Seanad debates
Wednesday, 1 October 2025
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
2:00 am
Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
I would like to be associated with the welcome to the ambassador who was here a few minutes ago. I wish him a happy national day.
I rise to welcome the fact that over 18,000 people will be in receipt of the companion pass, effective from today. That will help. It will allow people to bring a companion with them when they travel by train or bus. It helps to address the issue of loneliness. Today is the International Day of Older Persons. I yesterday attended an event in Enniskerry, County Wicklow, where a group of women's organisations came together to discuss things like women's sheds. It was about addressing loneliness and working together to support one another.I met a lady there called Faith who is the national ambassador for older people. I listened and discovered how she looks at things older people do, from women's sheds to the Irish Countrywomen's Association to different organisations working together and supporting each another. It certainly was a very positive gathering yesterday in Enniskerry.
The other issue is that a report was launched that shows that Limerick has one of the highest rates of derelict commercial buildings of all the cities in Ireland. We have a task force in Dublin and one in Cork. As the driver of the mid-west, Limerick needs a task force as well. I would like the Minister with responsibility for employment to come in and have a discussion on how we can help cities to drive regions in terms of economic development. To do that, we need to have a proactive task force and work with the local authority and different businesses.
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