Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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The Government is punishing special needs assistants, SNAs, for exercising their democratic rights. It is tearing up a local pay agreement worth 1.5% and a new special leave arrangement simply because workers rejected a separate workforce plan. There is much uncertainty, anxiety and anger about what is happening. SNAs do not know what the future holds. This move on the part of the Government is yet another insult. Will the Government reverse this reprehensible decision on local bargaining? Will it work in good faith to address the uncertainty and anxiety that exist? Will the Government side get back to the negotiating table as a matter of urgent priority in order to address the identified issues of contention and put a plan together that SNAs can support?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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We put a comprehensive plan together in terms of the broader area of special education. We also issued a circular and so on. That was an agreement with the trade union Fórsa at the time. The matter went to ballot, and the result was not positive. Government always stands ready to engage with the trade union representatives in respect of the broader picture. The investment in SNAs has been huge. It will continue to be significant, as will the investment in special education across the board.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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A hosepipe ban will come into force in a number of counties on the east coast from tomorrow. I completely understand that because we are seeing record temperatures and are in the middle of dealing with the climate crisis and climate change. It is important that we conserve water, but can the Taoiseach understand the frustration of many people being told that they have to conserve water when it appears that there is very little governance or oversight of the amount of water used by data centres, particularly those in the Dublin area? Uisce Éireann cannot seem to provide proper figures for the amount of water that is being abstracted at the moment. It reckons that about 800 ML, 0.13% of the national average, is being abstracted. However, that is less than what Meta has recorded as abstracting for one of its own plants.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Thank you, Deputy.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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Uisce Éireann seems to have plucked its figure from thin air.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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The Taoiseach, please.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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Will the Taoiseach ensure that there is oversight-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Time is up, Deputy.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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-----of the amount of water that data centres use?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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We can, but I am not clear about the direction in which the Deputy is heading on that. Is she saying that we should shut them down or put them out of use-----

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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We need to know what they are using.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Deputy, it does not work like that.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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------with all the implications that-----

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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We need to go into this with our eyes wide open.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Deputy, do you want the answer?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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------would have for users of technology? The hosepipe ban is important but trying to juxtapose, having the big baddie over here and saying we should not have a hosepipe ban because------

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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We have no idea how much water data centres are using. It is incredible.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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No, Deputy Whitmore. Please.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I just do not think that is a valid juxtaposition.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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Yesterday evening, I met a group of individuals who have Friedreich’s ataxia and their families here in Leinster House. They are calling for urgent access to Skyclarys, the life-changing drug for those living with this rare, degenerative neurological condition. I offered them my full support and that of the Labour Party. My colleague Deputy Sherlock has already given them her full support. I was with them when the very disappointing news filtered through that the HSE drugs group had deferred its decision on approval of public funding for the drug. The news in this regard was leaked by means of communications with public representatives as opposed to officially. the Taoiseach acknowledged earlier that there has been poor communication with the group. I ask that this be addressed. Clearly, the most substantive issue is the delay in providing approval for reimbursements. Skyclarys is already being reimbursed in other EU countries. We need to work with other EU member states to reduce costs in line with the Irish EU Presidency priority of competitiveness. Can the Taoiseach give the families some indication that the approval-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Thank you.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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-----process will be expedited and that there will be no further delays?

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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The Taoiseach, please.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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As the Taoiseach understands, this is a heartbreaking situation.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Deputy, please. I call the Taoiseach.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I dealt with extensively earlier in reply to Deputy Cullinane. The Minister is doing everything she can to expedite the convening of the rare disease technology group, to which the matter has been referred. This is very serious and urgent for all concerned. Some countries do reimburse it and others do not. The health technology assessment relating to this matter was published. If the Deputy reads that assessment, she will see that it proved challenging. We are not scientists, but we all feel for the families. We understand. We have met people with Friedreich's ataxia. They cannot get this drug fast enough. For all drug approvals unfortunately, there are processes which, unfortunately, have to be gone through. I take the Deputy's point.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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There has been rightful focus on road safety over the past week in the context of discussions on illegal use of scrambler bikes and the dangerous use of e-scooters. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, are due to make significant decisions about new laws soon. The Road Safety Authority estimates that about 5% of the adult population uses e-scoters. That is tens of thousands who use these devices, mainly as part of the work commute. We have rightly focused on the bad and dangerous behaviour that is out there, but there are plenty of people who are law abiding and who do their best to drive safely. They use e-scooters because they are more convenient and are cheaper to run in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. In the decision it is about to make on new rules for e-scooters, the Government should keep in mind the position of thousands of adults who use e-scooters responsibly, who need them for their commute and who should not be punished because of the dangerous behaviour of some individuals.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I take the Deputy's point. The Minister for Health has sought a comprehensive report from Children's Health Ireland on one of the issues that concerns me, namely injuries to children arising as a result of e-scooter accidents. I refer, in particular, to head injuries, brain damage and so on. We have to assess that report when we get it as a factor in how we deal with this issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, will be bringing proposals to Government. We will have meetings next week in relation to this. We will then be in a position the, perhaps, to engage more widely with Members of the House on the matter. This is a very serious issue for us.

Without question, it probably did not have the regulatory framework it should have had at the outset. That is something we need to look at.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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This matter has been raised twice already this morning, but it is hugely important. I will make a personal appeal to the Taoiseach regarding Skyclarys and the further delay that has now arisen. Yesterday, Emma O'Shea came to Leinster House from west Cork with her mother, father and brother. I am in regular contact with Emma, but seeing her here again yesterday fighting courageously for a medication that could help to slow the progression of this cruel disease had a profound impact on me and my staff. Emma is just 26 years of age and is now confined to a wheelchair. Her family knows all too well the reality of Friedreich's ataxia because Emma's brother died from this disease. Last night when Emma got back to west Cork and learned there would be yet another delay, she sent me a text message. Her words were simple: "It is a joke. I am heartbroken". Every day matters for Emma. Every delay means more deterioration, more uncertainty and more fear.

I am not hear to blame the Taoiseach. I am asking the Taoiseach to get personally involved and to put the full weight of his office behind this issue. I hate to be so blunt, but what happened to Emma's brother cannot be allowed to happen to Emma-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Thank you, Deputy.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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------because of delays. I urge the Taoiseach to please do everything in his power to get this medication across the line.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Time is up, Deputy.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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Emma's family and other families like them simply do not have time to wait.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising the situation and how it personally impacts on Emma O'Shea from west Cork. Well over 200 families are impacted by this rare condition. It is particularly high in Ireland in comparison with other locations. I accept fully the impact and trauma on Emma's and other families. The Minister is doing everything possible to progress the issue and get the group established.

There is a broader issue about the assessment of new drugs and how we do that. We have to have a scientific dimension to it and a proper rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of drugs. I think that is accepted. Over 70 drugs for rare diseases have been approved in the last four years, so we do approve drugs for rare diseases-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Thank you, Taoiseach.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----as per the exiting process that is laid down in legislation. However, I take the Deputy's overall point.

Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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I raise the issue of Uisce Éireann and the lack of meaningful engagement it has with the public and public representatives. I have had a number of dealings with it recently, most notably on James Larkin Road where it is doing an important project. While there has been engagement with public representatives, there has been no meaningful reaction to the problems raised about the traffic chaos on the Howth Road and on the way into Raheny village. A number of suggestions have been put forward to Uisce Éireann.

In the Mask area of Artane, there is severe discolouration of water in households. Uisce Éireann sent someone out, but the water appeared discoloured again a number of hours later. When this was raised with Uisce Éireann, it said that the issue had been resolved. It is extremely frustrating dealing with Uisce Éireann. It seems to be accountable to no one, in particular public representatives. Something must change.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy very much for raising the issue. He said that there had been engagement but the responses had not been effective or impactful. I will take the matter up with Uisce Éireann. It has established a unit on the effectiveness of communications with public representatives. I have brought this to the attention of Uisce Éireann, as has the Minister, and it has undertaken a review of engagement with elected representatives with input from across its entire business. That is due to conclude shortly. That is a general point about how it engages with public representatives, including Members of this House.

On the specifics, I have had engagement in the past on matters of the kind the Deputy raised. I did get a response ultimately. It was quite a few years ago. It was about residential concerns, disruptions and so on that could happen when major works were under way. I will engage with the company to see if we can get an improvement from the Deputy's perspective.

David Maxwell (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I will ask about home support services, which are raised in my constituency office time and again by families across Cavan and Monaghan. Many people who have been approved for home support hours are still experiencing delays in receiving the care they have been assessed as needing. This creates understandable worry for older people who wish to remain living independently at home and places additional pressure on family members who often step in to fill the gap. Many people are currently waiting for approved home support hours to be delivered.

I would welcome an update on the measures being taken to recruit and retain home support workers, particularly in rural areas, where staff challenges can be more acute. This issue has persisted for a number of years in Cavan and Monaghan, and in the country as a whole. Many families would appreciate reassurances that progress was being made to improve access to these vital services. The home support service can help with everyday tasks such as dressing, undressing and getting in and out of bed.

What is the Government doing to make sure that staff and resources are in place to allow people who want to stay in their homes do so in Cavan and Monaghan?

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Maxwell. This is an important point for his constituents in Cavan-Monaghan. By way of update, 302 people were on waiting lists for home support at the end of May in Cavan-Monaghan, including 33 new applicants and 269 people already receiving support who require additional hours.

Specifically on the point the Deputy raised, I met the HSE as recently as yesterday. One of the key areas I focused on was Cavan-Monaghan. The HSE gave me an assurance. The last recruitment campaign of home support workers was in April. It has interviews scheduled for tomorrow, 16 July and Friday, 17 July, of 17 candidates to replace ten whole-time equivalents. Furthermore, ten new staff commenced in January 2026. The recruitment of additional staff is under way, with ten staff already in place since January. We want to get a further ten staff in place as quickly as possible and 17 candidates will be interviewed tomorrow and the day after for those posts.

Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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This is Groundhog Day in terms of school transport. It is the same as last year. The only thing that has changed in the school transport system is the families affected. We are still inundated with emails from frustrated parents from Rathdrum to Kilmuckridge. Children who have always qualified have suddenly been refused tickets. Others received tickets but no service is available. In other cases, one sibling got a ticket while another sibling attending the same school did not, so the parent drives behind the bus. We submitted 12 names during the year for Castletown National School and 21 for a service from Camolin to the Gorey Educate Together school. Families are still waiting for certainty. Children in Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, who had always received transport were told no service was available, but when we contacted the provider, it said that a service was available. The waiting time to hear back from Bus Éireann is unacceptable. When will the Government introduce the policy recommendations on eligibility and distance that were outlined previously?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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First of all, the school transport scheme is a very extensive scheme. About 180,000 students are now carried on the school bus transport system. Costs have been increasing on a yearly basis, as has investment in the programme. There are limits to what we can do. We cannot do everything in one year. However, we continue to work on it.

The Minister of State with responsibility for special education and school transport, Michael Moynihan, has been engaged on this for the last year and a half. We are making improvements to it and the changes to the eligibility criteria will be implemented on a phased basis. The numbers have increased. There are pilot projects. About 11 were approved for the 2025-26 year where the distance criterion was reduced to 2 km for primary and post-primary schools. The need for a pupil to be attending the nearest school has been removed, as the Deputy will be aware, in those 11 pilots, so we will see how they work out.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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In recent weeks, the Taoiseach talked about the importance of the Minister of State with responsibility for the marine. However, incredibly, it is the Minister for agriculture who will address the European Parliament's committee on fisheries today. He is having an exchange of views with the members of that committee, not the Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries, Deputy Dooley. There is clearly a row. Letters have been exchanged. I ask the Taoiseach to intervene and make clear that it is the Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries, who has been engaging in widespread consultation with the fishing industry and seafood industry in Ireland and Europe over the last year and a half, who should represent Ireland. He knows what he is talking about. That would give a clear message that the Taoiseach is serious about giving the Department of marine and the Minister of State with responsibility for the marine independence to speak and fight for our people, rather than the Minister for agriculture, who could not possibly know anything about these matters.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's endorsement of the competence of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, is duly noted. I hope it will not come back to haunt him some day in subsequent events. The Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, is an effective Minister of State with responsibility for the marine and has a great rapport with the industry.

I appreciate the Deputy saying that. Deputy Heydon, of course, is the senior Minister in the Department and has been working with the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, with regard to fishery interests and other issues. That is the basic position.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach is not going to intervene.

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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There is an issue that has come to me in Dublin Fingal West, although it affects the country at large. I refer to the spiralling cost of summer camps and the financial burden it is placing on households earning lower to middle incomes. One parent told me that they were paying €160 a week for three hours over four days. If a family has two or three children, that cost may put these opportunities completely out of reach. I raised this last week as a Topical Issue but the response focused on childcare and the national childcare scheme, NCS. With respect, that missed the point I was trying to make. Summer camps are effectively run by the likes of sports clubs. Nobody is asking for camps to be made free. We recognise that providers face genuine costs. They deserve supports for the valuable services they provide. Will the Department examine the introduction of a means-tested summer camp subsidy in budget 2027 so that no child misses out simply because his or her family cannot afford summer camp fees?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Is it that the Deputy wants the State to subsidise general summer camps?

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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Yes, but on a means-tested basis.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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We are providing enormous funding for the summer education programme and so on. There have to be limits to Government expenditure. Local authorities have been supporting summer camps on a local basis. I think that, in Cork city, it has been going on for 40-odd years that we have allocated funding to local summer camps organised by community associations and so on. There are limits to what the State can do in all of these scenarios. We have prioritised education, and special education in particular. Under that programme, there are also supports for particular communities in which there may be high levels of disadvantage.

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle and the staff for being so accommodating this parliamentary term.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Sheehan is looking for extra time.

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I raise the issue of the community access support team, CAST, in Limerick, which has prevented 133 detentions under section 12 of the Mental Health Act and reduced the number emergency department presentations. It has responded to over 1,000 incidents. There is evidence for this and the University of Limerick published a report last week. It has been extraordinarily successful. It needs a dedicated core budget. It has been transformative in normalising a non-criminalising response to mental health. Will the Government formally establish this team as a national interagency crisis response service in the upcoming budget?

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his support for CAST. I am extremely proud of this pilot project, which we started working on in 2022. I compliment Superintendent Andrew Lacey, who has done phenomenal work on this for many years. At our initial conference in UL, we heard from police forces from Canada, elsewhere in North America, Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The pilot has been really impressive. As the Deputy has said, it has resulted in 133 people being deflected away from emergency departments. For anyone who does not know, how it works is that, when gardaí respond, a dedicated mental health clinical nurse practitioner travels in the car and intervenes when it is safe to do so.

I spoke with the superintendent last week. I have also spoken with the regional executive officer, Sandra Broderick. They feel that there is a little bit more work to do before the initiative is ready to mainstream. On funding, as the Deputy will know, we now have six regional health areas. Each regional executive officer can mainstream these types of supports. There is a little bit more to do. We will then be able to roll it out.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Maidir le hUisce Éireann, cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan uisce? The situation in south Tipperary has reached crisis point. Since January, the Ardfinnan regional water scheme has experienced 58 water supply interruptions, affecting 11,000 customers, while almost 28,000 homes and businesses were placed on a boil water notice in a single week. The water is consistently off. Tipperary town has been under a boil water notice since last February. There is no sign of it being lifted.

One constituent summed up the frustration, telling me that there was yet again no water pressure when the house was full of grandchildren. The attic tank was not filling, so there was no water for cooking, showers or washing clothes. All of this was happening before the introduction of a hosepipe ban. They say it would be great to have water to be affected by a hosepipe ban.

Uisce Éireann is totally out of control. Two weeks ago, the Tánaiste gave me some hope here that the Government might do something. Uisce Éireann is not acting for anybody. It is committing sabotage on the Ardfinnan regional water scheme and the Glenary plant in Clonmel. It is now going on to the Galtees and causing havoc. The reservoirs have not been full in about two and half years despite Uisce Éireann getting tens of millions.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I call the Taoiseach to respond. Deputy McGrath's time is up.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Something has to be done with Uisce Éireann because-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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The Taoiseach will respond.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy McGrath. I acknowledge and accept that there are very serious issues across south Tipperary in respect of water outages and boil water notices. I will raise the issue with Uisce Éireann. We have allocated very substantial equity and investment to Uisce Éireann, particularly in the context of the national development plan. I will get an update for the Deputy.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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I raise the issue of the lack of a plan for a new public sector pay deal and the lack of engagement on this matter. SIPTU, Fórsa, Unite and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, are now to ballot their members for industrial action, up to and including strike action. The public sector pay deal expired on 30 June and formal talks have yet to begin on a successor agreement. We are in the final week before Dáil Éireann goes into recess for the summer and trade unions and workers in the public sector are none the wiser about their future income and job security. Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, looming back to school costs, winter on the horizon, the cost of fuel, third level education costs, and rents being reset to market value, the Government is leaving these workers in limbo. When will workers see the Government at the negotiation table with trade unions to deliver a fair public sector pay deal for workers across this country so that we can stop strike action from happening?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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First of all, the Government wants to secure a pay deal with the public sector workers and their representatives. That has been very clear in recent meetings and engagements. In my view, we reached an agreement, which has now expired. What normally happens is that engagement takes place, there are informal soundings and so on, and formal talks then begin. My sense is that there was never an expectation that these talks would happen before September in real terms. I expect talks to develop apace in September.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Is the Taoiseach concerned about what is happening in our courts as a result of the debacle in handling criminal legal aid reform? We have seen substantial numbers of solicitors withdraw from the scheme. I am told that the solicitors who have withdrawn provided representation in the majority of cases involving the legal aid scheme last year. More important, we have seen thousands of criminal cases adjourned. We have seen victims turning up to court only to be turned away. They are waiting for justice. We have also seen people who should be in custody today being released on bail. At the same time, we have seen remand numbers increase exponentially, putting huge pressure on the already overstretched Prison Service. Will the Taoiseach ensure that there is dialogue with the stakeholders? Sort this out. We cannot allow the chaos in our courts system to continue over the summer months. Will the Taoiseach ensure that there is real dialogue this week to bring an end to this?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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May I first of all say that these are reforms that the Minister for justice has brought in? He sought Government approval for these reforms. I do not know what the Deputy's position is on the reforms per se but it is without question that the system needed reform. I hope the Deputy accepts that. Perhaps he could articulate that at some stage.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I am just asking for engagement.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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There has been engagement.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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No, there has not.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister and the Department have engaged with the Law Society. I am concerned because I think people should not be withdrawing their services. I ask those who are doing so to rethink and reflect, and to do what in my view is their obligation, which is to represent people in court. What was going on in many cases was not acceptable either in terms of multiple adjournments and so on.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Well, there are more now than ever.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The fee structure needed to be reviewed and reformed.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach will not call for dialogue this week.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The decision of the Government to purchase the Hammerson site on O'Connell Street - the site of the old Carlton Cinema - clearly shows the intent and determination of the Government to progress and complete the MetroLink project. Hopefully, the intent and determination are not limited to MetroLink or to other transport projects within the Dublin area. As the Taoiseach will know, I am referring to the Galway city ring road, which has been granted planning permission. However, that grant is subject to judicial review, which could derail the project. The city cannot countenance that, and the region needs this project urgently.

There are also approximately 50 families who are subject to the compulsory purchase order, CPO, process. I ask that there would be an early settlement strategy for those families. They have been aware for over ten years now that their homes and lands are subject to this process and that they will have to move on. It is important that we move on this at the earliest opportunity for those families and for the good of the project.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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First of all, I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this issue. He has been a consistently strong advocate for the Galway city ring road. I accept his point that there has to be a similar intensity in terms of getting this project under way as there is in terms of the metro because this is choking Galway. It is extremely difficult for people living in the Galway area to get from A to B. It also has potentially significant negative impacts on industry in the Galway region, particularly for people and families more generally. I have said to the Minister for Transport that I believe very strong engagement should take place. It is not for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, but the councils and so on, but the Deputy's idea of an early settlement strategy is one I would put to the Minister and it is one that should be embarked upon.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I need to raise with the Taoiseach the straw incorporation measures and the delays from the Department of agriculture in approvals. There is fine weather. Tillage farmers are focusing in on the harvest. There have been no approvals issued by the Department of agriculture for the straw incorporation measure at this point. Farmers have nominated lands that they plan to harvest in the days and weeks ahead. The chopping will be done as part of the harvest. Tillage farmers have seen one difficult year after another and they really do not need the hassle being introduced now by the Department of agriculture not having approvals done yet. It is going to become even more critical as the barley crop ripens. Will the Department of agriculture issue approvals for the straw incorporation measure to give certainty to tillage farmers before the harvesters roll into the field?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this issue. It is an important issue. This year has seen very high levels of applications for this scheme, extending well beyond the €10 million per year allocation. It is €50 million from 2023 to 2027. All possible options are now being examined by the Department in respect of the high numbers that have applied. Decisions will be made shortly to allow farmers to plan accordingly. Farmers will be notified as soon as possible by the Department of agriculture about the details of the scheme for 2026. I am aware of the issue and will pursue it as well on behalf of the Deputy.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I call Deputy Murphy. We will go over time, so I ask the two remaining Deputies to be brief.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I want to briefly amplify what has already been said about Uisce Éireann. South Tipperary is in crisis, with 38,0000 households on a prolonged boil water notice. Most of the key towns are more often than not without water. Will the Taoiseach request a meeting for the Oireachtas Members with the CEO of Uisce Éireann, Mr. Gleeson?

There is also the issue of accountability. A public utility in receipt of significant taxpayer funding should be accountable to the Dáil. I cannot table a parliamentary question for this organisation. More importantly, however, it should be accountable to the existing committee structure within the Oireachtas or, even better, we should see the establishment of a dedicated Oireachtas committee for our public utility companies that are in receipt of significant taxpayer funding.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Murphy for raising the issue. He raised a number of important points. I will seek to convene a meeting with the CEO of Uisce Éireann and the Deputies for the area. I will also examine the Deputy's issue around Oireachtas committee structures and things like that. That is a fair issue. I am not suggesting that every semi-State body should be subject to parliamentary questions because with artificial intelligence, AI, now we are seeing a huge generation of parliamentary questions. In other words, we want people sorting out the water problems instead of being consumed by responding. There is a balance here to be struck. Uisce Éireann needs to get focused on the issues and get it sorted.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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My constituency and others have seen a huge number of childcare providers leaving the core funding scheme because of the fee freeze, which is kind of a financial straitjacket, with staffing taking up 7% and a lot of huge costs. Meanwhile, the newer ones are able to set much higher fee baselines, although in areas like the Adamstown strategic development zone, SDZ, the rents are so high that we do not have as many places opening as there could be. Will this matter be revisited to look at ways of keeping providers and maybe encouraging some to come back into the scheme? Parents are worried about the massive increase in prices this coming autumn.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will talk to the Minister. I did not get the final point the Deputy made. The issue is that about 93% of all eligible providers have signed up to the current core funding scheme. Some are leaving in certain areas, as was articulated yesterday-----

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Yes, the older ones are leaving because they cannot afford it whereas the newer ones find it easier.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will engage with the Minister for children on this and ask her to talk to the Deputy in respect of the points he made. Our aim is to try to get the fees down and we have made a lot of progress in the last number of years in doing that. I hope that people are not exiting in certain areas because they feel they can get better prices on the market as opposed to the constraints that the core funding scheme puts on people.