I thank Senator Andrews for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Critically, the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, implementing planned maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters solely for each individual local authority under the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities are also statutorily obliged to ensure all of th…

I thank Senator Chris Andrews again for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. The Government has invested significantly in a stock improvement programme over recent years, particularly with regard to voids, with €91 million provided to Dublin City Council alone since 2014. This year, €31 million has been provided to local authorities, with €5.8 million allocated to Dublin City Council. Notwithstanding this support, it is fir…

I presume all the group are from Kerry and no doubt the bulk of them or all play Gaelic football. I join Senator Andrews in wishing the under-17s squad well. Are we into the second half at this stage?

We wish them well and welcome our visitors to Dublin. I thank Senator O'Loughlin for her question and the opportunity to discuss the commercial rates position regarding home-based childminders, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Tailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Tailte Éireann provides a property registration system, a property valuation service, and…

I thank Senator O'Loughlin again for contributing on this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. I note the points she has raised. I reiterate that Tailte Éireann is independent in the exercise of its valuation functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has no function in decisions in this regard. The Valuation Act 2001, as amended, provides that a property is rateable u…

I thank Deputies for their contributions this afternoon. I echo the comments of the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, and his thanks to Deputy Farrelly for tabling this Bill and raising an important issue. The debate has presented a useful opportunity to discuss the age at which people would be entitled to vote in elections and referendums in Ireland and provided much to consider as we move forward on this issue. I join others in welcoming so many students to the Gallery. It is great to see the engagement. You are …

I express our gratitude to Members, particularly those in the Labour Party, for their valuable contribution to today's discussion on drug policy. I acknowledge the depth of their interest and commitment to this critical issue. As was stated by the Minister of State, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, the Government will not oppose the motion. This Government remains committed to a health-led approach to drug use, firmly believing that individuals experiencing problematic drug use should be met with compassion, digni…

I thank the Deputies for raising these important issues. As the Minister, Deputy Browne, stated, I confirm the Government is not proposing to oppose this motion. As we can all agree, the Office of the President is a key part of our democratic institutions and it is important that our Head of State is representative of all Irish citizens, irrespective of where they may reside. I reiterate that to extend voting rights at presidential elections to Irish citizens in Northern Ireland, or more generally to other jurisdic…

On the two points the Deputy raised in respect of Mayo, I met with the HSE to look at the waiting lists for each area. I want the numbers on those lists brought down. We have given additional funding this year for home care hours. On the waiting lists, it is about engaging directly with the HSE and looking at measures. The main focus of additional funding this year is to deal with the areas where we have waiting lists. I want those numbers brought down and I am actively working on that with the HSE along with the o…

I thank Deputy Carrigy. I know the particular interest he has in this matter. Specifically, on north Longford, he raised an issue about one provider that has now restored its service. I am working with the Department officials and the HSE to look specifically at north Longford and other areas where there are large waiting lists. Some €82 million additional funding has gone into home support this year. With 1.7 million additional hours, I want to focus on those specific areas. I will continue to work with the Deputy…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on men's health, which is a priority in the programme for Government. I thank all Deputies from their contributions to this important debate. They showed a genuine interest in this hugely important topic and the Government will very much take that on board. I will refer to the commitments set out in the programme for Government in relation to mental health, which is a priority. It includes the implementation of the men's health action plan to increase health literacy and raise pub…

I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Mary Butler. Improving access to a range of youth mental health services nationally remains a priority for the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, the Department of Health, and the HSE. In the broader context, the total allocation for mental health services in 2026 is nearly €1.6 billion and it is the sixth year in a row in which the mental health budget has …

I too welcome the members of the men's shed. I have no doubt there are some great rugby players in the group. They are welcome to Leinster House and the beautiful Seanad Chamber. Several factors need to be considered in the development of a new services location for services like Jigsaw. A proposal for a new location requires a detailed business case, premises, support from the regional HSE management and necessary funding to resource the staffing of the service. Any proposal also requires agreement from the HSE na…

I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the parents of Harvey Morrison Sherratt. It must be very difficult for the family to lose a young son like that. The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, and the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, have met with Harvey's parents and there will be further meetings. They have agreed to work in partnership with parents and advocates on the inquiry into spina bifida and scoliosis services. The most important people here are the parents and their children. They must be front and centre. The …

I thank the Minister, Deputy Browne. The Government's commitment to housing continues to be its top priority. Budget 2026 reinforces this commitment with unprecedented levels of funding allocated to housing. The Government is committed to delivering more affordable homes to buy and to rent. The capital funding being provided under budget 2026, coupled with LDA investment and HFA lending, will finance a range of affordability schemes and measures to deliver 7,500 new affordable purchase and cost-rental homes and to …

I am pleased to contribute to this debate in my role as Minister of State with responsibility for older people in the Department of Health and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I have worked with colleagues to secure substantial funding increases that will assist in meeting the needs of older people in the areas of health and housing, along with the Government firmly supporting older people to live full, independent lives with the proper services in place. This is reflected in this year's bu…

I thank the Senator for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with TII under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of national roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities…

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. Due to the issue of funding constraints for national roads, a prioritisation exercise was necessary in line with the NDP and Government policy. The Minister of Transport allocated national road funding in a manner which sought to achieve the key outcomes of protecting and renewing the existing national road network, progressing major projects that are near completion and progressi…

I thank Senator Boyle for raising this important matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I understand that safety at this location is of concern to the Senator and those he represents, particularly the children, parents and teaching staff of the school. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place for Transport Infrastructure Ireland…

Once again, I thank Senator Boyle for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien. The Minister for Transport is conscious of the importance of ensuring road safety, particularly in the vicinity of schools. Senator Boyle will be well aware that getting progress on projects is a process. As I stated in the initial answer from the Minister, TIl’s road safety section discussed the progression of potential safety improvements at N56 Dunkineely National School…