Results 1-20 of 2,208 for speaker:Mary Butler in 'Dáil debates'

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...

Neighbour Disputes (Vegetation) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I will keep it brief because I would only be reiterating what was said already. I am grateful for the opportunity to make some brief closing remarks on what has been a fascinating discussion. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for initiating this Bill and the effort to address an issue that can become both serious and distressing for some in our communities, where they are in dispute with their...

Neighbour Disputes (Vegetation) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 May 2024)

Mary Butler: No.

Neighbour Disputes (Vegetation) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I am pleased to attend the debate to set out the Government's position on the Bill. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for initiating the Bill, which is an effort to address the difficult matter of disputes that arise between neighbours over vegetation causing a nuisance. The Bill provides for mediation on neighbour disputes and formal adjudication, if necessary, by adjudication officers...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (16 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising this important issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, has been delayed. I was on standby to take this and I was under the impression that the Minister of State would be here. I have taken note of the issues raised by the Deputy and I hope the script will be able to provide some of the answers. From the outset I want to clarify that the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Bus Services (16 May 2024)

Mary Butler: In fairness to the Deputy - and I believe the Ceann Comhairle will agree - as she had already suspended this particular question, and as I am not in a position to answer fully the Deputy's response, I will ask that one of the officials meet with the Deputy and she can discuss her issues in detail. I will try to organise this for next week. The Deputy has already deferred this Topical Issue...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Urban Development (16 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, an important one to many Deputies living in Dublin and to the general population. Dublin city centre has always been a vibrant destination for the locals, visitors and tourists who come here to enjoy all the wonderful amenities it has to offer. Recently, however, the social and cultural character of the city centre has changed, with increased...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Urban Development (16 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for his input to the debate and the views he has raised. In fairness to the Taoiseach, he was only in his second or third week in the role when he established a task force to take a view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin city centre, both north and south. We can all welcome the focus brought by Government on measures which will hopefully make all the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Guardians Ad Litem (16 May 2024)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputy Flaherty for raising this important issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. I hope the statement I have will answer some of the questions he has raised. The unregulated nature of the provision of guardian ad litem services has been a matter of concern for some time. Currently, guardians ad litem, GALs, are appointed by...