Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We now move to Questions on Policy or Legislation. We had 69 applicants, of which 18 were chosen. I ask all Deputies to co-operate on time or we will have to decline some Deputies the opportunity to speak.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Today marks day two of the protest by Cara Darmody, aged 14. She is again outside the gates of Leinster House and, for as long as the Taoiseach and his Government are breaking the law and leaving children behind, Cara will protest, as will many others. She is not going away. The Taoiseach met her this morning. From what I hear, he made no commitments and no progress with Cara. The Government is not opposing the combined Opposition motion before the House. That was obviously just a ruse not to look bad on its part. It has been entirely unclear as to what action it will take on foot of the motion.

The Taoiseach talked a lot about the law and a response to the High Court, three years later. The Disability Act 2005 affords significant protection-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Thank you, Deputy.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----to people-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Thank you, Deputy. Your time is up.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----and an entitlement to an assessment of need within six months. What changes to the law does the Taoiseach envisage?

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

I met Mark and Cara this morning at 9 a.m. It was a positive and constructive meeting. We discussed all the issues involved and I outlined what I will do and what the Government will do. I already outlined in a response under Leaders' Questions earlier, all the steps we will take.

I was involved in drafting the 2005 legislation-----

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

You are great.

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

-----so I am fairly well clued-in with the legislation.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

You are breaking your own law.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Please.

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

The important point is this: I am interested in solutions. I am not at all clear that Sinn Féin is.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

So what change-----

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

I get the feeling from the Deputy that the longer-----

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What is the nature it?

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

Sorry? We will bring that forward to this House.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What is the nature of it?

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Thank you, Taoiseach.

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

I said it yesterday-----.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Say it again.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Time is up. I call Deputy Ivana Bacik.

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

-----in terms of greater flexibility so that we use therapists optimally and get interventions.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What does that mean?

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

On Monday, we learned that average rents nationally have now surged beyond €2,000 per month, a new all-time high. Renters in different counties are seeing shocking rises. Limerick, for example, has seen yearly increases of more than 20% on rents. The Taoiseach said earlier that housing is all about supply and we, of course, agree. However, he has accused the Opposition of having no new ideas and not being solution focused. We have offered lots of ideas. The Labour Party offered very clear ideas for a State-led intervention to resolve the housing supply crisis. We also offered a renter's rights Bill to ensure renters have better security and protections against rent increases. What we are hearing from the Government is no new ideas, no solutions and the same failed policies repackaged and re-announced, but not reformed.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Thank you, Deputy.

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

Will the Government take on our renter's rights Bill in light of this astronomical rise we are seeing in rents across the country?

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

The fundamental intervention at the moment is State-led. The Labour Party says it believes in State-led intervention. Almost the entirety of the intervention nowadays is State-led.

It stands at more than €8 billion at the moment.

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

It is not enough.

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

That is the highest ever on record. We need a private sector dimension to house building. I do not know whether the Deputy believes in that.

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

Of course, we need a mix.

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

Does the Deputy believe there is a role for institutional funds, for example?

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

I am just putting it to the Deputy because I have watched over the past three or four years on housing. All I get is an antipathy on the Opposition side towards any private sector funding in housing. If they maintain that position, we will not deal with the housing supply issue.

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

The Government is not-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not a back and forth, Deputy.

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

The Taoiseach was inviting it.

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

That is ultimately the way to deal with reducing the rate of increase in rent. The RTB is quite clear in terms of the levels at the moment.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

After nearly two years of slaughter, destruction and devastation in Gaza, the EU has finally run out of excuses for inaction. A review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement has finally been authorised. I welcome the Government's support for it. How long is this review going to last? The Israeli state is not just engaged in an openly genocidal campaign in Gaza; Israeli Government officials are now boasting about it. The Taoiseach mentioned Minister Smotrich earlier and I would like to quote him:

We are disassembling Gaza, and leaving it as piles of rubble, with total destruction [which has] no precedent globally. And the world isn't stopping us.

Netanyahu praised these comments. His Government has abandoned all humanity. Its clear policy is to starve, murder and maim Palestinians in Gaza before ethnically cleansing any survivors. What is the EU waiting for? What further evidence does it need? When will we see sanctions and Israel treated like a pariah state run by war criminals?

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

What we have witnessed in the last 24 hours is welcome but it is too late in some respects. There has been a division of opinion among member states in respect of this issue for quite some time. It is quite historic as the Deputy knows. Not everybody agrees with Ireland. We have a number of like-minded states, such as Slovenia and Spain, and Belgium to a lesser degree, which has a coalition government. There is a really broad strand of opinion in respect of the Middle East, some of it historic in respect of what happened in regard to the Shoah and so on. That has informed some countries' perspectives on this. In our view that historic prism has given Israel a latitude that has created the most appalling death and destruction. I hope now that in the context of the Israeli-EU Agreement, we could have a suspension of that pending the review.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Has the Government abandoned its commitment to run a catch-up HPV vaccination programme just when we need it most? The programme for Government pledges to extend the Laura Brennan HPV catch-up vaccination programme to anyone under the age of 25 who missed the original vaccination. I have been in touch with both the Department of Health and the HSE to find out when the new programme will run. No one has been able to give me a straight answer. They tell me how important the HPV vaccine is. I agree. They tell me they are going to run a distinct programme for minority groups. That is brilliant. However, no one can tell me when the Laura Brennan programme will run again. I am worried that they have decided not to do it and more importantly, the Irish Cancer Society is concerned that this scheme is not going to run again. We have good HPV vaccination rates in the country but they have been dropping since 2019. It is estimated that about 16,000 kids do not get it each year now. That is why we need this programme. Is it going to run again?

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy, please stick to your time. I call the Taoiseach.

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

We have made significant progress in terms of the HPV vaccine. I will check with the Minister for Health in respect of the catch-up programme. I will ask the Minister to revert back to the Deputy in respect of it. It is a fair question to raise and I will follow it up.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A report published this week by Grant Thornton, having been commissioned by the Irish Postmasters Union, predicts that more than 100 post offices could close in the next five years if they do not get an urgent injection of State funding in the region of €15 million annually. This is required to keep the network viable. The local post office, whether rural or urban, is a critical public service.

Only in the last few minutes I have been reliably informed that Crosshaven post office is about to close, in the Cork South West constituency. The population of Crosshaven is 4,228 people. That is a huge loss to that community. The time for reviews and promises is long past. We need investment, innovation and real recognition that local post offices are not luxuries, they are a lifeline. My local parish lost its post office and since then the town has been at a major loss. Will the Taoiseach be able to step in to address the Crosshaven situation? Will he give the extra funding needed to keep the doors open?

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

I do not know the background to the Crosshaven situation. As the Deputy said, it is just hot off the press. However, I will follow it up. I work closely with the Irish Postmasters Union and we keep in touch with the network. As the Deputy knows, the Government has committed to supporting Ireland's post office network and as part of that commitment, it is currently providing An Post with €10 million funding per annum over a three-year fixed term from 2023 to 2025. Obviously, there will be a further evaluation post 2025. The programme for Government is clear in recognising the need to support Ireland's post offices. We will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. In some instances someone may retire and there may not be takers for the position, but it depends, so I will check out the Crosshaven situation.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Taoiseach. I ask Members to welcome pupils from Kilrane National School who are members of the Blue Star programme. They are here in the Public Gallery today. We missed a few of them. Welcome everybody.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The news that reached us last night about the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement was very welcome. Unfortunately, our attempts and those of Spain to bring our EU counterparts to this position in February of last year were frustrated. Now at least a significant number of our EU colleagues have been equally appalled at the devastation inflicted on the Palestinian people. It is not just the EU that has now finally changed tack. Both the UK and Canada in the past few days have expressed their condemnation at what is happening and indicated a firmer stance in that regard. Does the Taoiseach agree that the EU now needs to look at an immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement pending that review?

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

I also welcome the pupils from Kilrane National School. I hope they will learn something from observing the activities in the House and also from the rich history and heritage that the House has to offer.

I agree with Deputy O'Sullivan that the time is now for the suspension of the agreement because Article 2 is not being complied with. All human rights have been abandoned. The weaponisation of aid is appalling. It constitutes a breach of international humanitarian law; of that there is no doubt. The latitude that has been given to Israel over the past year is regrettable. There should have been a sustained ceasefire a long time ago.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Taoiseach, they brought some strawberries from Danescastle that I might share.

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

Strawberries are very high in nutrients and that is very important so I will not say no.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In Wexford, yes. I call Deputy Catherine Callaghan.

Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would like to shine a light on the dire need for an increased roads budget in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. The programme for Government states that the Government will invest in all road projects in the current national development plan, NDP, and consider additional important road projects as part of the NDP review. We all know we are in the midst of a housing crisis. Across Carlow town and county, we have builders and developers lining up to help us in that regard. There are landowners who would happily sell to a developer to help their towns and villages to create homes. We also have people willing to purchase homes in Carlow town and county to make Carlow a place where they want to live, work and raise a family. However, there is a massive impediment to this development and that is the lack of access to potential sites for home building due to the need for more investment in our roads in Carlow and Kilkenny. Will the Taoiseach ensure that three roads in my constituency - the Tullow town ring road, the Carlow town ring road and the Kilkenny city ring road - are included in the national development plan?

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

Generally speaking, this Government has taken a position to support the construction of roads within the provisions of the public capital programme. The updating of the national development plan will involve provision for roads. We may not go into every specific road in the country in that plan because flexibility has to be allowed to Transport Infrastructure Ireland and to local authorities. However, we want to progress projects that are currently under way. That is the objective. We also have to invest in water infrastructure, grid infrastructure and public transport along with the road and rail networks. That is the overarching objective of increased allocations to the NDP.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not often the Government gets things right when it comes to housing, but in the case of the tenant in situ scheme it was working. What does the Government do when something is working in housing? It moves the goalposts. South Dublin County Council has seen a significant cut on the 2024 expenditure on the tenant in situ scheme.

The Government has imposed significant new restrictions on tenant in situ applications. All non-closed 2024 acquisitions must be reassessed under the new rules. I am dealing with at least 20 families who are left in limbo and are waiting on a decision. There is no guarantee with the changed criteria that they will be able to remain in their homes. Why did the Government change the rules on tenant in situ? If these families cannot remain in their homes, where are they to go?

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

There has been an increased allocation for the tenant in situ scheme. There were reviews around making sure the resources would go to those tenants who were in danger of being rendered homeless. The tenant in situ scheme is not for general acquisition of second-hand homes. It is specifically for those in danger of becoming homeless. The Minister is engaging with local authorities to make sure the commitments can be fulfilled and realised in respect of families and councils that had been in discussion with landlords regarding the purchase of homes to prevent families falling into homelessness.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The programme for Government commits to improving our services throughout the health service. Specifically, I refer to St. Joseph’s campus in Longford. Recently, following a HIQA report, the physiotherapy department which serves the people of Longford and the patients in St. Joseph’s Care Centre has had to move location in the centre into a building that is due to be demolished in six months due to ongoing works and welcome investment into the campus. However, staff have been notified of the possibility that they might be moving to Athlone or Mullingar which would mean that service would no longer be available to the people of Longford. I seek commitments that physiotherapy department will go back to its location on that site or an additional site will be located to make sure we maintain that service in our county and, indeed, to improve the services available on that campus in general.

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

This is a disability service, is it?

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Physiotherapy.

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

For where?

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

For St. Joseph’s Care Centre in Longford.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy referred to the HIQA report. Obviously, it operates independently. It was felt the current location on the campus was impacting the residents of the nursing home, that is, the community nursing unit itself, so an agreement was reached that it would look for an alternative permanent location. In the interim it has temporarily located on another area in the campus where there is separate access. The older persons services in primary care is working with St. Joseph’s Longford to look at a permanent location. I will take the Deputy’s point about it being located in the area back to the HSE to ensure it is incorporated into the deliberations on a permanent solution.

Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Taoiseach is aware, the free primary schoolbooks scheme has been a welcome support for families and schools across the country. However, schools experiencing significant increases in enrolment often find the current per capita funding model based on the previous year’s enrolment figures does not fully meet their needs, particularly when new pupils join after the funding has been allocated. On top of this, schools now need to purchase a new maths book to reflect the changes in the primary maths curriculum this September, which places further pressure on already stretched book grants. Given these challenges, will the Government consider introducing a more responsive funding mechanism or a supplementary fund to ensure schools with rising enrolments are adequately resourced to provide free books and materials to all pupils throughout the year?

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

The introduction of free schoolbooks for some 940,000 children and young people in primary and post-primary and special schools in the free education scheme from the start of 2025-26 was a really significant progressive decision that was taken some years ago by the then education Minister, Deputy Foley, and has been continued. The Deputy has raised interesting points about the mechanics of the scheme and how it operates with regard to enrolment numbers and textbooks consequent on curricular change. I will raise these issues with the Minister to see if a more flexible and responsive model can be developed. Of course, that could also have implications for schools that lose pupils. Sometimes we have to be cautious about what we wish for.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

School secretaries and caretakers play a vital role. They are the glue that holds our schools together. Despite this, they are denied pension parity and, in the case of caretakers, pay justice. Teresa Cassidy is one such example. Teresa has been the school secretary in Gaelscoil na Rithe in Dunshaughlin, County Meath for 27 years. When she spoke to the Meath Chronicle in recent weeks she said school secretaries just want to be recognised and treated the same as their SNA and teacher colleagues. The management and staff at Gaelscoil na Rithe fully support Teresa. It is a matter of fairness. It is the same in schools all across the State. Yesterday Fórsa commenced a ballot of school secretaries and caretakers. Will the Government act? Will it deliver pay justice and pension parity and avert the risk of strike action?

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

I fully understand the issue the Deputy has raised. The ask is that there would be access to a single public service pension scheme. That is something that needs to be resolved through the industrial relations processes. We have made progress in respect of the salary side and the payroll aspect of this. Since September 2023 the Department has been providing a payroll service for formerly grant-funded school secretaries. Currently 85% of school secretaries have opted for the new package and are on the Department’s payroll. That happened on foot of an agreement arrived at in the WRC in 2022. Until then, they had been paid directly by the schools as the employer. There has been progress made on the school secretaries front compared with where we were. As regards the pension issue, these are not easy issues to resolve overnight but it is something on which we will engage with the union.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Government review the Adamstown and Clonburris strategic development zone plans? The last Adamstown review was 12 years ago. There is a major issue arising now due to insufficient carparking spaces. Planning permission has been granted on the basis of 1 to 1.25 spaces per unit but we now have one development near the train station, The Sidings, where there are no parking spaces provided whatever. There are growing families, workers with vans renting houses together and insufficient childcare facilities and a lack of public transport. It is not a panacea. People need to be able to drive but they also need to be able to park their vehicles. They are parking on bus lanes and footpaths all over the place. It is a total mess and there are ongoing complaints. By all means restrict car use, but not car ownership. The same problem arises in Clonburris but there is also woefully inadequate provision for services tied into the plan. There is only one full-size GAA or rugby pitch. It is a recipe for disaster, with 20,000 people living in the area. Adamstown needs a limited statutory review order, while Clonburris will need to be looked at in the next five years. Will the Taoiseach consider this?

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

The Deputy has raised fairly legitimate issues. There has been a tendency lately in planning to have no car parking spaces in certain developments. The Deputy made a fair point about restricting car use but not car ownership. There has to be more flexibility in the planning frameworks governing developments of this kind and, as the Deputy said, the Adamstown plan itself. I would like to see a complete review. You would lose another couple of years with that but the points the Deputy is making should be fed into the process and a bit of common sense and flexibility should be applied.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Ireland has one of the highest numbers of drug-induced deaths in Europe. We desperately need more services to save lives. Yesterday, the Health Research Board published numbers showing 128 people died while homeless in 2021. The overwhelming majority, almost 86%, had a history of substance misuse. There were 128 lives cut short way too early and, for the most part, that could have been prevented. The State, to its credit, spent almost €36 million building a 100-bed treatment and recovery unit in Usher Island in Dublin 8 to be run by the Dublin Simon Community. It is one of its kind in Europe. However, as of today, only 51 of those beds are available for use, while of those beds are sitting empty, all because the Department of Health has yet to provide funding which was committed to back in 2019. These are vital beds for stabilisation, recovery and step-down. They are beds that will save lives.

Where is the money to open these beds? Will the Taoiseach stand over a situation where the State has provided capital investment that is not being put to use? Will he commit to doing much more for drug treatment services in this country?

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

My understanding is the Department, together with the HSE, will provide a total of €6.53 million to meet the full operational costs of the 51 beds in the new facility in 2025. I will follow up again with the HSE and the Department to confirm, but that is what I am being told.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Well, there are 100 beds.

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

Further resources will be available to expand the capacity of the new facility on an incremental basis in 2025, subject to an agreed business plan between the HSE and the Dublin Simon Community. The Deputy is correct that it is a very significant development. The Government has already provided €35 million to construct the facility. That provides for the 51 beds that were, up to now, in temporary locations. These include step-up and step-down beds for acute services and inpatient treatment beds for drug stabilisation, detoxification and recovery. Up to 700 treatment episodes-----

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Taoiseach-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy can go back to the Taoiseach if she is not happy.

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

-----per year across four clinical programmes can be provided. Approximately €6.5 million will meet the full costs. I will get the Department to come back to the Deputy on that.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As someone who has heard the heartbreaking descriptions of the plight of women and emaciated children in Gaza from heroic front-line defenders and medics over the past 24 hours, like others, I cannot stand here without referring to that particular matter and adding my voice to the calls for a ceasefire and for peace. We have to acknowledge that Hamas terrorists and the monstrous Netanyahu regime have brought about an apocalyptic situation that horrifies all decent, right-thinking people. Further words of condemnation seem hollow and of no particular use any more. What we need to do, and what this Government has done, is take action. We first need to spotlight those who supply arms to Netanyahu to enable the murder of the innocent. We also need to move to revoke rather than review the EU-Israel trade association agreement.

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

I thank the Deputy for eloquently and very strongly putting the issues pertaining to what is happening in Gaza in terms of the behaviour of the Israeli Government and Hamas, and stating that action is required. We have taken a series of actions but I take the Deputy's point. The focus now has to be on this EU-Israel association agreement because, without any question, Article 2 of that agreement has not been adhered to at all. What is now happening is barbaric. People are appalled at the slaughter of innocent children. I am conscious we will debate this shortly, but I appreciate the comments of the Deputy in this regard.

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

As I understand it, a total of nine diseases are included in the heel prick test for newborns in Ireland, with approximately 120 babies identified each year as having rare diseases. However, Ireland is falling significantly behind the rest of Europe. For instance, Italy tests for a total of 48 diseases. Countries such as Austria test for 31 diseases, while Poland and Portugal test for 29. In 2023, the national screening advisory committee, NSAC, recommended that severe combined immunodeficiency, SCID, and spinal muscular atrophy be added to the programme. This was accepted by the then Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly. More than €1.4 million has been allocated to expand the screening programme, yet, two years on, no progress has been made. In Italy, 48 diseases are tested for in newborns. We are doing nine at present. Why is there such a delay in expanding that programme?

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

It needs to be expanded. I will talk to the Minister in respect of it. The funding was allocated. There could be issues clinically - I do not know - with the allocation of resources. However, I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy in respect of the issue.

Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We have gone beyond the stage of debate and discussion on the genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza. Gazans are now being subjected to forced starvation. We see evidence of the crimes against humanity being carried out every day on our television screens, social media and right across all networks. There is no hiding from the evidence. Israel must be held to account for these actions. We all have our part to play in highlighting and opposing Israel's crimes against humanity. Ireland's support for Palestine is recognised across the world. We know about occupation, colonisation and forced starvation. The time for talking is long over. Statements of condemnation are not enough. When will the Government enact the occupied territories Bill? I urge it to do so before the summer recess.

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

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. As I said, the situation is barbaric. We urgently need to facilitate a high-profile visit by the international community to Gaza, including both political and media representatives, who could see at first hand the level of destruction and the appalling situation the civilian population there is now in. That would do more than anything to change the situation and the momentum of war in Gaza. The occupied territories Bill is being progressed. On its own, it will not change the mindset of the current Israeli Government, I am afraid. We have taken many measures already in respect of the issue, from recognition of the State of Palestine to intervention in the genocide convention case and the ICJ judgment and so forth. However, the international community collectively must bring all of its influence to bear to stop this.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Two Deputies are left. We are out of time. I will ask the Deputies to briefly state their questions. We will have a combined response from the Taoiseach.

Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The maximum age for Bus Éireann bus drivers is 70. At the moment, our children cannot get to school because private operators with contracts with Bus Éireann cannot take them to school if their drivers are over 70. However, these drivers, even if they are over 70, can be called by the school to take children to a tour of the Dáil. The same bus driver who cannot take our children to school can take them anywhere in the country, but Bus Éireann will not allow that driver take those children to school under its contract.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Schools are getting ready to close for the summer but yet again, in County Wicklow, a number of students and children do not have places for September. I am aware of seven in Greystones. A small number in Newtownmountkennedy and Ashford do not have places for September either. This is a problem every year. It is really unfair on students. Will the Taoiseach send a departmental liaison to meet with the parents and schools to resolve this issue? Ultimately, we need a common enrolment process in these areas to solve this problem once and for all. In the meantime, will the Taoiseach send someone there to get this sorted because this is not fair on students?

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

I agree with Deputy O'Donoghue and sympathise with his point. I will again talk to the Minister for Transport on this and ask him to engage with Bus Éireann to get this issue sorted. Chronological age is meaningless as a metric. It can be general but it is meaningless. There could be a very fit 75-year-old and an unfit 65-year-old. To borrow the phrase again, we need a little common sense applied here.

On Deputy Whitmore's point, I will talk to the Minister for Education in respect of the specifics in County Wicklow. There are common enrolment systems in some parts of the country as regards general enrolments, but the Deputy said one is required in Wicklow. Is the Deputy talking about general enrolment?

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Just where the schools come together and actually-----

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

The Deputy is saying there is a general problem-----

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Yes, just general enrolments.

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

-----and an insufficiency of general school places.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A number of students who do not have a place-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy might need to engage further.

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

It is very distressing for them and for their families. I will talk to the Minister in respect of this.