Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I remind the House that a delegation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children will visit the centralised processing centre on Friday. As part of the delegation, I am hopeful that some of the issues that were raised in this House will be raised at that meeting and that we will get a resolution. I agree with my colleagues that it is a problem that has been going on for far too long and must be resolved without further delay.

Senator John Kelly raised the issue of the invalidity pension. I dealt with a case recently where a person was deemed to be unable to work for a period of nine months. However, in order to qualify for an invalidity pension, one must be deemed to be unsuitable for or unable to work for a period of 12 months. The matter is now under appeal for more than nine months. I agree with Senator Kelly that this matter must be tackled. If a person is unable to work there is nothing that can be done about it. Drawing a distinction like this is unfair and unjust and must be reviewed. Many people are awaiting decisions for a long time. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this issue at an early date?

On a positive note, I welcome the announcement that Eli Lilly will create more than 500 jobs in Cork, including 300 in the construction area and 200 permanent posts.

They are the announcements we need to hear every week and, hopefully, with the Minister for Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, we will hear them.