Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Sinéad Byrne, who is interning with me. She is the daughter of the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and is up here for the week to learn what we do and what her dad does. She is very welcome and I thank her for her help.

In terms of responding on the items raised on the Order of Business, Senator Conway called for a debate on flooding. He is disappointed that such a debate has not been scheduled for this week and is seeking for it to be held the week after next. The recent flooding has been horrendous. The images on television screens and mobile phones and in newspapers of businesses, roads and family homes that have been destroyed are shocking. Many Ministers, cross-party, have been to the affected areas to show solidarity. There are several schemes available for businesses and homes. As the Senator noted, the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, has spoken about funding available for sports facilities.That is really important. We obviously want that extended. While Cork and Waterford certainly got the brunt, I was speaking to somebody yesterday from Edenderry Golf Club, who spoke about the flooding there and how, when any sports grounds like that are inoperable, they lose money and it is difficult to make ends meet. I hope that will be extended.

Senator Conway also raised the point about the weather warnings that we need to have, with specific locations identified, and said that we need to have a full inventory of flood defence schemes. Some of them will have engineering solutions. Two weeks ago, we had an announcement of €10 million for flood defences in Athy. That was incredibly welcome by those who will be impacted. Work is ongoing. I know there has been some in Cork too. I agree that we need to get ahead of the game. I will ask that we have a debate with the Minister in the week that we come back after recess.

In response to Senator Ardagh, it was welcome news that the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, announced the extended maternity leave for those suffering from cancer. I thank her and the cross-party group for their work on cancer, which is really important. As chair of the women's caucus, we support it too. It is great to see that. We will absolutely put the pressure on to have the legislation published as soon as possible.

Senator Ardagh also raised the tragic and traumatic situation of a 12-year-old boy who was sexually assaulted in a HSE centre. His parents and Tusla were not informed for three days and the gardaí were not informed for another 11 days. We need to have a full-scale inquiry and assurances from the Minister that this will not happen again. It is dreadful and shocking when we hear of these situations. As the Senator said, we need to ensure there is a good support plan for the young man who has been impacted. We need guarantees and reassurances that this will not happen again.

Senator Clonan spoke about the children's hospital, the impact on children with scoliosis from medical devices, and the procurement process. I think we were all shocked when we heard about that. I understand there is a full inquiry about it. Senator Clonan said that no orthopaedic surgery is being carried out on children with disabilities at the moment. I am not suggesting that that is not true but I do not know if it is true. We need to ask the Minister for Health about that and bring that answer back. We have the treatment abroad scheme, which is excellent. I know many who use it. I do not understand why those with disabilities cannot avail of it. We need to ask questions as opposed to just taking it as fact that they cannot. I commit to this House and Senator Clonan that we will ask those questions. We will look for a debate with the Minister about it.

Senator Gavan spoke about University Hospital Limerick and the 130 patients on trolleys there. I heard the figure yesterday. I acknowledge that it is the highest ever. Obviously, we absolutely have to do better. When the Senator says that nothing positive has happened under the Minister, to be fair, the Senator is wrong. Costs have been cut for patients across the board. Inpatient hospital charges have been minimised. We have had the biggest expansion of access to free general practitioner care in the history of the State. That is part of Sláintecare and supporting primary care. It has been extended to more than 500,000 people in the past three years. The drugs payment scheme threshold has been reduced. Diagnostic scans have been funded. There is free contraception for women up to the age of 30. There is public funding for assisted human reproduction. There has been 22% reduction in patients on waiting lists who have exceeded the Sláintecare waiting time targets since the Covid peak. They are all important, as well as the addition of 22,000 staff since 2020. Some 22,000 staff in the past three years is phenomenal, by any manner or means. I totally take on board what Senator Gavan is saying about the number of people on trolleys, but we have to acknowledge that we also have positive interventions.

Senator Moynihan spoke about Gaza. It must be difficult for someone like Senator Moynihan, who has a very small baby, to think about all the small babies of the same age who, by accident of birth, have been born in Gaza and what they are going through.I agree that we should raise the case of the 5,500 pregnant women who were due to deliver in 30 days, as well as the 120 babies who are there at present and who are dependent on incubators, on a humanitarian basis. We will write to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence, Deputy Micheál Martin on the need to try to establish a humanitarian corridor for the 50,000 pregnant women, starting with those who are due to deliver in the next few days.

Senator Ruane spoke about the citizens' assembly. Great thanks are due to Paul Reid, who acted as its chair, and to all the volunteers. The assembly made 36 recommendations. They send a very strong to all of us as legislators that we need a more progressive and comprehensive approach to drugs use in Ireland. The final report will be submitted by the end of the year and then the issue will be back in our court. I take on board Senator Ruane's point that it would be more appropriate for it to go to the justice committee than to set up a special committee in its own right. I think we will make that suggestion. It is sensible.

Senator Dolan spoke on targets in education, the impact on the expansion of apprenticeship courses and the huge demand. Earn as you learn is hugely important. I noticed at the weekend that we had a female winner of the Apprentice of the Year award for the first time, a young lady named Hazel Johnston. I thought that was absolutely fantastic. It is showing the way and is really important. She spoke of the need for an apprenticeship centre or hub in Roscommon and Galway that would work in conjunction with Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board, GRETB. I completely agree. I always make the point, particularly on rural areas, including north-west Kildare, because for ease of access and transport to these places, we need to have it. It is a good call.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the Defence Forces. He was unhappy with the Tánaiste’s response to him at the last committee. As I am not a member of that committee, I was not there but he is wrong to say that nothing positive happens in the Defence Forces. We have a long way to go in supporting them but money has been made available for the housing he spoke of in the Curragh and for more than that in terms of three different training forces within the Curragh, which is the headquarters of our Defence Forces. While I am speaking about the Defence Forces, obviously we must think of the almost 500 soldiers who are abroad in the Middle East. Times are difficult and dangerous over there. I understand the Department and the Tánaiste is keeping a watchful eye. We know they are not in any danger but it is difficult for their parents, friends and communities here who are watching on and hoping and praying for their safety and health. We are thinking of them and we thank them for all the work they do.

Senator McGahon spoke on the need for a debate on large-scale sports facilities and particularly Oriel Park, Dundalk. I agree. We need to have that debate. Those large-scale projects can bring huge investment into our large towns. We will ask the Minister to come in for that debate.

Senator Kyne spoke on flaws in the Act on processing cases around fisheries and the role the fisheries protection officers can do. It seems a difficult situation where there are flawed prosecutions. We need to get that right because wasting people’s time is not appropriate. The fishing of our waters is important and we need to be able to keep a watchful eye on it. The Senator has asked that we ask the Minster to come in and discuss this. I think we should make that request.