-----meeting our international obligations as a humanitarian country-----

-----to provide safe harbour and refuge to those who need it.

What the Deputy has called for today is a cap on that. That is what she has called for. I would ask people to read the record of what she has said.

Let us be very clear. As the Deputy knows, Government is acutely aware of the pressures families and our people are under. Inflation is not just an issue in this country, but worldwide. It has been brought about by the war in Ukraine and issues with regard to supply chains, food and energy in particular. We have already introduced approximately €2.4 billion worth of measures to try to soften that blow. We will not be able to remove the effects of inflation completely. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have been very clear…

I thank Deputy Bacik for her question. Obviously, the independence of the board and the position the board has are of crucial importance. I take the allegations very seriously in that regard. That is why a number of reviews and investigations are happening, including the specific one by Remy Farrell SC. I have not yet received the report. I know there was a vote in the Dáil yesterday to have a debate on this in advance of getting the report. If we are reasonable, which the Deputy is being, we need to be able to get…

There have been some comments that the terms of reference for the senior counsel review are somewhat restricted. They are not at all. Term 5(a) states the senior counsel "shall exercise such discretion in relation to the scope of his examination of the matters of concern as he considers necessary and appropriate". Term 5(b) adds further to that. Where other allegations have come into the public domain, they are also being investigated. I have not received the report which is due within six weeks. The senior counsel…

Of course, it is not the apartment owners' fault. I assume the Deputy is aware that I established a working group on fire defects for apartments that has been working over the course of the last year. Most importantly, included in that have been the residents represented by the Apartment Owners Network and the Construction Defects Alliance. They put together the terms of reference; that was not influenced by me. I expect to receive the report very shortly. I take this issue very seriously. It is not the fault of th…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has asked the HSE to prepare a comprehensive emergency department plan to address the issues in individual hospitals. He visited the emergency department in University Hospital Galway earlier this year. With the increase in the number of Covid patients over recent weeks, the consequent ongoing requirement to provide separate Covid and non-Covid pathways is putting pressure on the capacity to deliver. As I mentioned earlier i…

Deputy Mattie McGrath is well aware - this was discussed yesterday and earlier today - of the measures we have introduced to help different sectors. If there is a specific request with regard to any sector, I will certainly raise that with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Forestry licensing in 2021 was 56% higher than in 2020. It is a very important component and part of our materials for the delivery of housing and other infrastructure. We are supporting those sectors through the measures we are …

I thank Deputy Harkin for raising the matter of the mobile cath lab at Sligo University Hospital. As the Deputy knows, it is operated by a private company. The company concerned has advised it is to cease its provision of mobile cath lab services at Sligo University Hospital, and other hospitals in the Irish market, at the end of June. As a result, the Saolta University Health Care Group is working with hospital management on contingency measures to ensure adequate services are provided to patients. The HSE has adv…

I guarantee the Deputy I will do that. I know this is a serious matter for her constituents and for Sligo University Hospital. I will ask the Minister to respond directly to the Deputy on this serious issue to see what else the HSE can do to ensure the provision of services continues.

I thank Deputy Leddin. There is no question but that there are benefits to improving our infrastructure across the country and ensuring it supports regional development, in particular. That is why we have taken specific measures around the urban regeneration development fund. Almost €2 billion has been provided to our regions to provide compact urban growth. We need to improve our public transport capacity, in particular our rail capacity. The Deputy has specifically the western rail corridor. I and the Minister fo…

I thank the Deputy. I have met groups in my own constituency of Dublin Fingal, including Prosper Fingal. They have been encouraging and I know a campaign is under way within those companies to address pay, in particular. It is a matter the Government will consider seriously. The provision of these services is crucial and the work these tutors do on behalf of vulnerable adults and children, in particular those with special needs, is absolutely critical. We need to ensure those tutors are supported. The matter will b…

I thank the Deputy. We certainly need to ensure we vindicate the rights of those people. I know the Deputy has raised the issue of Dealgan nursing home directly with the Taoiseach in the past. My understanding is that it is intended that the group set up to consider the issue will formally submit its report to the Minister for Health shortly. I will raise the matter directly with the Minister on the Deputy's behalf to ensure he is given an update. Any abuse of anyone, but in particular vulnerable adults, is absolut…

There is no question but that there have been issues in the Passport Service. I have experienced that myself through contacts I have received from my own constituents. There have been improvements in recent weeks, as I think the Deputy will recognise. One of the particular issues relates to first-time passport applications where errors may have been made and not picked up soon enough. Families are only receiving the news that there are errors weeks afterwards. The Deputy has raised a very valid point. To be fair to…

I happen to agree with Deputy Cathal Crowe. It is a very fair point. We need integrated information systems in our health service. The HSE is working on that very piece but it is about how we can share information between our GP and the local hospitals as well. Much of it is paper-based and the systems do not speak to each other, where there are systems. It is something that is being worked on by the HSE. I do not know how far down the road we are in that space but it is obviously crucial the technology keeps up wi…

Is it good?

I will tell the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly.

I thank the Deputy. On his last point, I will very shortly be announcing the Croí Cónaithe towns and villages fund. It will focus first on the centre of towns and villages. We will see how well that works. What this will do is provide a grant in the region of €30,000 to people who want to buy properties that are either vacant or derelict to help defray the cost of doing them up and getting them livable, on the basis they are living in them. We also provide a scheme under repair and lease for social housing, which i…

The special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers was, as the Deputy rightly says, due to end at the end of June. My understanding is the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is working with the Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to address the issue before the end of next week and we would like to see that extended. On the fact that only a third of healthcare workers have been paid the bonus due to them on foot of a Government decision in recognition of the work they did through Co…