I again thank Senator Murphy O'Mahony for raising the issue of the ongoing struggles faced by people living in Ireland with inflammatory bowel disease. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and will convey this to her on the Senator's behalf. The other matter she raised would be relevant to other Departments and Ministers. There are measures in place to reduce the cost burden of coping with long-term illness. The Government remains committed to improving healthcare services, prov…

A Chathaoirligh, I join you in your sentiments towards the guests in the Public Gallery. I thank Senator Murphy for raising this important issue. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon. The Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, which the Senator referenced, is a Private Members' Bill currently before Dáil Éireann on Second Stage and is subject to procedures of the Oireachtas. The Bill aims to ban the importation of non-native species or sub-species…

I thank Senator Murphy again for raising this matter. As I stated, I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Martin Heydon. The Minister fully recognises the important role played by honeybees, especially in terms of honey production and the pollination of horticultural crops. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is fully supportive of the work carried out by beekeepers and the beekeeping association in relation to the conservation of the native Irish hone…

I thank Deputies for their contributions to this important debate. The Government is well aware of the additional costs faced by disabled people. The Government has opposed this motion and tabled an amendment, but that does not mean that we do not recognise the difficulties and additional costs that disabled people face. We are very aware of those costs. Our determination to assist people with those costs is reflected in the improvements we have made to disability support schemes in recent years and our commitment …

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy McEntee. A passport is an internationally recognised travel document which attests to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The passport service follows recommendations from the ICAO, which the Deputy referenced, in relation to data that is held on a passport. The ICAO is an international body that develops policies and standards for aviation safety and security. International…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. EU Directive 2022/2561, on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, is transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (SI 359 of 2008), as amended. Under the directive, transposed via the 2008 regulation, to dr…

I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien. The legal basis for the certificate of professional competence for professional drivers is contained in EU Directive 2022/2561 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers. Under this directive it is a legal requirement that all new category C and D professional drivers complete and pass their driver CPC qualifi…

I thank Deputy Farrelly for raising this matter on behalf of his constituents, which I am taking on behalf of Minister of State, Deputy Charlie McConalogue. Under the 2024 round of the large-scale sports infrastructure Fund, LSSIF, Kildare County Council applied for funding for the development of Sallins Park Community Sports Centre, which the Deputy referenced. The project was allocated €3 million for phase 1 of the development. Phase 1 consists of the development of five pitches and all associated works. Two pitc…

I again thank Deputy Farrelly for the opportunity to discuss the development of Sallins Park community sports centre. I am taking this Topical Issue debate on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy McConalogue. County Kildare received significant capital funding for sports infrastructure over the past number of years. Specifically on Sallins Park community sports centre, this project is currently being assessed at approval gate 1. Required documentation has been examined by the Depart…

I thank Deputy O'Hara for raising this important matter which I am taking on behalf of Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary. In responding to the question, I will first provide an overview of the occupational injuries benefit scheme and the supports available from the Department of Social Protection to people with long Covid. The occupational injuries benefit scheme is a group of benefits for insured workers if they are unfit for work either due to an accident arising out of and in the course of employme…

Once again, I thank Deputy O'Hara for raising this important matter. As I said, I am taking this matter on behalf of Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary. The Government and I recognise the great work of healthcare workers during Covid and, in fact, the continual great work of healthcare workers. As referenced in my opening statement on behalf of Deputy Calleary, the Minister for Social Protection, in November 2022 the European Commission made a non-binding recommendation on the recognition of Covid-19 a…

I thank Deputy Nash for taking this amendment, which was tabled by Deputy Sherlock. The proposed amendment from Deputy Sherlock seeks to provide HIQA and the Health and Safety Authority inspectorates under the Workplace Relations Act 2015 with the powers to request information relevant to the performance of their functions, as set out under the Health Act 2007, and allows each organisation to share such information where it appears to it to be required for the other body to carry out its functions as set out under …

I will go back over my contribution for the sake of clarity. I thank the visitors for their patience and welcome them. Neither the Health and Safety Authority nor the Workplace Relations Commission have any functions assigned to them under the Act, rendering the proposed provision inoperable for either body. Additionally, the established legislation for the Workplace Relations Commission, under section 27 of the Workplace Relations Act 2015 and section 72 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, includes…

I thank Deputy Rice for tabling this amendment. Section 69B(2) sets out the circumstances where a homecare support provider can seek an exemption to the requirement to register under the Bill. This ensures there is suitable clarity and transparency about when a person will be exempt from the requirement to register. Section 69B(2)(a) provides that where a person provides a homecare support service to fewer than four people, that person will be exempt from the requirement to register. This exclusion was carefully co…

I thank Deputy Rice for his support for the legislation and assure him that all aspects will be covered in the review. In response to Deputy Ó Murchú, PA services are under the remit of the Department of children and disability. Our Department has been very open. The other Department has a review ongoing so PA is not included in the legislation at the moment, but we are open going forward in the process, once the other Department has concluded its deliberations. I thank the Deputies for their contributions.

Will the Ceann Comhairle permit me to make a final comment?

I thank all the contributors to Second Stage, Committee Stage and Report Stage. This is an important Bill and I thank them all for their contributions. The development of this regulatory framework has been a key priority for the Government and represents an integral part of the ongoing development of the statutory homecare scheme as committed to in the programme for Government. I acknowledge the work of my predecessor in this role, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who is in the Chamber with us, and more partic…

I thank Senator Boyle for raising this important matter. I join him in acknowledging the great work of the staff there. I also acknowledge the vital healthcare role that Killybegs Community Hospital plays and the excellent level of care it provides to residents and their families in the Killybegs community and surrounding areas. I advise the Senator that the maximum capacity in Killybegs Community Hospital is 33 beds, with 13 long-term care beds and 20 short-term care beds. The HSE has advised that there are curren…

I again thank Senator Boyle for raising this important issue on behalf of the people in the Killybegs area. As I have already outlined, there are currently 22 beds operational in Killybegs Community Hospital, 11 of which are currently closed. It is hoped that the staff will be in place in June and July to open six of the 11 beds that are unopened. A multitask attendant recruitment campaign targeted strictly at Killybegs Community Hospital is planned in the coming weeks allowing for the opening of the remaining five…

If the Acting Chairperson will give me a moment, I wish to acknowledge the Appelbees. It is quite a coincidence. I met them in the corridor a couple of minutes ago. I assume that is Austin's grandmother. I want to acknowledge her. Mothers are very important. Austin is living in Perth, and his mother is from Monaghan. It is a great tribute. I said to Austin's mum that she must be proud of him; she said she is very proud. At some stage, we may come calling for Austin to represent Ireland. He will have a big choice to…