Paramedics employed by the National Ambulance Service work above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis. Going out to work, they never know what difficulty or tragedy they may face. They undergo intensive training to qualify. This involves college, on-the-job training and a degree-level academic qualification. Successful qualification came with a commitment by the HSE of a permanent contract of employment. That commitment was reiterated to the current 76 trainees in an email which stated that a permanent cont…

Molaim an rún seo maidir le tithíocht sa Ghaeltacht. Is fadhb an-tábhachtach í do mhuintir na Gaeltachta i gConamara, Dún na nGall agus Cúige Mumhan agus don teanga agus don chultúr. I welcome and support the motion. It is of vital importance to the Gaeltacht and the Irish language and culture. Difficulties with housing in Gaeltacht areas is of course part of the housing emergency that exists in the State, an issue that continues to undermine the very fabric of our society. Failed Government policies have resulted …

Local government is the beating heart of democracy. That heart was torn out of democracy in 2014 with the abolition of town and borough councils. The latter were replaced by committees with no powers, no functions and no funding. This has done serious damage to towns across the country in the context of their economic and social development. It is now widely acknowledged, even by a former leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin, that this was a very bad decision. The local government task force established to ex…

Early access to primary medical care GP services is a fundamental basis for a good quality, safe and effective health service. GPs play a very important role in looking after patient care, ensuring early intervention and providing care in the community. I compliment the excellent service provided by GPs, practice nurses, therapy staff and administrative staff in GP practices right across the country. GP services are under severe pressure. Many GPs are overworked, burnt out and increasingly find it difficult to take…

Parents of children with special needs have to fight for everything. It is a rollercoaster of anxiety and stress. Early warning signs usually show around six months, but support of relatives and friends suggest it is a little bit slow and it will come right. However, at 12 months, things like a vacant stare or little or no baby babble spark real concerns. The anxiety, stress and sleepless nights for parents start in a real way. By 18 months, missed milestones confirm a problematic future and the fight for parents b…

-----or emotional distress or sensory difficulties. The parents-----

-----and the special needs assistants need a guarantee that criteria will be changed and widened.

That is not the question.

You are deflecting the question.

The Taoiseach has had four opportunities to answer the core question in relation to this issue this afternoon but he has refused to do so. He has taken the opportunity to deflect at all stages in the four contributions. As anybody involved in education, and particularly in special education, knows, the core question in this whole debate is the criteria that are to be met if a child with special needs is to get the assistance of a special needs assistant. The current criteria are too narrow. They are outdated and pr…

Will the criteria be changed?

Will you answer the question? You are deflecting.

You are refusing to answer the question.

Will you respect the TDs in this House by answering the question?

I am genuinely shocked at the Minister's response to this motion. Last week, the Government and the Minister spread fear, trepidation, confusion and chaos across this country for parents, special needs assistants and entire school communities. There is not even a mention of an apology or an "I am sorry" in her contribution. That is disappointing, to say the least. It indicates to me that the Government does not understand what it has done to parents, special needs assistants and school communities over the past cou…

Addressing this issue of remote working in the Chamber on 21 January last, I said, "These working conditions must be based on a legal framework, giving an entitlement to these arrangements." This Bill, which I warmly welcome, does just that. It gives workers a clear, enforceable legal right to work remotely and ends refusals based on tradition, preconceived ideas, antagonisms and vague and spurious reasons. Remote working is here to stay. It is more productive, more family friendly and reduces unnecessary travel. I…

The Before We Die campaign advocates for the availability of choice and quality residential housing for adults with intellectual disabilities. The question that all parents, especially those in their 70s and 80s, ask is this: "What will happen to my son or daughter when we are no longer able to care for them?". A parent told me recently that the very thought of this keeps them awake for nights on end. There is no answer to the question. Years of underfunding and lack of planning mean that the system is in crisis. A…

I asked about it last week.

Homeownership is very dear to the hearts of Irish people. It should be a reasonable hope of any family but homeownership has nose-dived and is sadly now a dream rather than a reality. Property prices have increased by over 47% since 2020, locking large numbers out of homeownership, and driving those lucky enough to secure a house into debt. The housing emergency in the State is driving middle and low-income families into whatever private rented accommodation that is available at extortionate rents. Meanwhile, the c…

Clonmel is finally a good news story where flooding is concerned. We have our flood defences in place on the basis of a one-in-100-years flood that happened previously. They have stood the test of time over the past ten to 12 years, much to the relief of householders and businesses across the town. However, it took forever to get them. I hope that places like Midleton and Enniscorthy do not have to wait as long or endure more floods before defences are put in place. Clonmel has a history of flooding that dates way.…