I was. That was the most important point. There is much to be learned from a smooth transfer and having a good working relationship with Ministers in both Departments. There is much to be learned about how both Departments had to work in a collaborative way and a relationship developed. Perhaps in the past we would have always worked in silos but at all my meetings Department of Health officials must appear and officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth must appear. They …

Yes.

It should be the principle for everything. It should not be just for one. That rule and good governance should apply to everything from the parents' association in a national school right up to the highest office.

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am standing in for the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, who is unwell and unable to attend in person. He is disappointed not to be present for this critical and historic legislation, which will introduce for the first time a regulatory framework for assisted human reproduction, AHR. AHR is a complex, innovative and fast-moving area of medicine and this legislation will support thousands of people who wish to have children to do so safely through AHR. It will cl…

They do not go on maternity leave in disability services.

I thank the Deputies for bringing forward the motion. It is important for me to make every minute count. Sometimes I do not get asked questions or they are not selected for Oral Questions to the Departments of Health or Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, so when I get a motion like this, I welcome it because it gives me an opportunity to lay out my stall on the floor of the Dáil. I thank my colleague Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan who has kept me company all evening. It is greatly appreciated. We are…

I was not at yesterday's parliamentary party meeting. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. The Minister appreciates that hyperemesis is a debilitating condition for women and is anxious that our health service should support women with this condition in every way possible. Improving women's health outcomes is a key priority for the Minister and this Government. We made a strong commitment to promoting women's health in the programme for Government and are fully committed to…

I will take this back after I leave the meeting later on. I do know that the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has put a priority on women's health. The priority means that if something was said last night, let us get clarification on that. As a woman who has given birth three times, I also suffered. I cannot say it was with hyperemesis but I know what morning sickness is like. I cannot imagine what that level of illness is like and I would not want any woman to go through it. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy S…

Today’s motion relates to the important issue of improving transport options for people with disabilities. I thank the Regional Group for giving me the platform to speak about what is going on in my Department with regard to this matter. We have to recognise that there are transport challenges for people with disabilities, which I and my Government colleagues are addressing. I acknowledge the Ombudsman’s recent report from November 2021 and the resignation of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal in January,…

My understanding is the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has sent the names to be put on the board. We are just waiting for that approval now.

We were not in the confidence and supply arrangement at that time.

The Deputy just did.

He just did.

He just did.

I am not-----

I thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to address this matter. He has long advocated the opening of the group home in Carrickmacross, and I thank him for raising this important matter again today. As the Senator knows, there have been protracted negotiations between HSE community healthcare organisation 1, CHO 1, disability services and the Respond housing agency regarding the lease agreement for the Bóthar Oirialla group home in Carrickmacross. I can inform the Senator that HSE estates confirmed it has …

We are just between friends here and I do not mind sharing that in order for me to expedite this, I named the date I was coming to Carrickmacross, which was 28 March. There is a little bit of pressure on everybody, whether it is HIQA, the HSE or the Department, to ensure the building is opening and fully functioning for those five residents. I am coming that day to ensure it happens. It is money I wanted spent in 2021 but it dragged into 2022. I am nonetheless delighted the providers - the HSE and Resilience - have…

I thank the Senator for raising this issue today. I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, who sends his apologies. I hope his office contacted the Senator's before this debate. As the Senator will be aware, the courts are independent in their functions under the Constitution and the law. The matter of scheduling court cases is administered by the Courts Service in consultation with the Judiciary. With the exception of more serious offences, criminal prosecutions involving children…

Yet again, I thank the Senator. The Minister of State, Deputy Browne, says he welcomes the additional €6.7 million provided for in budget 2022, representing an increase over one third in support for the youth justice service. This budget funding provides the resources to kick-start delivery of key objectives in the youth justice strategy and, in particular, the programme to expand and deepen the range of supports made available through local youth diversion project services. The potential expansion of youth diversi…

I thank the Senator for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health. As the House will know, the Government is committed to increasing access to GP care for more children. Following the provision of GP care without charges for all children under six years of age, the Government plans to expand GP care without charges to all children up to and including the age of 12 on a phased basis, beginning with all children aged six and seven. Having a healthy childhood can provide the basis for…