Results 121-140 of 1,015,753 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' speaker:Thomas Byrne

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

Simon Harris: The provision of housing is rising in all parts of our country. Government investment in housing is rising in all parts of our country. Decisions we took in Cabinet yesterday to spend more than €300 million of taxpayers' money will help small developers and the local authority in Sligo to build more homes. The investment in the first homes scheme will benefit young people in Sligo....

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)

Holly Cairns: They are not staffed.

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)

Mick Barry: The Taoiseach mentioned Uisce Éireann's new task force, which came about under pressure from below. It is there now, however. It seems to operate in quite a closed and secretive way. I have asked, as have campaigners, that a representative from one of the affected communities be appointed to the task force. We asked that an experienced water worker representative also be appointed to...

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

Simon Harris: The phrase "under pressure from below" is not one I am particularly familiar with. I certainly believe the way to get things done is through engagement. That might be a difference in political ideology. It is important to engage on these matters. The Deputy is a directly elected Member of this House. He is doing his job in engaging on behalf of his constituents. He corresponded with me...

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)

Mary Lou McDonald: The hospital is unsafe. The Taoiseach should acknowledge that.

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

Simon Harris: Hang on a second. Every day, there are many people in that hospital getting very good treatment and there are many incredible people working in it. The Deputy and I have acknowledged that.

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

Mary Lou McDonald: That is not in question.

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

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: We cannot have a conversation on the matter.

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: As I have said, I welcome the opening of the 11 treatment hubs. Care in the community and early intervention are obviously of great importance. I acknowledge that. It is not what I asked the Taoiseach about-----

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

Simon Harris: It is linked.

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)