On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue in the House today. As the Deputy said, improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. Achieving these goals has been set out in the programme for Government. Progress is being made on a number of proposed light rail projects. There are four proposed expansions to the Luas network outlined in the current greater Dublin area transport strategy. The most advanced of these schemes is the Luas Finglas project. Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in November 2024 for this project and we await a decision on this matter. In addition, a public consultation on the emerging preferred route for a Luas line in Cork is also currently open. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the greater Dublin area. The development of a Luas line to serve Lucan is currently one of the medium-term projects in the NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, as approved by the Minister for Transport, for development and delivery within the 2031 to 2036 timeframe. The measure outlined in the greater Dublin area transport strategy is "to develop a light rail line from Lucan to the City Centre, [as the Deputy spoke about], supplementing and complementing the planned bus system, to serve the overall public transport needs in this area". Transport Infrastructure Ireland is the sponsoring agency for the proposed Luas to Lucan project and the NTA is the day-to-day approving authority. I understand that the NTA recently submitted a project outline document, POD, to the Department of Transport, as is required under the Department of Transport's appraisal framework. The POD noted that Luas Lucan has the potential to reduce transport emissions and encourage the use of public transport along the study corridor while catering for growth and improved customer experience. The Luas Lucan is an east-west light rail line proposed to enhance connectivity across key areas of Dublin, supporting our economy and population growth and improving the quality of the public realm for its residents. The scheme will complement the planned BusConnects Dublin and the DART+ programme to provide a high-quality network of multimodal options in the area out to Lucan. BusConnects core bus corridors to Lucan and Liffey Valley have both received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála. The Government understands the merits of the proposed Luas to Lucan project. It is one of a number of projects that have been highlighted to the Minister for Transport for acceleration as part of the review of the national development plan, which is planned to take place soon. Regarding route finalisation for the Luas Lucan project, the route selection and concept development phase of the project continues. A number of end-to-end options have now been selected, with further review of these options through a more detailed multicriteria analysis currently taking place. TII, as the sponsoring agency, plans to finalise the emerging preferred route next year. It will be after this point that TII, with the support of the NTA, will publish the emerging preferred route and options selection report. TII will then hold a non-statutory public consultation.

Sentiment score: 0.28

Again, on behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Deputy for his commitment, comments and interest in this important issue. Regarding current developments, as mentioned, I understand that the route selection and concept development phase of the project is now taking place, with a number of end-to-end options going through a detailed multicriteria analysis. As stated in the National Development Plan 2021-2030, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, as the project’s sponsoring agency, and the NTA, as the day-to-day approving authority, will continue with the appraisal and planning of the Luas to Lucan project. As the sponsoring agency, TII plans to finalise the emerging preferred route in the first quarter of 2026. After this point, TII, with the support of the National Transport Authority, will publish the emerging preferred route and will hold a non-statutory public consultation. I reiterate that the proposed extension of the Luas to Lucan is only one of a number of projects identified in the greater Dublin area transport strategy to significantly improve the combined light rail and heavy rail network by 2042. I assure the Deputy that projects will be progressed in line with the requirements of infrastructure guidelines and that public consultation processes will be undertaken at appropriate stages as projects are progressed. I understand the merits of the proposed Luas line to Lucan, as does the Government, and we look forward to seeing it progress through infrastructure guidelines.

Sentiment score: 0.39

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond. The Minister knows that there are many reasons why people seek residential supports. For some, it is by way of services to allow them remain in their own homes with family. For others, it is a residential service. The aim has been to facilitate living and inclusion in the community. Increasing the provision of disability residential services is a key priority area for this Government and the HSE, and there has been significant investment in residential services over recent years. In July 2023, the Government approved the disability action plan in order to address capacity deficits which had been identified in the disability capacity review. From this, the action plan for disability services was developed, providing a multi-year framework for service expansion and strategic policy development with a view to maximising effectiveness and impact. The action plan has informed budget deliberations and the prioritisation of areas for development in the coming years. It is a living document which will be reviewed and updated in the light of priorities, policy considerations and the funding available under the current and subsequent budgets. Unlike the position for capital expenditure, where multi-annual commitments are made within the national development plan, my Department is obliged to adhere to the public sector financial procedures, whereby Exchequer funding for current expenditure is allocated on an annual basis, following the annual budgetary process. As a result, it is not currently possible to enter into multi-annual funding agreements for disability residential services. Although multi-annual funding is not available, the Minister wishes to reiterate that this Government is committed to providing support to people with disabilities and significant investment has been provided to specialist disability services, including a budget increase from €1.7 billion at the close of 2017 to over €3.2 billion in 2025. Supporting residential services accounts for approximately 60% of the total specialist community-based disability services budget. Some €106 million in additional funding has been provided to residential services in budget 2025. This includes €78.68 million to meet the incremental cost of 2024 new developments and €27.9 million in new funding in respect of 2025. This funding also supports additional moves from nursing homes and decongregation to community settings. In recent years, the number of residential places delivered has exceeded what has been initially envisaged in the HSE national service plan. In 2024, 220 new residential places were delivered. I see all the great work that is done out there. I know we need to do more but it is a commitment in the Government to work with all the different services.

Sentiment score: 0.27

I understand the challenges. I know there is significant demand for residential placements at a level which consistently exceeds supply. We are living longer and we need to do more. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to funding and to working on this. Challenges in providing these services include workforce challenges that apply to all specialist disability services, the acquisition of suitable housing stock and the increasing cost of providing residential care. Regulatory compliance is important in residential services and HIQA continues to inspect all designated centres for people with disabilities. This is critical to providing assurances that the quality of life of those living in residential services is appropriately addressed. In order to address these challenges, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality continues to engage with the HSE, Department of housing, and other relevant stakeholders to explore various ways of responding to demand while appropriately managing the significant levels of funding provided to residential services. Finally, the Minister would like to reiterate the importance of ensuring that we continue to support people with disabilities to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, with a person-centred approach across all services provided. I can see the Deputy's commitment and dedication and I want to thank everyone involved for the work they do. I thank the Deputy for bringing this to the House today.

Sentiment score: 0.35

I thank the Deputy. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the services provided at Monaghan Hospital. I absolutely see the Deputy's concerns. The Government is committed to the ongoing development of our regional hospitals, including Cavan and Monaghan Hospital. Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan Hospital operate as a single hospital, with an integrated managerial and clinical governance system, care pathways and support functions. Since 2020, the Government has allocated significant resources to improve services, enhance patient care and better meet the needs of patients using the hospital. There has been substantial investment in the hospital in recent years. The budget for the hospital has increased by 30% from €114 million in 2020 to €149 million at the start of this year. At Monaghan Hospital, the number of beds has increased significantly since 2020 and there has been an increase of 70% in staffing. I absolutely agree with the Deputy in complimenting all of our hospital staff. They do an excellent job and we do appreciate the work they do. This is one of the largest increases in staff of all hospitals nationally over this period. Investment in the hospital has enabled a number of important service developments. A minor injury unit now operates 12 hours a day, seven days a week. I did hear what the Deputy said about the concerns regarding the injury unit. I will bring that back to the Minister. A frailty intervention therapy team and early supported discharge team have been put in place. These teams will help identify at-risk patients and will help ensure that patients get the right care in the community or at home where possible. At Monaghan Hospital, there is also ongoing development of pain services, haemochromatosis and an expansion of cardiology services. These improvements greatly enhance the supports provided to patients and their families and lead to better, more appropriate care, delivered in the right setting. I am aware of recent news reports regarding bed allocation rates at the hospital, particularly in relation to the rehabilitation and step-down beds. The HSE has advised that bed occupancy rates vary from time to time due to factors such as infection prevention and control, building works and the criteria for patient admission. Figures from the HSE show that overall occupancy in these beds has been at 85% or higher over the past year. For rehabilitation beds, the average occupancy rates are 95% from January 2024 to present. The hospital fully recognises the importance of rehabilitation and step-down beds to patients and their families. The Deputy is right that it is about the patients and their families. These are a critical support in enabling patients who may have been treated in another hospital to recover further before being discharged home. Every effort is made to ensure that these beds are maximised while recognising that there can sometimes be factors which impact on the number of patients who can be cared for. We do see the challenges. I am glad the Deputy is highlighting them because we need to make sure we work on these challenges. The HSE also recognises the importance of access to diagnostic services such as MRI and CT scanners. Referral to these radiology services is based on clinical need. The HSE has not made an application for CT or MRI facilities at Monaghan. However, Cavan and Monaghan Hospital has made an application to replace the existing MRI scanner located in Cavan. The project has been approved and works are expected to be completed by the end of this year. There has been significant investment and expansion at Monaghan Hospital and the Government continues to support the very high quality care being delivered to patients in the region.

Sentiment score: 0.28

I thank the Deputy again for her contributions on Monaghan hospital. It is right that we acknowledge the excellent care provided by the staff, as the Deputy said herself. I will go back to the Minister for Health and request that she pay a visit, as the Deputy asked. The Government is committed to ongoing development and investment in regional hospitals. Significant investment in capital developments at Cavan and Monaghan Hospital includes two- and three-storey extensions currently at design stage, which is a good news story. They will further improve the hospital environment at Cavan and Monaghan Hospital, particularly for cancer patients. In line with the programme for Government commitment to Sláintecare, a number of service developments are also under way, aimed at improving access. I mentioned the frailty intervention therapy team and early supported discharge team, supporting the flow of patients through the hospital. Figures from the HSE showed overall bed occupancy at Monaghan to be 85% or higher over the past year. For rehabilitation beds at Monaghan hospital, the average occupancy rate was 95% to January 2024. The HSE has advised that clear clinical pathways exist to support the current arrangements of CT and MRI scanners in the region. It has not submitted a business case for CT or MRI services at Monaghan hospital but I reiterate Government support for the hospital. I assure the Deputy I will bring all of these concerns back to the Minister. I thank the Deputy again for highlighting them. It is important we make changes. We are committed to funding our hospitals and services.

Sentiment score: 0.32

I thank the Deputy.

Sentiment score: 0.36