I thank the Minister and I could not agree more. I think that certainly by encouraging community participation in planning and implementation of these projects it helps to create a strong sense of ownership and engagement in communities. Certainly we have seen the benefits of this in the past number of years, especially in my own county of Mayo in relation to the valuable projects that have been delivered. One area in relation to themes and priorities is increasing our infrastructure and connectivity and ensuring p…

Sheep farmers are the second largest farming sector in our country and produce a world-class product. These farmers are a crucial component of our local economy and generate employment in rural communities across the country. However, low incomes in this sector are prohibiting new entrants, with many sheep producers grappling with increased production costs, while price falls and the supply carryover of stored lamb are real factors of concern. Over 19,000 farmers have applied for the sheep improvement scheme but th…

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 22 February 2023.

The Select Committee on Justice has completed its consideration of the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 and has made amendments thereto.

Many different national initiatives could be used to support Irish tourism in the coming years. Those initiatives can be tailored to the unique strengths and opportunities of the industry. Will the Minister outline some new national initiatives that will be implemented to support Irish tourism over the next decade?

I thank the Minister for her response. The discussion around the development of sustainable tourism is important for the environment and the long-term health of the industry. Getting into the regions for long-term stays is also a priority. To support that, I echo the need for an ecotourism structure to be rolled out. There is also a need for the promotion of sustainable travel options and the implementation of measures to reduce the carbon footprint of the tourism industry. We should also consider developing our of…

I thank the Minister. I represent a rural constituency and rural tourism is an important issue for the sustainability of businesses and local employment. We need to enhance our promotion of the rural experience, while also supporting local businesses. One issue relates to the CIÉ bus tours of Ireland website. Only two out of 17 scheduled tours of Ireland this summer will include my own home county, which is disappointing and concerning. We need to present better options for the likes of Westport. To also mention th…

Last year, an allocation of €150 million was divided between clubs, schools, community groups, associations and sporting bodies all over the country. It was one of the biggest ever cash injections for grassroots sports in the history of the State and was very welcome. I understand a full review is taking place of the sports capital programme and it will be published shortly. When will the applications open for 2023-24? Last week, we learned of the closure of the immigrant investor programme to future applicants. Th…

The lack of dental services is causing severe problems for men, women, and children across the country. Numerous contracted dentists have withdrawn from the dental treatment services scheme, DTSS. Primary schoolchildren are not receiving dental treatment until they reach secondary school. What steps are being taken to alleviate the backlog for those on waiting lists to access dental treatment?

I thank the Minister for his response. On a weekly, if not daily, basis, we receive representations from people of all ages who are unable to access dental treatment. We must ask why contracted dentists are withdrawing from the DTSS. Dentists in Mayo say the DTSS is outdated in its scope and that it is so burdened with bureaucracy that most of them would not accept the contract regardless of the fees being offered. They need to be consulted when it comes to reforming the scheme. What engagement has the Minister had…

I thank the Minister for his response. We have similar examples in Mayo where elderly people had to look for appointments in Sligo to fix their dentures, which is completely unacceptable. On another point, the lack of access to dental treatment for young people is causing great difficulty for primary schoolchildren who are to be examined and treated by the HSE dental services in second, fourth and sixth class, before the age of 12. We are having significant problems with many checks coming after significant develop…

Some returning citizens are facing an uphill battle when it comes to re-establishing themselves in Ireland. Those living abroad for up to five to ten or 15 years, likely as a result of the Celtic tiger economic crash, have reported difficulties setting up bank or credit union accounts, getting housing assistance, access to schools and college places, or even obtaining car or health insurance. Trying to start a business is also compounded by these difficulties. We need to appreciate the thousands of returning citize…

Year after year, students face a difficult task when seeking to secure accommodation. Competition is fierce at times and it can be extremely difficult to secure suitable places to live. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to increase the number of accommodation units for students across third level colleges and universities. Will the Minister provide an update on the number of units delivered to date?

I thank the Minister for his reply. We are all aware of cases where student accommodation fails to meet the quality standards in many areas. Many students have reported poor living conditions, inadequate heating and ventilation, mould and damp. We need to ensure we have modern suitable accommodation. We need to look to provide such accommodation in a structured manner. I encourage the adaptive reuse model, which involves converting existing buildings into student accommodation. Croí Cónaithe is an important vehicle…

I know the Minister is deeply committed to delivering increased numbers of student accommodation. It is crucial we get careful planning and management to ensure such student accommodation is fit for purpose, meets the needs and is supported by ample public transport. Rental prices are at an all-time high and it is making it extremely difficult for students. I encourage that the application that was submitted by ATU for the old military barracks in Castlebar be given careful consideration. It is a vacant barracks in…

The Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant can make a significant difference in the lives of students who receive it. Can the Minister provide an outline of proposed changes to the eligibility criteria to expand the grant to eligible students?

I thank the Minister for his response. We are all aware in this House of the importance of the SUSI grant and its role in enabling students to pursue their educational and career goals. It is an important element whereby students can have access to basic necessities in our current cost-of-living crisis around food, housing and healthcare. Certainly, it reduces the financial burden on many people and provides access to education, which is crucially important. The Minister has made significant strides to date with re…

I welcome the Minister's comments with regard to the income thresholds. That is a significant barrier for many applicants. I also suggest broadening the types of courses for applicants to make applications towards their eligibility. Simplifying the application process and reducing the paperwork involved would encourage more students to apply. We are inundated in our office at times with regard to the amount of paperwork that is needed. Certainly, however, that is an area that may be advantageous for people who are …

I wish to raise with the Minister the multi-annual rural water programme, an issue I have raised previously with him. It impacts communities in north Mayo - Porturlin, Carrowteige, Srahataggle and Portacloy - where many rural dwellers are living without a piped water supply, which is severely impacting their quality of life. They have no drinking water and no heating system that can reach high enough temperatures. With condemned wells, they cannot even shower. A water pre-connection application was submitted to Iri…

I thank the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, for the opportunity to speak on this issue, which has raised some really complex matters. The debate refers to people who really require access to care. They are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. My main concern is that these issues have been ongoing since first reported by the Office of the Attorney General in 2004. The high cost of nursing home care was highlighted at the time along with the lack of transparency in the pricing and payment systems.…