Brian Stanley

I raise the issue of students. It has been a bad couple of weeks for them. I listened carefully to the Minister's earlier answers. He framed this in the context of a once-off measure, as did the Minister, Deputy Lawless. However, the programme for Government states that the Government will continue to reduce student contribution fees over the lifetime of the Government, to ease the financial burde…

I have the question. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to bear with me for a moment. The rest of the Deputies got good latitude.

Was the reduction just for last year because there was an election?

Was it just an election stunt for last year or is the Minister going to turn this around and do the right thing? That is the question.

They try to work part-time jobs.

All the money was just for the election.

I welcome the publication of the report. However, school places continue to be a major challenge in County Laois. New classes have been granted and I welcome that. New posts have been granted, but accommodation continues to be a problem and there is no timeline for delivery, despite classes being announced. Schools are asking where they can put the classes. Offices, little school libraries, which …

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. I commend Deputy Ó Snodaigh, who has not just introduced this proposal but over the years has done great work, as has his family, to make sure the cultural and historical heritage of Ireland and this city is maintained and enhanced. In the course of this debate we think about the sacrifices of those who fought in the GPO and the fact that Pearse …

The slaughter in Gaza continues. According to the UN today, more than 500 starving women, men and children have been mowed down by Israeli terrorists while queueing in desperation for food. There is a moral and political responsibility on us to do everything possible to put pressure on the terrorist Israeli state. Two weeks ago, the Government refused to do that by refusing to back the ending of t…

Here we go again. We are back here again to renew outdated legislation that has been there since the Second World War and that is long past its best-by date. It is very disappointing to see another year has passed by with no movement on it. While it has always been claimed that the legislation is there for the protection of the State, it has also been used for political policing on occasion, altho…

I raise the problem people around the State have in accessing a GP or getting a GP to take them on. It is even more difficult for people who do not have a medical card. It is a huge problem. There is a shortage of locum doctors, which leads to problems for some GPs trying to take holidays or leave. The emergency departments of hospitals are clogged up with people who should be seen in a community …

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I acknowledge there are more training places but, as he correctly pointed out, it will take time for them to work through. The one thing we need to do better on is the retention of those who are coming out of courses. I have outlined to the Taoiseach the idea of directly employing GPs, which the Tánaiste said he is in favour of. It was a key part of Sláintecar…

A primary care centre for Portlaoise?

I have a point of order. On the previous occasion when statements on nursing homes were taken, some of us waited until the very end of the night to get our slot. I hope that will be taken now.

I welcome this opportunity to address the issue of nursing homes. I am aware the Minister of State has taken an interest in it but there are major issues to be addressed. In this regard, I must raise the over-reliance on private nursing homes with him. It has increased. That 80% of nursing homes are now private has skewed things and left us at the mercy of the private sector. Unfortunately, some i…

One proper meal per day can make a major difference. There should be more home help staff and more flexibility in what they can do. There should be more public health nurses, who are fundamental in keeping people in their homes. Deputy O'Donnell, as Minister of State, will agree that loneliness is killing people. This is not something the Government can sort on its own. Whatever we can do throug…

I welcome this motion, as somebody who passionately believes in the national reunification, not unification, but reunification of the national territory. It is an important step forward and it is long overdue. There has been foot-dragging on this and we need a timeline for progress. National reunification is important. All parties nominally sign up to it. I believe we should do better and we shoul…

We have six minutes each.

89. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department will conduct a review of the delays relating to the awarding of disability and carer’s allowance, particularly in light of delays of up to five months that have occurred in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33295/25]

My question relates to the delays around reviews of decisions relating to disability and carer's allowance. Currently, people are waiting a long time. This matter needs to be addressed. I hope the Department is going to take action on it.

The reason I raise this is because people find themselves out of work through no fault of their own because of a disability or they have to give up work to care for a loved one and may have to put in a claim for carer's allowance. These are genuine cases. I understand that it is complex. I understand that there are a number of different aspects in terms of judging whether people are eligible or no…

If they could be done within a six-week period, that would certainly be very good. I welcome the fact that there is a target in that regard. In the absence of targets, nothing is achieved. Things move when there are targets. The Minister is correct about people supplying more information. Often, those who make claims are not sure what is being sought as a result of the language the Department uses…

I welcome the eight proposals in the motion put forward by Deputy O'Gorman. They are very welcome and timely. The very important ones are to further reduce fares and to further accelerate the Connecting Ireland rural bus programme. The all-island rail strategy was mentioned. It is important, as we move towards the reunification of the national territory, that this is stepped up as a practical meas…

The slaughter in Gaza continues this week. We still see innocent men, women and children mowed down by tank fire and massive aerial bombardments while they queue for food, but also in camps where people are trying to shelter, who have been displaced for the one hundredth time in the past two years. There is a moral and political responsibility on us to do all we can to put pressure on the terroris…

The decision is with the Dáil.