-----but there are issues here. I mean, there are agreements between-----
TDs / Micheál Martin
Micheál Martin
Taoiseach
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Plus 6,426 contributions in the regular slots, such as Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions. Speech from the chair is not counted.
Party, constituency and offices
- constituency Cork South-Central 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
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-----the Irish Pharmacy Union-----
-----and the Department-----
The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics carried out an evidence assessment.
I am just giving the background as the question was asked. It indicated the evidence was very equivocal in terms of supporting the programme. We will go back and discuss this with the HSE.
During discussions with the pharmacy union-----
-----it was agreed that improved controls would be introduced.
My view on monitored dosing systems is that I am not sure there should be a fee attached to them at all, but I am not so sure either-----
Hold on. I am not sure either that the State should be ponying up for everything here. There is no analysis by Deputy Doherty of both sides of this engagement. That is my point. There is too much of that in the House. The easy thing to go for is that the Government must pay for everything, no matter how it is presented or manifested. Deputy Doherty, even though he is finance spokesman, just casts aside any sense of c…
The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, was responsible for a lot of the very proactive work in respect of dementia.
There needs to be an engagement between the Irish Pharmacy Union and the HSE on this, but it cannot be the case that every new system or modification of a system or approach is just agreed. That cannot be it either.
First, I reject completely the assertions made by the Deputy in respect of this. I think he is missing the fundamental point. The assessment of need framework as it currently stands is not fit for purpose, and recent High Court decisions have made it less fit for purpose. The objective of the legislation, along with a whole series of other measures, is to prioritise and increase timely access to therapies for childre…
The private procurement of assessment of need will be supported by €20 million in this year's budget, and there is more on top of that, but I do not have time to elaborate on it.
You did.
I did.
Again, you did criticise it, by the way.
From the outset, you have been extremely negative. The whole question was articulated in a negative way.
Fine. I welcome Deputy Kenny's turnaround and reverse within five minutes. As for the question, I did say that there will be assessment teams. Teachers will not be assessing. I would appreciate, if the INTO has issues, that it would engage with us and engage with the Department of education. Do not be shooting from the hip.
People should not be shooting from the hip all the time. The current system is not fit for purpose. Many children will present with special needs from the earliest diagnosis, when it is very clear they have special needs. They do not need to go through elaborate further assessments of need before being allocated a school place.
We do need to streamline this. Therapists need to be freed up to provide services, to eng…
I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. The Government is talking a whole-of-society and a whole-of-government approach to online safety, recognising the rapid pace of change in the digital world and also the need for very co-ordinated, robust and rights-respecting responses. That response spans regulation, education, parental supports, age verification measures, curriculum reforms and school-l…
Some 462 schools have drawn €6 million in respect of that, which shows people have responded positively to the initiative.
We will be examining all aspects of this, including the impacts and use of algorithms to direct people to certain areas. That clearly is an issue. In terms of legislation, that is already in place in the powers Coimisiún na Meán has. In terms Digital Services Act, in particular, we are in a position to hold platforms to account. The European Commission has launched investigations into the influence of these powerful …
We are part of the European Commission. We are part of the European Union. The big row and argument between the US and Europe is that the US thinks we are over-regulating. I do not think we are but that is the US's assertion, that Europe is over regulating in the digital space. The Commission has been very strong.
So have our regulators as well. We are part of the harmonised regulatory framework.
The Digital Services Act is a game-changer in respect of this.