Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Terry Brennan welcomed the announcement by a pharmaceutical company of its plans to invest €450 million and create new jobs in Blanchardstown. It is wonderful news for people in the area. Senator Brennan also raised the issue of sentencing policy.

Senator Aideen Hayden referred to the daft.iereport showing an increase in rents in Dublin, an issue of which we all are aware. The Senator requested that the Tánaiste come to the House to discuss an increase in rent allowance payments. Senator Hayden also raised an important point regarding proposed increases in on-campus student accommodation of 20% this year, following increases of 16% last year. The Senator rightly points out that this is a deterrent for young people in rural areas from accessing third level education. The arrangements between accommodation suppliers and the universities and institutes of technology should be investigated. An additional 20% increase on top of a 16% rise is exorbitant and I will ask the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House to discuss the matter.

In raising the issue of maternity services, Senator Colm Burke pointed out that there were more than 700,000 births between 2003 and 2013 and only in a minuscule number of cases did things go wrong.Senator Mullins spoke about the further major earthquake in Nepal this morning. He complimented the aid agencies working in very difficult circumstances. I will ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to give the House an update on the situation in Nepal.