Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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I understand the Road Safety Authority, RSA, wrote to the Taoiseach last March asking for increased funding and detailing a number of projects that have stalled due to a shortfall. That has been reported in the media. It seems the authority also informed the Taoiseach that the Government would have to plug the gap or allow the authority to increase the cost of the national car test, NCT, by 10%. The burden of delivering the funding should not be placed on the backs of motorists, who have already seen hikes in fuel costs and insurance premiums. The funding being requested is vital to combat the rise of road fatalities and serious collisions and to continue the delivery of important education programmes. I ask the Taoiseach and the Government to step up. They cannot expect motorists to foot the bill. I ask the Taoiseach to outline his plan to ensure the RSA is funded properly.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Not to be pedantic, but the RSA would not have written to me last March because I was not the Taoiseach then. I will certainly follow up on any correspondence the authority may have sent to my predecessor.

I have met representatives of the RSA on two occasions since becoming Taoiseach. We have authorised the use of €3 million more of its reserves for those very important education and awareness campaigns the Deputy rightly talked about. We have also allocated €30 million in additional funding for local authorities to improve road maintenance. The Deputy is also right that it is a factor in collisions. I chaired a ministerial committee on road safety in the past couple of weeks and I intend to bring a memo on road safety measures to the Cabinet before the summer recess.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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I will raise an issue I have raised with the Taoiseach previously and which he spoke about earlier, that is, the ongoing failure by the Government to provide adequate accommodation for those who come here seeking refuge and are in the international protection system. I agree with him that it is inhumane and unsustainable to have people camping on the streets or in public parks, but it is failure of Government and the lack of alternative options for people that have caused this situation. It is simply not an appropriate response to keep fencing off areas of the canal, public parks and public spaces in this city. A group of men have been forced to sleep in tents on Wilton Terrace at Leeson Street Bridge. I have been told by our great volunteers who are working to support the men that they have today been ordered by the Garda to move on but they have nowhere to go. That is not appropriate. It is not a humane or sustainable policy for the accommodation of those who come here seeking asylum. What is the Government's longer term, or even its medium- or short-term, plan to provide decent and sustainable accommodation for those who come here seeking refuge?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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That is a fair and important question. My medium-term plan, or my plan over an even shorter timeframe, is to secure State-owned lands that can provide safe shelter and access to sanitation. I will chair a multiagency meeting on the issue of migration and shelter this evening. I have a view about the tents that I think the Deputy shares. None of us want to see that happen from a humanitarian point of view or from the point of view of the city. I am pleased that, through our actions, approximately 690 additional people who were in tents have been provided with shelter. I believe people were being moved on to alternative accommodation this afternoon, but I will be happy to update the Deputy after my meeting this evening.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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I welcome to the Gallery a group of women from the Inner City Organisations Network. I am raising an issue that will be of relevance to them and many other people and about which I gave notice to the Taoiseach earlier. A charity, GP Care For All, which was established by a Dr. Austin O'Carroll, is in real difficulty because of changes that were made to the taxation of GP income. I am asking the Taoiseach to give urgent attention to this matter.

A wonderful GP service has been provided in Summerhill Primary Care Centre since 2016. It is a very important service, and a similar one is about to be opened in west Finglas where there no GP at present. What I want to bring to the attention of the Taoiseach is that, further to tax changes made last January, the business model for this type of charitable GP service is rendered non-viable. What is needed urgently is that the transitional arrangements that previously existed should be reinstated in respect of GP charities such as this until such time as the relevant legislation can be amended. I appeal to the Taoiseach very strongly that we cannot afford to lose this vital service in Summerhill. We desperately need the promised new service in Finglas.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have been in the service in Summerhill and I know Dr. Austin O'Carroll and the very good work he does. I thank Deputy Shortall for contacting my office on this. I undertake to speak today to the relevant Ministers and I am happy to come back to Deputy Shortall.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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Last week the UN Secretary General called for a ban on fossil fuel advertising similar to the ban on tobacco advertising. António Guterres asked every country in the world to bring in this ban. He called fossil fuel companies the godfathers of climate chaos who rake in record profits while the most vulnerable are being left stranded. These fossil fuel companies are destroying our climate, just like the tobacco companies destroyed people's health. Last March People Before Profit introduced a Bill to ban fossil fuel advertising. This legislation has already been drafted and it could be supported by the Government tomorrow. Mr. Guterres said, "It's We the Peoples versus the polluters and the profiteers ... [and] it's time for leaders to decide whose side they're on". Which side is the Taoiseach on? We have a ban on tobacco advertising. Will the Taoiseach heed the call of the UN Secretary General and ban fossil fuel advertising?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Murphy. We are clearly on the side of saving the planet. We are clearly on the side of reducing our emissions by 51% by 2030. We have a very ambitious climate action plan on this and a lot of work to do. We urgently need to move away from fossil fuels to renewable and sustainable energies. I will ask the Minister for the environment to share a view on the comments of the UN Secretary General.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Earlier we had a debate about carers and carer's allowance and how carers need to be treated better. We have a situation whereby somebody applying for carer's allowance cannot work more than 18 hours a week. People are participating on schemes which require them to work 19.5 hours, for instance, the rural social scheme which is a social activation scheme, not a job activation scheme. It is important we allow people to work this extra hour and a half and still qualify for the carer's allowance. It is important, in view of all that has been said, that we make sure caring is available in the home and those who are caring have some sort of an outlet whereby they can work locally for their own feeling of fulfilment in their community. It is important in the context of the next budget that we look at changing the hours allowed from 18 to 19.5 to meet this.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Canney. We will certainly give this consideration. I note the motion he brought forward to the House recently on a range of issues to do with carers. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, indicated at the time her intention to look at a number of these issues and the means testing issue in advance of the budget. We will factor this into our budget considerations and engage with Deputy Canney before it.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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I know there is a problem in Dublin with the canals and the tents and everything else. The people of Ireland and the people of Tipperary are very welcoming to Ukrainian refugees but now we have a situation whereby they are being moved out of places such as Rathcabbin and Borrisokane, which was a model for everyone to look at. There is Dundrum House Hotel, what happened in Roscrea and the Heywood Road site in Clonmel. There is ongoing activity there today. There is also Hearn's Hotel. There is no real cohesive plan and no proper engagement with communities. I am grappling to deal with the engagement section of the Department. It is totally understaffed and under-resourced. There is no proper or cohesive engagement. Borrisokane was a model, as was the nursing home in Rathcabbin that was going to be used. Now the use has been changed to something else. People feel betrayed. Dundrum House Hotel had 250 people. There are now 52 going out and 52 IPAS people coming in.

It is causing confusion and consternation. There needs to be a cohesive plan, with proper and timely engagement, not cloak and dagger. It is a very serious and concerning situation.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I heard the serious concerns of the people of Borrisokane recently when I was in Tipperary and I have received some correspondence from them which I will come back to them on after I have engaged with the Minister. I do take it that Borrisokane, and I am just referencing that place because it is the one I know, has been very welcoming and helpful in responding to the humanitarian crisis.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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They all have.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I am asking that the Taoiseach make every effort to ensure staff at the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities are awarded their pay claims as recommended by the Labour Court last January, where it was recommended that management in the national advocacy service would make a case to the Department for the funding required to provide their pay increases. However, five months later there is no progress and staff have no option but to strike because there has been no increase in staff salaries and cost-of-living payments since 2010, which is 14 years ago. That strike is scheduled to take place tomorrow. Staff at this service provide assistance to people with disabilities all over the country to interact and interface with the various State agencies. If they strike tomorrow, all those who rely on their services will be cut adrift. Finally, if a Department-funded agency is refusing to implement Labour Court recommendations, how can we expect other employers to honour Labour Court rulings?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Harkin for raising this important matter. I am advised by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, that she understands that the national advocacy service submitted a business case to the Citizens Information Board in relation to pay grades and other conditions on 10 May last on foot of that Labour Court recommendation. My understanding is that, as part of these considerations, the Citizens Information Board held a meeting with the advocacy service, along with Kevin Duffy, former chairman of the Labour Court, on 30 May. This discussed a path forward to resolve the issues. I believe the CIB wrote to the national advocacy service in the last week to follow up and there have been ongoing discussions involving all parties. I would encourage all parties to engage fully and positively in the process. Therefore, I would hope that while there is a process ongoing, industrial action should not proceed.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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I want to raise the important issue of the primary care centre for Drimnagh, which has been repeatedly delayed. There has been significant development of housing in Drimnagh, which is very welcome, but it is massively increasing the population and the pressure on the limited spaces that exist. Currently, we have senior citizens travelling from Drimnagh to Naas for ophthalmology services. There is a site earmarked for the development of a Drimnagh primary care centre but the development just seems to be moving at a snail's pace. I ask the Government to get on to the HSE and try to push this along. So far, there has been zero engagement or liaison with the community in Drimnagh about what facilities are needed, what would be available or how this can be shaped to actually meet the needs of a growing community there.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Costello for raising the issue of the need for a primary care centre for Drimnagh. I will follow up with the HSE directly. As the Deputy says, a site was identified. I will seek an update for him on timelines and on that piece regarding engagement in terms of the facilities and services that are needed.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach will remember the closure of the accident and emergency unit in Roscommon hospital in 2011. In its place, we were promised a rapid response vehicle with an advanced paramedic on board 24-7, not least due to the distance people in Roscommon would be from the nearest accident and emergency department. That has been in place for the past 13 years. In recent months it has been quietly removed and it is now not the case that we have an advanced paramedic in the response vehicle on a 24-7 basis. I have been raising this in recent months with the National Ambulance Service to no avail. It has gone as far as to tell me that a paramedic is the same as an advanced paramedic, which is not the case. I ask the Taoiseach to keep his commitment to the people of Roscommon. We need an advanced paramedic on board the rapid response vehicle on a 24-7 basis. It is very important.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Kerrane for raising the importance of the advanced paramedic and the rapid response vehicle. I will follow up directly with the Minister for Health and ask him to revert to her.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I have raised previously the urgent need to have the in-person day services restored at the Irish Wheelchair Association centre in Cavan town. I appreciate the work to date of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, on this important issue. The cessation of services occurred because of staffing shortages. I know from speaking to service users, their families and staff in the IWA that the lack of in-person services is a very serious loss to those people who depend on such vital support week in, week out. To the credit of the local IWA staff, they have put in place outreach and online services pending a return to in-centre services. I appeal again as strongly as I can on behalf of service users and their families that the HSE should respond positively to the business case put to it by the IWA for some additional small-scale resources which are critical to facilitate a return to the level of services needed in the Cavan centre and have the centre re-open at full capacity to meet the needs of service users.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Smith for raising that question. It is not the first time he has raised it. I have spoken to Edel Quinn, who is organising a meeting in person so we can work with the IWA and the HSE on the business case to have an immediate resolution to the issue the Deputy has raised and to return in-person service in the day centre.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Once again I raise the continued use of the parental alienation clause in family law, which is causing continued and ever-increasing hardship to mothers, some fathers, and particularly to children, who are the victims in this entire matter. The Minister has promised to deal with this and has done a lot of work, as have a number of Ministers on the Government side of the House. I ask that urgent action be taken to bring this to a head.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for continually raising this issue. The only way and the most important way in which the welfare of a child can be heard in family proceedings is through the various welfare reports and voice of the child reports. I have undertaken a review of those reports. I am pleased to say that review has come to Cabinet. There are 20 recommendations, separated between welfare reports and voice of the child reports. These recommendations will ensure, when a report is commissioned, we have a panel of assessors looking at the reason for the report and in particular that there are correct qualifications for those who are carrying out these reports. There will also be guidelines set in place as to where, when and how they are used. Specifically looking at the voice of the child, there will be a children's court function put in place to make sure children's voices are taken into consideration but also that they are spoken to and engaged with and they understand what is happening, so that at every stage the welfare of the child is put at the very centre and issues like parental alienation cannot take hold and cannot be part of any decisions that are taken in a private court.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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Is mian liom ceist maidir le toghchán bhoird Údarás na Gaeltachta a ardú leis an Taoiseach. Dúradh ar dtús anuraidh go mbeadh na toghcháin sin ar siúl ar an lá céanna leis na toghcháin áitiúla ach, ar ndóigh, níor tharla sé sin. Anois, táthar á rá go mbeidh an reachtaíocht rite roimh bhriseadh an tsamhraidh. Tá briseadh an tsamhraidh ag teacht aníos go sciobtha. Cén uair a bheas na toghcháin? Cén uair a bheas an reachtaíocht ag dul tríd an Dáil?

I raise the issue of elections to bord Údarás na Gaeltachta. It was initially indicated they would be happening on the same day as the local elections. Now we are being told the legislation will be through before the summer break. When will the elections be held? Will the legislation be through the Dáil by the break?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Farrell for raising this issue. I had a brief word with the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, on this earlier today. My understanding is that it is still planned to publish that legislation quite shortly. Obviously the timeline for passing it will depend on all of us in this House. In parallel to that we are reviewing the timeline for those elections and I will revert to the Deputy shortly on that.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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The Department of Education is placing many schools in a very difficult position of having to choose whether to fund caretaking services or secretarial services. I have been contacted by a number of schools in my constituency. They have expressed concern and were shocked over the fact the ancillary services grant would not cover the caretaking costs for this year. The CPSMA has carried out a survey which clearly showed that at least seven out of ten schools ran at a deficit in funding at least once during the year.

It clearly shows that schools are being placed in an unfair position really in respect of trying to choose whether to employ a secretary or a caretaker. This also shows deep disrespect for caretakers who do fantastic work in the school community. Will the Taoiseach intervene immediately to sort out this mess with the ancillary grant?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Nolan for raising this issue. I agree with her that school caretakers and secretaries are crucial parts of school communities. We all see this as we travel around the country and in schools in our own communities. I will certainly talk to the Minister for Education about the ancillary services grant and the impact the Deputy believes this is having on schools in her community and ask her to revert to the Deputy.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Last week in Limerick, I attended the sad and tragic funeral of Nicole Morey, one of my constituents, whose family members are very well known to me. She was killed by one of her family dogs on the day after her 23rd birthday. The Taoiseach's colleague, the Tánaiste, is on record as saying that he is in favour of blanket ban on all 11 types of dogs on the State's restricted list. Does the Taoiseach agree with the Tánaiste? I hope he does because some of these breeds have been banned in most European countries, most recently in the UK. I know the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has set up a committee, etc. I think she set it up several months ago. I do not know if it has actually sat yet, but I know she has now instructed the chairman to call a meeting and to come up with a recommendation by next autumn. These incidents are proliferating, so would it be possible to inject a bit of energy and speed into these processes?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy O'Dea for raising this very important matter. I begin by extending my sympathies to the family of Nicole Morey. I think the whole country extends its sympathies to that family and community at this horrific time. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, did update the Cabinet on this matter today. The Deputy is correct that she has asked the task force looking at these issues in respect of dogs, dangerous dogs and dog control to prioritise the issue of introducing a ban on certain breeds. I believe the committee is due to meet on 26 June and we have asked that it would report on this specific issue as quickly as possible because we do have to act on this issue.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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I would not usually bring such a local and specific issue to the notice of the Taoiseach, but he is not the first Taoiseach I have brought this matter to the attention of because it has been going on for so long and is so desperate. A village in my constituency, Shannon Vale, a gorgeous village next to Clonakilty, has a green space in its centre. It is the heart of the village, where festivals happen, children play and all these types of things. It is next to a river, and for two decades now it has been fenced off and unusable and dangerous because of the overflow from a wastewater treatment plant, which stinks. This community is just sick and tired of constantly raising this issue. The EPA has said that the leaks are a risk to drinking water in the area. I have been raising this issue since I was elected but there has been no focus on the issue. Shannon Vale really needs to receive a commitment that it will be included in Uisce Éireann's investment plan for 2025. Otherwise, the village will be waiting until 2029, at least, to potentially be included in the next investment plan. I therefore urge the Taoiseach to have a look at this issue and to please do what he can because this matter has gone on for a ridiculously long amount of time. The people in the village cannot be expected to continue to raise it. It is having a major impact on the entire community there because the people there cannot use the green space in the centre of their community.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Cairns for raising this issue on behalf of the community of Shannon Vale. It sounds like an horrific situation for that community for this to have been going on for so long. What might be of use, and I am happy to do this if it is, would be for me to ask that Uisce Éireann and others would convene a meeting of Oireachtas Members for the constituency to see if we can-----

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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We have done that many times.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I will speak to the chief executive of Uisce Éireann, see where the situation is at and then come back to Deputy Cairns. If getting people in a room together might be of use to the Deputy, I am happy to do that.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I come back to the issue of the Family Carers Ireland survey. It was a very important survey of respite care in Ireland. The survey shows this is arbitrary and inconsistent in respect of when families need this respite care. It is so important that all parties get respite care. Mention is also made of the means testing of carers. Again, I think this is quite arbitrary and needs major reform. In terms of respite care, this needs to be less arbitrary and more statutory. Everybody in this situation deserves respite care. I know the Taoiseach has spoken of the income disregard in respect of the carer's allowance. This is a good thing, but again this can be arbitrary in terms of those who deserve carer's allowance when they are caring for their children.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this issue. I intend to meet with Family Carers Ireland this month. We intend to review the means tests for supports for carers. It is the Government's view that they need to change and the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, wants to examine this issue in the context of the budget. I do meet too many carers who are not benefiting from or are locked out of being able to access supports that we would like to see them be in a position to access. We intend, therefore, to look at the whole issue of means testing in advance of the budget and I will engage with Family Carers Ireland on that shortly.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are finished again. Congratulations and thanks to all involved.