Results 1-20 of 1,083,641 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Ivana Bacik OR speaker:Michael McNamara OR speaker:Gary Gannon OR speaker:Dara Calleary OR speaker:Michael Moynihan OR speaker:John Lahart OR speaker:Matt Shanahan OR speaker:James O'Connor OR speaker:Brendan Griffin OR speaker:Michael McGrath OR speaker:John Brady OR speaker:James Browne OR speaker:Gino Kenny OR speaker:Patrick Costello OR speaker:Ciarán Cannon OR speaker:David Stanton OR speaker:Réada Cronin OR speaker:Bríd Smith OR speaker:Pauline Tully OR speaker:Alan Kelly OR speaker:Ossian Smyth OR speaker:Darren O'Rourke)

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: I thank the Minister, the Ministers of State and their teams. I will take up the same theme. The Minister is talking about 6,500 appointments, essentially. These are new positions between this year and what is projected for next year, yet the INMO and Fórsa are protesting today. What does the Minister say to them?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: I will move on to a few quick questions. I will briefly note the comparison of health spending in Ireland with other European countries. We are about halfway up or down the league table, depending what way you look at it. Are there any statistics available on international comparisons in regard to getting bang for the buck, outcomes and so on? I do not need the Minister to answer this now...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: Where is that available? Is it on the HSE website?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: I want to raise an issue that is good news and a matter of continuing interest. It is relevant to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who is here. One of the most interesting points the Minister mentioned in his opening statement concerns the demographic challenge, which is alarming. The statistics are really interesting. Our population is at its largest since 1850, with an increase of...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: We have one of the highest age expectancies in the European Union.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: A note on that would be worth getting. My final question is one concerning what may be the smallest sum in the Supplementary Estimate, namely, the dormant account funding of €2 million. I am interested in why the Dormant Accounts Fund was raided and for what purpose. I am being dramatic in using the word "raided". Does the Minister have a note on the specific uses of that funding?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: I am happy to wait and get a note. The Cathaoirleach might wish to move on to the next speaker.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: Is it a regular allocation?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

John Lahart: It is a small figure but it caught my eye. I thank Mr. Curry.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: I thank everybody for their statements thus far. I have a question for the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, regarding the additional funding this year. Will he give a breakdown on this? I am reading a breakdown of the additional funding in the press release and it gives a breakdown but the drugs task forces in the country will say that funding has been reduced, particularly in the last ten...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: Does the Minister of State accept that in terms of the overall harm reduction budget and the money that is given towards task forces across the country, there has been a reduction, particularly in the last 12 years? Obviously, he is only in the position a number of months but does he accept that in 2012 more money was being allocated towards task forces than there is now?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: Yes, I accept that but many people on the ground who are at the coalface will say there needs to be much more funding in terms of the evolution of drug dependency and drug use in communities. That has to be acknowledged.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: Thanks a lot.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: I thank the Minister of State for that. Just to confirm, he referred to the safe injection facility. I would probably term it slightly differently. The "safe consumption room" is probably a better term. Is he saying this facility will be open in December?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: That is good news. I have a final question. Regarding harm reduction activities, wastewater drug surveillance is referred to in the press release. What exactly is that?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (16 Oct 2024)

Gino Kenny: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Fergus O'Dowd: I have a short time. I welcome the budget and especially the work the Minister has done over the years. It is a fact that the Minister is hardworking, efficient and effective. I also pay tribute to her staff around the country. As a TD and public representative for 50 years, and I suppose I drive everyone mad by ringing up about clients, but I have to say on the record that the Minister's...

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Mattie McGrath: On a point of clarification, is there something happening other than Hallowe'en at Hallowe'en? We want the Bill finished by Hallowe'en.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There will be a treat when you turn up at the door.

Social Welfare Bill 2024: Second Stage (15 Oct 2024)

Mattie McGrath: Is the Minister going trick or treating?