Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis na Seanadóirí go léir as ucht an mhéid atá ráite acu.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin talked about the cancellation of maternity services at Athy Primary Care Centre. I will raise that with the Minister of Health. The Senator may wish to table a Commencement matter on that topic to get a more immediate response. She also talked about the success of the DEIS programme. We will have the Minister for Education and Youth in the House in early June for a debate on all education matters. The Senator should be in a position to raise matters regarding DEIS at that point. She also called for a debate on the EU-UK summit, which we will certainly pursue. Senator Duffy raised issues relating to vaping, the proliferation of vaping shops and product placement. I will raise these with the Minister. These matters were debated some time ago in the context of the public health Bill. The Senator referred to various amendments that may be necessary, another matter I will certainly raise.

The Senator congratulated the Mayo Relay for Life on its work in raising funds for cancer research, and commended local councillors Peter Flynn and Brendan Mulroy.

Senator Boyhan congratulated Billy Alexander on achieving gold at the Chelsea Flower Show. We pass on our congratulations to Mr. Alexander and wish all those who will be participating at Bloom, which starts next week, well. The Senator commended the National Botanic Gardens on the work being done there.

Senator Boyhan also commended a Tallaght community group on the film "We Will Not Sit Down and Be Quiet", which was shown yesterday in the audiovisual room.

Senators McCormack, Bradley and Andrews referred to assessments of need. The reform of assessments of need is absolutely vital, particularly as they are not working for the children involved. That said more than 4,100 assessments were completed in 2024, an increase of 30% on the previous year. Recent data shows that this upper trend is continuing, with more than 1,400 assessments completed in the first three months of this year. That represents a 65% increase compared to the same period last year. However, at the end of March, there were more than 15,000 assessments overdue for completion. This is not good enough. The current model means that therapists spend up to a third of their time carrying out assessments rather than delivering therapies to children. This is an area that needs to be reformed. It is a top priority for the Government. I will certainly ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, or the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, to come to the House to debate this matter.

Senators Stephenson and Flynn commented on Traveller Pride Week and called for both a debate and accountability on this matter. I will also request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Foley.

Senator Daly talked about blackgrass being placed on the list of noxious weeds and the responsibility of local authorities in this regard. I agree that the onus falls on farmers under GAEC 8, but given that there can be a proliferation of seeds from noxious weeds into farmland, there is also an onus on local authorities. Irrespective of the list, it is evident from touring around the country that there are noxious weeds which are not being dealt with, whether it is ragwort or thistles. There is a job of work to be done there as well. I will raise this matter with the Minister for agriculture. The Senator may wish to table a Commencement matter on the subject as well.

Senators Kennelly and Scahill referred to the school transport scheme. Senator Kennelly referred to the north Tralee route that serves the Lixnaw and Abbeydorney areas and that is relied upon by 19 families and 29 students. The Senator also referred to the advocacy of Councillor Aoife Kennelly in respect of this issue. I suggest that he table a Commencement matter on the topic. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy McEntee as well. Senator Scahill also raised this issue in the context of local knowledge. I encourage him to engage with local inspectors on where the demand lies. I know they try to manoeuvre routes as best they can, but that is certainly the first point of engagement. I will also request a debate with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on this aspect.

Senator McCarthy talked about the depressing statistics regarding women who have been killed in this country. Some 275 women were violently killed between 1996 and the murder of Aisling Murphy three years ago. The Senator is correct; these are awful statistics. He called for a debate on the matter. There is work being done by Cuan, the new agency under the remit of the Department of Justice that is dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The former Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, prioritised, pushed for and supported the setting up of the agency. I wish Cuan all the best with the very important work it does. We will request a debate on the matter.

Senator Ryan referred to the transition year experience for students throughout the country. In the main, transition year is a positive experience and it is important that it be used in a positive fashion. It should not be there as a gap year or a doss year. Great suggestions have been made as to what could be done in transition year - whether in respect of driving lessons, Safe Pass courses or different things relating to placement in industry or businesses - to allow students to mature and use their experiences in a positive fashion for the future. The Senator also talked about the cost involved. The Minister for education will be here in the coming weeks. The Senator might wish to raise this topic at that point.

Senator Keogan spoke about the hate speech legislation. I imagine the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, is assessing the advocacy from the European Commission on this matter. We have a number of weeks to respond. I am sure we will hear the Government's view in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the Senator may wish to table a Commencement matter in order to see if the Minister can provide a more up-to-date response.

Senator Boyle raised the important issue of home care packages and the demands on home carers. Some of our elderly and, indeed, not so elderly may have the luck of having loved ones and family around who can be of assistance. Some do not, however, and are totally reliant on home care packages and home care assistants, who can be under a huge level of pressure with regard to times allocated and the amount of travel in which they have to engage. The Senator is right in that someone can spend more time travelling than providing care to an individual. I will certainly request a debate regarding home care packages. There have been issues in the past relating to funding, but it is more likely now that there are issues as regards getting staff to fulfil the hours allocated. That is a very important issue.

Senator Andrews referred to the Sandymount special school and the two rooms that are out of action there. I request that he put down a commencement matter in order to obtain a more immediate response on that.

Senator Conway talked about the important role of city and county councillors and the fact that they are not recognised when it comes to payment for sick leave. This is a valid point. The Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, will be here next week to discuss local democracy. That will give the Senator an opportunity to raise the matter. I will alert the Minister of State in advance to the fact that the Senator may wish to raise it.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of the Iranian regime. He referred to the fact that he met with representatives of local groups here in Ireland and the UK that are advocating for a free Iran and against the regime there. It is harrowing testimony regarding what is going on in that country. I will raise the matter with the Tánaiste. I am sure the Senator will also raise it at the joint committee on foreign affairs.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of GPs, nurses, midwives and those who, quite rightly, benefit from a high standard of education and who wish to use the education they receive elsewhere. This is a difficult one in that you cannot prevent someone from leaving. However, you can certainly incentivise people to stay. There may be other issues as to why people wish to leave, some of which may relate to the crisis relating to housing. It is fair to say that the latter may be a consideration. It is a valid point, and I will raise it with the Minister for Health.

Senator Byrne referred to post offices and his meeting with the postmasters' union. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, on that. I believe the Minister is still waiting for the transfer of delegated functions relating to his Department. I will certainly request that he come to the House to discuss the issue of our post office network.