I have received notice from Senator Colm Burke that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to outline the steps being taken to train and upskill people who wish to become home care providers for the elderly.
I have also received notice from Senator Keith Swanick of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the current situation in Merlin Park Hospital, County Galway, where two operating theatres remain closed since last September, and if he will address the situation of chronic overcrowding in the accident and emergency unit in University Hospital Galway where patients are at an increased risk of contracting the deadly superbug CPE.
I have also received notice from Senator Rose Conway-Walsh of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide a family resource centre in Erris, County Mayo.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider the possibility of extending, by a further four weeks, the deadline of 31 March 2018 for the nutrient management plan GLAS 3 requirements to allow farmers adequate time to obtain accurate soil samples given the severity of weather and ground conditions across the farmland.
I have also received notice from Senator Martin Conway of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to consider putting in place a redress scheme to provide financial support to home purchasers who now find that their property was not properly constructed and is non-compliant with building and fire regulations.
I have also received notice from Senator Jerry Buttimer of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to outline the reasons a person, details supplied, has been waiting six years for autism services.
I have also received notice from Senator Frank Feighan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to consider honouring the contribution of the Irish navvy to Britain and Ireland by the issuing of a new postage stamp.
I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the building of a permanent structure at Gaelscoil Chionn tSáile, Kinsale, County Cork.
I have also received notice from Senator John Dolan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the reason behind the decision not to ratify the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at this time, and to outline when it is intended to do so.
Of the matters raised by the Senators suitable for discussion, I have selected those of Senators Burke, Swanick, Conway-Walsh and Boyhan and they will be taken now. I regret I had to rule out of order the matter submitted by Senator John Dolan on the ground that it is anticipatory of the statements on Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which will take place in the Seanad later today on Wednesday, 21 March 2018. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.