Seanad debates

Thursday, 17 December 2020

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

12:30 pm

Photo of Lisa ChambersLisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to voice my agreement with the Order of Business and raise a couple of items. As Members will be aware, the national development plan, NDP, is currently being reviewed and is open for public consultation. People can submit their ideas and suggestions before the end of January. I know the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will be coming to the Chamber early in the next term, but I think it would be a good idea to request a debate on the national planning framework. As we know, the national development plan identifies where investment should go in order to implement the national planning framework. It seems inconsistent to review the NDP but not the planning framework. The two go hand in hand. The process of getting agreement on the planning framework during the last Oireachtas was fraught with challenges. There were last-minute adjustments, including the addition of Sligo as a regional growth centre. The west and north west would benefit from a review of the national planning framework in conjunction with the current review of the national development plan.

The second issue I wish to raise, which I think has gone below the radar during the Covid-19 pandemic, is supports for mothers, particularly first-time mothers. I know from speaking to public health nurses in Mayo that many women are struggling to cope because of the lack of community supports. There are no visits from lactation consultants, mother and baby groups, breastfeeding groups or toddler swim classes. All of these opportunities to get out of the house, meet other mothers and get some support are gone. Many mothers are feeling very isolated and alone because of the lack of wraparound community supports for them when they get home. There is a serious body of work to be done there. The Minister for Health must come before the House to outline the supports that will be put in place to assist mothers in the community. This would also assist public health nurses who tell me they are really at their limit. They are going above and beyond to help mothers as best they can. They are trying to see as many mothers as they can with very limited resources, while operating under increased restrictions. A debate in the House on those two issues in the next term would be very welcome.

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