Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members for contributing to the Order of Business today. Senator O'Loughlin started off by welcoming the advancements in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022. She welcomed, in particular, the €2.5 million in funding provided through BAI for local radio stations and highlighted the important work that they do. She raised concerns about the broadcasting of public information around local government, local sporting events and called for them to be included. She spoke about community neurorehabilitation services, and highlighted the limited access to these important services in many parts of the country. She also raised the issue of trainee educational psychologists. She welcomed the addition of 12 new routes between Newbridge and Dublin and said she looked forward to the extension of the short hop zone as well.

Senator Keogan raised an issue that I am not overly familiar with, if I am honest, namely, the increase in catalytic converter thefts and the scrap metal trade, particularly along the Border region. I take on board the Senator's comments. She made some interesting points on waste traceability, which appears to have been rolled out to a greater extent in the UK, and removing the ability to purchase scrap metal using cash to improve traceability. It is worthwhile exploring those options.

Senator Hoey spoke passionately about the impact of homelessness on children, and referred specifically to the availability of play therapy for some children in the Dublin area. I concur with her remarks that it is a sad indictment on our country and our State that we are having to roll out play therapy to assist young children with the impact that homelessness has on them emotionally. In a First World developed country, that should not be the case. The Government is working hard to increase housing supply. There has been a record level of investment in the area, but there are significant challenges. It is incumbent upon all of us in public life to work together to try to address the housing crisis. That includes not objecting to housing developments in our areas. Senator Hoey also spoke about student nurses and midwives, which she very often does. She asked for a progress update on the McHugh report, which was published in November 2021, and particularly on the implementation of its recommendations. I might ask the Senator to put down a Commencement matter, because it is quite a specific request. She can liaise with the Leader's office to try to get more information from the Minister as to when those recommendations will be implemented.

Senator Lombard spoke about former Deputy Seán Hales, who lost his life on this day 100 years ago. He wanted to place on the record of the House the Deputy's service to the State and note the centenary of his death. Senator Buttimer echoed Senator Lombard's sentiments in that regard.

Senator Buttimer also asked for a debate with the Minister for Education on the current teacher shortage and a specific issue around the supplementary panel which he believes is having a detrimental impact on recruiting teachers. We will request that debate. In all likelihood it will be in the new term, as the schedule for next week is quite full. I take on board the Senator's comments on teacher shortages. There is a particular issue around the lack of availability of permanent contracts for newly-qualified teachers. It is putting teachers in an impossible position. If they are coming out of college and cannot get a permanent contract, they cannot get a mortgage or start their lives. From what I have heard from the teachers' unions and even on the radio this morning, one of the big asks is for us to ensure more secure and permanent employment for newly-qualified teachers that might entice them to stay working in the country. The Minister for Education brought proposals to Cabinet earlier today and is doing everything she can to try to address the severe teacher shortage that we are currently experiencing. Senator Buttimer also requested a debate on defence in response to recent issues raised by RACO. We will request that debate in the new term.

Senator Maria Byrne rose to welcome the €6.8 million in funding for Shannon Airport.I know other airports also received funding. Knock airport received €1.7 million. It is great to see regional airports being supported. I would have liked to see Knock airport get a little more. There is a disparity between the two airports but it is still welcome to see funding for the region. She also requested a debate on mental health, specifically waiting lists for CAMHS. We will request that debate in the new term with the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Butler.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke on the positive progress being made in north inner-city Dublin and referenced the north east inner city progress report for 2022, showing the fantastic initiatives, particularly around education, taking place in the north inner city. She spoke of the need to talk about the progress being made in an area and not always to focus on the negatives. It is an important point.

Senator Burke commended the work of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, on getting the live crib up and running in St. Stephen's Green. It is lovely to see that and it is very much part of Christmas. Good luck to them and well done to the Minister of State.

Senator Higgins raised concerns about tomorrow's sitting of the House. I take on board her comments. I have been assured by the Leader's office that when the amendments come back on 15 December, as much time as is needed will be given to scrutinise those amendments and that a briefing on them will be made available to Senators by Department officials in advance of the debate. Hopefully that will address the concerns she raised.

Senator Dolan welcomed the new bus route, part of the Connecting Ireland rural network plan, between Castlerea, Mountbellew and Ballinasloe. She referred to the importance of connecting those towns and spoke of the submission she and others in the area made to try to get that route up and running.

Senator Conway spoke on the ETB briefing he received yesterday, how interesting that was and the great work done by ETBs across the country.

I think we all join with Senator Currie in expressing our deep sympathy and condolences to the families of Matthew McCallan and Stella Lily McCorkindale, both whose young lives have been lost. It is very sad and our hearts go out to the families and communities of those children at this difficult time. The Senator also spoke about a recent survey on additional educational needs, SNAs and the view of principals. That is an ongoing concern. I suggest we could get a debate on that in the new year with the Minister of State with responsibility for special education to get an update on services.

Senator Kyne spoke, as he did last week or the previous week, on Inland Fisheries Ireland. I commend his ongoing work to try to root out issues in that agency and highlight the lack of engagement in some quarters in getting to the root of the problem. There is a reason we have privilege in this House. It is because in the public interest, we at times need to raise matters which we might not be able to raise outside of the Chamber for fear of certain consequences. That is an important part of being a public representative. While we are privileged to sit in this and the other House, that is part of our role. It is incumbent on all of us to support colleagues in doing that important work.

Senator Mullen spoke about nursing home and home and care settings. I agree completely with him. We have ongoing challenges in the home care sector. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has done fantastic work to support the sector, get additional funding and address staff issues. The Senator spoke on private nursing home care and I am aware of many issues in HSE facilities as well where the standard of care falls far below what any person should expect in this State, whether private or public care. The expectation is pretty low. I agree with the Senator on that. There are people who fear going into nursing home settings, which should never be the case. I would question how many people are facilitated in having space for their pictures, mementoes and other things that remind them of home.

I have concerns around the excessive use of sedatives in nursing home settings. They are at times used to maybe ease the burden where there are staff shortages and to make it easier to care for somebody. I have direct experience of a couple of cases. There are serious questions to be asked and the Senator is right to point out that the people at HIQA do an important job but they are not clinicians. Maybe at times things get missed. There is much work to do in the home care setting because we have an ageing population. We will all hopefully have the privilege of getting to old age, will require care in our later years and it may not always be possible to stay in one's home. I like the idea of the greenhouse model and clustered settings. We have some small villages in parts of the country. In my town of Castlebar we have a setting of one- and two-bedroom houses with a community centre in the centre where older people can live independently but are checked on regularly and there is space for care to be provided. That model should be available for those who want it.

Senator Boylan raised the pitbull attack on Alejandro Miszan. It was a really serious attack. I take a different view from the Senator. Some breeds of dog are more dangerous than others. If it takes us ten years to get rid of them, I would support a long-term plan. I do not think we could suggest culling all dogs of one breed overnight but there are challenges with certain breeds which are more prone to aggression than others.

I take the Senator's point that dog wardens could not possibly police what is going on. There is not enough of them. It is a difficult area to police because if the dog is not caught in the act, it can be difficult to bring a prosecution against its owner. There is an education piece and a responsibility on dog owners. When you take on an animal, it is your responsibility to ensure its welfare and that it is cared for, as well as that it does not pose a safety risk to others. For that poor child and others in similar instances, it is really regrettable and could have been avoided. I take on board the Senator's comments on the need to resource wardens properly but I am not sure we will ever get to a stage where we can police every element of it. Looking at breeds is one aspect of our response and of preventing these types of issues from happening again, if we can achieve that.