I again thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I have heard the debates on this issue in the Houses in recent years. As I said, it is, unfortunately, not possible to comment on matters that are sub judice . I reiterate the Government's commitment to continuing to provide the range of supports, including monthly payments, health and personal social services, to thalidomide survivors. We want to continue to provide for the complex and unique health and social service needs of survivors to enable them to…

I thank Deputy Collins for raising this issue and I want to set out a few relevant points. The Department of Health and the HSE provide specialist disability services, including day services and rehabilitative training, to people with disabilities who require such services. The provision or management of transport services does not fall within the remit of the Department of Health nor is it a service for which the HSE has responsibility or provides funding. Therefore, day service funding and supports do not include…

I will raise it with the relevant Departments and see what we can do. Perhaps the Deputy could send an email requesting the meeting because it is a cross-departmental area. I understand there was some issue with the allocation of this Topical Issue matter. The Department of Health has asserted the issue at St. Michael's House developed due to a combination of factors as outlined by the Deputy. In this case, a recent driver retirement and other long-term vacancies meant that St. Michael's House could no longer susta…

I thank Deputies for raising this matter and for the opportunity to provide an update on behalf of the Minister and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. As Deputies know, following the decision of the Government on 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June. The Bill passed both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed int…

I take on board the Deputies' concerns and the fact they are calling for high-quality, modular housing to be located in Donegal and probably other countries. I will certainly bring those concerns and the proposal that he visit back to the Minister. The purpose of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged By the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to approve and enhance the defective concrete blocks, DCB, scheme, as agreed by the Government o…

I convey the apologies of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, who regrets she cannot be here for this matter due to another commitment. On behalf of the Minister, I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter here today and for giving me the opportunity to provide clarity on some issues. The question of deferring or delaying daylight saving time to wintertime is a complex one and one to which the Department of Justice has given careful consideration for some time. Deputy Stanton has a…

I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I will bring his concerns and views back to the Minister. As I outlined, it is important any decision made with regard to seasonal clock changes take account of the wider impact these changes would make. The Department of Justice's engagement with the public has shown the people are keenly aware of these impacts. The Government has introduced a number of targeted measures in budget 2023 to increase energy efficiency, such as increasing the funding to the better energ…

I thank Senator Pauline O'Reilly and her colleagues for tabling this Private Members' motion. I am delighted to be here. I am responding to the motion on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and the Government. It is great to see so many people who have advocated for this very important policy. I see a lot of friends who I have worked with in the Department over the last two years, ably supported, I understand, by Ben. They are very welcome and I believe they do great work as well, so I thank…

I thank the Senator for bringing this important Commencement matter to the floor of the Seanad. As committed to in the programme for Government, the enactment of the human tissue (transplantation, post-mortem, anatomical examination and public display) Bill remains a priority for the Government. It is complex legislation that will include provisions on organ donation, transplantation, hospital post mortem practice and procedures, anatomical examination and public display of bodies after death. In particular, the Bi…

I again stress that the passage of the human tissue Bill remains a priority for the Minister of Health and the Government. While it is regrettable that publication of the Bill has been delayed, this reflects its complexity and the sensitivity of the areas is covers. The Bill will introduce safeguards to protect the integrity of the human body before and after death, and it will underpin the primacy of consent in these matters. The legislation will support the Government's commitment to increase organ donation and t…

I thank Senator Keogan for raising this issue. Cystic fibrosis is a devastating disease for patients and their families. With Ireland having one of the highest per capita rates of cystic fibrosis in the world, many of us will have been affected by the sadness it can cause for families. Access to effective treatments offers hope to those suffering from this disease, and I aim to make this possible for every patient who needs it. Kaftrio has been a life-changing drug for cystic fibrosis sufferers. Access to drugs lik…

I fully appreciate the severity of cystic fibrosis and acknowledge the fears and frustrations of families affected by the situation. I also acknowledge the Senator's bona fides in regard to this difficult matter. The HSE will continue to engage with Vertex and I am hopeful this situation can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone. She stated that a price has been agreed with the Department and I will convey that to officials because my notes, which were provided by the Department, suggest otherwise. O…

I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this issue. Improving services for people with dementia is a priority for the Government and the past three years have seen significant new investment in dementia-specific support services and care countrywide. Next year will see a further €12.16 million investment dedicated to dementia and this is in addition to the cumulative €27.9 million provided across 2021 and 2022. I will bring the Deputy's concerns back to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. In fairness to her, she is ver…

I outlined earlier the unprecedented level of investment made by the Government since 2021 to improve diagnostic and post-diagnostic care and support for the 64,000 people with dementia throughout Ireland. Last Wednesday was World Alzheimer's Day. This provided an opportunity to reflect on what more we need to do to ensure people with dementia can live well as valued citizens of this country. I am pleased to note that early next year the HSE will publish a model of care for dementia that outlines care pathways for …

I am delighted to announce €23.5m in total investment for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy in budget 2023. Addressing the challenge of obesity is a priority for this Government and a priority action under Healthy Ireland, our national framework for improving the health and well-being of our nation, as evidenced by the publication of the national obesity policy and action plan in 2016. Additional funding has been secured to fund increased clinical obesity services in budget 2023. To support …

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on funding for community-based drug and alcohol services and acknowledge the role of Senator Seery Kearney as chairperson of the Dublin 12 drug and alcohol task force. Senators may be aware that the Department of Health completed a mid-term review of the actions in the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, which, as Senators are aware, is a health-led response to drug and alcohol use. Based on the learni…

I am very much aware of the increased financial pressures being exerted on community-based drug and alcohol services as a result of inflation and the increased cost of living. The Senator outlined the case of the St. John Bosco Youth Centre in Drimnagh. The fact that the gas contract price has gone up from 2.5 cent per kilowatt hour to possibly 17 cent per kilowatt hour or from €700 to €4,900 per month is unsustainable. My officials and the Government are very aware of the matter. The additional operating costs for…

I thank Senator Gavan for giving me the opportunity to inform the House, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, of the progress made to date on the safe access zones legislation. I believe the vast majority of us agree that nobody should be harassed, insulted, intimidated or interfered with in any way, or have their decision to access lawful healthcare services subject to attempted influence in an unsolicited way by strangers. The Government is committed to ensuring that anyone needing a termination of…

The Senator raised a few issues regarding the Christmas timeline. He welcomed pre-legislative scrutiny and raised issues relating to industrial action and inclusive language. I will bring them to the Minister. Again, I think he will agree that those who wish to protest about termination of pregnancy may continue to exercise that right practically everywhere else, including outside of these Houses but such protest may not occur at the access point of healthcare services where the intention of protest activity is, or…

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to provide an update on the current situation regarding orthodontics in Oranmore. On 11 August, the Department was informed by the Dental Council that it had successfully applied to the High Court to suspend an orthodontist with a practice in Oranmore, County Galway, from the register of dentists and dental specialists. As the court proceedings are ongoing, the Dental Council is not able to discuss the details of the case due to the in camera court proceedings. Since this mat…