Seanad debates

Tuesday, 25 February 2025

Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad

 

2:00 am

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader has accommodated us to take six Commencement Matters over the next few weeks instead of the normal four. I thank the Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary, for being here today.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:

Senator Paul Daly - The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to make a statement on the introduction of a funding mechanism for community centres and similar such groups to purchase and install electricity generators.

Senator Ollie Crowe - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the financial supports available to radiation therapy students, particularly in relation to unpaid summer clinical placements.

Senator Garret Ahearn - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to introduce measures to increase security for councillors in line with those provided for Oireachtas Members.

Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the shortage of appropriate school places for children with additional needs in Cavan.

Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee - The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the new school building project for Rush National School, County Dublin.

Senator Laura Harmon - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on her plans to amend the assault leave for teachers and special needs assistants.

Senator Cathal Byrne - The need for the Minister of State with special responsibility for disabilities to make a statement on the vacant speech and language therapist posts in New Ross, County Wexford.

Senator Tom Clonan - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the provision of services by children's disability network teams and early intervention teams in Blanchardstown, Harmonstown, Coolock and Kilbarrack to a child with special needs, who has been on waiting lists since 2020.

Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the planning challenges encountered by residents in Gaeltacht areas.

Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on the pension disadvantages encountered by women who stay at home to raise families or work on family farms.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on his plans to address homelessness and the housing crisis.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the closure of Allenwood Day Care Centre in County Kildare.

Senator Mark Duffy - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on his plans to address the shortage of supply of housing in County Mayo.

Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the status of the application for emergency accommodation by Grange Post Primary School in Sligo.

The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Paul Daly, Ollie Crowe, Garret Ahearn, Pauline Tully, Lorraine Clifford-Lee and Laura Harmon and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.