Kieran O'Donnell

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. I reiterate that resources and funding are not an obstacle to the urgent efforts required. More than €563 million has been allocated to homeless services in 2021. On the specific point raised in respect of the Leap card, the Government's …

I appreciate the opportunity to address the House on this important matter. Addressing homelessness is a top priority for the Government. We remain committed to working with all key stakeholders to reduce and prevent homelessness across Ireland, including homelessness among our more vulnerable people, including our older people, disabled people and Travellers. Our new housing plan, Delivering Home…

I think there is an understanding I am taking the Topical Issue matter in the name of Deputy Willie Aird. It was No. 3 but is now No. 1.

I thank Deputy Aird for raising this very important matter. On Wednesday, 4 February 2026, following an application by HIQA under section 59 of the Health Act 2007, an order was made by Portlaoise District Court cancelling the registration of Droimnín nursing home. The HSE was directed to step in and take over operational control of the centre, acting as the provider of last resort. The focus at t…

Once again, I thank Deputy Aird for raising this important matter of Droimnín nursing home in Stradbally. As I said earlier, all options are being explored by the HSE. Specifically, in terms of St. Vincent's in Mountmellick, I know the Deputy has a keen interest in that community nursing home run by the HSE. I would like to give him clarity on a couple of points. First, the church will continue t…

Ciarán Ó Domhnaill. I welcome the opportunity to engage with colleagues on the important matter of expanding access to general practice care. I wish to thank the Social Democrats for raising this issue, and Deputy Rice for leading on the motion. I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who is travelling to the EPSCO meetings tod…

No.

No.

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton. It gives the Department of Education and Youth the opportunity to discuss St. Mary’s Boys' National School, Lucan. I can see the Deputy has a deep personal interest, apart from being a TD for the area. I will give him the answ…

I thank Deputy Gogarty for the opportunity to outline the position in relation St. Mary's Boys National School, Lucan. As I stated, I am talking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton. I assure the Deputy that the Department of education has worked closely with the school authorities in relation to the school application for additional school acco…

I thank Deputy Gannon for the opportunity to address the need for a new critical care wing at the Rotunda Hospital. I am taking this matter on behalf of Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The Government is committed to driving improvements and continued investment in the Rotunda Hospital. Providing the highest possible standard of care at the Rotunda campus is a priority for th…

Once again, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. As I said, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. The Government is clear that we need increased capacity at the Rotunda to ensure it can meet the needs of women, infants and families in the short term. My priority, and that of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, is to work with the…

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy O’Brien. I will give the Deputy the response I have, but I will bring the particular point he raised back to the Minister. I suggest that the Deputy follow up himself and write to the Minister on the point in question. Renewable fuel is a vital transitionary measure in transport decarboni…

I again thank Deputy Ward for raising this matter, which, as stated, I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport. The transport sector has a significant role to play in Ireland's transition to a low-carbon society and economy as part of the wider European goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Reducing our historical reliance on imported fossil fuels in transport and switching to al…

I thank Deputy Brabazon for raising this matter. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. At the outset, I would like to recognise the vital contribution that healthcare assistants make to our health system. These staff play an essential role in delivering supports to people with disabilities and to older persons in our communities right across the country. …

I again thank Deputy Brabazon for raising this matter. As I stated, I am taking the matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I want to acknowledge the great work healthcare assistants do. I also acknowledge the work of the great staff in Northside Home Care Services and the huge contribution they make. As I stated, there are different mechanisms by which organisations…

I thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising this important topic and for the opportunity to speak on an issue of profound importance: timely, compassionate and specialist care for survivors of sexual assault. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. Responding to sexual violence is a responsibility which is shared across Government and Ireland’s sexual assaul…

It is maybe a matter that the Deputy could bring up with the Minister and we can follow up on it. The HSE is currently preparing a review of the SATU infrastructure. We can feed into that in terms of considering the matter the Deputy has put forward for Limerick.

Once again, I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic. I join him in referencing the work done by Rape Crisis Ireland and specially trained gardaí. Will the Deputy come back to us on the 80 people waiting for counselling? As I stated earlier, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. The Government remains committed to providing sexual assaul…

I thank Deputy John Paul O’Shea for raising this important matter. The Government is committed to supporting older people in Ireland and improving their access to healthcare services in the community. Budget 2026 saw an increase of approximately €215 million to maintain and enhance services for older people, resulting in a total allocation of over €3 billion for the first time. This includes a fur…

The home support services is a core service for older people. It is a highly valuable service used by them, their families and the HSE. Delivery of a high-quality consistent home support service is essential to help people to live well in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Recruitment to this sector is an ongoing challenge for both the HSE and private providers. Within the HSE, w…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The Government remains fully committed to the implementation of healthcare reform under the Sláintecare framework, ensuring that patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time. Central to our hospital avoidance strategy is the develo…

Once again, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. As I said, I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The Government remains committed to the implementation of healthcare reforms that ensure patients receive safe and convenient care in the right place at the right time. Last year, we saw 222,697 attendances at injury units across the c…

I thank Deputy McGrath for raising this Topical Issue matter relating to section 254 licence applications for telecommunications infrastructure and proximity to residential properties, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the Minister with responsibility for pla…

Once again, I thank Deputy McGrath for raising this Topical Issue matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. The Planning and Development Act 2024 was signed into law by the then President on 17 October 2024. The Department is putting arrangements in place to implement the phased commencement of the Act of 2024 to transition to ne…