Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business today. Senator O'Loughlin spoke this morning and congratulated Noeline Blackwell on her recent award for her work in campaigning for victims of domestic violence, and for all of the good work that she has done. I concur with the Senator's remarks. They were also concurred with by Senator Dooley. I wish Ms Blackwell the very best.

Senator O'Loughlin also alerted members to an Bainne Beatha briefing at 4 p.m. I assume it is in the audiovisual room. This will look at maternity and breastfeeding rates. The Senator also welcomed the €1,000 discount for the third level student contribution and asked that it could be extended to those doing PhDs and postgraduate courses.

Senator Boyhan spoke this morning, as did other Members, on the area of forestry. We have requests from Senators Buttimer, Burke, Lombard and Dolan, among others, to ask for a debate in the House on forestry. The request has gone to the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. We hope to have the Minister of State into the House next week if we can schedule it for next Wednesday evening. If that does not happen next week it will likely be after the recess. We will get that debate as quickly as we can.

Senator Boyhan also spoke about the thalidomide issue and the request for compensation and an appropriate medical package. I agree and concur with the Senator's remarks

Senator Buttimer spoke about forestry and has asked for a debate on the junior certificate exams, the national State examination board, and how we can reimagine and rework that for future years. That request has gone in.

Senator Dooley has asked for a debate on the revaluation of commercial rates and the impact it is having on some businesses, with some businesses seeing a significant increase in their rates bill. The Senator highlighted a particular business in Ennis whose bill went from €9,000 per annum to €50,000 per annum, which potentially could put that business out of business.

Senator Moynihan spoke about the eviction ban and has welcomed it. I believe that every Member will concur with that. I am glad that it is in place. The Senator spoke about the tenant in situscheme. Senator Cummins pointed out that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has directed local authorities to purchase properties where there is a tenant in situand the tenant is in receipt of housing assistance payment. HAP. That is actively happening but that is not going to solve the housing crisis because one is purchasing stock that already exists in an environment where stock is limited. That is where the problem lies. I have looked at the Labour Party housing policy. It is very light on detail. It says that it would build homes and build back fairer but it does not detail how the homes would be built and it does not detail how they would deal with the shortages in construction workers, the supply chain issues and all of the other factors that are impacting on the cost of building homes and getting homes under construction. A bit more detail and solutions from other parties around housing would be very welcome because we all want to get this issue resolved.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about foster care and a particular issue in Wexford and Waterford that was highlighted where HIQA had found that one third of those in foster care in those two counties are without a social care worker. The Senator has asked for a debate on this. That has been requested.

On Senator Gavan's contribution, I will make that request to the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary. Will the Senator forward on the name of the directive?