Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their questions. This block of questions relates to the well-being framework and I am not sure whether many of the issues raised by Deputies relate directly to that. Of course, they are entitled to raise any issue they wish in the House, but it makes it difficult for me to reply.

Day services in Saint Michael's House, which Deputy O'Callaghan has raised a number of times in the House do not fall directly into my remit, but I will follow up with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte on it and see if she could provide the Deputy with some more comfort and, most importantly, a solution for the people affected.

Deputy Boyd Barrett mentioned the quality of employment in Ireland. Generally, because of reforms pursued by the Government and economic policies introduced by the Government, we have seen the quality of employment improve considerably in the past five years. We have better pay and better terms, conditions and protections in particular. We are moving towards a living wage with a 12.8% increase falling due in January, which is much higher than the current rate of inflation. Sick pay is being expanded at the moment, which is of particular benefit to low-paid workers, women, part-time workers and private sector workers, who often had no sick pay previously. We will bring legislation on auto-enrolment through the House next year, which means that all workers will have an occupational pension on top of the State pension.

Again, a lot of part-time workers, private sector workers, women and migrants do not have an occupational pension. That is going to change. We have changed the laws considerably around parental leave, maternity benefit and parental benefit, all for the better. It is good to see that there are now 2.6 million people in Ireland working, more than ever before, with better pay and conditions than was ever the case before.

The Deputy particularly referred to the film industry. I know he has raised the issue on many occasions in the past. I think that some of the issues that arise there may be connected to bogus self-employment. People who are designated as self-employed ought to be employees, and are therefore losing out on some of the workers' rights that they should have. It is an area that the Government is doing some work on, in consultation with the trade unions and IBEC. There is a new EU directive coming forward on this issue which I think will bring about some changes.

Deputy Murphy raised the issue of Dublin Zoo. I do not really want to comment on the allegations that were made. I am not aware of them and have not seen any evidence to support them, but I encourage the Deputy to pass on any evidence he has to the relevant authorities, whether it is the Garda or whoever may be able to look into these matters. I do know there was a protected disclosure in relation to Dublin Zoo that was considered some months ago. It was found that the allegations did not stack up, but that might be a different matter and not the one that the Deputy has raised.

Deputy Ó Murchú brought up the issue of Carlinn Hall. It is not something that I am directly responsible for, but I know he has a real interest in it and has been a strong advocate for the residents there. Perhaps the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, will be able to find some guidance as to how we might go forward on this.

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