Plans to bring children from Gaza to Ireland for medical care

Some 30 children may be evacuated from Gaza and travel with a carer, and be accommodated in the homes of healthcare workers

Palestinian children could receive treatment for cancer and other severe conditions in Ireland but not orthopaedic care so as not to impact those  already waiting for procedures. iStock

The minister for health is to seek approval from Cabinet to bring children from Gaza to Ireland to undergo medical treatment here.

It is expected that 30 children will be evacuated from Gaza under the first phase of the initiative, which will take place before the end of 2024.

According to plans being brought to Cabinet by Stephen Donnelly, the children will travel with a carer and be accommodated in homes owned by healthcare workers.

The children, who suffer from various conditions, will be flown to Ireland by the EU and then transported by the ambulance service and other arms of the State while here.

Their health needs include cancer, haemodialysis, and other severe medical conditions. None of the children will be undergoing orthopaedic care so as not to impact those currently waiting for procedures here.

Before any medical evacuation takes place, an advance team from Ireland made up of health officials and medics will complete the required health screenings to clear patients and carers for travel.

Two new veterinary colleges

Meanwhile, two new veterinary colleges outside of Dublin are to be signed off by Cabinet today.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Higher Education Minister Patrick O’Donovan are to bring a recommendation that the South East Technological University and the Letterkenny campus of Atlantic Technological University be selected to begin training vets.

Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “It’s absolutely essential that we expand the amount of veterinary college spaces that we have in Ireland. 

It’s also not right and proper that in parts of the country there are particular challenges attracting vets. 

We have an excellent veterinary school in UCD, it’s absolutely brilliant. But we also need a veterinary college outside of Dublin. 

Mr McConalogue said his department and the Department of Higher Education will equally split the funding required to build the new vet schools, adding:

 “It’s really important that in terms of developing those new places, we make sure we’re trying to bring people through the veterinary third-level process to ensure we have the people, particularly for large animal practices in the future, because they’ve been under a particular challenge.”

Other proposals before Cabinet

Mr McConalogue will also bring the National Organic Strategy to Cabinet alongside super-junior minister Pippa Hackett. The land area being farmed organically and the number of organic farmers have both trebled since 2021, Cabinet will hear.

Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman will brief the Cabinet on new childminding regulations, which come into force later this month. 

The regulations will allow childminders register with Tusla, and once registered, apply to be part of the National Childcare Scheme. 

Childminders will be able to register with Tusla, but not be required to do so.

As previously reported by the Irish Examiner, Justice Minister Helen McEntee will seek Cabinet approval for new laws that would ban the wearing of face masks at protests and Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien will bring a bill which will pay all costs related to fire and structural safety remediation.