Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Speakers have up to one minute speaking time. Rather than have arguments, let us try to comply with the time. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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The housing emergency is now spilling into education. Schools are really struggling to recruit teachers, teachers cannot afford the extortionate rents that are being charged and many are locked out of any real opportunity of ever purchasing their own home. I was shocked and gobsmacked to hear the Minister for Education's first response to this was a suggestion of cancelling career breaks for teachers, not least because she herself is on a career break from teaching. Clearly that is not the answer. Will the Taoiseach make clear to the Dáil that the cancellation of career breaks is not what is in mind? Furthermore, will he set out what the Government will do to address this real crisis in recruitment of teachers, which is wholly traceable to the housing crisis that has come on the Taoiseach's watch?

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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I have a practical question for the Taoiseach on the housing crisis. Last week, I asked about the tenant in situ scheme, which enables local authorities to take into State ownership homes that have been put up for sale and which would otherwise leave a tenant or family at risk of homelessness. I specifically asked if the Government could legislate to enable the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, to provide data to local authorities to help them identify renters who are most at risk and who might be assisted by the tenant in situscheme. In response, the Taoiseach referred to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage's repeated call on local authorities to buy such homes and operate the scheme and I welcome that 600 homes have been purchased through it. The difficulty is the scheme remains ad hocand merely voluntary. We in the Labour Party are calling for the Government to ensure councils have a stronger imperative to implement the scheme and keep families out of homelessness and to use the period of the winter eviction ban to scale up delivery of homes for people.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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There is no balance to be struck if people are going to be homeless.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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It is a practical way to run the scheme.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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There are local authorities saying they will not do any more tenant in situpurchases without proper guidance issuing from the Government on it.

I ask the Taoiseach about district heating systems and communal heating systems. I have raised them with him before. The Government has said no one should be cut off this winter. Figures I have been given show 20% of tenants on prepay meters with district heating systems have now been cut off. They are without heat and hot water. Regulation in the future is all well and good but there needs to be action from the Government now so people living in freezing conditions can get heat and hot water for the Christmas period. This could be done through one-off energy credits or subsidies to bridge the gap between the commercial cost of gas and residential rates. Will the Government act now to address this so people can get access to heat and hot water for Christmas?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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They would want to get a move on.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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What about those with district heating systems?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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As we face into Christmas, the chronic shortage of taxis will become even more of an issue and will deter people from going into central Dublin and other city centres. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has acknowledged there are now 3,000 taxi licences that are inactive. Taxi groups have been saying for some time - I reiterate their call - that drivers should be allowed to transfer licences to a nominated family member or somebody else. Many older taxi drivers have not wanted to return but currently they cannot transfer their licences unless they die. They could transfer their licences to nominated family members, friends or others and we could activate thousands of taxi licences. The taxi groups are also saying there are 50-minute waiting times to get in contact with the NTA to get suitability tests, etc. They are asking whether family members may be nominated to contact the NTA on their behalf on licence matters.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I ask the Taoiseach to respond to the question I asked, if he could.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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There are 3,000 inactive licences. Let them transfer.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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It is déjà vuagain. I am once again bringing to the floor the non-payment of the pandemic recognition payment. It appears we have a very serious situation in community healthcare organisation, CHO, 5, which covers my constituency of Wexford. Home support resource managers there have not received the payment while their counterparts in CHOs 1, 4 and 7 have. I understand the decision not to allow the payment to these managers in CHO 5 has been appealed with no response. We have a recruitment and retention crisis and now we have morale on the floor in quite a large CHO. There managers provided the same services and duties throughout the pandemic, regardless of where in the country they were placed. I am asking for someone in the Department of Health to clarify why some CHOs have made this payment to their home support resource managers.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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It has been reported this week that a survey of primary school principals has revealed they have no faith in the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. Some of the reported concerns include that the vast majority of schools have pupils with additional educational needs who are awaiting diagnosis due to the chronic waiting lists. Over one third of schools had periods when they had no special educational needs organiser, SENO, to assess special needs.

Some 55% of the schools surveyed stated that the additional needs educational profile does not meet the needs of the pupils. The list goes on and on. The Department of Education will say it is investing additional resources but that is not the reality on the ground. In my area in south Tipperary, we have not had a SENO for months. The position is vacant. Why is it, like the last Deputy from the south east said, that we are being neglected all the time? It is just another failure by the Government. Children with additional needs need these supports and they need them early. They need a timely diagnosis and access to help.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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Cá bhfuil an t-airgead?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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They are not my comments. They are the comments of the school principals.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I am again raising the crisis in the private and voluntary nursing home sector, where 17 homes have closed this year. These homes tend to be independent, small and family run. While some of the chains are replacing some of the lost beds, that is not happening in rural or smaller areas where family-run homes are closing. More and more older people will not be able to remain reasonably close to family, friends, GPs, pharmacists and so on. That is just wrong. In a small, 35-bed private nursing home, the current fair deal funding model would pay, on average, €1 million less per year than it pays to the same size HSE home. I keep hearing that HSE homes deal with more complex cases but where is the evidence? The Department of Health did a study, although it was too small, that showed there was little difference in the levels of dependence between public and private homes. We need an urgent review of the fair deal funding model.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for the question. The Department of Health acknowledges that there are variations in the cost of care across community hospitals and private nursing homes, with public community units generally having a higher cost of care. The HSE will always step in where a resident's needs are sufficiently complex that they are not able to be cared for anywhere else in the community. The HSE needs to be staffed to deliver that kind of complex care. I have put in place a €10 million scheme to cover 75% of energy costs from 1 July this year up to 31 December. Each nursing home can claim up to €31,500. Some €70 million in free PPE and oxygen has been provided over the last two years while €145 million of financial supports through temporary assistance payments has also been provided. Residents in HSE-run community nursing units, CNUs, which are often staffed at a level that allows the delivery of more complex care, represent less than 20% of those on the fair deal scheme. Last year, 4,500 residents were in these public CNUs.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Irish Water has imposed a boil water notice on Macroom residents for nearly three weeks at this stage. The notice relates to high turbidity, which means Irish Water is not able to give a clear result. Great credit is due to the crews that are working weekends and long evenings trying to get the plant operational but the plant is not suitable. There is talk of getting an upgrade. In the meantime, there is a lot of stress and hassle on residents and businesses but there is also the issue of cost, especially with the high electricity rates. It is all down to Irish Water's own plant not functioning correctly. In the meantime, should Irish Water not be paying an electricity credit to these residents and businesses that are at a loss due to its plant? Fad is atá na srianta leanúnacha seo i Maigh Chromtha, toisc chóras lochtach Uisce Éireann, nár chóir d'Uisce Éireann na costais leictreachais atá ag daoine dá bharr a íoc?

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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Community employment, CE, supervisors play a valuable role in many communities in this country. While many people are facing the cost-of-living crisis and inflation, CE supervisors have not had a pay rise in 13 years. The inflation over that period is even more drastic. When will CE supervisors get the pay rise they deserve, which is certainly outstanding?

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy for the question. I acknowledge the work of CE supervisors. We have about 1,200 supervisors and assistant supervisors across the country. They are one of the most embedded and connected groups of community workers, broadly speaking, we have across the country. My Department has been engaging with the unions during the year. The supervisor union's representatives have engaged with the Workplace Relations Commission. The Department has been invited to the Workplace Relations Commission and I am minded to take up that invitation. However, we need the sanction of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to do that. There is not much point in us walking into the Workplace Relations Commission unless we have the backing of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. While we are doing this, we may as well include the supervisors for Tús and the rural social scheme rather than doing it in bits and pieces over the next few years.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Last week, when I raised with the Taoiseach the issue of a GP service that is closing in Blarney in Cork he said the HSE should seek an interim GP. He also said he would follow up with the HSE and the Minister. Patients have now received letters sending them to GPs in Ballincollig, which has no direct link to Blarney. Some will be going as far as Ovens. This is despite an offer from a GP to run a temporary service and despite the Taoiseach's assurances. I assume that if the Taoiseach instructs the HSE to appoint a temporary GP, it would do this. The service is to close on 31 December. Will the Taoiseach please explain to the people of Blarney why this is happening?

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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No, I asked the Taoiseach to do it.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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No, that was Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Unfortunately, he got it wrong. He thinks the people of Ballincollig and Blarney-----

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Does Deputy Gould never get it wrong?

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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I am not wrong; I am out with the people. I am on the ground.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Gould is never wrong.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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No, we are okay.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Going to Ballincollig from Blarney is too far. The Taoiseach knows the area himself.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I ask Members to be fair to their colleagues. I call Deputy Alan Farrell.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I raise the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, report published yesterday, the National Waste Statistics Summary Report for 2020. It shows that waste generation in Ireland continues to increase and that our rising levels of waste make it very difficult for us to maintain or increase our current recycling rates. Crucially, it shows we are in danger of missing our EU 2025 targets for municipal waste and plastic packaging recycling targets. Ireland remains reliant on the export market to deal with the vast majority of waste generated in this country, including residual municipal waste, hazardous waste, plastic waste and, more recently, biowaste.

In light of the passage of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, what measures will the Government take to plan for an improvement in the figures outlined by the EPA? Will the Government give a commitment to raise public awareness of the circular economy?

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Tomorrow marks 100 years since the unlawful executions of Liam Mellows, Rory O'Connor, Joe McKelvey and one of west Cork's greatest sons, Dick Barrett. They were executed without trial or charge by the order of the Executive of the newly formed Free State Government. The executions were done as a reprisal for the sad and tragic killing of Deputy Seán Hales, a killing which these four men had no hand, act or part in. The event was described in a Dáil debate 100 years ago as, "Murder most foul, bloody and unnatural". The State has never acknowledged that these killings were illegal or wrong. The Taoiseach has said these killings were murder by any definition. Today, almost 100 years since those executions, I ask that the Government finally acknowledge that these killings were manifestly illegal and wrong.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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There has been a change in relation to grants for people moving out of homeless accommodation into local authority or approved housing body accommodation. All applications from across Dublin are now being sent to a central hub and are no longer being dealt with by community welfare officers. This has resulted in applications taking up to 12 weeks, or three months, to process and is causing great difficulty for the individuals involved. As the Taoiseach knows, most people moving out of homelessness just have the clothes on their back or a bag of clothes and do not have a stick of furniture. Is the Government aware of the changes resulting in the delay? Are there plans to address the issue?

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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Rosemary Campbell is 88 years old. She is in failing health. She has been seeking truth and justice since 1977 when her husband, Joe Campbell of the RUC, was shot dead in Cushendall, County Antrim. Her family and I believe that elements of the security forces conspired with UVF killer Robin Jackson to kill her husband when he uncovered evidence of collusion with paramilitaries. The inquest has been put back until January and the PSNI is still not prepared. Forty boxes of material have been gathered. The coroner is now proposing a clinic for locals in Cushendall to come forward with information because the RUC did not interview people, even those who were first on the scene. Special branch at the time knew there was a threat to Mr. Campbell but did not tell him. The amnesty legislation in Britain should not pass. Amnesty International has urged the Irish Government to take the UK Government to the European Court of Human Rights if this amnesty Bill is passed. Will the Taoiseach commit to doing that?

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I raise the staffing crisis at Cavan children's disability network team, CDNT. On 22 November, it wrote to parents to express the real challenge and difficulty the acting manager, Faye Reid, is faced with in delivering a service to almost 650 children who are on our waiting lists. I will read a snippet of the letter. It states:

Cavan children's disability network team is currently undergoing a significant staffing crisis, which is impacting on the team's capacity to provide services to children and families. There are currently approximately 650 children and young people known to the Cavan CDNT, with around 22 therapy posts to meet this need. Of the 22 therapy posts available, there are approximately 12 posts currently vacant on the team. This is obviously having a huge impact on staff capacity to provide intervention and complete assessments. Current waiting times to access the team can be up to two years.

I raised this last week with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. She kindly said she would meet the community healthcare organisation, CHO, management to address this. I ask the Taoiseach to put every resource behind this. We cannot have these kids waiting two years for any intervention.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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I wish to highlight the issues surrounding the transfer of the four Shannon heritage sites in County Clare to Clare County Council. The council has done its due diligence, has handed over a 600-page report and has been clear with the Government that the transfer cannot happen without the proposed funding package being signed off. The Taoiseach is the middle man. Enough time has laboured on. The sites have deteriorated over the last few years and will deteriorate further. Earlier this year, the Taoiseach said that Clare County Council needed to get on with this. It has done so and has handed over its report. What is needed now are security and certainty for staff and their families and a future for these important cultural sites. What is needed is a commitment from the Taoiseach today to provide a timeline and deadline.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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Is the Taoiseach aware that a number of protected disclosures have been submitted to the Western Care Association and the HSE in County Mayo? Will the Taoiseach ask his Ministers to conduct an immediate independent investigation into these serious issues related to the care of the most vulnerable people in our county? I wish to ask the Taoiseach why there are 42 unregulated individualised services operating in the county. Will the Taoiseach give his assurances that no employee, former employee, service user or family will be disadvantaged as a result of coming forward with protected disclosures or information?

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I will bring-----

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Taoiseach and ask Deputy Higgins to be brief.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise the lack of public transport in Newcastle, which is a growing town. The 68 bus is the only bus that serves the village itself. It is the only form of public transport into the village. It runs only about once an hour and of late it has not been reliable. On top of that, the express route for commuters was cancelled earlier this year without any notice. According to the National Transport Authority, NTA, the long-promised orbital route, the main benefit of which is that it would link Newcastle to Hazelhatch train station and Maynooth University, is not going to happen according for the foreseeable future because of a bridge built in the 1700s. That is hardly an unforeseeable challenge. Peamount Healthcare and many other places in the area are under-served. Public transport has not kept pace with the growth in Newcastle and the growth of businesses. What can the Taoiseach do about this?

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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There are two final contributors, Deputies Ó Cuív and Ó Cathasaigh, who I will take together.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The temperature is forecast to fall to -4°C. Many Travellers are living in freezing caravans or mobile homes, some of which are more than 20 years old. The national caravan scheme was recently extended nationally, but a limit of 75 caravans was put on it. In the case of Galway, we need 24 replacement caravans but we were allocated four. As we come up to Christmas, it is a disgrace that people are sleeping in terrible, freezing conditions. I beg the Taoiseach to ensure that each person who needs a replacement caravan is given a loan under the caravan loan scheme to replace it and to do so between now and Christmas. There can be no delay on this. It is inhumane and degrading.

Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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The issue of teacher shortages was well aired this morning but there is a specific concern about teacher shortages in Irish-medium schools. In the Gaelcholáistí, it is proving extremely challenging to get teachers who can take subjects like woodwork and metalwork - home economics is a particular problem - trí mheán na Gaeilge. Do we have a specific plan to help our Gaelcholáistí to recruit people?