Seanad debates

Wednesday, 25 October 2017

10:30 am

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I have received notice from Senator Colette Kelleher that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the measures being taken to ensure an increase in Traveller participation in education at all levels following the CSO's finding that the level of education attainment among Travellers continues to lag significantly behind that among the general population.

I have also received notice from Senator Frank Feighan of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to outline the possibility of the HSE rolling out a national sleep training programme for parents to provide expertise for those with babies and young children who are facing challenges in that regard.

I have also received notice from Senator Maura Hopkins of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the provision of increased ground and air ambulance services in County Roscommon, as committed to in the programme for Government.

I have also received notice from Senator Fintan Warfield of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to make a statement on the transfer of Fáilte Ireland's regional festivals and participative events programme to local authorities.

I have also received notice from Senator Catherine Noone of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Finance to outline, in the light of new studies which show that the incidence of obesity and diabetes among Irish men and women has increased steadily since 2010 and is projected to continue to do so, if he will consider ring-fencing some, if not all, of the €40 million that is expected to be generated annually from the sugar tax to tackle obesity in the same way that income generated from the plastic bag levy is used for environmental projects.

I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to prioritise the Bandon southern relief road project when making submissions on the ten-year national investment plan 2018 to 2027.

I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senator Colette Kelleher, Frank Feighan, Maura Hopkins Fintan Warfield and they will be taken now. Senators Catherine Noone and Tim Lombard may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise. Senators Frank Feighan, Maura Hopkins and Fintan Warfield have withdrawn their Commencement matters that I had selected for discussion.

The Minister for Education and Skills will deal with the matter tabled by Senator Colette Kelleher. I acknowledge the presence in the Visitors Gallery of a former Member and a good friend of mine, Mr. Charlie O'Connor, who comes from a little village called Tallaght. He is most welcome.