I thank the Minister. I appreciate the reply. I acknowledge the wonderful work that is done by sporting organisations across all sporting disciplines, as well as youth services around the country. They make a massive difference in people's lives. I tabled this question because I think there is potential to do more in terms of using the capital and community infrastructure that is in place in the context of the sporting world to try to provide even more services in areas where there are no services outside the immed…

I will give the Minister an example from my constituency. The local GAA club in a rapidly growing village is seeking to build new clubhouses and dressing rooms. It is very open and recognises that, apart from its sports club, there is very little for young people to do in the locality. Right now, it is very open to the concept of building the clubhouses but including in that new development a space that can be used for young people who may not be interested in playing Gaelic football or hurling to come in and be pa…

This question relates to how we could provide more facilities in our communities. I am conscious that our towns and villages are full of derelict buildings that potentially could be renovated and made available for young people as youth cafes or centres where young people could go and hang out to have some place to go on weekend nights. Many towns and villages around the State do not have those facilities at the moment.

I appreciate the work that is going on and good work being done. There is an opportunity in respect of towns and villages throughout the country, where there are many derelict buildings. There is a massive opportunity from a housing perspective but also to provide the types of buildings and facilities we know are needed. I refer in particular to former pubs and shops. Our towns and villages are dotted with such buildings that are boarded up. Community organisations are there and, with a capital injection, they will…

It is important to acknowledge the Department of Rural and Community Development and what it is planning to do with former bank buildings and other such facilities to create innovation hubs and spaces that are beneficial to communities. Young people should not be left behind and should be included in those plans. There is a strong case for that Department to get additional capital funding to help, either solely or in a collaborative way, to provide those types of facilities. Whether it is done through that Departme…

I thank the Acting Chairman. Many of the issues facing UHL are also being faced by University Hospital Kerry, UHK. Almost a month ago we had senior HSE officials coming down to visit the hospital and meet stakeholders, yet there is still no plan. There is a dearth of feedback from the HSE about what is happening or what is going to be done to address the massive problems we have at UHK. Will the Minister please update the House on what is happening and what has resulted from those meetings? A month ago I signalled …

When will we have a plan?

When will we have a plan?

Will the Minister please tell us when there will be a plan?

I want to add my voice to those of other speakers calling for additional supports for tourism and hospitality businesses. Throughout the country, those businesses are really hurting and struggling because of the situation at the moment. In my constituency, Kerry, even in the traditionally very busy locations like Killarney, Dingle and Tralee, businesses are really struggling since the EWSS was reduced earlier in the week. It needs to be restored. I am calling for a targeted approach for tourism and hospitality busi…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Táim fíor-bhuíoch an seans seo a bheith agam an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé anseo sa Dáil anocht. Mo bhuíochas don Aire Stáit as a bheith anseo chomh déanach anocht agus tá súil agam go dtabharfaidh sí na sonraí ón díospóireacht seo don Aire, an Teachta Darragh O'Brien, agus don Aire Stáit, an Teachta Peter Burke. Faoi láthair, mar is ionann an scéal don tír go léir, tá fadhbanna móra ag daoine óga sna limistéir Ghaeltachta i gCiarraí le cúrsaí tithíochta. Tá sé i …

That is okay.

Ba mhaith liom cúpla rud eile a rá. Is é mo thuairim go bhfuil seans iontach againn faoi láthair cuid mhór de na fadhbanna sa chóras tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht i gContae Chiarraí a réiteach sa phlean nua forbartha contae. Ar leibhéal náisiúnta tá a lán le déanamh againn freisin. Tá coimhlint idir an polasaí tithíochta sóisialta agus an polasaí teanga. Tá a fhios againn cad a tharlódh dá mbeadh an iomarca daoine gan an teanga ag teacht isteach sa Ghaeltacht gan aon intinn acu an teanga a úsáid sa todhchaí. Níl sé sin …

The town of Killorglin is in mid-Kerry and is a vibrant town that serves a broad hinterland in the mid-Kerry area. It also has its challenges. One of the opportunities for the town now is the rural regeneration and development fund and Kerry County Council has applied for funding in Killorglin to try to develop the town centre. This is to try to give Killorglin an economic boost and an opportunity to provide jobs into future for people in the area, as well as a better place to live. It is really important that Kill…

I refer to the provision of safe and segregated cycle lanes. I understand the Department is carrying out a review in this area. I welcome the rolling out of numerous greenways around the country. That is fantastic but we also have existing space on our road networks and many tertiary local roads that are underutilised. These could be improved and utilised for better cycling facilities to link up those greenways and towns. I ask that the Department accelerates that process and tries to move that forward. Currently, …

My Fine Gael colleagues and I from around the country want to raise this very important matter of vacant and derelict houses that could and should be converted to homes for people. In 2015, I proposed to the relevant Department what later became the repair and leasing scheme. The financial supports I proposed at the time were never implemented and the scheme has not been a widespread success, with the exception of Waterford. The success of Waterford should be learned from. I reiterate the calls I have been making o…

In relation to Waterford, the local authority carried out 118 repair and lease schemes out of 267 nationwide. Based on those figures - that is not enough by the way - there could have been about 3,000 additional units around the country, had the other local authorities pulled their weight. There needs to be more money put into the repair and lease scheme and its remit needs to be expanded to open the scheme to everybody. The amount of dereliction in the country is an absolute sin at this time. We need urgent action…

I believe this question is grouped with questions from myself, Deputy Richmond and Deputy Carey.

I commend the Minister and the Minister of State on their work, particularly in the area of sport, where the Minister of State has been doing fine work over the past 15 months. I acknowledge as well in this context the successful outcome for many clubs in respect of the equipment-only element of the sports capital and equipment programme. That was welcome. I am aware, however, that the demand that exists and the overall request for €200 million in funding cannot be addressed by the amounts originally allocated, and…

I welcome that response from the Minister of State. He has my full support and I think I speak for many Deputies in that regard concerning his endeavours in this area. Since 1998, more than €1 billion has been distributed through the sports capital programme. It has transformed the landscape of Irish sport in the time it has been operating. Much more must be done, though, and a great deal of catching up must be undertaken, particularly regarding certain sporting organisations that have not availed of the programme …