Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators who raised a variety of issues on the Order of Business. Senator Ardagh raised the issue of rough sleepers, which is obviously a very difficult issue, especially with the weather disimproving. I am certainly feeling the cold more today than I have in recent weeks so I cannot imagine how somebody would feel who does not have a roof over his or her head. The rough sleeper census from last Tuesday found there were 156 individuals sleeping rough on that night. Believe it or not, that is a reduction on this time last year. Budget 2019 provided €60 million for the provision of emergency accommodation which will support the development of facilities for rough sleepers, as well as family hubs. The Minister, Deputy Murphy, has been working closely with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and the Dublin local authorities on the delivery of additional emergency accommodation. The Dublin Region Homeless Executive is co-ordinating the delivery of 203 permanent beds and 130 contingency beds. On the night of the count, 51 of these beds had been put in place and a further 152 permanent beds will be open before Christmas. That is the up-to-date position on the issue.

On the Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Act, I have also been contacted by a number of people on this issue. I do not have an answer for the Senator but, even while I have been sitting here today, we have communicated with the Department and I am awaiting a response. If the Senator does not see any sign of that in the near future, she could ask the Leader again, perhaps next week. I will ask for her to be informed of when that will be commenced. I would also like to see that happen.

Senator Ardagh also raised the issue of the ombudsman for consumers. There might be a necessity for further funding if what the Senator says is true. It would perhaps be a good matter for a Commencement debate but, failing that, a debate with the Minister for Finance would be very useful.

Senator McDowell raised the issue of foreign affairs in the House. I do not know if there is a new sentiment but I have always found this to be a Chamber, certainly during the last Seanad, where foreign affairs issues were discussed very regularly. In fact, much of the time an issue on a particular country is tabled and only two or three Members turn up in the House to discuss it.That is the other side of it and there is a balance to be achieved. I agree with the Senator and I am fully in favour of a debate in the House on the events surrounding the death of Mr. Khashoggi and the involvement of Saudi Arabia. As for Ukraine and the Russian influence there, the current events are frightening. The current leader has a popularity rating of under 10% now but he was still able to introduce martial law. Issues involving Russia, Ukraine or Georgia are frightening and it could be very useful to discuss them in the House.

We should never be seen as a House only here to rubber-stamp what happens in the Dáil. As Members of the Oireachtas and a European Union legislative Chamber, as the Senator pointed out, we have the opportunity to make our opinions known on matters like this. We have disagreements with the Department on occasion but this is not a reason for us to be deterred in raising matters of serious importance internationally in the House. I fully support the Senator in raising the prospect of those two debates. Perhaps they will happen in the new year. The other side of the matter is that people must turn up for these debates. We ask for them but people do not necessarily attend the House when the debates materialise.

Senator Conway-Walsh mentioned yesterday being International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the presentation in the AV room. I agree with the comments on personal assistance, as the system provides some liberty and independence to disabled people. It is certainly something that could be useful if discussed in this House. Perhaps the relevant Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, would be willing to come here in the new year to discuss the matter.

Senator Norris also raised the family relationships Bill, as well as other matters, but as he is not here I do not see why we should expend time responding to his contribution. Senator Lawlor raised the very important matter of the language school. We all really feel for those individuals and teachers who have been affected by this. As Deputy Humphreys mentioned, there is a Bill coming to the House tomorrow - the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill 2018 - and four Senators have tabled amendments that specifically deal with this matter. It is very timely, although the events are unfortunate. Perhaps the Senator will contribute to the debate on the Bill tomorrow.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the matter of housing and rural Ireland. She is not here but I will briefly respond in saying that the Government has made unprecedented investment in rural Ireland. We must acknowledge that some of the indicators show improvements with respect to people locating in towns. However, if we managed to reverse urbanisation as a phenomenon, we would be the first country in the world to do so. We are trying very hard but it is very challenging. A week ago, the first recipients of the Government's ten-year €1 billion rural regeneration and development scheme were announced. These were towns and villages with under 10,000 people. There has been a significant increase in Government investment in towns and villages, especially in the past three years. It is starting to bear fruit. That is as far as I will go to respond as the Senator who raised the matter is not here.

Senator Boyhan spoke about rough sleepers and I have addressed that matter. Senator Maria Byrne mentioned a positive story-----