I thank the Minister for coming to the House.

The Minister is most welcome to the Chamber. This is an issue that has been raised with me by local councillors in my home county of Wexford, near Mount Leinster, but also those in Waterford, affecting the Comeragh Mountains. The key issue is that there is a feeling in farming communities that the restrictions in place to control and restrict the controlled burning of scrubland on our mountain ranges, particularly in areas grazed by sheep, are too onerous and that there is not clear communication from the National Parks and Wildlife Service about when the burning can take place and what exactly can be incorporated. In my own of Kiltealy, there were quite severe fires about two years ago. Thankfully, no property was damaged and nobody was injured but the key takeaway from that was that the fires that spontaneously broke out would not have happened to the same extent had there been more controlled burning in place by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This is an opportunity to bring clarity to the situation and confirm what exactly the position is as regards controlled burning. Is it possible for local farmers, particularly in mountain commonage areas, to engage in it?

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this really important topic. We are all conscious of the risk due to extreme temperatures in Europe at present. High temperatures bring with them an increased risk of wildfires. We currently do not have the same degree of danger in Ireland but nonetheless, extreme care must be taken, particularly in summer months when rainfall levels are lower, temperatures are higher and more people are enjoying the outdoors. In the forecast for the coming days, we are expecting temperatures to increase and that brings increased risks as well.

The management of uplands and mountain grazing comes with its own unique challenges. As Minister for agriculture, I fully appreciate that the mechanical methods of managing vegetation on low land may not be as practical an option for any upland areas where tractors cannot travel to top or mulch strong vegetation. Controlled burning therefore has a role to play as part of an overall land management package and as part of a toolbox for wildfire prevention. However, burning of any lands needs to be done in the correct manner and in full compliance with national legislation.

Under section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, growing vegetation cannot be burned between 1 March and 31 August of any given year - referred to as the closed period - on any land not yet cultivated. This Act is the responsibility of the Minister for housing. It is an issue I understand from the farmer's perspective but it crosses over to the Department of housing because it has responsibility for the Act. Furthermore, where land has been burned unlawfully between 1 March and 31 August, it is not in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation and therefore is not eligible for area-based payments such as the basic income support for sustainability, BISS, as it is known formally, or the single farm payment, for the remainder of the year. Where farmers' land has been burned through no fault of their own, an appeals process is in place.

To assist farmers, my Department has produced a prescribed burning code of practice in order to provide guidance to landowners who use controlled burning as a land management tool and a shorter version previously issued to farmers in high fire risk areas throughout the country. Both publications on my Department's website are from the forestry division at Johnstown Castle in the Senator's county of Wexford.

To date in 2025, my Department has issued seven fire danger notices in advance of high-risk weather phases, with the most recent one in May being a condition orange high-risk fire notice. These notices issue guidance based on weather conditions and while of huge importance to landowners, they also give clear information to the general public and forest visitors. That too is really important because we all have a role and responsibility here. As we head into a period of settled weather and increased temperatures, we will, as always, keep conditions under review and, where necessary, issue further notices.

Controlled burning carried out at the correct time of the year in suitable conditions and in a responsible manner has a role to play but extreme care, planning and preparation are needed. Irresponsible use of fire poses risks to life, property and habitats. I encourage farmers in upland areas who are struggling to maintain their lands and fear that a build of vegetation can lead to an increased risk of wildfire to explore alternative means of control with their agricultural adviser.

As with all lands, it is important that the maintenance activities employed by the farmer are designed with the local conditions in mind to ensure the best outcomes for the lands and take account of all the relevant regulatory requirements. The agri-climate rural environment scheme, or ACRES as we know it, and the co-operation project teams are examples of the support that is in place for farmers and commonages to identify the best means not only of controlling vegetation but also improving upland habitats over time.

While landowners need to be cognisant of the risk of wildfires and uncontrolled burning, I emphasise the important role members of the public also have in reducing the danger by ensuring they always take care when out in upland areas that are susceptible to wildfires. Visitors to rural areas should behave responsibly in relation to wildfires and fire risks and report fires promptly to emergency services via 112 where they see fires in the countryside.

I thank the Minister for bringing a bit of clarity to this situation because there is a genuine feeling among farmers that attempts are being made to fully prohibit controlled burning. While I recognise that there is a closed period, this fact may not be as well known among farmers as it should be. From speaking to many farmers, particularly those in Kiltealy, which is on the Wexford side of Mount Leinster, I know there was a substantial fire in that area. There were also fires in north Wexford near Gorey only a few short weeks ago.

I thank the Minister for his response. I encourage his Department to do a bit more to promote what can be done in this regard. There was a feeling there was a total prohibition on this or that perhaps a total prohibition was coming in. I recognise that that is not the case.

Raising awareness is important. The role farmers play with our advisers is important, too. Positive, proactive measures can be taken to not only reduce the risk of wildfires, but also protect habitats and help farmers to farm in a more proactive way. Uplands and mountain grazing is an exceptionally important part of the agricultural landscape. It requires careful management to ensure the risk of wildfire and associated risks are reduced.

This is an opportune time for the Senator to raise the topic in the House in light of the forecasts of 27°C and 28°C we are potentially seeing for this weekend. In some ways, the work farmers could do during the winter in these spaces is important. They could plan that work out for next winter when they come out of the closed period after the end of August. That work could be planned to ensure risks were reduced for future years. Recent years have shown that Ireland is not immune to the high wildfire risks we see in Europe. We only have to look at Marseille in France last night where a significant wildfire closed the airport and had an impact.

In recent years, we have seen considerable damage caused to forestry, uplands and property due to wildfires. It can also have an impact on farmers’ direct payments and livelihoods. Preventative measures, such as controlled burning at the correct time, can assist to reduce vegetation burden. The prescribed code of practice is there. It is important to make farmers aware of that in the Senator’s area and the Comeragh Mountains because those alternative means of management should be explored. You plan them now for the off season and carry them out when it is not the closed season. Both landowners and any user of our upland areas need to take care, particularly during the periods of warm weather, to ensure the risk of wildfire is minimised for all of our sakes.

I thank the Minister for coming to Seanad Éireann to answer those questions. We will now be joined by the Minister of State, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, for the next Commencement matter.

I thank the Minister of State for once again gracing us with his presence. He is a great friend to this Chamber. I thank him for always making himself available to us.

I call on the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to make a comprehensive statement on the Department’s remote working strategy and the specific targets set out for the remainder of this term. This is a vital plea for the future prosperity and sustainability of rural communities, a future that hinges on decisive action and clear accountability. It is building on the framework set out in Our Rural Future 2021-2025. When Our Rural Future was launched in March 2021, it committed to the establishment of a network of 400 remote working hubs nationwide, a key element of the Government’s policy to revitalise rural Ireland. By mid-2021, 66 hubs were live. The target rose to more than 200 hubs in 2022. Most recently, Connected Hubs reported approximately 300 hubs as early as 2025, with the 400-hub ambition still the policy as a central target.

A lot of money has been invested in this. Coupling that with the investment in our rural broadband plan, we have made huge strides in delivering vital infrastructure to support these rural communities. The attractiveness of high-paid jobs in this sector has been proven. A remote working survey undertaken by the University of Galway and the Western Development Commission in 2023 had plenty of proof that remote-enabled jobs yielded economic and demographic dividends, especially in rural areas, such as those in west Roscommon where I come from. They secure the prosperity, longevity and sustainability of rural communities. Remote working fosters survival. It supports town footfall, boasts local economies, reduces commuting and carbon emissions, and sustains services and schools. It also delivers high-paying jobs to rural communities, which will strengthen the long-term economic sustainability of those communities. It is for that particular reason I raise this topic today.

I recently spoke with a number of rural GAA clubs, especially dual clubs, that were struggling to field teams on a weekly basis across all grades. While we are in a housing crisis, we really need to take advantage of the infrastructural developments that we have already invested in in rural Ireland and better promote the quality of life we can deliver in those areas. There is a community benefit to attracting these jobs to the area.

The blueprint is clear and momentum is building. We need measurable targets, firm timeframes and transparency. This is the only way to guarantee that the investment of more than €100 million, the broadband upgrades and the hub network will translate into decent, high-paid jobs, rising rural populations and sustainable communities. I ask the Minister of State to outline his Department’s remote working targets for 2025 and beyond, the tools it will use, such as relocation supports, targets and reporting, and how he will hold himself and his Department publicly accountable for delivering on these targets.

I thank Senator Scahill for raising this important matter. He is right; it is about putting in place sustainability for rural Ireland and tackling the issues he rightly addressed. It is about ensuring we have a future in rural Ireland that is based on the needs of the people. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Calleary.

As the Senator will be aware, we have witnessed profound change in recent years in the area of remote working. As the Minister of State in the Department, I am a firm believer in the benefits that remote working can bring. It is a revolution that is waiting to further happen in rural Ireland, particularly in our rural communities. I am pleased to confirm that the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht continues to support the roll-out of remote working facilities throughout the country.

From a policy point of view, this Government's commitment to remote working is set out in our national remote working strategy, Making Remote Work. This policy was published by the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment four years ago and seeks to ensure that remote working is a permanent feature in the Irish workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits, as the Senator has articulated quite eloquently this morning. It emphasises the importance of adequate infrastructure to avail of remote working opportunities, both at home and in hubs, to ensure that the economic, social and environmental benefits of remote working are maximised. The strategy also commits to creating a conducive environment for remote working and building a remote work policy and guidance framework.

The importance of remote working is also strongly recognised in the national rural development policy, Our Rural Future, as the Senator has said. A key focus of Our Rural Future is to optimise digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities, ensuring equality of access to digital services. One of the key commitments set out in the policy in this regard was the establishment of a key network of 400 remote working hubs throughout the country by the end of this year. To this end, Connectedhubs.ie was launched in mid-2021. I am happy to confirm that there are now 387 hubs live on the network, which continues to grow and expand. Connected Hubs provides workplace solutions for remote workers, entrepreneurs and businesses. The hubs are more than workplaces; they are vibrant communities designed to create creativity and foster connections. The initiative is managed by the Western Development Commission in conjunction with our Department. I am sure that many Members, particularly Senator Scahill, are well aware of and have experienced at first hand the benefits of these hubs and the high-quality remote working options that are on the Connected Hubs network.

It is important to note that the range of funding supports available for the development and establishment of remote working hubs and facilities has been key to the success of this initiative to date. In 2021 and 2022, some €14 million was allocated to a range of hubs across the country under what was termed the "Connected Hubs Call". This competitive funding stream allowed hubs to apply for funding to increase and improve the facilities they could offer to remote workers. A wide array of improved facilities was delivered under this scheme, including the provision of privacy booths, additional hot-desking facilities and the provision of more own-office facilities. This ensured that the hubs on the network were able to respond to and address the varying needs of remote workers across the country.

Similarly, a range of other schemes operated by our Department has also provided significant levels of funding for the development of remote working facilities in rural communities across the country in recent years. These schemes include the town and village renewal scheme, LEADER and the rural regeneration and development fund.

As Minister of State, I have been fortunate to see many of these high-quality projects first hand as they come to fruition. In June, I was in Mitchelstown and Cobh, where I opened two remote working hubs. Both of them are co-located in the local libraries and will be key assets in each town. The Minister, Deputy Calleary, visited the Station House hub in Hacketstown, which was funded through the town and village renewal scheme.

As the Senator said, it is about bringing the different actors together to offer a variety of services such as hot-desk facilities, enterprise supports and direct access to high-quality education. In this case, this was done in partnership with the South East Technological University. In other parts of the country, it will be done with other third level institutions.

This Government is committed to the concept of remote working. It is now firmly embedded in many of our lives. It is a change in our working world which has brought huge benefits. The Senator raised the GAA and other sporting organisations as an example. It is important that we build on what we have achieved and that we are held to account. I look forward to working with the Senator in the area of west Roscommon to ensure we can enhance the value and offering to people in rural parts of Ireland.

I thank the Minister of State. At a time when Ireland has nearly 100% employment, we have the capacity to deliver high-paying, knowledge-based jobs directly into the heart of rural communities. Tens of thousands of remote-working roles are available globally. Ireland is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market. By establishing the right structures, Ireland could create a fourth pillar of employment, complementing indigenous companies, foreign direct investment and agriculture.

I met a lady on Saturday. She is a Dublin native, but lives in Ballyhaunis in east Mayo. She said she is getting a city wage in a rural community, which means she is in the position of living a much better quality of life through remote working. She thinks it needs to be encouraged a lot more. I spoke to employees of Grow Remote recently. Its co-founder, Tracy Keogh, recently spoke about the programme for Government.

The cross-party group needs to set up an agency responsible for winning a proportion of remote jobs available to the market. If we were to land 10,000 of the available 100,000 jobs, it would mean €130 million for the taxpayer and jobs in the most remote regions of Ireland. It will require structural changes, as we are not currently set up to drive this. Some EU funding structures do not incentivise remote work. We need quick wins to ring-fence remote jobs to the island of Ireland. We have invested heavily in this particular sector. We just need to follow through and support the delivery of these jobs and the investment we have already made in the sector.

Again, I thank Senator Scahill for his very valuable contribution. The Government is committed to the concept of remote working and is firmly of the view that it is about delivering real benefits in rural communities. As the Senator said, it is about high-paid, knowledge-based jobs and working with people like Tracy in Grow Remote to achieve that fourth pillar he rightly spoke about. We cannot just stop now and say that we have done X; we must continue to ensure we do have these quality jobs, as the Senator has called for. He gave the example of a woman living in Ballyhaunis getting a good wage. That is why the programme for Government commits to further development of the connected hubs network and why we will build on the learnings from the hub initiatives to see how we can raise the potential of the network to expand further in the coming years.

To support the ambition the Senator has spoken about and that the Government has, the Department will publish its first national hub strategy later this year. For the first time, the strategy will chart the vision for the future and further development of the range of remote working enterprise hubs currently in place across the country. It will examine the benefits already delivered and set out a clear set of actions to help us to ensure a sustainable future for these important assets. The shared ambition is to ensure that the benefits of remote working continue to be available to our workforce throughout the country.

As the Senator said, we have seen first-hand how important the remote working revolution has been. The Government is committed to this. There has been a lot of consultation as part of the Our Rural Future roadshow and the feedback is very clear. I was in charge of it. We have made significant strides in the areas of remote working and in facility provision, but we must now work on a rural development policy which will seek to build on this success and ensure we can have further dividends for people in rural Ireland.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. We will have a further written consultation on Our Rural Future, but I look forward to the Senator engaging with me and the Department to ensure we have a strategy that promotes remote working and sets targets that can deliver for people.

My request is very basic and relates to the need for the Minister for education to make a statement on the status of Scoil Mhuire's application for a new school building in Carrick-on-Shannon.

I will give a bit of background information. Scoil Mhuire is the largest primary school in Carrick-on-Shannon, which is a very big and ever-growing town in County Leitrim. The school is located right in the middle of Carrick-on-Shannon and was one of the earliest proponents of the amalgamation of the two schools. The schools that were amalgamated were an old boys' school built in 1963 and a girls' school that was built in 1953. The schools were amalgamated in 2013.

In 2016, the school put in an application for a much-needed school building. The most glaringly obvious issue there is that there are two different campuses and they are across the road from each other. Not only is it dangerous for children crossing the road, but it also affects school identity and drop-offs. Parents drop children off in the morning to both campuses. We know the Department is aware, because a technical report several years ago from the then Department of Education stated that the school building was substandard. It is very easy to see why. The PE hall is tiny for the number of children who attend the school. The building is really cold and hard to heat.

As the school is very inclusive, the principal and the school's entire staff have welcomed children from a lot of different cultures and backgrounds, who often have additional learning and language needs. These students have needs for which small spaces would be conducive to best accommodate them. Like every school across the country, there are more children with additional needs in the school education system. Again, these children would benefit from having smaller classrooms and environments. To deal with the lack of space, the school is using converted corridors and eating into the PE hall. The PE space was small enough and it now has to be divided. It is real challenge. A promise has been made to build two modular classrooms this summer but the project will have an impact on the play space available and we all know that play is an important holistic need for children.

Leitrim County Council has identified a suitable greenfield site, with which the school is very happy. The four local Deputies are all very supportive of the site and have publicly expressed their support. We now need the Department to indicate the status of the application for the new school building. The application was submitted in 2016 and people want to know when the project will progress to the next stage.

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Helen McEntee. I thank the Senator for raising the matter of the status of a new school application for Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim.

Scoil Mhuire is a co-educational school under Catholic patronage. As the Senator rightly pointed out, it is the result of an amalgamation in September 2013 of the local boys' and girls' national schools. The current staffing at the school is a principal, plus 19 mainstream posts and six special education posts. There are currently 465 pupils enrolled in the school.

The priority in the Department is to ensure the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post-primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs. Applications from schools for major capital works must be considered in the context of capacity requirements and climate action commitments. The Department’s approach is to maximise the usage of existing capacity in schools and manage the progression of the existing pipeline of projects within its allocated capital funding envelope, in line with the Government’s infrastructure guidelines.

Maximising existing capacity in schools to meet needs is very important from both a climate agenda and budgetary perspective. The plan for working this through at a national scale will be informed by the outcome of the energy and condition surveys of all schools, which are currently under way and due for completion by mid-2026. The subsequent analysis of this significant amount of data will take some time but will help determine priorities going forward in respect of retrofit and refurbishment projects. The process may ultimately identify a requirement for the replacement of some accommodation, but this is not expected to be widespread. This overall process is particularly valuable in facilitating a proportionate assessment of a school’s accommodation upgrade needs relative to all other schools and allows an effective prioritisation of capital investment.

The programme for Government recognises the importance of strong capital investment in the school building programme and supporting this with enhanced allocations through the national development plan process. Since 2020, the Department of education has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the national development plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. A recent Government decision approved €210 million in supplementary capital funding from the Department, which brings the total capital allocation for 2025 to €1.6 billion.

As part of the NDP review process, all Departments, including the Department of Education and Youth, are currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation with respect to NDP allocations for the period 2026 to 2030. It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period. This will allow the Department of Education and Youth to plan its capital programme for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities. Maximising existing capacity in schools to meet needs is very important. The progression of prioritised individual projects to meet the most urgent needs in the 2026 to 2030 period that cannot be met through existing capacity across schools in the local area will be considered on a rolling basis from autumn onwards after the NDP allocations are finalised.

There is, therefore, no date or commitment yet. I ask the Minister of State to look favourably on this matter. He mentioned that the impact of climate change is part of the assessment. I will cite an example of how unfair it is when there are two campuses. In 2024, schools were encouraged to apply for solar panels. As there are two school campuses, only one application was accepted but the school still has two electricity bills.

A new Gaelscoil in Carrick-on-Shannon, which is very welcome, was afforded €4.5 million. There is a danger that one school will be completely run down because it has an existing building.

The lights have gone off in the Chamber, which also happened during a committee meeting earlier.

It was not me.

One school will become run down and one will serve an affluent area. Middle-class children will attend one school and Scoil Mhuire will be cynically run down because of the lack of an appropriate school building. Scoil Mhuire submitted an application in 2016. It is the main national school in Carrick-in-Shannon, so a new school building is a matter of urgency.

The Department is fully aware of the needs of Scoil Mhuire and the local area and the application for a new school building. I assure the Senator that the application will be reviewed further following the outcome of the NDP allocation process.

The Department acknowledges the ongoing discussions concerning a proposed new school building, which the Senator rightly pointed out. It will continue to engage with the patron, local authority and, I am sure, local representatives as part of its ongoing review of school requirements for the whole Carrick-on-Shannon area. I again thank the Senator for raising this matter.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. It is estimated that there are 137,000 people in this country living with heart failure. Last week, a cross-party delegation of Senators and Deputies met a group from the Irish Heart Foundation to hear about this condition. The group is calling for greater access to cardiac rehabilitation, psychological support and help to ease the financial hardship caused by this condition.

I thank the two patient champions, as they are known, who spoke at the meeting, namely, Teresa O'Hanlon, who hails from Monaghan and whom I know personally, and Stephen Comerford. I salute them on their efforts, not alone in living with the condition but also in trying to champion the cause of the 137,000 people who live with the condition. I also salute the professionals who attended the meeting.

We know much more about this rapidly growing condition. Heart failure is a chronic disease that occurs when the heart muscle does not pump blood as well as it should. We also know of the disabilities and challenges faced by people living with heart failure in Ireland. The Irish Heart Foundation told us that it is estimated that 30% of heart failure patients are back in hospital within 90 days of discharge and that half of all admissions are due to poor self-care and are, therefore, largely preventable.

It is clear that heart failure patients need more help to address the psychological impact of their condition and the financial hardship that flows from that and to gain greater access to rehabilitation services. This includes incentives like direct access to diagnostics for GPs, integrated care programmes and multidisciplinary support teams in community settings. Allowing GPs to directly refer patients for heart failure diagnostics in community settings, rather than requiring hospital visits for routine checks, can reduce travel time and the associated costs for patients. Community-based services and investment in primary care centres with multidisciplinary teams can improve access and ease pressure on hospitals. Targeted financial aid can help people manage costs associated with medications, transportation and other related expenses. Leverage in digital solutions can improve patient outcomes and quality of life, and self-management and support can empower people to take more control of their health. An integrated approach to heart failure care, which implements these measures, could significantly improve the lives of people living with heart failure and enable them to maintain a better quality of life.

As can be clearly seen, this is a condition that is, unfortunately, growing and needs more attention than is currently being given to it by the Department of Health. For the sake of the people suffering from this condition, I hope we can hear some positive news as to what Government will do to address the many physical, psychological and financial challenges these people have to go through daily.

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this important Commencement matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health. Heart failure is a complex condition that affects thousands of people in Ireland. Many people are unaware that they have heart failure, due to the gradual onset of symptoms, which are often mistaken for normal signs of ageing or attributed to other health conditions. Therefore, heart failure has often progressed significantly by the time a diagnosis is made. Treatment requires co-ordinated multidisciplinary care, as the Senator rightly pointed out, and the Government recognises the significant burden that heart failure can place on individuals, families and the health system, as a whole.

Cardiovascular health is a priority in the programme for Government, which commits to developing a new and more ambitious cardiovascular plan, enhancing patient care and timely access for all regions of the country. The national review of cardiac services was published recently. Its recommendations provide an evidence base for reform of cardiac services and the report is a key enabler of progress. The HSE is currently developing an implementation plan for this.

Ireland has made significant progress in managing heart failure through the heart failure model of care 2021. This aims to standardise care and improve outcomes for patients. The enhanced community care programmes are supporting the development of 30 ambulatory care hubs for chronic disease management in the community and the roll-out of modernised care pathways. The enhanced community care programme has expanded from the nine pilot community healthcare networks in 2019 to 96 now. To date, 27 of the 30 planned community specialist teams, CSTs, for older persons and 26 of the 30 CSTs are in place, with 81% of the planned 3,500 whole-time equivalents recruited.

As part of the enhanced community care programmes, the integrated care programme for chronic disease provides enhanced access to diagnostics and specialist opinion for general practitioners, which sets the foundation for expedited heart failure diagnosis. Ireland is recognised as a world leader in identifying those at high risk of the development of heart failure. An approach to heart failure, STOP-HF, has been developed where a specific blood test determines the impact of risk factors on heart function. It identifies high-risk cohorts and facilitates appropriate management. The chronic disease management programme now encourages GPs to perform the blood test on those at risk of heart failure. STOP-HF has now been adopted in several international guidelines, a testament to the innovation of Irish clinicians. The model of care for integrated cardiac rehabilitation was published in October 2023 and presents best evidence and practice for high-quality, equitable and person-centred cardiac rehabilitation services for those living with heart disease in Ireland. To address gaps in cardiac rehabilitation, 13 staff were funded in 2025 and these posts are currently being recruited for. Funding was also made available for one day per week to provide psychology services, which, as the Senator rightly pointed out, is important as part of the treatment programme, as part of the rehabilitation teams in the 30 new specialist ambulatory care hubs for chronic disease.

The second women's health action plan also places a spotlight on cardiovascular health in women, because they often experience heart failure differently. To support this, the Minister for Health has funded €1.23 million for six projects on women's heart health and, in particular, to improve our understanding of services for heart failure.

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response to my question. I acknowledge the great strides being made on heart care in the State. I note the developments regarding this area as well. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, this condition is rapidly on the increase. It affects almost 150,000 people in the country. We need to be aware of it. Those affected have to endure physical constraints daily, and the psychological effects of having to live with that are immeasurable. There are also financial hardships associated with this condition, never mind the treatment of it, as Teresa O'Hanlon outlined in her contribution. This young lady was a schoolteacher who had to give up work because of this condition because she did not have the energy. As long as those three pillars are being addressed and we can see progress, I welcome it and I look forward to continued progress being made on this issue.

I acknowledge that cardiovascular health is a central pillar of health funding as part of budget 2025, which included more than €9 million in full-year costs to support important cardiovascular health initiatives. The budget commits €4 million in additional full-year costs and 45 new posts to reform how we deliver cardiac services. Since 2020, the chronic disease management programme has supported those at the greatest risk, including those with heart failure. The programme includes prevention, targeted case finding and ongoing management, which helps us to identify cardiovascular disease early, manage the condition effectively and slow or halt the disease's progression. As with anything in health, early diagnosis is really important and is key. When we were negotiating the programme for Government, I can recall that this issue got a lot of attention. The line in the programme for Government about timely access to cardiac services across all regions was an important part of those commitments. It will continue to be so as part of the budgetary allocation process going forward.