I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, to the House.
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Mental Health Services
I thank the Minister of State for coming here today. I very much appreciate that the line Minister of State is here to answer my Commencement matter.
I am here to talk about the national service model for the mental health of intellectual disability. I might explain that. Tens of thousands of people throughout the Republic suffer from intellectual disabilities. Many of these people live at home with elderly parents. There are 55,000 disabled adults over the age of 25 living at home with parents who are over the age of 60. A plan for the mental health of intellectual disability service was published in 2021 to establish teams around the country to meet the needs of this very vulnerable community and their carers. Since then, however, only one team has been set up fully with the proper complement of nurses, a consultant psychiatrist with higher specialist training in the mental health of intellectual disability, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, OTs, and physiotherapists. There is only one team - a pilot project in Cavan. Throughout the rest of the country, those teams are not filled.
I have been approached by a number of hospital consultants and executive clinical directors in the field of mental health of intellectual disability. I have also spoken to the chair of the faculty of mental health of intellectual disability in the Irish College of Psychiatry. They confirm that these teams are not fully staffed and are not funded. The HSE has said that the reason for that is that they cannot recruit allied health professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists and so on but that is not the case. In fact, the HSE is refusing to fund these posts. That is not the fault of the Minister of State, but perhaps she could encourage it to do so. In Cork, for example, there is a team and all it has is a consultant and executive clinical director. It has no social worker, no psychologist and no occupational therapists.
That is the fact of the matter today. Given the huge client base of hundreds of older adults with intellectual disabilities who are also particularly prone to mental illness, and in the absence of all of those allied therapies, what consultants have to do - it causes them moral distress - is overprescribe psychotropic medicines, which have very heavy side effects. When one consultant was able to get some psychology support and some OT support, they were able to get one intellectually disabled adult out of a wheelchair and walking again. Another disabled adult has been able to be titrated from a heavy psychotropic medicine to the stage where she can now feed herself. Another disabled adult, having been de-prescribed because of access to these supports, has been able to take up full paid employment in the community. Here is one of the saddest examples: a family reports that an adult with an intellectual disability has recovered her personality and has a sense of humour again. When we think of those parents getting older and being terrified about what is going to happen to their children, the least we can do is fully fund and staff these mental health of intellectual disability teams throughout the State.
Before I call the Minister of State, I would like to welcome the teachers and students from Gaelscoil Riabhach atá anseo leis an Seanadóir Shane Curley.
I also issue a céad míle fáilte roimh páistí na Gaelscoile. They are very welcome here today with Senator Shane Curley.
I thank Senator Clonan for raising this important matter in the House. I also thank him for his constant advocacy for people with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities. Expanded access to specialist mental health services, including the national clinical programme for mental health intellectual disability, is a priority for me. It is estimated that four in every ten people with intellectual disabilities can experience a mental illness in their lifetimes. The HSE developed the national clinical programme for mental health intellectual disability to better support people with intellectual disabilities with their mental health. I launched that model of care in 2021 with the objective of improving mental health service experiences and outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities.
I stand here as the Minister of State who has had responsibility for mental health since 2020 and as a Minister of State for whom the glass is always half full as opposed to half empty. In 2020, there were 220 teams across Ireland for mental health. There are now 285. By any yardstick, funding of 65 additional teams has to be acknowledged.
There were services for mental health intellectual disability in place already but the process of developing teams began with the formation of several small teams around the country. Under the model of care, there should be 31 adult teams and 16 children’s teams nationally. It is a specialist adult mental health service, with clinicians who have the appropriate training and experience to assess and treat people with mental health intellectual disability, taking into account their specific needs. As per the model, teams should include psychiatrists, clinical nurse specialists, speech and language therapists, social workers and occupational therapists. All professionals on each team work with the individual and family or caregiver to develop holistic care plans that meet their wishes and needs and provide evidence-based interventions to achieve the best outcomes.
The mental health intellectual disability national clinical programme is being implemented through the development of multidisciplinary teams on a phased or incremental basis. There are now 30 teams of various sizes in place: 20 adult teams and ten child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS, teams. Parallel to that, I have put in place clinical programmes for ADHD, with 11 teams funded across the country; eating disorders, with 14 teams funded across the country; dual diagnosis; early intervention in psychosis; and mental health with intellectual disabilities.
One of the decisions I took over the past two years was to look at the postcode lottery and, instead of putting a full team into one area, having starter teams in two different areas. I speak to clinicians, consultants and the college of psychiatry, and we all know that the most important part of that team is the consultant psychiatrist, with the admin supports. It is great to have the multidisciplinary approach and that is what I am trying to get to, but I have funded consultant psychiatrists in starter teams. I will get three consultant psychiatrists for €1 million. I will get a whole team for €1 million but I want to get the services into as many areas as possible. That is why we have 20 teams in place for adults and ten for children.
I am conscious of the challenges for children with intellectual disabilities and for adults living at home with intellectual disabilities. I funded 15 posts this year. I will fund, please God, more posts next year. I have to build the models of care not only across intellectual disabilities but across six or seven definitions at the same time. That is what I try to do. I try to do a little every year. Fifteen posts this year would have cost in excess of €2.5 million. It is recurring funding. It is not if and when; it is embedded in the base.
I thank the Minister of State for her response. There is nothing personal in what I am about to say. Over the past number of years, I have got to know her a little bit and she is a person of the highest integrity. She mentioned an increase from 220 to 285 funded teams throughout the State. At the same time, she says 30 teams of various sizes have been stood up. There is quite a discrepancy in those figures. Maybe that is something we can clarify subsequently. I might write to her about that.
For adults with intellectual disabilities who used to be held in congregated settings, their services have now been moved to the community but I can tell the Minister of State that those services are not available to them. I agree that there are some of what the Minister of State calls starter teams, but they are seriously understaffed. Those consultants tell me it is not a recruitment issue but a refusal on the part of the HSE in those regional areas to fund the posts and go about the business of recruiting the allied health professionals.
I have the HSE's back on this. I will tell the Senator why. In budget 2026, I was able to fund 300 new posts. The difference between the mental health budget and the rest of the budget is that funding for those 300 posts is ring-fenced. I wrote to the six regional executive officers across the six regions to say I had secured this funding under the mental health budget. Three hundred whole-time equivalents is quite a significant number; it is the most I have got in the six years.
There were 15 posts for intellectual disabilities. Their funding is ring-fenced and recurring, and they have to be recruited. I have monthly meetings with the HSE and the Department to make sure this happens. I break my back to get as much funding as I can. I have increased the budget for mental health by 60% in the past six years. It is difficult when it comes to recruitment but I have not had push-back from any of the regional executive officers when they are told they have this ring-fenced funding to recruit. They can do more under their own budgets and we have seen that in areas.
I am aware, especially in relation children with intellectual disabilities, that we are trying to smooth the pathway for children. Whether they belong in a CAMHS team, a children's disability network team, CDNT, primary care psychology or the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, they are being pushed from Billy to Jack. I accept that 100%. That is an area we have a strong focus on. All that parents want, whether for an adult child or a younger child who is dependent on them, is for them to get the services. I will do more in next year's budget and I will make sure that those 15 posts are recruited this year. I thank the Senator for his advocacy.
Education and Training Provision
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Dillon. Youthreach and community training centres, CTCs, provide educational opportunities for young people when mainstream education fails to meet their learning needs or is not suited to those needs. These learners often come from hard-to-reach communities and communities that are excluded and often live with disadvantage. In Youthreach and CTC programmes, learners aged between 15 and 21 work towards achieving Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, levels 3 and 4 qualifications, which are equivalent to junior cert and leaving cert applied.
Students in Sligo and Leitrim CTC have the opportunity to study computers, catering, hairdressing, sports and recreation, and car maintenance. A major part of these courses is the linked work experience, which can lead to full-time employment or an apprenticeship. This is down to not only the active engagement of the learners but also to the staff - the adult educators and resource people who deliver the training and learning on a daily basis.
These critical workers have been underpaid for many years. I know this having worked very closely with them. There are other factors, including the failure of the Department to correct disparities in the academic calendar which mean that these resource teachers often feel undervalued compared with mainstream educators.
Most secondary school teachers accept that while these educators deliver education differently and in a different environment, they are very much equals as professionals. In many cases, however, they face a tougher job than a lot of mainstream school teachers. They possess a unique set of attributes and skills which meet the holistic needs of young people who they work with every day. However, educators employed by community training centres are employed with less pay and weaker terms and conditions not only to mainstream secondary teachers but also to their Youthreach counterparts. Historically, there was a pay alignment between Youthreach and those employed by the CTCs. This parity lapsed some years ago. It is the restoration of that parity which is the subject of the dispute that CTC staff are currently engaged in.
SOLAS, the Irish Association of Community Training Organisations, IACTO, the education and training boards, ETBs, and SIPTU, their trade union, all met and agreed to a pay rise of 9.25% with the Department of further and higher education. The Department sought funding from Department of public expenditure and reform. However, the latter came back with a disappointing offer of 7% to be paid over 18 months which SIPTU, correctly, deemed unacceptable. This resulted in the balloting of SIPTU members, who voted 98% in favour of industrial action. Unless the situation is de-escalated immediately by the Government, this industrial action could lead to all-out strike action. The last thing these dedicated educators want to do is to disrupt the learning of a group who are among the most vulnerable learners and who depend on stability and predictability. However, the lack of regard that has been shown to resource tutors and adult educators is such that they now feel they have no option but to press ahead with industrial action. Such action will cause severe disruption. The responsibility lies with the Government to ensure that industrial peace is maintained and that the dedicated education professionals are kept in the classroom where they belong and where they want to be, working with the vulnerable learners who they support so much.
The agreement with the Department of further education, and negotiated by Kevin Duffy, for an increase of 9.25% was not over-generous; it was fair. I hope the Government will honour it, but there seems to be an unwillingness to do this. From where does that unwillingness come? The Department of further and higher education has stated that it has sought the money but that the Department of Finance is unwilling to provide it.
I welcome the opportunity to address this important issue. I thank Senator Cosgrove for raising it. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science. I want to begin by acknowledging the vital work carried out by the staff in our community training centres. These staff play a critical role in respect of some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities, including early school leavers and those at risk of disengagement from education. I have visited many of the centres across Mayo, and their contribution is very much recognised, valued and deeply appreciated.
It is important to set out the context. Community training centres are independent, non-profit organisations that are grant funded by education and training boards. They operate with their own boards of directors as employers. The Department is not the direct employer of staff in the CTCs, and pay matters arise within the employer-employee relationship. I am aware that there is an ongoing pay dispute, which is something the Government regrets. SIPTU is seeking a 9.25% pay increase which aligns with the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, agreement relating to section 39 organisations. While the Department, through SOLAS, has supported an offer of 7%, following budget 2026, with funding ring-fenced for that purpose, agreement has not yet been reached and members have been balloted for industrial action. The Department and the Government have engaged extensively with stakeholders, including IACTO, as their employer body, SOLAS, as their funder, and SIPTU representatives. It is important that matters progress through the industrial relations machinery of the State and, specifically, the WRC, with conciliation under way.
The Senator raising the issue here today is import and timely. The Government strongly supports reaching a resolution through the established industrial relations mechanism. We hope the issue will be resolved in a swift manner.
Before I call on the Senator to respond, I welcome Fódhla Dunne from Tramore to the Gallery. She is here as a guest of Senator Joe Conway.
I thank the Minister of State for his response, which is very disappointing. It is an insult, and 7% is an insult. Section 56, section 10 and section 39 workers, Tús workers and Citizens Information employees all got the settlement of 9.25%. The latter are funded organisations as well, but the Government is saying that 7% is acceptable. The WRC ruled in favour of SIPTU in respect of the claim of 9.25%. It is very insulting that the Government has gone back to say that the workers should accept 7% when the WRC has issued a ruling in respect of the 9.25%. It is insulting to the people they are working with that their work is not appreciated. In comparison with secondary school teachers, there can be a discrepancy of €11,500, even though they are supporting the same young people and the same cohort. No one wants to go on strike, but 98% of CTC employees have balloted in favour of industrial action. The Government needs to start treating them with respect. What they are looking for is what those in similar groups that are funded by Departments - these are not directly employed staff - have received. It is imperative that the Government take this very seriously, because no one wants to go on strike.
The Government supports and recognises the work of these educators. Notwithstanding that, this is a complex industrial relations matter involving independent employers, trade unions and funders. The Senator has to recognise that. It must also be recognised that the Department is not the direct employer here. A funder offer has been made, which is also important to recognise, and the dispute has been progressed to the WRC. Our priority in this House and in the Dáil is fairness and for a sustainable resolution to be arrived at. There is an offer on the table.
Again, I want to recognise the contribution of all the staff who operate within available resources. I acknowledge the work they do to avoid disruption to any of the learners. It is important that we see a resolution. I would very much support that.
Sports Funding
I welcome the Minister of State. The immigrant investment programme, IIP, was launched in 2012. This programme benefited organisations and communities across the country to the tune of €1.25 billion following its introduction. It was closed in 2023. I understand that there are a range of issues pertaining to the closure and winding down of the scheme. We have seen a real impact on investment in County Mayo in particular. Westport United received €2.8 million in 2023.
As the Minister of State will be well aware, Islandeady GAA received €3.6 million, while Knockmore GAA received €2 million. These are substantial investments in sporting organisations, at a level and scale that no other State agency or body can match. It is really transformative for sports organisations and clubs.
I understand that there have been issues in terms of certain loopholes that may have been exploited. It is fair to highlight that, but what I am calling for is the reintroduction of the scheme in a way that benefits sports clubs and organisations and would not expose Ireland or allow loopholes for bad-faith actors. If we are smart in our policymaking and legislation, we can achieve that, but it requires political will to make it happen.
I thank Senator Mark Duffy for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan.
As the Senator stated, the immigrant investor fund was introduced by the Government in 2012, when the struggling Irish economy needed investment to create business and employment opportunities across the State. During its operation, it generated over €1.2 billion in investment for projects right across the country.
The programme fulfilled its purpose and, as the Senator will be aware, the Government agreed to close the IIP to further applications on 15 February 2023. The decision to close the programme followed a comprehensive review and reflected wider policy considerations, including recommendations at European level regarding investor residence schemes. Appropriate arrangements in relation to the orderly winding down of the programme were also put in place.
The closing of the IIP did not affect already approved applicants and projects under the programme. The programme is fundamentally one for investors, not for projects or funders. The investor is the primary applicant and makes an application for an immigration permission, and nominates a proposed project as part of that application.
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has continued to process applications for immigration permissions in respect of approved investments, that is, investments applied for prior to the closure of the programme that have been approved by the IIP evaluation committee. The IIP unit within the Department is committed to ensuring that all current applications will be examined on their merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner.
The IIP unit also communicates with projects seeking to benefit from investments made in connection with an IIP application, more specifically in relation to how the terms of the programme apply to a particular project. The unit also engages with projects and monitors them for compliance with IIP requirements.
The Government remains committed to attracting foreign direct investment and supporting economic development right across the country. Ireland's approach, however, is focused on sustainable investment, job creation and enterprise development through a range of established channels, including the work of agencies such as IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.
At present, there are no plans to reintroduce the IIP or to establish a scheme to replace it. That said, the Government continually reviews how best to support investment, innovation and economic growth. As part of that ongoing work, we remain open to examining measures that can encourage investment in Ireland while also ensuring that our immigration system retains its integrity.
I thank the Minister of State for the reply. I am aware that he is here on behalf of the Minister for justice today, but the reply is disappointing, specifically because there is nothing comparable in terms of funding for sporting organisations, clubs or community groups at present. It is not as if the Irish State can match the programme or put something else in its place.
We had the begging bowl out and had the programme as an incentive for people to invest and engage in Ireland when we were under economic and financial pressure. The minute there was any improvement in that, the programme was wound up. The point I have made is that there are ways and means of doing this in a way that is constructive, protects our values and means no exploitation of loopholes or bad-faith actors. A blanket decision to keep the programme closed is not wise, considering the impact it has made. The projects are transformative, once-in-a-generation projects for clubs and organisations across the country, with programme funding provided at a scale that the State is not willing even to entertain.
I ask the Minister of State, using whatever influence he may have, to relay my point to the Minister for justice and the Government more broadly. This would be much appreciated. All of us, including the Minister of State, can see the direct impact of investment under the programme in clubs and communities across Ireland.
Again, I thank Senator Duffy for raising this important issue and acknowledge his contribution in seeking investment into Mayo.
The IIP, as outlined, was successful in its time. When the Irish economy had hit rock bottom, it generated significant investment when most needed, to the tune of over €1.2 billion. However, it has fulfilled its purpose, notwithstanding the recent announcements on Knockmore GAA, Westport United and, more locally to me, the Islandeady community development committee, which received €3.6 million. That is reflective of the amount of work they have put in.
The Minister for justice has outlined that there are no plans to reintroduce the scheme or replace it. Thankfully, the Minister for sport, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, will soon launch the sports capital programme. A sum to the tune of over €250 million was allocated in the last round. We would hope a lot of that will be directed into sports facilities. The large-scale and regional sports programmes are very important. Our focus now is on ensuring sustainable investment in every parish, community, town and village right across the country. This can support communities and enterprise, create jobs and ensure our long-term economic growth.
Tax Reliefs
I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. I am asking him to make a statement on the issue of inheritance tax.
When a parent dies, he or she can leave up to €400,000 to any of his or her children. For those who are married but who may not have children, however, the threshold from sibling to sibling is €40,000. Many people who do not have children feel very disenfranchised in that they feel they have paid their taxes. Whoever they are going to leave their inheritance to is often put to the pin of their collar to pay the inheritance tax. Many people end up having to sell the family home or shares, for example, just to pay the tax due.
An issue also arises where couples who are not married buy a house together. If, before getting married or where there is no marriage, one partner dies, the other can inherit only €20,000. In many cases, the surviving partner might have to sell the house that they bought together just to pay the inheritance tax.
There seems to be a huge anomaly in this regard. It is very unfair that someone who has paid their taxes and wishes to leave what they have to a loved one, be it a relative, niece, nephew, cousin or other individual, is disenfranchised.
I would love to hear what the Minister of State has to say about it, and if a review is being carried out in this whole area. It is an issue we need to look at seriously.
I thank the Senator for raising this matter. It is quite popular currently, largely due to the work of the end tax discrimination group. The group is contacting us all and I acknowledge that it is doing great advocacy work, as the Senator is herself. She has raised this before in the Seanad.
The capital acquisitions tax, CAT, is a beneficiary-orientated tax that is payable by the recipient of a gift or inheritance as opposed to the person providing that gift or inheritance. CAT plays an important role in ensuring that we maintain a broad tax base and raised €854 million in 2024 and €1.12 billion in 2025, so it is not an insignificant sum of money.
For CAT purposes, the relationship between the person giving the gift or inheritance and the person receiving it determines the maximum amount, known as the group threshold, below which CAT does not arise. The Finance Act 2024 increased each threshold by approximately 20%, with an estimated cost of €88 million. The group A threshold, which in general applies where the beneficiary is a child of the disponer, increased to €400,000 from €335,000. It is useful to note that the definition of "children" for capital acquisitions tax purposes includes any stepchildren, adopted children or certain foster children. All can avail of the group A threshold in respect of gifts and inheritance received from the disponer. The group B threshold increased to €40,000 from €32,500. This threshold applies where the beneficiary is a brother, sister, nephew, niece or linear ancestor or descendant such as a grandchild of the disponer. The group C threshold increased to €20,000 from €16,250, with this threshold applying in all other cases.
It should be borne in mind that where a person receives a gift or inheritance that is in excess of the relevant tax-free threshold, CAT at a rate of 33% applies on all excess benefits.
It is important to be aware that there are significant costs associated with increasing the existing thresholds. For instance, an increase in threshold A to €500,000 would cost in the region of €86.6 million, while an increase in threshold B to €60,000 would cost approximately €70 million. In relation to the idea of combining thresholds A and B and bringing relatives such as nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters within the scope of the higher threshold, the Senator should note that Department of Finance officials reviewed this matter last year in the CAT tax strategy group paper. As part of this exercise, Revenue estimated that the cost of merging groups A and B to be in the region of €305 million. These costs have been updated recently, and it is estimated that such a change could now cost in the region of €350 million. It is fair to say this is a significant sum of money, and while I appreciate the Senator's sentiment toward the issue, it is not an easy undertaking from a budgetary perspective.
The tax strategy group paper was published in advance of the budget and is the best means of considering issues such as inheritance tax in an analytical and transparent way. The group is not a decision-making body and the papers produced by the Department of Finance are simply a list of options and issues to be considered in the budgetary process. Officials included a further update on this matter in this year’s tax strategy group papers, which will be published shortly.
I assure the Senator that the Tánaiste is conscious of the burden of capital taxation and continues to engage with his officials on these matters. He also met with the End Discrimination in Inheritance Tax group and I understand that further engagement with it is going to take place. As with all taxation matters, this will form part of the budgetary consideration, which has started for next year's budget. I welcome that there is updated data in the tax strategy group's papers this year that will help inform the decisions and considerations that the Tánaiste and the wider Government will have to make in advance of the upcoming budget.
Before the Senator's response, I welcome the Meath opportunities for training, MOT, group from Navan, County Meath, and Ashbourne Women's Shed to the Public Gallery. I understand that they are guests of Deputy O'Rourke. They are welcome and I hope they have a lovely day.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. I understand that a significant amount of money comes from the inheritance tax. It is almost like a form or double taxation. The people who earn the money have already paid tax on it, and now the person who is going to inherit it has to pay tax on top of it again. While I understand that a change would cost a lot of money, I pay tribute to the End Discrimination in Inheritance Tax group, which has been thorough in setting out the issues that people, especially childless couples, are facing and the predicament they are in. I am glad to note that figures will be published shortly, and I will be looking at them carefully. I understand that there has to be a balanced budget, but tax has been paid on this money already and that is something that really needs to be looked at. I think we need to do some sort of major reform in that area, and I would appreciate if the Minister of State would take that message back to the Department.
The Senator can be guaranteed that I will bring her message back loud and clear. I have no doubt that she is using her own offices and her direct contact with the senior Minister in the Department to make her views known. As I have said, €350 million is a significant amount of money. I am sure the Senator has been in Buswells many days in the past few weeks when various advocacy groups are coming to put forward proposals on the need for additional resources to keep critical services going and to support people in our communities.
The Senator is right. People who are leaving money in a will have worked hard to accumulate that money. They have paid taxes on their work. They have done the right thing and put money away, but it is not they who are paying the tax. It is the beneficiary who is paying the tax, and that is a bit of a difference. At a time when the Tánaiste and I are advocating that people take out a new investment account and are encouraging them to invest and save their money in a different way from next year, there is maybe a recognition and a timeframe that something can be done in this area. Maybe it is for a special niece or nephew and to acknowledge people who are childless. However, to be fair, there are many families where nieces and nephews would maybe need introductions to some of their aunts and uncles.
Maybe we have to be imaginative in how we do it. The critical thing is that the tax strategy group papers are going to give updated information. That data will help to inform the Tánaiste in his consideration before any decision is taken at a wider Government level.
I will certainly relay back to him the strong message the Senator has raised with me this morning.
I thank the Minister of State for his personal interest in the area.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 11.19 a.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 11.33 a.m.
Sitting suspended at 11.19 a.m. and resumed at 11.33 a.m.