David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I experienced a certain déjà vu today because when I was first elected to Seanad Éireann 33 years ago, this was where we met as the Seanad was being refurbished at the time.

I wish to raise two issues, the first of which is the Caritas convalescent centre. I had experience of the centre after a liver transplant and the facilities and care provided by the staff are absolutely outstanding. I am sorry to say it has gone into liquidation with the loss of more than 60 jobs. As section 39 employees, they have all been bound by the same rules and regulations that are applied to HSE staff. However, when it comes to redundancy they are not being afforded the same rights and entitlements as HSE section 38 staff, despite a precedent being set by another section 39 institution, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, when it was compelled by the Labour Court in 2018 to provide enhanced redundancy payments under the Public Service Agreement 2010 to 2014. I would like this matter to be addressed.

The second issue is that of education in schools about the gay issue. I had communication from a young woman who said that when she was in school, the word "Gay" was a derogatory term and people were made to feel ashamed. A national study carried out in 2016 showed levels of extremely severe stress, anxiety and depression were four times higher among 14 to 18 year old LGBT teens in comparison with a similar age group of 12 to 19 years. Some 60% of LGBT people have seriously thought about ending their lives, with 60% of their suicidal thoughts relating to their identity. We should have an equality programme in schools. It is not sufficient for schools that receive State money, although they are controlled by the church, to duck out of these programmes. The green flag, which was very good, was introduced in schools and it is about time we had an equality flag and programme in schools.