I thank Deputy Andrews for raising this important issue. The Government is fully committed to the development and enhancement of children's disability services through the implementation of the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People or PDS programme. I fully acknowledge this change programme has been challenging for many stakeholders, in particular, for children and young people using the service as well as for their families. These challenges have resulted in unacceptably long delays for fam…

I thank the Deputy again for his contribution and concern in this very important matter. I assure the House that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will continue to engage with the HSE to fill the vacant posts and to drive them towards the levels required. Most of the disciplines working in the CDNTs are similar to those working in other areas of the health and social care sector, both public and private. In this context, the HSE disability services continue to experience ongoing challenges in recruiting and r…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. As he is aware, GPs are private practitioners, although most hold contracts with the HSE to provide services under various health schemes. There are currently more than 2,500 GPs with General Medical Services, GMS, contracts for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit cardholders. As they are private practitioners, GPs are free to establish their practices and work at a location of their own choosing. However, where a GP vacancy a…

The HSE is aware of the expected retirement of the GP concerned and is taking appropriate steps to arrange for the continued provision of GP services for affected cardholders until such time as a replacement GP is in place. The HSE's focus is on ensuring continuity of care. It is currently engaging with local providers to implement a plan for services in the interim. As the Deputy stated, we need to take steps to reassure people. Sometimes, the wrong message can go out. It can be difficult to get the right message …

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Government is supportive of district heating because it contributes to the diversification of the fuel supply for heat and decarbonising the heat sector. Across Europe, the term "district heating" is generally applied to networks that serve neighbourhoods, towns or cities and cover a mixture of customers including public buildings, industrial and commercial sites and residential units. District heating networks can offer flexibility in fuel choice and the ability to a…

I thank the Deputy. The issues affecting customers of group heating schemes is primarily a matter for the consumer and the energy provider. The package of financial supports made available under budget 2023 includes the electricity emergency benefit scheme and will assist vulnerable households in the context of the cost of living. I do not have the detail regarding clarity but we will be able to work on that if the Deputy sends an email to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan, o…

I very much welcome the opportunity to debate the Labour Party motion in respect of drugs policy and to highlight the progress we have made in the implementation of the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery. As Deputies are aware, it is a health-led approach to drug and alcohol use in Ireland from 2017 to 2025. As Minister of State, I am responsible for co-ordinating the implementation of the national drugs strategy. By treating the use of substances as a public health issue rather than solely…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to address the House on Second Stage of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022. This is an annual technical Bill comprising eight sections, all focused on the specific area of health insurance. This legislation is required each year to revise the amounts of credits and levies, ensuring not only that the risk equalisation scheme operates in a consistent and fair manner but also that it generates sufficient income in order that it is self-financing. …

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. The Government recognises that there are significant challenges facing general practice and that those challenges can limit access to GP services in certain areas and negatively affect the timely provision of care. We all know that is the case. Some issues are specific to certain areas. There is no doubt there has been a general increase in demand for GP services, due in part to demographics and our ageing population. In recent years, general practice has had to…

I thank the Senator. I hear what she is saying in respect of practices closing down after Covid. Many things have changed. However, general practice is providing more to the community and, although demand for services has increased, steps have been taken to increase GP capacity and support general practice and those steps are having a positive impact. The increased investment in general practice, with improved fees and supports, is attracting more doctors into general practice. As I stated, the number of doctors tr…

A citizens' assembly, as committed to under the programme for Government, is being initiated and is due to happen early in the new year. Preparations are ongoing.

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. It was raised in the Dáil this morning too. I extend my sympathies to the workers in the Butcher's Block, who are now suddenly facing job losses. The way in which this was handled was cold and lacked compassion. It is no way to treat hardworking, loyal workers. We have to protect and support workers. The Government and I appreciate how difficult this situation is for those involved and their families, particularly at Christmas time. The Government is acutely…

The Deputy has outlined many different issues, including the tip jars, holiday pay and back pay. I will bring those concerns to the Minister. The Debenhams Bill, or legislation like it, does not come under the remit of my Department, but I will bring the Deputy's suggestion to the Minister. The Government appreciates the impact this dispute has on the affected workers, and the Minister is disappointed by the suddenness of the announcement. For its part, the State will do all it can to support the workers at this mo…

The cross-party Sláintecare report of 2017 articulated a new vision for healthcare, including the provision of elective-only hospitals, providing protected capacity for elective care. This policy has also been informed by a number of subsequent policy documents and Government decisions including the 2017 Sláintecare report, the Sláintecare implementation strategy 2018, the national development plan 2018, the programme for Government 2020, the Sláintecare implementation strategy and action plan 2021-2023 and finally…

As I said in my opening remarks, I am conscious of Deputy O'Sullivan's desire for the new elective facilities in Cork and in particular that they are delivered as soon as possible. Producing this new delivery capability into the public healthcare system will benefit the good people of Cork and indeed the whole population. I am as keen as the Deputy that they get to work as quickly as possible. I suppose being approved in principle means the Government has given a commitment. However, I am aware that the Government …

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He talked about issuing medical cards quickly and people having to supply information again. He has a unique view on the hospital making a decision. A time of illness is difficult and a cancer patient experiencing trauma, for example, needs compassion and needs the State to act as quickly as possible. Person-centred care is a core value of the health service, whereby everyone living in Ireland and considered by the HSE to be ordinarily resident here is entitled to either f…

I will bring the Deputy's views to the relevant section immediately. As he said, we need to alleviate some of the burden on people with serious and terminal illnesses. We do as much as possible to support people with difficult illnesses, including, where appropriate, through the provision of a medical card. Every effort is made by the HSE within the framework of the legislation to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances of applicants …

As the Deputy knows, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. It gives me the opportunity to set out for the House the position with regard to the schools reconfiguration engagement process that is ongoing in a number of pilot areas nationwide, including a number of primary schools in the Raheny area. In March this year, the Minister for Education announced that arrangements were being put in place for a number of towns and areas in cities that hav…

I will bring the Deputy's views and concerns back to the Minister. Engagement on the three schools the Deputy referred to in Raheny is ongoing and no decision in respect of the transfer of patronage from the Catholic patron to a multidenominational one has been made at this stage. As part of the structured engagement process, information meetings with the facilitator have been set up with parents in the three schools. The facilitator will provide them with information on the process, answer queries and provide an o…

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this important issue and for the opportunity to give an update on the criteria for home energy upgrades on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. The Government funds a number of grant schemes, as the Senator knows, to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI. Last February Government launched a range of new measures to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to under…