I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon.
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
General Practitioner Services
I welcome the Minister of State and thank the Office of the Cathaoirleach for choosing this Commencement matter. It is regrettable there is no Minister or Minister of State here from the Department of Health. I have raised this matter on at least two occasions going back to 2020 and 2021. It relates to the lack of cover by Westdoc for Moycullen- and Oughterard-based GPs. As the Minister of State will be aware, out-of-hour services are very important, and I know he will face similar situations in his part of the world.
Westdoc is very important in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon for providing out-of-hours cover and easing the pressure on GPs by making it more attractive for GPs to fill positions. A vacancy in Oughterard has not been filled for a number of years and I believe that, if Westdoc cover were part of the package, that position would be more attractive for a GP to take up. The importance of out-of-hours services relates to patient safety and ensuring patients have the best cover they need. Westdoc is a company organised by GPs in Galway city. I hope that over the next period those GPs can, with funding from the HSE, provide full Westdoc cover.
I appreciate that, since I raised the matter previously, funding has been provided for an improved and enhanced service in the Moycullen-Oughterard area via the red-eye service, or cover from 12 midnight to 8 a.m., which is certainly an improvement. Nevertheless, of course, from closing time at 6 p.m. to 12 midnight, cover still has to be provided by locally based GPs in Moycullen and Oughterard, including Rosscahill and Caladh na Muc.
I call on the Department of Health to ensure that we get a full integration of Westdoc services in Moycullen and Oughterard. That is the least the denizens of that area deserve. There are two issues, namely, whether funding is provided and whether there is a willingness among city-based GPs to provide that cover. In case they think we are the wild west or something, we are not. We are very decent people and, with the new eircodes we have, it is now much easier to find rural residences. I urge the city-based GPs to engage with the HSE and I urge the HSE to provide the cover necessary to provide Westdoc services in Moycullen, Rosscahill and Oughterard.
I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I do not doubt the enhanced quality of life that can be enjoyed by living or working in rural parts of Galway. The Government is committed to enhancing primary healthcare services throughout the country, including out-of-hours GP services. The development of primary care is central to the Government’s objective of delivering a high-quality, integrated and cost-effective health service. As the Senator will be aware, GPs contracted under the general medical services scheme are required by their contract to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or with a locum or a deputy, for emergencies outside of normal practice hours.
While there is no obligation on GPs to participate in GP out-of-hours co-operatives as a means of meeting the contractual requirement, such services facilitate the provision of GP services outside of normal surgery hours and help spread the burden of this provision. Out-of-hours GP services for counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon are largely provided by the Westdoc co-operative, which is owned and managed by a group of participating GPs. The HSE provides substantial funding to support out-of-hours co-operatives, through service level arrangements, to cover certain costs associated with, for example, call centres, treatment centres, triage nurses and receptionists. Through this arrangement, HSE community healthcare organisation, CHO, west provides annual funding of approximately €4 million to Westdoc to support the delivery of its out-of-hours GP service. This helps ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, urgent care needs are met in the primary care setting.
In addition to the funding allocated through the service level arrangement, CHO west was allocated funding of €536,000 in the current year from the HSE at national level for the expansion of the Westdoc service to GPs in Moycullen and Oughterard. Full nurse triage and doctor red-eye cover from 12 midnight to 8 a.m., as the Senator outlined, is currently in place. Management in Westdoc, in conjunction with the GP members of Westdoc, are currently considering the options available to expand this cover so as to have the GPs concerned become full members of Westdoc. The outcome of these discussions is expected towards the end of this year.
The Government is committed to ensuring patients throughout the country will continue to have access to GP services, including out-of-hours services. The Department and the HSE have commenced a strategic review of general practice. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice, including out-of-hours services, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice.
I thank the Minister of State for the reply on behalf of the Department of Health. As I said, it is certainly welcome that the Westdoc service has been expanded to cover the critical 12 midnight to 8 a.m. period and I welcome also the funding that was provided in this year's budget. Since I first raised the issue in 2020, there have been improvements in the service, and I want that to be concluded such that we will get full Westdoc cover.
I welcome the fact there is engagement between the HSE, the management of Westdoc and GPs locally. I hope they can come to an agreement, with funding from the HSE, to provide full Westdoc cover for Moycullen, Roscahill and Oughterard. As I said, that would be very welcome with regard to the integration of services, taking the pressure off locally based GPs and making the position of GPs in these areas more attractive where vacancies arise, such as at present in Oughterard.
I assure the Senator that quality and patient safety in the delivery of out-of-hours GP care remain paramount for the HSE and the Government. The HSE engages with out-of-hours services throughout the country and provides significant financial support towards service delivery. Additional funding was allocated this year to the HSE's community healthcare organisation, CHO, area west to expand the Westdoc service to GPs in Moycullen and Oughterard. The management of Westdoc is currently considering the options available to it so the GPs concerned can become full members of Westdoc. The outcome of these discussions is awaited. As the Senator outlined, progress has been made on this in recent years since he first raised it. I look forward to a positive conclusion to those ongoing negotiations that will lead to even better services for the people of the Moycullen and Oughterard areas.
Cancer Services
I welcome the Minister of State. October is breast cancer awareness month, which is why I want to highlight this important matter. The importance of investing in the facilitation of breast cancer, BRCA, gene testing and the consequential support for those who receive a positive result is an issue that not only affects individuals but also entire families. We must strive to empower women and men to prioritise their health and well-being, and support them on what can be an incredibly difficult journey.
The BRCA gene is known as the breast cancer susceptibility gene and it has been one of the most significant discoveries in modern times. It facilitates people to identify the gene and helps to determine a person's susceptibility to breast or ovarian cancer, enabling earlier intervention and potentially life-saving measures. However, despite the potential, many individuals are unaware of their genetic disposition, exposing them to unnecessary risks. The Government, the State and the HSE must promote and facilitate further BRCA gene testing, which will empower individuals to take control of their health. By providing accessible testing options, we can encourage people to understand their genetic make-up and make informed decisions regarding their future. Knowledge is power and, in this case, the power lies in a person understanding the potential risk and taking proactive steps to address it.
For those who receive a positive BRCA gene result, the journey does not end with that diagnosis. Rather, it is the beginning of a new chapter. It is our duty to provide the necessary care, guidance and support for individuals to make those decisions about elective surgeries and subsequent care, which includes mastectomies, oophorectomies and the associated reconstructive procedures.
There is a huge cost barrier for someone trying to get a BRCA gene test. I have heard of individuals paying €1,300, another paid €500 plus €300 for a consultant, and another lady I know paid a private hospital €1,400. To get that knowledge and to be able to take control of their own health is costing people. This means only wealthy people can empower themselves by getting this test, or perhaps those who can get a loan for €1,400.
There is a waiting list of up to two years or potentially longer to get a test if someone is considered by a consultant to be in a high-risk category. That is two years on a public waiting list to even know whether they are at risk and whether they are potentially a ticking time bomb, but they do not know whether they have the BRCA gene during that time. We know the BRCA gene test will prevent people from getting sick. I have lost two aunts to breast cancer. It is so important. It is curable yet we are not getting to people quickly enough. We have potentially thousands of people walking around with a BRCA gene and we are not supporting them to get tested. I would like to see huge investment in our public waiting lists in this regard, with support from GPs right up to consultants in hospitals like St. James's and the Mater. This will support women, families and men, and given that men can often develop breast cancer through the BRCA1 gene, it is important for both men and women.
I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response. It is a very important issue and important that we highlight it in October, which is breast cancer awareness month.
I thank Senator McGreehan for raising what is a very important issue. It is timely, given the significance of this month for promoting the risk in this area.
The use of genetics and genetic testing in cancer care has developed and changed in recent years. The focus has shifted from that of prevention to a more holistic approach to cancer care. Developments in genetic and genomic medicine mean a greater understanding of the cancer a person has. This, in turn, leads to more precise diagnosis and treatment.
The potential for cancer genetics services is identified in the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. In line with recommendations in the strategy, a model of care for hereditary cancer was launched in June of this year. This will inform the development of services for the identification and management of people with an inherited cancer predisposition.
There have been several recent positive developments in genetic and genomic medicine in Ireland. The national strategy for accelerating genetic and genomic medicine in Ireland was published by the Department of Health and the HSE at the end of 2022. In 2023, the Government allocated €2.7 million to the implementation of this strategy. This allocation included the establishment of the national office of genetics and genomics and the appointment of front-line staff. Work under this strategy will enable and facilitate the implementation of the model of care for hereditary cancer. A steering group for the implementation of the national strategy for accelerating genetic and genomic medicine in Ireland was set up in April. This multi-stakeholder group is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the strategy’s implementation.
In terms of broader supports for patients at high risk of developing cancer, the national cancer strategy provides for the further development of a programme for hereditary cancers. This will ensure evaluation, counselling, testing and risk reduction interventions are available, as appropriate, and that services are available to patients on the basis of need. Genetic counsellors continue to be recruited to the cancer genetics services, providing support to people on their genetic testing results.
The Government’s commitment to the implementation of the national cancer strategy is evidenced by significant investment in recent years. New development funding of €20 million was allocated in 2021 and a further €20 million was provided in 2022. This funding has facilitated work in a number of areas affecting those with a BRCA gene alteration. This includes the completion of a needs assessment for those with a BRCA gene alteration, the development of a GP referral guideline for breast cancer family history, including pathways from primary to secondary care, and the development of online training for healthcare professionals delivering genetic testing embedded in oncology services. This funding has also facilitated the development of recommendations on universal tumour testing in certain types of cancer. This focuses on identifying possible Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition which causes people to have a higher risk of developing certain colorectal cancers.
The national cancer control programme will shortly commence active data collection at the locations currently providing preventative surgeries for people at high risk of developing cancer. This review will focus on patient activity and available resources.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. I acknowledge that the Minister and Ministers of State with responsibility for health said they were unavailable this morning, and I got a nice email from them.
The steering group is important. It is very welcome that €2.7 million has been made available for the implementation of the strategy. I will keep advocating for the women on the ground who are worried about a family history of breast cancer and do not know whether they are BRCA gene-positive and whether they can pass that on to their daughters.
While a lot is being done, I have some follow-up questions that can be brought back to the Minister for Health. What is changing on the ground today? What has changed since the implementation strategy? How many women will be waiting and how long will they be waiting for elective procedures? How long will it be until it is not only the wealthy who are able to afford to be empowered by knowing their genotype? We want to know that for all of the population. Those are my follow-up questions.
That is the nub of it.
In my initial response, there was a point regarding the development of GP referral guidelines for those with family histories of breast cancer, including pathways from primary to secondary care. That is ultimately what we are talking about. Primary care is where people who have such a concern about their family history but who do not have any symptoms and who want to get checked as a purely preventative measure should go. People can be saved the pain and suffering of going through treatment for a preventable cancer by means of early intervention. Treatment can be much less invasive and those affected can have a much better quality of life. In cold economic terms, it also results in a big saving for the State and reduces pressure on our health system where these conditions can be prevented or where early intervention can help. It therefore makes economic sense as well as providing an obvious benefit for individuals and their families. We have all had family members affected by cancer and we are all personally very keen to see the national cancer strategy progressed. I will bring the specific points the Senator raised in her supplementary question back to the Ministers.
Heritage Sites
I thank the Minister of State for taking this question today. It is directed to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, who controls public expenditure in this country but who is also a Minister in the constituency this question is relevant to.
On many streets in Dublin, and particularly in Dublin's north inner city, we see dereliction and vacant buildings. Despite the brilliant effort of many groups to bring unity and energy to our communities, the reality is that dereliction sucks the spirit and life out of areas. Nowhere is this more true than at Aldborough House on Portland Row. Stepping back from the bleak hoarding and security sign on the wall, Aldborough House is an imposing and brooding presence. It serves no function or purpose and makes no contribution to the area. Historically, it is one of the most important Georgian buildings in the city and it is also really important culturally. It hosted the first ever theatre on the island of Ireland. It was also home to artists' studios for a period of time. Physically, it is really important because it is in an inner-city area where housing, childcare and artists' spaces are in really short supply.
Ironically, Aldborough House was in State hands for approximately a third of its life, between 1922 and the 1990s. An Post then sold it to the Irish Music Rights Organisation and it is now in private hands. While we see the State and Dublin City Council putting money into the building to secure the windows, this is far from enough. It is located just around the corner from Seán MacDermott Street and the location of the Magdalen laundry. Of course, there are now very exciting plans for the Magdalen laundry on Seán MacDermott involving the commemoration of all that took place there and in mother and baby homes across the country. However, to develop the Seán MacDermott Street mother and baby home while failing to do anything with this brooding presence on Portland Row would be a failure of ambition for Dublin's north inner city.
During the week, we saw the State investing money into Dowth Hall. It is fantastic that the State has purchased that building and other buildings across the country. The time is now right to buy Aldborough House on Portland Row. It is hard to underestimate the lift it would give to the communities of the north inner city, particularly those of Portland Row, Seán MacDermott Street and the area around the Five Lamps, for this building to be upgraded and opened. I am very conscious that there have been many campaigns over many years to get the State and Dublin City Council to buy this building and that, to date, there has been no progress. An Taisce, Róisín Lonergan, the Five Lamps Arts Festival and many others have been involved in those campaigns. We live at a time of incredible surpluses in our public finances. The key test of these times is the permanent impact of how we use this money. Nowhere would this impact be felt more than in the buying of this building and ensuring that it is available to the communities of the north inner city, whether as badly needed artists' space, housing or childcare. I appeal to the Government to seriously consider purchasing this building and putting in place an initiative to ensure it is of benefit to the communities of the inner city.
I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. I am taking this Commencement matter on his behalf. Aldborough House is an 18th century mansion in Dublin city on Portland Row, as Senator Sherlock has outlined. Originally built for the Earl of Aldborough between 1793 and 1799, the classical Palladian design with quadrant walls and flanking pavilions is attributed to Richard Johnson. In 1813, it was leased to a private school and afterwards became an army barracks in the mid-19th century. It is currently in third-party private ownership, as the Senator has also outlined.
As a building on the register of protected structures, Aldborough House is eligible for financial support provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the relevant local authority under the built heritage investment scheme and the historic structures fund, HSF. Applications by the owner of the property for HSF funding have been successful in recent years, with €50,000 awarded in 2021 for repairs to the cut-granite facade, conservation of timber sash windows and other repairs. This year, a further €44,000 was awarded for further conservation and repair of timber sash windows and the timber-panelled entrance doors. These schemes provide assistance to owners of historic buildings in following through on their duty of care to these important historic structures.
Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, gives primary responsibility to local authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage in their area by including structures of special interest on the register of protected structures, RPS. Inclusion on the RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and gives local authorities obligations and powers to safeguard their future. I note that the structure in question is already on the RPS of Dublin City Council.
Aldborough House remains an imposing Palladian mansion despite its current condition and retains most external detailing with impressive side and rear elevations. The survival of Aldborough House contributes to the sense of continuity, interest and significance of this area of Dublin, which at the time of its construction was the north-eastern fringe of the city, overlooking the newly opened Royal Canal.
I understand that discussions took place between the Office of Public Works, OPW, and Dublin City Council regarding this property in 2020. This was an assessment of the viability of acquiring the property and potentially bringing this building into use as an office development. The general agreement was that this property was not suitable for this purpose. It did not appear to be viable to develop it as office space when the magnitude of investment required to conserve the protected structure was compared to the market rents in the area. This made it unsuitable for consideration by the OPW.
Following discussion within OPW in 2020, the view was formed that, as a straight commercial proposition, the development of the Five Lamps property was not viable. However, there would be a different economic analysis if this were considered as an urban regeneration project. If the project outcomes were anchored in issues such as societal change, reduction in crime, raising of confidence in the region, opening up a gateway for further development in the north inner city and the restoration of an important protected structure, perhaps there would be funding available. There could be an opportunity for Dublin City Council to explore this, perhaps with urban regeneration and development funding. I note that Aldborough House is noted in the Dublin city development plan within the north-east inner city strategic development regeneration areas as a focal point for the local community.
For obvious reasons the State must be selective in its acquisition of historic buildings. Purchasing protected structures solely for purposes of conservation would introduce uncertainty as to where responsibility for safeguarding lies and may lead to perverse outcomes. Acquiring historic buildings for other public purposes would require a clear plan for their use and a strong rationale in terms of cost and public good. While the OPW recognises the historic significance of the Aldborough House, no immediate cultural or artistic use presents itself. However, the OPW would be open to engaging with the local authority or the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage should a suitable proposition be developed for the conservation and use of the house in the future.
I thank the Minister of State for the reply. Let me be clear that my interest and that of others involved in campaigns over the year is not only in conservation and admiring a relic of the past but in having a living building for the present and the future. I hear what the Department is saying with regard to the possibility of a different economic analysis. To be frank, it feels a bit tortured that this has not happened up to now. However, if the door is open to analysing the use of the building on the basis of different criteria, namely those the Minister of State mentioned, including "societal change, reduction in crime [and] raising of confidence in the region", then let us do that. However, let us not have the Government sit back. It is in the gift of the Government to push through this economic analysis with the OPW and Dublin City Council.
At a time when we have a Government saying it is committed to ending vacancy and dereliction, we cannot tolerate a hands-off approach. I welcome what the Minister of State said in the last part of his contribution but I urge the Department to urgently solve this matter.
In the initial part of the Senator's response, she said she wants the place to be preserved not just as a relic, but also as a living and breathing place where there is a lot of activity. That counters her second point because for that to happen, local involvement is required. It is not something the Government can impose on people because that will not work. In my experience, it has to be a locally led idea or initiative with the local authority playing a key part. The pathway for that has been outlined in the response. I understand the Senator's frustration at the length of time that it has taken to reach the current point. Dublin City Council, through this response, is being given a clear pathway through the urban regeneration fund, as opposed to the original pathway. I get the very strong sense from this response that the Government will not be found wanting if the appropriate plan is put in place to develop the building, as outlined by the Senator. It must be somewhere that will have a very clear purpose in the community in the future, and not just a building. The site has really good potential for being a focal point for the local community and I hope to see that developed in the future.
Flood Risk Management
Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach seo inniu. The Minister of State is very welcome to the House and I thank him for taking this Commencement matter.
Unfortunately, we are all very aware of the problems caused by the increased incidence of flooding in many parts of this country in recent years. For those affected, flooding can have devastating implications for their lives, their income and, in many cases, their businesses. Climate change has considerable implications in terms of floods but we, as a State, must be equally prepared to deal with the consequences and work to prevent damage to property and harm to people.
We have a major flooding issue in the village of Donaghmoyne in south County Monaghan. As the Minister of State will know, County Monaghan is a drumlin county. Donaghmoyne is a picturesque village that is situated in a valley and is surrounded by hills in each direction that stretch up to 400 m. In general, the ground is of good quality and there is no water run-off from fields. However, when there are heavy downpours of rain, which may occur up to four to five times a year, there is horrendous flooding along sections of the local L4510 road. A large proportion of the catchment drain is an open drain but in various areas where it changes to a pipe section major problems occur and there is overflowing, which means that homes, slatted houses, farmyards and schools are flooded. There is also a major issue with the main line that passes through the village. Locals believe that they can identify obstructions such as pipe size, capacity and debris. They believe that the type of pipe used is obsolete and lacks structural integrity.
Apart from the effect of flooding on local homes and farms, the local school is severely affected. A manhole on the main pipeline lies within the boundary of the school. When the pipe overflows, teachers have no option but to close the play area in the interests of health and safety. During the last flood a number of weeks ago, parents had to drive up on to the footpath and the teachers, who wore wellingtons, had to carry the children into the school. On a previous occasion parents had to lift their children over a 6 ft graveyard wall to get them into school. It is clear that there is a need for an investigation and examination of the local topography combined with CCTV surveys, and mapping of the pipeline and drainage, to determine the reasons for the flooding and to find ways to alleviate the problem.
I understand that funding may be available under the climate adaption measures from Monaghan County Council. I hope the Minister of State can confirm that and suggest a way forward for the residents of Donaghmoyne who are at their wits' end worrying every time they see rain falling that they will go through all this trauma again. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response.
I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. He has described what happened to parents and students when they tried to access the school during a flood, which is an unacceptable situation. We do not want anyone to go through that trauma again and that is why it is really important he raises this point in the Seanad today. I am pleased to provide a response to the issue of addressing flooding in Donaghmoyne village on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, who could not be here today.
The Government takes a proactive approach to managing Ireland’s flood risk. This is evidenced from the Government’s €1.3 billion planned investment in flood relief through the national development plan as part of Project Ireland 2040. This has allowed the Government, since 2018, to treble to 90 the number of major flood relief schemes at design and construction. All flood relief schemes are designed to be adaptable to the increased risk from climate change.
The OPW is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, as amended. Approximately 12,000 km of river channel and some 800 km of embankments form part of an annual maintained programme by the OPW. This includes some channels of the Glyde and Dee arterial drainage scheme located near Donaghmoyne village. The OPW's maintenance team keeps these channels under review and schedules their maintenance, as required, to ensure they continue to provide the standard of protection provided by the original scheme.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. All local authorities may carry out flood mitigation works, within their own capital works programme and using their own resources, or by applying for funding under the OPW minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding within their areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short timeframe. Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost no more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including the cost-benefit ratio. The scheme is demand led and funding from the OPW is always available to cover eligible applications submitted by the local authorities. To date, nationally and since 2009, the office of the Minister of State with the responsibility for the OPW has approved 946 projects under this scheme and funding of €63 million.
Since the inception of the minor works scheme in 2009, Monaghan County Council has received approximately €2.5 million in funding. This includes funding of €62,000 in 2017 for upsizing an existing bridge crossing at Mannan Golf Club at Donaghmoyne. This is a very significant and important scheme for managing localised flooding problems. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and his office promote and encourage local authorities to avail of the funding under the scheme to address such localised flooding issues. While the OPW does not have an application on hand from Monaghan County Council in connection with flooding at Donaghmoyne village, the OPW is available to discuss flooding at the village with local authority personnel.
I want to conclude by assuring the Seanad that the Government, through the OPW, will continue to take a proactive approach to managing Ireland’s flood risk. This includes investment in major flood relief schemes and working with local authorities to adequately address more localised flooding risks.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. As I outlined in my contribution, and as the Minister of State has accepted, flooding can be very traumatic for all involved. Unfortunately, the flooding problem in Donaghmoyne village has gone on for a long number of years. The local authority is investigating the pipe infrastructure in the general area but local engineers say that funding will be required to do a more substantial job in order to alleviate the problem. I understand from the Minister of State's contribution that funding comes from the OPW. Some council engineers were of the opinion that funding came from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications because it was a flooding issue. Perhaps the Minister of State might clarify the matter for me. I know that once an application is submitted, I will knock on the relevant Minister's door to seek funding for this much needed project.
Yes. The Senator can be assured that this reply was provided by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, who has responsibility for the OPW and flood relief. So flood relief is under the remit of the OPW. As outlined, the OPW has a mechanism whereby local authorities can engage in terms of localised flooding issues so that should be their first port of call. I note from the initial response that there is not an application on hand with the OPW. I will convey the specific points that the Senator has raised about Donaghmoyne village to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and his officials and make sure they are aware of the specifics that the Senator has outlined here. I would encourage Monaghan County Council to engage with the OPW.
I am aware that this part of south County Monaghan has a great tradition in ladies football and has enjoyed great success. That is how I am aware of Donaghmoyne. I have heard of it many times.
We want to get this sorted for the people there. My initial response showed the broader outline of Government's support for large flood alleviation measures but these localised areas do take a specific response. Some of that has happened already with the bridge at Mannan Golf Club and some other measures but more work needs to be done. The trick is to get Monaghan County Council and the OPW together as quickly as possible.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 11.10 a.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 11.30 a.m.
Sitting suspended at 11.10 a.m. and resumed at 11.30 a.m.