Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Mooney raised the question of GSOC and the telephone records of journalists. Concerns have been expressed over recent days about access to journalists' telephone records in the context of criminal investigations being carried out by GSOC. We all agree that a free press plays a pre-eminent role in any democracy in fostering a full, free and informed debate on all issues of public concern. It is, therefore, of fundamental importance in any healthy democracy that journalists should be able to carry out their legitimate work unhindered. Today, the Government agreed to the Minister for Justice and Equality's proposal to establish an independent review of the law in respect of access to journalists' telephone records. The Minister will make a further statement later today on the conduct of the review, the details of which are still being finalised.

Senator Mooney and many others raised the question of the RTE programme on homelessness yesterday evening.It is not tolerable that in Ireland today we have families and children living in emergency accommodation. It is a legacy of the housing bust that we are working to remedy every day. The Government and local councils are progressing a number of more suitable property and policy solutions for all families in emergency accommodation. Many of the problems stem from chronic lack of supply of housing, which is causing knock-on problems across the property market and the wider society, from renters to first-time buyers and low income households. Senator Hayden has mentioned in this House on several occasions that housing supply is the nub of the problem.

Housing is a priority of Government, as evidenced by the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which sets out our clear, measurable actions and targets, primarily to increase the supply of social housing to meet the housing needs of all households on the social housing list. In total, the strategy targets delivery of 110,000 new social housing units through current and capital funding streams. Senator Cullinane mentioned that we should have a debate on funding and that there is a need for greater investment in social housing. I fully agree with him and, given the pressing need to recommence house building, a programme of approximately €3 billion in capital funding will be provided in support of the social housing strategy through the Government's capital plan from 2016 to 2021. In 2015, more than 13,000 units were delivered across all social housing programmes, representing an 86% increase on the 7,000 units delivered in 2014. While that represents tangible progress, and in order to deal comprehensively with the housing list, further ambitious targets will be set by the Government starting with 2016, where the target is to deliver 17,000 units.

This is not a problem that can be solved overnight. Planning, design and building must take place, and that takes time. Money is not a problem regarding the building of houses. As I said, the Government has made €3 billion available, and I am sure that will be acted upon by local authorities throughout the country. More than 2,000 units that were boarded up have been put back into circulation this year, and people are living in those houses. There is a need for further advancement in that regard. All local authorities have been asked to co-operate. The provision of funding for housing is not a problem for the local authorities and where they request it they will be allocated money.

Senator Bacik complimented all the Irish people and actors who have been nominated for Oscars, and called for greater funding for the Irish Film Board. I am sure that matter will be addressed by the Minister.

Senator Bacik also raised the question of an all-party motion on cystic fibrosis. Hopefully, we will have a wording that can be agreed by all parties and Members of the House.

Senator Norris spoke about the need for a metro system in Dublin. The Road Traffic Bill will come before the House today, and I believe another Bill dealing with public transport will be brought forward in a week or two. That will provide ample opportunity for Senator Norris to raise the matter.

Senator Jim D'Arcy welcomed the progress in job creation in Gaeltacht areas. An additional 215 people were employed in Gaeltacht companies at the end of 2015, and Údarás na Gaeltachta managed to create 533 jobs in 2015, so that is significant progress.Senator D'Arcy also acknowledged the progress made by Údarás na Gaeltachta on the implementation of the language planning process in the Gaeltacht in conjunction with community organisations on the ground. That certainly is important work, and we are all pleased that Údarás na Gaeltachta is prioritising the process in the 18 Gaeltacht language planning areas from which notices have been published to date. That represents significant progress in the area, as Senator D'Arcy mentioned.

Senator Barrett asked how long the Seanad Chamber would be closed for building work, and mentioned the delays in the work on the National Gallery. I am not aware of how long the work will take, although I am sure the House will be notified of when it will commence and what the plans are for us. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges will discuss the matter.