Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader arrange for a debate with the Minister for Education and Skills on patronage of schools and how patronage is awarded? The week before last the Minister announced four new schools in respect of which patronage would be sought. Less than a week after that announcement, one of the patron bodies announced on its website that it had been already awarded the patronage of one of those schools. I do not propose to go into the specific detail in this regard. However, that is a fact. This does not do any service to the Minister, his Department or any of the patron bodies. I am sure the Minister would want a transparent process. Perhaps on the next occasion he is in the House time could be made available to discuss the patronage of schools and how patronage is awarded.

I have previously raised with the Leader on a number of occasions the need for a debate on adult mental health services, in respect of which I outlined the reasons for such a debate. Services in my own area are drastically under-funded and there are problems with the physical infrastructure and facilities in which patients are cared for. It is important that we have an early debate on adult mental health services. Perhaps the Leader will provide an update on that request.

The Leader might also update the House on when the betting tax Bill will come before the House. I have previously spoken about the many independent bookmakers that have gone to the wall and the many more that are struggling. Many of these are family businesses employing hundreds, if not thousands, of people across the country. There is not a level playing pitch in this area on the basis that online betting has effectively taken over and no tax is paid in this State on online bets. This means that the main firms, many of which are well known, have an unfair advantage over independent bookmakers, many of whom have been in business for generations. The previous Government delayed introducing this Bill. The Leader has previously told me that the new Bill is being prepared. It is now urgent that it be introduced, a view I know the Leader shares. It is urgent also in the context of the need for a review of online betting and the scourge it can be on families. The betting tax Bill will allow us an opportunity to discuss such issues in more detail. I would welcome an update on when the Bill will come before the House.