Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the expressions of sympathy to the family of John Corrie. The vast majority of Members of the House have spoken about the issue of homelessness. Like all Members I am very concerned over the recent rise in the number of people sleeping rough in Dublin city. Any loss of life on our streets is a tragedy. We all agree that a recovering economy needs to translate into better living standards for all our people.

As the Deputy Leader mentioned, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will convene a special forum on homelessness on Thursday to meet elected mayors, CEOs of local authorities and representatives of the voluntary organisations to address the serious challenges posed by homelessness in the Dublin region in particular.

Arrangements are under way to expand the number of emergency bed spaces. A total of 164 beds are being sourced by Dublin City Council - 38 have already been put in place with another 30 due by 8 December, a further 76 by 15 December and a further 20 by 5 January. Approximately 160 people are sleeping rough in Dublin on the last count. There are 655 vacant units in the hands of Dublin City Council being refurbished and returned to use. Work has started on 245 and there will be a further 410 over the next four to six months.

The Housing First service for people sleeping rough in Dublin is under way. It is a wrap-around programme provided by Focus Ireland and the Peter McVerry Trust, which supports people sleeping rough to find and sustain tenancies.

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has written to all local authorities urging them to give priority to homeless households in their allocations. The Minister has allocated €10.5 million in additional funding in 2015 for homeless accommodation and related services, bringing the total to €55.5 million next year. This goes well beyond the Government's existing commitment to maintain its expenditure at the 2013 level of €45 million.

The Minister has also provided an additional €4 million supplementary allocation to Dublin City Council in November to assist in the costs of emergency accommodation arising from the increasing number of families being accommodated in commercial hotels.

I will not continue further with that. I am sure we will have a very good debate tomorrow and I thank the Minister for agreeing to come to the House to have a comprehensive debate on the subject tomorrow night.

Senator MacSharry spoke about the opening of the live cattle trade with Russia. I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Deputy Coveney. Over the past year or so the Minister has been very active in opening beef markets to many countries which have proved to be very productive. I will certainly raise the question of the Russian market with him also.

Senator Bacik said that very little social housing had been built during the boom years and we are certainly reaping the reward of that at present. She also spoke about the teachers' strike, as did many other Members, including Senators O'Donnell, Craughwell and Healy Eames. I will endeavour to have the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, come to the House. After the Order of Business I will ask her if she can come in this week. I am in the hands of the Minister, but I will certainly make representations to see whether she can come in this week.

Senator Zappone spoke about the need for multifaceted solutions to homelessness and we can all agree on that.

Senator Barrett welcomed the recall of the United Arab Emirates ambassador. He also commented on the death of Jack Kyle, an extraordinary sportsman in his time.

Senator O'Neill stated that milk production is 7.1% over quota and referred to the fact that Ireland will face a superlevy bill of €113 million as a result. The Senator asked that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, make representations to the effect that this money might be paid on a phased basis. I will certainly communicate his views on the matter to the Minister.

Senator Leyden also referred to the teachers' strike. I reject his comments to the effect that the Minister for Education and Skills has been in any way intransigent in respect of this matter. She has moved a great deal from her original position but I think we will leave debating the issue until she can come before the House.

Senator Kelly requested a debate on the ambulance service. I will try to facilitate his request by asking the Minister for Health to come before the House.

Senator Naughton welcomed the fact that Galway has been designated UNESCO city of film. Obviously, a major boost will accrue to the city's image as a result of this development.

I note Senator Quinn's points in respect of defibrillators and the fact that VAT should not be charged on them. The Senator raised this matter previously, particularly in the context of the provision of grants to encourage businesses to install defibrillators on their premises.

Senators Moran and Mary Ann O'Brien raised the disturbing reports relating to a care home, Áras Attracta, in County Mayo. The reports in question are shocking. Senator Moran has referred to the care of people with intellectual disabilities on several occasions in the House. We will endeavour to have a debate on the matter.

Senator Conway welcomed Ryanair's announcement regarding an increase in the number of flights into and out of Shannon Airport and the fact that an additional 1.6 million people are using the airport as a result of the abolition of the travel tax in particular.

Senator Mooney was among those who referred to homelessness. He also highlighted the need to resolve the position in respect of a housing complex in Dublin's inner city. I share the sentiments expressed by the Senator in that regard. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Donohoe, has made representations with a view to removing the impasse that has developed. Senator Mooney also referred to the debate in which we are due to engage with the Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy McHugh. I am sure the Senator is aware that when the boom was at its height in 2006, the value of the geoscience sector was estimated to be €4.2 billion or 3% of GDP. The geoscience sector contributes significantly to the building, energy, mining and environmental services sectors. More recent independent studies estimate that mining and related activities alone, which give rise to 1,400 jobs, are worth €800 million per annum. These issues will be discussed later with the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh. Senator Mooney often refers to Ireland's natural resources and the development of and support for rural areas by the Government. I am sure he will play a very important part in the debate with the Minister of State, which is due to follow the Order of Business.