Ruairí Ó Murchú

Overall sentiment: -0.06
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8. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [48847/25]

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We really have to give consideration to housing adaptation grants and to look at them properly. We know they have been reviewed. Both the thresholds and the amounts paid have been increased but this does not cover the cost of building. I am talking in particular about those who fall into disability, whether down to old age, accidents, or children coming of age and needing a greater level of supports. We have all had these sorts of issues and occasionally got them across the line, but every year we have a case where the local authority runs out of funding. It stops taking applications and we all try to make representations on behalf of those worst cases. We need to get a system that works. We still need to update the situation in relation to CAS funding as regards disabilities. I have spoken to the Taoiseach previously about St. John of God approved housing body not being able to draw down the money it could previously. While there have been solutions to some of the issues, we need that dealt with. When are we to see the rural one-off housing review report, which last summer was with the Attorney General, because we know the issues that exist in rural areas in relation to people not being able to get planning permission for necessary housing?

Sentiment score: 0.09

I also add my voice to the two cases that have been spoken: Kyran Durnin and Daniel Aruebose. The only good news is that at least Daniel's body was found. We are talking about an absolutely tragic set of circumstances and families who had engaged with Tusla. I have no doubt we all know and are aware of the issues. We know that we need to make sure that, first of all, we have the correct frameworks and protocols for child protection, and that they are then adhered to. There is no doubt we need reviews in these two cases. First and foremost, anyone with information should go to the Garda, but we also need reviews to be carried out, and not behind closed doors. We must ensure that learnings are learnt and less of this can happen in the future, because it is disastrous. I have spoken here many times previously of the failure to intervene early with families and those who need support. What was brought up at the children's committee was the idea of specialist public health nurses, which was contained within the early years policy framework but was not followed up. The idea is that there would be an initial positive engagement with families involving screening-----

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-----so if there is a need for resources, they could be put in early before things become disastrous or tragic. In some cases, it is all about child protection. We need absolute supports and protection of the child.

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We are failing at this point. We must look back and learn so we know where we must go in the future.

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Specialist public health nurses-----

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