I share the Minister of State's concerns in respect this matter. As the previous speaker mentioned, we have all read stories. I have heard conversations when a story hits the headlines about someone being hurt. People ask why nothing was done and say that something could have been prevented. If people are admitted involuntarily, it might divert them from the criminal justice system. It could prevent them being incarcerated on criminal charges. It could help them. It was asked whether it was worded correctly. When I…

Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

I welcome the Minister of State. Day services for adults with disabilities provide a vital network of support for more than 25,000 people across this State, individuals whose personal circumstances, interests and aspirations are widely diverse. There are people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities. They range from young adults beginning their journey into adult life to older people of retirement age. They live in small communities in isolated rural areas and in towns and cities in every part of our coun…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am concerned about the self-evaluation. An independent evaluation is needed. If we want to do things right, renting a room in a community centre is not the correct standard for the people in question. I have a few questions. What is the current budget for day services? How much was secured in budget 2026? What was last year's day services capital budget allocation? What was secured for 2026? The Minister of State may not have those answers to hand but I would apprec…

I thank the Minister of State and welcome what she said. I had concerns about the changes involved and spoke to the Minister of State openly about them. Being a mother, I nearly think of 18-year-olds as children. I know there is the Gillick competency test. This was something I was looking at in the context of the capacity to consent and in establishing if a child possesses that capacity between the ages of 16 and 18. I would like to flesh this out a bit more. Who is going to have the responsibility for determining…

Regarding those aged under 18 being admitted to adult facilities, I was under the impression that there are only two such facilities. Ambition is being shown, particularly as the numbers have decreased so drastically. I appreciate and completely understand and respect the concerns expressed, which are very valid. The Senators are right to raise them. However, I feel ambition has been shown because the numbers have decreased so drastically. It was my understanding that if a child aged 17 and a half got into difficul…

I welcome the news today that the national cancer registry of Ireland has confirmed that there was no consistent rise in late-stage cancers following the pandemic and that survival rates for 2020 and 2021 remained broadly in line with previous years. I know it will monitor this as the years pass. This is reassuring news and reflects the huge efforts made across our health services during what was a challenging time. However, we know that cancer diagnoses dropped sharply in early 2020 as Covid-19 disrupted GP visits…

I also want to refer to something that Senator Ruane raised yesterday about people who may have had criminal pasts but are helping people now. We have to acknowledge that people can change while also having due diligence. I would hate it if someone who was a really good asset and really understood the struggles of some people was not able to help others. We have to acknowledge that while some people may have a past, they can make a huge contribution in helping other people break the cycle. I just want to acknowledg…

I have been listening to the debate and can see where Members are coming from. As a parent, if my child was in an emergency situation, I would want them in any unit that would be able to help them in that emergency moment. I understand where people are coming from. However, could I honestly live with myself if a child did not get emergency care because of something we legislated for here? I do not think so. Would it sit right with us, after this goes through, if a situation arose and a child was not able to be faci…

I agree.

In a similar way, I thought what the Minister of State said was very human rights-focused. I understand that it takes a certain amount of time for people to come around and be in a better position to avail of care. That is what I heard as well.

I thought it was very clear, and I do not think it is right to be mimicking people's voices in the Chamber. We are dealing with something very important here. This is not fun and games. As somebody very new to the Seanad, I do not think that was acceptable.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2025. Fianna Fáil will be supporting this legislation. As with the Finance Bill or the Social Welfare Bill, this measure arrives annually to update the framework that sustains risk equalisation and preserves community rating in our health insurance market. Community rating is a core principle of our system. Everyone pays the same premium for the same policy, regardless of age or health status. The risk equalisation scheme is what makes that…

I thank the Minister of State for being here and taking this matter. This issue concerns the need for the Department of housing to set out what mechanisms are available to local authorities and approved housing bodies, AHBs, when dealing with repeated breaches of tenancy, particularly concerning antisocial behaviour that affects neighbouring tenants. Across the State, but noticeably in areas that I represent, tenants are reporting ongoing issues of antisocial behaviour. These are not isolated instances but repeated…

I thank the Minister of State very much for that. I commend South Dublin County Council. I know it is the minority, and it spans far wider than the local authority housing. Obviously, the Department would have the figures for the local authority housing and that is why I framed it in that manner. On antisocial behaviour, one of the most common complaints I hear that really distresses people is the illegal dumping and burning of rubbish within estates. I have had situations in apartment complexes where instead of go…

On Saturday night, I had the honour of attending the 42nd Tallaght person of the year awards. It is an incredible event run by Tallaght Community Council. This event holds a very special place in my heart. It is community-led and shines a light on the unsung heroes of Tallaght: the individuals, groups and organisations who quietly and consistently make our community a better place. Although Tallaght often gets portrayed in a negative manner, this night gives an accurate picture of what Tallaght is really about. The…

The issue I am raising is one of great importance. It relates to the training of elected representatives such that we may be properly able to support victims of domestic violence and abuse. The Government's new housing plan contains strong commitments to victims of domestic abuse. It recognises that when a household is fleeing domestic violence, staying safe often means relocating. The plan ensures that survivors who are forced to relocate will not face barriers in accessing housing supports. Survivors can immediat…

I thank the Minister of State. I cannot overstate how important this training is. That somebody trusts us enough to approach us for help is a privilege we all have in the jobs we are lucky enough to be doing. We do not want to put people wrong. We do not want to miss an opportunity for somebody to escape a terrible situation. It is easy to give people advice when you are not living their reality. It is the training that teaches that patience is often needed and the understanding as to why it may take people several…

I acknowledge the incredible work of the Community Addiction Response Programme, CARP, Killinarden, and congratulate and thank it for 30 years of service to the community, which it is celebrating this week. CARP Killinarden has always been more than a service. It is a lifeline, a source of hope and a powerful voice for people and families affected by addiction. Its commitment to compassion, dignity and change has transformed lives and strengthened the community in ways that cannot be measured. I thank the staff, vo…

I thank the Minister of State for giving us an opportunity to speak on this. I will go back to my time as a local councillor on South Dublin County Council, when I raised an awful lot of issues regarding water. I had family members who worked in the water section and knew the water system like the back of their hands. They were passionate. I knew a lot of the staff who historically worked in the water section of the council. When I was a councillor raising those issues, I found the response time to be efficient, qu…