Can the Minister provide an update on the establishment of a haemodialysis unit in Ennis hospital and when he expects works to begin?

It definitely would, for north Clare and west Clare specifically because of the geography and the distance patients have to travel. Most often, the treatment requires three trips per week so it is a significant stress on my constituents. For those who cannot drive or do not have access to their own transport, it is a significant distress that they face on a weekly basis. That is something they do not want to face when they are already dealing with a healthcare issue. I know the Minister appreciates that. He has sta…

I take this opportunity to commend the great work of the Clare branch of the Irish Kidney Association in supporting thousands of patients and their families since its foundation in 1989. Its work on campaigning and advocacy is owed a lion's share of gratitude for the development of the unit, which will be a terrific asset to Ennis hospital as we look to build capacity and increase services provided in the county. The Minister mentioned the funding issue, but a recent response to a parliamentary question by the acti…

I honestly do not know what to say and whose word can be trusted in this saga anymore - the Minister, the former chair, the DG, the Minister's officials and advisers, the former Secretary General of the Department or the string of characters that have now disappeared off into the sunset with a full wallet. The State broadcaster, which is on its knees, is playing Monopoly money with public funds while at the same time community radio stations throughout Ireland, including Raidio Corca Baiscinn in Kilkee in my consti…

Two weeks ago, I met the chair of Cahercalla community hospital, former TD Dr. Michael Harty and Carrigoran House CEO Marie O'Malley. They both conveyed to me the enormous pressures that not-for-profit charitable nursing homes such as theirs are facing. The future is not looking bright as long as the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, continues to lowball them in contract negotiations. While these nursing homes provide vital local services to their local communities and do so at a fraction of the HSE cost, the…

I begin by commending this excellent Bill, which proposes some things I have mentioned in this House and in committees on many occasions. I also acknowledge the mobilisation of Families for Reform of CAMHS. It has done Trojan work, but its action is a direct result of inaction. We say this quite often in the House, but this inaction has caused major hurt. I was shocked, appalled and, to be honest, sick to my stomach last year when it was revealed that 140 cases had just slipped through the cracks in CAMHS mid west.…

I also extend my deepest sympathies to Deputy Collins, his family and friends on the very sad loss of his nephew. I commend the Rural Independent Group on tabling this important motion on an issue that affects every community in my constituency of Clare. As I have mentioned in this House on many occasions, GP availability in Clare is 33% below the national average. Meanwhile, we saw in the recent census results that Clare is on a par with the national increases in population. People from all sides of the county con…

I have raised the satellite haemodialysis unit in Ennis on a continual basis. In regard to a recent parliamentary question in respect of the UL Hospitals Group, it was stated that the tender process is now complete, which is welcome, but that funding and HSE board approval is now required. The Minister might remember back in 2021 that taxi costs for transporting patients from across the mid-west rose to more than €1.6 million. We would all agree that money would be far better spent developing the site - the unit - …

-----in order to give a better quality of life to the people of Clare.

I also want to acknowledge the presence of the Ukrainian ambassador, H.E. Larysa Gerasko, and I hope I pronounced her name correctly. Two years ago, the world was rocked and peace was destabilised. People fled for their lives and some were buried in rubble. There was so much needless suffering and pain. I take the opportunity to express my deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones and family members. The best of humanity was shown in this country when we threw open our doors and this House came together …

I commend this serious and important motion. I acknowledge the suffering that those children with spina bifida and scoliosis have endured and are still enduring. Those children were failed and their families were failed, and they have felt every minute of those failures. I acknowledge their presence in the Gallery and applaud them for the untold struggle they face in being here tonight, and that is just to feel they have a voice. I was grateful to meet with and speak to a parent outside the Houses earlier today. Th…

I hope the Minister might be able to provide an update regarding the Green Paper on disability that was drafted by her Department.

I very much thank the Minister for her response on this important matter. I know that she has said on many occasions that this paper was just a proposal and a means to get that very much-needed consultation and conversation going. I sought this update from the Minister today because I attended a consultation forum with the Clare Leader Forum. A number of concerns were raised at that forum and there was a resounding "No" from all in attendance so far. Perhaps they do not have enough information about how this will b…

I appreciate many of the Minister's comments because there are a few red flags in what the Green Paper is setting out. Maybe there is a bit of confusion there, as I have mentioned already. The Minister has given reassurance there that all submissions will be considered. It is promising that she has already extended the deadline twice and is considering extending it further. It is important to mention - it is not in the Minister's remit - the fact that the ratification of the optional protocol has not happened has a…

I rise this morning to discuss the review into the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. I would be grateful were the Minister to update the House on that body of work.

I appreciate that information and I welcome reforms in this area and the great work that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and her team have done on reform in the disabilities sector so far. However, I tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, on several occasions over the past year, which at one point led to a three-month-long back-and-forth with his private office that went nowhere. I note the NDIS transport working group's final report. The Minister quite rightly referred to …

I would agree. I have raised this scheme with the Minister and the Taoiseach many times over the past 12 months on behalf of my constituents, John, and his carer, William, in Kilkee. The Minister agreed with me, and I note that he still does, but also the Taoiseach agreed with me. The Taoiseach stated it was ridiculous that just because they are not blood relatives, they are not eligible for this scheme. It is incredibly insulting. We all know our family is the family we choose and I would think that in the context…

I commend the Bill brought forward by Deputy Gino Kenny. It is extremely timely considering the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use launched its report and recommendations last week. It was a positive step that the Government established the assembly. I welcome that an Oireachtas select committee will be set up to look at its recommendations. I have expressed my interest in sitting on the committee. I look forward to its work commencing and, I hope, being completed before the Dáil term comes to an end. That must be the…

It is just over a year since I first condemned in this House the Minister's proposal to convert a light industrial building in Shannon into emergency accommodation for IPAS. I gave my reasons then, and consistently since, for opposing the proposal. I liaised with the Department on behalf of Shannon Chamber to meet the Minister about this. My team followed up with 15 emails and made 22 telephone calls that went ignored by the Department until a meeting was eventually promised in late August. Then, last week when see…

I will conclude with this question. How can one effectively respond if one is not listening?