Seanad debates

Thursday, 20 June 2013

10:30 am

Photo of Denis LandyDenis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Government decision yesterday to retain in State ownership the harvesting rights of Coillte. This is a good decision and it proves that the Government makes decisions on the basis of merit and on the basis of views expressed by others. The Government also confirmed that there will be no fire sale of any State assets. The predators across the globe who were looking at Coillte will be disappointed but the people of Ireland will be very pleased. I am happy that it allays the concerns of the public who use the State forests for recreational purposes. I compliment and congratulate the IMPACT trade union which was to the fore in proving that the sale of this particular State asset was not a viable proposition. It set about acquiring the Bacon report into this whole area which proved categorically that the proper course of action was for the State to retain ownership of the harvesting rights of Coillte.

Yesterday the Alzheimer Society launched its pre-budget submission. Currently there are 41,000 people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and it is anticipated that the number will increase to 67,000 by 2021. I support the society's call that the Government publish the national dementia strategy. This will ensure a timely diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with a view to proper intervention and support for carers who care for sufferers of Alzheimer's disease.

I ask the Leader to intervene with the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Canon, in respect of school transport for children, given the ruling last year that a child had to attend the nearest school to his or her home.

Due to the late notification a number of children throughout the country were unable to change school buses and currently have to be transported to school by their families. I call on the Minister of State, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, to provide for a once-off amnesty for these children. There is proper notification for the start of the 2013 school year, but there was no such proper notification in 2012. Several hundred children are caught in this trap. Senator John Kelly has been championing this cause for a long time and I support him. I ask the Leader to raise this issue with the Minister of State on behalf of the children concerned.

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