Seanad debates

Thursday, 4 April 2019

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ní cigire mé, a Chathaoirligh - múinteoir scoile, b'fhéidir. I dtús báire, bronnaim mo bhuíochas ar gach Ball a ghlac páirt san Ord Gnó. I thank the 15 Members of the House who contributed to the Order of Business today.

Senator Ardagh raised a very important issue in the context of the Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, in terms of its interesting survey that was published. As those of us who have family members who have affected by cancer know quite well, the issue of nutrition and diet is very important in cancer treatment and care. As the report indicates, we have 33 dietitians in the country with three clinical specialists. As the Senator referenced with different figures, there is a huge amount of work to be done in terms of education, informing people and working with people. I commend Dr. Aoife Ryan in UCC on her report. There is a need, as I think we would all agree, for continuing investment in dietetic services. To that end, I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter because it is an important part of cancer care and treatment. It is also important that we recognise that it is about allowing people who are undergoing treatment to be able to access and access proper nutritional care.

Senators Ardagh, Boyhan and Colm Burke raised the issue of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme. I fully agree that the news issued today by the Central Bank is to be welcomed. It has no immediate concerns about the contribution of State moneys. It is important that the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Housing, Planning and Local Government end their talks and, as Senator Colm Burke said, that we allow for people who need to have access to finance, where they cannot get it from the banking institutions, to avail of home loans for building. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House on that matter. It is a very important issue. I welcome the response made by the Central Bank. I certainly hope that we can see the home loan scheme being restored because it is an important asset, particularly for young people and first-time buyers who cannot get on the property ladder themselves.

Senator Boyhan made reference to the issue of the Land Development Agency. I am happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter raised by the Senator.

Senators Boyhan and Colm Burke raised the need for the extension to the employment permit scheme, which I welcome. This week, Senator Colm Burke and I met members of Nursing Homes Ireland from Cork. There is a deficit of staffing and a skills shortage in that sector. It is important that as we reach full employment, the Government would consider access to employment from outside of the EU as a way to having people employed in a very important number of sectors. We have done it in other areas so we can do it in this area. Equally, it is incumbent on Government to progress, promulgate and advertise the apprenticeship scheme that has been commenced by the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Halligan.

Senator Grace O'Sullivan raised the important issue of sperm whales. The points she made are very relevant, not least in the context of our discussion as an Oireachtas of the report compiled by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action. There also is a need for the oceans Bill to come back but I have not got a date for the Senator. She made the important point that the issue of our oceans is of absolute importance. I know we have had legislation on microbeads but the ingestion of plastics and other materials is a huge concern and has an adverse effect on sperm whales, as mentioned by the Senator today.

The national marine strategy framework is the overarching policy for our use of marine areas for sustainability. The answer to the Senator's specific question is one that falls between a number of Ministers, namely, the Minister of State, Deputy English; the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross; the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton; the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy; and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy English, to check whether this issue comes under his remit. I know that he spoke at a conference on oceans that was held in Galway last year but I will revert back to the Senator on the matter.

Senators Conway-Walsh, McDowell, O'Reilly and Ó Céidigh all touched on the very important issue of insurance. The cost of insurance is a major issue for businesses, consumers and community groups. The Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, has been proactive about the matter. We have seen a reduction in some of the motor insurance costs. The Minister published the cost of insurance working group report with the employer public liability report last year in 2018. We all accept that there is a real need to reduce the costs for businesses, which was spoken about here this morning. Equally, the Judicial Council Bill must come back and be concluded. It is worth noting that the Government enacted legislation on insurance in terms of the Insurance (Amendment) Act, the Central Bank (National Claims Information Database) Act and the new Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Act. In addition, the Government has proposed amendments to a Sinn Féin Bill proposed by Deputy Pearse Doherty. There is work being done. Insurance costs are frustrating and annoying and we need to see the cost of claims reduced.

Senator McDowell referenced an claim reported in a newspaper this morning. The award baffles me and there are many awards that baffles many of us who watch from afar. There is a continuing piece of work to be done on the matter.

I know Senator Conway-Walsh is not here but I want to wish her a very happy birthday today. I am sure she is gone celebrating with Senator Devine and maybe we will all join her later.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of the visitation to the national children's hospital yesterday. We do hope that the work continues there. When the hospital is completed it will be a flagship hospital for children not just in Ireland or Europe but across the world. I thank the Senator for his work on the issue at the Joint Committee on Health. I agree with Senators Colm Burke and Boyhan that there needs to be a continuing progression and a faster building of social housing but also of housing in general. We need to incentivise and consider ways we can expedite the building of more housing.

Senator Humphreys raised the important issue of BusConnects and the eight people he referenced in his contribution this morning. It is a very serious matter and one that we take seriously on this side of the House. We do not certainly engage in hilarity in terms of the people that he referenced.

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