Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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What will students and their families be asked to pay for college in September? Will it be €2,000 or €3,000? The Minister for higher education last night claimed that he believes in giving straight answers to a straight question, and then delivered a ten-minute speech in which he gaslit students and failed to answer that question at all. We have now had ten days of Government Ministers, including the Taoiseach, refusing to give a straight answer to that simple question. It is the question that was on the lips of students as they protested in big numbers at the gates of the Dáil last night. Will their fees be €2,000 or €3,000? Ten days on, will the Taoiseach now answer that question?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I gave a comprehensive reply to the Deputy yesterday at Leaders' Questions. The simple matter is that we are in the same position this year as last year. There is an Estimates process under way and then there will be a budget. It is at that stage that clarity will be brought to a range of issues pertaining to supports for students-----

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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That is in October.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----highlighting in particular that I would like to see additional supports for students with disabilities and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and through SUSI and thresholds to help a broad range of students.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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We know St. John Ambulance has paid money in settlements to a survivor who alleges sexual abuse in childhood by a former senior figure in St. John Ambulance. We are aware of further civil cases, and that some have been referred to An Garda. In 2023, the Shannon review confirmed systemic failures in St. John Ambulance from the sixties to the nineties. I note a recent statement from the Minister, Deputy Foley, confirming her Department provided funding for a 12-month period to ensure that all of Dr. Shannon's recommendations, including safeguarding, would be implemented in full. She also confirmed she had no plans to establish a statutory inquiry. That is regrettable. Survivors need transparency, a plan for the implementation of all the recommendations from the Shannon review, and they say they are exhausted by delays and the tone of engagement they have received to date. What is the Taoiseach's view on this, and does he join us in supporting survivors' calls for a full public inquiry?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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First, it is critical that the recommendations of Dr. Shannon be implemented and that our focus is on that. There have been many calls for inquiries in many areas.

The Government yesterday took a very significant decision on the establishment of a commission that will have an enormous body-----

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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Which we welcomed.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I know but I am just making the point. I have made the point previously about the most effective way to investigate or have inquiries into matters of this kind, given the enormity of what had to be covered in the decision yesterday. I had no issue with that, obviously, but I have broader concerns about the commission of investigation methodology and model as a basis for dealing with issues of this kind.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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I return to this State's commitment to evacuate seriously ill children from Gaza because we all want to know what is going on. It is nearly a year since the Government promised to evacuate 30 sick children from Gaza and since then, just 12 children have been evacuated. We now hear that petty bureaucratic concerns about visas are delaying the evacuation of other children. The Taoiseach has been clear today that visas are not the problem. What is the problem? What is the delay? Why, if paperwork is not the issue, have the remaining 18 children not been evacuated? Eight children were approved for treatment in the past month but their travel has been blocked or delayed. What is going on? When will these children be evacuated and why is there a delay?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy heard earlier, there are no delays in issuing of visas and there is no wrangling going on. There have been about 45 in total, adults and children. The original WHO agreement was one on one but we did not observe that in many respects because there are complex issues involving families, siblings left behind and the need for carers. Logistically, evacuating children from Gaza is very difficult and much of it is not within our control. We work with the WHO and others. Rest assured everything that can be done to get those children-----

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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When?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----out of Gaza as quickly as possible will be done.

Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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I was horrified by the "Journal Investigates" report that stated just 12% of cancer patients in Letterkenny University Hospital receive treatment within the recommended 15-day timeframe. Cancer patients in Letterkenny have to wait 50% longer than those in any other hospital in the HSE West and North-West region. This is not just delay; this is life-altering. Research by the British Medical Journal has shown delays or reduced treatment options available to cancer patients cause avoidable death. Letterkenny is floundering. The hospital has been stripped of services over the years and risks being downgraded, particularly if a surgical hub is not established. We cannot allow this to happen. The people of Donegal deserve the same healthcare options as everyone else. I am sure the Taoiseach agrees where you live should not determine where you get treatment. What will he do to end health discrimination being experienced by people in Donegal?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister met with clinicians in Letterkenny recently and there has been significant investment in Letterkenny hospital over the years. There can be challenges. There have been contributions from the Republic in investment in Altnagelvin. Looking at Donegal geographically, particularly Inishowen, the cross-Border services and capacity need to be strengthened to facilitate access. Under earlier cancer strategies, Galway was the main centre for the north west, which is a significant distance. We need to look strategically at concentrating cancer services, which I believe in. That was the prevailing expert view for a long time. I am slightly concerned that there is an erosion of that principle and people are going back to a county hospital approach to cancer treatment, which, in my view, will not give optimal outcomes. That is something we need to examine. The proliferation of private centres militates against the overarching objective of the State, which should be optimal outcomes and top-class centres of excellence with multidisciplinary teams providing treatment and care.

Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent Ireland Party)
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What will the Government put in place after the recent bomb find in Limerick near Aughanish Alumina? This was near a Russian-owned business. Five bombs were found in Ireland - three in the South, two in the North. What will be done about looking at Russian-owned buildings and properties in this country to protect the Irish people in case somebody targets them, especially in Limerick, where this happened? People in Askeaton are frightened that something like this might happen again. What will the Government put in place to prevent this?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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An Garda Síochána will be to the fore in examining this and the background to it. I cannot comment on the case. Perhaps it is still under investigation and, potentially, a follow-through on that. I will talk to the Deputy afterwards. I was not aware of the ownership there.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I raise the planning guidelines for anaerobic digesters, ADs, and the regulations of these plants. I acknowledge the need for AD plants to reach our emission reduction targets and improve water quality, particularly in light of the conversation we will have today on the nitrates derogation. However, given the ambition for AD plants to be built across the country under the national biomethane strategy, I am concerned about the preparedness of our local authorities to process such complex planning permission applications. We need statutory planning guidelines for AD plants so that there is consistency across all local authorities. Planning staff also need to be trained as a matter of priority for these complex applications. Clear guidelines are needed on setback distances from homes, the ability of road networks to take increased volumes of HGV traffic and mandatory community engagement to advise local communities of the plans for these plants. In particular, plants looking for capital funding from the State must communicate with their local areas. We also need to look at the powers of the EPA to regulate these plants. As the plants continue to grow in numbers, so must the regulator's powers.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue. I agree on the need for additional capacity in the planning sense within local authorities and generally within the planning system. I was in the House yesterday and a question about solar panels and agricultural land was raised. People also want guidelines to restrict onshore wind. We need a general debate on how we plan this because renewables are the most sustainable way forward into the future. I will examine with the Minister the issue of guidelines on anaerobic digestion but we have to be careful it is not with a view to restricting it entirely and tying it up so that it will not be possible. It is an important technology that can yield important results in terms of our energy requirements. There is a need for more renewables, without question, but I am concerned we are increasingly facing obstacles to achieving that agenda.

Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The issue I bring to the Taoiseach's attention relates to LEADER funding. I will throw the spotlight on how the allocations affect us in east Galway. Per head of population, Roscommon receives €97; Offaly, €76; Mayo, €64; Clare, €53; and poor east Galway, €37. I ask that consideration be given to rebalancing how LEADER funding is divvied out and that we get our proportionate share.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. I will ask the Ministers to examine that. That seems very precise detail and I do not know what timeline governs it but I will certainly have it examined.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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I have raised with the Taoiseach dozens of times the need to fund the runway extension at Waterford Airport. Every time I raise it, he says he is supportive and that it is in the programme for Government but there is deep frustration in Waterford as we watch on and see funding given to Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Kerry and Donegal airports, while Waterford is left behind.

Last June I was told in a parliamentary question response by the Minister for Transport that all the information needed was with the Department and Minister. We now hear a new business case is being sought, which brings us back to square one and delays an announcement for years. I cannot overstate the disbelief and frustration in Waterford. What is going on and why is the Government not delivering on its promise to give Waterford a fighting chance to have commercial activity in Waterford Airport?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, met with the Minister yesterday on this topic.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Last Wednesday.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Last Wednesday, sorry. Business cases are important and all projects have to go through the gateway process in terms of the Department of public expenditure. As the Deputy knows, on another day in here - his own party is fairly adept at it - expenditures that are just approved without going through those gateways-----

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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It has been six years.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is not 60 years.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Six years.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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If the project had not gone through those gateways, the Deputy would be the first to attack it in terms of expenditure.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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It was signed off on in 2019.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is going through a process. Hopefully, we will get it to come out the other end.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Six years later, here we are. It is not good enough.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The just transition fund has delivered more than €169 million into the midlands and is in place until 2027. However, a significant number of local projects struggled to gain the matched funding to deliver those projects on time. I am looking for the Government to seek an extension on that just transition drawdown so these projects can be completed. I want the Government to look at introducing a just transition economic zone, similar to the Shannon free zone. We have seen the benefit that had for that whole mid-west region down in the south. We should consider creating a just transition zone in the midlands to encompass counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly, centred on TUS in Athlone. It would drive further economic activity into the midland region into the future.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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In November 2022, the European Commission adopted Ireland's territorial just transition plan and associated programme. That was launched in April 2023. There is a total commitment of €169 million to the just transition process in the midlands designated territory, as approved by the Commission. Of the total, €84.5 million is from the EU just transition fund out to 2027.

The Deputy's question relates to whether we could create a zone. I refer to the legislative framework under which such a zone would be created in the modern era, or the context. In terms of incentives or supports, they tend to national as opposed to zone by zone. I will discuss it with him further but we need to be very clear about what we are actually looking for. In many respects, the Shannon free zone was a feature of an earlier era and there have been many changes since then. I will talk to the Deputy about it.

Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Navan had the highest driving test waiting time nationwide. Navan and Tallaght were completely oversubscribed, with a record high of 43 weeks. It was four times the recommended wait time of ten to 12 weeks. Thankfully, we have reduced that to 16 weeks. That is in no small part thanks to the emergency action plan the RSA introduced in May of this year. I have no doubt we will get back to the ten to 12 weeks by mid-September, as the RSA has promised. That action plan now needs to just be the plan. We need to ensure that backlog does not happen again. We need to ensure the measures that are introduced stay in place and resources are maintained. With the needs of the population and the number of commuters who leave our county by car every morning, we need a second test centre to cater for the people of north Meath.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Dempsey for raising this issue. It is unacceptable there are such high waiting times for those seeking driving tests. As she has acknowledged, the Road Safety Authority has developed an action plan. We are beginning to see a reduction, as she said. We have to continue to focus on that. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, has been very much on top of this and he has been in discussions with me to make sure we maintain this downward trajectory. The Deputy's point is very valid. We need to focus on this as opposed to creating new layers or whatever. I agree with the Deputy's approach that all focus should be on the action plan itself.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Mar is eol don Taoiseach, there are hugely critical recruitment and retention problems for public service workers, go háirithe i mBaile Átha Cliath, i gCorcaigh agus i nGaillimh. These workers include nurses, teachers, gardaí, social workers and paramedics. All of them our key in keeping our public systems functioning. The reality is they are being paid the same whether they are living in Longford or they are living in Lucan or Coolock. They cannot afford to live in the communities they are being asked to serve. In light of this, I ask the Taoiseach if there is any consideration for targeted reliefs, like the key worker scheme that was once used in London, to ensure essential workers can afford to live near their workplace. This is not about preferential treatment. It is about keeping hospitals staffed, classrooms open and our streets safe.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Bheadh sé deacair rátaí difriúla a chur i bhfeidhm ó chathair go cathair ach admhaím go bhfuil fadhb ann. There is a problem in terms of the cost of housing for workers and key workers. Through housing, I would like to see if we can create specific, affordable housing provision for key workers in given locations and whether that would it work side by side with the broader housing developments. I want to see if that could that happen and whether we could focus on that side of it.

In terms of pay rates and conditions, it is difficult to ring-fence one part of the country with different pay rates. There would be huge issues in the industrial relations process to bring something like that about.

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I want to raise the issue of childcare places, including after-school care, with the Taoiseach. I particularly want to raise the issues of childcare and after-school care in Kilcullen, a town of 4,000 people in my own constituency of Kildare South. I am currently dealing with 14 families who cannot get a crèche place and 16 families who cannot get an after-school place. Unfortunately for the town, there is a fit-for-purpose building lying idle. It is developed and ready to go. When will we see a State-led childcare and after-school service? Will the Minister, Deputy Foley, work with me in Kilcullen for those purposes?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yesterday, I read the education indicators. Approximately 94% of all children between the ages of three and five are now in early years services, which is a huge increase from where we were a decade ago. It represents substantial progress. When we talk about State-led care, we have to be very clear as to how we intend to increase that provision and the methodology by which we would do it. A lot of people have invested a lot in the existing childcare infrastructure. We have to make sure we do not disrupt that in any processes as well.

On the specifics of the Deputy's case, which town did he mention?

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Kilcullen.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will ask the Minister to examine that and see what we can do to help.

Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The programme for Government has many commendable commitments to support apprentices which, as a former apprentice myself, I welcome. Today, I wish to discuss the disparity in off-the-job training allowances that are currently being paid to metal fabrication apprentices. If two metal fabrication apprentices are doing the exact same training but one is working for a company that is registered as an engineering company, in phase 6 - the off-the-job phase - his or her training allowance is up to €235 per week less than his or her counterpart on the exact same course who is working for what is classified as a construction company. This disparity is because engineering company metal fabrication apprentices are being paid according to 2016 rates, whereas construction company apprentices are paid according to 2025 rates. Will the Taoiseach please work with me to rectify this inequitable situation?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will talk to the Minister responsible in this area. I need to get the background to this before I commit. There are obviously reasons why that is the case right now. On the surface, it does not seem equitable but I will have it examined.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I know the Taoiseach will be familiar with the huge work that is being done on reducing the waiting times for driver tests. However, I need to draw his attention to the clumsy way AXA Insurance and the Road Safety Authority have combined to cause learner drivers to fail their test, resulting in them having to wait an extra 15-20 weeks. AXA has issued black insurance discs, not the green ones we are familiar with, and the RSA fails people presenting for a test with a black insurance disc, puts them back on the waiting list again for 15-20 weeks and charges them €80 for it. AXA offered to pay for the retests but it is a ridiculous situation. It is bad enough that young drivers had to wait so long to get the tests in the first instance but to be put back in the queue again through no fault of their own is not acceptable.

There is a practical approach or solution: AXA could simply issue correct certificates to all affected drivers and, in the meantime, the RSA should not fail those drivers presenting for a test with the wrong disc but, rather, reschedule their tests for the following week. This is a real option. It would involve a bit of co-ordination between the RSA and AXA but it would make more sense than putting people back on a waiting list.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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To be fair to the Deputy, he has been a tireless advocate on the issue of driver testing. He has unearthed many issues. What he has just articulated seems ridiculous and should not be the case. Those presenting for a test should not be penalised in the manner in question. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, to liaise with the Deputy and also engage with the RSA and AXA to have this issue resolved.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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There is a little boy called Rowan in my constituency. He is eight years of age and has still not been able to have his first day at school. He has been diagnosed with ASD and global development delay and, like many others, he has been let down. His mother is struggling to home-school him, with no support from anyone.

Parents of autistic children in some cases apply to 20 or 30 schools for a place for them and get nowhere. How many additional places will be made available for special children like Rowan come September? I am referring not to premises but to actual chairs in classrooms. Will Rowan have to wait until he is nine to go to school? That is what the family faces at the moment.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising the case of Rowan. I understand he spoke to the Minister of State with responsibiity for special needs education, Deputy Moynihan, last evening. He will follow it up as quickly as he can to see whether he can get a resolution to the issue, having regard to its background. We are going to change the application process to have earlier timelines and a common application system. Also, there is to be greater productivity on the part of the NCSE in finding places for children, as opposed to the parents having to do all the heavy work. We need more proactivity in this regard, and that work is under way.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I want to ask a question that others have raised on the issue of Garda vetting. As we know, a teacher doing a summer project, such as mentoring in a GAA club, needs separate vetting. This is quite farcical and the process could be streamlined to be a lot quicker, but every time we raised it were told the Garda vetting review group was the group that was going to report on this. The former Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, said in April 2021 that it would take approximately six months. In March, the current Minister for justice said the report was due soon. Has the Taoiseach any information on when the Garda vetting review group will report and whether we will be able to discuss and debate this in September? It is a pressing issue for many.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this. There are some aspects of vetting that make no sense and what the Deputy raised is one of them. If you are vetted for teaching, for example, and seek to train at a GAA, soccer or rugby club, that vetting should apply. We get huge complaints about backlogs and delays, which can get in the way of providing services. I have views on this and will talk to the Minister for justice about it.