I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Helen McEntee, who is unavailable. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. It gives me an opportunity to discuss the current position with Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola. The Deputy will be aware that the school is a DEIS post-primary school in Falcarragh, County Donegal, and the school had an enrolment in September 2024 of 417 pupils. The school is located in the Falcarragh school planning area and is the only secon…

I will raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy McEntee. As I have stated, my understanding is those applications from Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola for additional accommodation are being considered. The school will be contacted directly once a decision is made. I assure the Deputy that the Department of Education and Youth will advance this matter as quickly as possible and it is very conscious that where additional accommodation is required, a significant lead-in time is necessary for a variety of reasons.

I thank Deputy Gannon. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan. The Department of Education and Youth and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, are aware of the recent issues raised by the school to which the Deputy refers. Both Department and NCSE officials are engaging with the school directly to address the concerns raised. A meeting was held on 7 November between the Department, the NCSE, the school management team and a representative from the school’s boa…

As previously stated, both the Department and NCSE officials are engaging directly with the school in relation to the recent concerns raised by the school. There has been an online meeting and a school visit is planned to involve the NCSE, NEPS, and the inspectorate. I cannot stress enough that any school that has a concern regarding the provision of supports available for students with special educational needs should contact the NCSE, or the Department, in the first instance. Guidance, advice and support will be …

I welcome the Deputy's question and the opportunity to set out the significant funding that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has delivered and continues to deliver in terms of payment schemes for the beef and sheep sectors. Payment schemes for the beef and sheep sector can be divided into two types. First, there are national schemes. In 2025 there are two such schemes supporting the beef and sheep sectors: the national beef welfare scheme and the national sheep welfare scheme. In addition to the n…

I will raise the specific issue the Deputy raised with the Minister. The information I have here in relation to the two schemes - the sheep and beef sectors - is that the Minister secured a further €50 million for those two national schemes in budget 2026. The Department has met with the farming organisations regarding those schemes. I will go back to the Minister and get him to come back to the Deputy directly to clarify the issue.

I thank all the Senators for their contributions to this discussion. As the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, I have witnessed at first hand the passion, dedication and commitment that disabled people bring to advocating for a more inclusive Ireland, and for continually highlighting the need to provide more and better services. The Government and I are very conscious of the struggles endured by disabled people and their families and loved ones. We are firmly of the belief that disabled people …

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to respond. Day services are Health Service Executive-funded programmes for people with intellectual disabilities, autism or complex physical disabilities that include a range of centre-based and community-based activities. Access to services is based on an individual's needs rather than on their diagnosis. The focus is on supporting people to participate in mainstream activities and in the life of their community, in line with…

I am as anxious as the Senator about this and I know that its progression as quickly as possible is really important in his constituency. The HSE will look at engaging with the preferred provider on the milestones and a programme of delivery. I can come back to the Senator with further detail on that. I am in contact with the HSE. I am just looking for further information about the progress of this really important facility for the Senator's constituency.

I rise today to express my full confidence in the Fine Gael leader, the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, and in his work as a Minister in this Government. At the outset, I pass on my sincere condolences to the family of Harvey Morrison Sherratt and especially to his mum and dad, Gillian and Stephen. We as a Government need to do better for vulnerable children, whether they have a disability or they are waiting for vital medical treatment. That includes investing in services and, especially, early intervention and ens…

We should be progressing-----

-----important legislation and improvements in the areas that matter most to individuals and families. A confidence motion does not achieve any of that. I am not sure the public sees Aontú as a serious political party. We hear a lot of discourse about people participating in democratic processes but yesterday outside this House, Deputy Tóibín said he was considering spoiling his vote on Friday week.

A serious political leader-----

-----would never make that statement.

A serious leader would encourage voters to exercise their hard-fought democratic right.

I have confidence that colleagues cross the House will support this motion.

I thank Senator Lynch for raising this important issue and offering me the opportunity to respond. Day services are Health Service Executive-funded programmes for people with intellectual disabilities, autism or complex physical disabilities. That includes a range of centre-based and community-based activities. Access to services is based on an individual’s needs rather than on their diagnosis. The focus is on supporting people to participate in mainstream activities and in the life of their community, in line with…

I hear the concerns the Senator is raising. I will continue my engagement with the HSE to make sure the service gets up and running. I have been told by the HSE that some of the staff are in place and that recruitment is ongoing. I absolutely accept and understand the consistency and surety that are needed for individuals who want to use this day service, and they must get that. We need this building up and running. The recruitment drive is ongoing. I look forward to keeping in contact with the Senator and the HSE …

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak this evening. When this Government took office last January, we promised a step change in the delivery of supports and services for people with disabilities and their families. Budget 2026 is the first step in delivering on this ambition. Some €3.83 billion will be provided to specialist disability services in 2026. That is an unprecedented increase of €618 million, or almost 20%. This funding will be directed at services delivered by the HSE section 38 and section 39 orga…

I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government and I recognise the need for all children to receive the right services at the right time. We are committed to improving services for all children with disabilities. We have and will continue to do so. As the Deputy will know, there are currently 93 children's disability network teams, CDNTs, across the country and these teams provide services and supports for children from birth to 18 years of age. Children with neurological conditions receive supports through th…