I thank Deputy O'Hara for raising this important matter which I am taking on behalf of Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary. In responding to the question, I will first provide an overview of the occupational injuries benefit scheme and the supports available from the Department of Social Protection to people with long Covid. The occupational injuries benefit scheme is a group of benefits for insured workers if they are unfit for work either due to an accident arising out of and in the course of employme…

Once again, I thank Deputy O'Hara for raising this important matter. As I said, I am taking this matter on behalf of Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary. The Government and I recognise the great work of healthcare workers during Covid and, in fact, the continual great work of healthcare workers. As referenced in my opening statement on behalf of Deputy Calleary, the Minister for Social Protection, in November 2022 the European Commission made a non-binding recommendation on the recognition of Covid-19 a…

I thank Deputy Nash for taking this amendment, which was tabled by Deputy Sherlock. The proposed amendment from Deputy Sherlock seeks to provide HIQA and the Health and Safety Authority inspectorates under the Workplace Relations Act 2015 with the powers to request information relevant to the performance of their functions, as set out under the Health Act 2007, and allows each organisation to share such information where it appears to it to be required for the other body to carry out its functions as set out under …

I will go back over my contribution for the sake of clarity. I thank the visitors for their patience and welcome them. Neither the Health and Safety Authority nor the Workplace Relations Commission have any functions assigned to them under the Act, rendering the proposed provision inoperable for either body. Additionally, the established legislation for the Workplace Relations Commission, under section 27 of the Workplace Relations Act 2015 and section 72 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, includes…

I thank Deputy Rice for tabling this amendment. Section 69B(2) sets out the circumstances where a homecare support provider can seek an exemption to the requirement to register under the Bill. This ensures there is suitable clarity and transparency about when a person will be exempt from the requirement to register. Section 69B(2)(a) provides that where a person provides a homecare support service to fewer than four people, that person will be exempt from the requirement to register. This exclusion was carefully co…

I thank Deputy Rice for his support for the legislation and assure him that all aspects will be covered in the review. In response to Deputy Ó Murchú, PA services are under the remit of the Department of children and disability. Our Department has been very open. The other Department has a review ongoing so PA is not included in the legislation at the moment, but we are open going forward in the process, once the other Department has concluded its deliberations. I thank the Deputies for their contributions.

Will the Ceann Comhairle permit me to make a final comment?

I thank all the contributors to Second Stage, Committee Stage and Report Stage. This is an important Bill and I thank them all for their contributions. The development of this regulatory framework has been a key priority for the Government and represents an integral part of the ongoing development of the statutory homecare scheme as committed to in the programme for Government. I acknowledge the work of my predecessor in this role, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who is in the Chamber with us, and more partic…

I thank Senator Boyle for raising this important matter. I join him in acknowledging the great work of the staff there. I also acknowledge the vital healthcare role that Killybegs Community Hospital plays and the excellent level of care it provides to residents and their families in the Killybegs community and surrounding areas. I advise the Senator that the maximum capacity in Killybegs Community Hospital is 33 beds, with 13 long-term care beds and 20 short-term care beds. The HSE has advised that there are curren…

I again thank Senator Boyle for raising this important issue on behalf of the people in the Killybegs area. As I have already outlined, there are currently 22 beds operational in Killybegs Community Hospital, 11 of which are currently closed. It is hoped that the staff will be in place in June and July to open six of the 11 beds that are unopened. A multitask attendant recruitment campaign targeted strictly at Killybegs Community Hospital is planned in the coming weeks allowing for the opening of the remaining five…

If the Acting Chairperson will give me a moment, I wish to acknowledge the Appelbees. It is quite a coincidence. I met them in the corridor a couple of minutes ago. I assume that is Austin's grandmother. I want to acknowledge her. Mothers are very important. Austin is living in Perth, and his mother is from Monaghan. It is a great tribute. I said to Austin's mum that she must be proud of him; she said she is very proud. At some stage, we may come calling for Austin to represent Ireland. He will have a big choice to…

Once again, I thank Senator Kennelly for raising this very important matter of the opening of the new CNU in Killarney. As I stated, the matter is currently with HIQA for registration. Once that comes through, the HSE will be able to open the new unit and transfer the existing 101 residents from St. Columbanus and the district hospital in Killarney to it. Recruitment of the additional staff continues. I want to see the full complement of the 29 additional beds opened as quickly as possible. In terms of the question…

Furthermore, the recruitment of additional staff continues. I want to see the 29 additional beds opened as quickly as possible. While a minor injuries unit is going into the St. Columbanus property, a review group has been set up by HSE South West to specifically look at the additional capacity there and at the district hospital in Killarney to find a proper use for them. Work is ongoing in that regard. I want to see that concluded as quickly as possible as well.

I thank Senator Costello for raising this important matter. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Health. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the national cancer strategy and I recognise the Senator’s commitment to this topic. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of Ireland’s first national cancer strategy. It is an opportune time to reflect on the progress that has been made since 1996 and to look ahead to how we may build upon what has already been achieved. Research has shown that Ireland's…

I again thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I think she is going to follow up directly with the Minister and the Department of Health about the remaining recommendations and other issues. Forty-three recommendations have been implemented. Successive national cancer strategies have delivered continued improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients, as shown by a significant increase in five-year survival rates, from 44% between 1994 and 1998 to 65% between 2014 to 2018. The upcoming evaluation o…

I thank Senator Murphy for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Ireland is endowed with a rich network of peatlands of raised and blanket bogs which are vital for biodiversity, supporting climate and flood mitigation, and importantly are an intrinsic part of our cultural heritage. The EU directive on the conservation of habitats, flora and fauna, commonly known as the habitats directive, requires all member states …

I thank Senator Murphy again for bringing this important issue up for discussion, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. I assure Senator Murphy that every effort is made to support individuals who cut turf on protected bogs. The turf cutting scheme has operated for 15 years. The majority of turf cutting sites have accepted compensation and others have consented to the restoration works of the protected raised bog restoration incentive scheme. Th…

I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for raising this important matter. Long-term residential care is a crucial part of the overall continuum of care and, across the country, our HSE community nursing units, CNUs, and community hospitals play a vital role in the provision of long-term care and other services. The Government is committed to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure that supports the highest quality care for our older population. This investment includes the community nursing home capital programme, whic…

I thank Deputy Healy-Rae. I join with him in commending all the staff in both St. Columbanus and the district hospital in Killarney who provide such a great service to the patients who are there. As I said, the 101 patients will transfer over to the new community nursing home unit. All current staff will transfer to the new facility and I have been advised that the recruitment campaigns for additional staff are well under way to allow for the opening of the additional beds in Killarney. I want to see the new commun…

I will follow up on that request.