Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I begin by acknowledging that tomorrow is Lithuania's national day. I welcome the presence of the ambassador in the House.

I want to raise the issue of the economic and social intervention fund, ESIF, for Limerick. This is a really vital fund that has been providing essential funding to community groups across Limerick city, and to some of the most disadvantaged groups not just in Limerick but around the country. I tabled a Commencement matter on this issue in November and got a very positive response from the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, to the effect that ESIF funding will be in place for this year. However, I am now very concerned because the groups have been in contact with me to indicate that the funding has not yet been released. There seems to be some difficulty somewhere between Limerick City and County Council and the Department. It is not for me to say where the blame lies because, in truth, I do not know. What I do know is that if emergency funding is not brought forth, these organisations are going to be in real peril. Indeed, I am told that some key workers have already chosen to leave because of the degree of uncertainty in terms of the funding.

There are 180-odd projects run by these organisations in regeneration areas of Ballinacurra Weston, Moyross, Southill and St. Mary's Park. They do incredible work and have incredible employees working for them. There is a broad consensus across all parties of the value of the work that is being done. Right now, however, these groups are in absolute peril. If they do not receive emergency funding, they may have to start letting some of their employees go. It is a situation that just cannot be tolerated. Yet, that is the message I am getting today. I ask for an urgent debate on the matter. Perhaps the Leader's office or the Cathaoirleach's office could intervene in some way to ascertain what the issue is. If there is no disagreement about the fact that funding is in place, surely the wherewithal should be there to ensure that funding is now directed towards these groups that need it so badly. That is the first issue I want to raise.

The second issue is one that I know is close to the Acting Leader's heart. I refer to the platform economy. Senators will know that around 500 delivery drivers in Dublin were on strike yesterday because of the appalling rates of pay, which are as low as €2 per delivery at the moment. It is a situation that is incredibly unfair, particularly on our young people. Yet, we have a situation where the Government is opposing the EU platform work directive. For the life of me, I cannot understand why that is. I would like to get the Minister for enterprise in here to explain the situation. There are a number of countries opposing the EU platform work directive, which would effectively give employee rights to these young people who are being exploited day in and day out by the likes of Deliveroo and other companies. Our Government seems stacked on the side of these exploitative employers rather than on the side of employees. That is entirely unacceptable. We need an urgent debate on the matter and I am calling for that today.