It is proposed to take No. 17, European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 18, Credit Guarantee Bill 2012 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 16, Construction Contracts Bill 2010 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 9 p.m. and shall adjourn not later than 10 p.m.; the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of No. 17 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 5.30 p.m. 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 Finance; the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of No. 18 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 10 p.m. 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 Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; and Private Members' business shall be No. 5, Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012 – Second Stage (resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m. tonight, if not previously concluded.
Order of Business
There are three proposals to be put to the House. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall later than 9 p.m. tonight agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7, European Stability Mechanism Bill 2012 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 18, Credit Guarantee Bill 2012 - Report and Final Stages agreed to? Agreed.
There has been a significant cut in the number of special needs assistants over the past nine months. Many families are very concerned and angry about what has happened. There were protests outside the House again yesterday in regard to the cut in the number of special needs assistants, the cut to the domiciliary care allowance and so forth. The Minister said there will not be any further cuts in 2013 which will be the same as 2012 but that is after all the cuts have been made. It is blatant spinning of the situation and it is unacceptable.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when the Education and Training Boards Bill be brought before the House in order that we can debate and facilitate genuine interaction between the Minister and Members on what is happening to education for children with special needs generally, on the ongoing cutbacks and on the gap between official speak and the reality on the ground in regard to this issue?
Despite the economic circumstances, the Government has maintained special needs assistants and resource and learning support teachers for next year at the same level as this year. The overall number of special needs assistants will remain unchanged at 10,575 and the number of learning support and resource teachers will remain unchanged at 9,950, including 5,500 resource teachers who support children with more complex special education needs. The Bill, to which the Deputy referred, is due for publication this session. There are some aspects of it which are quite complex. I hope it will be published this session but I cannot confirm that as some of the issues are a little more complex than originally thought. However, it is being prioritised and a great deal of work is being done on it and I hope it will get through before we rise for the summer recess.
Tá ceist agam faoi reachtaíocht atá forógartha. In light of today's report, will the Taoiseach tell us when the Government will publish the amendment to the Constitution Bill in respect of children? When will the wording for the referendum be published and when does he expect the referendum to be held? Does he agree that given the urgency of the situation, this referendum should be held at the earliest opportunity in order to insert the protection of the rights of children in the Constitution?
Will the Taoiseach also tell us when the child and family support agency Bill will be published?
The child and family support agency Bill will be published later this year. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is doing a great deal of work in respect of the referendum on child protection. I do not want to give a definitive date for it but suffice to say that I am anxious that all the agencies involved will be able to agree on a particular wording in order that we can publish the Bill. I would like it to be ready before the end of this session but I cannot confirm that until those involved in this area finalise their work. Suffice to say that the Minister is intensely involved in this and would like to see it happen as quickly as possible.
Is it the Government's intention to introduce a property tax Bill in 2012 and to move on from the household tax, which is an unjust imposition on people to bail out bankers etc.? Is it the Government's policy that a property tax will be introduced which would require a new Bill, or primary legislation?
As the Deputy will be aware, there is a commitment in the memorandum of understanding to a property tax based on value for 2013. To give effect to that, we would need to consider legislation after the budget and the finance Bill. As the Deputy is aware, the budget is timed for December of this year.
I would like clarification on the time. Does that mean such a Bill would not be introduced and enacted until the first months of 2013? How would that relate to the implementation of such a measure?
The agreement with the troika and the commitment in the memorandum of understanding is to have this effective in 2013. As I said yesterday to Deputies, the committee under Mr. Thornhill has reported to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government who will reflect on the report and in due course bring his recommendations to Government. Arising from that, consideration will be given by Government as to the best option. Clearly, a timeline for the introduction of legislation would be considered by Government at that time. If it is to be effective in 2013, one would have to legislate some time before then.
I refer to the electoral amendment Bill. When does the Taoiseach expect the announcement in respect of the redrawing of the constituencies, which we all await with bated breath?
That is not covered by that Bill.
What is the legislation then?
That is a report which will be presented-----
We are all getting reports.
----to my good self at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and his officials have gone to Rio, so who will take the flack when it comes out?
That has nothing to do with the Bill.
Deputy Mattie McGrath should ask Noel Davern for advice.
Deputy McGrath has got his information now.
The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, took some comment last week-----
Deputy Mattie McGrath should ask Noel Davern for advice.
Will the report be out tomorrow?
It will be out tomorrow, so Deputy McGrath should get up early.
I can confirm to Deputy Mattie McGrath that Tipperary is not going in with Clare.
If big Phil got his way it would.
A Deputy
That is a relief for the people of Clare.
As someone who is already in with Clare, I would like to ask the Taoiseach when is the legislation to amend the criminal legal aid system due? When can we expect to see the promised legislation to compel employers to pay the first four weeks of sick pay to employees who are off sick?
The legal aid Bill will be introduced later this year. The second matter the Deputy raised is entirely speculative.
In light of the passage of the fiscal stability referendum, what is the timeline for the introduction and enactment of the Fiscal Responsibility Bill?
I cannot give the Deputy an exact date. It will be in this session but I will come back to the Deputy with more exact detail.
The report of the review panel inquiring into the deaths of children in care in the State was published today. The review deals with deaths up to 2010 and will, undoubtedly, raise many serious issues concerning the child protection system. It is important that we ensure time is set aside in the Dáil next week to debate the report, learn the lessons to be learned therefrom and ensure we act on it quickly. I ask the Taoiseach to reassure us in this regard.
The Whips will certainly consider this issue and the Government is anxious that the matter be debated, if not next week, whenever it is appropriate to do so.
Given the woes associated with banking in recent years, the Central Bank consolidation Bill has been promised. Is it intended to bring it before the House this year? The adoption (tracing and information) Bill was also promised for this year. Have the heads of both Bills been discussed by the Cabinet and are the Bills prepared for introduction in the House? What is the position on the sea fisheries and maritime jurisdiction (amendment) Bill which is to provide for penalty points for skippers found to have infringed the Common Fisheries Policy, an issue which is the subject of some contention?
The Deputy has a long list today.
It is not as good as yesterday's. I do not have a date for either the Central Bank (consolidation) Bill or the sea fisheries and maritime jurisdiction (amendment) Bill. The adoption (tracing and information) Bill will be introduced later this year.