Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The repair and leasing scheme is one that seems good in principle. It provides upfront funding to property owners to perform renovations on vacant properties and, in return, the property owner agrees to lease the renovated property back to the local authority to provide social housing for 25 years. I have recently established the number of dwellings delivered by local authorities under the scheme. From 2017 until the end of 2020 the number of dwellings delivered nationally under the scheme was a mere 234 in four years, fewer than 60 a year. This is a paltry figure. In spite of the increase in the scheme's funding limit to €60,000, it is still inadequate to stimulate demand. Not enough money is being made available to repair the houses. With steep inflation in building costs, I doubt the budget of €11 million for the scheme in 2021 will deliver the number of units anticipated. The scheme is another abject failure of the housing policies of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.

I also raise the issue of the vaccination programme. Last December, the Government's own national vaccination programme and implementation plan had assigned the central role to pharmacies in the programme. Why have they not been involved in administering a single vaccine? Some 2,000 pharmacists have been trained and are experienced vaccinators. They have a capacity to administer more than 50,000 a week. If the Government wants to hit its vaccination target by the end of June, I urge it to delay no longer.

Finally, on reproductive health and abortion, I say in support of Senator Mullen that the review is welcome. I was not aware until yesterday that no data on abortions were kept. I am particularly concerned about the late-term abortions and the question of pain relief for the unborn. A question and conversation needs to be had no this. While many support reproductive health, I am sure that, similarly, they will show compassion for the unborn and, it is hoped, agree to support pain relief in late-term abortions.