The Order of Business is No. 1, Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 5.45 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 2, Employment Permits Bill 2022 - Second Stage to be taken at 6 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, those of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
I congratulate the Houses of the Oireachtas on winning the advancing disability equality award for organisations in the workplace with the OWL programme. The award was made at the Irish Centre for Diversity national awards. It is wonderful to see the Houses of the Oireachtas being recognised for this. We are the first and only parliament to organise an internship for young people from KARE and WALK in Walkinstown. I congratulate everybody involved but I particularly thank the Members and staff of the Houses for their support of the OWL programme.
When I was elected a Member in 2016, having an involvement with KARE through my brother, who is a service user, I was asked by the CEO if this was something we could possibly bring in. We looked at it, we advanced it and the Ceann Comhairle supported it. It really is a terrific programme.
I particularly thank all the ushers and other staff who make sure everyone who participates has a very meaningful experience. As we know, many of them have gone on to get permanent jobs in the Civil Service, including here in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
I have met many young people around Kildare who are aspiring to the OWL programme. It is a goal for them to be involved. Well done to everybody.
We all recognise that businesses are struggling. It is important that the Government does what it can. In budget 2024, the increased cost of business grant was introduced to help small and medium local businesses to deal with rising costs. Mainly, it supports them with the cost of commercial rates and the minimum wage increase. Having engaged with Kildare County Council, I am delighted to see that this scheme is being rolled out in March. It is important that we all do what we can to work with our local businesses - I am sure it will be March around the country as well – to make sure we support the SME sector.
The proposed citizens’ assembly on education is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to discuss a matter that is fundamental to our society. I have been engaging with Dr. Shane Bergin on the absolute necessity to have this. I note the Taoiseach recently stated that the Government will consider the question of further citizens’ assemblies in due course. However, there was a commitment that the citizens’ assembly on education would begin its work this year. As we are reaching the final furlong in this Government, I call for additional clarity in this regard. I hope we start the process sooner rather than later.
Christopher Norris is a 53-year-old gentleman who has been living in a nursing home for the past 13 years, since he had an operation that went desperately wrong and resulted in a brain injury. The nursing home he is living in is absolutely gorgeous. I know that because my dad was there for 18 months. My dad shared a corridor with Chris and lived two bedrooms up. They look after him incredibly well, as they do with everybody. However, the environment is entirely unsuitable for a man of 53 years of age with a brain injury. We have him on the fair deal scheme. We are treating him as if he had a pension and taking the money off him. There are absolutely no rehabilitative services with regard to him having an independent life at his age and with his disability. He needs to be supported.
The reason I stand today is because his dad, Christy, who is in his 80s, and his mam, Anne, are desperately worried about what will happen to their son, who has already been nearly 13 years in a residential setting that is not suitable for either his age or disability, if something happens to either of them. We all know we are all going in the same way with the circle of life. He needs to have a life. I mean no disrespect to the people in the nursing home because I can say honestly with my hand to my heart that they are gorgeous, caring and kind people. However, he is in the wrong environment. The family has found an environment that would be suitable for him, but we have come up against the usual nonsense that it is not HIQA regulated or he does not get money from the disability funds and is currently getting money from the fair deal scheme.
I ask the Leader to help me to organise a meeting with Anne Rabbitte because other gentlemen and women in this situation are being treated using the disability funds and are being given the dignity of an independent, supported life, which is what we want for Chris. I ask the Leader if she can in any way help me to organise a meeting with Anne Rabbitte so that we can put the case on behalf of Christy, his wife and their son, Christopher, to make sure he lives however many years he has left in an independent, dignified and supported way.
I call on the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, to appear before the Seanad for a debate on her role and future within this Government. The Minister’s conduct on “Prime Time” last Thursday was, frankly, disgraceful and was conduct unbecoming of a member of the Cabinet. Ms Siún Nic Gearailt was effectively fired on air from her role at RTÉ. The Minister’s on-air handling of the issue lacked dignity and consideration of the process under which such affairs should be conducted. Thursday’s episode of “Prime Time” resembled an episode of “The Apprentice” more than a current affairs show.
This comes off the back of recent fact-checking of the comments of the Minister, Deputy Martin, on the upcoming referendum by Ms Justice Marie Baker. This is highly ironic as the Minister’s remit includes Coimisiún na Meán, the State agency for regulating broadcasters and online communication. As the Digital Services Act is now in full swing, part of the powers of this agency is to tackle misinformation and disinformation.
Yet, when asked about the errors in her comments on the referendums, the Minister made no effort to correct her statement. How can anyone expect to have trust in the sincerity of a Minister when they have grossly misled the public? Perhaps the conduct of the Minister with respect to her misleading and inaccurate statements on the referendums is the very reason people are concerned about laws that allow for the formal classification of misinformation. Placing such powers in the hands of Members of the Legislature is particularly chilling and Orwellian. The media acting as a fourth estate holds democratically elected representatives to account for their statements, be they true or false, and for their conduct if it is untrue or misleading.
The public has seen far too much of a slant on the wording. It is another reason for growing public distrust of this Government and for its poll ratings. In the recent past, politicians such as Deputies Dara Calleary and Barry Cowen were removed from office for lesser offences. This is a gaping chasm between the duty and conduct required of our leaders. Then again, none of this is any surprise from a Government that has a Senator who thinks that the suggestion that the public has a right to know why the referendum wordings were chosen is mischievous. It is no wonder that a Government led by a party of law and order wants to avoid transparency and accountability at all costs when its own leader issued false statutory donation statements to the Standards in Public Office Commission and has since been referred to An Garda Síochána. Transparency cheats cheat us all.
Many here will have been at last week’s launch of the report compiled by AsIAm and Inclusion Ireland. The report contains survey results which show that 35% of disabled children endure seclusion and 27% suffer restraint at school. Children have a right to feel safe at school. AsIAm and Inclusion Ireland have called for guidance and regulations in schools. Anyone who saw the reporting on this since then would be horrified to think that children continue to be treated like that simply because they have needs that are not being met in school. I was particularly struck by the person who spoke of how they were kept in a room with no light and how their next school had to work twice as hard to ensure that the child knew they would be safe in their new school because the child had been so traumatised by their experience. A great deal of work is being done on autism, led by Senator Carrigy, but perhaps the Minister should come before the House to discuss how we support disabled children in particular and the rights they do and do not have in school settings and the rights they should have in those settings. That is important.
Over the weekend, a call was put out regarding a wildlife crime unit. Plans for a new wildlife crime unit were announced in October 2020. At the time, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, said that it was proposed to establish that dedicated unit in 2021 and that this would ensure a strategic and standardised approach to dealing with illegal persecution of wildlife. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, said the unit would put greater focus on the issue of wildlife crime including the illegal hunting of hares. It seems there was a subsequent U-turn and plans for a wildlife crime unit have been scrapped. Perhaps it ought to be a Commencement matter but I wonder if we could ask the Minister to come to the House to discuss this and the broader issue of animal welfare, particularly in the context of wildlife. Every year, there is discussion about licences being given to hunt certain animals or certain animals being gathered up, especially hares for coursing. We are one of the only countries in the world that still allows such a barbaric sport. I would like the House to debate that and, if we are being specific, specifically on the wildlife crime unit and what we as a country stand for the context of wildlife and animal welfare.
Before I call Senator Gavan, I welcome the guests of Deputy Lahart to the House. They are very welcome and I hope they have a very pleasant visit to Leinster House today. They are with a very good colleague and a friend. We wish them a very enjoyable visit to Leinster House.
A few weeks ago, an Seanadóir Michael McDowell in his regular column in The Irish Times put a focus on the changing face of politics on this island, in particular, the far-reaching changes that are taking place in the North. Although I disagree with much of what the Seanadóir wrote, I commend him on regularly writing about the North, the debate about constitutional change and, indeed, his preference for a republican Government within the EU rather an island divided between the Republic and the United Kingdom. Perhaps the most profound change that has occurred was the election of Sinn Féin First Minister, Michelle O'Neill. This change is both practical and symbolic: practical, because it embodies the electoral and demographic change that has been taking place in the North over the past ten years and has been accelerated by Brexit from 2016 onwards; and symbolic, because it dramatically demonstrates that there is a new majority and a new minority in the North. The new majority is led by Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the SDLP and People Before Profit. The new minority is led by the DUP and the UUP.
The Seanadóir's description of keeping the constitutional debate front and centre as a problem, I believe, misses the whole point of the Good Friday Agreement and its central and peaceful role in bringing about this ongoing evolutionary change. The GFA involves the Irish and British Governments and all of the political parties in the governance of this country, North and South, through the various all-island bodies, the Executive and the Assembly in the North, and the east-west British-Irish bodies. It is this governance and the attendant equality and human rights provisions that brought about the new society in the North and the all-island framework in which that society functions. An Seanadóir McDowell is wrong to imply that the old Northern Ireland was not a failed political entity; it was. The Executive and the Assembly, with all their difficulties, function and are supported by the people of the North precisely because they are part of the GFA's island-wide democratic structure. The Executive and the Assembly are different, as day is to night, compared to the old Northern Ireland. They are so because they are part of the GFA democratic structure.
Furthermore, a central tenet of the Good Friday Agreement is its provision to hold a referendum on future constitutional change. It is this provision that is the basis of the high-profile debate about constitutional change. Public debate is a cornerstone of all democratic societies. The debate about our country's constitutional future involves all shades of nationalist opinion, all shades of unionist and Protestant opinion - we saw that in Andrew Trimble's RTÉ documentary - and those of neither opinion. I contend that we need more debate, not less. I know as I stand here that this debate will continue to grow and will include all those who live here and will have a stake in the future. I call for a further debate on the constitutional future for our country. I feel sure that an Seanadóir McDowell will continue to take part in that debate.
I am pleased to inform Senator Gavan that I had the pleasure of being in Stormont last Thursday where I had a very good meeting with the First Minister and with the Minister, Mr. Andrew Muir MLA. I hope that we, as Seanadóirí, can continue to develop the relationship with our friends and colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive. I wish the new Administration every success in the North. It is incumbent on both of us that we get it right for the people we all represent.
Today, I want to request that the Leader would ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to come to the Chamber for a debate, specifically on the climate action plan targets and the national retrofitting plan. I will pre-empt the Leader's possible answer to me that I should put down a Commencement matter. It is on the back of having such a Commencement matter down last week that I feel the need to raise this here today and for the Minister to come in to address a number of issues. The issue I raised in the Commencement matter last week was in relation to the national retrofitting plan, the SEAI's warmer homes scheme and the wait times, which can be up to 29 months from application to completion and which they acknowledge. The answer I got in the Commencement matter did not give me any hope that it will improve in the near future. On the back of that Commencement matter, I had a lot of correspondence about other issues which people would like discussed with the Minister, in particular, the reduction of the solar grant by €300 and the fact that a lot of people out there believe - I would agree - that there should be a stand-alone grant for doors and windows. Within the list, attic insulation, wall insulation, draught-proofing, lagging jackets, energy-efficient lighting and energy advice are covered but one has to do some other project along with doors and windows.
They are not a stand-alone item. In many of the aged houses in Ireland, we should have a stand-alone grant for just doors and windows which are the most draughty factor in making houses colder than any of the aforementioned.
On the back of that correspondence and the response I got, I believe that this is an important enough issue for the Minister to come to the House so that all Members would have an input in a debate here with him on the aforementioned topics.
I ask that Sinn Féin might have a look at two opinion pieces on security in Northern Ireland that are published in The America Times today, both of which were written by me, one addressing the issue of closing the-----
Did Senator Craughwell say they were written by him?
My apologies, okay.
One article is addressing the issue of closing the back door and the other one addressing the issue of the changing security concerns of the UK because of our failure to provide proper defence for this island. That party might read these articles and it might awaken a few things.
Well done, Gerry.
I have here a copy of Bunreacht na hÉireann-----
Did the Israeli ambassador ask the Senator to say that when he was smiling with her? Senator Craughwell is a disgrace.
Senator Gavan had his opportunity to speak.
I know, but that picture of Senator Craughwell with the Israeli ambassador was a disgrace and he should be ashamed of himself.
I thank Senator Gavan for his point.
I have here Bunreacht na hÉireann-----
Shit-----
Senator Keogan, please.
Sorry, but Sinn Féin talking about someone being a disgrace-----
I know Members are anticipating the referendum debate and the forthcoming local, European and potential general elections. They are all getting ready and are all in training but let Senator Craughwell, who, to be fair to him, has been very-----
He has had something published and we are excited for him.
Let us congratulate him on having it published.
Absolutely.
Exactly.
I will not take any lectures-----
I am not lecturing the Senator.
I am not speaking to the Cathaoirleach but I will not take lectures from people who were terrorists on this island and who terrorised my mother and my father back in 1974. Do not give me any of that rubbish.
You are pathetic.
I ask Senator Craughwell to address the Order of Business, please.
Getting back to the Order of Business, Articles 18 and 19 of Bunreacht na hÉireann deal with the elections of the Seanad and I ask the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister on the next election for the Seanad. Every day, I sit in here and hear some small few colleagues talking about their constituency. We do not have a constituency. We are national politicians. This is a revising and reforming House and we do not have a geographical constituency. We need to get away from that. We are not even supposed to have clinics and offices but are supposed to be here reforming and revising legislation. Perhaps we could have a debate on that and perhaps we could close nominations to the Seanad on the same day that they close for the Dáil. I know that the Cathaoirleach will support that and I can see that already.
I should not say this as Cathaoirleach but there are enough people hawking themselves around the country to all sorts of shindigs and gigs that they would would want to have a look at this constituency initiative. I congratulate Senator Craughwell on his articles being published and I ask that the Senator might circulate them so that we can read them, please. It is always good to have Members of the House having articles published in different types of journals, whatever their views are.
I call Senator Davitt Davitt to speak now, please.
I know that this is something close to the Leader's own heart as a person who has been involved with the Defence Forces. My thoughts are with all of the soldiers in Camp Shamrock today. Hezbollah's actions are despicable in using the cover of the Irish camp in Lebanon as a foil to fire indiscriminate rockets into Israel. It is putting peacekeepers under threat and my thoughts - people from Mullingar and the midlands are serving there at present, including people I would know - are certainly with those members of the Defence Forces. I was talking with some relations who are very worried with what is going on there at present, about the way in which Hezbollah is using the cover of the UN and trying to take cover under the UN's coat-tails to provoke Israel, or whatever else.
I welcome Councillor Anna Grainger and her guests to the Public Gallery. I also welcome the guests of Deputy Noel Grealish from Castlegar in County Galway. I see a familiar face in the Gallery, Mike Connolly, who broke Cork hearts on Sunday.
He is very welcome to Leinster House. He is one of the finest hurlers to play for Galway and to grace the field of Croke Park. He is one of the great Connollys of Castlegar. Cuirim fíorfháilte roimh gach duine inniu.
I welcome and support the call by Senator Gavan to have a conversation about the future of Ireland and of a united Ireland in light of the positive developments that have taken place. Maybe we will get a chance on that occasion to discuss the split that is clearly taking place with Sinn Féin south of the Border where, on one hand, some of its representatives in this House have supported the nature restoration Bill and yet their apostle in Brussels has gone rogue on them this morning. We will see how that plays out. It does not spell great for the future that they are not able to remain united in the face of that.
Last night, I had an opportunity yet again to meet those who have self-catering facilities and small units beside their homes that they rent out at certain times of the year, mainly the summer, to tourists and people generally to, in the first instance, provide a support structure for the tourism industry but also to provide themselves with some small amount of income. These are often granny flats, converted garages and small units and they are coming under pressure based on proposed laws. The suggestion somehow is, and it has been perpetrated by politicians on all sides, that if we get rid of Airbnb and we require everybody to get planning permission for the utilisation of some structure for accommodation, we will solve the housing crisis. Some people go online and discover there are 20,000 or 30,000 listings, which could be anything from a room in a house to a yurt or caravan, and think that will somehow solve the issue of the 13,000 people who are homeless. It is cheap politics and it is undermining an industry.
We should have a debate in this House. I am particularly taken by the people I have met on a number of occasions and who I met again last night who are really fearful for their business. The reality is that even where there is maybe a house attached to their own farmhouse, they are not going to rent that out long term. They are not going to bring in families. For a couple of months of the year, however, that is suitable for tourism-related activities, something which we badly need because, rightly, we have taken the inflow of Ukrainian refugees and provided them with hotel accommodation. That has put pressure on our tourism sector. We need to address this issue and I would like a debate in this House as soon as possible.
I welcome the news today that the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, will publish the opening of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme, which has approval by Cabinet. We now know that this scheme will go live on 20 March 2024. It has been a long time coming and many people have been waiting.
I have personally been involved in this issue for years. I have had personal experience of it. We debated this to a great extent and at great length in this House and, regrettably, we did not get a lot of support in this House. At the end of the day, that is democracy. We put our best foot forward and a Bill and scheme were drafted. The Minister was true to his word, although there were difficulties. There was much administration and a lot of complications with regard to this, but the day has now arrived. The Cabinet agreed this morning to issue a detailed statement.
Last night, the Minister himself contacted many people by email to flag - a very loose flag - what might potentially be happening. Today, however, it has been approved. It is happening and there is now a lead-in. However, it is going to take some time. I ask in my general appeal today - I will be writing to the Minister later - that we prioritise the older people. Since this legislation was passed, I know of many people who have passed away. They died after waiting all these years. These people were in their 70s and 80s. It is important now that the scheme is prioritised in terms of the more elderly people so they can get some sort of payment and, if necessary, the Minister could introduce an interim payment. I am confident the Minister is delivering and I welcome Government’s commitment on this. It has been difficult and has not been an easy issue for anybody. It is good and welcome news, and I thank the Government for seeing it through to the very end today.
A report issued this morning shows that the commercial property vacancy rate is at its highest level in ten years.
There are something like 30,000 vacant commercial units across the length and breadth of the country. Here in the city I understand there are 19 office blocks, eight of which are brand new, that have not been occupied and are lying vacant. This is in addition to a further 15 in suburbs of the city. This is at a time when the housing situation is at its highest point and surely it would make sense for an audit of these properties to be done with a view to reconfiguring those properties for residential use, such as student accommodation.
We currently have approximately 200,000 third level students in our system with a projection of potentially another 50,000 by the end of this decade. All of those students need accommodation. As many parents know, especially those from the country, the task of trying to find or locate a property in this city and indeed other cities for students come college time is a huge task. Finding one is one task and being able to afford the rent is another. We should do an audit of these properties with a view to reconfiguring them for student accommodation. All the services are there and they are well-located. I ask the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister for further and higher education, Deputy Harris, so we can discuss this issue and perhaps carry out an audit with a view to bringing these properties back into use for residential purposes.
I rise today to highlight the fact that Explore Engineering will take place at Shannon Airport on Thursday, 7 March from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is a collaboration between industry, the ETB and the chambers of commerce. More than 60 different engineering companies will come forward to show what exactly they do. It is about encouraging students, especially, who wish to study engineering and showing them the different types of jobs available and what exactly they would be doing. It will encourage people to study engineering. It is also covered by Tús and the University of Limerick. They are very involved in it as well. It is mainly run by the chambers of commerce and the education and training board, ETB. It is really important because it is of benefit to students, their parents and their teachers and is about encouraging them to come forward and go for engineering roles. We all understand that engineering is a key part of any community.
I thank Members who contributed to the Order of Business. First, Senator O' Loughlin wanted to acknowledge the work of the Oireachtas in becoming an advancing disability equality organisation and receiving that award, and for facilitating the OWL programme which has allowed young people with disadvantaged backgrounds to come into the Oireachtas to work and do internships. She said that young people are now aspiring to get on the programme which is very good. She also spoke about struggling businesses that are dealing with increased costs. I have requested a debate on that issue and we have a date for the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to come before the House in the coming weeks so we will be able to have that debate with Members. Finally, the Senator asked for some clarity around the start date for the citizens' assembly on education.
Senator Doherty raised the issue of Christopher Norris, a 53-year-old man who has been living in residential care for almost 13 years following an acquired brain injury. While the nursing home is absolutely fabulous it is not suitable for his needs or circumstances. She has asked for assistance in meeting with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to try to advance Mr. Norris's case to get him into an independent living situation and to access disability funds. I will certainly do my best to assist in that matter.
Senator Keogan raised issues around the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, that have been part of the ongoing difficulties within RTÉ and in that general space. The media committee will be dealing with this in detail. My understanding is that the cross-party committee will have an opportunity to ask questions. It is regrettable that mistakes have been made but I also think it is important to allow a bit of space and time to ask questions and see what may come out of it. There have been a lot of ups and downs with this particular issue.
Ultimately, we are all of the view that we need to stabilise things at the national broadcaster and restore public trust in RTÉ. The Government is committed to doing that despite some of the difficulties that have taken place.
Senator Hoey spoke about AsIAm and Inclusion Ireland. The issue was raised last week as well. The percentage of children who are being restrained or do not have proper access to education is worryingly high. That is certainly something we have to address. It cannot be the case that children are not reaching their full potential. It is part of our foundation document that we have to value all children equally. That is certainly the case for education.
As regards the wildlife crime unit, a Commencement matter might be suitable on that question. I am not aware of the date on which it will be operational but I would like to see it get moving. It would be valuable work.
Senator Gavan spoke about the debate on constitutional issues in the State. The change in the North in terms of the election result was acknowledged in its aftermath and, of course, on the restoration of power sharing, which we all welcomed. I personally wished the First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, the very best in her role. It is good to see two women leading the Northern Ireland Government. It is an historic moment for the island. Many of us share the ambition and passion to see a united Ireland but it is important we get there in the right manner. We need to unite our people, not just the land mass, and bring all communities with us. That is the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement. It is important not to disenfranchise a significant proportion of the population, namely, the community in Northern Ireland.
Senator Paul Daly raised an issue relating to the climate action plan and retrofitting. Senator Murphy raised the same issue last week. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I have already requested that debate but a date has not been forthcoming as yet. There are significant challenges in reaching the target. I am aware there are significant wait times in accessing the retrofit and I fully support Senator Daly's comments in respect of the window and door grant. A person can get a window and door grant as part of the one-stop shop but cannot access it as an individual grant. I believe that is wrong. It is very expensive to access a one-stop shop. Even with getting a green loan or another type of finance or assistance, it is still a big leap. If we want people to retrofit and do something to reduce their energy costs, we have to help in every way we can, particularly for older people and more vulnerable households. The individual grants are people's preferred option and that should be supported. Window and door grants should be made available through the individual grant measures.
Senator Craughwell wished to alert the House to the publication of two articles he wrote. I thank him for letting us know and congratulate him on having them published. He asked for a debate on the Seanad. As we debate matters relating to the Seanad all the time, I am not sure that debate is required at present.
Senator Davitt raised an important issue relating to Camp Shamrock and the 332 Irish soldiers currently serving in Lebanon who are 7 km from the Israeli border, where there are daily attacks happening over their heads, in effect. I concur with his remarks. Our thoughts are with the families of the soldiers serving there on behalf of the Irish Defence Forces. It is an extremely challenging situation. I know the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Deputy Martin, is very much aware of the situation and keeping an eye on it. It is an ever-evolving situation. Our thoughts are with those individuals serving on behalf of our country.
Senator Dooley, too, welcomed a united Ireland debate but rightly pointed to the issues relating to the nature restoration law. It was regrettable that two of Ireland's 13 MEPs voted against the nature restoration law. I commend those MEPs who voted for nature and the restoration of nature. It was challenging to get the legislation to where it is now, with the final vote, but many of the concerns being raised on behalf of agriculture and the farming community were addressed by our MEPs and, ultimately, there was a push to do the right thing in terms of protecting the environment and the climate and preserving our lands for future generations.
I concur with the Senator's remarks in respect of self-catering facilities and small units. In the context of available listings, they are often conflated with what are viable long-term homes. As he pointed out, there are camping pods, yurts and small flats that are not suitable for long-term accommodation but are ideal in the provision of holiday accommodation in many parts of the country. I think of my county of Mayo, especially northern parts of the county. There is a significant shortage of holiday accommodation that has been exacerbated by the provision of accommodation as part of the humanitarian response to the Ukraine war. We need these small units to facilitate holidaymakers and ensure the tourism sector is supported, particularly in rural areas, where it is a significant employer.
We have to strike the right balance. There are definitely challenges in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, where too many properties in the city centres are not available for long-term rent for families and individuals. That should be kept separate from small little units that are not really suitable for long-term rent.
Senator Boyhan welcomed the Minister, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, giving a date for the mother and baby homes payment scheme for next month.
Senator Gallagher highlighted the commercial vacancy rate, which has never been higher. There are over 30,000 vacant commercial units in the State, many of them here in Dublin. The Senator suggested they could possibly be used for student accommodation to try to alleviate the pressures there, a sensible suggestion. We will certainly request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Harris, on that matter.
Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the Explore Engineering event in Shannon with the ETB and the chambers of commerce. It is important to tell young people what opportunities there are in that sector, some really high-quality jobs that would be of interest. It is great to see an event showcasing what is available in the Shannon region.
As Cathaoirleach, I join with Senator Davitt, Senator Dooley and the Leader in expressing our deep gratitude to the men and women who are serving at Camp Shamrock. Our thoughts are with them and we hope that everything we can do as a State will be done to protect them. As the Leader said, they are 7 km from the Israeli border and they are doing great work. We send them our best wishes and deep appreciation.
Order of Business agreed to.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 3.12 p.m. and cuireadh tús leis arís ar 3.45 p.m.
Sitting suspended at 3.12 p.m. and resumed at 3.45 p.m.