I thank Senator O'Reilly again for raising this important matter. As I stated previously, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I have very much taken on board the points the Senator has raised. I will revert to the Minister for Health on those specific points. While there are no plans to extend the scope of this scheme, the long-term illness scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework. The Government is focused on expanding eligibility and improving the affor…

I thank the Acting Chairperson. I am pleased to introduce the Bill following its recent passage through Dáil Éireann. I look forward to hearing the views of the Seanadóirí and working with them to progress this important legislation through the House. Home support is a vital service that is delivered to thousands of people nationwide every day. This highly valuable service has users of every age and their families. It enables people to maintain independence and dignity while living at home. In line with Sláintecare…

Will the Senator make that point again?

No, beyond that.

How much time do I have?

Do Members wish to come back in?

I am quite open to it if Members wish to come back in.

I thank the members for their very constructive and heartfelt contributions. Virtually everyone spoke about a family member. There is probably no one out there who has not been in some way involved with family members, friends or relations of any form, in dealing with home support. To give context to my role, I have responsibility for older people in two Departments. The programme for Government outlines a commitment to design a statutory home care scheme, which I am utterly committed to doing, but I want to do it …

I thank Senator Murphy O’Mahony for raising this important issue. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, is the name used for a group of disorders that cause inflammation of the intestine. It is a term used for conditions known as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and indeterminate colitis. I hope Jason is doing well. Is he still a member of the Senator's staff?

I wish him well.

Approximately 50,000 people in Ireland suffer from IBD. The national clinical programme for gastroenterology and hepatology was established in October 2019 as a joint collaboration between the HSE and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, RCPI. Gastroenterology and hepatology multidisciplinary teams, MDTs, provide expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions of the digestive tract, liver and pancreas, including inflammatory bowel disease. The HSE advised that as of May 2026, all level 4 …

I again thank Senator Murphy O'Mahony for raising the issue of the ongoing struggles faced by people living in Ireland with inflammatory bowel disease. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and will convey this to her on the Senator's behalf. The other matter she raised would be relevant to other Departments and Ministers. There are measures in place to reduce the cost burden of coping with long-term illness. The Government remains committed to improving healthcare services, prov…

A Chathaoirligh, I join you in your sentiments towards the guests in the Public Gallery. I thank Senator Murphy for raising this important issue. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon. The Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, which the Senator referenced, is a Private Members' Bill currently before Dáil Éireann on Second Stage and is subject to procedures of the Oireachtas. The Bill aims to ban the importation of non-native species or sub-species…

I thank Senator Murphy again for raising this matter. As I stated, I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Martin Heydon. The Minister fully recognises the important role played by honeybees, especially in terms of honey production and the pollination of horticultural crops. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is fully supportive of the work carried out by beekeepers and the beekeeping association in relation to the conservation of the native Irish hone…

I thank Deputies for their contributions to this important debate. The Government is well aware of the additional costs faced by disabled people. The Government has opposed this motion and tabled an amendment, but that does not mean that we do not recognise the difficulties and additional costs that disabled people face. We are very aware of those costs. Our determination to assist people with those costs is reflected in the improvements we have made to disability support schemes in recent years and our commitment …

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy McEntee. A passport is an internationally recognised travel document which attests to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The passport service follows recommendations from the ICAO, which the Deputy referenced, in relation to data that is held on a passport. The ICAO is an international body that develops policies and standards for aviation safety and security. International…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. EU Directive 2022/2561, on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, is transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (SI 359 of 2008), as amended. Under the directive, transposed via the 2008 regulation, to dr…

I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien. The legal basis for the certificate of professional competence for professional drivers is contained in EU Directive 2022/2561 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers. Under this directive it is a legal requirement that all new category C and D professional drivers complete and pass their driver CPC qualifi…

I thank Deputy Farrelly for raising this matter on behalf of his constituents, which I am taking on behalf of Minister of State, Deputy Charlie McConalogue. Under the 2024 round of the large-scale sports infrastructure Fund, LSSIF, Kildare County Council applied for funding for the development of Sallins Park Community Sports Centre, which the Deputy referenced. The project was allocated €3 million for phase 1 of the development. Phase 1 consists of the development of five pitches and all associated works. Two pitc…

I again thank Deputy Farrelly for the opportunity to discuss the development of Sallins Park community sports centre. I am taking this Topical Issue debate on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy McConalogue. County Kildare received significant capital funding for sports infrastructure over the past number of years. Specifically on Sallins Park community sports centre, this project is currently being assessed at approval gate 1. Required documentation has been examined by the Depart…