Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was devastated to learn yesterday that a seven-year-old girl in Dublin lost the sight in her right eye because, it is suspected, a vape exploded from a bonfire. It brought me back to many years ago when a young seven-year-old boy in Newbridge lost his hand from something escaping from a bonfire. We are approaching bonfire and banger season. I raised this issue in the Chamber recently and I again send out an appeal, both to the authorities to make sure everything is monitored and to those going across the Border to illegally purchase and use these bangers and fireworks. It is a very dangerous time.

I raise the issue of access to housing for single people. While we have made great strides in terms of housing on a national level, and almost 10,000 houses have been built in my own county of Kildare over the past four years, I am genuinely concerned for single people who are finding it very difficult to be able to purchase a house. I remember the absolute relief myself when, as a single person, I managed to get on the property ladder. Despite all of the measures that are in place, and they are really good measures, it is very difficult for people on their own. As we know, with all the bills that have to be paid, the costs to a single person are equivalent to an additional 80% of the costs for a second person. There have to be Government measures for supporting people on their own in accessing property as well as in terms of financial institutions giving mortgages, etc. It is really good that one can avail of the tax relief for renting out bedrooms, etc., but the important thing is, taking Kildare alone as an example, the number of single people recorded in the previous census as living on their own has gone up 2%. It is something we need to be very mindful of.

Today is SUDEP action day, which stands for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Knowing young people who suffer from epilepsy, it is important the issue is raised in the Chamber and that we look for a debate on it. In 2019, 33 people died from this. The median age was 45 but the youngest was nine years of age. It is an important issue we need to discuss.

Regarding nitrous oxide canisters, I was contacted by a person who had done the community a great service by collecting these from roads and streets. When they contacted Kildare County Council, however, they were told there was no facility under current legislation to take these - I assume it is the same for every local authority - and the council was unable to advise or arrange collection or storage. Something needs to be done about this. We need to have a debate with the Minister for the environment.