Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Brian Hayes on the need to fill vacancies in the health service. I was amazed to learn recently at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children that some staff in the health service need only give one months' notice. I suggested it should be extended to at least three months and that people should not be allowed to leave their jobs until they have been filled. That is what happens in teaching where one gives at least three months' notice. It is very unfair on the employer who must fill the vacancy. The problem is the patient suffers because no service is provided.

Why do clinical psychologists get funding from the Health Service Executive to do doctorates but educational psychologists do not? Perhaps the Leader will check that anomaly with the Minister. We need both types of psychologists urgently, yet funding is provided to one but not the other.

I agree with Senator Ó Murchú about FÁS. Another issue which might be included in a debate on FÁS is the quality of the stamps paid in respect of people on FÁS schemes. It has been brought to my attention that when people who have worked on FÁS schemes and who have made a huge contribution need to retire or draw benefits, their stamps are not what they should be. Perhaps we might consider the stamps people on FÁS schemes pay.

We have all become very pro-environment lately, and rightly so. I asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government about rain harvesters. A rain harvester is a very simple tool which collects the rain that falls on roofs and surfaces. Every day we cover more of our yards with concrete and tarmac and, as a result, water cannot soak through. Does it make sense to use drinking water——