Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Craughwell expressed concern over the transparency of funding that goes towards overseas aid and development, but he also mentioned NGOs. There is an audit process for any public funds to ensure they are being used correctly. We can, of course, send on the Senator's concern but I also suggest he contact the public accounts committee on this issue.

Senator Sherlock made a really good point, following May Day yesterday, regarding apprenticeship pay, how it should not be a barrier to our ambitions for apprenticeships, especially given how important they are for the pipeline in construction and other crafts and trades, but also its importance in valuing and respecting the vital work apprentices do. We should write to the Minister for further and higher education for an update. If the work has progressed, we need to know the status of that work.

Senator Gavan spoke on similar issues, following May Day, and the importance of the trade union movement. I assure the Senator that we all take the issue of bogus self-employment very seriously. He raised a very specific case, and again, perhaps, he should raise a Commencement matter directly with the Minister for Social Protection, but I see no issue with us passing on the information, as the Senator has suggested.

Senator Murphy raised the issue of connectivity to nursing homes, which again is vitally important. We have many nursing homes in Dublin West, including Marymount Care Centre. It is one of those nursing homes that does not have a footpath to it and cannot be accessed in any way other than by car or by bus. We have an issue regarding social isolation when it comes to our older people, so it is a really good idea that we elevate how important it is that nursing homes be included as part of our active travel initiatives.

Senator Lombard raised the issue of oral health and requested a debate on this matter. This is very timely as well. It has been in the news quite a bit recently that there are 23% fewer dentists in the HSE than are required, that this is impacting on our schools programme and our children's oral health, and that an action plan has been sluggish in its implementation. I also want to raise the issue of the lack of regulation that seems to be a problem as well. This is a very important debate we should have in the House.

Senator Keogan spoke about the activity yesterday related to securing Mount Street. Let us remember that the purpose of that was to provide much improved, safe, healthy and sanitary conditions for the well-being of international protection applicants. I am sure this is a process and will take time but the Government is absolutely committed to ensuring the safety of those individuals.

In her remarks about EU migration pact, the Senator said we need an Irish solution. We only have to look at what is happening in the UK to know that an Irish solution, taken by ourselves alone, will not work considering that illegal immigration, according to the UK, has very much increased since the UK's safety of Rwanda Bill was first put on the table by Priti Patel in 2022. This has eroded the UK's reputation on international law and human rights obligations.

Senator Gallagher raised the issue of screening for newborns and that 200 babies' lives could be saved. I agree with him that this makes perfect sense and is something we should consider as part of our business in the Seanad.

Senator Conway spoke about the importance of the critical skills list, the many visa national citizens we have in the country and migrants who are working in areas that are incredibly important to the functioning of our society, including nurses but also in areas such as IT, and how well our country is doing in the ICT sector. I see it myself every day in Dublin West. Senator Conway also spoke about giving more opportunities to international protection applicants to work, and that is something the House could very much support as well.