You are ignoring the hospital in Limerick.

You have done since you were elected.

So you have no interest in Limerick.

And it has worsened.

That is why we need an immediate investigation into why it is not working.

The number of vacant properties across the State is staggering. As this motion from the Regional Group of Independents states, there are 90,000 vacant dwellings across the country. Some of this stock of dwellings could, and should, be used to address some of the issues around our housing crisis. In my home country of Limerick there are 4,000 vacant properties. These range from dwellings to office buildings that are being allowed to fall into disrepair. While we have a vacant site levy, the collection of it is hapha…

I want to put it on the record that I always thought that when a Minister could not come to a Topical Issue debate it was because he or she was not available. The Minister for Health just walked through the Dáil Chamber less than one minute ago so that is disrespectful. We always gave Ministers a bye if they were carrying out other important business but the Minister for Health walked past us there. It is not good enough and that is no disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, who is here in his place. T…

I thank the Minister of State for the response but it is not good enough for the people of Limerick or most of the hospital staff. I am a Deputy for Limerick. The report referred to nine hospitals. I am sure the Minister of State was just handed his response and read it out. It did not even mention University Hospital Limerick. One would imagine, since I am the Deputy for that constituency, that the response would refer to that hospital. That is deeply disappointing. The workers at the hospital did Trojan work thro…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill, as such reform is long overdue. We have been talking about electoral reform in these Houses for decades and I welcome the progress made here, however belated it may be. Anybody who has run or taken part in an election will know the frustration caused by an inaccurate register, the chase to get on the register, to get those who are not registered to register, and the conversations with constituents who do not vote in their local area because they never updated their a…

The Taoiseach is talking to a different person.

I raise the issue of University Hospital Limerick, which I have done since I was elected in 2016 probably on a weekly basis through Questions of Promised Legislation, Topical Issues, priority questions and oral questions. There is no update or let up in the situation in the hospital. Eighty-six people are on trolleys today and 1,604 people have been on trolleys already in March, the highest ever. There is an average of 1,500 each month of this year. All those are the highest ever. The staff are exhausted. There are…

You have.

Why are there 86 people on trolleys?

The recent High Court ruling of 11 March is a damning indictment of the HSE assessment of needs process. This process has denied children with disability the right to a proper assessment of needs. Standard operating procedure is leading assessment officers to err in law, often leading to catastrophic consequences for children. It is absolutely astounding that this process could continue for so long in this manner. It is an additional affront to the parents of children with disabilities that the annual report requir…

As others have said, the announcement by Roadbridge that it is entering receivership has been met by major concern throughout the State but especially in my town of Limerick. There is concern for the plight of the workers, many of whom worked for that company for decades or more. This is, of course, a terrible blow to the workers, subcontractors and their families. There is also a huge concern regarding if or when important local projects contracted to Roadbridge will ever be completed. The projects in Limerick I a…

I want to clarify something in the Minister of State's response. I want to ensure that we can get a guarantee from the receiver that it will be the case that if workers do not resign from their current employment there should be no obstacle to retaining their statutory redundancy entitlements. That is what the Minister of State said and I accept her bona fides but I would like some more of a guarantee and for the Government to go back to the receiver and ensure that we get that commitment in writing for employees. …

If there is one group that knows what is right for children with special educational requirements, it is their parents. Their love for their children is unconditional and they will fight and lobby to ensure their children get the appropriate supports in a timely manner. In my experience, the parents of children with special educational requirements are the bravest and most determined people I know. They never, ever give up. Last Friday night I was delighted to attend a fundraiser in support of ASD Ireland at Our La…

This debate is about waiting lists and the Minister will not be surprised that I am raising the situation at University Hospital Limerick. Today, unfortunately, an incredible 90 people were on trolleys there. Every day in February, there were 50-plus people on trolleys, which is a record number. The hospital, unfortunately, has broken records all through last month for having the highest number of patients on trolleys in any hospital in any month since records were established. The figures are truly shocking. When …

Two years ago, the Government finally committed to ensuring pay equality and pension entitlements for school secretaries and caretakers. They are invaluable members of our schools and communities and often work above and beyond their job commitments. They work on the front lines and are the first port of call for parents and students. Without them, our schools would not function. Despite this, they have faced unequal pay and poor terms and conditions, with many working for amounts barely above the minimum wage. The…

Dispose of it to whom?