As my colleagues have pointed out, this new wave of the virus has not spared any sector of society and unfortunately, that is also true for people with disabilities as well. I have been granted three minutes, which is only time to give the House a high-level overview of the significant work that is ongoing. Last week, in light of the increased levels of Covid-19 transmission rates in the community, the HSE issued revised guidance measures for the disability services. The revised guidance reflects the Government's i…

We built into the budget an extra €30 million to support section 39 organisations' workers and staff and to help them with the gap created by fundraising.

Only several weeks ago I answered the same question. In my opening statement, I stated that, under level 5, assessments of needs will continue, whether it is face to face or whatever alternative measures are put in place. That does not just mean assessment of needs. It also means all other interventions as well. I have secured support on that from the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. I am delighted the Deputy brought up the issue of special needs schools and classes. I have a real concern about the regression of those ch…

I thank all the Deputies for their considered questions and comments. It is positive to have such a healthy conversation on this issue because there are many differing opinions. We must ensure that the discussion is given the time to happen. It was no surprise to learn this week that "unprecedented" was chosen as the word of the year. The new decade has not got off to the start any of us expected. This year has been one of heartbreak for each and every one of us in different ways. We have had to deal with the death…

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to outline the position regarding developments at Camphill Dunshane Community, Naas, County Kildare. I know the Deputy has raised this issue with my office over the past couple of weeks and I am very aware of the worry and confusion it has caused for the residents of Dunshane and their families, which is something nobody ever wants, particularly just before Christmas. The positive news I can report tonight is that Camphill Communities of Irela…

On a side note, earlier today the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Deputy O'Gorman, signed the commencement of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. I was there with him when he did it. This is a proud day for the deaf community. I will say my next words in Irish Sign Language - Happy Christmas.

I thank the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly. It is important that I start with the right words said in the right way. I have just had my first lesson in sign language and I will not be as good as the Cathaoirleach in the fluency of his delivery but as I look at my notes, I will try my best. To people watching I encourage everybody to try to learn a few words in sign language. It has been a very enriching experience. I am delighted to be here today to talk to the House on this very important occasion and I am proud…

I was delighted to make the announcement when I came to the House today, and I was also very proud to be a colleague of the Cathaoirleach and to have worked with him for the past number of years. All of his colleagues here recognise his ability, determination, tenacity and willingness to get something done when he puts his mind to it. However, the Cathaoirleach has not been alone in doing the work he has done, and we have acknowledged the work done by Grace Coyle on this project. This legislation represents a uniqu…

I thank the Deputy for raising this question and giving me the opportunity to clarify the position. I have been observing the engagements of the Joint Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration with the families, the Children's Ombudsman and other representatives. The length of time to complete an assessment of need under the Disability Act will vary depending on the child’s complexity of need. The average time from receipt of application to the completion of an assessment of need report in 2019 fo…

I again thank the Deputy for this opportunity to lay out exactly what my plans are and to share them with the House. The funding I received through Sláintecare is being adequately used to address that backlog at this moment in time. Next week, at the Joint Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, I plan to have all the figures to show exactly how the funding has been spent and how we are achieving that. I also plan to meet the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, next week to address the issue reg…

The whole idea of the standard operating procedure, or SOP, was to gather information so we could put people on different pathways. However, that only ever got off the ground for approximately six weeks because Covid landed. Again, I am seeking funding from the Minister for Health and am using that funding appropriately to address the backlog. As a new Minister of State in my portfolio, this has given me the opportunity to address whether the SOP is fit for purpose. Will it address the needs of the families and get…

I thank Deputy Bruton for raising this vital question. As I said in my earlier contribution, one of my key priorities is finding a model that actually works. Let us have one list so that when a child reaches early years education or school and needs an assessment, it is done in a timely way and an intervention can be accessed. The intervention should follow all the way through. Children should not age into and then age out of the catchment of early years intervention without ever accessing a service. That is what I…

Deputy Bruton has pulled together in his comments where we want to get to. The child should at all times get the necessary intervention. We should also equip the people who spend eight hours per day in classrooms in developing the skill sets they need to support the child in his or her pathway through education. We need to crack this nut - I used that phrase earlier - for the simple reason that there are too many lists and too many people responsible for them. We need a clear pathway. I see the value in the school …

Absolutely. I would welcome more involvement of people with experience for the simple reason that I think we all want the one thing: we want the families to get their interventions. We do not want lists upon lists. I look forward to working with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, on this. I believe in the network disability teams, coupled with the school inclusion model so we can have just one list so that families know when their children have gone on a list. The reason I need the school inclusion model, and I…

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Health so the answer I will articulate is directly from his Department. The demand for gynaecological services consistently outstrips supply, with increased waiting lists being experienced across all service delivery areas. I am advised that in an effort to improve access and ensure a more sustainable gynaecology service, the HSE's national women and infants health programme has developed an ambulatory gynaecology model of care…

I am going to read out the concluding statement of the Minister for Health. I would like to emphasise that developing the gynaecology clinics is integral to improving access to services and reducing waiting lists for the specialty. I can confirm that the roll-out of the new model of care is under way with a number of the clinics already up and running. Finally, on behalf of the Minister, I wish to emphasise that developing and improving gynaecological services is just one aspect of this Government's broader commitm…

I am taking this matter today on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Peter Burke. As in the previous matter, I will read the script provided to me, following which I will offer my own opinion. I thank Senator Boyhan for raising the matter and providing me with an opportunity to clarify the position. The making or variation of the statutory development plan of a planning authority is set out in sections 9 to 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, …

As identified by the Senator, there are two processes. Obviously, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will not hit the bar in terms of the first one because it is a ten-week process, but my understanding is that if it engages in the material alterations stage, then if it needs to add or subtract, depending on the public representatives on the council, it is open to review on a continuous basis.

As I said in regard to the previous matters, I am representing the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Peter Burke, today. I will read the script provided but I have a personal opinion which I will happily deliver when I have finished the script. I thank Senator Davitt for raising the important matter of maternity leave for local authority elected members. In the programme for Government, Our Shared Future, the Government has clearly set out the commitment to addres…

I have to deliver it. Separately, with effect from January 2017, the Social Welfare Acts were amended such that most councillors gained access to similar benefits as self-employed contributors. As a consequence, councillors under the age of 66 are now reckonable for the purposes of accessing class S benefits, including maternity benefit. Any change to the provisions allowing for councillor absences would require an amendment to the Local Government Act 2001 by the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Department of Housing…