Results 1-20 of 2,627 for speaker:Noel Grealish

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I thank the Deputy. In my opening statement I focused on the specific issues she raised concerning the National Ambulance Service station in Drogheda and the status of the rapid response vehicles at the station. I will now speak more generally about the National Ambulance Service's urgent and emergency ambulance performance and reiterate this Government's continued investment in this...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Attendance (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I thank the Senator for her passionate plea this morning on this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy McEntee. Reduced school days, RSD, is a transitionary arrangement which should only be put in place in exceptional circumstances and for very limited and time-bound circumstances and only with the consent of the parent or the guardian. It is designed to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Attendance (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I thank Senator Flynn for what she said and I hope her message will get back to the Minister. I thank her for raising the matter and giving me the opportunity to assure the House that the Department of Education, TESS and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I have been asked by the Minister for Health to respond on the Senator's Commencement matter this morning. I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address the House on hospital provision in the mid-west region. The mid-west currently has one model 4 hospital, namely, University Hospital Limerick, and three model 2 hospitals. In 2013 the smaller hospitals framework defined the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: The people of the mid-west region deserve access to responsive and safe urgent and emergency care. The Government is delivering improvements through a combination of increased capacity and reform. These reforms are seeking to increase acute capacity and, where appropriate, divert people away from the emergency department to more suitable services. Overall, 572 new inpatient beds will be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Promotion (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I thank Senator Kennelly and I have been asked by the Minister for Health to respond to his Commencement matter. I thank him for facilitating this opportunity to discuss this important matter of cardiac screening for young athletes. Ireland has very robust procedures in place for the introduction of new screening programmes. Any proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Promotion (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I am only here delivering the reply from the Minister but, as an avid GAA man myself, unfortunately I have come across these cases. I came across a case where a young person collapsed on the pitch and the ambulance could not even get in with how the barrier came across at the gate. It was terrible to see what happened that day. I agree with the Senator and I hope the Minister and the...

Seanad: Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024: Second Stage (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: Cash payment has an important role in society and it is essential it remains readily available. Immediately prior to the pandemic, just under €20 billion was withdrawn annually from ATMs in the State. While this declined to approximately €12.8 billion in 2024, cash still has a role in our society and economy. It is important to consumers in all walks of life because it is a...

Seanad: Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024: Second Stage (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I thank Senators for their warm welcome. I was in the House yesterday and am here again today so I hope it will be my last time today to come in. I am covering for the Department of Finance. I thank the Senators for their constructive engagement and support of this important legislation. As I set out in my opening remarks, the purpose of this Bill is to put in place a framework in order...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service (30 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: On behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, I thank Deputy Byrne for raising these important issues. The Government continues to prioritise increased investment in the National Ambulance Service with an allocation of €285 million in 2025. Investment this year includes €8 million for new service developments to deliver 180 additional posts. This will help...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Care Services (29 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I thank Senator Clonan for raising this issue. As he knows, I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Health. I also welcome Louise, Caitlin's mom, to the Visitors Gallery. The Senator has raised a very important issue. I will read the statement given to me by the Minister. The Government considers matters of safeguarding to be of paramount importance and values and appreciates people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Care Services (29 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I realise the passion with which the Senator raises this issue, which is serious for the people involved. I will give the Senator one assurance, that what he has raised here today will be brought to the attention of the Minister. I will do it personally to ensure all proper procedures are put in place to ensure the issue the Senator raised will not happen again and this case is dealt within...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bus Éireann (29 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I thank the Senator for his very kind words. I look forward to working with him over the next four and a half to five years, I hope. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education. As the Senator is aware, the school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, more than...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bus Éireann (29 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I do not. I spoke to the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, about this when I saw the notice of Commencement matters. I will raise it in every avenue I can. We will hopefully see light to it. I think people can drive an ordinary bus until the age of 90 in the private sector, but not for Bus Éireann. Talking to the Senator, he mentioned that there is a completely different system in...

Tariffs: Statements (9 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to speak on this matter, especially in the context of my role as the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for new markets and food promotion. Ireland and the US have a significant and mutually beneficial economic relationship. Within this context, the US is a key market for the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services (8 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: This is my first day as Minister of State in this Chamber. I thank the Senator for his warm welcome and also for the congratulations on the Galway win. I congratulate him on a great win in London also. It is leading up to a great challenge on Sunday week. I am sure I will see him in Pearse Stadium. I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services (8 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I thank the Senator for raising the issue. I am sure the Minister for Health will be agreeable to meeting with the Senator and to discuss the matter further. As TDs and Senators, parents always come to us regarding the oral hygiene of students, particularly those going to the national schools and secondary schools and those who use medical cards. It is important we can try to progress and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Horticulture Sector (2 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: It is important to note that my officials participated in the European Commission high-level wine group last year. This group was established to develop policy recommendations to address issues in the European wine sector. While primarily aimed at reducing burdens currently impacting larger wine-producing countries, the final recommendations document produced by the group also recognised...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Horticulture Sector (2 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: One of the first meetings I had when I was appointed was with Bord Bia. I was very impressed with the organisation. It has 14 offices around the world. We export to 114 countries and many of those exports are drinks that are produced in Ireland. If we can promote the wine industry here, I am sure Bord Bia will be delighted to do so. I will be happy to work with Deputy Byrne to ensure...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Horticulture Sector (2 Apr 2025)

Noel Grealish: I thank Deputy Byrne for submitting this question. The Department operates a number of schemes in the horticulture sector. They may be availed of by wine producers in the context of the grape-growing aspect of their production. The two schemes are the scheme for investment aid for innovation and diversification in horticulture, which supports feasibility and desk studies, and the scheme of...