Dáil debates

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

12:50 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The programme for Government makes clear commitments to patient safety. We are aware of the very tragic death of Mrs. Malak Thawley. Her husband Alan has been devastated and has called for an independent investigation into her untimely death. She had a blood vessel accidentally severed during routine surgery she was undergoing following an ectopic pregnancy. The coroner's inquest left many questions to be answered. He was denied access to medical records; phone logs; the full names, qualifications and expertise of the doctors and consultants involved in his late wife's care; the identity of other hospitals involved; statements, minutes of meetings etc.; Garda information; and feedback.

I am sure the Taoiseach is aware of the list of issues. There was no blood in the laboratory, not enough blood in the theatre and so on.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I thank the Deputy. Time is up.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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If this happened in a regional hospital such as Portlaoise or Portiuncula University Hospital, an independent inquiry would take place. However, this has happened in Holles Street in a national hospital and people seem to be satisfied with an internal investigation, which at best has been opaque and has not been fully transparent with the family of the deceased.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Time is up.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I ask for the Minister, Deputy Harris, to meet Mr. Alan Thawley and for an external independent investigation to be conducted into the case. What occurred was appalling.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I obviously join others in expressing my condolences to Mr. Thawley, his family and anybody who has been affected by this tragic loss. A maternal death is always a very sad and tragic event. I know in all cases people do everything they can to avoid them happening. I express my condolences and deep sorrow to the family.

As the Deputy said, an inquest was carried out. Inquests by their nature are independent. It follows a court-type process where evidence is given. People, including doctors, are called to the stand and are asked questions. Therefore, an inquest is an independent inquiry and provides some answers. In addition to that, an independent or external case review could also be carried out. It is not that one contradicts the other. I know that the Minister, Deputy Harris, said he would reflect on the request.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I ask about the commitment in the programme for Government to improve "the uniformity, effectiveness and timeliness of support services to families and communities bereaved by suicide." Two weeks ago, UNICEF published a damning international report on child well-being, which revealed that the teenage suicide rate in this State is the fourth highest in the EU-OECD region. Professor Brendan Kelly of Trinity College told the Seanad Public Consultation Committee last week that it is almost impossible to get a hospital bed for a child or an adolescent struggling with mental health issues.

At the weekend it was reported that 44 children had been admitted to adult units in the first five months of this year, which is an increase on last year. My constituency has no child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, in the north Louth area. Community-based psychiatric services in Dundalk are practically non-existent, apart from Ladywell, which, despite the hard work of the staff there, is not fit for purpose.

Given the much talked-up summer economic statement today, will the Taoiseach commit to the provision of fully staffed and adequately funded mental health services? Will he ensure a significant increase in mental health funding in budget 2018?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The funding for mental health has increased considerably in recent years - by more than €100 million a year. It has increased this year from €826 million to €853 million. For example, the budget for the National Office for Suicide Prevention has more than doubled in recent years. We are now seeing a reduction in suicide rates. It is already the case that suicide rates in Ireland are below the average in Europe, although there is a particular high level among younger people and younger males in particular.

Some 100 new assistant psychologist posts have recently been sanctioned. That is particularly for the early intervention primary care area. The contract has been signed for the new forensic mental health hospital in Portrane. It will replace a very old facility in Dundrum with a new state-of-the-art one that is now under construction. In the first five months of 2017, there have been 136 CAMHS admissions, of which 44 were child admissions to adult units and 92 to CAMHS units. The Mental Health Commission report for 2016 shows a downward trend of about 30% in the number of child and adolescent admissions to adult units, compared with 2015. However, I appreciate that we have had a step backwards in recent months.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I raise a matter of legislation that touches on the point raised by Deputy Micheál Martin. In May, I raised the need for an amendment to the coroners legislation, an issue raised by many Members in the House. I believe there is now cross-party support for the need for mandatory inquests on all cases of maternal death. I was assured that was a priority - I have that in writing from the Tánaiste - and that work was under way to allow a debate on a coroners (amendment) Bill to take place before the end of this Dáil session. Clearly, that will now not happen. When will we have a chance to debate the coroners (amendment) Bill in the House?

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the urgency and importance of this legislation. What the leader of the Labour Party has said is accurate. I very much regret that the deadline of the end of term is most unlikely now to be met. I assure the Deputy and the House that every effort is being made at drafting stage to have this legislation signed off and published. I expect this will happen during the summer months. I urge all Members of the House to facilitate an early debate on this important issue in the autumn.

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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My question relates to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act. In the words of Tom Parlon of the Construction Industry Federation:

Irish cranes are Mickey Mouse compared to New York or Dubai cranes. ... We have a maximum height of 12 or 15 storeys. It's not rocket science to drive a crane here.

Tom Parlon's view is typical of construction employers-----

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy should not be quoting people who are not in the House.

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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----- whose real agenda is to maximise profits by cutting down on training time for crane drivers.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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A question on promised legislation, please.

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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It should be six months' training but workers are being put under pressure to do it after less than six days. This is a Mickey Mouse approach to health and safety. It is a key reason for the strike by crane drivers in recent weeks, a strike we fully support. Is the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation-----

1:00 pm

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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Does Deputy Barry want to build houses on that?

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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-----prepared to amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts to strengthen the six-month rule?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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No legislation is promised in this area and there is no programme for Government commitment.

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Maidir le Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, tá a fhios ag an Taoiseach gur fhoilsíodh an scéim ginearálta agus dréachtchinn an Bhille le déanaí. Tá ceist agam faoi amscalaí maidir le dhá rud. Cén amscála atá i gceist maidir leis an dréachtbhille féin? Cén uair a thiocfaidh an scéim ginearálta os comhair an choiste cuí, is é sin Comhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na nOileán? Tá práinn le seo agus ba mhaith liom cúnamh an Cheann Comhairle freagra a fháil.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Thug an Rialtas cead leanúint ar aghaidh le dréachtú an Bhille. Tá an obair sin ar bun anois. Tá mo chuid oifigeach ag obair i gcomhair le hOifig an Ard-Aighne, na Ranna Stáit ábhartha agus na páirtí leasmhara eile.

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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On page 5 of the programme for Government there is a commitment to target investment at crucial areas such as early years to give all children the best possible start in life and to establish a dedicated prevention and early intervention unit under the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance. It was revealed to me this morning in reply to a parliamentary question that almost 1,500 children were taken into care under emergency care orders in the three years between 2012 and 2015. Could the Taoiseach tell us when the Government will get serious about the crisis in child welfare, because 1,500 children being taken into care under emergency care orders in three years is very serious? We need to deal with the issue. There is a commitment in the programme for Government. When is the Government going to do something about it?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government is very serious about improving child protection in this country. Significant progress has been made to date in that regard. I refer to the establishment of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the children's referendum and the legislation flowing from that such as putting Children First on a statutory basis. In addition, Tusla has been established. I cannot say if there is specific legislation or a programme for Government commitment on this-----

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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There is.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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-----but perhaps the Deputy could raise the matter with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Taoiseach to page 44 of the programme for Government, which deals with connectivity between villages and refers to rural roads. The reason I raise the matter is that the Coughlanstown Road, the L6048, at Ballymore Eustace has been closed for the past 11 months due to subsidence. The impact on residents in the area has been incredible. Although many of them only live half a mile from the village they have to travel a detour on bad, narrow roads of nine miles. That also has a huge impact on business. The reason I raise the matter here is that Arup drew up a report that shows the cost of restoring this vital artery would be €3.5 million at a minimum. That would amount to 25% of Kildare County Council's annual fund for roads. The council is responsible for 2,528 km of road in the county. It is essential that national funding be provided. I have spoken to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, on the issue but we need the Taoiseach's support.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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No legislation is promised on the L6048 but if the Deputy brings up the issue with her local county councillor or county manager she may be able to get a better answer.

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The road needs national funding. That is the point.

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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The programme for Government commits to developing a national drugs strategy, which was to have been published in April. I raised the matter in the House a few weeks ago and the Tánaiste forwarded a reply indicating that the strategy would now be published next week after the House rises. The purpose of raising the question initially is that the strategy is to run for an extended period, to 2025, and the intention was that it would have been debated in this House, had things gone according to plan, but that is not now possible.

This is the second time this has occurred. I asked the Taoiseach previously whether he would publish the submissions on the mid-term capital review and if we could have a debate on it. My concern is that issues of national importance in terms of strategies and policies are being adopted by the Government, a minority Government, that will endure long beyond the life of the Government, without respect for this House having an opportunity to debate them. In future, will the Taoiseach acknowledge the issue I have raised and allow debates on those issues rather than for the Government to adopt policies and strategies without any reference to this House?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The new strategy was approved by the Cabinet just this week and will be published next week by me and the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. I imagine it will be possible to facilitate a debate in September or October after we return. As Deputy Curran said, it is a long-term strategy. I accept the validity of his point that it would be better if we were able to debate strategies in the House in a timely manner, although that would obviously restrict us from publishing any strategies during the recess period. I agree that it would be preferable and more ideal if we were to allow for debate in the House on strategies around the time they are published.

Photo of Tony McLoughlinTony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Government will continue to deliver record numbers of Minister-led trade missions around the world and to take a robust position to defend our offensive and defensive interests in respect of trade negotiations. On that basis, could the Taoiseach advise me of the Government's plans to attract new trade deals to this country in anticipation of the damaging effect of Brexit? Could he give me the details of how many Minister-led trade missions will be conducted this year?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government is very much committed to free trade and expanding our global footprint in that regard. Free trade and trade agreements with other countries create good jobs and make us all better off in the long run. They also create opportunities for enterprises. As trade is a European competence, trade deals are negotiated on behalf of the 28 member states by the European Union. We recently concluded a trade agreement with Canada, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, and provisional application of that will begin this year.

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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That was very democratic.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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We have also agreed a trade agreement with Japan, which is particularly welcome. I do not have the exact detail of the schedule of Ministers who will lead trade missions but I will ask that it be provided to the Deputy.

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Six months have elapsed since this House passed the Second Stage of the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill, which I introduced. It is designed to give people who qualify for the fair deal scheme the option of home care instead. The Bill did not go to Committee Stage because the Government gave me a commitment that the Bill would be discussed on Committee Stage within six months. The six months elapse tomorrow. Is it the Government's intention to let the Bill go to Committee Stage, and if so, when?

Photo of Joan CollinsJoan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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I attended a meeting yesterday organised by Family Carers Ireland, which noted that the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, had launched a consultation process for the home care scheme. Originally, the consultation process was due to be launched in May with a closing date in August but it was only launched last week and the closing date is still August. The group appealed to the Government to extend the consultation period by at least a month because many of the groups concerned will not be able to meet to discuss the issue within the existing timeframe.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, and the Minister, Deputy Harris, announced the public consultation on a statutory home care scheme last Thursday. I do not have any objection to the date being extended, as August is a difficult time for many people to prepare submissions and get them in, so I will raise the issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, and see if that is possible.

Any scheme will have financial implications. The fair deal scheme costs about €1 billion a year. I do not know how much a home care scheme would cost but we would need to know how the scheme would be designed and its cost before we could proceed with a money message.

Photo of Pat BuckleyPat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle.

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order, I apologise to Deputy Buckley but the Taoiseach did not answer my question. Is it the intention of the Government to let my Bill go to Committee Stage? Yes or no.

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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It is a straight question.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Yes. The intention is that it will go to committee.

Photo of Pat BuckleyPat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act has yet to be commenced. The Act includes important measures such as the right to advance health care directives, which are particularly important in protecting the autonomy of mental health patients who may lack capacity in the future. That would protect against mistreatment and empower people in care by ensuring their dignity. We are to debate a Bill that amends the Act on Friday even though the Act has not been commenced. Will the Taoiseach commit to commencing the Act immediately rather than allowing it to sit until September?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Act will be commenced as soon as it can be. A key requirement before the Act is commenced is that the service must be put in place. I refer to the office and staff who will process and assist people with assisted decision making.

I believe the chief executive for the new service has just been appointed or the position has just been advertised. As soon as we have people to work the new system, it will be commenced. It is very much a priority for the Government and is linked to our desire to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which we are determined to do this year.

1:10 pm

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Last week I asked about a second runway and although the Taoiseach was to come back to me, he never did. Perhaps he might do that.

Today I am asking about the motorised transport scheme. It was suspended in February 2013 because the Ombudsman said that the Department was acting unduly. At that time we were advised that a new scheme would be introduced within six months, which are now long gone. Over the past 12 months, the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has stated several times that the new scheme was imminent. The scheme is aimed at people with severe disabilities who cannot walk. When the Taoiseach talks about equal opportunities for all, I suggest that people with a disability deserve an equal opportunity. When will the replacement scheme come into force? Four and a half years later, I think there would be grounds for a legal challenge unless the Government reintroduces the scheme without much more delay.

Photo of Pat BuckleyPat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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On the same matter-----

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I cannot call Deputy Buckley a second time.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The scheme still exists but has been closed to new entrants for a number of years. For a new scheme to be put in place requires new primary legislation and financial provision. The legislation is being drafted by the Department of Health. Financial provision for it will form part of the discussions for the Estimates this year. Both elements are required to allow us to bring a new scheme into place for next year.

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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On page 145 of the programme for Government, it is stated that the Government will continue to closely partner with international and Irish NGOs to ensure that Irish Aid funding effectively reaches those in need. In light of Prime Minister Netanyahu's comments yesterday, when he asked why Ireland helps NGOs that call for the destruction of Israel and why it does not condemn the Palestinians for incitement and glorification of terrorists, will the Taoiseach reject without reservation Prime Minister Netanyahu's accusations against Irish NGOs and Irish Aid? Furthermore, will the Taoiseach confirm the Government's support for the work of Irish Aid and NGOs in the Middle East and in Palestine? Is the Taoiseach aware of the work of NGO Monitor, an Israeli Government organisation that has made some very serious charges against Irish Aid, Trócaire and Christian Aid in a letter that came to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence on 16 May? I submitted the letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade at the time. Grave accusations are being made against Irish Aid. Prime Minister Netanyahu's comments should be rejected out of hand.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government stands over the work of Irish Aid overseas and that of Irish-based NGOs. We do not accept that any of them call for the destruction of the state of Israel, a state which we recognise.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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In the programme for Government, clear commitments are given to reducing waiting lists in our hospitals. In a recent reply from the HSE, I was informed that 1,825 people are waiting for X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans in University Hospital Kerry, and that 13,184 in total in the eight hospitals in the South/South West hospital group are waiting for what would be considered very simple and non-time-consuming procedures. This waiting list is far too high. I have older citizens in Kerry telling me that they could be waiting up to 12 months for an MRI scan. This is no good for a country that spends so much money on health care. How is the Government still failing to provide adequate health care?

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Danny Healy-Rae is indicating to speak on the same matter.

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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They say great minds think alike and fools seldom differ. While we have not been talking about it, I want to raise the same thing.

Photo of Bobby AylwardBobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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That is brotherly love.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputies need to co-ordinate a bit more.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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This is not sibling rivalry; it is constituency rivalry.

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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The Government committed €950 million extra to the HSE this year. Without fear or favour I can safely state there has been no improvement in the numbers waiting for cataracts procedures or orthodontic treatment. Where is the money going? How is it that University Hospital Kerry, Tralee is still overcrowded with people on trolleys in the middle of the summer? Community hospitals that were built new in Dingle and Kenmare are still only half opened. Where is the money going? Is there any accountability? We have four ministers for health. There is nothing happening and no improvement as far as we are concerned in Kerry and indeed many parts of Cork as well.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I have been asking myself that question for most of the past ten years and still do not know the answer. Certainly, there seems to be a very weak correlation between additional staff and resources and better outcomes for patients. I could never get to the bottom of it but I intend to have another go at it over the next months. The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, has been provided with a budget of €15 million for this year and an additional €55 million for next year which will allow people to opt to go private if the public health service is not able to provide for them.

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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The programme for Government puts a strong emphasis on fighting crime in respect of increasing Garda numbers, reopening six Garda stations and helping communities. As the Taoiseach knows, text alerts are a very important part of this throughout the country. Rumours are circulating in the media that the Government is considering cutting back on the funding that is given to text alerts. I remind the Taoiseach that this is a very important tool in fighting crime. I ask the Taoiseach to put on record that there will be no cutback in the funding of the text alert system. It has replaced gardaí on the beat since their numbers were reduced and stations closed. We need to keep the system. Text alert has made people alert. I know myself that it works extremely well and has foiled criminal raids in rural Ireland. Can we put it on the record of the House that there will be no interference with the funding for text alerts?

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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This is a very important issue, notwithstanding the fact that there is not any promised legislation.

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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It is in the programme for Government.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I have questions this afternoon on the matter. I assure the Deputy that it is a priority for me in the context of my Ministry and with particular reference to rural crime. I have raised the issue with the Garda authorities at the highest level. I am anxious to ensure that we can continue to roll out what is a very successful initiative in conjunction with community alert and voluntary organisations throughout the country.

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise the need to consolidate and modernise the range of legislation concerning commercial rates levelled by local authorities and the need to empower our local authorities to have some flexibility in how rates are applied. As the Ceann Comhairle is all too aware, County Kildare is going through a rates review for its businesses at present. While 55% of the rates collected by Kildare County Council are contributed by just 2% of the companies, Kildare County Council and its members have no ability to vary the rate or give preferential rates to smaller more indigenous traders. In that regard, I ask about the status of the commercial rates Bill.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The heads of the commercial rates Bill were agreed by the Government a couple of months ago and the Bill is now being drafted as a priority with a view to publication later this year.

Photo of Thomas ByrneThomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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When will the Government capital plan and details of the projects be announced? Will the N2 in County Meath be part of the capital plan? It is part of the N2-A5 project, which goes to Derry. It would have significant benefits for commuters in County Meath who are currently stuck in traffic every morning.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The ten-year capital plan, which will run from 2018 to 2028, will be published in November. I do not know what level of detail it will contain and do not think it will necessarily list every individual school or road project that will happen in that period.

Photo of Tom NevilleTom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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On page 44 of the programme for Government, it is stated that in the first three months, the Government will apply to the EU for the provision of TEN-T core network funding. While TEN-T is predominantly for rail, it is my belief that Ireland is an exception due to the short distances and I think such an exception has been availed of in Northern Ireland. The Limerick-Foynes route is now moving towards final route selection and is in the planning phase. More importantly, the Adare bypass is in the capital investment plan and Foynes is a tier 1 port in Europe.

Has an application been made for TEN-T funding for this motorway? If so, where is it in the process? I believe up to 20% of the capital cost can be availed of.

1:20 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I do not know whether an application has been made under TEN-T for the road project in question. I recall that the Shannon-Foynes Port Company applied for, and may well have received, some TEN-T funding for the port. I am not sure about the road project. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Ross, to communicate directly with Deputy Neville. I agree with the Deputy that it is important for us to connect the deep-water port of Foynes to the high-quality road network so that the port can expand. I think this makes sense for many reasons.

Photo of Eamon ScanlonEamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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According to reports in the national newspapers yesterday, over 900 general practitioners will retire over the next five years. I understand that 50% of GPs in County Leitrim will retire over the next seven years. The HSE has failed to get a doctor to attend to people in the town of Kinlough, which has grown substantially in recent years and has quite a large catchment area. As a doctor, the Taoiseach knows that the front-line soldiers in the health care system send people into the secondary care system. If we do not have enough doctors, our accident and emergency units will be flooded. They are extremely bad and they are going to get an awful lot worse. A new recruitment drive is needed to retain GPs who have trained in this country. We need them to stay here. I understand from media reports this morning that there are plenty of training places. It is not the case that we do not have enough places for training doctors. The problem is that doctors are leaving the country when they are trained. We need to do something. I suggest we should push ahead with the primary medical care centres, which are part of Government policy, and organise a promotion to keep the doctors here. If that were done, it would be a major help.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Martin Kenny on the same matter and ask him to be brief.

Photo of Martin KennyMartin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I was going to raise the same matter because I have learned that over 50% of GPs in County Leitrim will be gone in the next seven years. There are significant problems with medical services in rural Ireland. The programme for Government includes a commitment to increase the number of occupational therapists and language therapists. County Leitrim is meant to have two occupational therapists, but both of them are on leave and have not been replaced. The occupational therapy service in County Sligo is operating at less than 50% of capacity. These are serious issues for families throughout the country, particularly the families of people with disabilities. An effort needs to be made to try to deliver on some of this stuff.

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The number of training places for GPs has been increased. The rural practice allowance, which incentivises GPs to work in rural areas, is now more generous than it has ever been before. I signed that order a year or so ago. The model is changing. Fewer GPs are willing to work single-handed or to take on the enormous debts that are required to establish a practice. One of the features of the negotiations that are going to start with the GP representative organisations is the possibility of having more salaried positions. Under such an approach, the Government would pay people a salary to work as GPs in particular areas.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Are they going to start?

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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They have started, sorry.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That concludes Questions on Promised Legislation. We heard from 21 Deputies. I apologise to the nine Deputies who indicated but were not reached.