Results 1-16 of 16 for at segment:8898751

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: Under the current national planning framework, the Government has committed to achieving a 50-50 split in population growth between the eastern and midlands region and the other two regions, namely the northern and western region and the southern region. However, based on the latest population statistics from the CSO, 55% of population growth has taken place in the eastern and midlands...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. Before I had this role, I used to take Leaders' Questions on an interim basis. On foot of that, I know that this is an issue the Deputy raises on a regular basis. I accept her sincerity and bona fides in respect of this matter. I will begin by pointing to some areas we have made progress on. When we talk about population and where we want...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Marian Harkin: I thank the Taoiseach. He spoke of people wanting to work, study and live in the regions and of winning hearts and minds. What he needs to do is build houses. Stop talking about hearts and minds or community centres here and there, although the latter are welcome and great to see. I am talking about the big-ticket items, and the Taoiseach knows that. I am talking about systemic...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I am a little disappointed with that response. Hearts and minds matter because we live in a democracy. The Deputy can wave her hands at me if she wishes, but I am going to speak for a second and am not going be told to stop talking about certain things. I am going to continue to talk about the fact that this Government has proudly invested in Sligo. From time to time, it might suit others...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I fully acknowledge the need to get from three to 20 beds. That is a statement of fact. It is Government policy. It is in the model of care and other policy documents published by the Government and has been endorsed by the HSE mental health bed capacity review. I outlined that this year the area of priority for additional investment into this area is around some of the youth mental...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: As a result, zero people were waiting for beds yesterday. I needed to say that. The direct answer to the Deputy's question is that we need to get from three to 20 beds. I intend to make more progress on that in the budget. On recruitment, all of this has to be seen in context. Sometimes, the debate in the House is a little skewed. There is not a ban on recruitment to the health...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Mick Barry: Access to safe, clean water and sanitation is a human right. It is a right that has been compromised for thousands of Cork city households. For the best part of two years now, brown and orange, dirty, discoloured water has poured from those taps. Eight days ago, the Tánaiste asked Uisce Éireann for a clear timeline for solving this problem. The public has heard from Uisce...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I very much welcome the Deputy's commitment to investment in our water services. I thank him for raising this important issue in the Dáil, as he did last week. Uisce Éireann is working to address the issue of water supplies in Cork city, which I accept is a real issue. There are approximately 600 km of water mains in Cork city. About 50% to 60% of them are made from cast iron...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I say this respectfully, but it is hard for me to answer the question if, when I use a number or statistic in answering, the Deputy just tells me I am not listening or asks me not to quote statistics at her. When she quotes statistics at me, I reply. When she asks a question, I endeavour to answer. I made the point that context is important. It is important for people in Limerick who are...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I am sorry; I am trying to be helpful. There have been a number of very difficult issues. One of these is before an inquest which neither I nor the Deputy wish to cut across at this point, although we will both have plenty to say when it ends, as is appropriate. However, I accept that there is a need to do a great deal more in Limerick. I am telling the Deputy that I am specifically...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Holly Cairns: For years now I have been raising the issue of specialist treatment for eating disorders. The news that no new inpatient beds for adults with eating disorders have opened should be surprising but, given all of the broken promises and missed deadlines over the years, how could anyone be surprised? We should be, however. We should be shocked at the lack of urgency, the level of mismanagement...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cairns for raising this issue. I acknowledge that it is an issue she quite rightly raises on a regular basis. I assure her that I wish to show commitment to enhancing specialist services for eating disorders, including improved access and shorter waiting lists. I accept that this is an issue in every community across Ireland. I also agree that there has historically been a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Holly Cairns: -----but we are missing the target in that area too. Some 16 treatment hubs should have been opened by 2023. Treatment remains a postcode lottery. It is not just adult services that are at breaking point but also those for adolescents. In some areas, 45% of beds are empty. According to the Psychiatric Nurses Association, the HSE's recruitment embargo is the reason for that. There are...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Mary Lou McDonald: Tá fáilte romhat, a Edwin. I am not used to seeing you in this setting, but you are very welcome. I am sure we all agree on that. Over the last few days people have listened in horror to the testimony presented at the inquest into the death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston. Aoife died in University Hospital Limerick on 17 December 2022. The inquest is ongoing and we await its...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. I thank her for raising this very important issue. I join the Ceann Comhairle and the Deputy in welcoming Speaker Poots to Dáil Éireann. It is great to have you here and everyone in this House looks forward to working with you and colleagues and counterparts in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive. I thank...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Mary Lou McDonald: The facts as they present on the ground are that the emergency department is not safe. People do not believe the hospital is safe, and that is a major problem. The panels have been established. Additional staff are needed, as are additional hospital beds. We have to start from a position of acceptance. The Taoiseach can quote whatever figures he wishes. We could go into the history...