Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----who have raised that question this afternoon.

Senator Bacik referred to the shooting of a six-year-old boy last Friday, which was a dreadful act, and asked that we have a debate on crime. Senator Mullins also requested such a debate.

Senator Conway spoke about the increased tourist numbers, which will be welcomed by all.

They are due in part to the VAT reductions initiated by Government and the abolition of the dreadful travel tax which prevented people coming to the country. The future of the tourism industry is a matter we should debate and I will try to arrange a session with the relevant Minister in early course.

Senator Brennan also raised questions on tourism with particular reference to concerts taking place in Dublin for which more than 100,000 tickets have been sold to people from outside the State. He referred also to sporting events including American football, which are coming to Dublin. They all add to the tourism product we have and are to be commended. Senator Comiskey referred in the context of tourism to Lissadell House. It will certainly be a major boost to tourism in the area. There were more than 40,000 annual visitors to the house in years gone by.

Senator Leyden referred to the three Israeli youths who were kidnapped in Ramallah. I assure the Senator that the Tánaiste will do everything in his power to assist in any way in the matter.

Senator Hayden raised measures to assist people who face homelessness. I commend the work of Threshold. Senator Hayden pointed out that a great deal of work is being done on rent allowance. I remind the House that we will take Second Stage of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 tomorrow when the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, will attend. Quite a number of people were looking for a debate on housing and there is no better opportunity for them to come in to speak than when legislation comes to the House.

Senator Barrett raised the safety of children in residential areas. We express our deepest sympathy to the family of the six-year old child who was killed in Kilkenny. The safety of children in residential areas is primarily a matter for local authorities. One can see that many of these areas have speed ramps and children-at-play signs. Everything that can be done should be done to allow people to play safely in their areas.

On open competition for senior positions in the Department of Finance, I will certainly convey the matter. It is something the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, has advocated in the House previously. I will bring it to his attention once more.

Senators Comiskey, Ó Clochartaigh, Mullins and Burke referred to the restoration of discretionary medical cards. The HSE will restore cards issued on a discretionary basis to persons with serious medical conditions to well in excess of 15,000 people who held medical or GP visit cards which were lost on completion of an eligibility review between 1 July 2011 and 31 May 2014. The HSE will review its records and restore cards automatically. The HSE estimates that the process will be completed in a three-week period. That is to be welcomed by all. It is a matter which has been raised in the House on many occasions by many Senators. It should be welcomed as it was by Members who spoke today. Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to the files. That issue will have to be resolved. If files are missing which did not get from the initial health board area to the centralised point, it will have to be ascertained where they are. I agree completely with the Senator on the matter.

Senator Moran raised the matter of the Special Olympics and praised the voluntary effort by everybody involved. All Members will concur with her remarks. Senator Walsh referred to housing as did Senator Burke.

Despite the adverse economic circumstances in which the country finds itself, the Government will add approximately 5,000 homes to the social housing stock this year. This will be achieved through a variety of means, including direct construction, renovation of vacant buildings and leasing and other schemes. This year sees a return to the construction of mainstream social housing for the first time in many years. It is on a small scale as it reflects the state of the public finances but it is also an important statement of the Government's intent in respect of housing. I think Senator Colm Burke also pointed out that very little social housing was built during the boom, which is a very relevant point.

Senator Mullins spoke about the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report, which found that more than32,000 people set up their own businesses in Ireland last year. That is a wonderful statistic that should be discussed with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in a debate on the action plan for jobs.

Senator O'Sullivan complimented the circular from the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the 2014 leaving certificate. As the Senator said, it is opening up the system and creating greater transparency in an area where light did not shine for many years.

Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke about the code of conduct for mortgage arrears. If banks are not complying with that, they should be reported and the matter should be investigated. If he has information about those cases, there is a mechanism with which to appeal those decisions.

Senator Colm Burke also said that almost two million people will be in receipt of a medical card in due course.

In respect of Senator Mullen's comments, freedom of religion is a cornerstone of the Government and is written into our Constitution so there should be no ambiguity with regard to that matter.

I think I have addressed the other matters addressed by Senators relating to the banking inquiry.