I join with the Deputy in extending my thanks and that of the Department of Health to the staff of the NAS for their commitment and dedication to patient care in east Cork and across the whole country. I was just checking as the Deputy was speaking. In 2025, the following additional resources were added to the south-west region. Twelve paramedics and 12 emergency medical technicians were deployed to the south-west region. Seventeen staff were allocated to the region in 2025 under agency conversion to the following …

I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this matter in the House. Varicella is a common and highly infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. This virus is associated with two distinct clinical syndromes, varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, and herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Primary infection with the varicella zoster virus results in varicella, after which the virus becomes latent in the body's nervous system. The virus may reactivate after a period, sometimes several decades later, resu…

I understand the points the Deputy makes. I agree with many of them but we must stop and think. He says the vaccine would cost €500 per person. We have an ageing population. We actually have more than a million people over 65. The Deputy can quickly do the maths to see what that would cost. Following detailed consideration of the findings of the HTA in 2024, it was determined that the introduction of the shingles vaccine to the immunisation schedule in Ireland could be considered if and when the cost-effectiveness …

It is not opposed.

Yesterday, two public statutory inquiries into scoliosis and spina bifida care and Michael Shine were announced. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has appointed facilitators to begin work aimed at establishing two public statutory inquiries. Remy Farrell SC has been appointed as the facilitator with regard to scoliosis and spina bifida at CHI. Lorcan Staines SC has been appointed to work as facilitator on the abuse carried out by the convicted sex offender Michael Shine. Michael Shine, a former surgeon, worked…

I have accepted amendments to the Mental Health Bill.

I have accepted amendments. They may not have been the Deputy's amendments, but I have accepted amendments in the Seanad.

In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed: 1. that notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of yesterday, in relation to Thursday's business, the Second Stage of the Media Regulation Bill 2026 shall be taken on Thursday, 19 March 2026, and Statements on the Situation in the Middle East shall be taken immediately following the sos and the order shall resume thereafter. 2. the Statements on the Situation in the Middle East shall not exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes and the arrangements shall be as set …

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2026 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Consideration of Estimates by Committees (without debate) - Ráitis maidir leis an Ghaeilge chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a chomóradh (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, t…

I thank all the Whips for their comments on the fishing community, the termination of pregnancy, Iran, Shannon Airport and energy costs. The Order of Business stands as set out and as circulated to all the Whips. However, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will come in during the week to take statements on Iran and I will engage with the Whips in the afternoon.

I move: That, pursuant to Standing Order 223(1), the following Committees may complete their consideration of the Estimates for Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2026, standing referred to them pursuant to Standing Order 222(2), later than the eightieth day and not later than the one hundredth day, being the 27th day of March, 2026, after the Estimates had been so referred: — the Select Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport (Vote 33); and — the Select Committee on Education an…

I thank the Senator for articulating a pressing issue. It is a question I have answered many times in the Seanad and the Dáil. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I am grateful to her for the opportunity to address the issue of access to oral healthcare services for children, including orthodontic treatment. The HSE oral healthcare service aims to provide an oral examination and necessary treatment for children at ages approximating to second and sixth class and, in some cases, fourth clas…

There is nothing the Senator is saying that I disagree with. The Government invests annually in oral healthcare with a figure of €240 million this year alone. Over €20 million has been allocated to waiting list initiatives for contracted orthodontic care, resulting in more than 5,200 removals from waiting lists since 2020. This includes a dedicated orthodontic surgery programme that has delivered treatment for an additional 206 patients to date. This funding will continue in 2026 with a further €2.85 million being …

I begin by acknowledging the concerns raised in the recent "RTÉ Investigates" programme on forensic mental health services. While I am not a clinician, my responsibility is to maintain public confidence in this essential service for a highly vulnerable group of patients and for the dedicated staff who care for them. I have asked the HSE for full reports on the cases highlighted in the programme, particularly those involving the Central Mental Hospital. I have also asked that all appropriate care options for the ind…

I do not think the Senator listened to my answer, to be fair. I am ambitious enough and I can give him the response because I am the person who secured the funding last year to hire 45 additional very specific staff to work in the national forensic hospital. It is not that these staff are sitting on unemployment lists all over the country; they are hard to get. That is the first point. We recruited 45 of them, including 41 to open 18 beds. We opened two beds in December and will open the other 16 on a gradual basis…

I thank the Deputy for her question. In fairness, she has always been a strong advocate for supports for those with eating disorders. It is the most debilitating mental health illness that you can have. We have made progress over the past five years. Some 95% of all those with an eating disorder are treated in the community. We have 14 of the 16 teams funded; 11 of them are in place and we are recruiting the other five. Two more were announced in budget 2026. I know the Deputy will be happy to hear that yesterday, …

I stand today to add my support to the State apology to the victims of horrendous abuse in industrial and reformatory schools. There are not enough words to outline the abuse and absolute horror suffered by these survivors and all victims of abuse. Many of those have lived and suffered in silence. They suffered the stigma for decades and have struggled with pain and anguish. These were children placed in these industrial schools. We know they suffered the most horrendous mistreatment but they had courage and convic…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Statements on Fishing Quotas (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Special Needs Assistants, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on Special Needs Assistants (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Apology related to childhood abuse (hunger strikers): Statements (to commence no earlier than 3.37 p.m. and not to exceed 1 hour and 44 minutes) - International Protection Bill 2026 (Committee…

I will respond.

I have noted all the comments from the various Whips. I will facilitate an urgent debate in relation to CAMHS. I was in Kerry on Thursday and Friday of last week. I felt it was important to respond to the parents first. We will put that on the agenda for next week. In relation to the other requests for debates, this week we are facilitating statements on fisheries and homelessness, which were sought two or three weeks ago. We can give consideration to all the requests that have been made at the Business Committee o…