Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With regard to pyrite, I will find out the position on the Pyrite Resolution Board and the enabling legislation and revert to the Senator.

Senators Ivana Bacik, Cáit Keane and Aideen Hayden referred to developments in preschool services announced by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. They called for a debate on preschool services and after-school child care.

Senator Ivana Bacik referred to the law reform report which will be debated by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. When it has completed its deliberations, I am sure we will be able to arrange a debate on it in the House.

I believe there was a very exciting debate on the future of the Seanad in Galway last evening. Senator Sean D. Barrett played a very important role. I will contact the broadcasting unit or the IT unit to determine whether we can include on the Seanad website the matters the Senator has mentioned, namely, the positive developments in the Seanad in recent years.

With regard to the meeting of the North-South Inter-Parliamentary Association, I understand the date may be changed, if it has not been changed already.

Senator Colm Burke and other Senators referred to the success of students from Kinsale community school in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists. We should all congratulate them and their teachers on the wonderful success of their school which seems to be exceptional in the area of science.

Senator Colm Burke called for a debate on the levels of absenteeism in the public service. We may be able to arrange such a debate at a later stage.

Senator Marc MacSharry referred to difficulties in agriculture. I hope to have the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, in the House within the coming weeks. We can then debate the issues the Senator raised this morning.

Senator Denis Landy referred to the removal of child benefit for children over 18 years who are still in school. I note his points in that regard and also his point that child benefit should be paid to those who need it. Everyone would agree with him.

Senator David Cullinane referred to the pupil-teacher ratio and class sizes. I am sure the INTO has made significant submissions to the Minister on the matter and that the Minister will take them into consideration when framing the Estimates for his Department.

Senator Cáit Keane, in addition to raising issues associated with child care, complimented the Garda and the text alert scheme involving Muintir na Tíre, which is to be welcomed.

Senators Aideen Hayden and Catherine Noone mentioned the lack of affordable houses and homelessness. I am sure these matters were addressed yesterday when debating the residential tenancies legislation. The homelessness policy statement, published in 2013, outlines the Government's aim of ending long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. The statement emphasises a housing-led approach involving accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. It is now the focus of Government policy on homelessness. In 2012 in the Dublin region alone, 879 people moved from homelessness to independent living. We should all welcome this. The economic crisis has placed significant pressure on many individuals and families and the Government has supported work in this regard with a budget of approximately €45 million in 2013. This funding helped to maintain services across the country and is matched by a local authority contribution of at least another 10%. However, the bulk of the funding is provided by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and directed towards funding the services of voluntary providers such as Focus Ireland, Simon Communities and Crosscare and daytime drop-in centres.

Senator Michael Mullins has made the point that Ireland has contributed again to the elimination of chemical weapons and given some funding in this regard in the case of Syria. He also referred to the humanitarian aid the Government has given in this area. He further called for a debate on the value and future of credit unions. We will try to arrange such a debate.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan referred to the sale of some 274 acres by NAMA tomorrow. I will certainly raise the point with both Ministers, but I am sure the Senator will give details to them himself.

Senators Catherine Noone and Feargal Quinn mentioned defibrillators and their location. Senator Feargal Quinn referred to the Bill on this matter, Second Stage of which has been passed in this House. I will find out the status of the Bill. A very important point was raised by both Senators.

Senator Martin Conway raised the matter of a briefing by the Sports Federation of Ireland on the revaluation of properties and rates and the question of Croke Park and the significant increase in rates that will be incurred as a result of the revaluation of properties. This can and will affect sports bodies throughout the country, but it will not affect sports bodies alone. The revaluation process has caused significant problems in Dublin and Waterford, in particular. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, should halt the increases pertaining to the valuations until the valuation legislation is in the House. We are assured it will be brought here next month.