Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator also referred to housing density. That is a matter which we should discuss with the Minister of State with responsibility for housing. I will try to arrange a debate on the overall housing sector and this could contemplate the issue of rent controls, to which Senator Craughwell referred. Such a debate is overdue.

Senator Brennan welcomed the allocation of funding through the minor works scheme to tackle problems at some accident blackspots and other road safety issues. Senator Gilroy referred to the record of various parties represented on councils on the issue of homelessness.

Senator Heffernan questioned the role of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, in respect of a site in Askeaton. I suggest that he table a matter on the Adjournment to obtain a reply to his specific query.

Senator Mooney referred to the Government's marketing plans to attract visitors to the houses of Seán Mac Diarmada and Thomas MacDonagh. I will raise this matter with the relevant Minister. I am sure Fáilte Ireland also has a role to play in respect of it.

Senator White referred to rent supplement. This is one of the only issues on which I would disagree with Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, who stated that the problem of homelessness would be solved if rent supplement were increased. I am of the opinion that if it were increased, landlords would raise rents again.

Senator Crown tabled an amendment to the Order of Business regarding obstetric care and the need to employ more obstetricians. As the Senator is aware, advertisements have appeared in the newspapers in the context of filling vacancies relating to obstetrician posts in many hospitals. As already stated, the Minister for Health came before the House only a couple of weeks ago and we engaged with him in a very comprehensive debate on the health service. I do not know if the issue about which the Senator is concerned was raised at that point.

Senator Mullins referred to the provision of information technology services within the HSE hospital groups and to the suggestion that the tendering process in this regard may have been flawed in some way. I suggest that, as the Cathaoirleach mentioned, the Senator raise the matter on the Adjournment in order that he might obtain a reply to his specific query from the Minister.