Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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The independent review into violence and harassment in the Defence Forces published shocking findings yesterday, for example, that women were barely tolerated and many were subjected to harassment, bullying and assault, including rape. Decades on from some of these incidents, the devastating effects for women are still felt. We all agree that brave women who join our Defence Forces to serve our country proudly deserve to do their job safely and with dignity and their rights must be upheld and protected. I commend the Women of Honour and all survivors who bravely stood up to make their voices heard and ensure the truth came out.

I am happy to hear that the statutory inquiry will be judge led – that it is a welcome announcement – but there should be no delay. I want the Government to advance its position, set out a timeline, indicate the scope of the inquiry and, above all else, guarantee that it will be survivor led to ensure survivors' needs are at its heart.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. It will absolutely be survivor centred and survivor led, but it will be chaired by a judge or retired judge. Very simply, the timeline is as soon as possible. In fairness to the Tánaiste, though, he wants to engage with the people most affected by this before coming up with terms of reference and committing to a timeline. I think that is only reasonable. There certainly will not be any delay due to a lack of urgency or political will, but it is important we engage with all of those whom we need to take part in this to make sure it is done and done well.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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I welcome the news that the review of Ireland's abortion law has been completed. Will the Taoiseach commit to its immediate publication? We have learned that the review group, chaired by Ms Marie O'Shea, has recommended a more compassionate approach to the provision of reproductive healthcare. We understand it supports one of the measures we called for in our submission, that being, the removal of the patronising and unworkable three-day wait from the legislation. The State should not inflict more trauma and stress on women who are experiencing crisis pregnancy.

I also query what the Government plans to do following publication of the report. As I said, we are looking for its immediate publication. I see reports that a special Oireachtas committee might be established on foot of the review. That might not be necessary. The Joint Committee on Health could engage in pre-legislative scrutiny of any legislative changes that will arise from the report's findings. It would be unnecessary to delay an evidence-based approach to amending the law based on the findings of this report. Can we see imminent publication and swift movement on the recommendations of the report?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I have not yet received the report. I understand the Minister for Health has received it in recent days. The normal process would be for him to consider it, to bring it to Cabinet and to publish thereafter. I anticipate it is only a matter of weeks, but I do not know for sure. I have not seen any proposals to establish a special committee on the matter.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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It was reported in the newspapers today.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I take on board the Deputy's point that we have a health committee and that a special committee is perhaps not necessary. I have not heard anyone, at least in government, make that proposal yet.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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The report by the independent review group about the Defence Forces is disturbing. Much of the abuse and behaviour detailed throughout the report is not just horrific but criminal. Almost nine out of every ten women who responded to the review group reported that they had experienced sexual harassment. The report stated there was a discernible practice of rape and sexual assaults in numerous settings and locations. That this disgusting and hurtful abuse happened with impunity in the Defence Forces, whose members are charged with protecting the Irish people and the Irish State, makes it all the more shocking. The report's findings are a complete vindication of the Women of Honour group, who bravely came forward to protect other members of the Defence Forces from the abuse they endured. The report has been described as a watershed moment by the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, but it will only be a watershed moment if this shocking catalogue of misogyny, discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct is forever consigned to history. Women of Honour has sought a statutory inquiry. Will the Taoiseach confirm when that will happen?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I fully concur with everything the Deputy said and with her sentiments. We made a decision at Cabinet on Tuesday to publish the report and agreed there would be a statutory inquiry chaired by a judge or former judge. The Tánaiste is committed to getting that up and running as soon as possible. It requires a motion in the Dáil. Ideally we would like to have that done and the inquiry up and running before the summer recess. He is keen to engage with Women of Honour, women and men of honour and the different representative bodies of the Defence Forces to get the terms of reference right. As someone stated earlier, we must ensure we act sensitively and swiftly.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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As we speak, workers in the Corrib Oil gas station in Ballinasloe are on strike for the third time in recent weeks. They are mostly young workers, including students, some people from the new communities who have come to the country and some older workers. All are on pretty miserable pay. The basic starting pay is approximately €11.30 per hour. They are on strike because Corrib Oil, which is a big fuel company that runs approximately 25 or 30 gas stations and runs the H2 gas stations, is refusing to recognise the union the workers in Ballinasloe have joined, namely Mandate. On such pay levels, those workers are entirely justified in trying to join a union and better their conditions. It is a miserable level of pay. Their employer should recognise their union. Is it not time for mandatory trade union recognition? Will the Government use its influence on Corrib Oil to recognise these workers' union?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I do not know if the Government has any influence on Corrib Oil. I do not think I have ever had any engagement with the company. Legislation to strengthen people's right to be represented by a trade union is planned. It derives from an EU directive on minimum wages and collective bargaining. We have set out a roadmap to do that, but the legislation will take some time. It is absolutely the intention to have it done by this Government and this Dáil.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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In view of the country's well-established international reputation in the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors and with almost 90% of staff employed in these industries working on patent medicines, the new EU Unified Patent Court will be of huge benefit to Ireland. However, a referendum is required for it to have jurisdictional powers. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment to run this referendum in tandem with the other referendum planned for November? Will he also give a commitment that Ireland will submit a bid to host a central division of the new EU Unified Patent Court in Ireland, which would provide a huge economic dividend to this country?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The EU Unified Patent Court is now up and running and we are keen for Ireland to be part of it. It requires a referendum and, as we all know, referendums in Ireland are not straightforward and can often lead to extraneous arguments being thrown into the mix and so on. We are keen to get it right and win it. It is a simple question. Do we want to join this court or not? The treaty is already operating. There is no question of renegotiation. We will have a referendum on it. We have not yet decided whether it will run concurrent with the other referendums in November or we will hold it next year, concurrent with the local and European elections. We will have it during the period of this Dáil and Government. We will have to join the court before we can make a bid for a central division. We will certainly have a local division. As I have said, it requires a referendum and referendums can go wrong. We are keen to ensure we get it right and it does not get turned into a referendum about something else by certain quarters. It will be in November or in the summer next year.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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I raise the issue of the new Garda station for Clonmel. This issue has been going on for more than 50 years. I have been raising it for 16 years since I was elected to the Dáil. We now have a site, planning and design for a splendid new Garda station, but for some strange reason - I believe there is a window of opportunity now - it has been bundled with another Garda station, which we have no problem with, and with the children's court project, which is a totally different vehicle. There is a window at the moment for us to separate or unbundle it from the children's court, which would delay it for another few years. There is a chance of progress if we can get that taken out and have the public private partnership, PPP, only for Garda stations and not complicate it with the children's court, which is a different vehicle, as I said. Will the Taoiseach intervene with the Minister for Justice immediately? It is my understanding that it is at a delicate stage at present. We may be able to make progress if we can get this funding segregated again and get progress for the station. The Taoiseach has seen it. It is Dickensian. I do not know how anyone works in it. It is just not fit for purpose.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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This matter has been raised with me by Senator Ahearn and Deputies Lowry and Cahill. It pertains to two Garda stations, namely, new ones that are needed in Clonmel and Macroom. They are very much needed. They are part of the PPP bundle with the family law complex in Dublin.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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They need not be.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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If we stick with that, it will take forever, so we are examining unbundling it, which would allow us to go ahead with the Garda stations in Clonmel and Macroom quite quickly, certainly in the next year or so. We are working out the details and legal issues that relate to doing that. It requires bringing forward some spending, but if we take a long-term view, it would be cheaper to do it sooner. It requires the reallocation of funding which we are working on at the moment. We will have a meeting on it tomorrow, so I hope we will make progress on it soon.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Faraor, tá orm filleadh arís ar ábhar maidir le hionad lae i gcroílár na Gaeltachta in Áras Mhic Dara ar an gCeathrú Rua agus, faraor, tá sé fós dúnta, breis agus trí bliana tar éis dó a bheith dúnta i dtosach. Tá sé ardaithe go mion minic agam anseo agus fós, tá an t-aonad lae riachtanach seo dúnta.

I am returning to a subject I have raised many times, namely, the day centre that is closed in the heart of the Gaeltacht, in Áras Mhic Dara in Carraroe. I understand it may open in April, but I have been given that answer repeatedly up to now and I am seriously concerned about the closure of that day centre for more than three years.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for her question. To date, we have managed to reopen 92% of the nursing homes that were open before the Covid-19 pandemic. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we took the opportunity to carry out a risk assessment of every premises to see whether it was suitable from the point of view of infection prevention and control measures and the basics, that is, simple things such as having hot water in the bathrooms. We are trying to work through the issues in any that have difficulties. I will get a detailed note on that particular centre for the Deputy.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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According to a recent report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Ireland is the fourth highest consumer of cocaine globally. This brings a risk of violence, as drug gangs compete for growing markets. According to the report, 2.4% of Irish people reported using cocaine in the past year. Only the Netherlands, Australia and Spain reported higher levels of cocaine use. In parallel, there is also a huge increase in the use of crack cocaine. It is fair to say drug use is now prevalent across all classes of society and in all regions of the country. Use of drugs leads to violence, including domestic violence, breakdown in relationships, mental health issues etc. Does the Taoiseach agree that the Government needs a new, more comprehensive and co-ordinated strategy to tackle this national scourge through education, crime prevention, elimination of drug trafficking and health support for those affected by drug abuse?

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I have responsibility for the national drug strategy. We have established a citizens' assembly, which will meet in April and report back to the Oireachtas by the end of the year. In Government, we have a health-led approach to drug addiction, trying to reduce harm and examining every aspect, such as the areas Deputy Ó Cuív raised, in how we deal with drug addiction and use in Ireland. We must look at best international practice in this area. Experts will address the citizens' assembly. We must make sure the assembly examines all aspects such as criminality, how we deal with helping people in rehabilitation, the health-led approach, as well as the criminal aspects. We look forward to that important deliberative process which will take place over the next few months.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The recruitment crisis in the childcare sector is reaching crisis point. The Government must bring forward measures to assist managers and childcare operators to retain staff. Only last week, parents of 59 children in Tobercurry, County Sligo, were shocked to hear of the closure of the local crèche called Lollipop Lane. Many private operators and some community operators are choosing to leave the sector or refocus their services due to the difficulty in the childcare sector, which is a business decision. There are serious challenges such as staff retention, staff exhaustion due to the nature of the work and a lack of investment in the sector to keep services operating. The sector is ever-changing and there is no one set model, but until these issues are dealt with at a national level, services will struggle across the board. We must address these issues to ensure we can retain the number of places for children. Parents are frustrated and many will have to rethink their work arrangements. I hope this will be resolved.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Feighan for raising this important issue. In part because of full employment and the fact there are more people at work in Ireland than ever before, there is no sector of the economy, whether public or private, well paid or poorly paid, that is not struggling to recruit and retain staff currently. Childcare and early years education is one of those. To help with the issue, the Government has put in place a new employment regulation order for childcare professionals and early educators, which gives them a guaranteed minimum pay level above the minimum wage pay scale and additional terms and conditions above what is required by law. I hope that will help. The other area we can take some action in is work permits, allowing more people to come from overseas to work in the sector.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The N2 road is a critical artery through the central Border region to the north west. Upgrade schemes on two sections of that road, which have been in the pipeline for many years, have effectively been stalled by the Minister, Deputy Ryan. Last year, he provided no funding at all for the Clontibret to the Border road scheme. This year, funding is dependent on matching EU grant funding. Regarding the Ardee to Castleblayney scheme, funding has essentially been stalled so no progress can be made this year. Will the Taoiseach meet the Minster and articulate the clear view that this road is necessary for road safety, the economic development of a region that has suffered economically for many years and in respect of the fact that dozens of landowners have huge swathes of land which have been sterilised for more than a decade, which is untenable?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I meet the Minister, Deputy Ryan, once or twice a week. I guarantee the Deputy that the road programme often forms part of our conversations and discussions. It is not a secret that I am more enthusiastic about new road development than perhaps he is. It is good to have different views and parties within a coalition.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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It is not good for the people of County Monaghan if it is not delivered.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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To answer the Deputy's question, which relates to several national road projects, roughly €250 million is allocated every year to maintaining national roads and another €250 million a year to upgrading and improving them. It is never possible to fund every project every year. Regarding the N2, funding is in place this year to progress the Ardee bypass and Clontibret to the Border, which is important for the A5 link-up, which we are also cofunding. Funding for other sections can become available throughout the year if there is an underspend on other projects, which often happens.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There are serious concerns among the farming sector about the looming crisis which could occur if the nitrates derogation is not maintained at the current level. Any reduction of the 250 kg of organic nitrates per hectare rate to 220 kg will have a detrimental impact on the livelihoods of farmers in my constituency in County Mayo and across the country. Any derogation towards 220 kg will require farmers to reduce their stock numbers considerably and will have a knock-on effect on the viability of their farms. It could potentially remove up to €236 million from the rural economy. We as a Government have always encouraged young farmers to take over family farms and make them more productive and invest heavily in their enterprises, especially in rural areas. We are now forcing farmers to look for extra land due to this derogation, which is driving up the price of land. Can we as a Government respond to these concerns around the nitrate derogation to prevent destabilisation of the future of farming, especially in rural areas?

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Dillon for raising what is a really important issue and something I have discussed this issue with farmers throughout the country. Farmers have concerns around the new nitrates rules. These rules are in place to ensure there is an improvement in water quality, which is something all farmers have a commitment to and share that commitment. Understandably, farmers have concerns about their livelihood and are seeking reassurance. I look forward to continuing to work with farmers to ensure we can navigate the new challenges of this nitrates derogation. We are one of very few counties in Europe to have this exemption to be able to farm with higher levels of intensity, which must see a corresponding improvement in our water quality. We look forward to working with farmers to ensure that and navigate a challenging change for them.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The small villages growth schemes by Uisce Éireann are a matter and operational issue for the organisation. They are excellent schemes and are having a real impact in rural communities, notwithstanding the challenges in some areas of trying to get confirmation to proceed with projects. This is a matter we will take up with Uisce Éireann.

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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The Irish language needs more than just goodwill. In Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8, there are more than 20 English-speaking secondary schools. At the same time, there are zero Irish-speaking secondary schools. In those same areas in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8, there are six primary schools that operate through Irish. Where does the Government expect these children and students to go when they finish primary school in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8?

It is being suggested that they travel to Rathfarnham. The Government talks about a 15-minute city, but we all know it will take much longer than 15 minutes to get to Rathfarnham during peak hours. I ask that the Taoiseach commit to the Irish language and to opening a Gaelcholáiste in Dublin 2, 4, 6 or 8.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In my constituency, we established an aonad, which is a Gaelcholáiste unit within an existing secondary school. It was the first time we had one in all of Dublin 15. It has been a great addition to the area, because we had two Gaelscoil, but no aonad or Gaelcholáiste. If one takes Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 together, that is a considerable population. I am sure the Deputy is correct in that there would be a demand for a Gaelcholáiste or an aonad lán-Ghaeilge, at the very least. I am inclined to agree with the Deputy on this, but it is the first time it has been raised with me. I will certainly speak to the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, about it in order to see if we can make some progress on it. Given the nature of the geography, finding a site might be the hardest part. I definitely agree with the Deputy that it is a good idea.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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This is the second time in a month I have had to raise this matter. I still have not got an answer from the Department or the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is last person I raised it with. The Taoiseach mentioned employment regulation orders with regard to childcare. There is an employment regulation order in respect of the security industry. Employment in that industry is low paid and precarious. There are 15,000 workers in the industry. A particular security company has prevented an employment regulation order relating to wages from going ahead. We are not talking about a king's ransom, but 15,000 workers have been due a pay rise for the past two years. The fact that the employment regulation order is before the High Court is stopping them from getting it. I We have no control over the High Court, but we have control over the Private Security Authority, PSA, which changed the rules for licensing security firms and removed a stipulation that all such firms must adhere to the employment regulation order. I have a very simple question: why was that done? Who ordered it? I ask for an explanation as to why the PSA changed the rules around the employment regulation order. There is a lot of jargon involved. The Taoiseach knows what I mean because he served as Minister in the relevant Department until recently. We need an answer.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It is a fair question. I do not know the answer. I know it was not me, but I do not know the answer. The PSA falls under the remit of the Department of Justice. Thus, I will ask the Minister for Justice, Deputy Harris, or his team to get back to the Deputy within the next week with an answer.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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The target of generating 5 GW of offshore wind energy is a key plank of the programme for Government. This target was increased to 7 GW by 2030 in the course of the summer. I have heard the Taoiseach describe it as our moon shot. At present, Ireland generates 0.025 GW on the Arklow Bank. There is an offshore renewable electricity support scheme, ORESS, 1, auction process under way. If successful, it will generate 2.5 GW in its own terms. The controversial phase 2 announced this month is limited to an additional 0.7 GW. If any of the capacity in the 2.5 GW is not taken up, that will be taken up. The additional 2 GW has been downgraded to being under development by 2030, whatever that means, because all of the ORESS 1 projects are under development for ten years. How does 0.025 GW, 2.5 GW and 0.7 GW add up to 5 GW? If they do not, how is the Government going to meet its targets?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. I will have to come back to him with a more detailed reply. We have made considerable process in the context of onshore wind. A huge amount of our electricity, nearly 30% or 40%, is produced by means of onshore wind. We will be going offshore much more, in addition to Arklow, but it is important that it is plan-led and that we have the grid and consents. This is quite a technical area. I understand it, but perhaps not as well as the Deputy does. What I might do is come back to the Deputy in writing, once I have conferred with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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The State owes the Women of Honour a serious debt of gratitude for their campaign to shine a light on the horrendous litany of abuse that happened within the Defence Forces. The Women of Honour were women who simply sought to work in the service of the State. They put their lives on the line for the State and, shockingly, that service was met by assault, rape, abuse, bullying and discrimination. More importantly, the State owes the Women of Honour a commitment that any terms of reference of the future investigation will be agreeable to them. I ask the Taoiseach to make sure the actions and inaction of the Department and Ministers of Defence will be included within those terms of reference. How could the Department of Defence and successive Ministers have presided over what happened in the past number of years and what is happening still within the Defence Forces?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Any terms of reference can only be approved by the House, but I can absolutely give the assurance that the Tánaiste is going to engage with the Women of Honour, who helped to bring this to light in the way they did and campaigned on it, and with the Men and Women of Honour, which is another group, RACO, PDFORRA and retired members. He is very keen to engage with all of them, to come up with terms of reference which will be put to the House.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Young people have had it incredibly tough in the past couple of years. Covid has deprived them of so much. It has impacted their education, mental health and ability to socialise and have fun. We need to move mountains for young people more than we ever have. The least we can do is provide them with timely access to driving tests. Waiting five months for a driving test after making an application is not good enough. The rescheduling of tests is a cause of great frustration, particularly when an appointment for a test and is put back by months. We need to change this. The problem is particularly acute in Cork. In Skibbereen, there were two testers previously but now there is only one. We are hearing rumours that St. Finbarr's test centre may close. We need to do more. The least we can do is give people timely access to driving tests.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I agree. It is extremely important that people, especially young people, have the freedom a driving licence gives them. That is especially the case in more rural areas where it is much harder to get around if someone does not have a driving licence or a car. My understanding is that there has been a considerable increase in the number of people applying for driving tests. It is approximately 25% or 30% higher than it was pre pandemic. As a result of this, we have hired 25% or 30% more driving testers. A bit like the issue with the work permits and passports, this is kind of a bounce-back effect of the pandemic. We expect to get it under control and to be in a position whereby people can get their tests in a timely manner. I will come back to the Deputy with a bit more detail on what is being done.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I received a communication from a mother who stated:

My son is autistic. He is neurodiverse. He thinks differently. He learns differently. He is lonely, afraid, confused and traumatised and that is because he is held in an adult mental health unit.

Does the Taoiseach know how many young people are put into adult mental health units throughout the country with no care plans, behavioural plans or discharge dates? These people do not have mental health issues. They need day services, residential services, speech therapy and behavioural supports. There are thousands of autistic children in this country.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Does the pilot programme for rapid-build accommodation incorporate modular builds in all local authority areas? We must support the rapid development of family homes for those in need. I intend to speak to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Tánaiste about this matter later today, but will the Taoiseach indicate whether the State will consider taking shares in companies that deliver rapid-build houses throughout Ireland on State land? These companies have the expertise that the State no longer has. Does the Taoiseach remember when foresight was displayed in this Chamber years ago with regard the ESB and Bord na Móna? Really good decisions were made. We are in a crisis situation. We need fast-build accommodation units for homeless people and for all local authorities. The latter are no longer equipped to build houses. Will the Government consider doing what I have suggested?

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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The Government set up Irish Water. Existing local authority staff of all grades throughout the country who work in the area of providing water services have been informed that if they do not move across to Uisce Éireann, they will face cuts to their pay and conditions.

The CEOs of local authorities are refusing to meet staff to even discuss matters. I am calling on the Taoiseach to make sure that they do so. Irish Water is taking over the running of the service in its entirety. Employees in all grades who work in the provision of water services have been informed that their pay and conditions will be reduced if they do not cross over and work for Irish Water.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Tógfaidh an tAire Stáit, Teachta Butler, an chéad cheist. In respect of the other two questions, on modular builds and rapid builds, the first phase is under way. There should be people starting to live in the first 500 to 700 in the next few weeks. Some local authorities already use modern methods of construction. Fingal is one of those. We do not currently have any plans to take a stake in any of the building companies involved. The Deputy indicated that she is going to talk to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage about the matter. When it comes to housing, I do not think anything should be off the table or not given proper consideration.

On Irish Water and local authority staff moving over to it, there is an industrial relations process through which that is being managed. I hope that the matter will be resolved using the procedures that exist.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for her question. A decision to place any young person into an adult psychiatric unit is never taken lightly. We have four units in Ireland, namely, one in Merlin Park in Galway, two in Dublin and one in Cork, for the taking into care of children and young people under the age of 18. On 20 occasions last year a young person - in 90% of the cases the person involved was 17 years of age - had to be placed into an adult psychiatric unit for their own support. A decision to do this will only be taken on medical grounds by a consultant psychiatrist if they deem that this is the only appropriate place for a young child. The information I received over the past three months in respect of access to a child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, unit for children under the care of CAMHS indicates that only one or two children have been waiting for such access. We have also been utilising private care at St. Pat's and St. John of God's if our own capacity has been lacking.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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Only two of the children were under the age of 17, is that correct?

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Correct.