Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this topic. I thank Deputy Pringle and the Independent Group for giving us the chance to do that. Since becoming an elected Member many years ago, the most predominant problem that presents on a daily basis is housing for people. In Kerry there is a great housing department in the local authority, which does its level best to look after those who present for social housing, and continues to do so in tough times when there is little funding. We seem to be doing very well, but funding is an issue all the time. Up here, we continue to fight their case to get more funding. Housing is very important and it is right that people should be housed. We must ensure that people have proper homes to live in and in which to bring up their families.

The other important issue that is causing an awful lot of problems currently concerns medical and health services. As we know, people are being denied services in our county and indeed right around the country. This includes simple procedures such as the removal of cataracts to prevent people from going blind. It is an indictment on the HSE and our health service that we have to take people to the North of Ireland so that they do not go blind and continue to suffer pain. It is like the agony in the garden when they suffer with pain in their hips and knees and so on. It is wrong that people have to wait for years to get simple procedures done. In spite of all the money the HSE gets, it is still unable to provide a proper service.

Work is important. People who want to work should be given the chance to do so. I applaud both small and large employers, who, despite all they have to face, employ people. They are going through a lot just to be allowed to do that. There are so many regulations and rules they must adhere to and the cost of insurance and red tape makes it hard for them to create jobs for people.

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