Victims’ rights and disability supports legislation
Michael Healy-Rae raises the victims’ rights Bill alongside Garda transport and cuts to disability home-help supports. The Taoiseach says work on the Bill is progressing and confirms funding for additional Garda vehicles; the disability-support concerns receive no substantive answer.
I wish to ask about two items of promised legislation. As regards the criminal justice (victims' rights) Bill, it has come to light that the Government's investment in the Garda transport fleet is €6 million a year, which is woefully inadequate.
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The guards cannot go anywhere without transport.
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I am referring to the criminal justice (victims' rights) Bill.
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How can we have justice for people if the gardaí cannot go out to see them?
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Yes, the Health Service Executive (financial matters) Bill. Why is the Government continuing to cut community-based supports for persons with disabilities that are contained in this Bill? We have had a reduction of 450,000 home help hours.
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Some €1.7 million was also cut from the home care help scheme.
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The Deputy can ask when the legislation is due, but he does not need to make a speech about it.
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I have to build it up a bit, a Cheann Comhairle.
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In fairness, it is so that you know exactly what I am talking about.
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I also want the Taoiseach to understand what I am talking about.
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Whether he learns from it or not is another thing.
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I fully understand what Deputy Healy-Rae is on about. I can confirm that preliminary work has been done on the criminal justice Bill. I do not yet have a publication date but that work is proceeding. I can also confirm that moneys have been made available by the Minister for Justice and Equality to the Garda Commissioner for the purchase of further vehicles for the Garda Síochána, including motorcycles.
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Maybe he could get the helicopter brought down too.