Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Nov 2015

Vol. 895 No. 2

Topical Issue Debate

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Deputy Brendan Smith

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this very important matter for discussion and I am glad that the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Deenihan, is present to reply.

A report published today by the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, highlights the possible economic implications of a British exit from the European Union for Ireland across four areas - trade, foreign direct investment, energy and migration. The findings make for sobering reading and it is clear from the report that the consequences for Ireland would be far reaching and wide-ranging. Among the findings is that it is estimated that a Brexit could reduce bilateral trade flows between Ireland and Britain by 20% or more. In addition, less foreign direct investment is likely to result in slower economic growth in Britain which, in turn, would impact negatively on Ireland's economic growth. The report also highlights the fact that the all-island electricity market has been in place since 2007 and that if the electricity market in Britain remains independent of the rest of the European Union, interconnection with Britain only would leave Ireland vulnerable to problems in the British market.

In terms of migration, the report underscores the point that a British exit from the European Union would open up the possibility of restrictions on the free movement of people between Ireland and Britain for the purposes of work. As we all know, Britain has long been a destination for many Irish people seeking work, particularly during times of high unemployment, and an exit from the European Union could have significant repercussions for the Irish labour market. We were all very glad that for a period of seven or eight years, from 2000 onwards, there was huge migration back to Ireland from Britain of former Irish emigrants.

The findings of the ESRI's report are stark and underscore the seriousness of this issue. The referendum will take place in the not too distant future and it is clear that we need to start a national conversation on the implications of a Brexit and what it would mean, not only for Ireland but for the European Union as a whole. If Britain was to leave the European Union, the nature of the most successful transnational organisation ever created would be irrevocably changed.

We in Fianna Fáil believe awareness needs to be created across all of the country of the gravity of this issue in terms of trade, employment, tourism, agriculture, fisheries and food, the free movement of people and, of course, the situation in Northern Ireland. Britain is our nearest neighbour and largest trading partner. We are the only people in the European Union who share a land border with the British jurisdiction. If people in Britain were to vote to leave the European Union, the knock-on effects would be felt the length and breadth of the country, particularly in the Border counties, including my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. Farmers and food processors, North and South, depend on access to the EU market of 500 million people. The business community would suffer badly from a situation where there was a new border across the Six Counties, a regulatory border that would divide the island once more.

We must re-establish EU solidarity. This is vital if we are to convince Britain and Northern Ireland to remain part of the European Union. The normal EU spirit of solidarity and co-operation between member states is best illustrated in the Border region. Peace programme funding has been vital in supporting the fledgling Agreement framework. Co-operation between the North and the South and between Ireland and Britain has been the engine of the Good Friday Agreement. Our role as co-guarantors of the Agreement binds us together. The Irish and British Governments are co-guarantors of an international agreement lodged with the United Nations. North and South, we have to maximise the potential of the Good Friday Agreement for the good of all of the people on all of the Island. These links were forged in the common ground of the European Union and need to last.

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan)

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As the House will be aware, the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union is a matter of strategic importance for the Government. We believe the United Kingdom's continued membership of the European Union is highly important to Ireland's interests and the interests of the European Union as a whole. All research to date, including the excellent report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs, suggests the overall implications for Ireland would be negative. Obviously, the exact consequences of a UK exit from the European Union would depend on what arrangements were subsequently put in place between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

We do know from various published assessments, not least that published today by the ESRI and commissioned by the Department of Finance, that there would be very significant strategic and economic risks for Ireland if the United Kingdom were to leave the European Union. The ESRI's research has found that, second only to the United Kingdom, of all EU member states, Ireland would suffer the most negative consequences of a British withdrawal, which could be extremely disruptive to the Irish economy, even if the United Kingdom was to maintain a preferential trade agreement with the European Union. The research identifies four key areas where the effects of a Brexit could be significant - trade, foreign direct investment, energy and migration. It also suggests there could be particular impacts on SMEs, certain sectors and regions, including the Border area. The negative implications are not just economic, they would also arise in respect of Northern Ireland and, more broadly, our positioning within the European Union.

The Government is well aware of the challenges and we will continue to deepen our analysis and understanding of the issues at stake. The best way to mitigate these risks is to work hard, with EU partners, to ensure a British exit does not happen.

This Government's overriding focus, therefore, is on helping to keep the UK in the Union, not preparing for its departure. This position has been elaborated many times by the Government, including by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, in this House and in keynote speeches such as the Taoiseach's address to the British-Irish Association in Cambridge in September, and the address of the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, at Chatham House in London later that month.

Therefore, as regards the UK's EU reform agenda, from the outset our position has been that we will be as constructive as possible in the negotiations. There are a number of areas where we share British concerns and where we also see room for improvement in how the Union operates. Precise proposals have not yet been put on the table. The Prime Minister is, however, expected to set out some further thinking very soon and a negotiating process will get under way after that. We will play a constructive role in these negotiations, though of course the detail will require careful examination. We want to work with the British Government and all our EU partners in that process so as to find a consensual basis for the UK's continued presence in the Union.

Deputy Brendan Smith

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. In my concluding remarks I referred to the Good Friday Agreement and its importance for the development of relations on an all-Ireland framework, namely, the relationships between North and South and east and west which, thankfully, have improved immeasurably over the past 15 or 20 years. Breaking the link by means of a unilateral British and Northern Irish withdrawal from the EU would deal an immense blow to our capacity to continue to work together in the best interests of all the people on this island and in Britain. We must do everything we can to safeguard Ireland's political and economic future. Fianna Fáil will be vocal in supporting Britain remaining a full member state of the European Union.

There is a need to create a better awareness throughout the island of the very serious issue that this is for us. Last July I hosted a public meeting in my own constituency in Cavan, which was addressed by our party leader Deputy Micheál Martin and by senior personnel from the Irish Farmers' Association, Queen's University Belfast and the Centre for Cross Border Studies. The meeting drew a huge attendance from counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Sligo and Leitrim and from north of the Border. The SDLP is planning to hold public meetings north of the Border to create awareness and to ensure that civic society is engaged in the public debate and the campaign that will take place. Civic society will have a key role in ensuring the relevant issues are discussed when the referendum question is put to the people.

All of us who have participated in referendum campaigns here are well aware that, in many instances, issues that were not relevant at all to the question became the dominant issues in the debate. We do not want that to happen with this issue. I appeal to the Minister and the Government to ensure there is good political discourse in this State and throughout all of this island and that civic society is involved as much as possible.

One of the areas on which I would have liked the ESRI to have carried out some study is agriculture and food. Britain is a major trading partner and a hugely important destination for Irish food products and North and South work very closely at European level in agriculture matters. As the Minister will know, it is often the Irish Minister for Agriculture who defends the interest of the farming community and the food industry in Northern Ireland.

I appeal to the Minister not to allow the campaign to come down upon us without the necessary preparatory work having been done by our State to ensure we support Britain remaining a member of the EU in the strongest way possible. I grew up in a Border parish with customs posts on each road and permanent vehicle checkpoints. I do not want to see customs posts again. I want free movement of people on all of our island. It would be a dreadful return to the bad old days for all the people on this island if we were not to have free trade on the island and with the rest of the European Union.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I agree that both the east-west and North-South relationships have never been better and they continue to develop. If there was a change of Britain's status within the EU it would set back those developing relationships and would have a huge effect on the economy of this country. At the moment, some €1 billion in exports pass between Ireland and the UK every week so it would have huge implications. It is very important we campaign to ensure there is a rejection of this proposal in the UK.

There are 500,000 people who were born on this island but who live in the UK and one in four of all UK citizens have some Irish DNA so we can have huge influence in this referendum debate and we all have a duty to use that connection. This Government's position is well known. Our overriding focus is on keeping the UK in the European Union. We remain convinced that this is in the best interests, not just of our valued bilateral relationship but also of the Union as a whole.

We are conscious of the significant political, strategic and economic risks for us if the UK were to leave the EU. These are particularly relevant to the Irish economy and to Northern Ireland and, more broadly, to the balances within the EU. The most effective means of reducing these risks is to work hard with EU partners to ensure that a British exit does not happen. Ultimately, it will be for the British electorate to decide upon the future of the UK's relationship with the European Union and it is our sincere hope that they choose to remain within this union of partners and friends where we work together to achieve the best for all our citizens.

Inspector of Prisons Reports

Deputy Clare Daly

Without meaning any disrespect to the Minister who is present, I reiterate the point made by the Ceann Comhairle on Tuesday that it is regrettable when Departments do not furnish Ministers to answer issues relating to their Department. It is something we need to address but, that said, I do not think the sitting Minister for Justice and Equality would be able to answer the issues with any more clarity than the Minister of State who is present. Much as we might have criticised the former Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, he had a greater understanding of the urgent need to reform our prison system than all his predecessors or the sitting Minister.

This week the latest report of the Inspector of Prisons was published. The media concentrated on his findings that the Prison Service was responsible for the growth of criminal gangs in prison. However, that is somewhat sensationalist because, while he did say the Prison Service did not have a clear operational strategy for dealing with criminal gangs, I agree with the points made by the Prison Officers Association that to blame the staff for this is outrageous and disproportionate. The staff, through their representative organisations, have been highlighting this issue for a number of years. Time and time again they have asked for gang leaders to be isolated, to be put into separate institutions and taken out of the general prison population so this criticism was spun unfairly. This is one area where prisoners are exposed and vulnerable and not getting the support they should get.

Staff in the Prison Service have seen their wages decimated.

The starting rate of pay for prison staff is minuscule. Austerity is not incidental in this issue and we cannot look at the report in isolation. Two months ago the Inspector of Prisons produced a separate report which referred to the deaths of two very vulnerable prisoners. He highlighted the fact that prison records had been falsified by staff and that the prisoners had not been given the care and attention to which they had lawfully been entitled. In addition, we have had the revelations of the recording of telephone conversations between prisoners and their solicitors. This indicates dysfunctionality in the prison system, an issue which the Minister for Justice and Equality does not seem to be keen to address.

I refer, in particular, to what is happening in Portlaoise Prison. During the summer prisoners in the E block had to engage in protest action to highlight the squalid Victorian conditions in the prison. The failure of management to provide adequate medical cover or hygienic facilities has had a serious impact on prisoners' health. The practice of slopping out continues. Cells are damp and leaking beyond repair. They are unventilated and freezing cold during the winter. Access to a doctor is limited to two days a week and on several occasions no doctor is available. This is not good enough. It is a human rights issue.

A delegation of Deputies has requested permission to visit Portlaoise Prison and our request has been awaiting a reply for months, which is astounding. We regularly seek permission to visit Maghaberry Prison in Northern Ireland and are granted that permission without a problem, but here in the South when we ask for permission to go and look at conditions in Portlaoise Prison, our letters are not answered. We are told our request is being considered, but we are left waiting for months for a reply. This is not good enough and is a very serious indictment of our society if we cannot treat in an appropriate manner these neglected citizens who may be despised but who, in some ways, are highly vulnerable.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

On behalf of the Minister who, unfortunately, cannot be present, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter.

The Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, with the assistance of Professor Andrew Coyle, carried out an assessment of the current culture within the Irish Prison Service and the extent to which it facilitated or hindered the development of the service. The inspector officially presented his report to the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, on Tuesday, 3 November. On her behalf, I take the opportunity to once again thank the inspector and Professor Coyle for all of their hard work in bringing the report to fruition.

This is the first time that an Inspector of Prisons who is independent of the Government has embarked on this type of review of the prevailing culture in the Irish Prison Service. The Minister welcomes the report which focuses on two key issues: the structure of the Irish Prison Service and the training and development of personnel. It contains many recommendations and seeks to provide a roadmap for the future. It will make a positive contribution to the reforms already under way in the Irish Prison Service.

As the inspector said at the time of announcing the review, there have been positive developments in recent years. Much has been done to address the many issues which have adversely affected the prison system for decades. For example, slopping out is being eliminated; modernisation of the accommodation wings in Mountjoy Prison is now complete; the new Cork Prison will be ready for occupation early in the new year; a significant redevelopment project for Limerick Prison is planned; we are well on our way to fulfilling the commitment in the current programme for Government to end the practice of sending children to St Patrick's Institution; and we are examining options to improve the detention and rehabilitative systems for female offenders. However, the Minister believes more can be done if we build on the investment already made by the Government, management and staff of the Irish Prison Service at all levels.

While highlighting challenges, it is welcome that the report also acknowledges the many positive aspects of the service, including the dedication of its staff. It also expresses concerns about the gang culture in prisons. Earlier this week the Minister joined the Garda Commissioner as she launched Operation Thor, a new anti-burglary and anti-crime strategy. It includes a new, targeted approach to disrupting criminal gangs, an effort backed by investment by the Government in both overtime and new high powered vehicles. As the Minister said on Tuesday at the launch of the report, she believes there should be no place for gangs operating in the community and no place for a gang culture in prisons. She has asked the director general of the Irish Prison Service to provide her with a comprehensive response to the report's concerns about a gang culture in prisons.

Deputy Clare Daly

The pace of reform has slowed since the former Minister, Deputy Alan Shatter, exited the brief. We need to look at this area very seriously. People in prison are citizens. In many ways, they are forgotten citizens, but we need to separate their behaviour from the human being and deal with that issue appropriately. A report published in June indicated that one in ten of the youngest inmates was on a restricted regime and locked up for up to 23 hours a day, which is not human rights compliant. That hundreds of prisoners have requested to be in isolation indicates inappropriate governance in the Irish Prison Service. We need to step back and look at this. For example, when citizens end up in prison, we should take the opportunity to deal with their behaviour and rehabilitate them to enable them to go back into society. A way of doing this is to treat them humanely by addressing their living conditions, as prison, in one sense, is their home. The Minister of State has said slopping out has been reduced, which is true, but the reality is that it still happens in E wing of Portlaoise Prison, for example. Conditions in that prison are horrendous, with slabs of concrete falling off walls in the showers hitting prisoners, electrical wires exposed in the shower area, giving rise to the danger of electrocution, and doctors pointing to the possibility of legionnaires' disease being contracted because of the Victorian conditions in the prison. This issue needs to be addressed. I ask the Minister to intervene with the Irish Prison Service on behalf of the cross-party delegation of Deputies who want to visit the prison.

How we treat prisoners is important. For example, I have been dealing with the case of a Donegal man, Gerard McManus, since 2013. He has requested a transfer from Maghaberry Prison to Portlaoise Prison for family reasons. More than a year ago the Irish Prison Service informed me that it was dealing with his request for a transfer, yet it has still not dealt with it. This causes stress and isolation, as well as pressure on prisoners and it is not human rights-compliant. We could do better. I agree with the Minister of State that the Inspector of Prisons has done a great job in his reports. However, what he is suggesting is that we need to do considerably more, but I do not see enough evidence of this under the Minister.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I acknowledge the Deputy's knowledge of the subject and her genuine interest in it. The report of the Inspector of Prisons is far-reaching and an important contribution to the reform of the criminal justice system, as the Deputy has acknowledged. The Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and her officials need time to consider how its recommendations might best be implemented. The report will inform the Irish Prison Service's next three-year strategic plan for the period 2015 to 2018 which will focus on building relationships, rehabilitative measures, efforts to reduce reoffending and the further development of penal policy to realise the vision of a safer community through excellence in a prison service built on respect for human dignity. At the launch of the report the Minister said she intended to bring it to the Cabinet shortly, initially for its information and at a later stage for decisions to be made. In the interim she wants to ensure key stakeholders have a chance to reflect on it and provide feedback.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, for coming in to discuss this matter. When the then Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, announced what was perhaps one of the most significant capital building programmes ever announced by the Department of Education and Skills in early 2012, the fact that three schools in Athenry were included in the announcement was greeted with much relief in the town and hinterland because the town has experienced significant demographic growth in the past decade, not alone because it is a burgeoning market town but also because it is becoming a dormitory town for the city of Galway. With the recent announcement of an almost €1 billion investment by Apple in the future of Athenry one has to expect that the numbers will continue to grow.

The list that was published by the then Minister, Deputy Quinn, in early 2012 was based purely on the demographic challenges faced by us at the time and that we continue to face in terms of responding to the needs of schools that were growing exponentially in terms of their enrolment. At the time there were three schools in Athenry on the list. One was Gaelscoil Riada, the second was the Presentation College and the third was Gairmscoil Mhuire. All three schools were listed at the time for new development. It was acknowledged at the time that finding sites for three such developments in Athenry would be difficult, and it has proven to be exactly the case. It has been very difficult to find or acquire sites and more than three years later, we are not yet at a point where definite sites have been acquired and are ready to go to planning permission for any of the three schools.

I have become increasingly frustrated with my engagement with the Department of Education and Skills in trying to garner some information from it as to where exactly we stand with each of the three schools. I will provide a quick overview of the current situation in terms of school enrolments in the three schools and the kind of facilities they have to work with. Presentation College has 1,200 students and teachers and it operates on a site of just under 2 acres, including 26 prefabs. It has no outdoor play area where young people can take part in any kind of sporting activity. Gaelscoil Riada has 285 pupils, with 53 more already registered for next year. All the classrooms are prefabs. There are no permanent buildings. The school occupies what was described as a temporary site more than five years ago. Gairmscoil Mhuire has approaching 700 students and staff, again on a very restricted site, with a seriously substandard building that has a flat roof suffering major water ingress issues all over it. I was in the school about two months ago and learned the school had to construct a very elaborate series of internal pipes to take away water that was leaking from the roof into the school’s internal water system, which it should not have to do.

All that the boards of management and the parents associations of each of the three schools seek is something that should be very easily given to them, namely, information as to where exactly we are in terms of acquiring a site for each of the three schools. The Department seems to be very reticent about sharing the information, despite the fact that in a small town the size of Athenry, everyone is very much aware of the landowners with which the Department is engaging and to a certain extent where the schools are likely to be constructed. The situation is very unfair, in particular on the boards of management and the principals of the schools who have to respond as best they can to questions from parents as to the Department’s plans and where exactly the development of their school lies.

I seek a simple response from the Department on where exactly we are at and how far away we are from lodging planning applications and acquiring sites for each of the three schools. I understand in one or two cases we are very close to completion of the preliminary stage and to getting under way. What is disappointing is the fact that despite numerous letters to the Department from each of the three schools in an effort to elicit some information, they receive nothing but silence or every now and then a letter which does not add any information to the information they already have. It would be great if the information vacuum could be addressed and a regular update could be provided by the Department on where it stands. That would serve to help the schools to address the many challenges they have in managing their schools on a daily basis and also in engaging with parents.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I apologise to the Deputy for the absence of the Minister for Education and Skills who, unfortunately, is unavailable this afternoon. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it provides me with the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister, to clarify the current position on the acquisition of suitable sites to facilitate major capital projects for Presentation College, Gairmscoil Mhuire and Gaelscoil Riada, Athenry.

The Deputy will be aware that the country has experienced an unprecedented population increase in recent years, which has posed a significant challenge for the provision of school places. Funding under the Department's five-year construction plan is focused on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that the school system is in a position to accommodate increasing pupil numbers. That involves prioritising school building projects in areas where demographic demand has been identified.

Athenry has been identified as an area of demographic growth. In that regard, major projects to provide new school buildings for both Gairmscoil Mhuire and the Presentation College that will cater for 1,000 pupils each have been included in the current five-year construction plan. In addition, a new 12-classroom school building will be provided for Gaelscoil Riada and a project for this school has also been included in the current five-year construction plan. New sites are required to accommodate these new school buildings.

The Deputy will be aware that the Minister signed a memorandum of understanding between her Department and the County and City Managers Association in 2012. The purpose of memorandums of understanding is to ensure a greater level of co-operation between the Department and the relevant local authority when sites for schools are being identified and acquired. In the case of the schools referred to by the Deputy, potential site options were identified by the Department working closely with Galway County Council. They were then jointly assessed from a technical perspective by officials from the local authority and from the Department. Subsequent to valuations being obtained, officials from Galway County Council engaged in negotiations with the landowner on behalf of the Department. In the course of the negotiations, discussions in regard to technical aspects of the development of the site arose and those issues required detailed examination at the time. Further to discussions on the matters, agreement has been reached.

I can confirm, therefore, that suitable sites have been identified, the acquisition of sites for the schools has been agreed, and the acquisition process is under way. Once the conveyancing process has been satisfactorily completed, the projects will be advanced into architectural planning. I assure the Deputy that the acquisition of new sites for the schools is a priority for the Department.

I again thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister, to outline to the Dáil the current position regarding the acquisition of sites for Presentation College, Gairmscoil Mhuire and Gaelscoil Riada, Athenry.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

The response indicates that suitable sites have been identified for each of the three schools. That is what the reply states, namely, that the acquisition of the sites has been agreed and the acquisition process is under way. I would be very grateful if the information could be conveyed directly to each of the principals and boards of management of each of the three schools. Perhaps the Department could undertake an examination of its policy of non-communications with boards of management because that has been my experience of the way the Department interacts with school authorities. The Department seems intent on keeping people in the dark to a certain extent as to how things are developing, which serves to build distrust and a lack of confidence in the Department. The building unit works exceptionally well even though it has a very difficult job to do. In this instance it is working hand in glove with officials in Galway County Council. I thank them and congratulate them on the work they have done to date. However, there is a missing element, namely, ongoing communication with school authorities, teachers and parents to inform them of how the process is developing in each instance. It does not require daily or weekly updates but boards of management and principals deserve to be updated on a reasonably regular basis on how matters are progressing. I would be very grateful if the information that has been conveyed to me this evening would equally be conveyed to the respective principals and boards of management of each school.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I again thank the Deputy for his comments and I will certainly pass on his request that the information would be conveyed to the principals involved. The Minister is aware of the necessity to acquire suitable sites for the new school buildings required for Presentation College, Gairmscoil Mhuire and Gaelscoil Riada, Athenry, in the context of the significant demographic demand in the area.

Her officials will continue to further the acquisition process with a view to delivering the new permanent buildings as soon as possible. I also will contact the Department and ensure this information is passed on to the principals. I thank the Deputy.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon

I thank the Minister of State.

Educational Projects

Acting Chairman (Deputy Bernard J. Durkan)

The next matter is in the names of Deputies Martin Ferris and Michael Healy-Rae to the Minister for Education and Skills concerning the need to provide support to Kerry Life Skills. Will Deputy Ferris indicate whether his colleague from County Kerry is in attendance in the House?

Deputy Martin Ferris

No, he has asked me to make the presentation. Unfortunately, he was obliged to return to County Kerry and is unable to be present.

Acting Chairman (Deputy Bernard J. Durkan)

Very well. Deputy Ferris has four minutes.

Deputy Martin Ferris

I thank the Acting Chairman; that is very decent. Deputy Healy-Rae, the Minister of State and I are no strangers to the position in which Kerry Life Skills finds itself. We also are aware of the tremendous work it does in delivering social, personal and health education support to primary and secondary school students. It works in partnership with schools, families, communities and other agencies to empower children and young people to make choices and to support their well-being. It provides engaging and dynamic health and well-being support to 144 primary schools as well as to 18 secondary schools in the Kerry, north Cork and west Limerick area. Its service is youth-centred and needs-led. Programmes are evidence-based and are developed through a process of consultation with students, teaching staff, parents and community agencies in the areas on which Kerry Life Skills believes one should focus. It is a mobile service that travels to the heart of the communities it serves.

Kerry Life Skills primarily is self-funded up to the amount of €86,500, and I believe its overall running costs are approximately €170,000. This leaves a shortfall of €83,500 and this must be met by a variety of charitable sources. It receives some funding from local authorities, some corporate sponsorship and contributions from schools as well as benefiting from fund-raising and public donations. Nevertheless, this still leaves the organisation with a shortfall of €83,500. The service it provides is invaluable to young people in particular, both primary and secondary students, who range in age from four up to 19. Neither the Minister of State nor Deputy Healy-Rae nor any Deputy from County Kerry needs any reminder of the work it does there as well as in west Limerick and north Cork. The charity is overseen by a voluntary board of directors who give freely of their time at no cost.

The charity seeks some support from the Government and it would be a great statement in recognition of the work it does and the service it provides were the Government prepared on behalf of the State to make funding available, certainly the outstanding funding of €83,500, which is small money when one considers the great work Kerry Life Skills does for young people. I hope the Minister of State will look upon this matter positively and will have a positive answer for Deputy Healy-Rae and me. I am quite confident the Minister of State has the same ethos of support regarding what Kerry Life Skills is trying to achieve and about making available the financial funding for that. I await his answer.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I thank Deputies Martin Ferris and Michael Healy-Rae for raising this matter and acknowledge the presence of Deputy Ferris in the Chamber. I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, who unfortunately is unable to attend to take the matter herself. The Minister certainly welcomes the work done by Kerry Life Skills in Kerry, north Cork and west Limerick in the area of the future health and well-being of young people by helping them to make healthy choices. The area of well-being is a priority for her Department. As noted, its funding is mainly derived from local authorities and other sponsors. The Minister must prioritise funding of mainstream education initiatives and resources in both primary and post-primary schools. For example, the Department has published Well-Being in Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention in 2012, which was developed to implement action 2.1 of Reach Out: National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005-2014. In addition, three documents on bullying have been prepared for schools and for parents to respond to the action plan on bullying published in 2013.

Social, personal and health education, SPHE, programmes are delivered in all primary and post-primary schools. The Department of Education and Skills, in partnership with the Health Service Executive, provides continuing professional development, CPD, to teachers to enhance the quality of their teaching and learning in this vital area. The SPHE programme contains a number of specific games that are relevant to positive mental health and well-being. These include promoting all aspects of a young person's health, fostering a sense of care and respect for himself or herself and enabling him or her to make informed decisions and choices about all aspects of life, including health. The Minister has prioritised well-being as a principle in the new framework for junior cycle. The junior cycle years are a critical time in young people's lives and the Minister wishes to ensure young people are given the confidence to be happy, healthy, well-connected and resilient.

While the Minister congratulates Kerry Life Skills on its work, she must note it is not possible for her or her Department at this time to divert scarce resources to local initiatives, including the Kerry Life Skills initiative, since she must prioritise whatever funds are available, for example, to the delivery of SPHE to all schools and for the development of the new well-being approach.

Deputy Martin Ferris

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am very disappointed that the line Minister cannot find €83,500, which is less than any single Deputy in this Dáil receives, and which could be used to benefit many young people in 119 primary schools and 18 secondary schools. When one considers the money that is required, I note the organisation is putting up 51% of the funding itself and the areas covered by it, namely, County Kerry, north Cork and west Limerick, have not yet enjoyed any sign of recovery. It is an insult to the commitment and dedication of Kerry Life Skills that the Government cannot find €83,500, especially given the acknowledgement by the Minister of State, other public representatives and me of the work it does as well as the acknowledgement by the Minister herself for the work it does.

Will the Minister of State, as a member of the Government, revert to the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and ask her to reconsider her refusal? It is the least these people deserve for the work they are putting in, most of which is voluntary, as well as the service they provide to young people from the age of four up to 19, particularly in the type of environment in which we find ourselves at present. I again thank the Minister of State personally for his reply and acknowledge that he is as committed as I am or as is Deputy Healy-Rae. However, he probably will have a lot more influence with his party colleagues and certainly with the Government than we would.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I thank Deputy Ferris and concur completely with him on the contribution the Kerry Life Skills initiative has made to the health of young people in counties Kerry, Cork and Limerick. I certainly will take back to the Minister the points he has made and I will appeal to her again to provide the critical funding to ensure the survival of this programme. I again thank the Deputy.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 10 November 2015.