Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A number of colleagues this morning, namely, Senators Seery Kearney, Maria Byrne, Fitzpatrick and Kyne, led today by Fianna Fáil's Senator Crowe, sought a debate on childcare. It is very welcome that we will get significant investment this year, particularly to support subsidies for parents for the costs associated with childcare. We all know and very much welcome finally an ERO for the sector to make sure there is a proper structured career and payment schedule from a salary perspective for the people who work very hard in that industry, particularly the providers, in order that we will see clarity on the capitation and core funding grants. Senator Seery Kearney's contribution is actually the first time I have heard it mentioned that developers getting out of providing bricks and mortar accommodation for the provision of services was actually possible; it should not be possible. I will organise that debate for colleagues.

We have an incredibly busy schedule for the next number of weeks. I will put everybody on notice that after next week, I will probably be telling Senators that we will need to work on a Monday and Friday to get through the amount of legislation we must pass between now and the end of July. I will try to find some time in our schedule and that of the Minister for this really important debate. Trying to have it at the end of September would be too late with regard to this year's budget provision. I will, therefore, try my very best to organise that debate between now and the end of July.

Senator Dolan spoke this morning about the census results. It is lovely to see our country thriving notwithstanding all the difficulties and issues we discuss in here every single week. It is absolutely lovely to see not only the number of people who want to come to Ireland to live, work and rear their families but, indeed, our own population also growing. It is very welcome.

Senator Maria Byrne could never be accused of coming in here and boring us. It is an awful pity that she has to come in here week after week, month after month, to talk about the crisis that exists in University Hospital Limerick, as, indeed, our other colleagues have done. It is really strange that we had to wait for a HIQA report this week and an announcement to say the hospital is absolutely unsafe in order for the State and the HSE to respond. That is a real pity but we now have a crisis management team. I really hope we will get a response and recommendations for change because that is absolutely needed in Limerick very soon. I thank the Senator for her constant contributions and highlighting of that particular issue.

Senator Carrigy asked for a review of free legal aid and pointed out some very glaring and obvious discrepancies and inequalities in the system currently. We will look into that.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke yesterday about the launch of Fianna Fáil's policy on violence against women. I heard Mr. Jason Poole on my radio first thing yesterday morning, at lunchtime and then on TV3 late last night. He is one of the most impressive young men I have come across in a long time. The passion he displays for a topic that is obviously so personal to him and his family is a real credit and will provide a real and lasting legacy for the tragic death of his sister. I wish him well and wish Fianna Fáil well in its input into the third strategy, which will be launched by the Minister in the next couple of months.

Senator Ahearn spoke this morning about refugees, as did Senator Mullen. The Ukrainian omnibus Bill will be before the House in the next number of weeks, which I believe will resolve the issue he touched on this morning. Again, I am always mindful that there are always different opinions in debates. It does not need to be divisive for people to express their views. What we absolutely need is to have a plan, as we do, but we must also reassure people that looking after our own, which is a term I hate, and looking after and being humanitarian to other people who have needs are not mutually exclusive. We can certainly do both and we need to reassure people that we can do both. Irish people are some of the most generous people in the world. That is not going to change. It is really time for the State to be generous to refugees, particularly those who are fleeing an awful, horrendous situation in Ukraine. I thank both Senators for raising that issue this morning.

Senator McGahon talked about Monksland National School and the bottleneck of decisionmakers and information flow going back and forward to open those two special classrooms for September. I fear to tell him it is not the only school that experiences that difficulty.A school in Donabate is in exactly the same position, but we will keep on plugging. However, there are some major deficiencies with regard to the responses from the Department of Education.

Senator Warfield, among others, wished us a very happy Pride. I am looking forward to a very successful day and good vibes on Saturday, please God. Hopefully, we will see all the Senators there. The Senator is also seeking a debate on night life and the pending licensing laws improvements. I will try to organise that as quickly as possible.

Senators Buttimer and Boyhan asked for a rolling debate or a significant lengthy debate on a number of modules with regard to the provision of healthcare in this country. I cannot honestly say I will be able to find time for such a significant debate between now and the end of July. If I can, I will. If not, it is certainly something I will organise immediately on our return in September.

Senator Murphy highlighted the awards that were given yesterday for journalism on justice, the Justice Media Awards. It was lovely to see some of the significant stories that were broken by colleagues in the media being rewarded. The overall premise of what the Senator said is that journalism, both locally and nationally, really matters. I have had my fair share of being the subject of stories that are not something to be too proud of-----