In a similar way, I thought what the Minister of State said was very human rights-focused. I understand that it takes a certain amount of time for people to come around and be in a better position to avail of care. That is what I heard as well.

I thought it was very clear, and I do not think it is right to be mimicking people's voices in the Chamber. We are dealing with something very important here. This is not fun and games. As somebody very new to the Seanad, I do not think that was acceptable.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2025. Fianna Fáil will be supporting this legislation. As with the Finance Bill or the Social Welfare Bill, this measure arrives annually to update the framework that sustains risk equalisation and preserves community rating in our health insurance market. Community rating is a core principle of our system. Everyone pays the same premium for the same policy, regardless of age or health status. The risk equalisation scheme is what makes that…

I thank the Minister of State for being here and taking this matter. This issue concerns the need for the Department of housing to set out what mechanisms are available to local authorities and approved housing bodies, AHBs, when dealing with repeated breaches of tenancy, particularly concerning antisocial behaviour that affects neighbouring tenants. Across the State, but noticeably in areas that I represent, tenants are reporting ongoing issues of antisocial behaviour. These are not isolated instances but repeated…

I thank the Minister of State very much for that. I commend South Dublin County Council. I know it is the minority, and it spans far wider than the local authority housing. Obviously, the Department would have the figures for the local authority housing and that is why I framed it in that manner. On antisocial behaviour, one of the most common complaints I hear that really distresses people is the illegal dumping and burning of rubbish within estates. I have had situations in apartment complexes where instead of go…

On Saturday night, I had the honour of attending the 42nd Tallaght person of the year awards. It is an incredible event run by Tallaght Community Council. This event holds a very special place in my heart. It is community-led and shines a light on the unsung heroes of Tallaght: the individuals, groups and organisations who quietly and consistently make our community a better place. Although Tallaght often gets portrayed in a negative manner, this night gives an accurate picture of what Tallaght is really about. The…

The issue I am raising is one of great importance. It relates to the training of elected representatives such that we may be properly able to support victims of domestic violence and abuse. The Government's new housing plan contains strong commitments to victims of domestic abuse. It recognises that when a household is fleeing domestic violence, staying safe often means relocating. The plan ensures that survivors who are forced to relocate will not face barriers in accessing housing supports. Survivors can immediat…

I thank the Minister of State. I cannot overstate how important this training is. That somebody trusts us enough to approach us for help is a privilege we all have in the jobs we are lucky enough to be doing. We do not want to put people wrong. We do not want to miss an opportunity for somebody to escape a terrible situation. It is easy to give people advice when you are not living their reality. It is the training that teaches that patience is often needed and the understanding as to why it may take people several…

I acknowledge the incredible work of the Community Addiction Response Programme, CARP, Killinarden, and congratulate and thank it for 30 years of service to the community, which it is celebrating this week. CARP Killinarden has always been more than a service. It is a lifeline, a source of hope and a powerful voice for people and families affected by addiction. Its commitment to compassion, dignity and change has transformed lives and strengthened the community in ways that cannot be measured. I thank the staff, vo…

I thank the Minister of State for giving us an opportunity to speak on this. I will go back to my time as a local councillor on South Dublin County Council, when I raised an awful lot of issues regarding water. I had family members who worked in the water section and knew the water system like the back of their hands. They were passionate. I knew a lot of the staff who historically worked in the water section of the council. When I was a councillor raising those issues, I found the response time to be efficient, qu…

Last week, the new housing plan was unveiled by the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne. I draw particular attention to page 61 of it, where an important and long overdue commitment has been made. In summary, the plan ensures that when a victim of domestic violence must relocate to a new local authority, they will not face barriers in accessing housing supports. Crucially, it provides that victims can immediately avail of the full suite of social housing supports, including housing assistance payment, HAP, an…

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a very special celebration marking 30 years of the Threshold Training Network based in Tallaght. It was a positive and uplifting event filled with past pupils, advocates and community partners who all gathered to celebrate the incredible impact of this organisation on people's lives. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the fantastic team - Adrienne Kilkenny, Steven Fitzgerald, Alicia du Toit, Stephanie Curley and everyone who has been part of Threshold over these 30 yea…

I thank the Minister of State for attending today. I raise this matter because I have encountered its real-life impact. The issue concerns the application process timeframe for the partial capacity benefit. This scheme allows people to return to work if they have reduced capacity while continuing to receive support from the Department of Social Protection. The Department sets out that people must apply for partial capacity benefit before they start work, or within 21 days of starting work. This creates a scenario t…

I thank the Minister of State for that answer. I would argue the point about the three-week window. I do not think it is acceptable. People are living with cancer at the moment. Someone with stage 4 cancer could have returned to work six weeks ago and then realise they are exhausted. They would be in active treatment and cannot plan for when fatigue hits and when they cannot work at full capacity. I urge the Minister to look at this. I welcome the timeframes and the timely manner in which claims are being processed…

I welcome the Minister of State. I am raising this really important issue today as it is one that I have encountered in my own constituency. However, I must admit that it was not a scenario I had ever considered until I came face to face with people living it and, unfortunately, it is one that affects many families throughout our country. The role of our carers cannot be understated. Unless you have experience of being a full-time carer, you could not possibly comprehend the day-to-day of their lives. Any one of us…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. A really important part of meeting the needs is very good communication with the parents. They are going to be handing their child over for care when they are not there. I want people to be able to die in peace - I know it sounds dramatic - and to feel that their child, whom they have cared for all their lives, will be cared for in a loving, safe, high-standard environment in an area to which those people feel their children are connected. It will have to be very trus…

I welcome this important motion on supporting services for patients with head and neck cancers and commend Senator Craughwell on bringing it forward and sharing his family's own personal experience. There is nothing more powerful than lived experience. I also thank Senator McDowell for sending out the briefing document, which is very graphic and informative but is something we needed to see. I appreciate that also. Fianna Fáil welcomes this discussion as it is an issue that affects patients and families across the …

Today I will tell the House about a recently launched campaign called BreastCancerKnowMore. It is a survivor-led national breast cancer awareness campaign from Breast Cancer Ireland. Members may have seen the posters and billboards with very powerful images of six brave survivors. The campaign's message is powerful and direct: "I didn't know the signs. Do you?" It aims to help people recognise the warning signs of breast cancer early. It is supported by a free breast awareness app that teaches users the eight key s…

I thank the Minister of State for being here today. October is breast cancer awareness month so it is very timely that I am raising this issue today, the same day that I will attend my annual mammogram. I will most certainly be repeating myself today as I have spoken previously about the delays in scanning in symptomatic breast clinics. I will continue to repeat myself because the situation really concerns me. I am speaking both as a breast cancer survivor and as the founder of one of Ireland's largest online suppo…

I thank the Minister of State for her response. I have concerns. There is a specific issue with the symptomatic breast disease clinics. It is about when a girl, generally of 36 years or under, presents after being referred by her GP with a lump and is sent away without a scan that day. I think something has changed over the years. Years ago when I was diagnosed, I never met anybody who was sent away without a scan on the day. The question I have asked several times is whether something changed. Did something change…