Results 21-40 of 10,279 for speaker:Mary Butler

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (28 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I am deeply concerned to learn that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) had to cancel the registration of Lucan Lodge Nursing Home. This cancellation, which followed concerns for the care and welfare of residents, took effect from 10:00 on 17 May 2024. The HSE has taken interim charge of the nursing home from 10:01 Friday, 17 May 2024. The HSE will act as the interim...

Report of the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Motion (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to update the House on the progress made on supporting the mental health of our children and young people. I thank the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, for its work on the report Mental Health Supports in Schools and Tertiary Education. I especially thank the Cathaoirleach of the committee,...

Report of the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Motion (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I have increased the budget by 33% since I came to this post four years ago and I believe that a report on supports for mental health for students is required so that we can stop the political point scoring. Approximately €146.5 million is being provided to CAMHS this year. In addition, €110 million is provided to community-based mental health organisations and NGOs...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: The Deputy will appreciate that the Minister cannot intervene in matters which the Oireachtas has given An Post a statutory responsibility to fulfil. An Post has an independent board that has a clear mandate. I accept that the Deputy is not happy that the post office is being converted. However, I am thankful that it is not proposed that the post office be closed. I encourage everyone...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for raising this really important issue and I welcome the opportunity to outline the position on the matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. Both the Minister and the Minister of State are aware of the impact that decisions relating to changes in An Post operations have on communities and individuals, in both rural...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Post Office Network (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: -----and it is what they have always done. Losing a post office in a local community is very distressing. Money claimed locally is spent locally. Maybe in 30 or 40-years’ time that whole generation will have passed on and post offices will not be as important. Yet, as Minister of State with responsibility for older people, I can understand how important post offices are to the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Nursing Homes (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this issue. I remain deeply concerned to learn that HIQA had to cancel the registration of Lucan Lodge Nursing Home. The focus at this time is ensuring the welfare of the 70 residents in this private nursing home during this difficult time. Lucan Lodge Nursing Home is situated in a residential area in Lucan. The provider was registered as a designated...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Nursing Homes (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: The Deputy is right that this is a complicated issue. It is an evolving situation. As I mentioned, all options are being explored. I wrote to the HSE last Friday and asked it to explore all options. Regular engagements are taking place between the Department of Health, the HSE and HIQA. Before this nursing home is registered again, only one organisation can register it and it will only...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. When I read the script before coming to the House, I was struck by the fact that not long ago we had a similar discussion about Raphoe counselling services. Thankfully, they have been secured which is a positive outcome. I hope we can provide the same positive...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: To clarify, a temporary location is currently being reviewed for suitability. I cannot be clearer than that. The Department has informed Pobal that if it becomes a feasible option for the service, relocation supports and other accommodations, such as a four-day, 41-week ECCE scheme contract will be supported. As the Deputy said, we all have to acknowledge that not only the children and...

Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2024: First Stage (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: No, it is not opposed.

Emergency Price Controls Bill 2024: First Stage (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: It is not being opposed.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for raising this really important issue. As we know, HIQA had to cancel the registration of Lucan Lodge nursing home last Friday at 10 o'clock in the morning. A minute later, the HSE was on site. The chief inspector of HIQA has taken action to cancel the registration as a care provider because of concerns relating to the supports and care being offered to residents. We...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Meals-on-Wheels Services (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank Senator Wall for raising this issue. It is great to have a Commencement matter like this put down because I can point out what we have done and what we are trying to do to support people who fall outside the areas. It is a key priority for me and the Government to allow more people to engage with services, thereby allowing them to remain independent and able to live in their own...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Meals-on-Wheels Services (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: If they are able to put a business plan in place, could the Senator copy me on it? We are trying to identify areas around the country where people just fall outside coverage. I have spoken to many families. They find that some of the organisations can provide the meals but not delivery in that area, especially for loved ones whose families might have moved abroad or be living in other...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator very much for raising this issue. It is funny - I will not say funny - but I was wondering what the context behind it was when I was reading the response from the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, who is currently attending an Oireachtas committee hearing. He apologises for not being here. I want to thank Niamh and Lorna for raising this with the Senator. This is not lived...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator very much. She raised a very valid point. I was just thinking as to how we could correspond with people who are not in a position to receive material because of sight loss or sight issues. One in seven older people has a challenge with reading and writing. It is something I have been looking at at the moment. It is hard to believe, but there are quite a lot of people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: The audio piece would make a huge difference. I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It is something we will certainly have to pursue.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the planning, design, improvement...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (23 May 2024)

Mary Butler: My understanding is there were issues in relation to judicial review. An Bord Pleanála was involved. The Senator can correct me if I am wrong but that is what I am seeing in front of me. When we go down that line, these things hold up everything. The most important thing is that €500,000 has been made available in 2024 to progress the drainage, pavement and safety works on the...