In last week's budget the Government made a conscious decision to under-fund the health system. That is well established. The impact is going to be felt by those unable to get a hospital bed, those who will remain on long waiting lists and thousands of seriously ill patients who may not be able to access potentially life-saving medicines. The Government is now playing the blame game, blaming the HSE chief executive, Bernard Gloster, for being too transparent; blaming the Sinn Féin health spokesperson, Deputy Cullinane, for being too effective in holding the Government to account. Fine Gael is blaming the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. Fianna Fáil is blaming the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. Is the truth of it not that it is the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach and Deputy Eamon Ryan who sat down and agreed this with their Cabinet colleagues? They are to blame for under-funding the health system. What is the Tánaiste going to do about that? What is he going to do about the devastating consequences this decision will have for patients right across the health service next year? Does he accept the system is under-funded and what is he going to do about it?
Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
The Deputy should have listened to my reply to Deputy Bacik, who raised this issue in a substantive way on Leaders' Questions. I said it was a Government decision to bring in this budget between all of the Estimates for every Government Department. I upheld the right of the CEO of the HSE to engage with Deputies across the House. It is not the first time the CEO has done this.
The Tánaiste should talk to his Ministers, three of them together.
All of what the Deputy raised, I answered very clearly in terms of what I believe in respect of the HSE chief being in a position----
The question is whether the Tánaiste accepts the under-funding of the health system.
Sorry now, we are not going to start this racket again. The Deputy has asked a question. Do the Tánaiste the courtesy of letting him answer.
In respect of the budget I would make the point that the Government has allocated something very similar to what the Sinn Féin Party proposed in its alternative budget.
With respect, we allocated €2.5 billion. The Government allocated €800 million.
I do not think the Deputy is in a strong position.
Resume your seat.
I am not going to allow----
If the Deputy interrupts again I will suspend the House.
I am not going to allow the Tánaiste to mislead the Dáil on this issue.
Do not shout at me, Deputy, please. Do not attempt to further disrupt the House. If you do, I will suspend proceedings. Would the Tánaiste conclude, please?
I have concluded.
On a point of order, the Tánaiste is misleading the Dáil deliberately on this issue.
There is no point of order. Resume your seat.
On behalf of the Labour Party, I want to express my solidarity with the communities across Cork, notably east Cork, and west Waterford, today living with the utter destruction of yesterday's flooding from Storm Babet. I want to echo the sentiments of my colleagues, Deputy Sherlock and Councillors John Maher and Cathal Rasmussen, in paying tribute to all those who took such efforts to help people in the wake of those awful floods, including the statutory agencies, first responders and volunteers. This was no normal flood. It had a catastrophic effect on local homes and businesses. We are seeing shocking videos out of Castlemartyr, Midleton, Blackpool and Glanmire, just to name a few of the places affected. We know the Taoiseach is visiting today but communities need strong assurances. It is not good enough to blame otters and objectors for delays in the building of essential flood repair infrastructure. Communities affected need an assurance, not only of adequate help and support in rebuilding after yesterday but also that the Government will be offering significant supports to protect against the future floods likely because of climate change.
We are providing the funding for flood relief schemes. When the Deputy says it is not good enough, that is the reality of delay. People object, not just in the planning process but in the courts. Deputy Mick Barry was a classic example of it there. He came in advocating for flood relief protection schemes, he himself having supported alternatives and having gone against the OPW schemes as he still is. I have no problem with a barrier on the Lee. We need a flood relief scheme in Cork city, given its history. It is built on a marsh. It needs it. I am not against people making submissions and so on, but there is an urgency for householders and businesses - I remember being in Bandon seven or eight years ago as leader of the Opposition, twice going through flooded businesses. They said to me that if it happened a third time they were out of there. It is existential for some individuals and we just need balance and perspective in getting these things through.
The Ombudsman for Children today laid before the Dáil a special report on the safety and welfare of children in direct provision. This is the first time in their 20-year history that they have taken this action, which really illustrates the seriousness of these issues and of their concerns. They want this report to spur Government on to meet the commitments made in 2021. One of those commitments was in respect of a robust quality assurance mechanism for oversight in these centres. HIQA unfortunately only has oversight in respect of permanent centres whereas the majority of children are housed in emergency accommodation. Indeed there is one opening in my constituency of Wicklow which will house 950 Ukrainian refugees shortly. We are really at risk of repeating the dark mistakes of our past by outsourcing fundamental public services and not protecting our most vulnerable. Why will the Government not require HIQA to oversee these emergency accommodation centres?
I have not read the ombudsman's report yet but I will. My initial observation is that we need balance and perspective again here. When over 100,000 people come into the country in one year, we are not going to get a response that meets with conditions of normal times. A war has been waged on Ukraine. We have facilitated the arrival into the country of 73,000 Ukrainians. Sorry, we have housed 73,000. We did not have 73,000 houses.
The ombudsman's report is in relation to the 24 commitments.
We have responded to a lot of those commitments. I am just making a general point. There seems to be a view abroad that we can do everything at once. We did the right thing and Europe did the right thing to facilitate fleeing Ukrainians coming from war. We did the right thing. There are limitations to how well one can do it in such a short space of time. I will read the report. The Department has responded to a lot of the issues, I am informed.
The Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use will meet for the final time this weekend. It has been going on for the last six months and was a much-needed debate. All indications from the assembly will point to a different approach. We have had an approach that has failed for the last six decades. Indications from the assembly are that they will call for decriminalisation and possibly regulation, which I fully support and others will support as well. We have had six decades of criminalising people and it simply has not worked. If the recommendations from the assembly are for a radical approach, what will the Government do?
I have not seen the report. The report has not been completed. The Deputy seems to be on the inside track.
I am.
We need to reflect on that, too. I am not so sure anybody should be on inside tracks or orchestrating a particular outcome from what should really be a very objective and open process. I will leave that with the House. I will read the report and am looking forward to receiving it. We will then consider it.
I convey my support to the people of east Cork and west Waterford who have been impacted by flooding. I thank the rescue services and council workers, particularly in Tallow, Lismore, Dungarvan and Clashmore. The Blackwater Valley will probably flood over the next couple of days. I ask that the Government give a clear signal to the local authorities that necessary funding will be provided.
I supported the motion yesterday on Palestine, which described the awful vista that is being visited upon the people there at the present time. I support the Government's position of showing solidarity with all those impacted and its commitment to provide further humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. Can the Government do more to support building peace in Gaza and opening the humanitarian corridors that are so desperately needed? Can Ireland be at the vanguard of a coalition of the willing in staying the hand of the Israeli Prime Minister?
The Tánaiste can only answer one of those questions.
I will answer one question while noting the Deputy's concern about the potential flooding of the Blackwater Valley, which we will take steps to assess.
On Palestine, the Government is working with all the regional partners in the neighbourhood on restoring the humanitarian corridor and calling for an immediate ceasefire to enable humanitarian goods to get in. On the broader issue, we announced an extra €13 million in funding via the UN agencies last evening, on top of the €16 million of core funding we give. We support a lot of human rights organisations and those who are working on the ground for peace and reconciliation between Arab and Israeli people who live in mixed cities.
I, too, send my sympathy and support to the people and communities of west Waterford and east Cork following yesterday's devastating floods.
I raise the issue of dedicated hospice care beds. We used to have three lovely hospice suites in St. Brigid's District Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir, but they were closed unceremoniously with the hospital. We were then promised four beds for the town of Clonmel, which has 18,500 people and with another 10,000 to 15,000 in the hinterlands. Now we find we are getting one bed in the new 50-bed St. Anthony's unit and no designated room for the families. There is one room for families but the unit will hold 50 patients when it opens. We have been sold a pup. The wonderful people on the local committee and community group have fundraised. They are meeting again on Monday morning. They are devastated that the biggest inland town in Ireland has no dedicated hospice bed. We are getting one now without any dedicated family room or suite. While we have two in Clogheen and one in Tipperary town, Clonmel needs hospice beds for palliative care. I thank the nurses and palliative care teams for all the work they do.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is heavily invested in and strongly supportive of the palliative care movement and hospices right across the country. Hospice care is one of the best things that is happening in healthcare in Ireland. A new community nursing unit is being built in Clonmel and it will include dedicated palliative care beds. There will be more than one bed; so far, there are two. A draft national palliative care strategy has been developed. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and I are working closely together to make sure palliative care beds are available not just in the Deputy's area, where they are, of course, needed, but right across the country.
A number of constituents have contacted me about the shingles vaccine following the HSE's advertising campaign telling people over 50 that it is important to get the vaccine. One woman went to her GP, thinking she could get the vaccine there, but was told she needed a prescription to take to a chemist. At two different chemists, she was quoted €460 and €480, respectively, for the two vaccines doses needed. I have heard reports of up to €600 being charged for the two vaccines. My constituent was told there is no scheme to reimburse her costs. A charge of €460 to €600 is a lot of money for people, including pensioners, who do not have it. If pensioners need a vaccine, as recommended by the HSE, why is no scheme in place to reimburse their costs?
I am aware of the very high cost of vaccines. It was raised with me yesterday by visitors to Leinster House. The Covid and flu vaccines for the target groups are all now being provided free at the point of delivery. The shingles vaccine is something we can look at. The Deputy mentioned people going into the chemist with a prescription. We could look at including the vaccine under the drugs payment scheme, which would cap the monthly cost at €80. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I am aware of it and it is something we are seeking to address within the broader move to reduce costs for patients.
Two major parts of the solution to climate change are switching to rail transport and promoting it as much as possible and developing district heating systems in our towns and cities. Both solutions require appropriate development densities that are much higher than is the norm in this country. As well as being an important element of tackling climate, higher density, when done right, lends itself to healthier and more thriving communities and better supports business, schools and other public services. Does the Tánaiste acknowledge the importance of appropriate density to support rail development and district heating across our urban areas? Will he get back to me in writing, if he cannot answer now, on the progress of two important documents, namely, the sustainable and compact settlements guidelines and the guidance on transport-orientated development for major urban centres?
I accept that rail transport and district heating will make significant respective contributions to the climate change agenda. A bit more work is needed. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications recently brought a document to the Government on a policy framework for district heating. However, there is the size of the country and other factors to take into account. There is one development in Tallaght, Dublin, that has been successful. There could be another at Poolbeg but we need local actors to get their act together in terms of pipes and so forth. There is significant investment going into rail transport. Deputy Shanahan might close his ears to this but the Midleton-Cork-Mallow rail service was designed around density and to enhance further density in that corridor as part of the EU's recovery and resilience programme.
Following yesterday's severe flooding in Midleton, Youghal and Waterford, it feels like Groundhog Day as I once again refer to the Enniscorthy flood defence scheme on the River Slaney. The scheme was rejected by the Minister for Finance but a partial phase was accepted and approved as a separate preliminary scheme, which consists of building a new bridge. This new bridge is essential to the development of the town and would relieve most of the flooding of Enniscorthy, which is mainly caused by the low elevation of the existing Seamus Rafter Bridge. Enniscorthy has suffered serious flooding many times, with an emerging pattern of flooding occurring almost every second year. It will more than likely happen again this winter. When will the people of Enniscorthy see construction of the new bridge start? Will the Tánaiste seek an answer on their behalf from the OPW?
I would have thought that answer was readily available. If the Deputy is saying the project is accepted, it probably is going ahead. A total of 95 projects are under way at the moment between design and construction. The various flood relief schemes are at different stages, with some in planning, some in design and some under construction. A total of 53 have been completed and there is approximately €1.3 billion for this purpose in the national development plan. However, I will check the matter out for the Deputy.
Following on from Deputy Doherty's comments on the flooding in Midleton, will the Tánaiste give a commitment to think outside the box and provide an immediate financial package for the householders and businesspeople affected? A boil water notice is in operation again, which will affect 9,000 people in Whitegate, Killeagh, Ladysbridge, Mogeely and surrounding areas. Many shops are not open, which will place an extra burden on people. There has also been a lot of surface damage to roads. A massive package of assistance is required. I hope and pray the Government will think outside the box and offer something similar to the Covid payments. People do not have insurance and will not qualify for some of the humanitarian aid. We have to support everybody together.
As I said, we will examine the existing schemes to ensure they are fit for purpose in respect of the flooding event in Midleton, Glanmire, parts of Cork city and west Waterford. The Government will move on that. The Deputy outlined the broader issues, including the damage to road surfaces and so forth.
Again, I pay tribute to all the local volunteers who did so much work to help people at a very distressing time.
The spectacular absence of the voice of the child continues in family law discussions, debates and deliberations throughout this country, despite the Minister's correct intention and indication that reforms are promised at the end of this year or in early next year, and despite the fact the people of this country passed a referendum underwriting the rights of the child and the need for recognition in that regard. The Tánaiste has personally indicated concern in this area. Can some intervention be made to encourage those currently involved in those deliberations to move in the direction required in accordance with the result of the constitutional referendum?
The Deputy has raised this issue previously in different ways and he has done it now in a way that has flummoxed me in terms of a response. I presume he is not asking me to interfere with the judicial arm of the State.
The voice of the child is the dominant one in this situation.
It always has to be, in any execution of public policy. I accept the Deputy's points on that and I know the Ministers for Justice and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are aware of his concerns. We will see what we can do and I will get back to the Deputy.
I thank the Tánaiste.
In County Wexford, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland provides crucial services to brain injury survivors in the community, such as the home and community rehabilitation and assisted living services, alongside a clubhouse service in Wexford, which I have had the great pleasure of visiting and had a tour of. The clubhouse provides peer support and group rehabilitation.
This week, thousands of homes in Wexford are receiving an appeal form. Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is asking for financial supports by way of donation. The campaign is spearheaded by Wexford's own Karina Browne, a remarkable woman who has made an incredible journey of brain injury rehabilitation. Karina is beautiful, funny and kind-hearted and is an inspiration to many in Wexford. Her journey of the past 17 years is one of strength and determination, aided by the incredible work of the acquired brain injury team.
Government funding for these crucial services is essential. Will the Tánaiste pledge increased direct funding supports to acquired brain injury services nationwide, including specific funding to the Wexford group?
I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and join her in recognising the extraordinary work done by Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. In our budget of last year for this year, as she will be aware, for the first time we funded a national network of neurorehabilitation nurses. I have met, for example, stroke clinicians who made the point that while our hospital-based stroke services have gone from strength to strength in terms of rapid response, with very quick and advanced technologies, when patients leave hospital the rehab for stroke and other acquired brain injuries is not where it needs to be. This year, therefore, as the Deputy will be aware, we are deploying our first-ever network of neurorehabilitation nurses, and in the budget this year for next year, I am delighted to say the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is funding an additional two teams, one of which relates to community healthcare organisation, CHO, 5.
Flooding in the past few days has left many parts of County Cork devastated. People's homes and businesses and roads have been destroyed. Areas such as Glandore, Rosscarbery, Clonakilty and Castletownbere have been badly hit once again. Areas such as Midleton, I was told this morning, are like a disaster zone, with a shortage of professional help from anyone, leaving locals having to do the clean-up themselves.
The underspend on the roads budget is coming home to roost, as rivers are blocked due to a lack of clearing. A lack of roadside workers due to funding restraints has left many drains blocked and roadside gulleys without clearing. Having this funding and workers will not prevent all flooding issues, I accept, but it will go a long way. The Taoiseach and Ministers are in Cork today. They should have been there three years ago, with works now completed, and not just there now, as always happens, for photoshoots after floods. In many tweets in the past few days, politicians have told people there is an humanitarian assistance scheme, which, I may add, is means tested, meaning many affected will not qualify. For communities who need immediate funds, will this emergency funding be made available this week?
One month's rain fell in a number of hours. That will have extraordinary impacts; there is no doubt about that. We do need flood relief schemes in place and they are at various stages. As the Deputy knows, the Bandon one has been especially effective. The Civil Defence, for example, is a volunteer organisation that was out yesterday and we should salute its response. It had pumping, sandbagging and transport for evacuees and it set up rest centres. It had general assistance for homeowners and businesses and has crews and equipment on the ground. It brought boat crews, vans with camp beds and sleeping bags and 4x4 vehicles. It was on the ground again this morning and it will continue to provide assistance. The Army was also on the ground this morning and provided personnel and two 4x4 vehicles for the emergency transport of nurses to and from Mercy hospital in Cork last night. The Defence Forces are engaging on an ongoing basis with the relevant local authorities and attended a cross-agency co-ordination meeting this morning. Likewise, the Garda is highly involved. I single out all those forces for the work they are doing.
I too thank all the people involved in providing back-up support yesterday, such as the city council, the county council, the fire services, the Civil Defence, the Army and the Garda. They did a fantastic job in very difficult circumstances and it is important we acknowledge them.
I raise the issue in Blackpool, which the Tánaiste referred to earlier. I know there are people who took a judicial review and, as a result, the development of flood relief in Blackpool has been delayed. My office is less than 20 yd from buildings that can be adversely affected when the river overflows. Can we now fast-track the process for dealing with the Blackpool flood relief scheme, get it back up and running and make sure the necessary infrastructure is put in place to deal with the threat that businesses face? As the Tánaiste knows, no investment is going to go into Blackpool until the flood relief issue is sorted out.
I would endorse everything the Deputy said, and it is an issue. When issues of this kind get to a judicial review, the community and society loses. We should be able to try to work out these issues. Blackpool has had a lot of flooding and the Deputy is correct in that it is undermining investment and the proper development of that community. It is a community with a great history and tradition in Cork. I endorse everything the Deputy said.
Nuair a bhí an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Chambers, mar Aire Stáit don Ghaeltacht, rinne sé go leor oibre ar réiteach agus ar phlean le haghaidh reachtaíocht a thabhairt isteach le haghaidh na toghcháin do bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta a thabhairt ar ais. D'fhoilsigh sé cinn an Bhille, pléadh iad ag Coiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge agus cuireadh tuarascáil ar fáil mí Iúil seo caite. Bhí dóchas ann ag an am go mbeadh reachtaíocht ar fáil agus é achtaithe sa dá Theach le go mbeadh sé ina dlí in am do na toghcháin áitiúla an bhliain seo chugainn le go bhféadfadh bord an údaráis a thogh ar an lá céanna leis na toghcháin áitiúla ar an 9 Meitheamh 2024. An bhféadfadh an Tánaiste a rá liom cén uair a fhoilseofar Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú) 2022 agus cén uair a bheidh deis againn é a phlé sa Teach seo le go gceadófar é?
Níl an t-eolas cruinn agam ó thaobh cén am a bheidh an Bille réidh. Tá siad ag obair ar an mBille agus déanfaidh mé fiosrú air sin. Tá a fhios agam cad atá á rá ag an Teachta. Ina thuairim bhí an dealramh ar an scéal go mbeadh na toghcháin ar siúl leis na toghcháin áitiúla agus go mbeadh an reachtaíocht réidh agus tríd na Tithe roimhe sin. Déanfaidh mé fiosrú air sin agus beidh mé ar ais chuig an Teachta.
Workers at Tara Mines on the jobseeker's allowance are at risk of losing a day's pay due to the fact they are getting a €65 retainer from the company. At the time they were laid off, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, signed a statutory instrument to allow them to receive the €65 plus the full jobseeker's allowance. That statutory instrument had a 13-week limit and those 13 weeks are up but, of course, the workers are not back to work. Will the Tánaiste ensure the statutory instrument is extended in order that these workers and their families are not forced into even further hardship?
I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I will discuss with the Minister for Social Protection the continuation of the statutory instrument.
Applicants for adaptation grants for homes of people with a disability or a disability acquired as a result of an accident or progressive condition are waiting five or six months for Cavan County Council to even acknowledge the application. They are not even assessed at that stage for priority. There is then limited availability of funding, so only a small number of grants are dealt with. People are being forced to remain in hospital, go into a nursing home, sleep on the sofa or put their bed and often a commode in the living room. That reduces their dignity and impacts the whole family. Can additional funding be made available for this important grant? Can the amount of the grant also be increased to reflect the increase in construction costs?
I thank the Deputy for her question. If there is a specific issue with Cavan County Council in terms of an applicant, we can follow up the particular case. We have encouraged local authorities to submit applications for supplementary funding this year. We have received 13 applications, of which we have approved ten, so we have another three. If Cavan County Council has applied for additional funding or wishes to do so, we can follow up on that.
The Department, under Housing for All, has carried out a review of three grants, namely, the housing adaptation grants for the elderly, the mobility aids grant and the disabled person's grant. I have reviewed the review and we have made a submission to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform looking across those areas in terms of enhanced grants. The submission is currently with that Department. If the Deputy has a specific query on a particular case, she should bring it to my attention and we can follow up with Cavan County Council.