Results 1-20 of 9,656 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will raise the specific issue the Deputy raised with the Minister. The information I have here in relation to the two schemes - the sheep and beef sectors - is that the Minister secured a further €50 million for those two national schemes in budget 2026. The Department has met with the farming organisations regarding those schemes. I will go back to the Minister and get him to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the Deputy's question and the opportunity to set out the significant funding that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has delivered and continues to deliver in terms of payment schemes for the beef and sheep sectors. Payment schemes for the beef and sheep sector can be divided into two types. First, there are national schemes. In 2025 there are two such schemes...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Facilities (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Deputy Gannon. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan. The Department of Education and Youth and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, are aware of the recent issues raised by the school to which the Deputy refers. Both Department and NCSE officials are engaging with the school directly to address the concerns raised. A...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Facilities (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: As previously stated, both the Department and NCSE officials are engaging directly with the school in relation to the recent concerns raised by the school. There has been an online meeting and a school visit is planned to involve the NCSE, NEPS, and the inspectorate. I cannot stress enough that any school that has a concern regarding the provision of supports available for students with...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Helen McEntee, who is unavailable. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. It gives me an opportunity to discuss the current position with Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola. The Deputy will be aware that the school is a DEIS post-primary school in Falcarragh, County Donegal, and the school had...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy McEntee. As I have stated, my understanding is those applications from Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola for additional accommodation are being considered. The school will be contacted directly once a decision is made. I assure the Deputy that the Department of Education and Youth will advance this matter as quickly as possible and it is very...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will raise the issue as well with the Minister for Health. The Department of Health encourages regional teams to explore service models that reflect the realities in their communities. It is important that the regions learn from one another and that they share best practices. Such work can then inform broader strategies for improving care in remote areas right across the country. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am taking this question on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The Minister and the Government continue to make progress in improving access to meet the health needs of rural and remote communities. Sláintecare is the roadmap for reform of our healthcare system. A key milestone is the organisation of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: At the end of September 2025 the whole-time equivalent posts for the Cork area was 308.77. Of those, 234.73 were filled and there were a further 32.42 post holders on various types of leave.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. He is not disputing the figures. These are the figures that were supplied to me and they include, as he has outlined as well, those who are on various types of leave. Across the board we are engaging in recruitment campaigns. Student placements within our CDNTs continue to be expanded because we want to encourage those on placements within in our teams, so they will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: On the Deputy's last point, that is exactly what we are doing. I am not disputing the fact we absolutely need to increase recruitment. There is a huge amount of work happening. In budget 2026 €8 million has been secured to allow for the funding of 150 staff for our CDNTs and the configuration of these posts is under review by the HSE. That expands on the funding of €2.85...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Disability Services (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Government and I recognise the importance of early intervention for children with disabilities and of ensuring they receive the right services at the right time. For children with complex needs, these services are delivered through the CDNTs across the country. In 2025, the CDNTs will provide supports and services to almost 45,000 children with complex needs. This is an increase of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: Well done, a Cheann Comhairle.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Patient Transport (6 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: While day service funding does not include transport, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and taxis, and some service...

Seanad: National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030: Statements (4 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank all the Senators for their contributions to this discussion. As the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, I have witnessed at first hand the passion, dedication and commitment that disabled people bring to advocating for a more inclusive Ireland, and for continually highlighting the need to provide more and better services. The Government and I are very conscious...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Departmental Funding (4 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disability Services (4 Nov 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disability Services (22 Oct 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: The HSE provides specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services, and people with intellectual disabilities would form the majority of service users who are supported by these services. While day service funding does not include transport, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Health Services (21 Oct 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Disability Services (21 Oct 2025)

Hildegarde Naughton: As set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to the expansion of services for people with disabilities. In support of this, Budget 2026 has provided €3.8 billion for the delivery of disability services, in partnership with the HSE. This represents an almost 20% increase in funding year on year. HSE-funded day programmes for people with intellectual...