Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and welcome those in the Gallery.

I thank all those who contributed to the Order of Business today. Senator Cummins wanted to draw attention to the lump sum payments as part of budget 2024 which are coming into people's accounts this week and to acknowledge the significant work done by both finance Ministers in putting together a cost-of-living package to assist those most in need.

Senator O'Loughlin spoke about Naas General Hospital and her visit there with the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte. They are celebrating ten years of Project Search which led to the Oireachtas Work Learning,OWL, programme, where 72% of participants ended up with a permanent job. She commended all those who participated.

She also drew our attention to the plight of foster carers, as did Senator Malcolm Byrne, and the fact that in the Social Protection Bill, it is anticipated that those payments will not come into effect until November of next year which is quite late into the year. The Senators have requested a debate with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, on the issue and I will request that debate. Both Senators spoke about the fantastic work foster carers do, the need to ensure that there is a pension in place, proper renumeration, and the significant pressures on those doing that work.

Senator Mullen spoke about the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA; the development of the social, personal and health education, SPHE, programme; and a round-table discussion which did not, he said, include parent representatives. Certainly, there should be room for discussion and a challenge to what is being proposed in order to have a full and transparent process in establishing that new curriculum. There is no doubt that there are elements which for some people are difficult to deal with and there is not a consensus on those things. I take the Senator's comments on board.

Senator Gavan spoke about the progress towards Irish unity and the Ireland's Future group. I remind the Senator that under this Government we have seen the establishment of the shared island unit which is the first truly inclusive project which looks at how we share the island as opposed to taking sides. There has been meaningful engagement cross-Border with that unit and significant funds from the Government have been put behind that project to fund and develop cross-Border projects and initiatives.

I know that in my own county of Mayo we have the Daisy Lodge facility and cancer respite centre for children which was also funded under the shared island unit because it has a facility in the North and children, cross-Border, will travel for those services. This Government has shown its commitment to Irish unity, not in a way that alienates any particular community but in a way that ensures we all move together, and can share the island together.

Senator Sherlock spoke about the referral of Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union, ECJ, with regard to the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act and she asked if the Government is intent on pushing workers back to the office. I believe it has been quite clear that following the pandemic, the view of the Government is that people should be facilitated in flexible and remote working. In the public sector, where the Government is the employer, employees are facilitated with 20% of their work being done from home. That is already an established policy from the Government's perspective. Employees are voting with their feet and are going to employers where that flexibility is facilitated. The legal framework will be forthcoming but it certainly is the view of the Government that it leads to a better work-life balance if people have that flexibility and can work remotely.

It is also important to say that many workers have said, when surveyed, that they also want a balance and to have the option to go to the office. It is not about a one-size-fits-all approach.

Senator Dooley has asked for a debate on the renewable sector and I agree with the Senator's remarks on the opportunities for offshore wind. That is where it is at now. We have exhausted all of the viable projects onshore and it has been a difficult and painful process over the past number of decades getting wind farms where communities have significant resistance. There are very significant possibilities, particularly off the west coast, which is the windiest part of the country. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communicationsn has spoken in the Chamber previously on this topic where he is keen to progress this but does not believe that the technology is quite yet there for the north and north west. I have disagreed with the Minister on that issue as I believe the technology needs to be supported and the planning needs to start now to get these projects up and running. We will request a debate on that to see where we are at with regard to our renewables sector because in the context of the 2030 and 2050 targets, we have big targets to reach in the next number of decades.

Senator Seery Kearney spoke about the Covid-19 vaccination programme and its success and the worrying trend where we are seeing a low uptake of vaccinations for this winter. She has asked that vaccinations be provided free of charge to those in the childcare sector because of their interaction with small children.

Senator Keogan spoke about the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth website and the modular housing programme which will be rolled out to provide accommodation. I take on board the Senator's comments around the challenge we have with homelessness figures, with people on housing waiting lists, and now we are trying to house those who are seeking international protection. I believe that the Government has been very honest in articulating its position that this is a great challenge to deal with because the numbers are so great. It is putting pressure on housing. I think the Ministers, Deputies O'Gorman and O'Brien, have been very honest that they are finding it difficult to provide housing for everybody. It is an ongoing challenge. Modular is part of the solution. We need to progress that across the country, make sure communities are involved and liaised with and make sure information is provided. It will not reverse engines - it is a challenge that is here to stay. It is happening across the European Union. We are not the only country dealing with this. There are two Departments dealing with two different areas but there is of course a connection. Both Ministers have an understanding and a respect for one another to work on the issue despite the pressures they both face on the housing issue.

Senator Horkan spoke about the three biggest killers being cancer, dementia and cardiovascular issues. He spoke primarily about cardiovascular issues and the need to highlight that regular testing of blood pressure could provide early detection and prevent serious disease. It is important to get out the message that you can be asymptomatic for quite a long time before it presents in a more serious way. It is good advice. We will have a debate on health in the new term. It is unlikely to happen before the end of the year. A number of health Bills are coming through so there may be an opportunity under health legislation to raise this matter at that point.

Senator McGahon spoke about flooding in County Louth and the €2 million request from Louth County Council to the Government to assist with repair works. While that has been granted by the Government, the Senator said there is an issue around private roads where there is no specific funding. He has been advised that the LIS may be sufficient. That is fine where the road might qualify for the LIS; if it does not, you are in difficulty. I take on board the Senator's comments. He also asked if there will be a scheme for agriculture and for the farms that have been affected. I suggest a Commencement matter would be suitable for that particular question.

Senator Currie spoke about the Supplementary Estimate of €4 billion. She drew attention to the €850 million for Department of Education school buildings and requested a debate on the school building programme, which we will request.

Senator Dolan spoke about the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme for the development of rural projects. It is great to see projects coming through in rural towns that still have a significant population and serve many people. She spoke about Castlerea and Ballinasloe. It is important for recreational purposes for the community that these projects are funded; €100,000 is a huge amount of money for a small town. It might seem insignificant in the bigger scheme of things but it is hugely important to those areas. The Government has done a good job targeting funding at smaller rural towns where there is huge appreciation for these works when they are done. There is large use of those facilities.

Senator Doherty spoke about the affordable housing issue and a single mum with three children in Rush in north County Dublin. We will try to work on that and engage with the Minister's office and his advisers to see if we can get Fingal County Council to communicate and deal with the different silos that appear to exist. It should not be the case that she would lose out because of not getting the schemes to match up. We will try to get something resolved for that woman. I appreciate we are on borrowed time. We will try to get something done soon.

Senator Gallagher spoke about shoppers preparing for Christmas and made a call that we embrace green Friday and try to shop local when we can. Online retailers are very good at tempting you to purchase online. I am thinking of the likes of Amazon, which really pushes its black Friday sale and calls it black Friday week. Anything we can buy locally, as the Senator pointed out, is a huge benefit to the local economy, with €1 resulting in €5 of benefit to the local economy. He requested a Government campaign. I do not know whether it will happen in time for this year, but it is good to request that the Government highlights the importance of shopping locally and reminds people not to click as easily as we often do.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about foster carers. He welcomed the extension of pension rights to family carers. He made a call that something similar be done for foster carers. He highlighted that the payment announced in the budget will not come until next year. There may be scope to deal with that in the upcoming finance and social welfare Bill.