I have received notice from Senator Mary Moran that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to explain why an individual (details supplied) diagnosed with cancer has been refused a medical card.
I have also received notice from Senator Averil Power of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure Howth Harbour is dredged in order to ensure its long-term viability as a commercial fishing port, leisure harbour and tourist destination.
I have also received notice from Senator Gerard P. Craughwell of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to review the preservation of pension benefits for a group of former gardaí who left the force for various reasons before 1 October 1976 having had the five years required service.
I have also received notice from Senator Catherine Noone of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the position on the provision of a special needs assistant for Scoil Oilibhéir, Coolmine, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.
I have also received notice from Senator Lorraine Higgins of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to introduce a salary scale for workers in the child care industry to ensure that, in the interests of quality, qualifications are reflected in the salary achieved for workers.
I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to provide the necessary funding for Cuan Mhuire to enable it to provide accommodation for 35 homeless persons in its premises which it purchased in 2007 on Western Road, Cork city and in Farnanes, County Cork and which have remained vacant since owing to the lack of funding.
I regard the matters raised by Senators Mary Moran, Averil Power, Gerard P. Craughwell, Catherine Noone and Lorraine Higgins as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators Mary Moran, Averil Power, Gerard P. Craughwell and Catherine Noone and they will be taken now. Senator Lorraine Higgins may give notice on another day of the matter she wishes to raise. I regret that I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Colm Burke on the grounds that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter.