I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond. The Minister knows that there are many reasons why people seek residential supports. For some, it is by way of services to allow them remain in their own homes with family. For others, it is a residential service. The aim has been to facilitate living and inclusion in the community. Increasing the provision of disability residential services is a key priority area for this Government and the HSE, and there has been s…

I understand the challenges. I know there is significant demand for residential placements at a level which consistently exceeds supply. We are living longer and we need to do more. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to funding and to working on this. Challenges in providing these services include workforce challenges that apply to all specialist disability services, the acquisition of suitable housing stock and the increasing cost of providing residential care. Regulatory compliance is import…

I thank the Deputy. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the services provided at Monaghan hospital. I absolutely see the Deputy's concerns. The Government is committed to the ongoing development of our regional hospitals, including Cavan and Monaghan hospital. Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan hospital operate as a single hospital, with an integrated managerial and clinical governance system, care pathways and support functions. Since 2020, the Government has allocated significant resources to impro…

I thank the Deputy again for her contributions on Monaghan hospital. It is right that we acknowledge the excellent care provided by the staff, as the Deputy said herself. I will go back to the Minister for Health and request that she pay a visit, as the Deputy asked. The Government is committed to ongoing development and investment in regional hospitals. Significant investment in capital developments at Cavan and Monaghan Hospital includes two- and three-storey extensions currently at design stage, which is a good …

I thank the Deputy.

We had four and a half years here. All of us worked together. It was fabulous to learn. I started in the Seanad. Then I was elected to the Dáil and now I am a Minister of State. I am delighted to be sitting here. I have to mention my colleague, Senator Noonan. As everyone will know, we are both from Carlow-Kilkenny.

Yes. Like other speakers, I pay tribute to the work done by Senator Noonan. It is important to highlight that too. I know the work he has done because I worked with him over the previous few years. I thank him for his work. I also thank Senator Nelson Murray's father-in-law, who was ahead of his time.

Well done to him. That is how things change. I have to say well done to him as well. Today is a good news story. We have had a very important discussion. I am bringing it to a close. I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to discuss the plans for National Biodiversity Week and to highlight the continued efforts of the NPWS to protect and restore Ireland's biodiversity. I thank all the Senators for their valuable contributions and the shared commitment they have expressed here today to safeguard Ireland's bio…

I mentioned Carlow-Kilkenny all of the time when I was here. There will be a focus on bees, pollinators, trees, woodlands, rivers and water quality, etc. The staff at Kilkenny Castle give tips to gardeners on growing wildflowers and supporting pollinators. Walks and other initiatives are important. I could go on all day about places like Altamont Gardens in County Carlow. It is important for everyone to highlight their own area, to let people know what can be seen and done, and to explain how we can promote these p…

I thank Senator Keogan for her Private Members' Bill and all the Senators who have spoken. I also welcome our visitors from the Irish Heart Foundation. Their work on this issue and the public health issues relating to obesity and sugar-sweetened drinks is crucial. We have included them in our consultation in the new obesity plan. I thank them. It is very important that they are here today. I have no doubt that we are all in agreement that protecting our children from consumption of substances that can be harmful to…

I thank the Deputy for his question and congratulate him on his new appointment as Chair of the health committee. I look forward to working with him and the team. Sexual health is a priority for the Department of Health. The drafting process for the national sexual health strategy commenced in 2023 following a review of the previous strategy. The drafting committee included policy, service delivery and clinical leads working within the Department and the HSE. However, the strategy underwent an additional round of s…

I thank the Deputy. I agree with him, and it is important the stigma is not there. Additional funding of €550,000 was allocated through the budget for 2025 to improve access to HIV PrEP, bringing a total allocation for PrEP to €6.45 million this year. An additional €600,000 has been allocated to support wider access to home STI testing, given increasing demand for the services. This brings funding for STI testing to €4.82 million in 2025. More than 126,000 kits were ordered in 2024, with a return rate of 71% and ju…

We are putting a lot of funding into health and well-being and sexual health, which is very important. The strategy in two weeks' time will be really positive. We all know that we need to do more. Supports for the prevention of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and treatment of victims in collaboration with Cuan and the justice sector are part of it too. It also includes further expansion of the free contraception scheme; women's, men's and LGBT health supports; additional measures for sexual health in thi…

I thank the Senator for telling those stories about the families affected by this. I see where she is coming from. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The Minister and I are dedicated to enhancing Ireland's population screening programmes. These play a crucial role in our health services by facilitating early treatment and thereby promoting the overall health of our community. This is a priority for the Government. Some 3,500 women are diagnosed with breas…

In summary, I reiterate that the matter of breast density measurements and screening is a complex one without clear scientific consensus on how best to proceed. I welcome the fact that work is due to commence shortly on this consideration. The Senator knows now at least it is being considered. The evidence review for the expansion of the BreastCheck, including potential introduction of a standardised breast density measure, remains a key priority for the NSAC and is expected to commence later this year. The Ministe…

I am a big believer in health facilities, care facilities or what we sometimes call injury clinics around the country. I am a big fan of those, in particular in rural areas. They are definitely needed and they are a great way for people to be able to come together in communities and have the services they need. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I thank Senator Ryan for raising it and for the opportunity to update the House. A central objective of the programme for Governmen…

I thank the Senator. I understand the need involved. Even on the basis of the most recent census, we can see the way the population is growing. It is important that we have the services in place. Unfortunately, from time to time, there can be delays within the development of primary care centres. There were a variety of circumstances in this instance, including the withdrawal of the developer. That sometimes happens. The HSE can confirm that the readvertisement of the Kanturk primary care centre is expected to prog…

I only need five minutes. The Minister should work away.

I thank the Minister for highlighting the importance of driving reform and improvements in healthcare services for children and young people. We all agree reform is necessary but reform for its own sake is not the goal. What matters is how these changes are experienced by the people who rely on our services every day. I am speaking about children, young people and their families. We owe it to these families, and to the healthcare workers doing their utmost to provide these services, to push for a greater integratio…

I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for raising this issue. Before I start, it is important to acknowledge the incredible work performed by all nurses and the key role they play in delivering essential health services to those most in need across the country, not only during Covid but every day of the week. This Government is committed to supporting and continuing to grow the nursing workforce. We have seen unprecedented growth in the health sector workforce, with record levels of recruitment in the HSE over the past five yea…