I have been involved in a particular project with a number of community groups. The problem is that the route cuts across two local authorities. It is about getting co-operation. One is Cork City Council, the other is Cork County Council and the issue is whether it can be co-ordinated between the two. There must be buy-in by both authorities. It is a well-developed project by a small number of people that is really worth examining. Both local authorities are examining it but unless they work together, the project w…

I agree with my colleague from Cork North-Central. I happen to have been chairperson of Blackpool Community Centre a number of years ago - in fact, when we applied for planning permission for a community centre in Ballyvolane. Unfortunately, however, there were so many local objections that it never got planning. I think the mistake that was made in Ballyvolane was about a site not being set aside on day one for a community centre and that it would be built at the same time as the houses were. There are over 1,200 …

Since October, 219 cases of invasive group A streptococcus have been reported. There was extensive coverage on RTÉ and in the Irish Examiner at the weekend of the sad death of Vivienne Murphy in 2019 and the lack of a proper paediatric unit in Cork University Hospital, CUH. There is a paediatric unit there and the staff are working extremely hard. There is planning permission for a new paediatric unit but a dedicated children's ICU is needed in CUH. What is the up-to-date position regarding this development? Planni…

I join others in wishing Noel Murphy a long and peaceful retirement. I thank him for his contribution as a member of staff here in Leinster House. I wish to raise the issue of accommodation for members of the Defence Forces. Over the years, accommodation was available on site in Army barracks. Much of that was allowed to fall into disrepair. An announcement has been made in respect of Collins Barracks in Cork. Will projects to build accommodation for general Army personnel and officers on Army property be fast-trac…

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland, or MS Ireland as it is more commonly known, has set out a clear business case for the employment of nine physiotherapists, one in each of the HSE community healthcare organisation, CHO, areas. It has done so as a result of research and work done in the CHO 2 area where a physiotherapist is working. It is clear that the employment of a physiotherapist in that area has hugely helped all the people who have multiple sclerosis. We must remember that more than 9,000 people have…

I fully agree with the Minister of State in this regard. In fairness, the project in the CHO 2 area is working very effectively. It clearly sets out that progress is being made. Let us look at the figures. The 9,000 people who suffer with MS will account for 54,000 GP visits, approximately 16,450 nights in hospital and approximately 1,544 emergency department attendances per annum. Their challenge is not only that they have to suffer, but their families who are providing support have to be catered for as well. This…

Many properties cannot be developed because of defects in title. I raised previously the idea of local authorities using their compulsory purchase order powers to rectify title. The owner of the property would engage with the local authority, the local authority would serve a compulsory purchase order and this would entitle the local authority to rectify the title and sell back to the property owner. Has there been engagement with local authorities on the use of that system? If there are less than 70 years to run o…

I have done it.

Will the Minister of State provide an update on the latest developments regarding ACRES applicants? When is it envisaged ACRES applicants will be informed as to whether they have been accepted into the scheme?

In respect of payments to issue in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Minister of State referred to set periods. After the initial payment, for what kind of period will farmers be required to deal with the scheme?

In regard to the set period, that engagement will continue after the fourth quarter of this year. What kind of plan does the Department have for continuing that process after the fourth quarter?

Next week is national brain awareness week. I take this opportunity to raise need for neurorehabilitation facilities in the nine community healthcare organisation, CHO, areas. My understanding is that funding for this year has been set aside for the facilities in CHOs 2 and 4. When will the programme in this regard be rolled out in those two areas? When will neurorehabilitation teams be put in place in the other five CHO areas? The expectation is that there would be a saving of 42,000 bed days if we had a neuroreha…

The need for a discussion on the regulation of psychologists was precipitated by an RTÉ programme by Barry O'Kelly in recent days which raised serious concerns about what is occurring. There is no regulation or State registration. We set up CORU in 2007 for the regulation of healthcare providers and, unfortunately, psychologists do not at present come in under its remit. Clear evidence was provided in the programme of a person who presented themselves as having a qualification, who was employed by the HSE. The pers…

I fully accept that the area is complex, and I have stated as much in discussions with Ministers over the past two days. Nevertheless, a danger exists, as was highlighted in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme. Somebody who is holding themselves out as having a qualification can give a written report that can be used in planning out the programme of care for a young person or child, and that is the danger. The PSRB was established in 2017, more than five years ago. We now need to move on. I do not want to have to come…

At a recent meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts it was revealed that the Supreme Court ordered that €30 million be made available as security costs to the administrator of the Quinn Insurance company in order to proceed with a case against PricewaterhouseCoopers. My understanding is that the case was settled. Neither the Central Bank nor the Department of Finance would reveal the terms of the settlement agreement to the Committee of Public Accounts. I ask that the details of the settlement be available to t…

Regarding temporary business energy support scheme applications to date, I ask the Minister to outline the number submitted; the work being done to improve the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Has there been a percentage increase in the number of applications received?

I ask the Minister to outline how many people will benefit from the cost-of-living supports announced last week and to make a statement on the matter.

I thank the Minister. Last week's announcement is welcome, especially for older people. I am concerned that, while he has agreed to extend the VAT reduction from 13.5% to 9% until 31 October, we are hearing of many retired people receiving electricity bills in excess of €1,000. Electric Ireland, for instance, is passing on a reduction to the commercial sector but is not dealing with private individuals as regards reductions. Has the Department had any engagement with the utility suppliers on passing on reductions? …

Can a time period be set within which those reductions can be seen? Will they be seen within three months for homeowners and people on small incomes? It is important to work on that over the next three months.