Once again, I thank Senator Kennelly for raising this very important matter of the opening of the new CNU in Killarney. As I stated, the matter is currently with HIQA for registration. Once that comes through, the HSE will be able to open the new unit and transfer the existing 101 residents from St. Columbanus and the district hospital in Killarney to it. Recruitment of the additional staff continues. I want to see the full complement of the 29 additional beds opened as quickly as possible. In terms of the question…

Furthermore, the recruitment of additional staff continues. I want to see the 29 additional beds opened as quickly as possible. While a minor injuries unit is going into the St. Columbanus property, a review group has been set up by HSE South West to specifically look at the additional capacity there and at the district hospital in Killarney to find a proper use for them. Work is ongoing in that regard. I want to see that concluded as quickly as possible as well.

I thank Senator Costello for raising this important matter. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Health. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the national cancer strategy and I recognise the Senator’s commitment to this topic. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of Ireland’s first national cancer strategy. It is an opportune time to reflect on the progress that has been made since 1996 and to look ahead to how we may build upon what has already been achieved. Research has shown that Ireland's…

I again thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I think she is going to follow up directly with the Minister and the Department of Health about the remaining recommendations and other issues. Forty-three recommendations have been implemented. Successive national cancer strategies have delivered continued improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients, as shown by a significant increase in five-year survival rates, from 44% between 1994 and 1998 to 65% between 2014 to 2018. The upcoming evaluation o…

I thank Senator Murphy for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Ireland is endowed with a rich network of peatlands of raised and blanket bogs which are vital for biodiversity, supporting climate and flood mitigation, and importantly are an intrinsic part of our cultural heritage. The EU directive on the conservation of habitats, flora and fauna, commonly known as the habitats directive, requires all member states …

I thank Senator Murphy again for bringing this important issue up for discussion, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. I assure Senator Murphy that every effort is made to support individuals who cut turf on protected bogs. The turf cutting scheme has operated for 15 years. The majority of turf cutting sites have accepted compensation and others have consented to the restoration works of the protected raised bog restoration incentive scheme. Th…

I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for raising this important matter. Long-term residential care is a crucial part of the overall continuum of care and, across the country, our HSE community nursing units, CNUs, and community hospitals play a vital role in the provision of long-term care and other services. The Government is committed to continued investment in healthcare infrastructure that supports the highest quality care for our older population. This investment includes the community nursing home capital programme, whic…

I thank Deputy Healy-Rae. I join with him in commending all the staff in both St. Columbanus and the district hospital in Killarney who provide such a great service to the patients who are there. As I said, the 101 patients will transfer over to the new community nursing home unit. All current staff will transfer to the new facility and I have been advised that the recruitment campaigns for additional staff are well under way to allow for the opening of the additional beds in Killarney. I want to see the new commun…

I will follow up on that request.

I thank Deputy Quinlivan for the opportunity to discuss the challenges and the ongoing developments to support University Hospital Limerick and our health services across the mid- west region. I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I acknowledge that there are significant challenges at the UHL site, which are having an impact on patients, staff and families in Limerick and the mid-west region. I also recognise the dedicated and hardworking staff at UHL and throughout …

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and the concerns raised by the UHL medical board. Like the Deputy, I am local TD in Limerick and I am fully aware of the concerns raised. The Government is fully committed to driving significant improvements to the health service at UHL and across the mid-west. As the Deputy stated, UHL is one of the busiest emergency departments in Ireland. Increasing levels of activity in 2026 have attendance up 11% in January to March compared to the same period in 2025. Despi…

I sincerely thank the Members of the House for their heartfelt contributions this evening and the specific points raised. Today, the House has reflected on the scoping exercise in response to requests from Dignity4Patients on behalf of the victims and survivors of Michael Shine. As we close, I want to bring us back to the heart of why this process matters. It is because it affects the lives of the people who have been so deeply shaped by the events and systems we are now examining. The survivors and victims who cam…

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. The Electoral Reform Act 2022 provided for significant changes to streamline and modernise the electoral registration process, including the introduction of continuous and online registration, as well as the use of PPSNs in the registration process, making it easier for people to check and update their information. In the intervening period, over 1 …

I thank Senator Gallagher for bringing this issue up for discussion, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. This is a very important issue and one on which we have made significant progress. I have set out the critical work done by local authorities in recent years, including on legacy data quality issues. I join Senator Gallagher in acknowledging and paying tribute to the work of local authority staff in this regard. As Senator Gallagher has done, I e…

I thank Deputy Gould for raising this important matter. Heather House Community Nursing Unit, CNU, provides important and valued services for the people of the northside of Cork city and surrounding areas. There is a typo in the reply. I understand the significant role the CNU plays in the community and the importance of the facility. Heather House Community Nursing Unit was opened in 2011, and a 60-bed extension was added in 2023. The CNU is currently registered with HIQA to accommodate a maximum of 60 residents i…

Community nursing units such as Heather House form an integral part of local communities and provide invaluable service to the people who live in those communities as they age. I have already outlined that there are currently 60 beds open in Heather House CNU. I will once again reiterate that the new 17-bed dementia unit is at the final stage of applying for registration with HIQA. The HSE advises that the final works agreed with HIQA are in progress and will be completed in the coming weeks. I have to work within …

I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this important issue. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The Government recognises the need for more GPs not only to meet current demand, but to meet the future needs of our growing and ageing population. A strong and sustainable general practice is essential to our health service. As Senator Boyhan has said, GPs are a vital component of our health system. They do great work. For that reason, the programme for Government…

I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming the group from Piercestown National School. It is great to see so many young budding politicians seeing the Seanad in operation. I again thank Senator Boyhan for raising this important matter. As stated earlier, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. The Government acknowledges there are existing pressures in general practice. The recent ESRI report on GP capacity shows that our ageing and growing population, which Senator Boyhan …

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and providing me with the opportunity to clarify the role of my Department and the local authority sector in relation to flood response. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. My Department is mandated to undertake the lead government function for the co-ordination of a whole-of-government response to exceptionally severe weather events. The national directorate for fire and emerge…

I thank Senator Gallagher again for raising this important issue, which I have taken on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Browne. It is important to acknowledge the vitally important work undertaken by local authorities across the country during incidents of flooding and severe weather events more generally. Local authorities are the first responders. They receive the call when roads are flooded, trees are down, riverbanks have broken, and homes and critical infrastructure are at risk. Fire services, road and outdoor …