Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yesterday my colleague Deputy Guirke raised the case of Kitty, who is from Trim in County Meath. I am sure the Tánaiste has heard her story. She is over 100 years old and received an electricity bill of almost €1,000 for the past two months. Like so many others, Kitty is being absolutely fleeced. Yesterday I received an email from a woman named Christina who works part-time. She earns approximately €250 week in the best of weeks. Her bill has increased and increased. She sent a message saying she could not cope and asked us please to help. She is being asked to pay €622 for the past two months. There are many other people such as Kitty and Christina.

Last month the Government made a decision not to provide any further meaningful supports with regard to energy costs. The energy that will be consumed next month and the month after will not be supported by the Government. Households are continuing to pay extortionate bills. They are being absolutely fleeced. They feel they are being short-changed by a Government that will not introduce the same type of certainty available in many countries throughout Europe.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Time is up.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On behalf of Kitty, Christina and many like them, I ask the Tánaiste to change course and provide support for these families with regard to their electricity bills.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To be fair there is no doubt about the impact of the energy crisis on people's bills and the challenges it presents. There will be an energy credit in the March and April period of up to €200. There is also the doubling of the free fuel allowance and various payments. We have an additional payment for pensioners over and above the energy credit. There will be a payment in April of a further €200. When we look at the overall picture, approximately 3.5% of GNI, which is more than €9.5 billion, plus the measures we took last week, have been allocated to households. This is €4,500 potentially per household on average. It is probably one of the largest government interventions in the energy crisis across Europe.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What should Kitty do? Should she turn off the lights or not do the washing?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Please, Deputy.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No. No one has to turn off the lights and Deputy Doherty knows this.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is €1,000.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are out of time.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No one in those situations will be disconnected and Deputy Doherty knows that. Let us not put fear among people unnecessarily.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputies please. May we not bicker.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We know the protection of our children is vital for the future of our country. Mar a deirtear, is todhchaí na tíre iad ár leanaí. We are failing some of our most vulnerable children. On Monday I visited Sligo with our local area representatives Nessa Cosgrove and Bernie Linnane. I visited an important childcare and family support service, Sligo Springboard Family Support Service, which is based in Cranmore in Sligo town. It has provided vital services over the past 20 years for local children and families in a disadvantaged area. The services it provides include a bus service to and from school, a breakfast club and an after school and homework club. Its work has led to a consistent increase in school attendance in the area. Due to a chronic lack of funding at present it does not have enough money to cover the costs of running the service. Facing any increase in heating bills or energy bills or any unforeseen cost is a constant source of worry. At present 32 children are engaged with the service. Any reduction in the provision of the service will have a seriously detrimental impact for the children and their families. The service has asked me to raise with the Government why such a trusted early intervention service-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Time is up Deputy, please.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----is not being guaranteed the long-term and ongoing funding that it needs to make a difference for children in the area.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Significant intervention has been made in respect of early childhood development and early childcare services. We have different types of services in different localities and communities. What Deputy Bacik has outlined suggests that significant resources have been allocated to the club.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

These resources have been allocated by the Government.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

But not ongoing.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask Deputy Bacik to forward to me the context, the nature of the group, who it works with and what umbrella it works under, we can certainly examine what we can do.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to ask about a recent report into mental health in Traveller communities. According to a report published by Traveller organisations in Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Tallaght more than two thirds of Travellers have lost a loved one to suicide. Racism and discrimination are the primary cause of suicide among Travellers. Structural racism in areas such as healthcare and housing was identified as underpinning many of the challenges faced by Travellers. Travellers make up 13% of the homeless population despite accounting for only 1% of the general population. What will the Government do to address the issues identified in the report and to tackle the housing deprivation and other structural inequalities faced by Travellers?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for raising this serious and worrying situation. I met Traveller representative organisations last year. I met the Traveller disability group in Cork and the national organisation. Suffice it to say it is very worrying. Without question there has been an increase in suicides among the Traveller community and particularly among young people. We have to examine this in depth. It relates to a range of issues. Above all, where Traveller groups participate in education there has to be follow-through in work. In our approaches we have to change the attitude to the issue across society. What I find deeply worrying is that many young people in the Traveller community say to their parents they have done their leaving certificate but they are finding it very difficult to get work. This is clearly because of attitudes and approaches.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are over time, I am sorry.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have to change this. People must feel part of society and feel they have an opportunity. This is vital for mental health and respect.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sorry but we are way over time.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My apologies.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the eviction ban be kept in place or will it be lifted? I have been listening to you guys all week on this, speaking on the one hand and on the other hand. The Government has said it is speaking to the Attorney General. I know how to read between the lines. It is pretty clear that the Government is leaning towards lifting the eviction ban next week or the week after. Should it choose to do so it will be an act of political extremism and free-market extremism on the part of the Government. We know that since last Friday record numbers are in emergency accommodation. Record numbers of children are also in emergency accommodation. Any public representative with eyes and ears knows a large number of people will be out the door reasonably quickly after such a ban is lifted. This will raise numbers to the highest level ever in the history of the State. I doubt the emergency accommodation services will be able to cope with that.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Time is up please.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We could see a situation by the summer whereby people will be presenting to Garda stations pleading for a place for themselves and their children to stay overnight.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will you please respect the fact that your time is up?

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We should have no political extremism here. Keep the eviction ban in place.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In terms of housing policy, plans and resources the Government is the biggest actor, player and provider of resources in the housing market. That is a long way from the so-called free market extremism that Deputy Barry is asserting and labelling the Government with. The opposite is the case. The Government is providing record numbers of social housing. Last year we built close to 30,000 houses. The Government is supporting affordable housing, cost rental and Croí Cónaithe. Think of all the various schemes from social to affordable.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The ban.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to nail Deputy Barry's sloganeering and I am entitled to do that. Deputy Barry started it. He said "extremism" and I am entitled to come back on it.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On the ban.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is considering the eviction ban and will examine it. Why will we do this? It is because we want to make sure that whatever we do does not make the situation worse. Deputy Barry is not worried about this because what he is worried about is how he can label the Government again in six months' time if the situation is much worse because of the decisions we take.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Time is up Tánaiste, thank you.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are going to look at this seriously----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Oh God. Time is up please.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----in terms of protecting people as best we can and making sure we do not have a continuing exodus from the rental market that would mean fewer houses to give to people and to rent to people.

Those are the issues that we have to consider.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There you go.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government received €1 billion from the EU under the Brexit adjustment fund. This was set up to help people impacted by Britain leaving the EU. Apparently, despite the crisis affecting many people in agriculture and the damage that is being done in the Irish fishing industry, the Government only managed to draw down €400 million of this €1 billion fund and the remaining €600 million has not been allocated. It goes without saying that the farming sector is suffering. One third of farmers are currently making a loss, one third of farmers are only making a living because someone is working off the farm and the average wage for a beef farmer is €16,000 a year, which is one twelfth of the Tánaiste's own wage. The country is in danger of losing €600 million of funding through the Brexit adjustment fund. Will the Tánaiste guarantee farmers and fisher men and women across the country that this money will be drawn down, will be spent in their communities and will not be diverted to any other fund?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government spends far more than €1 billion, as the Deputy knows, and we will draw that down. The Deputy is underestimating what has happened already under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, BAR. The level of investment in piers and harbours across the country is because of the BAR and the allocations are multiples of what we used to annually provide. There is no comparison. There was an open invitation to communities affected, particularly fisher communities around harbours and piers, and the BAR has helped us to allocate specific funding to those communities in respect of initiatives there.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the Government going to leave the €600 million behind?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In ports such as Rosslare, where there has been huge investment by the Government, some of that will hopefully be drawn down from the BAR, but we are doing it in any event because of Brexit. There are other aspects. The dairy industry has grown, notwithstanding Brexit. It is not as bleak a picture as the Deputy has painted, as he is wont to do-----

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the €600 million going to be left behind?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are going to draw it down.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask the Government to set up a task force to do something about the dereliction in Clonmel town and the closure of many businesses, particularly Market Place, a spanking new development that was a division of iar-Sheandóir Fergal Quinn, God rest him, and a fabulous place. It is now vacant and derelict, and it is an appalling vista. There are many other areas on Gladstone Street and O'Connell Street. We need a task force with the district council and Clonmel Chamber of Commerce. I salute the hard-working businesspeople who are keeping their shop doors open every day, paying rates but getting very little support from the Government or anybody else, employing people and making the town a living town. Some of the schemes like Croí Cónaithe might help with housing and should help to convert some of those buildings, but Market Place itself needs a revitalisation plan and it needs a task force to deal with this.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is this in Clonmel?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In Clonmel town – the vale of honey.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy would have to acknowledge there has been a lot of good work happening in Clonmel town.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes, that is what I said.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There has been huge refurbishment and development of a very significant kind, and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, was there recently in respect of both housing initiatives and new investment.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am talking about the centre of town.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have to work with the local authority, which is the key player here.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I said that.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We can sometimes set up new bodies, agencies, task forces and all of that, when the simpler thing to do is to identify the issues and have the local authority work with the Government and other local organisations, and then come back to Government with a clear plan as to how we revitalise an area, such as the area the Deputy has just identified. That is probably the better way to do it.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the funding for people who provide accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, it has been brought to my attention in recent days that, early on, when the Government was looking for accommodation places, it was spending money fairly freely - I am referring to Athlone specifically but there are other places in my constituency - but it is like a broken-down subbie at the moment. I know of two crowds that were supplying food that are owed €2 million. This has been going on since October or November. That is disgraceful. If the Government is looking for accommodation and for people to supply accommodation, that is not in good taste. The cause of many people exiting at the moment is that the Government is not sending the payments forward. If I send these cases to the Tánaiste, will he get them dealt with straightaway?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge there has been an issue in terms of payments and we had a Cabinet sub-committee meeting last week in respect of this issue. Measures are being taken both to deal with the immediate situation of some people needing immediate payments and to create a new model that would make for more regular payments into the future. That is the type of situation that many Deputies have come back to us on, individual cases, so it does not arise into the future. It has to be dealt with systemically and that is the approach we are taking.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Croí Cónaithe scheme whereby people are supported to refurbish derelict buildings to make them available for homes has been especially successful. An additional concession was made recently to extend that scheme to rural villages and rural locations across the country. Again, that has been successful and a lot of interest has been developed. However, an additional restriction has been placed on that scheme that we should seriously consider removing. That is the restriction whereby, if people take up the grant and refurbish a building, they are obliged to use it as their principal private residence. If we opened the opportunity that all of these buildings, as they are being refurbished, can be used as either a private residence or within the rental market locally, first, it would be another powerful lever to have many vacant buildings throughout the country, particularly in rural Ireland, reinstated and used as homes for people. Second, it would drive vitality and energy into rural towns and villages, similar to what Deputy Mattie McGrath mentioned earlier. It is an additional concession we should consider making.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It has been a very good scheme and it is one that the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, deserves great credit for initiating in the first instance. We have to evaluate schemes as they evolve. This was part of the housing initiative to create affordability for people to live in various locations, and to provide affordability to couples and people who might want to own and live in their own house. It also has the add-on effect of dealing with dereliction and giving the capacity to refurbish houses that might have been derelict for ten or 15 years. I will take on board what the Deputy is saying. I know the Minister is continuing to keep all of this under review.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to raise again the ongoing scandal of residents in nursing homes under the fair deal scheme being charged for items that are covered by the medical card. I raised this with the Secretary General of the Department at the Committee of Public Accounts more than a year ago, I raised it with senior management of the HSE and I raised it with the Minister, and still nothing. I have received a reply to a freedom of information request that revealed internal discussions within the HSE following on from my raising it at the Committee of Public Accounts. The assistant national director of the primary care reimbursement service stated that a clause could be put into the contract of the nursing home with the requirement not to charge. He said that would place a legal responsibility on funded nursing homes and residential care facilities not to charge.

People are being ripped off monthly and weekly. Residents and their families, when they raise this issue, are being told, “You can take them home or you can go elsewhere.”

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Deputy, the time is up.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have had the recent scandal with nursing homes. This is an ongoing scandal.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Please, the time is up.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When is the Government going to act?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Am I talking to myself? The time is up, Deputy.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Government ask the HSE and the Department to put a clause into the contract to secure and offer those residents protection so they are not ripped off - the most vulnerable in society?

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she knows, any older person, regardless of whether they live at home, live in a community care home or live in a nursing home, if they have a medical card, is entitled to the same rights. Whatever the medical card entitles them to, for example, incontinence supports or physiotherapy, they are entitled to that regardless of where they are living, so that should not change.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is not happening.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In some instances, it is not happening. I spoke to the Deputy in the corridor about it and she said she would send me on some information. If she would-----

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I sent it to the Minister.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy spoke to me and I am the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, so if she wants, she can copy me into that and we will certainly look at it. The Department is currently looking at the situation.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of the crisis in the PDS programme. On Tuesday, I received the staff census and workforce review for 2022 of the 91 children's disability network teams, and it makes for dismal reading. There is a vacancy rate nationally of 34% across the CHOs. It ranges from 19% to a high of 43%, but some teams have vacancy rates in the 50s and 60s, with one team on 68%.

In my home county, Cavan, it is 41% and in Monaghan it is 47%. The progressing disability services for children and young people programme is not working. It is failing children and families and I do not see any clear plan from the HSE to address this. It has not even sat down to meet representative bodies of the different therapists, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists, to see what is the best way forward. The HSE has never met with them or taken on their recommendations. This needs to be treated as a crisis. Children are being failed. The Joint Committee on Autism is being hosted in the Seanad today. Families are coming to share their experience and it is absolutely heartbreaking. Something needs to be done.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I discussed this earlier with Deputy Fitzmaurice and I thank Deputy Tully for raising it again. I think the progressing disability services for children and young people programme was initiated around 2013. I had issues with it at the time. I believe multidisciplinary teams in special schools are the optimal way to help children, but that does not cover all children. That is the point the HSE would make, that it is trying to provide a service for all children. That said, it has moved policy-wise from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and we are putting a particular focus on this area. Recruitment and retention has been very problematic in the children's area, as I said earlier. Other parts of the health service seem to be recruiting therapists much more easily than is the case in children's services. That is something that has to be changed.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Windsor Framework agreed between the EU and Britain is a welcome development and we hope it will eliminate all potential obstacles to trade between our islands. For some time business have outlined the need for certainty and clarity. Understandably, this clarity is so important for businesses trading North-South and east-west and for those planning for long-term investment. The further development of the all-Ireland economy will bring benefits to every community on the island. This morning I spoke to a senior industry person whose business trades extensively North-South and east-west and she warmly welcomed the EU's response to issues that had been raised by different sectors in Northern Ireland concerning the protocol. Political parties need some time to study those proposals in detail and we must all respect that requirement. However, people also want the political institutions, including the Assembly, the Executive and the North-South Ministerial Council, to be restored and fully functional in the best interests of all. The Government must continue to give that clear message to all political parties in Northern Ireland and also to the British Government.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. He has had a long-standing commitment to these issues over the years as a public representative. I agree with him on the Windsor Agreement. We must allow people to read the detail of it. It is a very detailed, comprehensive response to legitimate issues that were raised by political parties in Northern Ireland in particular and by unionist parties in respect of some issues. They have been comprehensively responded to. Parallel to and in advance of all that, I have always been of the view the institutions should be restored in line with the last Assembly election results. The people of Northern Ireland deserve that.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I raise again the disgraceful treatment of women and their children, and indeed some men, before the family law courts who are consistently subjected to extraordinary treatment, leaving only one outcome. In view of the most recent information made available to me by the Department, the situation has taken a different and much more serious turn. I have referred this information to the Ministers for Justice and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, but it would appear that at least a preliminary inquiry should be carried out to ascertain the full extent of what is happening before it reaches the serious consequences of a major national scandal.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am not fully aware of the details behind or the range of cases that might have given rise to the comments the Deputy has made. I will discuss this with the Minister for Justice and alert him to the Deputy's raising the issue on the floor of the House and how he feels there are serious matters of public interest that need to be reflected upon.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I spoke to a number of sheep farmers outside the Houses this week. They came here seeking action from the Tánaiste's Government to save their sector. Sheep farmers in Roscommon, Galway and across the State are experiencing real financial hardship and have described the €12 per ewe delivered by the Minister as an insult. It clearly needs to be increased. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association, ICSA, has called for an emergency package to be funded through the Brexit adjustment reserve fund. Sheep farmers are at the coalface with respect to the consequences of Brexit and are also now seeing hundreds of thousands of lambs being imported, including from New Zealand. Every single farm input has increased for them as well. This all comes back to the farmer not getting a fair price for their produce. They need greater support from this Government. Will the Tánaiste ask his Minister to engage with the ICSA to provide additional support to this sector?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Senator McGreehan raised the same issue at our parliamentary party meeting yesterday evening. I will revert to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, as the Deputy has raised it here, but to be fair to him he has, over his term, responded consistently to different issues as they have arisen in particular sectors of the food production system. Clearly, sheep farmers are finding the going difficult right now and a range of factors are responsible for that. The Minister will respond.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Page 94 of the programme for Government states the Government is committed to delivering education programmes to meet the needs of all students and all children in society. However, we have seen there are huge delays in respect of the delivery of ASD units and support hubs for primary and secondary schools. St. Brendan's Community School in my constituency received approval for an ASD unit four years ago but it still has not been delivered. There is huge concern over the issue. A solution may be to redeploy staff from other Departments to the school building section of the Department of Education to try to speed up delivery and all the rest of it. The staff are doing their best, but redeploying staff may be the solution.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am not too sure that is the issue because we have had fairly rapid developments in special education in the past two and a half years. New schools have been established for the first time in over a decade. We have had two to three new special schools and new ASD units. The Department of Education was given the green light to spend a lot of capital moneys in the last year and it did. It went ahead of budget. There are ongoing talks in Government on trying to facilitate, especially in the area of special education, further provision of capital facilities. I am not au faitwith the specifics of the school the Deputy has raised but we are determined the prioritisation of special education in terms of capital projects would continue this year.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Back in September 2020 I published a Private Members' Bill on the regulation of professional home care. That was two and a half years ago. In fairness, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has done much work in this area and I have had engagement with the Department of Health on the matter as well. I wish to know where we are on this. I understood the Department was going to publish its own Bill on the issue. We have more and more people requiring home care. Their number is going to continue to grow, and especially so over the next eight years. There is a need for statutory regulation of the provision of home care. Where does the legislation promised by the Department stand?

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his continued interest in this. As he knows, home care is so important to the 56,000 people across the length and breadth of the country who receive home care to support them to age well at home. I hope to have this legislation before the House around June. We have done substantial work on it. It is a complicated issue and it is important we legislate and put home care providers on a statutory footing, be they public, private or voluntary.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I too pay tribute to all involved in the Wexford General Hospital fire yesterday. Well done to all.

I am mindful Daffodil Day is only around the corner and we will all be doing our best to fund-raise for cancer services. However, yesterday we heard thousands of patients in the south east, including Carlow, are waiting months for cancer test results due to a major backlog. Up to 2,000 patients from St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny are being forced to wait up to six months, in some cases, for their results. This is unacceptable. What will be done? Will an emergency plan put in place for this?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue.

The Minister and the HSE have already announced the programme and response in terms of dealing with the issue and accelerating the times for people to get their results.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Some weeks ago, I was invited by the principal of St. Ronan's National School in Bawnogue in Clondalkin, which is a couple of minutes from where I live, to visit the school. It is a fantastic place for the young people of the area. It is a DEIS school. Several prefabs were built there in the 1990s and to say they are in a state of disrepair would be an understatement. In fact, last year the school commissioned a report on the state of the classrooms and forwarded this to the Department of Education. It found they were not fit for purpose. When I and other public representatives visited the classrooms, I could not believe that children were being taught and teachers were working in conditions like these in this State.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will send the Tánaiste the report and I will ask him next week if he thinks these conditions are acceptable. If this was a more affluent area, it would not be accepted.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I disagree with the Deputy saying that if the area was more affluent, this would not be acceptable.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sorry-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Please, Deputy, let the Tánaiste answer.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will send the Tánaiste the report.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No, let the Tánaiste answer.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This Government is committed to prioritising schools that have bigger challenges than others.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Just look at this report.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Full stop. I do not know the circumstances of this school.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will send the report to the Tánaiste.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Please, Deputy.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Regarding what the ask should have been, I do not know if the school has applied. I presume it has.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It has.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is the key point.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I know.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sorry; I just wish to make this point. The Deputy spoke about the prefabs.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Of course they should be replaced. The issue is where is the application, when did it come in, what is its status, if the design team is finished and if it is progressing.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This has been going on for decades

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the scheme being progressed now? That is all I need to know.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school is----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Perhaps the Deputy will communicate directly with the Tánaiste.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes, I understand. The Tánaiste does not know this area.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask the Deputy please to communicate with the Tánaiste.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are 41 driver testing centres nationally. On Monday, there will only be 40 because the biggest town in Ireland, with a population approaching 50,000, will not have a test centre. This is despite the Road Safety Authority, RSA, having decided six or seven years ago to have a permanent centre in Drogheda. Residents in an estate in Drogheda are being blamed for the closure. That is not good enough. I, along with Councillor Paddy McQuillan and others, have offered the RSA numerous sites for centres which would be suitable. If these centres can be located in Birr's County Arms Hotel, GAA and golf clubs up and down the country and if even Mallow racecourse can have one, why in the name of God can Drogheda not have one? I urge the Tánaiste to intervene and insist that the RSA honour its pledge to have a permanent site in Drogheda because 2,717 people who have applied for driver tests will not be able to do them on Monday in the largest town in Ireland. They will have to go to a town or place they do not know and have never driven in. It is not good enough. We need the Tánaiste's intervention.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy raising this issue with me. I will talk to the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, regarding it and see what we can do to get the situation resolved.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My constituency has seen an unprecedented increase in cases involving exorbitant energy bills. For example, a young mother received an energy bill for €6,000. As the Tánaiste can imagine, this caused her unnecessary distress and could have impacted her ability to pay her mortgage. The Government has indicated that it intends to bring in a windfall tax in the coming weeks. Can the Tánaiste tell us when it is intended to introduce this tax? It is urgently needed to assist people who are struggling, the consumers out there. It is just terrible the number of people who are struggling with these bills.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are primarily dealing with the energy and cost-of-living crises with existing resources. It has not been dependent on the windfall tax that we announced we would be bringing in. This must be legislated for. It was announced last November and must go through the legislative process.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the meantime, however, we must sort out this situation. Since January 2022, we have allocated more than €9.5 billion to households. I am not referring to businesses. The temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, for businesses is additional. This €9.5 billion is a substantial intervention to try to help people to meet what undoubtedly are severe challenges with respect to electricity and other energy bills. We have intervened quite substantially and there will be further payments or energy credits in March and April in terms of lump sums.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is mainly the gas bills.