Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jan 2024

Vol. 1048 No. 3

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Hildegarde Naughton)

I move:

Tuesday's business shall be:

- Social Welfare (Liable Relatives and Child Maintenance) Bill 2023 Motion to Instruct the Committee (without debate)

- Motion re Conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (to conclude within 147 mins)

Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Housing and Homeless Prevention, selected by Sinn Féin.

Wednesday's business shall be:

- Statements post European Council meeting of 14th-15th December, pursuant to Standing Order 124 (statements for 102 mins, followed by 20 mins Q&A, followed by Ministerial response for 5 mins)

- Motion re Tribunal of Inquiry into certain matters relating to the Complaints Processes in the Defence Forces (to conclude within 112 mins)

- Digital Services Bill 2023 (Report and Final Stages) (to be taken no earlier than 6 p.m. and to conclude within 60 mins)

- Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023 (Report and Final Stages) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn either at 9.14 p.m. or after 1 hr 30 mins, whichever is the later)

Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Gaza and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, selected by the Social Democrats.

Thursday's business shall be:

- Statements on United Kingdom Import Controls (not to exceed 112 mins)

- Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn at 6.30 p.m. or after 2 hrs 56 mins, whichever is the later)

Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2023.

Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business:

In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent:

(i) the Dáil may sit later than 10.32 p.m.; and

(ii) the time allotted to Government business shall be extended in accordance with the arrangements for the Motion re Conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, with consequential effect on the commencement times for the items following in the ordinary routine of business, namely, private members’ business, Parliamentary Questions to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, and topical issues;

2. the proceedings on the Social Welfare (Liable Relatives and Child Maintenance) Bill 2023 Motion to Instruct the Committee shall be taken without debate; and

3. the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the Motion re Conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory:

(i) the proceedings shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 2 hours and 27 minutes;

(ii) the speeches shall not exceed 137 minutes, and the arrangements for that time shall be in accordance with the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, and the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September, 2023;

(iii) following the speeches, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and

(iv) members may share time.

In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent:

(i) the Dáil may sit later than 9.30 p.m., but shall in any event adjourn on the conclusion of the weekly division time;

(ii) the first item of Government business, namely, the Statements post European Council meeting of 14th-15th December, pursuant to Standing Order 124, shall be taken at the time when the SOS pursuant to Standing Order 25(1) would normally be taken, and the SOS shall be taken immediately following the statements; and

(iii) the weekly division time may be taken later than 8.45 p.m., and shall in any event be taken on the interruption or conclusion of proceedings on the Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023;

2. the Statements post European Council meeting of 14th-15th December, pursuant to Standing Order 124, shall not exceed 127 minutes, and the following arrangements shall apply thereto:

(i) the statements shall not exceed 102 minutes, and the arrangements for that time shall be in accordance with those agreed by the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, and the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September 2023;

(ii) following the statements, questions and answers shall be taken for 20 minutes;

(iii) on the conclusion of the questions and answers, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; and

(iv) members may share time;

3. the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the Motion re Tribunal of Inquiry into certain matters relating to the Complaints Processes in the Defence Forces:

(i) the proceedings shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 1 hour and 52 minutes;

(ii) the speeches shall not exceed 102 minutes, and the arrangements for that time shall be in accordance with the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, and the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September, 2023;

(iii) following the speeches, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and

(iv) members may share time;

4. the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of the Digital Services Bill 2023 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after one hour by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and

5. the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of the Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 9.14 p.m. or after 1 hour and 30 minutes, whichever is the later, and shall not be resumed on Wednesday.

In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent that topical issues may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the interruption or conclusion of Government business, with consequential effect on the commencement time for Second Stage of the Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2023, and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil;

2. the Statements on United Kingdom Import Controls shall not exceed 112 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply thereto:

(i) the statements shall not exceed 102 minutes, and the arrangements for that time shall be in accordance with the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, and the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September, 2023;

(ii) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and

(iii) members may share time; and

3. the proceedings on Second Stage of the Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 6.30 p.m. or after 2 hours and 56 minutes, whichever is the later, and shall not be resumed on Thursday.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is that agreed?

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

It is not agreed.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

It is not agreed.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I call Deputy Whitmore.

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. We need to see the plans of the Government on immigration and housing refugees. Each week we are told that they are just being worked on, but we need to see the facts, figures and timelines on this. There are more than 600 IPAS applicants who are currently on our streets who are facing sub-zero temperatures or storm after storm and we need to see the plan for how the Government will provide them with accommodation. We hear about reception and integration centres. Where are the plans for those? These have been talked about for two or three years now. When will the Government get its act together and come up with a feasible and deliverable plan to deal with this issue? We need statements from the Government on this as soon as possible.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Yesterday we saw a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court in the case of Johnny O'Meara. I commend the courage of Johnny O'Meara in challenging the inequality in law relating to cohabiting couples and to note that judgement. I also note that the Government is committed to passing legislative change to give effect to that ruling to ensure cohabitees in the tragic circumstances of Johnny O'Meara and his children will be covered by social protection measures. Will the Taoiseach give us a timeline for the bringing in of the necessary legislative measures? In particular, will the Government do this by way of amendments to the social welfare Bill currently going through the Oireachtas?

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

I welcome the decision of the Government, albeit belated, to concede to a debate on Gaza that we asked for. I object that the Government motion in this has only come out in the past 20 minutes or so and we have been given five minutes from now to put in amendments. This is completely unacceptable, especially given the failure of the Government to accede to the request of those concerned about Israel's genocide to actively and publicly support South Africa's action against Israel for genocide in Gaza.

I also express my concern about reports in the newspapers over recent days about comments made by the Ceann Comhairle to the effect that the left are somehow responsible for a rise in antisemitism. Those comments need to be clarified. It is completely baseless to suggest-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy, please.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

-----the left who criticise Israel for apartheid are somehow guilty of antisemitism.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy, we are on the business for the week. Moving on, on the topic of whether the business for the week is agreed, we will hear from Deputies McGrath, Mac Lochlainn and Tóibín.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. On behalf of my colleagues in the Rural Independent Group, and Deputy O'Donoghue raised it already, we badly need a debate on the situation facing small businesses, especially food outlets. We had two restaurants on Main Street in Tipperary town, Prime 74 and Flanagan's Lane Restaurant, close in the past week. These were two excellent premises with excellent staff and excellent management. They were excellent family businesses. This is replicated up and down the county and all over the country. The Government might have a minimum wage and excellent bank holidays and this fanfare for extra sick pay, extra pensions and you name it, but the Small Firms Association, IBEC and everybody else is telling it that it is just not viable to stay in business. There is carbon tax, the cost of electricity and everything else. The Government is giving support, but this is a crisis. First of all, we need the VAT dealt with immediately. It must be reduced back to 9%. We need to look seriously at how difficult it is for a small business to operate and the onerous job it is for employers to fill out all this paperwork. All the schemes the Government has brought in are lovely, but they are not practical and they are killing initiative and small business.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

As the Taoiseach must know, the fishing and seafood industry in Ireland is in serious crisis. In recent days, leaders of the fishing industry have spoken out about their profound concern about how the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, has handled an offer from the Danish Government to transfer thousands of tons of mackerel to the Irish fishing industry. There is also the way the Government is handling negotiations at the moment on access for Iceland into Irish territorial waters. We have an industry in crisis. We need a Government fighting for the industry's future in Europe. Will the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, urgently come before the Dáil and make a statement clarifying his handling of both the Danish Government's offer and access for Iceland to Irish territorial waters?

Deputy Pearse Doherty

Hear, hear.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

We need to have a discussion about the Government's mismanagement of immigration policy. The absence of resources when it comes to accommodation is startling at the moment. The Government promised 700 rapid-build units back in June 2022. The majority of those have not been built. The Minister promised a community dividend of €53 million, but only €3 million has actually been spent. We now have this nebulous promise by the Government of more investment going into local communities and these accommodation centres. We need to get down to the detail of what exactly is going to happen so it can be delivered.

The Taoiseach

The issue of immigration and asylum is a very sensitive topic and one that needs to be dealt with sensitively in this House, so I reiterate my view and that of the Government that migration in the round has been a good thing for Ireland. We would not be able to run most of our public services without migrant workers. Many of the big companies that are here that pay billions in tax would not be here if it were not for access to talent from all over the world, and of course people coming from other parts of the world help to enrich our culture as a modern state.

On the particular issue of accommodating IP applicants, we are in an emergency situation. The number of people on the move in the world is at its highest level since the Second World War and the number of asylum seekers coming to Ireland is about the EU average. In previous years it was well below the EU average, but certainly it is not disproportionate to what other EU countries are facing. So far this year there have been more than 1,000 people who came here to seek international protection alone, and it is only 23 January, and about 600 have no accommodation at all. In this emergency scenario we are doing the best we can to find any accommodation we can, with preference being given to women and children.

The medium-term plan is to reduce the number of arrivals by enforcing our rules, but we need to be realistic about the difference that will make. It might not be huge, but we need to enforce our rules and demonstrate they are being enforced. We will have bigger centres. There will be a small number around the country that people can be accommodated in while a decision on their case can be made more quickly.

We will provide additional support for communities that have welcomed large numbers of Ukrainians and international protection applicants.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Taoiseach, we are on the Order of Business.

The Taoiseach

If I stick to that, I can do this very quickly.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I do not mean to interrupt but I think there is a debate required on a lot of this.

The Taoiseach

In relation to the O'Meara case, we will need legislation on that. We are considering the judgment, which is about 160 pages in length. I should point out that the judgment was made on equality grounds. Sadly, the court confirmed that it does not see Mr. O'Meara's family as a family under our Constitution and nor can the State. That is another reason why we need to change the Constitution. I want to acknowledge the loss and bereavement he has suffered and I know that no payment from the State can make up for that loss but we will make the payment, provide refunds to others and change the practice going forward. That will require legislation and amendments to the Social Welfare Acts to recognise other cohabiting couples but that will not be straight forward. We will have to decide on things like how long the person is cohabiting, whether we treat cohabiting people with children differently and all of those complicated things. We will have to do it and work it out but it is all the more reason to pass the referendum.

On small businesses, we will be happy to have a debate on that next week during Private Member's time. I am also happy to pass on the request to the Minister for agriculture, Deputy McConalogue, on fishery negotiations.

Question, "That the proposed arrangements for this week's business be agreed to," put and declared carried.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Oliver Bond flats in the inner city of Dublin are 90 years old. If you live in Oliver Bond you are likely to be living with damp and mould, in conditions that are unacceptable and unbelievable in 2024. A report published today reflects that people living in Oliver Bond flats have a higher likelihood of respiratory illnesses such as asthma. The report speculates strongly that this is a direct consequence of the very poor living conditions that exist. I have to say that I was not surprised at all to hear the outcome of this study. Anybody who deals with communities and families living in the blocks of flats right across Dublin city, Cork and elsewhere, will know that they have been allowed to go to rack and ruin and are desperately in need of regeneration. In my own area I can cite Ballybough House, Larkin House, O'Brien Hall, Kevin Barry House-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We are way over time Deputy.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----Gardiner Street flats, and Dunne Street flats, all of which suffer from damp and mildew but there is no plan and no Government ambition to change these living conditions. What does the Taoiseach propose to do about this?

The Taoiseach

First, everyone should live in safe and healthy accommodation. Damp, mould and cold living conditions are not acceptable, particularly when it is State-provided accommodation. In relation to Oliver Bond, I am informed that Dublin City Council is working on a design in preparation for a Part 8 planning application for the regeneration of Oliver Bond flats, including blocks L, M and N. In the meantime, the council is making a number of interventions including the installation of mechanical ventilation units and the upgrading of windows.

I agree with the Deputy strongly on one point, that regeneration in the Dublin City Council area is far too slow. Senator Mary Seery Kearney has drawn my particular attention to a number of projects in Dublin 8 alongside Oliver Bond flats, for example Dolphin House and Donore Avenue flats, which are taking far too long. It was a specific item of discussion at the last Cabinet subcommittee on housing and it is something I intend to speak to the new city manager about.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

Each year it is estimated that 14,000 women in Ireland experience pregnancy loss yet currently, as we know, there is no provision in law for any leave for women who experience an early miscarriage - a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks - or for employees who seek time off work to access reproductive healthcare treatments like IVF. We in the Labour Party brought forward a Private Member's Bill last Thursday to deal with that, to address that issue and to provide for reproductive health leave.

We were very disappointed that the Government sought to put in a year-long stay on debate on that Bill. We will vote tomorrow night on that 12-month delaying amendment and because the House will likely not be sitting in a year's time, a year's delay amounts to ending any prospect of the Bill becoming law this year.

One of the reasons the Government put forward for delaying the Bill was that it needed to publish research commissioned by the Department of equality and completed by the UCC pregnancy loss research group last October. Today, the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, confirmed to me that the report would be published this week. Will the Taoiseach reconsider that delaying amendment, given the report is now to be published this week?

The Taoiseach

My understanding is that early pregnancy loss and fertility treatments can be covered under the statutory sick pay scheme, which is new. It just requires a doctor's cert to that effect. However, I appreciate and am sympathetic to the calls for dedicated leave for the reasons outlined. Some employers offer it on a voluntary basis. To pick up on what many Deputies said earlier about rising costs and the rising difficulties businesses are having, the Government has introduced a lot of additional leave, including an extra public holiday, statutory sick pay, extended parental leave and domestic violence leave. Employers are saying to us, and it is not unreasonable for them to do so, that this is a significant amount of leave. They have to cover the cost of that and the replacement member of staff. We need to do the research and look at this in the round. I stand over the reforms made by the Government, including increasing the living wage, bringing in extra forms of leave and all of those things, but we have to make sure it does not impact negatively on employment.

Deputy Róisín Shortall

Last week, we heard from Families for Reform of CAMHS about the predominantly problematic experience of the 850 families it represents. The Taoiseach will also be aware of the review of CAMHS carried out by the Mental Health Commission, which produced a fairly damning report that made 49 recommendations. The overriding recommendation and requirement of its report was for the independent regulation of CAMHS. We cannot continue with the kind of dysfunction we have seen in CAMHS over recent years. Has the Government considered those recommendations, in particular, the recommendation for the independent regulation of CAMHS by the Mental Health Commission? Has it been discussed with the Minister for Health? Is the Government disposed to acceding to that recommendation, which urgently needs to be implemented?

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

The HSE and I met separately with Families for Reform of CAMHS in September and October last year to discuss HSE youth mental healthcare and specialist CAMHS services, including linkages with autism and intellectual disability services. Along with the Department of Health and the HSE, I will continue to liaise with that organisation as appropriate. As the Deputy knows, access to CAMHS services is in line with CAMHS operational guidelines, also known as the COG, which applies to all staff working in CAMHS. I have engaged with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, regarding the Mental Health Commission's recommendations. We are working through its asks at present. The regulation of CAMHS is all contingent, as the Deputy knows, on the mental health Bill that will come before the House very shortly. It is priority legislation for the nine weeks of this Dáil term and will have priority printing in the second session.

Deputy Paul Murphy

Over the past number of months across Europe we have seen repression and criminalisation of pro-Palestinian protestors. In Germany, for example, there have been severe police crackdowns and a banning of Palestine solidarity protests on the wrong basis that they are antisemitic. In Britain, we have seen the potential criminalisation of the carrying of flags and of chants, and there is now a report that urges a ban on pro-Palestinian marches. Unfortunately, it looks like some of the same is now coming to Ireland. Yesterday, a Palestinian activist was fined €1,000 simply for attending a protest at the Israeli embassy. He was not accused of doing anything beyond that, yet he was fined €1,000. It stands in very stark contrast to the kid gloves with which the State treats the actions of far-right agitators. We have now had more than 20 arson attacks and not a single arrest.

Will the Government defend the right of people to protest, including pro-Palestinian protests?

The Taoiseach

The Government defends the right of people to protest and do so peacefully. That includes pro-Palestinian protests, and it includes protests against antisemitism and protests against terrorism. I do not know the details of the case raised by the Deputy. There may be more to it than I know or the Deputy knows. We have no plans to bring in any restrictions on pro-Palestine protests.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

Tara Mines is the biggest lead and zinc mine in Europe. It is one of the largest employers in Meath and its closure has been one of the biggest economic blows to the east midlands area for a long period of time. A key element of the closure was the fact that electricity prices in this country are the highest in Europe. Tara Mines management has given a plan to workers. That plan is a race to the bottom for income and terms and conditions. It seeks more than 200 redundancies and possibly reduces the working month to a three-week month for workers. Zinc in Meath is an Irish national resource. Tara Mines has made a handsome profit over the years from that resource and from the work of its staff over that period of time. Yet, the workers are now faced with a choice between the full closure of the mine or damaging and painful concessions at Tara Mines. What material actions has the Taoiseach taken in the last seven months to protect the workers in Tara Mines?

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. I do not believe this is just about electricity prices, which as the Deputy will know are now falling and falling rapidly for businesses. It is also about lead and zinc prices, which ultimately determine how much the company gets for what it produces. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Simon Coveney and his team, alongside our enterprise agencies, have been engaging with the company to see what financial and other support the Government could put in place for the company to reopen the mine, which is the objective we want to achieve, and then to consider the Tara deep resource, which would give the mine sustainability for decades.

The supports that are available to the workers are those that are available for anyone who has lost their job. They include training and education, help setting up a business, and social welfare. We are improving those. The Deputy will be aware of the plans of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to bring in pay-related benefits precisely to recognise people like the Tara Mines workers who have been paying into the PRSI system for years and should get a higher level of jobseeker's benefit if they need it.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

The N24 upgrade from Cahir, at the Cloghabreedy junction, through County Kilkenny and on to Waterford city is at design stage and now it is at stage 2. Engagement is taking place with householders and farmers along the route. There is a proposal that up to seven houses and family homes may be demolished. The road is very badly needed but there is now confusion and no clarity from the Department or TII. It is supposed to be a single carriageway route. It just beggars belief that in this day and age in 2024, they would design, go to all this fuss, upset all the landowners and householders with debates and consultants and so on, and contemplate building a single carriageway road. We must engage in forward planning and have a decent motorway or dual carriageway, above all with a safety barrier in the middle. We have seen the slaughter on our roads. Other groups have said there will be more slaughter unless we get these roads developed. The Green Party is wagging the tail again here by having a mix of the old road and a new single carriageway. It is a waste of money and a backward step.

The Taoiseach

I will have to seek an update from TII on this. I do not have the details to hand. We are continuing a considerable investment in our roads. The focus, of course, is on maintaining and strengthening existing roads, on safety, on international commitments, and on bypasses of towns in particular.

Deputy Joan Collins

Last week I received the following email:

My mother has been a type 2 insulin-dependent patient for over 40 years. She was changed over to a Dexcom system nearly two years ago. This system enables patients to manage control over their diabetes through smart technology and eliminates the need for over five finger pricks per day. This also allowed us to share blood sugar readings in real time with a diabetic team. As my mother is approaching 74 with onset memory issues this system has effectively allowed us, her family, to take control of her readings and help us manage her condition alongside her. The diabetic clinic in St. James's Hospital where my mother attends was informed in January that the HSE are no longer funding Dexcom system for type 2 patients.

I clarified the matter again this morning with this young woman. She said she has received clarification that this is not available for new patients, although patients who have been on it for a year will remain on it. Why is this happening?

Why are new patients not getting access to this valuable service?

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

I thank the Deputy. If she provides me with the details I will look into the matter and revert to the Department and the HSE in respect of it. What I would say to those who are managing diabetes is that there is ongoing significant and important investment. We are all aware that is one of the chronic disease management pathways in respect of which GPs are being supported. We are investing this year in creating a diabetes patient register. The Deputy will be aware that we are rolling out a new service for gestational diabetes. She should rest assured that diabetes, as a chronic condition, is something in which the State is investing significantly in order to support patients managing at home. If the Deputy provides the details relating to the case in question, I will revert to her directly.

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

Once again I bring to the attention of the House the ongoing situation in family law in this country whereby a procedure imported from the United States continues to be applied to the extent that fathers, mothers and their children are being unbelievably abused in a way I have never seen before. This abuse is continuing. Is it intended to carry out an interim inquiry into the procedure and how a means might be found to bring it to an end?

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this important issue again. I will have to speak to the Minister for Justice about it. Either a review or a report was done but not an inquiry. I will follow up on the matter with the Deputy directly.

Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

I am aware of a priest who has been living in Ireland for ten years. He is working and plays an essential role in the community. He comes from a foreign country and is still awaiting citizenship. Yesterday, I was told by the Department that it could take up to 19 months for his application to be dealt with. What is the reason for the delay? I cannot understand how there can be a delay of this length. Is the Department short-staffed? What can be done? As stated, the priest in question is working and playing an important part in our community. I will have to go back to him and tell him he will be waiting at least 19 months or more for his application to be dealt with. This needs to be addressed.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. If she passes me the details, I will check the matter out with the Minister, Deputy McEntee. Straightforward cases should not take that long. If somebody comes to the country legally and is working, making a contribution and paying their taxes, usually that person's case can be decided within months, and certainly less than 19 months in my experience. Sometimes there can be complicating factors because it is necessary to check with the country a person has come from. There are also other checks that have to be carried out. Perhaps there is a reason for the delay in this case, and perhaps it is not a good one. If the Deputy passes me on the details, I will follow up on the matter.

Deputy Thomas Gould

Last February, it was confirmed to me by the Minister with responsibility for housing that Cork City Council was considering a regeneration park for the Tarry Path in Mayfield. In December, it was confirmed to me that there has been no update on this. The Mayfield area is in desperate need of regeneration. We have heard today about the impact on people of mould and damp in Oliver Bond House in Dublin. The same is true in Cork in areas such as Mayfield, Knocknaheeny, Noonan's Road and Baker's Road. They are in desperate need of regeneration. The first time that Knocknaheeny regeneration was mentioned in the Dáil was on 14 February 2002. I do not want to be here in 22 years' time speaking about the regeneration of Mayfield and other areas in the same way I am speaking about Knocknaheeny today. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment and an update to the Dáil regarding the regeneration of Mayfield and the other areas to which I refer?

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Kieran O'Donnell)

I thank Deputy Gould. I fully understand his earnestness in terms of the regeneration projects in Cork. He specifically name-checked Mayfield and Knocknaheeny. I will follow up with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Department to find out exactly what is going on and we will give the Deputy a written response.

Deputy Willie O'Dea

One in three patients on hospital trolleys in this country is attending University Hospital Limerick. That means there are more people on trolleys in Limerick than in all of the Dublin hospitals combined. This has given rise to conditions in the hospital that are Dickensian and inhumane from the point of view of patients and staff. There is a block under construction at the hospital. When does the Taoiseach expect it to become operational? How many new beds will be provided in this block?

Some of the beds being provided there will only replace beds that are being decommissioned. When will the next planned phase be operational? When will the surgical hub, which is designed to alleviate some of this situation, become operational?

Deputy Stephen Donnelly

We are very aware of the ongoing situation in Limerick in terms of the number of patients on trolleys. It is important to note that the chief executive expedited the appointment of the regional executive officer. I know first hand that she is on the ground and that things are moving better. I have spoken to her about the improved patient flow. One of the things people will now see in daily reporting is fewer patients on trolleys in the emergency department and more patients up the house in the wards. That is still not what we want, but it is a less unsafe situation than patients waiting too long in the emergency department.

As the Deputy will be aware, we have 96 beds under construction. I will get the Deputy the exact completion date for those. Critically, we have also started the enabling works on the second 96-bed block.

I am reserving the position in terms of replacement versus net beds. At the moment, we are in the business of adding beds. There may be some beds that we need to replace because they physically have to be taken out for some reason, but my strong preference is for additional beds rather than replacement ones.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I thank the Minister, but we are over time.

Deputy Willie O'Dea

What about the surgical hub?

Deputy Stephen Donnelly

I will revert to the Deputy.

Deputy Richard Bruton

Today, we read that new house prices are believed to have peaked at levels like €310,000 in the midlands and €464,000 in Dublin. It is true that, with the assistance of Government schemes, these can now be purchased using mortgages of under €300,000. However, because these schemes do not allow buyers to express advance interest in being purchasers under the affordable purchase schemes, there is no register of likely buyers and developers of multi-unit developments often feel it too risky to put those homes up for sale. In my constituency, there is a pipeline of 3,700 affordable homes on public lands, but only 10% of those are likely to be for affordable purchase. The rest will be cost rental. We can change that if we allow a pipeline of potential purchasers to be identified in advance.

Deputy Kieran O'Donnell

I thank the Deputy for his question. It is a matter that he has raised previously. I will make a number of points. Under the local authority affordable purchase scheme, local authorities are involved with developers in building homes and seek expressions of interest for them from the public.

Deputy Richard Bruton

Once they are built.

Deputy Kieran O'Donnell

No, before they are built. Extending the first home scheme so that people can express an upfront interest in availing of it needs to be considered. I will take this matter up directly with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, and our Department.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We are over time, but there are a number of Deputies remaining. I ask for their co-operation in sticking to the time.

Deputy Peadar Tóibín

The fishing industry was mentioned. It has been brought to my attention that the Minister for agriculture was offered a quota from the Danes of 3,000 tonnes of fish, but the Minister seems to have done the reverse of the loaves and fishes miracle and returned to Ireland with 1,500 tonnes of fish. It seems that the Minister is also in negotiations with Iceland about allowing its fishing boats into Irish waters. Right now fishermen in Ireland are becoming an endangered species and it is increasingly unlikely to see fishing trawlers in Irish ports. When will the Government stand up for fishermen?

The Taoiseach

Thanks, Deputy. I am going to have to ask the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, to come back to him directly on that particular query, but this is an issue that I have taken an interest in personally. I have met the fishing organisations a few times. I think we had a good outcome in relation to mackerel not too long ago. On this particular negotiation, though, I am not across the detail, so I will have to ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy and to me with further information.

Deputy Patrick Costello

I attended this morning's launch in the Oliver Bond flats of the report into respiratory health. It is disgraceful that someone living in the Oliver Bond flats has double the likelihood of suffering a respiratory illness. Promises have been made about regeneration and there has been plan after plan, yet still nothing happens in terms of regeneration.

It is not good enough that Dublin City Council has plans. The Department needs to start leaning on Dublin City Council to make sure these things can happen and to make sure the respiratory health of children growing up in Oliver Bond is not adversely affected as it is to the disgraceful levels seen in this report.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I thank the Deputy.

Deputy Patrick Costello

We need to step up and ensure the promises and plans are actually delivered.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. I concur with him. Regeneration is happening in Dublin city. It is, of course, a matter for Dublin City Council primarily, but it is not happening fast enough. It is not just the Oliver Bond complex. It is also Dolphin House, Donore Avenue and so many other projects that seem to take an inordinate amount of time to progress. Even the O'Devaney Gardens project, which at least is now happening, is happening much slower than anyone would have anticipated. This is something we discussed at the housing subcommittee and it is something that I know the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, will raise directly with the new CEO of Dublin City Council.

Deputy Brian Stanley

I wish to raise the issue of driver test waiting times. I got figures recently in response to a parliamentary question and there is a waiting time of 24 weeks in the Birr test centre, 25 weeks in Portlaoise and 43 weeks in Kilkenny city. This is according to the figures I got. It is a scandalous delay. I have taken up this matter before with the Minister. It is particularly affecting young drivers in rural areas who are trying to get to work where there is no bus service early in the morning or no Local Link. The Road Safety Authority, RSA, did have a recruitment campaign last summer for 75 testers but it only got 36 testers. That is fair enough. Meanwhile, nine testers on contract are being let go on 8 February. One of those is in the Portlaoise centre. The RSA has a service level agreement with the Department, as I understand it, that the average time is supposed to be ten weeks.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I thank the Deputy. I call the Taoiseach to respond.

Deputy Brian Stanley

I ask the Taoiseach to get the Minister to take a hands on approach with this issue and to try to get it addressed with the RSA.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. I know this is a priority for the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. From talking to my own Deputies and going around the country, I know the delays in getting a driver test are hugely frustrating, especially for young people and those who need the car to get to work or to college. We are hiring more testers and we believe this will help us to get on top of the backlog and improve the situation. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, to come back directly to the Deputy with some more information on this matter.

Deputy Brian Stanley

It needs a push. It needs action.

Deputy Brendan Smith

I understand from senior people in medicine that there is a need to increase the number of interns and training scheme doctors nationally. Apparently, the vast majority of level 3 hospitals have interns but Cavan-Monaghan hospital, despite promises, has not been facilitated with trainees. Without trainees, this hospital will have difficulty in recruiting and retaining Irish-trained doctors on qualification as they will not have the experience of working there previously. Over the years, management and staff at all levels have worked hard in the hospital to expand considerably the range of health services provided locally. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, on his visits to Cavan, saw at first-hand the successful roll out of some of those services. I understand that Cavan-Monaghan hospital is regarded as having excellent training opportunities across a range of specialties. The hospital has the personnel and facilities to provide appropriate training for such doctors. The needs of smaller-scale hospitals must be addressed and would help the better delivery of health services throughout the country.

Deputy Stephen Donnelly

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I acknowledge that he has raised this with me previously to seek additional interns or, indeed, an intern allocation for this year. I have looked into the matter. The good news, as the Deputy will be aware, is that Cavan-Monaghan hospital has had a very significant increase in budget, in staffing and in physical capacity and infrastructure. The Deputy should rest assured that the Government will continue to invest in Cavan and Monaghan hospitals. I have asked the Department to revert to me in terms of the allocation of medical interns for this year. We now have a record number of hospital consultants in the country and a record number of non-consultant hospital doctors, NCHDs, as well. We are looking into this to see what can be done for Cavan-Monaghan in terms of medical internship deployment for the next round.

Deputy Michael Collins

The hospitality sector in Ireland is under huge pressure. Closures of restaurants, pubs and cafes are happening at an alarming rate as we speak. More than 280 of these businesses have closed in the last number of months and records show that 48 closed in November 2023. I am inundated with businesses throughout west Cork and our country contacting me to tell me they are on the verge of closure with higher supplier costs and the value added tax, VAT, rate increase to 13.5%, which is the third highest hospitality rate in Europe and has taken them over the edge. The Government is talking about making changes to the debt warehouse scheme, but this is another nightmare that these businesses have not even factored in yet. To save these businesses and jobs, which are haemorrhaging this very day, will the Government accept that it got it seriously wrong and revert back to the 9% rate of VAT immediately and announce a rescue package for the thousands of struggling businesses all over the country?

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. As I think I said earlier in reply to another Deputy, the Government appreciates that a lot of businesses are under pressure from rising costs, particularly those in the hospitality sector. There is help on the way in terms of a €250 million in grants that the Government will be pumping into small businesses before the end of March to help with bills and cash flow. The debt warehousing scheme remains in place. Also, we are seeing energy prices falling for business, which is encouraging too.

But I do need to be straight about this. We have a lot of businesses that in the last three or four years have become largely dependent on Government support, whether that was in the context of Covid-19 when we helped to pay the wages and the overheads, the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, when we helped to pay the energy bills or the temporary low VAT rate of 9%. These things cannot go on forever. We are going to monitor the situation very carefully because we will have to see if there is a fall in employment, which we will have to respond to, or if the number of business closures is above the long-term trend average, which is 50 per 10,000.