Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for being here this afternoon and showing her commitment by taking this Commencement matter. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting it.

The question relates to the development of an equine therapy centre on the Toghermore House site. When we talk about equine therapy and children with additional needs, it is important to realise the value it provides as a form of respite and regulation. That is what we have heard through the horse boy method. When one looks around at what good looks like, one can look to Liskennett Farm, which is part of the Saint Joseph's Foundation, on the Cork-Limerick border. It is phenomenal. We can also look to the developments taking place at Kanturk and what has been developed in Kilcloon, under Stewarts Care.

The Toghermore House site was becoming vacant two years ago. The site is slightly more 40 acres. As the Minster of State will be aware, there was a lot of conversation at home in Galway about what would happen with that site. That site was gifted to the people of Tuam to ensure it would remain available to them and those who are more vulnerable, be that disabilities or mental health supports. At that time a meeting was convened with a lot of stakeholders, including the HSE. It is important to acknowledge the work of John Fitzmaurice and Mary O'Halloran, Joe Hoare and Gráinne Cahill at HSE estates, along with the other stakeholders in the town.

There are more than just disabilities that are marginalised in Tuam. There are women in sport who are marginalised in Tuam, where they do not have their own pitches. They are continuously at the begging bowl locally. Also, Tuam Athletics Club does not have its own venue, nor does High Cross secondary school. There is a collection within the site. Could we develop the site to be disability-led and disability focused, which would make it the first of its type in the country? For example, the playing pitches could be marked and maintained by people with additional needs, creating employment opportunities. Working with Pierce O'Callaghan, the upkeep of the running track could create employment opportunities.

The Toghermore site is more than a site. It is one of the most beautiful places around. Rupert Isaacson from the Horse Boy Foundation visited it recently and said if it were to be approved, it would probably be the best designated site to deliver equine therapy in the British Isles. That is what we are looking at. There is also the opportunity for creating employment in the old units with a coffee shop, etc. As the Minister of State knows, when the HSE speaks to a project it will say the revenue spend needs to be acquired before the HSE can do the capital appraisals on it. I am hoping the Minister of State will bring the news and clarity that the revenue spend sought under the last budget is still secured and ring-fenced, and that the doubting Thomases will hear there will be funding for a regional equine centre to be developed in Tuam. Then we can talk about the tender process. We do need a regional equine centre. The other ones I mentioned are in Cork or Meath. We have nothing west of the Shannon. We have nothing in REO 1. We have nothing for children and equine disability progression. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Rabbitte for raising this issue and offering me the opportunity to respond. The Government is fully committed to supporting efforts to ensure the necessary supports for people with disabilities, along with their families, and to ensuring they are provided in a timely manner, not just in our home county of Galway but right across the country. As the Senator is aware, the Toghermore site in Tuam, which is owned and operated by the HSE, is currently under review by the HSE under a direction issued in May 2024 by the Senator herself in her capacity as the then Minister of State with responsibility for disability. The review is examining the current use of the campus which will inform future health planning needs and what the campus may be required for. HSE officials have advised me they are engaging with the relevant stakeholders, including Galway County Council, on this matter. A meeting was held with the HSE and Galway County Council on 4 June last and a follow-up meeting is provisionally scheduled for this September, where an update will be provided to the local authority. Pending the outcome of this review, the HSE continues to utilise the facilities on the grounds at Toghermore House for a number of services, including the national counselling service, mental health services, quality and risk, paediatric outpatient, HR and administration support. The HSE officials have confirmed to me that the HSE has not made a final decision on the use of the lands at present.

I am aware that the development of a national equine assisted therapy centre at the site has been proposed. Any capital project is required to go through the normal capital approvals as per HSE processes and in line with the national infrastructure guidelines. My understanding is that Toghermore is at the very early stages of this process and a formal capital submission has not been made to HSE capital and estates. When that submission is made, it will be considered for approval and subsequent inclusion in the list of capital projects being progressed under the capital plan.

I firmly believe it is important for the people of Galway that this review is done properly and promptly to ensure that we can provide the best possible services to the people of the area, now and into the future.

Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. In the one minute allocated to me and her response, I would like to know that the €650,000 funding secured in last year's budget has been ring-fenced for the revenue spend and staff development piece related to the equine therapy development at the Toghermore regional campus. That would also cover Mayo and Roscommon. That €650,000 funding fell under respite and there is an annual spend of €1.3 million. It is very important clarity is brought to that.

The second part relates to HSE estates. They clearly engaged in good faith, as did I, that this funding for revenue would be the pathway for HSE estates to ensure this. That is why there was a tender document done at the time so providers could show an expression of interest, of which two applied. It is time the HSE made a decision as to who it is awarding the tender to and in order that a project development manager can be assigned to whoever holds the lead tender.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator again for raising this issue. I am keen to ensure all opportunities are explored in regard to the Toghermore campus and that the services are provided for the benefit of the locals and the surrounding communities. I reiterate this Government's commitment to delivering real and tangible solutions to enhance services and to better support the needs of adults and children with additional needs in Ireland as outlined in the commitments contained in our programme for Government.

We have made significant funding commitments which has seen an overall HSE disability budget increase in 2025, which is a growth of €3.2 billion. That equates to an 11.5% increase on the previous year. I look forward to hearing from the HSE on the outcome of that feasibility review as soon as it is completed and we will seek support then for the introduction of services to this location. I look forward to working with the Senator on that.

Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)
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Will the Acting Leader move the suspension of proceedings until after the vote in the Dáil?

Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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I move that the House stand suspended until after the vote.

Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.