I have received notice from Senator Mark Wall that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the housing adaptation and housing aid grants available through each local authority.
I have also received notice from Senator Fiona O'Loughlin of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to make a statement on whether the streetscape enhancement scheme will be extended to next year.
I have also received notice from Senator Micheál Carrigy of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on the provision of a natural gas pipeline from Ballymahon to Longford town.
I have also received notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make a statement on changes to the visa and work permit schemes to facilitate non-EU nationals working in Ireland.
I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the timelines associated with the design and planning for the proposed new build for the Summercove National School, Kinsale, County Cork.
I have also received notice from Senator John Cummins of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Social Protection to remove receipt of disability benefit as a qualifying criteria for eligibility for the winter fuel allowance for those persons who meet the income means test.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to make a statement on the national outdoor recreational strategy including the extension of the walks scheme to the farming community.
I have also received notice from Senator Mary Seery Kearney of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on the status of the Indecon report which was commissioned to examine the cost of having a disability in Ireland.
I have also received notice from Senator Marie Sherlock of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the measures in place to address waiting lists for counselling services for victims of rape and sexual assault.
I have also received notice from Senator Lynn Boylan of the following matter:
The need for Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on blockages in the planning system associated with solar panel installation and microgeneration.
The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Wall, O’Loughlin, Carrigy and Byrne and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.
I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan, for coming to the House this morning.