Results 21-40 of 4,917 for speaker:Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (14 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue in the House today. As the Deputy said, improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. Achieving these goals has been set out in the programme for Government. Progress is being made on a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (14 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Again, on behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Deputy for his commitment, comments and interest in this important issue. Regarding current developments, as mentioned, I understand that the route selection and concept development phase of the project is now taking place, with a number of end-to-end options going through a detailed multicriteria analysis. As stated in the...

Seanad: National Biodiversity Week: Statements (14 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We had four and a half years here. All of us worked together. It was fabulous to learn. I started in the Seanad. Then I was elected to the Dáil and now I am a Minister of State. I am delighted to be sitting here. I have to mention my colleague, Senator Noonan. As everyone will know, we are both from Carlow-Kilkenny.

Seanad: National Biodiversity Week: Statements (14 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Yes. Like other speakers, I pay tribute to the work done by Senator Noonan. It is important to highlight that too. I know the work he has done because I worked with him over the previous few years. I thank him for his work. I also thank Senator Nelson Murray's father-in-law, who was ahead of his time.

Seanad: National Biodiversity Week: Statements (14 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Well done to him. That is how things change. I have to say well done to him as well. Today is a good news story. We have had a very important discussion. I am bringing it to a close. I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to discuss the plans for National Biodiversity Week and to highlight the continued efforts of the NPWS to protect and restore Ireland's biodiversity. I...

Seanad: National Biodiversity Week: Statements (14 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I mentioned Carlow-Kilkenny all of the time when I was here. There will be a focus on bees, pollinators, trees, woodlands, rivers and water quality, etc. The staff at Kilkenny Castle give tips to gardeners on growing wildflowers and supporting pollinators. Walks and other initiatives are important. I could go on all day about places like Altamont Gardens in County Carlow. It is important...

Seanad: Public Health (Restriction on Sale of Stimulant Drinks to Children) Bill 2025: Second Stage (14 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank Senator Keogan for her Private Members' Bill and all the Senators who have spoken. I also welcome our visitors from the Irish Heart Foundation. Their work on this issue and the public health issues relating to obesity and sugar-sweetened drinks is crucial. We have included them in our consultation in the new obesity plan. I thank them. It is very important that they are here...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Strategies (13 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: We are putting a lot of funding into health and well-being and sexual health, which is very important. The strategy in two weeks' time will be really positive. We all know that we need to do more. Supports for the prevention of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and treatment of victims in collaboration with Cuan and the justice sector are part of it too. It also includes further...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Strategies (13 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Deputy for his question and congratulate him on his new appointment as Chair of the health committee. I look forward to working with him and the team. Sexual health is a priority for the Department of Health. The drafting process for the national sexual health strategy commenced in 2023 following a review of the previous strategy. The drafting committee included policy,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Strategies (13 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Deputy. I agree with him, and it is important the stigma is not there. Additional funding of €550,000 was allocated through the budget for 2025 to improve access to HIV PrEP, bringing a total allocation for PrEP to €6.45 million this year. An additional €600,000 has been allocated to support wider access to home STI testing, given increasing demand for the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Levels (13 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent associated health risks, and reduce the overall burden for individuals,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health and Safety (13 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: A key policy objective of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 (Number 12 of 2014) is to protect children and those under 18 years of age from the risk of skin damage, in view of their increased risk of developing skin cancer. Section 4 of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 provides for a prohibition on permitting the use of a sunbed by a person under 18 years of age on a sunbed premises;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive (13 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: Ireland has adopted a whole-of-Government approach to achieving the State’s domestic and international commitments in respect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and becoming more climate resilient, both to 2030 and beyond. The policies and measures which will enable the achievement of these goals are set out in the Climate Action Plan 2025, which places a particular focus on...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (7 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Senator for telling those stories about the families affected by this. I see where she is coming from. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The Minister and I are dedicated to enhancing Ireland's population screening programmes. These play a crucial role in our health services by facilitating early treatment and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (7 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: In summary, I reiterate that the matter of breast density measurements and screening is a complex one without clear scientific consensus on how best to proceed. I welcome the fact that work is due to commence shortly on this consideration. The Senator knows now at least it is being considered. The evidence review for the expansion of the BreastCheck, including potential introduction of a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (7 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I am a big believer in health facilities, care facilities or what we sometimes call injury clinics around the country. I am a big fan of those, in particular in rural areas. They are definitely needed and they are a great way for people to be able to come together in communities and have the services they need. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (7 May 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Senator. I understand the need involved. Even on the basis of the most recent census, we can see the way the population is growing. It is important that we have the services in place. Unfortunately, from time to time, there can be delays within the development of primary care centres. There were a variety of circumstances in this instance, including the withdrawal of the...

Children's Health Ireland: Statements (29 Apr 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I only need five minutes. The Minister should work away.

Children's Health Ireland: Statements (29 Apr 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: I thank the Minister for highlighting the importance of driving reform and improvements in healthcare services for children and young people. We all agree reform is necessary but reform for its own sake is not the goal. What matters is how these changes are experienced by the people who rely on our services every day. I am speaking about children, young people and their families. We owe...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Addiction Treatment Services (29 Apr 2025)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.