I have notice from Senator Marie Moloney that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minster of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to outline whether he would consider changing the tendering procurement process to allow for funding by region only to ensure jobs are kept in regional areas in light of the emphasis being put on the Action Plan for Jobs in regional areas.
I have also received notice from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh of the following matter:
An gá go ndéanfaidh an tAire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil soiléiriú a thabhairt maidir le líon na n-iarratas ar cheadúnais bainte feamainne atá le cinneadh ag a Roinn faoi láthair agus cathain a mheasann an Roinn a dhéanfar cinntí ar na hiarratais atá ar feitheamh.
I have also received notice from Senator Colm Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health and the HSE to outline details of the financial contribution made by fair deal recipients from their pensions to the overall cost of their nursing home care and the percentage of the total cost that this comprises.
I regard the matters raised by Senators Moloney and Ó Clochartaigh as suitable for discussion and they will be taken now. I regret that I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Burke on the grounds that it is a repeat of a similar Commencement matter raised on 30 April 2015.
