I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for raising the very important issue of ambulance service provision on islands for residents and visitors. I am here on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, who, unfortunately, could not be here tonight. As part of its planning for medical emergencies, the NAS has made significant investment in training and equipment for volunteers on our inhabited islands. Through the NAS community engagement unit, training and support are provided to emergency first responders, EFRs, on the is…

In fairness, the response I gave sets out clearly that there is emergency support in relation to the emergency aeromedical services in the west and north west.

As I understand it, the helicopter service is available. Earlier, I addressed the specific issue of emergency care on the islands and spoke about the significant increases in NAS resourcing in recent years. I also outlined the levels of additional investment in 2025 for the NAS following budget 2025. That is an increase of more than €33 million. I will now mention the ambitious programme of reform the NAS has embarked upon in recent years to transform from a traditional patient conveyance service to an agile, fit-f…

That has happened on some of the islands, but the programme is progressing. It is how they are responding to make sure that an adequate number of people are trained to deal with emergencies.

There is additional funding in each of these areas. The Deputy will have to accept that over the past four years that funding has benefited the islands. I outlined where ambulances have been provided to the islands.

It is progress that occurred in 2023. There will hopefully be further developments with the budget set out for the coming year.

The Government has provided significant additional investment to enhance all aspects of our mental health care, including that of children and young people. This is in line with our mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, and our suicide reduction strategy, Connecting for Life. Good progress continues to be made on the implementation of both policies. Over the lifetime of the Government, funding for mental health has increased by 44%. Year-on-year funding for mental health services has increased by €143.5 million…

Targeted waiting list activity in 2024 is focused on those waiting more than 12 months. A real improvement has been delivered in mental health services, particularly in youth mental health.

I thank Senator Conway for raising this issue. The last time I was in this House and I raised this issue, the Minister who replied was someone who had haemochromatosis. I thank Senator Conway for the opportunity to speak on it in the Seanad on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. Haemochromatosis is a hereditary condition, common in Ireland, in which excessive amounts of iron are absorbed from the diet. Over time, excess iron accumulates mainly in the liver but also in the pancre…

In fairness, following the changes that have occurred in the past three or four years, many people who were going to hospital are now going to their GP, which is a major improvement. In addition, because of the extension of the GP card criteria, many more people are able to attend their GP without having to pay a charge. The Minister for Health is committed to the delivery of treatments to patients with hereditary haemochromatosis in a fair and equitable manner. The Minister understands there may be some disappoint…

Before I give my reply on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, I wish to indicate that I fully understand the importance of primary care centres. Where they have been established, they have made a major contribution to local areas in the context of providing comprehensive healthcare. I thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter and for the opportunity to update the House in respect of it. A central objective of the programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated healthcare with service de…

On behalf of the Minister, I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue. I acknowledge his commitment. He has been working on this project for quite some time. I commend his involvement in the development of the primary care centre and his continued advocacy on behalf of the people of Gorey. As I stated in my opening remarks, the HSE has confirmed to the Minister that the Gorey primary care centre will be readvertised in quarter 4 of 2024. It is intended that the publication of the new advertisement will reinvigora…

I am here on behalf of the Minister for housing. I thank Senator Lombard for raising the issue of the work being carried out by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to secure the renewal of Ireland's nitrates derogation from 1 January 2026. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the nitrates directive and the nitrates action programme, NAP. The purpose of the NAP is to prevent pollution of…

I take on board what the Senator is saying about the timeline. It is a very tight timeline from November to 1 January. However, the programme I referred to earlier is a €60 million programme over five years to implement measures where water quality is at risk from agriculture. A fund is being provided to assist with this. Ireland must demonstrate water quality improvements and stabilisation to secure the next derogation. I believe the Senator accepts that. It will be a very great challenge to do that. It is importa…

I am dealing with this on behalf of the Minister for housing. I thank Senator Ward for raising this important issue with regard to the requirement on local authorities to define the bathing season for the designated bathing sites in their jurisdiction. The Bathing Water Quality (Amendment) Regulations, which were published on 28 June 2024, were brought into law to facilitate the local authorities in defining the bathing season within their jurisdiction on an annual basis. In accordance with the regulations, the loc…

It is an important issue and I will convey that to the Department. The response I received sets out that water quality sampling is carried out by local authorities around Dublin Bay all year round. The Senator obviously disagrees with that. I will convey his concerns to the Department about ensuring proper monitoring 52 weeks of the year. That is important but it is important as well that the new regulations have come into place. It is now up to the local authorities to publish guidance on the matter and they must …

I apologise that the Minister for Education is not able to be here. She asked me to deputise for her and express her apologies on her behalf. Before I address the specific issue raised, I will provide an outline of the extent of the school transport scheme. The scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023-24 school year, more than 163,600 children, including more than 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post-primary services, 20,200 pupils with …

I understand where the Deputy is coming from regarding children with special needs who have particular requirements. That needs to be taken on board. As I outlined in my reply, my understanding is that there has been full consultation with parents, schools, Bus Éireann and politicians. There inevitably will be teething problems with the scheme. I hope they will be resolved shortly but there still may be some problems that take a bit of time to sort out. I will convey the Deputy's comments to the Minister. As I deta…

I too wish to send my condolences to the family of Mary O’Rourke. I first met Mary when she was a Minister and I was the Lord Mayor of Cork in 2003. We had an entertaining engagement because, as Lord Mayor of Cork, one of the jobs you have is to visit every school in the city and grant a half-day. Her colleague, Noel Dempsey, withdrew the right to grant the half-day. I remember Mary telling me that if she was Minister, she would have been far more diplomatic in making sure that the power of the Lord Mayor of Cork w…

I set out in my reply that there are 19 addiction counsellors working across 11 prisons, providing an invaluable rehabilitative service to prisoners, and it is hoped that in the coming months this service will be further enhanced. I understand the point the Deputy has raised but believe there is now a commitment to further expand the role of the nurses. I hope that will happen over the next 12 months. The Irish Prison Service recognises the significant prevalence of addiction and drug-related harm in our prisons. T…