Domiciliary care and mental health
Senator Devine asked for medical cards for children whose parents receive domiciliary care allowance, and the Leader promised to seek a ministerial debate. He also confirmed action on migration, addressed the N52 issue, and replied to concerns about mental health beds.
I asked about legislation to provide children whose parents are in receipt of domiciliary care allowance with medical cards.
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The former Minister of State at the Department of Health, Ms Kathleen Lynch, was working on that issue. I will be happy to have the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, come to the House to discuss the matter.
Senator Higgins raised the issue of migration. We have asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, to come to the House. Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to a matter on which the Department communicated with him directly. I will try to obtain a copy of the reply for him.
Senator Davitt raised the N52 road project with which, to be honest, I am not familiar. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, was in the House earlier to respond to a Commencement matter. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to raise the issue as a Commencement matter to have it addressed.
To respond to Senator Mullen, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Doyle, will be in the House tomorrow to discuss the greyhound industry. While I am not familiar with the case the Senator raises, it is important that anyone with specific information on the greyhound industry should forward it to the relevant authorities, including the Minister. As we have seen in other areas, it is important that people in possession of information share and communicate it directly with the relevant authority or individuals, whether Bord na gCon or the Minister. I do not want anyone to condone or support malpractice or bad practice in the greyhound industry because the sector is very important to the country. As Senators are aware, the Government commits more than €16 million per annum to the greyhound racing fund. The industry also employs large numbers of people directly and indirectly. It is important, therefore, that we uphold its good name.
I am not familiar with the incident raised by Senator Ó Donnghaile. I agree that bad or brutal politics have no place in democracy, irrespective of which side of the political spectrum we are on. We must not allow sectarianism to take root or grow in any community, whether in the North, South, east or west of the island. I look forward to joining the Senator on the campaign trail in the North next weekend when I will be up there campaigning for a couple of friends.
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It is okay for the Senator to name them.
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He should tell us who they are.
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Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of beds in the mental health services. The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy McEntee, increased funding for mental health this year. She has taken a proactive approach to mental heath. It is important to talk more about mental health and achieve a cross-party consensus on the issue. As I am not familiar with the case in Waterford, the Senator may have her question answered quicker if she raises it as a Commencement matter.
I am happy to accept Senator Gavan's motion on the Order of Business.