Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. At this time of the year we are regularly approached and briefed by non-governmental organisations, unions and so forth. Two very important engagements took place yesterday. One was with the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO. We all know the sacrifices teachers and young people made during the pandemic. One of the legacies of the pandemic should not only be a properly funded health system but also a properly funded education system. The INTO made a number of very solid proposals on class sizes and on the restoration of posts of responsibility. A moratorium was introduced in 2010 in respect of posts of responsibility and the appointment of new such posts within schools. We all know how important administration work is these days because it takes up so much of all of our time. It is high time that moratorium was lifted and that a proper restoration takes place of the necessary supports that schools need. The INTO also has some very interesting proposals in the whole area of mental health. I call, therefore, for a debate on education at some stage, if possible this side of the summer recess.

There was also a very important briefing in the audiovisual room which many colleagues attended yesterday afternoon given by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland on the need for nurses, whether that is for multiple sclerosis, MS, or Parkinson's disease, and for those nurses to be available to advise people on living as full and as healthy a life as possible. There is a very significant deficit in respect of the number of nurses in those areas that are available on the ground to visit people at home, to take phone calls and so on. A very powerful presentation was made by a 22-year-old girl who suffers from epilepsy on how such a resource would make a very significant difference to her being able to live a proper, independent life. Some 30 nurses are being asked for but more than 100 are needed.We need to make a significant dent in that and in the upcoming budget I sincerely hope we see specific funding for neurology nurses so they can carry out there jobs.

As a final point, it is great news University Hospital Limerick is going to have a proper diabetic clinic with properly-trained staff to carry out the necessary work. A campaign by diabetes activists in the mid-west has been taking place for some time to have appropriate staff appointed. That has happened and it is great news.