I thank the Deputy for his advocacy over the past five years.

We have.

It is normally only the opening speech that is made available but we can make it available.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter in the House this evening. I am very familiar with the work of Save Our Sons And Daughters, or SOSAD, which makes a significant contribution to the provision of counselling services in north-east Leinster. It is important that this be acknowledged, as I have done previously. SOSAD is not currently funded by HSE Louth Meath Mental Health Services. I am aware that, in August 2023, SOSAD applied for section 39 funding. This was not progressed at the time, as HSE Lou…

I thank the Deputy for her advocacy on behalf of the SOSAD suicide prevention group. I do not want to see this service close. I cannot be clearer than that. I understand how uncertainty around services can be very distressing for service users and their families. SOSAD is providing vital supports to many. I reiterate the point that I do not negotiate with individual organisations myself. It is the HSE that is provided with the budget and it actions that budget to provide support and services all over the country. I…

I thank the Deputy for his question.  This is my first time speaking to him as a Deputy.  Congratulations. The Minister for Health has asked me to thank the Deputy for raising these matters and for the opportunity to update the Dáil on these important issues.  The Government is clear that primary care centres are a very important part of the infrastructure needed for our health service. They provide a single point of access to healthcare services for patients in communities and are central to moving significant amo…

The need for a new primary care centre in Gorey was identified as part of the overall development programme and had progressed. The Deputy mentioned HSE incompetence, but the selected provider encountered difficulties regarding viability of the project. More than one project was involved; I know that for a fact. This is under an operational lease model. It is a new model the HSE is undertaking to deliver these primary care centres. In fairness, as regards the fact that the selected provider encountered difficulties…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate) - Statements on Programme for Government (resumed) (to adjourn after 2 hours) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Government Response to Storm Éowyn, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on Programme for Government (resumed) (not to exceed 1 hr 32 mins) - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of an opt-in to the negotiating mandate on an EU-UK Yout…

I thank the Deputy for his question. He is right that the importance of men's and women's sheds cannot be underestimated. Ireland has the highest percentage of men's sheds per capita in the world. They were founded originally in Australia but they have really taken off. We found it hard after Covid to get sheds back up and running but they are back up and running now and they are so important for emotional well-being and positive mental health. There are some areas where local authorities are very upfront and suppo…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 5th February, 2025, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer, following those next set down to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Mi…

I move: Wednesday's business shall be: - Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (to be taken without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately ) - Motion re Restoration of Bills ( to be taken without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately ) - Motion re Pre-legislative Scrutiny waiver for Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2025 ( to be taken without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately…

I move: That— (1) the rota in which Questions shall be addressed to members of the Government pursuant to Standing Order 48(2) shall be as follows: 1. Minister for Foreign Affairs 2. Minister for Finance 3. Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform 4. Minister for Education 5. Minister for Defence 6. Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications 7. Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth 8. Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment 9. Mi…

I move: That, pursuant to Standing Order 205, the Bills which lapsed on the dissolution of the 33rd Dáil, and are set out in the Schedule to this motion, shall be restored, at the stage specified in the Schedule below and notice of them shall be published pursuant to Standing Order 37. SCHEDULE

I move: That, in accordance with Standing Order 181(2), initiation of the Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2025 may proceed pursuant to Standing Order 180 notwithstanding that the draft heads or general scheme of the Bill have not been given to the Committee empowered under Standing Order 103 to consider Bills published by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

A Cheann Comhairle, why is the Opposition microphone on?

Why is his microphone on?

And Waterford.

Negatives.

I thank the Deputy for the question. There is a little bit of short memory going on here. My very first meeting, as Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, was in the Minella hotel in Clonmel.

I was three days into the brief at the time and the Deputy was present. The Deputy asked me to do two things that day. He asked me to build and open a crisis house in Clonmel, which I did it, and to open a Jigsaw facility, which I also did. Let us get the facts on the ground. The Deputy is talking about older people now. There is, correctly, a new community nursing unit, CNU, in Clonmel. I remind the Deputy that Clonmel is also in his constituency.