Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sin é go díreach, "beidh an lá ag dul chun shíneadh". It is concerning. A debate needs to be had at this stage around who controls the networking of the broadband infrastructure because I think the sale of that infrastructure was a calamity. Looking forward, the State needs a very long-term approach to re-acquiring that infrastructure so we do not find ourselves in this debacle year after year.

Another example of this has been the near-privatisation of water. I raised again in recent times the issues regarding a family in Connemara whose water supply was cut off for days. Those problems have not been addressed and the family has been getting sporadic tanks of water. Another case close by has come to hand where a couple moved into a house in Connemara in July of last year. They paid a fee of €2,650 to be connected by Irish Water to the water system but still have not been connected. They have been contacting Irish Water and there is no response or any reasoning as to why they would not be connected to the water supply. People are finding it impossible to get straight answers from Irish Water. The lack of transparency and accountability is incredibly frustrating for people. We have asked for the clinics to be resumed but I think there is a need for a debate with the Minister who is responsible for Irish Water or is there a Minister responsible now that it has been set up as a separate entity? That whole issue of accountability around Irish Water is incredibly important.

I also want to raise the issue of the Time 4 Us play centre in Galway, which was set up as a pilot project some ten years ago. It is a play centre for families where one of the parents does not live in the family home and these are referred to as non-resident parents. It provides a safe, neutral venue where non-resident parents can spend time with their children in a fun-filled, relaxed environment. It is very important initiative. It is being used by the Courts Service, in particular for families where there are irreconcilable differences among the parents.

The issue is not necessarily around money and is actually around governance.Staff from Tusla would have been involved in this project from the get-go but due to new guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, etc., they are no longer allowed to be involved. The project is fantastic and the money is available but it needs to be mainstreamed and rolled out across the country. I ask the Leader to contact the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in respect of this matter and to arrange a debate on these types of services for young people.