothing to add to military policy or might; what we have is a long-standing and well-respected neutral stance over the years and an honourable role we could and should expand on. Our focus should be on creating links between...

Local Authority Housing Maintenance and Repair: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...to address that in any way. I have been contacted by many constituents living in social housing that is not fit-for-purpose, with some living in horrendous conditions. Many are forced to wait long periods before the council is able to fix the problems or find suitable alternatives. In Donegal, this is made even harder by the fact that hundreds of houses across the county are affected by...

Business Support Package: Statements (Resumed) (23 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...online and these need to be targeted. Remote working has the ability to improve access to work for those who face obstacles in taking up employment, such as people with disabilities, those with long-term health conditions and those from rural communities. Remote working has significantly improved the lives of many in the west of Ireland. It has allowed many of my constituents in...

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: .... When nursing homes in communities close, there is a significant impact on the residents who live in the centre, their loved ones and those who are in the process of making the decision to move to a long-term care facility. The report also showed that private providers owned and operated 77% of designated centres in Ireland, accounting for 81% of nursing home beds. The HSE only owned...

Road Safety and Maintenance: Motion [Private Members] (15 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...not make sense. Perhaps that, rather than anything else, is the reason there has been such an increase in road traffic accidents and fatalities. Donegal's roads have required significant investment for a long time. Given that the county does not have a rail network and we rely solely on our roads, we should be prioritised for future funding. I urge the Government to ensure our roads...

Challenges Facing the Childcare and Nursing Home Sectors: Motion [Private Members] (9 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...and consultation in what is supposed to be a two-way partnership. The Government needs to start listening to the childcare providers and workers who have been trying to communicate these issues for a long time. If we want a fair and equitable society, we need to ensure that our citizens have access to essential services. These should preferably be State-funded services, but at the very...

Progressing Special Education Provision: Statements (9 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...possibility that planning for the provision of school places would happen at least a couple of years before they are needed. Especially in this day and age, most kids should be known to services long before they need a primary school place and definitely before they need a secondary school place. It amazes me how the system seems to be surprised by children in an area needing supports....

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...It is extremely undemocratic and shows that this Government does not actually care about the needs or wants of the public. This legislation and cultural transformation of the Defence Forces is long overdue. It has been over 20 years since the independent monitoring group was established to oversee the implementation of recommendations from a report detailing the bullying, harassment...

Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...records of this House show that the State knew about it, going back to the 1930s. It was discussed in this House. It was not that the State did not know. The State facilitated it and passed it along to the church to allow it to carry it out because it was easy. The State said it did not have to deal with it but could pass it on to the church to look after. Then the State wrung its...

European Union Migration and Asylum Pact: Motion [Private Members] (1 May 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...motions like this one do. The motion completely ignores the human rights at the centre of this conversation and even worse, seeks to blame them for issues such as housing, issues that were present long before this debate and would still be present if every immigrant left tomorrow. The motion acknowledges strained public services but fails to recognise how many of those services rely...

EU Police Co-operation: Motion (10 Apr 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...third countries.” Yet, instead of tackling the actual issues, the EU has decided to target migrant smuggling, which is merely a result of these issues. This is not only incredibly cruel and inhumane but senseless. As long as these issues remain, migrant smuggling and mass migration will remain. We need to start tackling these issues or, at the very least, stop contributing to...

Ceapachán an Taoisigh agus Ainmniú Chomhaltaí an Rialtais - Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government (9 Apr 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...The one thing about this Government is that it has categorically shown once and for all there is no substantial difference between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. That is something that needed to happen. For too long, the people were conned into thinking there was a difference, and that if they changed the government to one or other of those parties, there would be a change in policy or...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (9 Apr 2024)

Thomas Pringle: 1350. To ask the Minister for Health the number of long-term beds which are open in each of the community hospitals in County Donegal, for each of the years from 2019 to 2024, in tabular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14247/24]

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Mar 2024)

Thomas Pringle: .... We should be acting as a voice of reason and of hope for Africa to ensure African countries can develop and look after their people and work together with their people there. That would go a long way towards preventing what we see constantly now. Rather than being a fortress Europe we should be an open Europe that wants to work and share with the rest of the world and not keep...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Mar 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...service employees, the special scheme of paid leave for employees unfit for work post-Covid 19 infection is due to end on 31 March, as has been outlined earlier. Healthcare workers suffering with long Covid are devastated by this news, as many rely on this support while recovering from an illness they say destroyed their lives. If the normal HSE sick leave scheme was adequate, this...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Hospital Services (29 Feb 2024)

Thomas Pringle: 4. To ask the Minister for Health when the model 3 hospital pilot sites study will commence; how long it will last; how will the results of the study will be assessed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9277/24]

Protection of Employees (Trade Union Subscriptions) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (28 Feb 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...a Bill down. It accepts Bills from other Opposition parties all the time that could be a burden on the State, yet when it suits, it will not be done. Another reason cites policy and constitutional matters along with the potential regulatory impacts, including costs to the Exchequer and businesses - to cite the cost to the Exchequer does not make sense - that require detailed...

Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (27 Feb 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...has been seeking urgent services for her young child for a year and has been waiting for a first appointment with CAMHS for months. It should never be the case that a child is forced to wait this long for a vital service. It should never be the case that parents are left without the option of getting the child the help they need. This can be particularly frustrating for families in...

Healthcare Provision in Rural Communities: Motion [Private Members] (21 Feb 2024)

Thomas Pringle: ...hospital equipped to provide professional services for older people in south Donegal, north Sligo and north Leitrim is certainly welcome and well overdue. Unfortunately, however, there is still a long way to go in addressing the lack of services in Donegal. Hospitals like Killybegs Community Hospital have the potential to provide much-needed community healthcare to rural communities...