Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2023

Vol. 1044 No. 4

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:

- Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate)

- Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023 (Second Stage) (to conclude within 3 hrs 42 mins)

Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Funding of the Health Service for 2024, selected by Sinn Féin.

Wednesday's business shall be:

- Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023 – Motions for Financial Resolutions (to be moved together and decided without debate by one question)

- Statements pre European Council meeting of 26th-27th October, pursuant to Standing Order 124 (not to exceed 112 mins)

- Motion re opt-in Proposal for a Directive amending Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA (to conclude within 57 mins)

- Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023 (Second and remaining Stages) (Second Stage to conclude within 1 hr 57 mins and any division claimed to be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage but no earlier than 6.30 p.m.; Committee and remaining Stages to be taken no earlier than 6.30 p.m. and to conclude within 2 hrs)

Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Neutrality, selected by the Independent Group.

Thursday's business shall be Statements on Road Safety (not to exceed 147 mins).

Thursday evening business shall be the Motion re Report entitled "Aligning Disability Services with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" (Joint Committee on Disability Matters).

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 shall 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 Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023, 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 Minister for Social Protection and topical issues;

2. the Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions shall be taken without debate; and

3. on Second Stage of the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023, on the conclusion of the first speaking round in accordance with the arrangements agreed by Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, and the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September, 2023, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply, which shall not exceed 10 minutes, whereupon proceedings shall be brought to a conclusion.

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 shall sit later than 9.30 p.m.;

(ii) the SOS pursuant to Standing Order 25(1) shall be taken immediately following the Statements pre European Council meeting of 26th-27th October, pursuant to Standing Order 124, which shall be taken on the conclusion of Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 46(1); and

(iii) the weekly division time may be taken later than 8.45 p.m., and shall, in any event, be taken on the conclusion of the Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023;

2. the Motions for Financial Resolutions for the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023 shall be moved together and decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair;

3. the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the Statements pre European Council meeting of 26th-27th October, pursuant to Standing Order 124:

(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; and

(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;

4. the proceedings on the Motion re opt-in Proposal for a Directive amending Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/JHA shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 57 minutes, and the following arrangements shall apply:

(i) the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:

- opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State - 10 minutes;

- speech by representative of Sinn Féin - 10 minutes;

- speeches by representatives of the Labour Party, Social Democrats, People-Before-Profit-Solidarity, the Regional Group, the Rural Independent Group and the Independent Group - 5 minutes per party or group;

- speeches by non-aligned members – 2 minutes; and

- a speech in response by the Minister – 5 minutes; and

(ii) members may share time; and

5. in relation to the Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023, the following arrangements shall apply:

(i) on the proceedings on Second Stage, speeches shall be confined to a single round in accordance with the arrangements agreed by

(a) the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, for the first round on Second Stage, save that the times shall be halved in each case, and

(b) the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September, 2023,

and on the conclusion of the single round, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply, which shall not exceed 10 minutes, whereupon proceedings on Second Stage shall be brought to a conclusion: Provided that any division claimed on the Second Stage proceedings shall be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage of the Bill, but in any event, no earlier than 6.30 p.m.; and

(ii) the proceedings on Committee and remaining Stages shall be taken no earlier than 6.30 p.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 2 hours 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 the Environment, Climate and Communications.

1. In relation to Thursday’s proceedings it is proposed that –

(i) the Dáil on its rising shall adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 7th November, 2023, and

(ii) the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent that topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of Government business and the Motion re Report entitled “Aligning Disability Services with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” shall be taken on the conclusion of topical issues, with consequential effect on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and

2. the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the Statements on Road Safety:

(i) the statements 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; and

(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.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is that agreed? Not agreed.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

In the past few days, we have seen some unhelpful interventions from the Israeli Embassy. It is profoundly unhelpful for diplomatic entities to spread disinformation or criticise our President. At this time, it would be helpful to hear from the Government on Ireland’s approach to Gaza at international level.

We in the Labour Party believe time should be set aside this week to hear from the Tánaiste following the meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg yesterday and from the Taoiseach ahead of the meeting European Council which he will attend later this week. At a time when so much disinformation is being spread, it is important that we hear directly from Government figures and have a chance to receive a briefing on Gaza from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.

Deputy Paul Murphy

We need to have a debate this week about the role of the Israeli Embassy in Ireland, in particular its justification and lies to cover for the genocidal assault taking place on Gaza which has been responsible for over 5,000 people, including more than 2,000 children, being killed. There have been outrageous comments from the ambassador about the President, accusing him of spreading misinformation for pointing out the truth that Israel was in breach of multiple Geneva conventions, and a tweet from the deputy head of mission, saying that Ireland is funding Hamas tunnels under Gaza. We need to debate its role here. From our point of view, we think we have to expel the ambassador and the embassy. That would send a powerful message to the people of Palestine and people around the world that we stand with them and we are opposed to the actions of Israel.

It is unprecedented that we have a guillotine after the first round of debate on the finance Bill. We need longer to debate that Bill.

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore

Today is international day against climate change, an initiative set up by the UN to create awareness of the threat of global warming. It is an issue that people in Midleton and places like Waterford need no reminder of; they are all too aware of the threat of global warming. Climate change is here. We do not have much discussion in the Chamber about adaptation and how we will actually adapt to the climate change we are already experiencing. We need statements in the Dáil on the national adaptation plan and what concrete measures will be put in place for the communities of Midleton, Waterford and all of the other areas that are being impacted so badly and desperately by climate change.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

A recent European report found that three in every four people suffering with their mental health face huge issues in getting services in Ireland. The report also found that three quarters of the individuals grappling with mental health issues find it almost impossible to access services. These statistics are not just numbers; they are our people. Families and the young and old have mental health issues and need timely services. The budget barely mentioned mental health. It is vital that we have a debate in the House and recognise the huge issue of mental health and the pressures on people. We did not have to wait for the EU to tell us this, but it has told us now quite clearly what is happening, having surveyed many people across the EU. We are the worst of all in the league again. Mental health is important. We need a proper and meaningful debate. We need meaningful provision in our budgetary process to fund mental health services.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputies for their contributions. Regarding the tweet or message sent out by somebody in the Israeli Embassy, I want to categorically reject any suggestion that we provide any funding to Hamas, directly or indirectly. The funding we provide is done through the UN, the EU and NGOs. There is no evidence to support the claim that was made and I am pleased that the comments were deleted and a clarification issued by the embassy indicating that the tweet did not represent the position of the embassy or the Government of Israel.

Regarding the forthcoming European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday, time has been set aside for that tomorrow. There will be statements in advance of the European Council and I will be present to give those statements. The Opposition has its dedicated time throughout the week which it is free to use for anything it wishes to, including this issue.

Deputy Whitmore mentioned that today is international day against climate change. She made a very valid point around adaptation. We have a national adaptation plan which needs to be updated. It will be the main issue for discussion at the next meeting of the Cabinet committee on climate action. We had a meeting this week and will have another one in a few weeks' time. The sad reality is that so much global warming is now baked in. It will be 2050 by the earliest by the time the world reaches net zero, if not later. There will be more climate change and global warming and, as a result of that, more adverse weather events and more flooding.

We need to focus much more on adaptation in the period ahead. People will be aware of the enhanced support scheme that has been put in place for Cork, Waterford and Middleton to help householders.

We will be happy to have a debate on mental health. The mental health budget is €1.2 billion for the coming year, which is a big increase on where it was previously. That should have been scheduled at the Business Committee but unfortunately it was not raised

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

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

I acknowledge the Irish women's darts team and officials who are in the Public Gallery. They are the current world champions. Comhgairdeas agus fáilte.

Sixteen years ago, Fine Gael said it would end the scandal of people waiting on hospital trolleys. Yesterday in University Hospital Limerick, there were 130 patients on trolleys. That is the highest number ever recorded at any hospital in the State and a damning indictment of the Government's health policies. At the health committee today, the leaders of the HSE and the Department of Health have confirmed that the Government has massively underfunded the health service in budget 2024. This is the moment where the Government has thrown in the towel on health. It is ordinary people who will pay the price for this. What does the Taoiseach say to the people of Limerick and people across the State who will find themselves on hospital trolleys on his Government's watch?

The Taoiseach

Unfortunately, we are still experiencing a serious problem with emergency department overcrowding in quite a number of hospitals across the State. It is important to say and to know that there are approximately 120 fewer patients waiting for beds today than would have been the case this day last year. That did not happen by accident; it is because of the additional resources, staff and beds the Government has provided. There is more to come, including in Limerick where there is a 96-bed block under construction.

Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Will any changes in eligibility for flood relief supports for those in Waterford and Cork, which is completely justifiable, also be forwarded to my constituents in Dublin who experienced flooding in August?

In light of the conclusion of work of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use, I am sure the Taoiseach will agree that there is massive momentum now for a change in drug policy here to make it much more health focused and to talk about the decriminalisation of the drug user. Will the Taoiseach advocate for the report from the citizens' assembly to go to the justice committee in order that we can finally get change done within the lifetime of this Dáil?

The Taoiseach

Cabinet decided earlier that for anybody making a claim or an application under the humanitarian aid relief funds in circumstances where the process for accepting applications is closed and where claims have been settled already, we cannot reopen the process because that would result in us going back who knows how long. Where there are still alive applications that have not been settled yet, however, the new rules will apply. It will depend on the individual circumstances. Where applications are already closed, settled and the money paid, that is done. Where they are still live, we can apply the new rules.

I look forward to reading the report from the citizens' assembly and meeting the chairman, which I will do in the next few weeks. I will definitely refer it to a joint committee for further scrutiny. Whether the report will go to the health committee, the justice committee or both, I do not know yet, but we will definitely refer it for further discussion. We need to tease out what was recommended because it is not clear exactly how we would pursue a comprehensive health-based approach in Ireland, whether it would be through full decriminalisation or creating an unindictable offence. All of these matters need to be teased out and an Oireachtas committee is the best place to do that.

Deputy Holly Cairns

On Sunday night there were 320 separate missile strikes on Gaza and on Monday that number was 400. The bombing is relentless and the carnage is unprecedented. More than 2,000 children have been killed. There are no words to describe the tragedy. Many world leaders are providing political and military support. The EU eventually managed to agree that Israel should abide by international law, but has yet to release a statement clearly stating that Israel is in breach of international law and is committing war crimes by the second. On Sunday, as Israel increased its bombardment of Gaza, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and America released yet another statement endorsing Israel's right to defend itself. However, Israel's actions are not a defence; they are an attempted annihilation of Gaza and its people. It is unbelievable that world leaders who profess to champion human rights are refusing to demand a stop to the consistent murder of innocent civilians. In its motion last week, the Government did not condemn the Israeli attacks. Will the Taoiseach do that now?

The Taoiseach

We condemn all breaches of international humanitarian law and any attempts to target civilians by violence for political ends, whether they happen here or in Israel, Palestine or wherever the perpetrators are.

Deputy Gino Kenny

Over the weekend, the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use completed its work after six months. The clear message from the citizens' assembly is to end the status quo. As I said to the Taoiseach two weeks ago, we have had six decades of this that have failed. People have been criminalised. They have been brought through the criminal justice system and through the prison system. It just has not worked. Surely the Taoiseach will admit that the system we have now does not work. There is a clear message. There are 36 recommendations from the assembly. One of the main recommendations is to have a health-led approach via decriminalisation. In the time remaining of its term, will the Government legislate to implement the recommendations of the citizens' assembly?

The Taoiseach

I need to read the report. I have read the recommendations, but not the report. I do not think the report has even been written yet. Once the report is written, it will be submitted to the Government and the Oireachtas. I look forward to sitting down with its the assembly's chairman, Paul Reid, and talking it through with him as I have done with other reports, including the recent ones on biodiversity and a directly elected mayor for Dublin. I look forward to having the report referred to the Oireachtas committees. As I understand it, the assembly has recommended a comprehensive health-led approach.

Deputy Gino Kenny

Decriminalisation.

The Taoiseach

I need to understand that better if that is what is proposed.

Deputy Gino Kenny

It is.

The Taoiseach

I look forward to reading the report when it is published.

Deputy Gino Kenny

So do I.

Deputy Matt Shanahan

I have written to the Secretary General of the Department of Health three times this year requesting a meeting to discuss the issues affecting University Hospital Waterford, UHW. The Secretary General has proved himself good value for his €292,000 annual salary. He declined to meet me, but responded by saying that he was aware of the issues I wanted to raise. In such circumstances, I assume the Government is also aware of them. I do not wish to discuss the exclusion of UHW from €650 million of capital funding, nor the failure to approve two hospital consultant posts to the emergency department as per a HIQA report nor the continuing failure to reimburse UHW for the Wexford hospital activity. However, I point out that in three and a half years of this Government we have only improved cardiac access to 60 hours from 40 hours in the south east. Will the Taoiseach reassert his Government's commitment to fund the opening of the seven-day service for the cath lab at UHW by Christmas?

The Taoiseach

We finally built the second cath lab. It was delivered, built and commissioned under this Government. I am very keen to have it extended to seven days, which is Government policy. We will have to engage with the HSE in the context of the service plan to work out how soon that can be done. It is good that the hours have been extended. Extending it to the weekend will also make a big difference.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Adult education tutors are campaigning for a public service contract with a common sector-wide incremental salary scale. There are approximately 3,000 adult tutors who are public servants but who do not have public service contracts or access to an incremental salary scheme. This means that they have to sign on when they are off during the summer, at Christmas and at other times. They need to be treated fairly. The adult education sector is vital. I salute these tutors. They love their work, give their time willingly and deal with people with all kinds of issues. However, they need to be treated fairly and have access to full rights with holidays and full incremental payments like their counterparts who are employed by the Department.

When will the Taoiseach deal with this?

The Taoiseach

I am aware of the dispute. I know there are ongoing efforts to resolve and settle it, but I am not up to date as to exactly where we are with it. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Harris, to come back to the Deputy directly.

Deputy Thomas Pringle

The Committee to Protect Journalists has reported that, as of yesterday, the number of journalists killed since the start of the present escalation of the conflict in Gaza stands at 23. Three have been killed by Hamas and 20 have been killed by Israeli forces. Eight others are reported injured, and three are missing or detained. At a time when we are flooded with vast amounts of propaganda and falsehoods emanating from official Israeli Government sources, uncritically carried, often without property scrutiny, by various media outlets across the world, it has never been more important that journalists can operate freely in a conflict zone without being targeted by security forces. Sadly, it is evident, not least when one considers the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh last year by the IDF and its subsequent preposterous denial, that Israeli forces are targeting those reporting on the truths on the ground in Gaza. Given that the first casualty of war is truth, they are achieving this by killing journalists. Will the Government call out this behaviour?

The Taoiseach

It is a reasonable question, but I cannot imagine that anybody in this House, let alone the Government, would in any way countenance the killing of journalists. Of course we condemn that - absolutely. In response to what the Deputy said, however, I must point out that we have seen a fair bit of propaganda from a number of different sources in this conflict. It is very hard to get reliable information at the moment. We saw a classic case of that with the attack on al-Ahli hospital last week. It is becoming increasingly evident, not just from US sources or British sources but from trusted bodies such as BBC Verify, for example, that there is a very high possibility that it was a Palestinian rocket that landed in the car park of the hospital, not an Israeli airstrike. We do not know that for sure, but that does seem to be a view that is at least backed by evidence.

Deputy Willie O'Dea

I have been approached by a number of people who are living in financial straitjackets because their mortgages were sold to vulture funds without their knowledge or consent. It is impossible for those people to get away from the vulture funds. I made representations to the major financial institutions to take on some of these mortgages for people who have never missed a single instalment, and the answer I received has invariably been "No". They do not want to know. Regardless of what propaganda is put out, that is the reality. The mortgagors are chained to the vultures. I have been approached by people paying €700 and €800 a month extra on what they were paying this time last year. In the past hour, there was a family in touch with me who are paying €850 per month over and above what they were paying last year. Many of these people are trying to survive on modest incomes. Now they have to find another €10,000 over and above what they found last year to swell the already swollen coffers of the vulture funds. There are 65,000 families affected by this. That equates to 200,000 to 250,000 people. What does the Government propose to do to help these people?

The Taoiseach

Many of those people will benefit from the mortgage interest relief which was announced in the budget because they have seen big increases in their mortgage payments as a consequence of higher interest rates. They could benefit by about €1,250 a year under that scheme. I appreciate, however, that this is only a small contribution for people facing increases of €600, €700 or €800 a month. They can switch, as the Deputy knows, but it is very hard to switch if you do not have equity in your property. They should certainly investigate that if they do. As regards other actions we could take, I am not sure what else is possible, but I will certainly make the Minister for Finance aware that Deputy O'Dea raised this.

Deputy Colm Burke

In August of this year, the Taoiseach was in Sarsfields Hurling Club and saw the facilities it has available. Over the past few days, over €500,000 worth of damage has been done as a result of flooding. At the same time, there is an organisation which has received the lease of over 30 acres from Cork County Council. Those 30 acres have not been used for the past ten years. Will the Government now apply pressure on that organisation to lease that land back to Cork County Council in order that it can be made available for sports organisations in the Glanmire area that are badly in need of facilities?

That 30 acres is lying idle for more than ten years. We have a huge young population there. Sarsfield GAA Club has in excess of 1,100 members alone which it now has difficulty catering for.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Burke for the question and I remember very well my visit to Sarsfields only a few months ago now. I was devastated to hear the amount of damage that has been done to the pitch, the clubhouse and the bar. A lot of damage has been done. We will work with the club to ensure the damage is repaired and the club can operate as normal as soon as possible. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, has already indicated he is willing to engage with the club on that, depending on how much it is costed at and how much the insurance will cover. However, the same principles we applied in Donegal we will apply in Cork and we will get the club back up and running.

On the land itself, my understanding is that it is FAI-controlled or FAI-leased land; I cannot remember the exact details of it. I am not sure if we can apply pressure on a third party in such a way but I will certainly talk to the Deputy about it further, and to Minister of State, Deputy Byrne.

Deputy Alan Dillon

It is up to eight years this Christmas when Crossmolina had its devastating flooding. The residents still do not know the status or the timeline of their flood relief scheme. This uncertainty is causing a great deal of distress. The unfortunate delay surrounding this project is causing immense frustration and anxiety to the Crossmolina community. Consultants retained by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform have recommended seeking supplementary information from the Commissioners of Public Works to fully assess the environmental impacts. This could lead, however, to further delays for public consultation depending on the nature of the supplementary information. While we understand public input is vital, it is equally important this project safeguards the well-being of the Crossmolina community. I ask that the Taoiseach work with the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the Department to ensure this project is delivered with the utmost urgency.

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe)

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue with me, which he has done on a number of occasions before. Much of the delay that has been caused is due to the requirement we have to publicly consult on the impact a scheme like this can have on the environment. I very much appreciate the importance of this issue, and that has just been highlighted to all of us as we see the dreadful flood damage that has been caused in Midleton and elsewhere. I will certainly be looking at this and other schemes to see how we can move them forward in light of the flooding we have seen. I will come back to the Deputy on it.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

The Taoiseach has committed himself to try to address the completely chronic homelessness crisis which continues to get worse month in, month out. I appeal to him once again to look at a particular cohort of people who are above the social housing income thresholds because they are working. Yesterday, I had another woman in my clinic who works in a major hospital in my area, is now homeless and cannot get anywhere to live. It is bad enough being on a housing list, where you are entitled to housing assistance payment, HAP, and you might, in ten or 15 years, get a council house, which is pretty hopeless, or find a HAP tenancy, but if you are over the threshold, you cannot get anything. I know the Taoiseach will say cost rental is coming down the line, but right now there is nothing, no support, for working people who find themselves homeless or threatened with homelessness who are over the income thresholds.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy for that question. We keep the social housing income levels under review and they were increased only last year. We keep them under review and we may well increase them again, as incomes, rents and property prices rise. As the Deputy said himself, we have cost rental now as an option for people who are above the limit for social housing, and that is for real now. There are not as many as we would like to see by any means but it is becoming a reality on the ground.

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan

Locals, including medical professionals, have been highlighting their concerns with me about difficulty accessing GP out-of-hours services around Macroom, especially at weekends. They find they are having to travel further to Bandon and possibly to Kinsale Road to get cover at weekends. When this question is raised with SouthDoc, there is no satisfaction.

When it is raised with the HSE, directed on from SouthDoc, the response is that there is no issue and that it is providing cover. People in Kanturk were getting very similar responses earlier this year when their service was being referred on to Mallow. There is concern that the service is not being provided by SouthDoc. Can we establish what the plans are for SouthDoc Macroom and if it can ensure people are able to get access to out of hours GP services locally?

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I do not have an update to hand but I will certainly make enquiries and ask that the Minister for Health comes back to him directly.

Deputy Imelda Munster

I have to again raise the issue of the chaos caused by the Obelisk Bridge and the adverse affect it is having on traffic congestion in Drogheda. I have told the Taoiseach that I had liaised with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, Louth County Council, the Minister for Transport and the Department, and they all passed the parcel. When I raised this matter with the Taoiseach several weeks ago, he said he was aware of the inconvenience it was causing in Drogheda and that he would revert to the Minister. The Minister got back, passed the parcel again, and showed absolutely no interest. With the bridge closed and traffic diverted into Drogheda until at least the middle of next year, congestion levels are unbelievable. The rush hour traffic congestion lasts all day long. A ten-minute journey takes an hour. Businesses are seriously suffering. Given that the Minister, Deputy Ryan, appears to have no interest whatsoever, will someone in government please get TII, Louth County Council, Celtic Road Groups together-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Táimid thar am.

Deputy Imelda Munster

------to formulate some sort of workable solution?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Go raibh maith agat a Theachta. The Taoiseach to respond. We are way over time.

Deputy Imelda Munster

I say with no exaggeration that Drogheda is literally at a standstill seven days a week.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. I appreciate the inconvenience being caused for people in Drogheda. I will make further enquiries. Obviously, it is between the council, TII, and the contractor to resolve this but I will make further enquiries and see if I can help.

Deputy John McGuinness

The child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, service in counties Carlow and Kilkenny is in such a crisis that it is commonplace now that nine-year-old kids are being brought to accident and emergency departments for attention only to be sedated with no service follow-up. Last week, on Friday, I notified CAMHS of a particular case and it was unable to respond. In fact, there was no one there to respond so the child ended up in the accident and emergency department. It is also not uncommon for a family to have to wait for five years for an assessment, while private assessments are not being recognised. Will the Taoiseach please intervene to ensure some action is taken to improve the services and to reach out to families who are traumatised by what is happening?

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

I thank the Deputy for the question. As the Deputy knows, we have CAMHS teams throughout the country, and more than 820 people work in the service. During Covid-19 we saw unprecedented levels of extra referrals, up by 33%, but we have responded by seeing 21% more children than ever before. Last year, for example, 225,000 appointments were issued to young people in CAMHS. The Deputy spoke about a five-year wait for an assessment of need. There is no assessment of need for CAMHS; that wait must relate to disability. With multidisciplinary teams, 95% of all young people are responded to within 72 hours. If the Deputy wishes to give me the details of that particular case, I will see if I can help him out with it.

Deputy John McGuinness

I will give the Minister of State a list.

Deputy Mark Ward

It is unforgivable that the Government has failed to invest in new development programmes for national clinical programmes for mental health for the second year running. This means there is no new funding for self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, and early intervention psychosis. Some 23,000 people presented to Irish hospitals with suicidal ideation in the past three years. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric diagnosis. Failure to resource early intervention psychosis is a blatant disregard to the duty of care of the 1,500 patients who experience psychosis for the first time each year, and having no new funding for adult ADHD means more people could fall through the cracks. Will the Taoiseach support the Sinn Féin motion that calls immediately for an increase to the funding allocation for health this year?

Deputy Mary Butler

As the Deputy will be aware, the mental health budget for 2024 is €1.295 billion.

It is the largest budget ever in the history of the State for mental health, an increase from €1.221 billion in 2023. As Deputy Ward quite rightly said, there are challenges with whole-time equivalents for clinical programmes for next year. Working with my team, I prioritised the funding I received for CAMHS and those aged under 18. I will be working closely with the new HSE youth mental health office and the new clinical lead. We will work out with the HSE the service level plan for next year. When those details are issued, the 76 whole-time equivalents I did secure will be put in various programmes. The final decision on this has not been made yet.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

I am very glad that yesterday the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, called to see the excellent facility that is St. Mary of the Angels in Beaufort in County Kerry. It is a very special place for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. The Taoiseach knows that I have long campaigned, since 2011, when what I believe was the wrong decision was made to do away with congregated settings. I really do believe it is not a case that one shoe fits all when it comes to people with special needs. The service provided in St. Mary of the Angels is very special. It is on a farm that was donated to the State so that St. Mary of the Angels could become what it did, which is a great place for these people to live their lives. Very sadly, we lost a resident there yesterday. My argument is that it is being closed by stealth. When a person dies, no new resident comes in. The Minister of State gave great speeches there yesterday. She gave great comfort to the residents, workers, management and parents of these special children. Please change it in such a way that new residents can go in there. This is what will keep the place open and keep it going.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Healy-Rae. I will certainly speak to the Minister of State about it. In the round, decongregation does work. Not having people living in institutions and instead living in small houses or community houses does work better. I know the difficulties it can cause, particularly if people have become settled in a community. As the Deputy said, it does not have to be the case that one size fits all. I do not know enough about it to profess on it here, but I will certainly speak to the Minister of State.