Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Today started with Senator O’Loughlin, who spoke of Network Ireland’s all-Ireland business programme as well as her local drama festival. She called for a debate on solar farms as part of a wider programme on energy, for which I will ask the Minister, Darragh O’Brien, to come to the House.

Senator Boyle talked about Dunkineely National School on a national road. The TII funding should be due. I am not sure whether an application has been made, via the county council's engagement with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, regarding safety works. If not, the matter could be progressed within Donegal County Council with the director of services in respect of applications for a national road.

Senator Keogan raised issues related to persecution of Christians. Of course, all persecutions are to be condemned. Unfortunately, there are very evident cases in different parts of the world. She also talked about the NGO sector and called for a debate with the Minister for public expenditure on waste. Unfortunately, there are examples, which she and others have highlighted over the past number of years, relating to specific issues. I will invite the Minister for public expenditure to a debate on that matter.

Senator Andrews raised Pearse House and the flat regeneration programme. He talked about the conditions within Pearse House and other areas. There are ongoing issues of retrofitting within local authorities. I do not have an update on that particular project but he can table a Commencement matter and he might get a more direct response about it.We want to see all council accommodation retrofitted and insulated over the coming years.

Senator Harmon spoke about student accommodation. As a former president of the USI, she is obviously well briefed on these issues. I did not get a chance to meet the students from Galway - maybe it was the full USI - but there has probably been more progress on student accommodation in Galway than other parts of the country. A total of 674 beds were opened in the Dunlin facility, 429 in Goldcrest and 394 off-site in the Westwood. That is progress but we would like to see a situation where we can maximise the amount of student accommodation. We recently changed the rules regarding technological universities, which should assist. We want to see projects across all technological universities. More on-site student accommodation will free up the market elsewhere in our cities and towns. That is important, too.

Senator Black raised the issue of military neutrality and called for a debate. I will ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to come to the House.

Senator Paul Daly raised the EU budget and CAP funding. He is right that we do not have the committee set up, which is important because these things would be teased out, the work programme would be dealt with and agreed, and the Chair and secretariat would invite in different Ministers and officials to raise issues like this. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Heydon, to come in to talk about the preliminary work on the CAP budget.

Senator P. J. Murphy raised the issue of funding for traditional music festivals and the county ceoltas competitions. I know the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, launched the small-scale local festivals and summer schools schemes this week or last week. That might be an avenue. The maximum there is €5,000. The Senator has made a reasonable request. Perhaps he could table a Commencement matter to see if the Minister could look at something larger regarding ceoltas festivals.

Senator Boyhan raised the matter of Irish speakers, planning permission and the rural housing guidelines. It is a valid point. For two hours on Sunday night, I was at a meeting in Indreabhán about rural planning and housing, organised by Bánú, which has set up committees around Gaeltacht areas relating to the provision of housing for Irish speakers. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Browne, or the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, to come into the House to talk about the rural planning guidelines.

Senator Comyn raised issues of mental health. She has talked about Save Our Sons and Daughters, SOSAD, and the interim funding required. Senator Tully raised this during the week. Perhaps both Senators could table a Commencement matter. It might be picked. I will certainly ask the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to come into the House to speak on the important issue of mental health. It is a valid point. It is important that the helpline led by the SOSAD volunteers remains active.

Senator Scahill talked about school bus routes and input by parents associations. I suggest that the first port of call might be the local inspector. Engage with him or her and see what is needed. I know from time to time that inspectors look at different options and perhaps change to accommodate the maximum number of students by changing the route. You can never please everybody but you can please the maximum number and ensure that the local route suits them.

Senator Cosgrove spoke about the regeneration in Sligo and the Cranmore development. It is good to hear the good news that the Senator mentioned. She also talked about the funding for a local community centre. Perhaps she could table a Commencement matter to get a more direct response.

Senator O'Donovan spoke about wastewater funding and the Dunmanway scheme. It is regrettable to think that there are issues with the capacity or standards of something that was built in 2013. We will try to get Ministers in to address housing. Wastewater is a significant part of the jigsaw that is in increasing our supply of housing and allowing for private, affordable and social housing.

Senator O'Reilly talked about the rural regeneration programme and the shortfall of funding. I know the figure in Cavan was up by 11% this year, which was certainly welcome news. On that point, I am pleased to say that my local road in Clydagh is being resurfaced this week, which was great news locally. There is some 800 m of blacktop surfacing, which was great news for the locals.