I will take a moment to reflect on what I will call a conversation, but I am not sure that is what it was. The conversation took place on a show on TV last night around the trans community. It is a replica of a conversation we keep seeing again and again. When these conversations are happening, it is very important we remember Ireland has been ranked as one of the worst at having trans healthcare in Europe. We need to listen to the trans community and avoid any attempts to import this divisive, cultural war narrative from the UK or elsewhere, which seems to be floating around the place. We need only look over to the US where there are dozens, nay, hundreds of anti-trans and anti-LGBT Bills in progress throughout the States. Hard-won rights are being rolled back, not only in the US, but in the UK. I do not know what the word is and conversation is not the right one. It was disheartening to see that last night-----
An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed)
Is the Senator seeking a debate?
Yes, I am seeking a debate. I do not even know if we wish to have a debate on the issue, because I do not know why we are debating on it. I implore us to consider how we are discussing trans rights. Maybe we need to have statements on the fact our trans and LGBT community has been living the fullness of their lives, since gender recognition was introduced here in Ireland and even before gender recognition was introduced, and that we have a trans community living side by side with us. The terrifying prospect of this future these people seem to worry about simply has not happened here in Ireland. I do not know if we wish to have a debate or statements on it, but we have to resist, as hard as we can, the importation of this. We have to remember the concept that self-determination is based in human rights practice. Medicalising and pathologising trans people, when they know what is best for their lives and self-determination, is not helpful.
I will speak briefly about Traveller community suicide awareness. I always say it is not just Senator Flynn who speaks about the Traveller community. We have seen groups call out racism towards other minority groups in the past while, but I have seen members of the Traveller community say they do not feel that same level of call-out has been happening for them. We know Traveller men are seven times more likely and Traveller women six times more likely to die by suicide than people in the settled community. Culture and ethnicity should be celebrated rather than be a factor that destroys our mental health or even lead to our death. I know the hate crime legislation is in process, which cannot be overlooked. However, I take Senator Flynn's calls for how we include Traveller representation in all of the legislation we are looking at and especially to have a conversation around Traveller mental health and what it is we, as legislators, can do to ensure that is embedded into all of our mental health strategies.
I had an opportunity to attend a meeting last night, which was organised by a group of people who were concerned about proposals for legislation that is being drafted to look at the registration by Fáilte Ireland of small Airbnb facilities that are dotted throughout the country. There is, somehow, a belief that this action will put 1,200 properties back into long-term rental. Nothing could be further from the truth. The county I come from, County Clare, has very many small units, such as granny flats attached to homes, yurts, cabins and pods in the back gardens of homes, that are rented out for a very short period of time over the summer months. It helps provide accommodation for tourists at a time when hotels are overbooked. The notion of somehow bringing these facilities into a registration process is farcical. It will not have a positive effect on the housing crisis and, more likely, it will discourage these people from utilising an asset that is generating a little bit of income. We need a bit of common sense to prevail here. I call for a debate in the House.
I will also raise the issue of the cost of electricity. We all grappled with it, as the international price of gas spiralled out of control as a result of the war in Ukraine. When gas prices on international markets jumped out of all proportion and electricity prices skyrocketed almost in step with that action, the State quickly brought in supports to assist families and homeowners over the past 12 months.
There has been a significant drop in international gas prices. What are the electricity companies doing but telling us it is going to take maybe another year before they will be able to get in line with international gas prices. This did not happen when the price was going up; now they are trying to maximise profits as prices are going down. I suspect they are doing so because there is still another €200 allowance to be paid to homeowners in March. The electricity companies are gaming the system. We should have a debate on this matter at the earliest possible opportunity.
It is quite a despicable act of politicking that people would take the opportunity to laud the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, who has only been in place since December, and completely ignore the incredible work done by his predecessor, who was in the Department for seven years. It is shameful that anyone would do that.
I want to talk about apartment defects and the fact that there are homeowners who are looking at massive bills that they are unable to pay. There are people in large apartment complexes who have no insurance because the works on such defects cannot be done. The reason for this relates to the redress scheme. It took a great deal of work to put the scheme in place. Up to €2.5 billion in funding has been set aside, but we are not delivering or giving a timeline in respect of the scheme's delivery. That the Government would go to the trouble of agreeing an apartment defects scheme and then not deliver it with the sense of urgency that is required feels as if we are snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Last night, there was an online meeting between apartment owners and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Minister was absolutely willing to spend the time at the meeting. However, none of the questions posed by the apartment owners was addressed. There is a difficulty in that successive apartment complexes are not getting their insurance renewed as it falls due because there are defects to be remedied. Owners cannot get loans to meet the bills they need to pay in order to get the work up and running. Professional management companies - I am not referring to the owner-management companies - are forcing votes in order to oblige people to pay - they know these people do not have it - and masking the position with regard to the work they should have carried out in the past number of years. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the apartment defects scheme and on when it will be delivered. We need clarity on when this scheme will be delivered for apartment owners.
I did not see the television programme Senator Hoey referred to, but I ask the Leader for a debate with the Ministers for Health and Education, perhaps at different points, on how they are dealing with the challenge of gender dysphoria among young people and on the welfare of those individuals. Whatever people's views, we need a discussion. The different points of view in respect of this matter must be given a fair hearing. I read at the weekend that The New York Times has ended its blackout of coverage on the alarming rise in the number of young girls diagnosed with gender dysphoria. This comes too late for the countless young American females who were exploited by the more than 100 child gender clinics that sprang into existence over 15 years. Their affirmation-only model meant that young girls were prescribed hormones without question, that drug companies got thousands of lifetime patients and that surgeons - including, regrettably, at least one Irish medical graduate - popped up on TikTok and the like indicating that they would be happy to perform mastectomies on girls as young as 14. It is a catalogue of horror.
My focus today is education. I am concerned because the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is saying that children in primary school need to be taught about transgender issues. This is worrying many parents. It is not about just showing compassion and understanding to young people presenting with gender dysphoria - that is a given - it is about this pushing of gender diversity at children before it even presents in their lives and confusing some of them. When the Minister for Education was asked about the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment recommending books that promote cross-dressing for primary school children and encourage young boys to wear lipstick and girls clothes in other to explore their gender identity, her only answer was that parents are free to take their children out of class if these things come up. That is not an answer. It does not address the fear parents have about stuff being pushed at their kids before it is ever appropriate to have conversations about these complex and sensitive issues.
While I acknowledge that the NCCA belatedly has acknowledged parents’ reluctance and has withdrawn its proposal to have gender identity described as being something experienced along a spectrum, we have to discuss what is going on in these various establishments of State, such as the HSE and the NCCA. To quote Professor Donal O'Shea, it seems that it is the activists who are driving everything, not the professionals anymore. I would ask for a debate in due course with the Departments of Education and Health about these issues.
Before I came to the House today, I met with members of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association and the Irish Beef and Lamb Association outside Leinster House. They are looking for intervention in their sector, which is in grave plight at the moment. I ask that we bring the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to the House for a debate on this issue. I am conscious that most of our recent agriculture-based debates have been on the forestry sector, so it is time we had a debate on the full agriculture sector, with significant and special reference to the sheep sector. While I welcome the interventions of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, through ACRES, where he has invested €1.5 billion, the €30 million for the forage scheme, the €20 million for the sheep improvement scheme, which is part of the CAP, and the wool feasibility study that was completed last year, which show that work is being done in the sector, it is still falling way short of what is needed. We are all aware of the increased input costs for fertiliser, fuel and feed, and while beef and milk prices have risen, this is a case where a rising tide is not lifting all boats. The sheep sector is in serious bother at the moment. It probably took one of the biggest hits of any sector post Brexit with the influx of New Zealand sheep into the UK, plus the drop in the value of sterling, which is decreasing the value farmers are getting for product that is still going into the UK.
As we approach St. Patrick's Day, bacon and cabbage aside, Irish lamb stew is probably seen as our traditional dish. It is important that the sector is supported and, honestly, it needs extra support at the moment. I would appreciate it if the Leader could bring the Minister to the House to have a debate on the sheep sector, with some other sectors. As I said, we have concentrated on forestry in the recent past, which we needed to do.
With the permission of Senator Ahearn, I will call Senator Gerry Horkan, who has a meeting to go to with a delegation from Moldova.
I thank Senator Ahearn. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his welcome of the delegation of the Moldovan Parliament, including the Speaker, and it is the first time we have had the Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament in Ireland. It is a delegation of five parliamentarians from Moldova. As the convener of the Ireland Romania, or the convener of the Ireland Moldova Parliamentary Friendship Group, I want to welcome them here.
Has the Senator got Romania as well?
I do, actually, but that is a separate point. They are very close to each other.
It is very important that we acknowledge their trip here and that they have taken the time to come to visit us, to see what is going on here and to share their experiences. What Moldova is doing in terms of the Ukrainian conflict is enormous. It has a population of less than 3 million but it has taken more refugees and more people seeking protection than we have. We know how difficult it is to house the number we have, given the challenge of finding suitable buildings and so on, when they have nearly 100,000 people in their country, with a lot less financial resources than we have. It is important that we acknowledge all they are doing and to welcome the fact they have candidate status for the EU. We, in this Parliament, need to do as much as we can to bring them on the journey they need to be on. It is 50 years since we joined the EU and it is fair to say the EU has been far more positive than negative, and has transformed our country in many ways.
It would be very important that we have a debate in this House about how we might help Ukraine and Moldova, and, indeed, Georgia, but particularly Ukraine and Moldova, which have candidate status, and that we would see how we can bring them on the journey they need to go on. I want to mention that because the delegation is here today.
I thought Senator Horkan was in the Eurovision for a minute. I call Senator Ahearn.
Today is a very good example of how success has many fathers. I want to echo what was said by Senator Seery Kearney. If we are going to acknowledge the Windsor Framework and the work that has been put into it, we need to acknowledge all the people who have played their part.
I acknowledge the Tánaiste's role in it but the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, held the foreign affairs portfolio for five and a half years. The Leader was Opposition spokesperson on this area when the Minister, Deputy Coveney, was at the Department of Foreign Affairs and she knows the amount of work he put into it. The Cathaoirleach knows the patience the Minister, Deputy Coveney, has had and the sacrifices he has personally made to find a solution on Brexit during his five years as Minister for Foreign Affairs. If we are going to recognise the success that has been had last year, there is nobody in this country who has played a bigger role than Simon Coveney and that needs to be recognised. I hope the Leader, having been Opposition spokesperson at that time, recognises it too.
I ask for a debate with the Minister for Health in recognition of the fact this is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. I acknowledge the work of Amanda Lynch in promoting and highlighting eating disorders and the language around them. Only 5% to 15% of people who suffer from eating disorders seek help. Of those who seek it, about 85% feel they do not have the support that is available. When we are talking about disorders, we must recognise language, and how we speak, as well as the role media and parenting play in that, are all key. We need a debate in the House with the Minister about how we can promote the services available for people but how we as a society actually discuss that. Someone like Amanda who does it on social media has a platform to communicate with people about how you speak at home about eating, to young children in particular. It is about not putting pressure on people when they eat too little or too much, but about being more open in that discussion. I would appreciate our having a debate on that.
Yesterday saw some positive figures on the number of commercial properties converted to residential use under the planning exemptions introduced in 2018 by the then Minister of State, Deputy English. There were 665 units in total. That includes 53 former pubs, the conversion of which has resulted in 169 housing units between quarter 2 and quarter 4 of last year when those exemptions were extended to include former pubs. This is something I brought to the attention of both the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, in the previous year because I had seen the difficulties and the amount of time being wasted through the planning process to convert former commercial buildings to residential use. I am thankful to say those changes were made in March of last year.
We will only see the full benefit of those changes when the outturn for 2023 is known this time next year, but it is positive to see that trend continuing from 2021 into 2022. Those two years alone have now accounted for 65% of all the conversions from commercial to residential. It is nothing to be sniffed at. More than 1,300 homes have been delivered through these exemptions in the past two years and it is something we can build upon. I would like to expand on that even further. I ask the Leader if it is possible to organise a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, or the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, in the context of putting forward ideas to further improve on some areas in the housing sector to remove that red tape and make it easier to deliver homes for individuals and families.
Today is International Rare Diseases Day. It is a day when we reflect on what we have done as a society to help people who have rare diseases. Unfortunately, we are behind the curve yet again this year when it comes to rare diseases. It takes a third longer for people in Ireland with rare diseases to access drugs that have already been sanctioned and approved by the European Medicines Agency. It takes a third longer for people who have unique, different diseases to access orphan and new medicines that could be life-changing.
That is not acceptable. Why is that, year on year, we continue to lag behind our European colleagues when it comes to accessing new drugs, orphan drugs and drugs that have already been approved by the European Medicines Agency?
We need a debate on this issue. We also need for the Committee on Health to hold a debate on rare diseases. Previous health committees have made recommendations and those recommendations have not been implemented.
Rare diseases are challenging, particularly regarding children. They are frightening for parents. We need an awareness-raising campaign. We need to put rare diseases front and centre. We need to shine a spotlight on the issue. I am calling for a specific debate focused on rare diseases. I would like to see that debate scheduled with the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, in the coming weeks. I would like to see it take place before we break for the summer recess in July. That should give enough time to be able to schedule it with the Minister.
I acknowledge the support of the Leader and the Cathaoirleach with regard to the event on Thursday next in the Seanad, where we will have families and self-advocates of autistic persons coming into the Chamber to hear their views and the concerns they have with the lack of services and supports from the State. I acknowledge the support of both of them in allowing that to happen. I invite any Members of the Seanad, if they wish to be here. It would be important to support those families and autistic persons while they are here.
I echo the concerns of Senator Paul Daly with regard to the sheep sector. All of us have met the various farmer organisations over recent weeks. We, as a State, cannot stand by and see farm families earn, in some cases, only €7 per head of sheep. Some families only earn very small amounts of money they are not able to live on. We have supported the beef sector and we put supports in place for the piggery sector. It is incumbent on us to support the sheep sector. I support Senator Daly's call for a discussion with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on that.
I echo the comments of Senators Seery Kearney and Ahearn. We cannot write people out of history. We have to acknowledge everybody for the work they have done. I acknowledge the work of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, but we mostly acknowledge the work the Minster, Deputy Coveney, did over a significant number of years in his role as Minister for Foreign Affairs in keeping the parties talking, representing our Government at those talks and laying the groundwork for the framework that was agreed yesterday. It is important to put that on the record. I acknowledge all those involved, especially my colleague. I know the personal sacrifices he made always to be there to work on Brexit or any issue regarding Northern Ireland.
I concur with the comments of Senators Ahearn and Carrigy on the role of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and indeed all who have been involved in getting this over the line, in particular, as I said, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Taoiseach, as well as the new British Prime Minister and those parties in Northern Ireland that have worked to support this.
I welcome the announcements last week on the cost-of-living measures, including the hot school meals programme being extended to all DEIS primary schools from September, benefiting 64,500 children, and the start of preparations for it to be extended to non-DEIS primary schools as well. These announcements from the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, were very welcome in terms of the cost of living. The importance of a hot school meal for those children who do not get that at home is to set them up for the day and encourage school attendance and extracurricular achievement. It is hugely important in that regard. Significant sums of money have been put into the programme over recent years. Budget 2020 provided €68.1 million, and additional funding for the programme for 2023 brings the total to €94 million, representing a 53% increase in the period since 2020.
One issue that has been raised for some time is the rates of payment for those who make and provide meals for the schools.
They are not able to produce the required standard of meal with that allowance. Could the Leader write to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys? There has been a review and I ask that the Minister would increase the rate being provided for school meals. It is a very important and worthwhile scheme and it achieves a lot, especially for those who do not get the required level of nutrition at home. It is important that those providing the meals are able to do so at a cost that is of economical benefit.
Today, I want to raise a couple of issues regarding dog welfare. First, I welcome the conviction yesterday of the owner of the old dog pound. The penalty could have been harsher but it is important that the serious nature of the crimes committed at the pound have now been upheld and a conviction has been achieved.
In particular, I want to raise the issue that Dogs Trust has highlighted, which is that there has been an 80% increase in the number of dogs being surrendered due to the housing crisis because landlords will not accept pets as part of the terms and conditions of the lease. This does not surprise me in the slightest because when I visited the new dog pound in November 2021, even then it was being said that 30% of the dogs being surrendered were owned by people who had got notices to quit. They were trying to look for alternative accommodation but the alternative accommodation did not allow them to bring their family pet with them.
Anybody who has a dog, cat or other pet that is banned under tenancy agreements knows they are part of the family. We hear now of people who are sleeping in their cars because they do not want to have to give up their beloved pet but they cannot find alternative accommodation that will allow them to take their pet with them. Apart from the animal welfare issue, and the strain it is putting on welfare shelters and pounds around the country, which are already at capacity, there is also a human side to the matter, which is that children are being denied the right to have pets. Any of us who have grown up with pets know that they teach us about empathy and life and death. Pets are really important to have in a child's life. We are denying children that life experience purely by the fact that they live in the rental sector. Some housing bodies also prevent tenants from having pets. It is something that we must address.
I have tried to raise this as a Commencement matter but it has been ruled out of order on the basis that the Minister has no say on the issue. I do not agree. The Minister can intervene by means of legislation on tenancy agreements to allow people to have a family pet. Responsible dog or pet owners should be allowed to have a pet in their lives.
I rise today to welcome the Windsor Framework. I pay a compliment not only to the Tánaiste but to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, for the amount of work he has put into it over so many years. It is a combination of the work of both men and various other parties as well that has brought this forward. It is a good day and I hope it will be accepted.
I received an email from a gentleman who is on an invalidity pension. He has a number of neurological issues. Recently, the Department of Health released a draft policy on patient voice partners. It is about looking at people across diverse backgrounds across the country who have ailments or who are unable to work because of neurological conditions. The intention is that they would take part in surveys and contribute to research. The aim is to try to find out how people suffer, how they manage their pain and other such issues. Yet, the Department of Social Protection does not allow people in receipt of a pension to do voluntary work or paid work and this is considered voluntary work. It blocks the ability of people like the gentleman who contacted me to participate in relevant research.
I do not have the same condition as that man but, if I applied, I would not be able to share the same things as him. There are a number of issues in regard to remuneration. They are expecting people with a condition to travel from all parts of Ireland but not to receive payment or even expenses to travel there because they are on a social welfare payment. This matter has to be looked at because people, such as this gentleman and others with these conditions, will help the research and must be included in it. There must be a reassessment in terms of social welfare and people who are volunteering.
I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business.
Senator Joe O'Reilly, who started the Order of Business, welcomed the Windsor agreement and the move forward on the Northern Ireland protocol, as did Senators O'Loughlin, Craughwell, Ó Donnghaile, Ahearn, Carrigy, Seery Kearney, Kyne and Maria Byrne. Many Members spoke on that same issue.
Senator Joe O'Reilly also spoke about the Croí Cónaithe scheme and wants it extended to rental properties. I am unsure if the scheme would be suited to such an extension, in that the scheme is very much based on the property being a person's permanent home of residence. However, it might be worth engaging with the Minister on that to see if there is a possibility of finding another mechanism for rental properties that might be of assistance.
I refer to the Windsor agreement, about which there have been many comments. At the outset, clearly there were many people involved, not just the two men. Let us also acknowledge President Ursula von der Leyen.
I urge Members to refrain from very personalised comments towards one another in the Chamber. Having frequently sat in this chair in the past couple of years, I have often listened to Members lavish praise on party colleagues for work they have done, and sometimes have not done, and for stuff they have participated in to a large or lesser extent. It is kind of par for the course to acknowledge the work of party colleagues, while also acknowledging that other Members were involved, as Senator O'Loughlin acknowledged before she spoke. She congratulated all involved. It is quite obvious-----
Do the Senators want me to respond?
Yes, but-----
This is not an exchange. I am entitled to respond as I see fit. The point I am making is that if we start taking pops at one another, it will probably lower the tone of the House. It was only one Member who made a remark that I felt was a little bit unfair to the other Member. That is the point I am making. We should acknowledge there was work done by multiple people and many civil servants. There was collective Cabinet responsibility and involvement from former Ministers. I acknowledge the work of the Tánaiste, who was the Taoiseach for the past two and a half years, not simply the Minister for Foreign Affairs since December 2022. I acknowledge that point as well. I acknowledge our current Taoiseach, of course, as well as former Ministers and the Opposition, as was pointed out, who played a key role, all the way through Brexit, in facilitating a collective approach across the country. If we allow others to make their comments without personalised remarks, it makes for a better discussion overall. All Members have acknowledged that everyone is great.
Everyone is great.
Everyone is great; is that not the point we are making? Certain language is unhelpful and unnecessary in my view as Leader of the House.
The Leader is abusing her position.
The Leader, without interruption.
Senator O'Loughlin spoke about Rare Disease Day, as did Senators Conway and Pauline O'Reilly. They all acknowledged the work of former Deputy, John Brassil, who as a pharmacist did a lot of work on that issue during the last term, and Deputy Lahart. Senator Conway asked for a debate on rare diseases, which I will request with the Minister for Health at the earliest opportunity. It is an important issue that affects a small number of citizens in a severe way. Great strides have been made in terms of amyloidosis and Patisiran. In the last term, there were other rare diseases that were dealt with. Spinraza was an area I worked on personally. While a small number of children were affected, the joy of bringing that drug to them was hugely important.
Senator Craughwell spoke about Friday being World Hearing Day. He is someone who suffers from hearing loss and has encouraged others with a similar issue to seek help, get their ears tested and to avail of all the supports available because it can be a very difficult issue to deal with.
Senator Pauline O'Reilly spoke about orphan drugs and the need to progress to a better approval process for those new drugs.
We can include that as part of the debate.
Senator Ó Donnghaile spoke about the Windsor agreement and the need for the Northern Ireland institutions to get back up and running. We all certainly agree with that sentiment. We hope all the parties in the North can now find agreement under the Windsor Framework and move forward to get politics back up and working there. The Senator also requested, as he has previously, a debate on Palestine, which I have requested from the Department of Foreign Affairs. I am told we should have a date by the end of March for that debate. However, I understand Sinn Féin has tabled a Private Members' motion on this topic for next week. If the Senator wants to use that slot, it might be the easiest way to get an earlier date for the debate as it is a motion. From my side, I will be able to facilitate a debate on Palestine by the end of March.
Senator Hoey spoke about the trans debate that took place on television last night. I did not see that debate so I do not know what was said during it. Senator Mullen raised the same topic, although from a different perspective, and also requested a debate on the issue. It covers a number of different Departments, including the Department of Health and the Department of Education. I will make those requests to the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler, in respect of the mental health aspect - she has spoken a lot about the issue - and the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. We will see what can be done to organise that discussion, if that is a better word, although I get Senator Hoey's point about it being a debate as well. We will find a way to have a discussion in the House on the issues that have been raised. The issue is coming up regularly enough but with very different perspectives on it. I share her concerns around keeping the discussion very respectful and finding a way to have that discussion in the proper way, if we can achieve that.
Senator Hoey also spoke about issues affecting the Traveller community. I agree that while Senator Flynn does a fantastic job advocating for her community, it is important that all of us also advocate for that community in raising issues. In particular, the high rates of suicide in that community are very alarming and need to be addressed. There is a national Traveller strategy and a lot of work has been done. The recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group was significant progress but we have much more to do. Housing will always be a key issue for that community. A lot of work also needs to happen at local authority level because funding has been made available but what has been handed to those local authorities, very often, is not fully spent. There are many moving parts to that debate.
Senator Dooley requested a debate on short-term lets and Airbnbs. He raised particular concerns around the proposal to have a register of short-term lets and Airbnb accommodation. The Senator drew a distinction between very rural parts of the country where such accommodation might be a granny flat or small unit that, in any event, would not be suitable for a long-term let. We will try to arrange that debate. He also requested a debate on gas and electricity prices and the very slow pace at which companies are passing on the reduction in prices to their consumers compared with the very fast pace with which they raised their prices when wholesale prices increased. We will also request that debate.
Senator Seery Kearney spoke about the slow pace of the apartment defects scheme in place for Dublin. We can request that debate. The Land Development Agency is the organising unit and there is oversight of how the scheme is implemented, which is in stark contrast to counties Donegal and Mayo, where no organisation or entity is running the scheme. It is great the ability is there to have a co-ordinated approach, which is needed because many thousands of homeowners are affected. However, getting that done at pace will be very important because it is a highly stressful situation for any homeowner or family to find themselves in. It was great that we got that victory regarding the scheme but delivering it will now be key. We will request that debate with the Minister at the earliest opportunity.
I have dealt with the issues raised by Senator Mullen. We will request that debate with the appropriate Ministers and Ministers of State.
Senators Daly and Carrigy raised the issues that were raised at the gates of Leinster House by members of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association and the Irish Beef and Lamb Association. Members of both organisations from throughout the country are outside Leinster House today to raise particular concerns about the sheep sector and the difficulties regarding cost of inputs going up and the increased pressure on families working in that sector to make a living. We will request a broad debate on agriculture from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with a specific focus on the sheep sector to give it the prominence it needs.
Senator Horkan welcomed the Moldovan delegation. As convenor of the friendship group, he wanted to acknowledge the work it has done on its support and response to the war in Ukraine. He also welcomed the fact Moldova now has EU candidate status.
Senator Ahearn drew attention to the fact this week is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. It is an area I have done some work on. I agree with him that language is so important. From a very young age, young people are very impacted by the type of language used around food and body image.
There is no doubt that social media have played a huge role in recent years in exacerbating the problem and making it a bigger challenge. These issues predominantly affect girls but there has been an increase in the number of boys presenting with problems. This is a hugely challenging issue, and it is important that we raise awareness. In terms of the impact on the individual, anorexia is one of the most deadly mental health issues, with the potential for loss of life. It is extremely serious for any young person dealing with that issue.
Senator Cummins spoke about commercial properties that have been brought back into use for residential purposes. It is a positive statistic to put on the record of the House that 665 new housing units have been converted to residential use. These include 169 former pubs, which was an initiative the Senator brought forward. He has requested a debate to discuss new ideas for what we can do to increase the housing stock. I commend him on his work on this issue.
Senator Conway requested a debate on rare diseases, which I will organise at the earliest opportunity.
Senator Carrigy spoke about the Seanad Chamber being used this Thursday for a meeting of the Joint Committee on Autism. I commend him on this work on that issue. It is a pleasure to be able to facilitate this hugely important discussion. It is only right and proper that the Chamber be given over to allow the parents and individuals concerned to come in and voice their views in their Parliament. It is hugely significant and symbolic, and I very much look forward to the sitting on Thursday. It is great to see it happening and I commend the Senator on organising it. A lot of work goes into arranging something like this and making it happen on the day. Well done to the Senator.
Senator Kyne referred to the hot school meals programme, which comes under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, being extended to an extra 64,000 children. That is really welcome. It is unfortunate that in a wealthy, First World country such as this, there are children going to school without having had breakfast and who possibly will have no lunch either. It is important that the scheme be extended to as many schools as possible. It is initially being rolled out to DEIS schools, which makes sense because their pupils are the most disadvantaged. It is a really worthwhile initiative from the Department of Social Protection. It will assist many children by ensuring they get their basic nutrition on any given day.
Senator Boylan raised the issue of pet welfare, as she often does. I welcome the conviction to which she referred, which sends a strong message. Such prosecutions are hard to get over the line and are often not progressed to that stage. It is really important that there has been a conviction in this case. I heard the statistics on the radio from Dogs Trust on the number of homeowners and renters who are giving up their pets for various reasons. There was an increase in people taking on a pet during the course of the pandemic and some people may now be finding it difficult to manage since they have had to go back into the office. Having a pet is a big job and not one to be taken on lightly. Pets are not handbags; they are another member of the family. We have a little dog at home and I know what is involved in the day-to-day care of pets, making sure they are looked after and planning for when one has to go away. It is a big responsibility. Any decent member of society would be appalled by some of the abuse that goes on against dogs and other animals. I commend Dogs Trust and the other charities that work to help animals and are there to take over when the pet owner is unable to continue the work of caring for them.
Senator Maria Byrne spoke about an issue with the invalidity pension. It sounds ridiculous that the individual she mentioned would not be allowed to participate in research directly affecting him and which could provide valuable insight into policy formation. The Senator might consider raising the matter on the Commencement debate because it is quite specific and niche. The Minister may not be fully aware of the issues raised. It sounds like the individual has fallen between two stools. The situation he is experiencing probably is an unintended consequence of the way the scheme is set up. There should be no barrier to getting out and about and, in particular, doing voluntary work. The very least we should be able to do for individuals dealing with all those health issues is to facilitate them in getting out and about in the community and doing what they can physically do. As I said, the circumstances of this case probably are an unintended consequence of the particular regulation.