As I stand here, I am really conscious of the pressures people are under. At petrol stations, people are paying more and more for their fill. At supermarket tills, people are paying more and more for groceries. The cost of living is rising and the cost of doing business is rising. That is why the Government has acted with the largest support package in the EU. For those with disabilities and their families, there is an extra layer of cost, namely, the cost of disability. That is why the Minister, Deputy Dara Callea…

The last time I was here I gave some of my time to Members, so I look forward to collaborating. I am pleased to have the opportunity to present the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 to Seanad Éireann following its passage through the Dáil. This Bill is urgent legislation intended to ensure legal certainty for wards of court who are moving to a decision-making process as set out in the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. In that regard I very much appreciate the co-operation of the …

I will aim in the five minutes I have to address the issues that were raised by Senators. I thank them for their engagement on this. It is a really important matter and, as Senator Tully said, it is important that we make a decision to approve this legislation today in the interests of wards of court. Senator Byrne had a concern relating to legal representation. Anyone who has requested free legal aid has got it and everybody has legal representation assigned to them now. That is obviously a really important step b…

To be clear, a key consideration when we were devising this Bill was the impact that a blanket extension would have on the rights of wards of court and on the ongoing discharge process. For that reason, we decided not to go down that route. That was really because we felt it would not be in line with the principles of the 2015 Act or in line with our obligations under the UNCRPD. Ultimately, it could disrupt and undermine the current discharge processes that are under way in the High Court, and the momentum that is…

I thank Senators for their engagement on and support for this very important Bill. Most importantly, I thank them for agreeing to take all Stages today. I know that is not the norm, so I really appreciate it. We had a tight timeline. It was very important that we got this done in time to provide legal certainty to wards of court around the country. I thank the Senators, the members of the Committee on Disability Matters, who engaged intensively with me on this, and all those who contributed to the debate on the Bil…

It is important to confirm on the record not only the Department's willingness but also its eagerness to accelerate the process relating to the overall review of the Act. We are committed to doing that ahead of schedule. The preparatory work is already under way in terms of the lead-up to that review. Consultation will be a big part of that. I ask for Senators' help in promoting the consultation we will engage in, because we want to ensure that we cast the net wide and get all the relevant feedback. Our modus opera…

I thank all Deputies in the House and on the disability matters committee for their constructive and robust engagement on this important Bill, both to date and on Second Stage and Committee Stage. I know there is widespread agreement on the need for this Bill to ensure that wards of court who are due to transition out of wardship have the legal certainty that they require and they are enabled to move through the discharge process in a fair and an orderly manner. It is crucial that both wards and committees are supp…

On Deputy O'Rourke's question, the Department briefed IHREC on the proposed amendments in advance of taking the legislation through the Houses. In the context of Deputy Quaide’s question on resourcing, the decision support services received an uplift in their budget this year for that reason. We trust that the services will use that money accordingly. We all agree that consultation is the name of the game here. That is something the Department has done. When we first got Cabinet approval for thism we immediately we…

I thank the Deputy for raising this. I am really sorry to hear of this and would be happy to engage with the Deputy to get the details of the situation, if his constituent is willing to share them. I will take it up directly with the HSE for the Deputy.

I wish to start by thanking and welcoming everyone to the Dáil Chamber today. In particular, I wish to pay tribute, as the Ceann Comhairle has done, to Ms Brigid Walsh, who is 90 years of age and has just left the Gallery. It is great to see women of all ages here today. It is a real honour to be here celebrating International Women's Day, which took place last week, and recognising the wonderful women who shape our lives, our communities and our country. I am especially glad to be here on the back of my attendance…

My two minutes is working very well.

I thank the Acting Chairperson very much. I appreciate that. I am glad we did that because it is important for every Senator who wants the opportunity to speak on this to be able to do so. I thank everybody for participating in today's remarks. There were some really thoughtful contributions. That is fantastic. International Women's Day and the lead-up to it is about taking the opportunity to pause, reflect, think and celebrate the absolutely extraordinary contribution of women and girls across Ireland. Every singl…

.I thank all of the Deputies who spoke on his really important Bill both last night and tonight. I acknowledge Members who contributed to the debate and indicated their support for progressing what is urgent and important legislation. I really appreciate the fact that support came from both sides of the House. A lot of different issues were touched on both tonight and last night, so I going to do my best to address as many of them as possible within the time I have. Immediately following approval by Cabinet for thi…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Disability Matters pursuant to Standing Orders 103(2)( b ) and 188(1).

I thank Senator O'Reilly for raising this issue, which I know is very close to his heart as a man from Cootehill. This is something that he sees on the ground day in and day out and he fully understands the need here. It is great to see such cross-party co-operation in the interests of local democracy and shared local community. I thank Senator Gallagher for his comments on the matter. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Norma Foley. She informed me earlier today that she had met both Senators and th…

I thank Senator O'Reilly for his fantastic advocacy on this issue, which I know is so important to him and his constituents. The next step is to make sure we can secure funding for the continued expansion of this scheme. The step after that would be for Cootehill, and others in this boat, to apply for any such new scheme that may come in. I suppose the exact same requirements will be looked at. I reiterate that it is a comprehensive national application and assessment process. It is led by Tusla and is independentl…

I hope the Senator is right. While no additional funding is available for this year, the Minister intends to continue to pursue the expansion of the programme through the budgetary process in line with the programme for Government. If successful in securing funds for future expansion of the family resource centre programme, a new call for applications will be launched to ensure all existing and newly interested locations can apply. I understand that Tusla, over the coming months, will be in contact with organisatio…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to address the House on Second Stage of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026. This is urgent legislation, intended to ensure legal certainty for wards of court who are moving to a decision-making process, as set out in the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act of 2015. I appreciate the understanding shown by members of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, which recognised the need to enact this legislation into law befo…

I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley. The Minister would like to thank Deputy O'Donoghue for raising this important issue and for offering her the opportunity to respond. I will deliver her response to the Deputy. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the annual early years sector profile shows that the …

I am glad to hear that some of the policies the Minister is pursuing and introducing may be of benefit to the Deputy in his constituency, but most importantly, the parents and children in his constituency. Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year, and the State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the national development plan. The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of Government. The initial approach is on purchasing an…