Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for raising many important issues. Obviously, the area of health and disability has dominated this morning, with Senators Mark Daly, James Reilly, Victor Boyhan, John Dolan, Máire Devine, Rose Conway-Walsh, Martin Conway, Brian Ó Domhnaill and Colm Burke raising the matter.

With regard to the news item last night, those of us who were involved in the disability sector will recognise that what is happening in this case is incorrect, wrong, morally reprehensible and should not be happening. I have asked the Minister to come back to Senator John Dolan and Mark Daly on the matter.

The issue of home care packages is important, as are the points made by Senator Colm Burke on the fact we have an aging population. In the area of disability, particularly in terms of congregated settings, there are profound emerging needs and, as people get older, those needs become more complex. That needs to be reflected in the overall health budget. Equally, as we would all agree and as Senator Máire Devine said, it is not a political issue; it is about ensuring there is a sequence and a continuation of policy through a cross-departmental approach, whether in terms of social protection, housing, health or education. This means we can ensure, as we move towards congregated settings, that there is support in the community and that people are looked after and receive home care, respite care and personal support hours. It is important, as we move into the community, that we recognise the health budget is about ensuring there is a continuum.

This is something we might look at again. As I said to Senator Dolan in regard to the Seanad consultative forum, this is perhaps an issue we can deal with in that we can bring in people and put the pressure on the Government, no matter who is in government, to ensure policy has an overarching emphasis. The HSE service plan sets aside €330 million for issues like home care packages, including intensive home care packages. Whether it is in regard to the elderly or the disabled, it is important provision is made for home care packages. Equally, the issue of respite care also needs to be addressed in the budget.

With regard to legislation, the Bill is on the Government's A-list for publication and has gone to Committee on Justice and Equality for pre-legislative scrutiny. It is critical that it is signed by the end of the year. We have asked the Department to initiate the Bill in this House and I have already met Senator Dolan in this regard. With regard to the other comment on legislation, it is my hope we will have time slots for two Private Members' Bills this session; it is a matter for the CPP and I hope it will be done.

The issue of the insurance sector is very important. The Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is chairing the task force and Deputy John McGuinness is chair of the finance committee. I hope they will take on board the views Senator Mark Daly has raised regarding the State Claims Agency because that is an interesting revelation, if I can put it like that.

Senator James Reilly raised the issue of youth work. It is important we have the Minister, Deputy Zappone, to the House along with the Minister, Deputy Bruton. I agree with the Senator that the value we get from youth work can be seen not only in monetary terms but also in terms of the tangible benefits for young people. I commend all those involved in the youth work sector, who do huge work.

Senators Victor Boyhan and Michelle Mulherin raised the issue of agriculture. The Minister, Deputy Creed, will come to the House on 25 October, when we can discuss the matters raised. The matter raised by Senator Mulherin regarding the deadline for slurry spreading has been raised by other Senators, and I hope the Minister will take those points on board.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of human rights and linked it to the Pat Finucane case. The Senator is right that this was hard fought for and should not be diluted in any shape or form, and I do not think any of us would stand for that.

With regard to the issue of the remarks at the Tory conference this week, some of them are extraordinary. If we are talking about Brexit, that is fine, but as the country that will suffer the most profound impact from that decision, it is important that we have that special relationship and that the British Government recognises we are the people who will be most affected. However, when we hear Ministers say the NHS will be run by English people only, we must wonder what planet we are living on. It cannot happen and it should not happen.