Can the Minister of State indicate whether, based on his observations and ongoing dialogue with the various groups concerned in County Kildare and elsewhere in the country, there is a greater need for further intervention in specific areas?

Like others, I congratulate and thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Ceann Comhairle, Oireachtas staff in the House, our office staff and members of An Garda Síochána, who were directing traffic outside the House when it was almost 3 a.m. It was a challenging time for everybody and everyone should take a bow on having successfully concluded the past 18 months. I raise the issue of bullying, which I raised previously, in particular bullying through use of the Internet, whether it is targeted at children, women, vuln…

I thank the Minister. We now proceed to Priority Question No. 33 in the name of Deputy Cullinane.

This question relates to the urgently required extension at Naas General Hospital, which has been on the waiting list for some considerable time.

I thank the Minister for his welcome reply. I ask that particular attention be paid to ensuring that the project goes ahead in a co-ordinated fashion so that everything happens simultaneously, it broadens to include whatever the hospital requires, and we do not have to revisit it in one or two years' time. Will the Minister try to ensure that emphasis is placed on progressing the matter with all possible speed, given the length of time this project has been on the waiting list?

I agree with the Minister, in that as time goes on, changes are necessary. They are driven by requirements, society and demand. Particular emphasis must be placed on mental health in the aftermath of Covid. Indeed, there will be waiting lists and pressure on all hospitals' facilities, space and staff. I thank the Minister for the constructive line he is taking. I appreciate that there were difficulties due to Covid, but it is now necessary to proceed with all possible speed lest something else come along to hinder …

I thank the Minister.

This question seeks to ascertain the extent of the time taken to process applications for visas, whether they be work visas or immigration requirements, in the immigration section of the Department, given the importance of the need to facilitate the economic recovery that will follow the pandemic.

I appreciate the magnitude of the task. Nonetheless, the size of the task ahead should not become a dominant factor or feature. It should be possible at this stage to make preparations, which would have to be made in any event. There is likely to be an upsurge in economic activity in the aftermath of the pandemic, which will result in applications for work permits and visas from abroad. These applicants must meet the skill requirements in this jurisdiction at a time when it is felt that the processing of the applic…

By way of supplementary or further inquiries, two issues arise. The first issue is the extent to which a positive outcome can be expected with regard to applications for work-related visas. How quickly, for instance, can the employer here expect a positive decision given that all other requirements are met? In addition, the time taken to process applications is an issue, as is the degree to which the employer can expect a satisfactory outcome. My last point relates to the necessity of the process. The process is ne…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Paul Donnelly - to discuss the current status of the move of Danu Community Special School school in Dublin 15 to Riversdale Community College; (2) Deputy Thomas Pringle - to discuss the Brandon report and the HSE response or otherwise to it and its implications; (3) Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - to discuss the lack of water and waste water infrastru…

Seanad amendments Nos. 4, 6, 9 and 13 are related and may be discussed together.

That is correct.

Agreement to the Seanad amendments is reported to the House. A message will be sent to Seanad Éireann acquainting it accordingly.

Deputy Boyd Barrett was in possession when the debate adjourned. There are ten minutes remaining in that slot. The rest of the time may be taken by Deputy Bríd Smith.

Deputy Boyd Barrett is quite prepared and well capable to fill the space. He may proceed.

As there are no Government or other speakers, I invite the Minister of State to reply.

Sinn Féin's slot is next. Deputies Martin Kenny and Patricia Ryan have 20 minutes

I refer to the serious deficiency in child and adult mental health services in community healthcare organisation 7, which covers Dublin South-West and North Kildare. It has resulted in particular cases being referred to the courts when no other institutional care was available. Such cases ending up in the courts is not of any therapeutic benefit, medical or otherwise. A similar situation pertains with regard to education places for children with an acute level of disorder. The mother of one such child stated after …

That is not negotiable at the moment, Deputy, so we will proceed on the basis of the time allocated.