The Minister of State is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. The first Commencement matter is by Senator Cosgrove. She has four minutes.
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Health Services
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I have spoken to her before about this issue. At the beginning of September, RTÉ's "Liveline" programme spent three days discussing the matter of dense breast material. The Minister of State might have heard it because it got huge coverage. It is something I have raised before in this Chamber, not only as a woman but as a representative of Sligo. I first became aware even of the existence of dense breasts with the tragic death of a Sligo woman named Marian Lovett. To give an outline of how the system failed Marian, in 2022, she received a clear mammogram. Less than 12 months later, she received a diagnosis of stage 4 terminal breast cancer. Sadly, she passed away then one year later. Marian's cancer was missed because her breasts contained more fibrous and glandular material than fatty material. The Minister of State will be aware that dense breast material appears white on a standard mammogram and cancerous materials also appear as white, so it makes it difficult to spot. Several of the callers to "Liveline", and fair play to Kieran Cuddihy for raising this so well on the programme, noted that the chances of finding cancerous material on a mammogram is akin to finding a snowball in a snowstorm. As a result of the campaign that was brought forward by Lobular Ireland, Siobhán Freeney and Marian's daughter, Martha Lovett Cullen, who brought this to my attention, we heard the women's stories. They were very brave when they came on and spoke about this and how they want the information made available to them that the HSE is receiving. I acknowledge HIQA is involved in looking at the issue.
I am going to give the example of Evan, who I heard speak about this. She got a private mammogram in her late 40s because she had a family history of breast cancer. At the private mammogram, she was told by the radiographer that she had extremely dense breasts and needed to be aware of this and that she would require additional screening. The additional screening was required because her breasts showed up as white on the standard mammogram, as would the cancer. Evan requested an ultrasound and a biopsy due to her family history and two weeks later, she was found to have stage 1 lobular cancer. She was lucky that her cancer was identified early. The point is that if she was just getting a standard breast check for cancer, people are not told with that mammogram.
I went for my first breast check during the summer. I was called back. The reason I was called back was because there was an unclear reading. However, I was not told either that I had dense breast tissue. I queried it. I asked, "Why am I being called back? Is it because I have dense breasts?" However, the clinicians were not able to give me that information. To me, it seems that if a woman can get a private mammogram and be told she has dense breasts and can make an informed decision to look for a biopsy and a second mammogram, why should everyone not do so?
This is not a failure of BreastCheck. All the women said that. They all said that it is a fantastic service, but we should be told. We should be entitled to the information the HSE is getting. If the clinicians are not able to read it on the mammogram, the equipment or whatever is needed to update the software needs to be put in place.
HIQA is involved, but that is going to be 2027 and the results of that might not be put into play until 2028. In the meantime, can people be told the information the HSE has access to that their own GPs can have access to? Why can people not be told that they have dense breast tissue so that they are able to make an informed choice themselves? It is not that long ago that CervicalCheck was under discussion. I hate bringing that up but it is not that long ago that it also happened that women were not being told. Their information is there and they should be given the information if the HSE has it.
I thank Senator Cosgrove for the opportunity to discuss this important matter of breast density notification. I have just come from the Dáil Chamber where I took a Topical Issue matter in relation to the important matter of breast screening. I am taking both on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.
The first thing I want to mention, and the Senator said it as well, is the importance of breast screening. Unfortunately, only 70% of people take up their appointment; one out of every three does not. Any time we are speaking about women's health, and we are all unified in this, the more people who go for screening, the better. That is the first piece. One third of all breast cancers of the 3,500 every year are identified through BreastCheck. That is the first point I want to make. We are all in agreement about how important it is.
To move on to the matter of breast density notification, which is a really important thing, depending on a woman's body shape, as to whether breast density can be identified. It is common; around half of all women have dense breasts. It is a normal variation in breast tissue. Breast density is one of several factors that can influence breast cancer risk. It is very important to say, however, that having dense breasts does not mean someone will develop breast cancer. High levels of breast density can make mammograms more difficult to interpret in some women. However, breast density alone does not automatically mean that further imaging is required. Decisions about additional imaging are made on an individual basis by the clinical team as part of a women's assessment and diagnosis.
BreastCheck mammograms remain the best screening test available for population breast screening for women aged 50 to 69 years of age. It can save lives by finding many cancers early, often before symptoms develop. It is important to know that mammography detects the majority of breast cancers, including in women with dense breasts.
Consideration of any changes in Ireland's screening programmes is facilitated through established, evidence-driven protocols. The national screening advisory committee is an independent expert group that advises the Minister for Health on any proposed changes to Ireland's screening programmes. As Senator Cosgrove noted, at the request of the committee, the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, has commenced a health technology assessment, HTA, to consider proposals for expansion of the BreastCheck programme. This is democracy in action. This is women with lived experience bringing their concerns forward through a committee, with recommendation made to the Minister and that recommendation has now gone to HIQA.
This review will comprise of three distinct components. First is the proposed extension of the age range eligibility to those aged 45 to 49, which I agree with. Second is the extension of age range to those aged 70 to 74. Again, I think that is really important. Third is the potential introduction of a standardised breast density notification. That is what the Senator is talking about. She talked about someone who went privately. I am not sure if it is across all private or if it was just that individual case. It is an interesting point. I do think the potential introduction of a standardised breast density notification would be really important to support women.
The HTA facilitates the assessment of relevant evidence on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies or programmes. They seek to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multidisciplinary assessment of clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology or programme.
The Minister for Health wants to be in a position to develop services that are clinically effective and have positive health outcomes. She needs to be informed by the experts in order to do this. I will certainly discuss this with the Minister. She is not available today as there are a lot of budget talks going on. It is something I have heard about from my own friends, from colleagues and from Senator Cosgrove, who is such an advocate for women's health, and I compliment her on that. I have no problem coming into the Seanad any time to discuss women's health.
I thank the Minister of State for being so responsive. No one is disputing this, and we are totally in favour of extending the BreastCheck to both sides of the existing age range. It is a wonderful service and it is picking up many cancers. If someone has dense breast tissue it does not appear often as a lump. It is like a spider web and women are not feeling it. They have been encouraged to check their own breasts. If they have dense breast tissue, it is not showing up as a lump. At the moment we are not even looking at a second mammogram or ultrasound being referred. It is about women being told the information in order that they can decide if they want to do it privately themselves. I can see what the HIQA report will hopefully recommend, that is, that if dense breast tissue is showing up, women are to be referred for a second mammogram or ultrasound or biopsy; whatever is appropriate.
In my experience, when I was referred, it was really quick. Unfortunately, it was not in Sligo, and I had to go to Galway but it was really fast. I had a second mammogram and I had an ultrasound. I did not need to get a biopsy. What we are looking for in the interim before the HIQA report is concluded is that women are given the information so they can see that maybe they do need to pay for a second mammogram or maybe they need to look for an ultrasound. It is just so they have access to their own information.
I thank Senator Cosgrove. I assure her I will bring her views on this important matter back to the Minister for Health. It is important for me to clarify for the House that the BreastCheck programme does not currently collect, record or report on breast density scores. Determining the merits or otherwise of introducing such a notification is precisely the purpose of the HTA process, which should be allowed run its course. It is under way. Population-based screening programmes are intended for individuals without symptoms. It is really important that we recognise it is for people without symptoms. If somebody has any concerns or symptoms related to their breasts, they should not attend screening but instead should contact a medical professional for appropriate advice, that is, their GP. That is important.
I actually got notified yesterday. My husband told me on the phone that I got a notification from BreastCheck to attend. I think this is my fourth time going. It is a very good service. It really is. Unfortunately, only two out of three appointments are taken up. It falls more in the summer. People are busy. They might be working. It might not be easy to get off work. However, it is important to contact them, and they will reschedule. That is the most important thing to say. It is very important that every woman is breast-aware, which means knowing what is normal for them so that if any unusual change occurs, they will recognise it. Further information is available on the HSE website and on breastcheck.ie.
To return to Senator Cosgrove's point, the Minister has said she has to allow the process to take place before she can make that decision, which is the Senator's request, that the person should be notified. That would mean training and everything. The sooner we get this done by HIQA, the better, and hopefully we will have a positive outcome. I do support what the Senator is trying to achieve.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I thank her for always being so available to the Seanad Chamber. It is lovely to see her here this morning.
While we are waiting for our next Commencement matter, I wish to welcome a special guest to the Visitors Gallery. We have Robert Watson, friend of Deputy Aindrias Moynihan. Good morning to them both. It is lovely to see them in the Chamber, and I hope they enjoy the proceedings.
Early Childhood Care and Education
I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, to the Chamber.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as a bheith anseo inniu. I want to raise the issue of the ECCE scheme and its impact on children who miss the eligibility criteria by only a matter of days or weeks, particularly kids with additional needs. I would also like to ask whether any changes to these criteria are being considered.
Currently, there are no exemptions to the lower age limit for the ECCE scheme. This means that a child who misses the eligibility threshold by only a few days or weeks must wait an entire additional year before becoming eligible for a State-funded preschool place. Many parents are finding this incredibly unfair and a difference of only a few weeks or days in a child's date of birth will determine whether they receive one or two years of ECCE funding and can significantly affect their educational pathway. As a result, some parents feel pressure to delay their child's entry to primary school in order that they can benefit from the full two years of ECCE prior to primary school. Others choose to send their child to school at the usual age and receive only one year of ECCE support.
This issue is particularly concerning for children with intellectual disabilities and other additional needs. The State recognises that early intervention is critical in supporting the development of children with disabilities. However, there does appear to be a contradiction within the current system. A child may be assessed by speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology services or children's disability network teams, CDNTs, and be deemed likely to benefit from early education participation. They may be developmentally ready for preschool and could greatly benefit from the environment yet there is still no provision or exemption within ECCE for a lower age limit regardless of disability or ability, developmental need or professional recommendation.
As an example, I have been working with a young child from the constituency I live in of Cork North-West. Noah is a young lad who is almost three years of age and has Down's syndrome. He is thriving and is making excellent progress in all areas of his development but because Noah was born in January, he did not qualify for ECCE when he began preschool a few weeks ago. Following professional advice from therapists, his parents still felt it was in his best interests to send him rather than waiting another year because delaying this could have delayed his development. As a result of this, they are now facing a full year of preschool fees without any ECCE support.
In addition, as preparation to ensure that Noah was able to attend preschool this year, he was attending private speech and language therapy, craniosacral therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions each week. This was to ensure he was able to go to preschool this year and then he was ineligible for ECCE. This is all extra cost to his parents. On top of all this private therapy they have been paying for to ensure he was ready for preschool, they now have to pay for preschool because he misses out by three weeks due to the fact that he was born in January.
Children with disabilities often require earlier interventions. This is nothing new. As a Government, we are saying this all the time and not later interventions. A rigid age-based rule may unintentionally delay access to an environment that supports language development, communication, socialisation, independence and school readiness. We know early intervention makes a difference and it is insane that the ECCE scheme is not supporting that. We have situations, particularly with kids with additional needs, where they cannot avail of their extra year because of a rigid, mandatory age requirement.
Going back to Noah, he has now been in preschool for a month. His parents and therapists have already seen remarkable progress. He is a smashing little kid. He is doing really well. He is using new words, and he is engaging with other children. If he had not been able to go to preschool this year, none of that would have been possible.
His parents put additional therapies in place to ensure that he was, but then found out he was ineligible and missed out by a few weeks due to a mandatory age requirement. How many other kids around the country are like Noah? Fortunately, his parents were able to afford to pay for an extra year of the ECCE scheme. A lot of parents are not lucky enough to be in that situation. I appreciate it is not quite within the remit of the Minister, but I thank her for taking this matter. Can any changes be made, given that it is an arbitrary requirement?
The Minister would like to thank the Senator for raising this important issue and offering a full opportunity to respond. The ECCE programme provides two years of preschool free of charge to families and is based on the national practice framework, aistear and síolta. The programme enjoys a 96% participation rate, with over 1 million children enrolled in the programme since it was first introduced in 2010. The programme provides three free hours per day, five days per week, over 38 weeks per year.
Currently, children are eligible for the ECCE starting at two years and eight months and the upper age limit is five years and six months. The current eligibility criteria were set based on a number of considerations, including a review of international practice. The lower age range is informed by Tusla regulations and a minimum adult-to-child ratio for children in early learning and child care settings. These regulations take account of the needs of the developmental stages of children, such as toilet training and sleeping arrangements.
The Department recognises that the use of age limits for the purposes such of the ECCE programme can result in some children narrowly falling outside of the eligibility criteria in a given year. However, in the interests of fairness and consistency, the Department must apply a clear and fixed age threshold. The current arrangement ensures that all children have the same entitlement of two years of the ECCE, regardless of their birth date. Some parents may prefer children to start school at the age of four rather than five. These parents may, therefore, choose to avail of one year of the ECCE. However, it is important to note that this is a parental choice and the overall policy ensures that two years of the programme are available to all children.
The programme for Government commits to amend the ECCE programme eligibility criteria. The shaping the future early years action plan phase 1 report, published in December 2025, notes that the potential extension of the free ECCE programme and amending the age eligibility criteria will include consultation and analysis under the phase 2 of the action plan. Phase 2 actions, which will be undertaken in 2027 to the end of 2029, will be published in quarter four of 2026 before those actions can be specified in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. A broad public consultation process is currently underway.
I thank the Minister of State for the response. I note it is not quite within the responsibility of his Department. It is a very standard response. It is disappointing in terms of the question I raised. Again, I appreciate that it is not his responsibility. Unfortunately, I do not have a written copy and do not have a note of what he said.
He outlined the mandatory criteria. That is all well and good, but kids operate on a different basis. I heard an example today of a child who has additional needs. Nobody is taking account of that in the current ECCE scheme. I am not taking away from the scheme. The Minister of State outlined its advantages. It is a fantastic scheme for those who are born at the right time. Whether a child does or does not have additional needs, they can miss out on the full year of the scheme by a matter of days or weeks. It is an arbitrary date. I ask that the Minister consider changing the criteria so that places can be accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis. As I said, whether a child has additional needs the dates are arbitrary.
Parents are being put under undue pressure. The scheme and funding are in place. The Minister of State outlined all of the advantages of the scheme, and I am not trying to take away from that, but it is unfortunate that many children are missing out because of an arbitrary date. A lot of discretion needs to be used. The Minister of State mentioned a review, but it is not coming fast enough. We have no indication as to whether the review will examine the eligibility dates.
I agree with the Senator. As I outlined in my opening remarks, I will bring this issue to the attention of the Minister. I meet many children and parents who experience the same difficulties the Senator has outlined. I feel for those people. The programme for Government is committed to delivering on this and we will do so.
Planning Issues
I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan.
I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Seanad. I call on the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to provide a timeline for the publication of the national planning statement on solar energy development. Let us be clear. Ireland needs renewable energy and solar energy will play a major role in helping us to meet our climate targets. Most people will accept that.
However, communities also need confidence that solar developments are being planned in a fair, transparent, consistent and balanced manner. At present, local authorities, developers and communities are operating without any national guidelines or guidance. This is creating uncertainty and concern, in particular in rural areas where large-scale solar farm applications are being proposed. In one area of north Kerry there are currently ten solar farm developments approved or progressing through the planning process, covering over 4,000 acres of land in the Listowel municipal district. This demonstrates the scale of investment coming into rural Ireland and the urgency of having a clear national framework in place.
I want to be very clear that people, including me, are not opposed to renewable energy, but they want to know what rules are being applied and what protections are in place. Communities deserve certainty and consistency, rather than having these decisions made without clear national guidelines. The national planning statement should provide clear direction on a number of key issues in regard to solar farm planning applications. It should address location and site suitability, whether the proposed site is appropriate for solar development, landscape and visual factors, the effect of solar installation on the surrounding landscape and views, glint and glare issues, the assessment and mitigation of potential impacts on nearby homes, roads, airports and other sensitive locations, residential amenities, the potential impact on neighbouring homes, including the visual impact, noise and construction disturbances, setback distances from properties and proper screening. It should also consider the quality and productive use of agricultural land.
As is the case with wind energy, community engagement is important, especially in my area. Meaningful consultation with local communities before and during the planning process, outlining the community benefit arising from renewable energy projects is necessary. As I said, almost 4,500 acres in my area are being proposed for solar wind farms. This is not a question of choosing between climate action and protecting rural Ireland. We can and we must do both. Clear national guidelines would provide certainty for communities and landowners and consistency for planning authorities across Ireland.
This is not an argument against renewable energy. As I said, it is quite the opposite. We need renewable energy. We need to meet our climate targets. We need energy security and investment in rural Ireland. We also need public confidence. If we do not bring the public with us, we will not have their confidence. People living in rural communities deserve to know the large-scale developments are being planned strategically and that their concerns are being properly considered. We should not find ourselves in a situation whereby significant areas of our rural districts are being committed to solar development before we have a clear national planning framework in place. This should not be a choice between protecting our rural environment and achieving our climate targets. As I said, we must deliver on both.
Today, I call on the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to provide a firm timeline for the publication of the national planning statements for solar energy and to ensure local communities, local authorities, farmers, environmental interests and developers have a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the process. I thank the Minister of State.
I thank the Senator for raising this issue. He mentioned the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, whose remit is obviously very relevant to renewable energy. However, the national planning statements will be done by the Department of housing under the Minister, Deputy James Browne. Another point to make is that I cannot give an exact timeline for when the national planning statement on solar will be finalised. In that context, there are approximately 28 national planning statements that we are preparing at the moment. We have just done one on rural housing, as the Senator will be aware. There is quite a body of work to get through. I give that context at the start.
I highlight that the Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future reaffirms Ireland's commitment to the ambitious target of having 8 GW of solar capacity connected to the grid by 2030 to assist with meeting the requirement that 80% of electricity demand be supplied by renewables. Solar energy is a growing source of electricity, with installed solar capacity passing the 3 GW milestone for the first time in August of this year. However, further solar capacity is required.
As many Senators will be aware, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters in respect of the introduction of a number of planning statements related to Ireland's climate action plan target, to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources to 80% by 2030. This includes the preparation of a national planning statement for solar energy development.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 December 2025, provisions for national planning statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new national planning statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will, however, remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding national planning statement.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular, there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these national planning statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment as the Department with policy responsibility for renewable energy in order to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of a national planning statement for solar energy, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the renewable energy directive, battery storage facilities and the possible timeframe for the publication of the national planning statement.
In line with EU directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any national planning statement regarding solar energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft national planning statement. Until the national planning statement for solar energy is finalised, it remains the case that no specific planning guidelines are currently in place that deal with solar energy development, as is the case for most types of development. I am satisfied, however, that in the interim, the existing and evolving planning system, supported by Government policy more generally, provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the roll-out of solar energy development in a sustainable manner and to assist with meeting our renewable electricity requirements while balancing the perspectives of local communities and allowing for public and stakeholder engagement. In making a decision on a planning application for a solar energy development, a planning authority must consider the specific merits or otherwise of the application in line with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I mentioned the Minister for the environment. Are we saying that these guidelines have to be presented to the Minister for housing to implement? I am asking about the input from the Minister for the environment. I respect the response of the Minister of State but I do not respect the timeline or timeframe. Right now across the country, it is starting to creep up. It was brought to our attention in the Dáil last week by Deputy Kyne. He wanted a moratorium on any future grants of planning permission for solar farms until these guidelines are brought to our attention and that of the local authorities that make decisions on planning applications. I cannot build a house without a guideline. I cannot seek planning permission to build a house without any guidelines.
The one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable. Until the national planning statement for solar energy is finalised, it remains the case that no specific planning guidelines are currently in place to deal with the development of solar energy. I am here for one reason. It is starting to creep across the country. Unfortunately, there are more than 4,500 acres in north Kerry that will be covered. It is good land and the home of Kerry Group. We are on about land, lamb production and farming. The oversaturation in areas is going to require a big answer. I need the guidelines. If we can pass the buck to another Department, so be it, but I am here to look for those guidelines.
I would like to correct the record. I said there were 28 planning statements in the pipeline. Although there is a large number of planning statements, I was incorrectly reading a reference to "section 28". I correct the record on that point.
I totally understand the concern of the public out there. I totally understand the concern of people who are potentially living near proposed solar farms. That is an issue. There is a planning process in place at the moment that takes a lot of these concerns into account, including how visually obtrusive a development might be and other aspects that are relevant to planning. At the same time, offshore renewable energy is still a way off. It is something that we are focused on achieving and we are making progress there under the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. However, we still need a big mix of renewable energy, especially in the middle of a fuel crisis when we are relying on fossil fuels.
We have had a lot of objections - let us call a spade a spade - to wind turbines. We are now starting to see objections creep into areas where solar farms are planned. We are going to have to make some tough decisions. It is not going to be easy. The Senator is absolutely right that the national planning statement will help the likes of us when we are going back to our constituents who have concerns. However, I wholeheartedly disagree with the idea of a moratorium because of our need to ramp up renewable energy.
I ask the Acting Leader to suspend the House for a few moments while we await the arrival of the Minister of State, Deputy Collins.
I propose the suspension of the House.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 11.11 a.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 11.27 a.m.
Sitting suspended at 11.11 a.m. and resumed at 11.27 a.m.
We do not have a Minister to attend to Senator Rabbitte's Commencement matter. We will deal with that in a moment but before I do, I want to welcome some very special guests, Core Credit Union from Ballybrack and Dr. Shashi Murthy of UCD, to our Visitors Gallery. They are guests of Deputy Cormac Delvin. I hope they enjoy their stay here. For now, I propose that we will suspend the House until 11.30 a.m.
Through the Chair, it is unfortunate that I was not allowed to come in. I hope that I can still speak and I do not wish to allow the suspension of the House without-----
Is this a point of order? The Senator can take it up during the Order of Business.
No, with respect to the Acting Chair, I will take it up now.
I thank the Acting Chair for her time as she has been sitting here waiting for a Minister to show up to take my Commencement matter. It was Commencement matter No. 4 in which I was to raise Portumna Forest Park. While I understand the Minister is in the Chamber and quite rightly so, I am disappointed that there was not cover from the Front Bench to facilitate. I always thought the procedure was that when a Minister takes that chair, they never leave it until there is a Minister outside. That is the proper protocol and unfortunately that was not adhered to this morning and unfortunately we did not have Front Bench cover. That is something that needs to be addressed at the start of this season because it is quite embarrassing to be sitting here and to be stood up by our Lower House.
I thank the Senator for her point of order. I accept that. For now, I propose we stand suspended until 11.30 a.m. Is that agreed? Agreed. I do not know what the protocol is for unsuspending the House but I can now welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, to the Chamber. We will continue the Commencement matter. I saw the Minister of State hotfooting it up from the Dáil.
Coillte Teoranta
I thank the Acting Chairperson and I thank the Minister of State for making such an effort to be here. I really appreciate it. He was in the Dáil Chamber and I saw that. It is just unfortunate the somebody from the Front Bench could not have covered him at this moment in time because he cannot be in two places at one time.
I raise Portumna Forest Park. It is a park under the control of Coillte which happens to be under the Minister of State's remit. At the outset, I wish him the best of luck in that portfolio. Portumna Forest Park is both an economic driver for Coillte and a recreational forest park for the people of Portumna. Unfortunately, the last allocation of enhancement works that were to be carried out at Portumna Forest Park did not make the cut for numerous reasons.
One of the main reasons was that the people of Portumna were unhappy with the allocation in relation to accommodation that was within the overall plan, scope and design. After the summer just gone by, when we had no accessible toilets within a 1,500-acre park, I do not feel that is acceptable by any manner or means. While I acknowledge the wonderful work that is done by Coillte, particularly by Declan Garvey and David Harris on a daily basis, we have to make some arrangements to move forward with a design or plan that would be in keeping with what the park design is, would ensure we have accessible toilets and would ensure that people have a place to come in out of the rain and have their picnics when they visit the forest.
I am also looking for an upgrade and proper signage in relation to the various walkways that we have in Portumna. There is a fantastic accessible walking park within it, but the expansion of the accessibility would be really welcome. There has been huge investment in the blueway, but that blueway tying in with the greenway within the park would mean that the allocation of accessible bikes would actually get a full experience within the park.
I have no doubt that the Minister of State's office works very closely with the local authorities in ensuring those upgrades can be met to ensure the park can be both a place of recreation and economic driver. For us in Portumna, it is our centrepiece. It is the crown in the jewel for us. However, we got a lot of complaints during the summer. Older people in particular who go out there cannot use what is available. I look forward to the Minister of State’s response.
I wish to explain to the House and the Senators that I was in the Dáil Chamber and I was to be relieved at 11 a.m. to come in here to take this matter, but there was some kind of a mix-up. I was not relieved until 11.30 a.m. and I came straight here then.
I thank Senator Rabbitte for giving me the opportunity to update the House on Coillte’s plans for Portumna Forest Park. Coillte, which is the custodian of our public forest estate, currently manages 440,000 ha of land, which represents 7% of the total area of the State. The company employs more than 800 staff. While Coillte is Ireland's largest producer and supplier of certified timber, its role is much wider than just managing productive forests. It manages much of its estate for nature and is the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Ireland. It records increases in the number of visitors to its recreational forests every year. Its locations include Beyond the Trees, located in Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow, which was the most visited forest park in 2025, recording almost 350,000 visits.
Portumna Forest Park is also part of Coillte’s portfolio of recreational forests. It covers almost 450 ha, and was acquired by the company in 1948. I recognise that this forest, located in County Galway, is very important for recreation and biodiversity in the area. It is a valued amenity that attracts more than 45,000 visits annually. Coillte has implemented a range of woodland habitat enhancement and ecological restoration measures across the forest, including the planting of native oak trees within mature Scots pine stands through an underplanting programme designed to increase woodland diversity, strengthen habitat connectivity and support the development of a more natural and resilient forest structure.
In recent years, in partnership with Galway County Council and with the support of Fáilte Ireland, Coillte undertook to explore opportunities to further enhance the visitor experience at Portumna Forest Park. This process included significant public and stakeholder engagement and consultation and helped to inform the long-term vision for the forest park. Following a review of Coillte’s national recreation programme in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, the company took the decision not to progress the planned redevelopment project at Portumna Forest Park at this time. The company has informed me that this decision was communicated to all involved stakeholders. While the redevelopment project is not progressing, Coillte remains committed to the management and upkeep of Portumna Forest Park and maintaining the visitor facilities available onsite. It is important to keep in mind that Coillte was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988. Therefore, day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of its visitor centres and recreational forests, are the responsibility of the company.
Storm Éowyn caused significant damage to the Coillte estate. A satellite imagery-based assessment of wind-damaged forest areas has determined that 14,500 ha of forests were affected. To put this into perspective, this is more than twice the size of Coillte’s annual harvest area. Despite the challenges experienced last year, approximately 30% of the Coillte estate, representing approximately 135,000 ha of forest and land, is now managed primarily for nature and biodiversity. Coillte's objectives to 2050 are set out in its forest estate strategic land-use plan, which was published in 2023 and supports the long-term delivery of climate, nature, wood and people benefits across Ireland's forests. It is important to keep in mind that Coillte is a central part of Ireland's wider forestry sector, which supports more than 9,000 jobs and contributes approximately €2.3 billion to the Irish economy nationally. I strongly believe, in conclusion, that Coillte continues to have an important role in delivering the multiple benefits of forests for climate, nature, wood and people, creating lasting value for society while sustainably managing our public forest estate.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. It is greatly appreciated. While I hear what he is saying in relation to Storm Éowyn, I hope Coillte can look again at the recreational space, which is the amenity space, and at where the toilet block would be or the picnic area could be. If it could review that as one phase, along with signs and walkways, it would be greatly appreciated. Coillte is doing phenomenal work. It is great to get the up-to-date figures in relation to the 40,000 visitors. That is 40,000 visitors coming to a rural town in east Galway, and it would not be happening only for the management and the upkeep of Portumna Forest Park. That goes back to Coillte and the good engagement it has with the community.
On a final note, it has also done great work in Derrygill in Woodford. Going forward, when we are looking at signage and upkeep, if we could look at connecting Derrycrag and Derrygill through a local walkway, it would be well within Coillte’s remit and would also be gratefully appreciated. I thank the Minister of State for his time and for coming here this morning. I really appreciate it.
I thank the Senator for raising this important issue, which I know she is very familiar with. I will bring all of the points raised by the Senator to the attention of Coillte.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 11.38 a.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 11.39 a.m.
Sitting suspended at 11.38 a.m. and resumed at 11.39 a.m.