Results 721-740 of 1,033,518 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:M J Nolan OR speaker:Niamh Smyth) in 'Committee meetings'

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Now we go to a Sinn Féin slot. Deputy Pauline Tully is sharing with six of her colleagues, I think.

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Pauline Tully: I commend the motion and thank People Before Profit and Solidarity for bringing it forward. It is a comprehensive motion and this is a matter that has been discussed time and again here by different groups bringing it forward, yet nothing seems to change and nothing seems to improve. The Government seems to have this approach of reacting to a crisis instead of proactive planning to address...

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

David Cullinane: I commend People Before Profit on tabling this motion and allowing us to have a debate on this important issue. I was first elected to the Seanad in 2011, and one of the earliest debates I took part in was on children's disability services. All the challenges that were outlined in that debate and all the asks that were made of the Government at the time are again contained in this motion...

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Given the importance of the matter being discussed, I considered it appropriate to allow the Minister of State to go over time in order to respond comprehensively.

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: I appreciate that.

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The efforts and programmes the Minister of State spoke about might make some difference. I wish that, instead of me, the parents and teachers of the children in question were here responding to what she said. They are the ones who know how the system is failing their children, despite all the efforts, promises and programmes from the Government. Like Deputy Gino Kenny said, the debates on...

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Mick Barry: I would like to use my time to try to give voice to the rage and heartbreak felt by parents across the country about the situation that the Government has allowed to develop. I will quote people from Cork to whom I have spoken today. Jimmy Lordan, a parent who wants to send his son for an assessment of need, has been told that they will have to wait two to two and half years. He said as...

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies for raising the issues in the motion. At the outset, enabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. Since I was appointed as Minister for special education and inclusion five months ago, I have met children, their parents, teachers, SNAs and special interest groups who have provided me with...

Mental Health Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Question put and agreed to.

Mental Health Bill 2024: Referral to Select Committee (19 Sep 2024)

Mental Health Bill 2024: Referral to Select Committee (19 Sep 2024)

Mary Butler: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Health pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

Mental Health Bill 2024: Referral to Select Committee (19 Sep 2024)

Question put and agreed to.

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Paul Murphy: I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — over 10,000 children are waiting for an Assessment of Need (AON) and 110,000 are awaiting essential therapies; — over 120 children were without a school place at the beginning of September this year, while many more are forced to do a third year in the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme or are in Autism Spectrum...

Disability and Special Needs Provision: Motion [Private Members] (19 Sep 2024)

Gino Kenny: We have had this debate continuously during my time in the House, and I have been a Deputy for eight and a half years. Unfortunately, we will continue to have this debate until the issue is resolved. It has not been resolved by any means. The brutal truth is that more than 120 children had no school place in September. A state providing a child with a school place seems elementary. I...

Mental Health Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputies for their contributions yesterday and today. The statements on the Bill have mostly been productive, positive and have all been in the spirit of seeking to improve our mental health services. I would also like to acknowledge the fact that Deputy Mark Ward sat through every minute of this debate, both last night and today.

Mental Health Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Mark Ward: Thank you.

Mental Health Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Mary Butler: I think that should be acknowledged and I thank him for that. I also want to acknowledge the new interim CEO of Mental Health Reform, who was also present last night and is here today. Deputy Wynne need not have any worries because I engage constantly with Jigsaw and Mental Health Reform, as do my officials. She does not need to have any concerns there. That is ongoing in the Department...

Mental Health Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Violet-Anne Wynne: I pay tribute to Councillor PJ Kelly. Everyone would say he had a mighty way with words. From every political determination, that is something they could at least agree on. I will never forget his words that you may put a gate at Lissycasey because there is nothing else past that in terms of funding and resources from Government. For that, he will always be remembered. I express my...

Mental Health Bill 2024: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2024)

Martin Browne: The fact that this Bill was subject to so much delay and will not be introduced in the lifetime of the Government indicates the lack of urgency the Government ascribes to mental health services. It is a shame that the level of urgency shown in closing inpatient psychiatric beds in Clonmel has not been applied to the review of the Mental Health Bill, but that appears to be the standard...