Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2025

Vol. 1063 No. 1

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

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

I move:

Tuesday's business shall be:

- Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform entitled ‘Rotas and arrangements for Leaders’ Questions, Questions nominated for priority and Private Members’ Time’ (without debate)

- Statements on Mental Health (not to exceed 2 hrs 25 mins)

Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Provision of Special Education, selected by Sinn Féin.

Wednesday's business shall be:

- Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2025 (without debate)

- Secret ballot re election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle

- Statements on Maximising AI for Our Greater Good, in Business, in the Economy and in Wider Society (to take place no earlier than 4 p.m. and not to exceed 2 hrs 25 mins)

- Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024 (Report and Final Stages) (to be taken no earlier than 5.30 p.m. and to adjourn either at 8 p.m. or after 1 hr 30 mins, whichever is the later)

- Question put on election of Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Addressing the Housing Crisis, selected by the Social Democrats.

Thursday's business shall be Statements on the Importance of Agri-Food to the Irish Economy (not to exceed 2 hrs 25 mins).

Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business:

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 may sit later than 10.30 p.m.;

(ii) private members' business may be taken later than 6.12 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the conclusion of the Statements on Mental Health;

(iii) the Questions to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) which were to be taken on Tuesday, shall be taken immediately following the SOS on Wednesday, 26th February, 2025, without any change to the allocation of priority Questions to the Tánaiste and not otherwise affecting the current sequence of Ministers or rota for priority Questions as ordered by the House; and

(iv) the Dáil shall adjourn on the conclusion of topical issues pursuant to Standing Order 39 which shall be taken on the conclusion of private members’ business;

2. the proceedings on the Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform entitled ‘Rotas and arrangements for Leaders’ Questions, Questions nominated for priority and Private Members’ Time’ shall be taken without debate;

3. the Statements on Mental Health shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:

(i) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down);

(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; and

(iii) members may share time

	Gov	SF	Lab	Gov	SF
Mins	25	15	10	10	3
	SD	Gov	SF	IPTG	Gov
Mins	10	10	3	9	10
	SF	ITG	Gov	SF	NP/G
Mins	3	9	10	3	5

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) Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) shall not be taken;

(ii) the proceedings on the secret ballot relating to the election of a Leas-Cheann Comhairle pursuant to Standing Order 6, or, where there is only one validly nominated candidate, the contributions and the putting of the question pursuant to Standing Order 6(8), shall take place at the time when Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach would normally be taken, and on the conclusion thereof, the sitting shall stand suspended until 4 p.m.: Provided that where there is only one validly nominated candidate and a division is claimed on the question pursuant to Standing Order 7(4), such division shall be taken immediately;

(iii) there shall be no suspension of sitting pursuant to Standing Order 25(1); and

(iv) the weekly division time may be taken earlier than 8.45 p.m., and shall in any event be taken on the adjournment of proceedings on the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024, or where those proceedings conclude within the allotted time, on the conclusion thereof, with consequential effect on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil;

2. the proceedings on the Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2025 shall be taken without debate;

3. the Statements on Maximising AI for Our Greater Good, in Business, in the Economy and in Wider Society shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:

(i) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down);

(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; and

(iii) members may share time;

	Gov	SF	Lab	Gov	SF
Mins	25	15	10	10	3
	SD	Gov	SF	IPTG	Gov
Mins	10	10	3	9	10
	SF	ITG	Gov	SF	NP/G
Mins	3	9	10	3	5

4. the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024 shall be taken on the conclusion of the Statements on Maximising AI for Our Greater Good, in Business, in the Economy and in Wider Society or at 5.30 p.m., whichever is the later, and shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 8 p.m. or after 1 hour and 30 minutes, whichever is the later; and

5. where there is more than one validly nominated candidate for Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the secret ballot has taken place, the question pursuant to Standing Order 7(3) shall be put thereon immediately prior to the weekly division time, or if there are no deferred divisions, at the time when the weekly division time would normally take place, and any division demanded on the question shall, subject to the provisions of Standing Order 7(4), be taken immediately.

In relation to Thursday'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) no motion for a Committee report pursuant to Standing Order 111 or private member's Bill pursuant to Standing Order 169 shall be taken; and

(iii) topical issues may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m. and the Dáil shall adjourn on the conclusion thereof; and

2. the Statements on the Importance of Agri-Food to the Irish Economy shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:

(i) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down);

(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; and

(iii) members may share time.

	Gov	SF	Lab	Gov	SF
Mins	25	15	10	10	3
	SD	Gov	SF	IPTG	Gov
Mins	10	10	3	9	10
	SF	ITG	Gov	SF	NP/G
Mins	3	9	10	3	5

Deputies

Not agreed.

An Ceann Comhairle

If Deputies would let me ask the question first. Are the proposed arrangements for the week's business agreed to?

Deputies

Not agreed.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ag insint bréag arís. This is like Alice in Wonderland again. Michael Lowry is in the Opposition and "ag insint bréag arís" apparently does not actually mean "You are lying again" now. We have this continual demeaning of the Ceann Comhairle's office. We have repeatedly requested statements from the leader of Fine Gael. Fine Gael Ministers demanded accountability of leaders in this Dáil in the last term. They demanded statements in the Dáil. Their silence is deafening right now. Where are the statements from the leader of Fine Gael about the Senator Martin Conway affair? How can we not get the leader of Fine Gael, the Tánaiste, to come into this House to answer questions? Will the Taoiseach finally tell us why he demanded accountability of everybody else except for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil leaders when controversies arise? When will we have these statements?

Deputy Duncan Smith

Notwithstanding the arrangements we have for Dáil reform this week and then next week, given the deteriorating security in Europe, the Arts Council issues and the overspend on the children's hospital, I think we need to expedite the setting up of the Oireachtas committees. I do not think there is any reason we should delay any further, because there are a number of issues that we need to tease out. I sincerely ask if we can work together to get that done as soon as possible.

Deputy Pádraig Rice

We learned today that the potential cost of the national children's hospital has soared by €100 million in just a matter of months. It now stands at nearly €2.5 billion, although no one believes this will be the final cost. It is outrageous that after all this time, nobody in this House knows for sure how much this project will ultimately cost or when it will start treating patients. There is a completion date for June. We have missed many completion dates already. How confident is the Government that this hospital will be open and this date will be met? Crucially, we need to know when it will start treating patients.

The Taoiseach

Is this on the Order of Business?

Deputy Pádraig Rice

The latest estimate is that it will be at least another year. This is the biggest capital investment in the health service in the history of the State and it has been a botched project.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy's time is up.

Deputy Pádraig Rice

We need time set aside to have a discussion on this fiasco. We need an update on this from the Minister.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

I was grimly amused by the Taoiseach's suggestion earlier today that he was calling for a housing debate.

The Taoiseach

A proper debate.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

We have been asking every week since the publication of the 250-page Housing Commission report - commissioned by the Government - for a debate on that report and the Government has run away from it every single week for nine months, and again this week. Can we finally have the debate the Taoiseach says he wants on the Housing Commission report that the Government published? Of course, we know he does not want to debate it because it tells the truth about the Government's failed housing policy, how its targets are completely inadequate, and it is not able to meet the targets anyway.

Deputy Michael Collins

We will have a debate on Thursday about the importance of agrifood to the Irish economy and I call for an extension of time on that debate. Some Deputies will only have one minute 35 seconds to discuss this. We have a lot of issues relating to agriculture that need to be discussed, especially the highest level of TB in a generation in this country - it has gone up 44%. Irish agriculture is off the agenda here and it needs to come back on the agenda. Farmers are telling me that they are emotionally stressed and financially stressed. Their cattle are going down in the yard. They are going into factories killing clear. There has to be an answer to this crisis that has taken 41,000 cattle from the yard in the past 12 months and left no answers to farmers. I am asking for a proper debate on agrifood and the TB crisis that is hitting this country.

The Taoiseach

I turn first to agrifood. There are 135 minutes allocated. We will extend it, if necessary, into next week. There is an issue with the availability of the Minister. It is a serious issue. That is accepted.

In terms of the Housing Commission, it seems that the Deputies opposite are opposed to a lot of what is in the Housing Commission.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

How do you know? You will not debate it.

The Taoiseach

When I reference one area of it, I get attacked. I have no issue with a debate on the Housing Commission.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

You have been saying that for nine months. Nine months you have been saying it for.

The Taoiseach

We have had a debate every week. I will make a general point as we are looking at Standing Orders and so on.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Talk about untruths.

The Taoiseach

I want to make a general point as we are looking at Standing Orders and so on.

An Ceann Comhairle

Maybe answer the questions.

The Taoiseach

In terms of the Order of Business, the time of the Dáil is about Government time and Opposition time. There is nothing wrong with the Opposition, in Opposition time, discussing any of the issues raised.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

But you do not turn up for those debates.

The Taoiseach

The Housing Commission could have been raised in Private Members' time, or the children’s hospital or any other issue you believe should be raised.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

We want the Minister to come in and talk about the Housing Commission.

The Taoiseach

I do not think any other parliament in Europe has as much time devoted to Opposition as this Parliament does. That is a fact. I agree we should get the Oireachtas committees established as quickly as we possibly can. I agree with the Deputy who raised that issue. I have no issue with that. However, Government time has to be ring-fenced as well to get legislation and decisions through. There will be time for Opposition, but we cannot have it that there can be Private Members’ and Opposition time and then Deputies say they want more of Government time to discuss other things they want to discuss. There will be a division between Government and Opposition times-----

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

It is your report.

The Taoiseach

-----as is normal and natural for any Dáil and that is our view.

On the issue raised by Deputy Mac Lochlainn, I have been consistent throughout this Dáil and the last, in terms of accountability in this House. The Executive is accountable to the House. I do not believe Ministers are accountable for the behaviour or whatever issues pertain to any individual of the other House, in this House. I do not think it is allowed under Standing Orders.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Is that what you called for last year? Was that your position last year?

The Taoiseach

I think if you go back you will find I did not get engaged. I did not engage. Does that make sense?

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

One of your Ministers posted-----

The Taoiseach

I did not engage, Deputy.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

-----a letter demanding statements. No accountability.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the proposed arrangements agreed to?

Deputies

Not agreed.

Question put:

The Dáil divided: Tá, 84; Níl, 67; Staon, 0.

Tá

• Aird, William.
• Ardagh, Catherine.
• Boland, Grace.
• Brabazon, Tom.
• Brennan, Brian.
• Brennan, Shay.
• Brophy, Colm.
• Browne, James.
• Burke, Colm.
• Burke, Peter.
• Butler, Mary.
• Butterly, Paula.
• Buttimer, Jerry.
• Byrne, Malcolm.
• Cahill, Michael.
• Callaghan, Catherine.
• Calleary, Dara.
• Canney, Seán.
• Carrigy, Micheál.
• Carroll MacNeill, Jennifer.
• Chambers, Jack.
• Cleere, Peter 'Chap'.
• Clendennen, John.
• Connolly, John.
• Cooney, Joe.
• Crowe, Cathal.
• Cummins, John.
• Currie, Emer.
• Daly, Martin.
• Dempsey, Aisling.
• Devlin, Cormac.
• Dillon, Alan.
• Dolan, Albert.
• Dooley, Timmy.
• Feighan, Frankie.
• Fleming, Seán.
• Foley, Norma.
• Gallagher, Pat the Cope.
• Geoghegan, James.
• Grealish, Noel.
• Harkin, Marian.
• Healy-Rae, Danny.
• Healy-Rae, Michael.
• Heneghan, Barry.
• Higgins, Emer.
• Keogh, Keira.
• Lahart, John.
• Lowry, Michael.
• Martin, Micheál.
• Maxwell, David.
• McAuliffe, Paul.
• McCarthy, Noel.
• McConalogue, Charlie.
• McCormack, Tony.
• McEntee, Helen.
• McGrath, Séamus.
• McGreehan, Erin.
• Moran, Kevin Boxer.
• Moynihan, Aindrias.
• Moynihan, Michael.
• Moynihan, Shane.
• Murnane O'Connor, Jennifer.
• Murphy, Michael.
• Naughton, Hildegarde.
• Neville, Joe.
• O'Brien, Darragh.
• O'Callaghan, Jim.
• O'Connell, Maeve.
• O'Connor, James.
• O'Donnell, Kieran.
• O'Donovan, Patrick.
• O'Meara, Ryan.
• O'Sullivan, Christopher.
• O'Sullivan, Pádraig.
• Ó Fearghaíl, Seán.
• Ó Muirí, Naoise.
• Roche, Peter.
• Scanlon, Eamon.
• Smith, Brendan.
• Smyth, Niamh.
• Timmins, Edward.
• Toole, Gillian.
• Troy, Robert.
• Ward, Barry.

Níl

• Ahern, Ciarán.
• Bacik, Ivana.
• Bennett, Cathy.
• Boyd Barrett, Richard.
• Brady, John.
• Buckley, Pat.
• Byrne, Joanna.
• Carthy, Matt.
• Clarke, Sorca.
• Collins, Michael.
• Connolly, Catherine.
• Conway-Walsh, Rose.
• Cronin, Réada.
• Crowe, Seán.
• Cullinane, David.
• Cummins, Jen.
• Daly, Pa.
• Devine, Máire.
• Doherty, Pearse.
• Ellis, Dessie.
• Farrelly, Aidan.
• Farrell, Mairéad.
• Gannon, Gary.
• Gibney, Sinéad.
• Graves, Ann.
• Hayes, Eoin.
• Healy, Seamus.
• Hearne, Rory.
• Kelly, Alan.
• Kenny, Eoghan.
• Kenny, Martin.
• Kerrane, Claire.
• Lawlor, George.
• Mac Lochlainn, Pádraig.
• McDonald, Mary Lou.
• McGettigan, Donna.
• McGrath, Mattie.
• Mitchell, Denise.
• Murphy, Paul.
• Mythen, Johnny.
• Nash, Ged.
• Newsome Drennan, Natasha.
• Ní Raghallaigh, Shónagh.
• Nolan, Carol.
• O'Callaghan, Cian.
• O'Donoghue, Robert.
• O'Flynn, Ken.
• O'Gorman, Roderic.
• O'Hara, Louis.
• O'Reilly, Louise.
• O'Rourke, Darren.
• Ó Broin, Eoin.
• Ó Laoghaire, Donnchadh.
• Ó Murchú, Ruairí.
• Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.
• Ó Súilleabháin, Fionntán.
• Quaide, Liam.
• Quinlivan, Maurice.
• Rice, Pádraig.
• Sheehan, Conor.
• Sherlock, Marie.
• Smith, Duncan.
• Stanley, Brian.
• Wall, Mark.
• Ward, Charles.
• Ward, Mark.
• Whitmore, Jennifer.

Staon

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Mary Butler and Emer Currie; Níl, Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Duncan Smith.

Question declared carried.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

The Taoiseach was very evasive on the issue of tax reliefs for private developers when he was asked repeatedly here today. Can he be clearer? Can he give the clarity that was given by the Minister, James Browne, that, in fact, those reliefs are being considered? Will the Taoiseach also clarify for me the €450 million that arose from a memo that went to the Cabinet committee on housing? The Government is talking about 3,000 extra homes. That money is to be spread over three years. Will the Taoiseach confirm that those 3,000 houses are not in fact additional homes but are captured within existing targets? I am asking for clarity because this Government came to office on the basis of a lack of clarity and misleading information given to the electorate on the number of homes that had been built. It is now time for a clean breast of it and clarity-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy, stick to your time.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

-----on tax reliefs and on those 3,000 homes.

The Taoiseach

I have discussed housing extensively in the past 20 minutes, given absolute clarity and identified the need to bring in private sector investment. I have identified the need to look seriously at brownfield sites in particular.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

So, tax reliefs. Okay.

The Taoiseach

Nothing is ruled out in respect of brownfield sites, as far as I am concerned, in particular in the cities. That said, we will also look at other initiatives to incentivise private sector investment, particularly in apartment building and, again, in cities and large towns. That is where there is a challenge.

The €450 million is additional. It will build houses and units that are not built now. Nothing could be clearer than that.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

But they are captured within existing targets.

The Taoiseach

Equally, in terms of the other initiatives we decided on yesterday, which I have elaborated on, the strategic housing office established and the national-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Please stick to your times, Members. Members will lose out otherwise. We have 20 minutes and 15 Members listed.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

I express my sympathy to the family and friends of Quham Babatunde, the man who was so tragically killed in a knife attack on South Anne Street early on Saturday morning. Indeed, I express my sympathies and thoughts to those victims of violent crime that evening and in a previous incident in Stoneybatter, also in the city centre of Dublin. These shocking crimes illustrate for many a concern about safety on our city streets and a concern about the need for a more visible Garda presence on the streets. I know the justice Minister has been launching a recruitment campaign, but when I speak to gardaí locally, they tell me there is a still serious shortage still of gardaí, of personnel, available to police our city streets and to make people feel safer. Beyond just advertising for recruitment, what is the Minister doing to ensure that policing becomes-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Thank you, Deputy. Your time is up. You are taking someone else's time.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

-----a more attractive career prospect and to improve pay and conditions for trainee gardaí?

The Taoiseach

Like the Deputy, I express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Quham Babatunde on his shocking death on the streets of Dublin this weekend. We think of all the victims of crime recently in our city and in Stoneybatter. It is unacceptable. Significant additional resources are being put into high-visibility policing in Dublin city centre. More than half of the gardaí who attested last year were allocated to stations across Dublin. Since 2020, there has been a 40% increase in the number of Garda staff working across the DMR, freeing up gardaí for front-line duty. We will continue to resource the Garda in respect of facial recognition technology, body-worn cameras and additional gardaí on an ongoing basis.

Deputy Gary Gannon

The Taoiseach is presiding over a Government that seems to see crime as something to be responded to only after the fact. I read the programme for Government once again earlier, I heard the Taoiseach's statements and I listened to the Minister for Justice on the radio over the weekend.

There does not seem to be any co-ordinated strategy for a violence reduction approach. I hear the Taoiseach talking about increased sentences for knife crime from five to seven years and I have heard him mention body-worn cameras. What are we going to do on violence reduction? We accept violence is increasing on our streets so surely the Taoiseach will accept we need a strategy that is multiagency and that is approaching this from different angles to confront that. There are examples. There is best practice and evidence-based policies. I see none of that in the Government's programmes.

The Taoiseach

I referenced that in the earlier replies, though some took issue with it, when I said the level of violence in our society needs to be addressed. We believe in proactive measures. We believe in prevention. We need to deal with excess alcohol and drug use, which are factors in violence on our streets and definitely in some instances, though not all, a factor in the unrestricted level of terrible violence people visit upon others, sometimes absolutely without provocation.

Deputy Gary Gannon

Where is the strategy, then?

The Taoiseach

We need to look at the underlying issues giving rise to such violence on our streets because the Garda will never be at every scene every time. That starts right through our education system and the community in terms of creating an intolerant approach but also different strategies. I do not disagree with the Deputy.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

The Taoiseach said earlier he cared about workers. Where is this Government's respect for 27,000 section 39 workers who look after the disabled, elderly and vulnerable and who still have not received the 8% pay rise agreed in the WRC and who still do not have the parity that was promised with workers employed directly by the health service? I was talking this morning to home care workers who are section 39 workers. They work in Ballymun with the vulnerable, people with dementia and people with disabilities. Some of them are getting a lesser hourly rate, and they are low-paid workers, than they were getting in 2008 when the austerity cuts were imposed on them. They have never had their pay restored. They have never got cost-of-living increases and they still have not got their 8%. What sort of respect is the Taoiseach's Government showing for 27,000 section 39 workers by not ensuring they get the pay increases they deserve?

The Taoiseach

The Minister, Deputy Foley, has brought that issue and we anticipate it now will be dealt with in the context of the WRC. My understanding is the WRC suspended talks for the duration of the general election. My understanding is also, and my hope, those talks will resume very quickly with a view to getting a resolution of this issue and a just resolution of it. We will be focusing on that.

Deputy Brendan Smith

There are welcome proposals in the programme for Government on the very urgent need to improve services and supports for children with additional needs. Every day I talk to parents who are utterly frustrated and very concerned about the lack of timely interventions through appropriate therapies. We need a common application system and enough special classes to enable children attend schools in their local community. Proposals are not enough. We need urgency attached to a comprehensive implementation plan for such measures. We need a national therapy service in education with therapists providing therapies in schools. This service can be built quickly on the newly sanctioned educational therapy support service of the NCSE. A successful and early roll-out of a national therapy service for schools is essential and delays will no longer be acceptable. Those children have waited far too long for basic and essential supports.

The Taoiseach

I agree on increased resources toward services for children with additional needs. In respect of school there should be no excuse for an absence of any place for any child. It is a constitutional right and there is legislation that places an obligation on schools and on the State. We may need to strengthen that legislation if it is not being enacted. There has been a reluctance to enact it in some cases. We had a situation before where we had a clear pupil-teacher ratio for children with special needs and it was adhered to. That practice has waned in some areas in recent times, especially at post-primary level. That is not acceptable and I will be talking to a number of Ministers on this issue. The programme for Government 100% provides for the establishment of a national therapy service in education, which will be progressed.

Deputy Ken O'Flynn

In 1752, the bells of Shandon rang for the first time. In 1847, the clock mechanism was installed, with Cork Corporation and later Cork City Council being responsible for it to date. From 1847 to 1859, it was the biggest clock face in Europe. As the Taoiseach will know, it has been reported €400,000 is to be spent on the refurbishment of the Four-Faced Liar to restore this national monument, which is Shandon. Will the Taoiseach commit his Government to the application made by Cork City Council for the €400,000 funding needed for repairs? Will the Taoiseach also pass comment on the Shandon Craft Centre, which has remained empty for 16 years? In addition, the Father O'Leary Memorial Hall in Shandon Street is in the control of the LDA, which we have been told has no plans for it. Will we now come up with a full plan for Cork city and the Shandon area?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy is clearly in line with Standing Orders because that is what the Shandon clock was known as. I am very sympathetic to facilitating that request and will speak to the Minister about Shandon, which is one of Cork's greatest landmarks. It is refreshing to hear the words "biggest clock face", which are only appropriate given it is the city of Cork. We need to revisit the issue of Shandon Craft Centre. I will work with local groups. I think I will be dealing later with questions regarding a city task force and so on. We will certainly talk to the Minister and Department in question because that is an iconic location in the city of Cork. Cónal Creedon has written magically about it.

Deputy Ken O'Flynn

I think the Taoiseach was mentioned once or twice.

The Taoiseach

I was mentioned once or twice in dispatches.

Deputy Frankie Feighan

Across the country and especially in the north west, we have huge challenges in providing adequate home care for some of our most elderly and infirm citizens. I, like most TDs, receive daily correspondence from families who are allocated home help or care hours only to discover there are no qualified personnel to fulfil these allocated hours. The issue is having an impact on our care homes and mainstream hospitals as doctors are reluctant to discharge patients home when the care hours are not available for patients. Families are distressed and are asking why the HSE and Government will not resource this vital service. I met a lady last weekend who completed her level 5 qualifying course two years ago. She was asked to send her CV to the HSE and to date she has received no correspondence or interview. This is a very important issue. We find ourselves writing to the HSE and not one answer is coming back. We are getting into trouble.

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kieran O'Donnell)

I thank Deputy Feighan. On a general category, this year home support has increased by €122 million. That is the largest ever. It is at €838 million. The Deputy did not reference a specific area so he might come back to us.

Deputy Frankie Feighan

Sligo-Leitrim. The north west.

Deputy Kieran O'Donnell

Sligo-Leitrim. The funding is there. It is back to the individual regions themselves. The Deputy might come back to us so our Department can follow up with the HSE locally to ensure the funding is in place for that provision.

Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan

The position of communities right across the State is clear when it comes to the Mercosur trade deal. It will be bad for Irish farming, it will be bad for the environment and it will be bad for people's health. Last week in the European Parliament we had a clear opportunity to show Irish MEPs are united in our opposition to the deal. Brazil and Argentina are the world's top GMO and pesticide users. This includes GMOs and pesticides that have been banned in the EU for health reasons. The motion highlighted concerns over the use of GMOs and pesticides. Fine Gael MEPs failed to support the motion while Fianna Fáil MEPs could not work out if they were for it or opposed to it. We have constantly heard Fianna Fáil claiming it will oppose the Mercosur trade deal. Why was that not the case last week in the European Parliament? Will Fianna Fáil's opposition to the trade deal be just another broken election promise?

The Taoiseach

In the context of the European Parliament - I did not see the exact motion by the way - we do not impose the same rigid discipline on public representatives generally that the Deputy's party might because they have to look at the broad range of issues. Motions can be long and they can be this and that. We are against the Mercosur deal on the basis that we have asked our farmers to reduce emissions by approximately 25%. We have probably one of the most carbon-efficient dairy and beef industries. There is a real issue, therefore, of us importing food produce that is less carbon-efficient or that is using a less carbon-efficient model. There is a broader trade issue, though. Ireland, ultimately, is in favour of free trade. That is why we want the Canadian free trade deal enacted because free trade can enable other companies to export to places where they increase jobs. These are never simplistic issues. On that basic issue, however, we are opposed to Mercosur.

Deputy Carol Nolan

I have been informed that schoolchildren within my constituency of Offaly, who should be seen by the HSE dental service three times before the age of 12, are actually only seeing a dentist for the first time when they are well into secondary school. These concerns were raised with me by the Irish Dental Association at an emergency meeting in Portlaoise three years ago. I was shocked to hear, however, how far the services have deteriorated since that time. We now know that children in Offaly are not receiving the first of their three dental checks until they are in transition year. There needs to be an immediate commencement of discussions with the Irish Dental Association to address the crisis in the recruitment and retention of dentists. In addition to this, an urgent ministerial direction to the Department of Health must be issued to commence independently chaired discussions with the Irish Dental Association on a new scheme to replace the medical card scheme. We cannot continue with this scenario. We need action on this matter.

Minister for Health (Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill)

I thank Deputy Nolan for highlighting this important issue. It is correct to say we are struggling with having enough dentists, both on the public side and, more broadly, to meet the need, particularly the developmental checks that are so important. While I am not aware of the specific case in Offaly, I would be glad if the Deputy might forward me the information so that I can be better informed. I have met initially in respect of this significant issue. There are a number of different new training programmes, especially the specific training programme the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is opening at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown which will be used to both train and treat at the same time. We have to use every lever we can to maximise dental services, particularly for children with their developmental checks. I would appreciate it if the Deputy would send me those details.

Deputy John Lahart

I know the Taoiseach would agree that the previous Government had a vibrant school building programme at primary and post-primary levels, with multiple projects in my constituency of Dublin South-West as an example. Where does the Taoiseach see the emphasis at primary level over the coming years in terms of the school building programme? Does he agree the needs of those developing areas should be monitored closely? Would he also agree with me that one of the issues that emerged in this general election, which would not have emerged previously, aside from patronage and parental choice, is actually the lack of co-educational schools available in Dublin for parents at both primary and post-primary level?

The Taoiseach

Developing areas have to be prioritised, as they have been for a number of years, because they are growing very fast and there is an inadequacy of provision. Special education is another area in which we must ensure extensions for autism classes or centres are fast-tracked, accelerated and provided in schools that are taking in children with additional needs. More proactivity is needed in changing school types and utilising existing resources and school buildings. There is a sense that may accelerate in the next couple of years. That is my sense of it, especially on the co-educational side.

Deputy Catherine Callaghan

Tá mé chomh bródúil a bheith anseo i mo Theachta Dála ar son mhuintir Cheatharlach agus Chill Chainnigh. As this is my maiden speech in this historic Chamber, I sincerely thank the people of Carlow and Kilkenny who put their trust in me to represent them in the Thirty-fourth Dáil. I remember my late parents, Jo Jo and Kathy Roberts; my uncle, Martin; agus múinteoir den scoth, Eamon Whelan, who all had such a positive influence on me. I especially thank my husband, Dean, and my children, Alex, Lissie, and Pippa, and all my family, friends and supporters. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall ar ár son go léir.

As a former carer, and the first ever special needs assistant, SNA, elected to Dáil Éireann, the Taoiseach can imagine that support for those who need it most is a top priority for me in my role as a Teachta Dála. I welcome the strong focus on disability in the programme for Government. When will the new disability unit in the Department of An Taoiseach be established and what will it do?

The Taoiseach

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Teachta Callaghan. I congratulate her and her family and wish her the very best in her time in Dáil Éireann. In respect of the new disability unit, we have already had meetings and I have already identified to my officials that I want a disability unit which works with all Departments in respect of the broad issue of disability to make sure that, over the next while, both in the context of the next budget and specific issues such as education and access to therapies, we make quick, decisive moves to improve the situation for children and families in particular. That is the objective. It will take a whole-of-government approach, however, to co-ordinate across every single Department, from employment of people with disabilities to education, healthcare needs, access and transport, housing adaptation and much more.

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

I wish to be associated with the condolences expressed to Mr. Babatunde. While my party leader, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald, raised the issue of crime in the capital city, we have had some serious incidents in Cork city in the past couple of weeks. There were two arson attacks, including a petrol bombing, as well as a stabbing close to the Taoiseach’s own constituency office. Some 203 bus services were cancelled because of antisocial behaviour and there has been violence as well as some other serious incidents. This is in the context, and I have made this point several times before, of Garda numbers in Cork consistently not being what they should be. We have seen a 4% reduction in the number of gardaí in the Cork city division in the past 12 months. If we take Mahon Garda station as an example, there were 31 gardaí in 2009, 22 in 2017, and now just 17. Does the Taoiseach agree with me that Cork is not getting a fair share or anywhere near enough Garda resources?

The Taoiseach

I am very aware of those attacks, as well as the violent events and incidents on the streets of Cork last summer. We need to recruit and allocate more gardaí to Cork city in particular. We intend to establish a city task force for the city centre area. More generally, there is a proactive plan ahead to increase the number of gardaí throughout the country which will enable us to deploy more to areas like Cork and elsewhere.

An Ceann Comhairle

We have three Deputies still to contribute but we are going to be out of time. I will allow Deputies Sherlock, Hearne and McGrath 30 seconds each and 30 seconds for the Taoiseach to respond.

Deputy Marie Sherlock

While I welcome that section 39 talks will recommence, will the Taoiseach commit to pay parity for section 39 workers and workers in the same roles in section 38 organisations in this country? In its general election manifesto, Fianna Fáil said that, if in government, it would aim to achieve pay parity with the public sector for section 39 staff. Fine Gael said the exact same. I am asking the Taoiseach a straight question. Does he still stand by that or has the position changed? Is he going to once and for all end the insult to these workers or is he going to break that promise to the people?

The Taoiseach

As I said, these talks are going back to the WRC in the context of the last pay agreement. We are aiming to achieve pay parity. In the context of the earlier contribution to which I responded, we will be pursuing this as part of a wider range of issues in terms of disability more generally. This is part of it.

Deputy Rory Hearne

Ballymun has a strong proud community that I am honoured to represent but it faces major challenges resulting from decades of State underinvestment and persistent inequalities. Despite national economic growth, between 2016 and 2022, the number of areas in extreme disadvantage in Ballymun actually increased. The Taoiseach visited the area. The State promised to support the Ballymun Implementation Board.

An Ceann Comhairle

Does Deputy Hearne have a question?

Deputy Rory Hearne

Yes. Where is the €2 million that was promised? Will the Minister for Justice meet the board? Will recommendations for a multidisciplinary team in Ballymun and for additional gardaí be rolled out?

Minister for Justice (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan)

I am certainly happy to meet the board and organise for that to take place. I will get back to the Deputy in respect of that. I will speak to the relevant authorities on investment in Ballymun. I am conscious it is an area which requires investment but I do not think there will be any shortage of commitment from the Government on that.

The Taoiseach

I can confirm that I visited with Deputy McAuliffe at the time. We sought to unblock some funding and it is my understanding that it went through.

An Ceann Comhairle

Thank you, Taoiseach. Deputy McGrath has 30 seconds.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Tipperary now has 1,926 learner drivers waiting on a test. We have only one tester in Clonmel. Last week, that tester was out on badly overdue leave, which is fair enough, but the situation regarding tests in Clonmel is pathetic. The former Taoiseach, Deputy Harris, told me last year that the wait was ten weeks but it is now 28 weeks in Clonmel. This is not acceptable. People cannot get to their jobs, apprentices cannot get into work-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Does the Deputy have a question?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

-----and people in rural Ireland are completely disenfranchised without access to driving tests.

The Taoiseach

I will certainly follow that up with the Minister. That is not acceptable that there is a 28-day delay. There should be cover for any tester who goes on leave. If there is no cover, the list will only grow. I will follow that up with the Minister.