I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I compliment Cara on her strong performance and for being the fantastic advocate she is.

Cara raised some vital points in my meetings with her. One issue I have taken totally and completely on board, on which I was assisted by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, was the allocation of €11.5 million to address assessment of needs. We are in the final days of producing our progressing disability services, PDS, roadmap, in addition to putting a plan in place where we will not just see assessment of needs done on an ad hoc basis between the 91 PDS teams. We will put regional assessment teams i…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Only in the past week I have met with various providers to discuss how we can access care and work with other providers that are not part of the framework. I refer to looking at this provision with a person-centred approach and a clear understanding of the value of personal assistance, PA. This is very different from home care and home support. We need to use PA support for people aged under 65 in conjunction with various providers. Department officials and I att…

No.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 357 together. As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. I also point out that I am not the only one raising these concerns. Senior Fine Gael sources who spoke to the Irish Mail on Sunday , which is not The Ditch , also expressed their alarm. One is reported as saying: It's creating real unease in rural Ireland - rural Ireland is ready to explode. We are being turned into economic…

As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Without getting into specifics I know exactly case that the Deputy is talking about. I cannot imagine what it is like for that mum needing that assistance or for any mother or father as they age who needs that assistance to ensure that before their time comes they have catered for their loved one. There is a huge amount of unmet need out there and a huge amount of emergency residential places required which means there is no capacity building whatever for the planned phas…

That is right.

I want to recognise the hurt and upset it causes families when they reach that stage where they are no longer in a position to care for their most precious. They reach out for help, and they really need it. Yet, they do not find that that help is being provided. We have to work. The system is not working. There is an unmet need. There are two parts needed to make it work. It is my job to ensure there is enough revenue in place to ensure we can move away from just emergency and building capacity towards the unmet ne…

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter. I acknowledge that this is an area in which the Deputy has particular interest. The Deputy is no different from me in that, as someone who represents a rural constituency, he understands completely the challenges parents of this young lady and others have come to him about. The Deputy previously asked about difficulties young people may have in attending training centres and places of employment. I responded that a PA service may be of benefit. I wish to cla…

I thank the Deputy for his continuing advocacy on this case. It has prompted me in my engagement with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Department is updating the housing adaptation regulations now to include hoists. Engagement is ongoing with the HSE on what its role is, if any, regarding the training that may be required. It is imminent.

No, it does not.

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter. I acknowledge that this is an area in which the Deputy has particular interest. The Deputy is no different from me in that, as someone who represents a rural constituency, he understands completely the challenges parents of this young lady and others have come to him about. The Deputy previously asked about difficulties young people may have in attending training centres and places of employment. I responded that a PA service may be of benefit. I wish to cla…

I certainly will meet a deputation and would have officials from my office there along with representatives from the HSE. There is no point in us talking unless we are going to have a meeting to find a solution. I absolutely believe the solution can be found. I say to Orla, her parents and her friends that Deputy Stanton has raised this matter and it is on my radar. I want to find a solution for them and we will find a solution. Orla needs to continue on to the next level, no different from any other child. She has…

Speak for yourself.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. The initial teacher education policy statement which the Minister launched last month presented a vision for policy and provision across the sector which can ensure that student teachers at primary and post-primary level have the skills to support all our children and young people as learners in the years ahead.

The Minister understands the Deputy's desire to ensure that the SETU can achieve its full potential and contribute to the economic and social development of the south east. He will see that there are opportunities for the TU sector to contribute to initial teacher education, as outlined. The Minister hopes that he will understand that her Department's policy consideration is that it is important to ensure our student teachers have excellent preparation that has the advantage of a critical mass in high-quality resea…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — addressing vacancy issues and making the best use of existing housing stock is essential in light of the current housing crisis; and — the Government has developed a multifaceted approach to addressing the issue, and the Vacant Homes Tax (VHT) is one part of a wider suite of measures set out in Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland; recalls that: — the Minister for Housing, Local Government a…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As he will be aware, the working group has met for the past 12 months and has finished its work. The final document has been produced and sent to the Department of Finance. Our aim is to devise a scheme that is fit for purpose before the next budget.

I thank the Deputy for raising this very valuable topic. I fully believe in the use of hydrotherapy pools. She is correct that a number of hydrotherapy pools around the country have not reopened after Covid. I ask her to bring me the details of the pool in Sligo. I have no problem working with her, nor does the HSE, to make sure that this and other pools are reopened.