I thank the Senator. As I said, there are potentially highly sensitive and complex factors which arise here and these would need to be fully teased out, resolved and a firm decision agreed upon before it is decided whether, notwithstanding what is permitted in the relevant legislation, the State should fund this very distinct form of AHR treatment. However, I want to reassure the Senator that the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, is focused, through the full implementation of the model of care for fertility, on en…

I thank Senator O’Loughlin for this opportunity to address the House today on behalf of the Minister for Health regarding the provision of community midwifery services in Athy by the maternity unit at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise. I endorse what the Senator said about Kfm. I had the privilege of representing Kildare in the European Parliament for five years. I am well aware of the huge value of the community service provided by Kfm. Coming back to the Senator's question, the Government recognises the criti…

I thank the Senator. To finish the reply, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is funded for 76.5 whole-time equivalent midwives, which falls comfortably within the recommended staffing levels for the number of births at the unit. In response to challenges with vacancies in permanent midwifery positions nationwide, a national midwifery task force was established in October 2023. It is bringing together midwives, HSE professionals and academic expertise to enhance practices around midwifery workforce planning. In bu…

I thank all the Deputies who contributed to the debate this evening with compassion and empathy. That is shared by Deputies on all sides of this House. All of us are appalled and horrified by what is happening in Gaza. I address the Dáil, fully aware of the deep sensitivity surrounding the plight of the Palestinian people. I strongly and utterly condemn the continuing Israeli military operations in Gaza. I use the word "genocide" because this has brought untold suffering on the people of Gaza. Israel's plans to exp…

It is a real argument-----

Shouting at me will not-----

If the Deputy wants to make his argument, he should make it on his own time.

What I have spoken about are not legal abstractions; they fundamentally undermine the effectiveness of this Bill. The Deputy and I know that if legislation means anything, it must be effective. Ireland's long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict remains an integral part of our foreign policy. Personally, I am pleased to say that from my very first days in the European Parliament, that has been my own stance. The Government is working to build consensus at EU and international l…

We are taking action, as already outlined-----

-----and we are progressing the occupied territories Bill. Just because we raise issues with the legislation here this evening-----

-----does not mean we do not care; we do. We are acting in every way we can.

We believe that this legislation, however well intentioned, will not achieve its objective. That is what matters. People have talked about fine words.

Fine words from any side of the House do not work. What works is legislation that is effective.

I thank Deputy McGrath. I am happy to respond on behalf of the Minister. The social welfare appeals office is an office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals officers are independent in their decision-making functions. The overall average processing time for all appeals at end of March 2025 was 20.9 weeks. The time taken to process an appeal includes all aspects of the appeal process. This includes an…

I thank Deputy McGrath. I listened with interest to the points he has made. I thank him for highlighting this issue. It is important the appeals process not only works quickly but with due regard to ensuring each case is properly considered. In the first instance, each appeal is referred back to the relevant claim area of the Department which reviews the appeal, including taking account of any new information that may be furnished. This is an important step, as many appeals can be determined quickly upon review by …

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter regarding the availability of dental training places, which I will take on behalf of the Minister. This Government is firmly committed to ensuring our healthcare system is supported by a steady and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled graduates. The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health, the Higher Education Authority, HEA, and higher education institutions, HEIs, plays a central role in delivering the education and training infrastructure …

I thank Deputy Gogarty for raising this matter and I am responding on behalf of the Minister. Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers transparency and value for money outcomes, which the Deputy referred to. With respect to public works, the capital works management framework, CWMF, is the structure that has been developed to deliver the Government’s objectives regarding public s…

Deputy Gogarty raised a number of issues in response, some of which I do not have any information on here. I know he appreciates that. One of the points he raises is the discretion of local authorities. For clarity, I will reiterate the discretionary exclusionary grounds that contracting authorities may choose to apply in cases of procurement. I am aware that I used the word "may", which chimes with the point the Deputy raises. The local authorities have the authority to do so if they wish. The grounds are: poor pa…

I thank Deputy Farrelly for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of the Government. I heard what the Deputy said about County Kildare and the specifics of the age profile in the county. In fact, at one point, I was privileged to represent County Kildare in the European Parliament and I know about some of the issues raised. I understand from what the Deputy said that t…

I thank the Deputy and I hear what he has said. He spoke about vision. What I can say is that the Government is committed to building an affordable, high-quality and accessible early learning and childcare system. Although the Deputy said it is not enough, the programme for Government commits for the first time to provide capital investment to build or purchase State-owned early learning and childcare facilities to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. State ownership of facilities is a subst…